Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1878 — A Diplomatist’s Novel Way of Increasing His Salary. [ARTICLE]

A Diplomatist’s Novel Way of Increasing His Salary.

Wit is sometimes of good service to the statesman or diplomatist. When Queen Elizabeth first proposed to Uofoe, the famous civilian, to employ him on a diplomatic mission to Handers, she tolu him, among many other things, that he should have twenty slulfiflgs a day for bis expenses, which at that time was thought a liberal allowance. “Then, Your Highness,” said the doctor, “I will spend nineteen shillings a day in Your Majesty’s service.” “ What will you do witli the odd shilling?” said the Queen. “Oh, I will reserve that for my wife and two children.” This answer had the effect intended, and a considerable increase was immediately made in his allowance. Notwithstanding this, he was pressed for money during his stay in Flanders, and thought of a novel plan to get a supply; he sent in a packet to the Secretary of State two letters; one to the Queen, and the other to his Wife, which he misdirected, so that the letter to his wife was addressed “To Her Most Excellent Majesty,” and that to the Queen inscribed “To his dear wife.” The Queen, having opened tho letter, was surprised to find it beginning with “ Sweetheart,” and afterward interlarded with “my dear," “my love,” and other affection ate expressions. It concluded with requesting her to be very economical, for lie could send her nothing, as he was very short of money, and could not thinlcpf trespassing on the bounty of Ilcy 1 Majesty any further. Whether tho Queen suspected the trick, or believed in his necessities, is not certain; but an immediate supply of money was sent both to the doctor and his family.