Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1891 — The Glance Interrogatory. [ARTICLE]

The Glance Interrogatory.

Talleyrand, like most diplomatists, was famous for his attention to the details of etiquette. He prided himself on an ability to adjust his mode of address to the rank and position of the person to whom he was speaking. On one occasion, when a number of distinguished men were dining with him he varied his formula, when inviting them to partake of beef, in such a manner as to suit the rank of respective persons. “May I have the honor of sending your royal highness a little beef?” ho asked a prince of the blood. To a duke he said: “Monseigneur, permit me to send you a little beef.” “Marquis,” he continued, “may I send you some beef?” “Viscount, pray have a little beef." “Baron, do you take beef?” ran the next interrogation. “Monsieur, ” he said to an untitled gentleman, “some beef?” To his secretary he remarked, casually, “Beef?” But there was one gentleman left who deserved < even less consideration than the secretary, and 'Talleyrand, poising his knife in the air, favored him with a mere look of interrogation.