But we are not poor; and the excuse
fails. As shown above, some of our important diplomatic representatives
receive $12,000; others, $17,500. These salaries are all ham and
lemonade, and unworthy of the flag. When we have a rich ambassador in
London or Paris, he lives as the ambassador of a country like ours ought
to live, and it costs him $100,000 a year to do it. But why should we
allow him to pay that out of his private pocket? There is nothing fair
about it; and the Republic is no proper subject for any one's charity.
In several cases our salaries of $12,000 should be $50,000; and all of
the salaries of $17,500 ought to be $75,000 or $100,000, since we pay no
representative's house-rent. Our State Department realises the mistake
which we are making, and would like to rectify it, but it has not the
power.

When a young girl reaches eighteen she is recognised as being a woman.
She adds six inches to her skirt, she unplaits her dangling braids and
balls her hair on top of her head, she stops sleeping with her little
sister and has a room to herself, and becomes in many ways a thundering
expense. But she is in society now; and papa has to stand it. There is
no avoiding it. Very well. The Great Republic lengthened her skirts last
year, balled up her hair, and entered the world's society. This means
that, if she would prosper and stand fair with society, she must put
aside some of her dearest and darlingest young ways and superstitions,
and do as society does. Of course, she can decline if she wants to; but
this would be unwise. She ought to realise, now that she has 'come out,'
that this is a right and proper time to change a part of her style. She
is in Rome; and it has long been granted that when one is in Rome it
is good policy to do as Rome does. To advantage Rome? No--to advantage
herself.

If our Government has really paid representatives of ours on the Paris
Commission $100,000 apiece for six weeks' work, I feel sure that it is
the best cash investment the nation has made in many years. For it seems
quite impossible that, with that precedent on the books, the Government
will be able to find excuses for continuing its diplomatic salaries at
the present mean figure.

P.S.--VIENNA, January 10.--I see, by this morning's telegraphic news,
that I am not to be the new ambassador here, after all. This--well,
I hardly know what to say. I--well, of course, I do not care anything
about it; but it is at least a surprise. I