Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1884 — In the Garb of an American Citizen. [ARTICLE]

In the Garb of an American Citizen.

While Mr. Buchanan was the American Minister at the court of Queen Victoria, Mr. Marcy, Secretary of State, issued a circular to all foreign ministers, requesting them to appear at their courts “in the simple dress of an American citizen.” American citizens wear a variety of costume, and it was not clear which of them was meant by the new order. Mr. Buchanan conversed' oqthe subject with Sir Edward Cust, Master of Ceremonies, without getting much light on the problem. “The Queen,” at length said Sir Edward Cust, with some warmth, “would make no objection to your appearance at court in any dress you think proper; yet the people of England would consider it presumption.” Upon this, Mr. Buchanan was somewhat indignant, and replied, with considerable vivacity: 1 “While I entertain the highest respect for her Majesty, and desire to treat her with the deference which is eminently due her, yet it will not .make the slightest difference to me, individu-. ally, whether I ever appear at court.” “In this country,” rejoined Sir Edward. “an invitation from the Queen is considered a command.” Mr. Buchanan was wise enough not to notice this ill-timed remark; but the interview ended without result. The affair got into the’ newspapers, and threatened at one time: to lead to serious Consequences, until the Queen . herself privately suggested a way out of the difficulty. If the American Minister appeared at court in ordinary evening dress, he might easily be taken tor one of the upper servants, who alone on court days wear that costume. The Queen suggested, that Mr. Buchanan

should add to that dress a plain sword which at all courtais considered the murk of a person of rank. Mr. Buchanan acted upon this hint, and the propriety of the solution was remarked by every onff? “As I appeared the Queen,” he wrote, an arch but benevolent smile lit up her countenance, as much as to say, ‘You are the first man who ever appeared, before me at court in such a dress,’ I confess that I never felt more proud of being an American than when I stood in that brilliant circle ip the simple dress of an American citizen.” The dress, in fact, was a popular one. Some members of Parliament of great note told Mr. Buchanan that they had themselves never been at court simply because they could not bear to array ,themselves in court toggery. — Youth's Companion.