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do so would deprive him of all opportunity to exercise that
friendly； personal； social influence which is so important an
element in his success。
To sum up my suggestions as to this part of the subject； I should
say： First； that； as a rule； there should be provided at each
diplomatic post where the United States has a representative a
spacious and suitable house； either bought by our government or
taken on a long lease； and that there should be a small
appropriation each year for maintaining it as regards furniture；
care； etc。 Secondly； that American representatives of the highest
gradenamely； ambassadorsshould have a salary of at least
25；000 a year； and that diplomatic representatives of lower
grade should have their salaries raised in the same proportion。
Thirdly； that an additional number of secretaries and attaches
should be provided in the manner and for the reasons above
recommended。
If the carrying out of these reforms should require an
appropriation to the diplomatic service fifty per cent。 higher
than it now is；which is an amount greater than would really be
required by all the expenditures I propose； including interest
upon the purchase money of appropriate quarters for our
representatives abroad；the total additional cost to each
citizen of the United States would be less than half a cent each
year。
The first result of these and other reforms which I have
indicated； beginning with what is of the very first
importance；provision for a proper house or apartment in every
capital；would certainly be increased respect for the United
States and increased effectiveness of its foreign
representatives。
As to the other reforms； such as suitable requirements for
secretaryships； and proper promotion throughout the whole
service； they would vastly increase its attractiveness； in all
its grades； to the very men whom the country most needs。 They
would open to young men in our universities and colleges a most
honorable career； leading such institutions to establish courses
of instruction with reference to such a servicecourses which
were established long since in Germany； but which have arrived
nearest perfection in two of our sister republicsat the
University of Zurich in Switzerland； and in the ecole Libre des
Sciences Politiques in Paris。
It seems certain that a diplomatic service established and
maintained in the manner here indicated would not only vastly
increase the prestige and influence of the United States among
her sister nations； but； purely from a commercial point of view；
would amply repay us。 To have in diplomatic positions at the
various capitals men thoroughly well fitted not only as regards
character and intellect； but also as regards experience and
acquaintance； and to have them so provided for as to become the
social equals of their colleagues； would be； from every point of
view； of the greatest advantage to our country materially and
politically； and would give strength to our policy throughout the
world。
And； finally； to a matter worth mentioning only because it has at
sundry times and in divers manners been comically argued and
curiously misrepresentedthe question as to a diplomatic
uniform。
As regards any principle involved； I have never been able to see
any reason； a priori； why； if we have a uniform for our military
service and another for our naval service； we may not have one
for our diplomatic service。 It has； indeed； been asserted by
sundry orators dear to the galleries； as well as by various
〃funny…column〃 men； that such a uniform is that of a lackey； but
this assertion loses force when one reflects on the solemn fact
that 〃plain evening dress；〃 which these partizans of Jeffersonian
simplicity laud and magnify； and which is the only alternative to
a uniform； is worn by table…waiters the world over。
Yet； having conceded so much； truth compels me to add that；
having myself never worn anything save 〃plain evening dress〃 at
any court to which I have been accredited； or at any function
which I have attended； I have never been able to discover the
slightest disadvantage to my country or myself from that fact。
Colleagues of mine； clad in resplendent uniforms； have； indeed；
on more than one occasion congratulated me on being allowed a
more simple and comfortable costume； and though such expressions
are； of course； to be taken with some grains of allowance； I have
congratulated myself with the deepest sincerity on my freedom
from what seems to me a most tiresome yoke。
The discussion of a question of such vast importanceto the
censors above referred towould be inadequate were mention not
made of a stumbling…block which does not seem to have been
adequately considered by those who propose a return to the
earlier practice of our Republic and this is； that the uniform
is； at any European court； but a poor thing unless it bears some
evidence of distinguished service； in the shape of stars；
crosses； ribbons； and the like。 A British ambassador； or minister
plenipotentiary； in official uniform； but without the ribbon or
star of the Bath or other honorable order； would appear to little
advantage indeed。 A representative of the French Republic would
certainly prefer to wear the plainest dress rather than the most
splendid uniform unadorned by the insignia of the Legion of
Honor； and； in a general way； the same may be said of the
representatives of all nations which approve the wearing of a
diplomatic uniform。
But our own Republic bestows no such 〃decorations；〃 and allows
none of its representatives； during their term of office； to
receive them； so that； if put into uniform； these representatives
must appear to the great mass of beholders as really of inferior
quality； undistinguished by any adornments which indicate good
service。
All this difficulty our present practice avoids。 The American
ambassador； or minister； is known at once by the fact that he
alone wears plain evening dress； and this fact； as well as the
absence of decorations； being recognized as in simple conformity
with the ideas and customs of his country； rather adds to his
prestige than diminishes it； as far as I have been able to
discover。 Perhaps the well…known case of Lord Castlereagh at the
Congress of Vienna is in point。 In the midst of the throng of his
colleagues； all of them most gorgeously arrayed in uniforms；
stars； and decorations of every sort； he appeared in the simplest
evening attire； and the attention of Metternich being called to
this fact； that much experienced； infinitely bespangled statesman
answered； 〃Ma foi！ il est bien distingue。〃
Of course we ought to give due weight to the example set by
Benjamin Franklin when presented to Louis XVI； and the fact that
his simple shoe…strings nearly threw the court chamberlains into
fainting…fits； and that his plain dress had an enormous influence
on public opinion； but； alas！ we have also to take account of the
statement by an eminent critic to the effect that Franklin； at
his previous presentation to Louis XV； had worn court dress； and
that he wore similar gorgeous attire at various other public
functions； with the inference that he was prevented from doing
so； when received by Louis XVI； only by the fact that somehow his
court dress was inaccessible。＇10＇
＇10＇ See Sainte…Beuve； 〃Causeries du Lundi；〃 Vol。 VII； Article of
Nov