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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1905)
4(7 THE SUSDA? OBEG0N1AN, . PORTLAM), JA2TUARY 8, 1905. Russell Sage, Moneylender, at Eighty-Eight HIS OFFICE AND ITS IRON BOXES i SOME GOOD ADVICE TO YOUNG MEN m i EW YORK. Jan. 3f (Special Corre- fI fpondence of The Sunday Orego- nian.) I have heard many new things concerning Russell Sage during my stay In New York, and the report Is that he will not be in active business much longer- He seldom cbmes to his office more than once a week, and he some times keep? away for months. His enor snous money-lending matters are now in the hands of his clerks, and many of the transactions are consummated without reference to him. I called at his office this morning and was told It would be almost Impossible to see the old gentleman at his residence, and that when he came down town he devoted, himself solely to business. The truth I?, Russell Sage is how 88 years of age, and time Is begin ning to tell upon his cast-iron constitu tion. Great Boxes of Bonds. The office of Russell Sage is an Interest ing place. Many a country lawyer has a bigger one. It consists of several small rooms facing upon a hall, and walled off from it by doors and grated windows, like those through which letters are delivered at a postoffice. As I presented my card at one of these window today, a rosy-faced man with a silver mustache took it and told me that Mr, Sage was not well enough to see 'me. A moment later a banker came in with a great bunch of bonds, and the silver mus tached man. In return for them, signed a check representing a snug fortune in gold. As the banker left, I saw the silver mus tached clerk raise the door of an iron chest ae big as one of the old-fashioned wood boxes that stand beside a country stove and dump the bonds Into It. There were other bonds and stocks theie already, and, in fact, the box was filled with them. There are two such boxes under that window in Russell Sage's office, and no one but the clerks know what they con tain. At the different times I have called I have seep great bundles of Pennsylvania Railroad bonds, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul bonds. Rock Island Railroad stock, and scores of other securities brought out and passed upon. At one time. I remem ber, a roan came in to extend a loan. As the cleVk looked over his bundle, which may have contained a half million dollars worth of securities, the envelope which held them began to tear at the corner. As he noticed this the clerk said to the debtor: "I think you had better send me around a new envelope, or Mr. Sage will have to call that loan." Think of that! Asking for a new 5-cent envelope on a transaction that probably brought in Interest at the rate of 525,000 a year! Nevertheless, if I were doing business with Russell Sage. I would not hesitate to send In the envelope in a case like that. He has been noted as being an honest man, but also as a very particular one. In an Interview which I had with him a few years ago he told me that the coat he then had on had cct him ?6, and it was part of a suit which was then selling for $8.50. He was not ashamed to wear a suit of that price, although he had bought It. he told me. In order JLo illustrate his position on the tariff, and to show his friends that low duties made cheap cloth ing Russell Sage's Four-Cent Check. Not long ago Russell Sage cashed a check for 4 cents, and as he did so it is said that he remarked: "It was just like rinding money. Just like picking It up from the sidewalk." The check came in a let ter. It was from a theatrical firm, calling his attention to their new play then run ning at the theater, and inclosing this check, to pay for the time used in reading the letter. This was the note: "Assuming that your Income is $15,000 a year, and that you appreciate the fact that time is money, wo Inclose check for 4 cents in payment of two minutes of your Jlme at that rate, to be employed in carefully reading a brief and honest statement of the novel, applause-winning (features In our new musical farce." Such letters were sent Jo many wealthy New Yorkers, but it is said that Mr. Sage was about the only one who cashed the check. The senders had, however, no Idea of his actual -Income, or the check would have had to be enormously larger. Mr. Sage's Income Is probably somewhere be tween $5,000,000 and $10,000,000 a year. and. according to the same calculations, two minutes of It would be worth between $25 and $30. I mean that Mr. Sage's income probably amountB to at least $12 a min ute, every hour of every day and every night, year In and year oun At any rate. Mr. Sage indorsed the check and It went with others of many times Its value to the deposit clerk of the bank. How Sage Lends Money. It may Interest the money-borrowers of the United States to know how the great est money-lender on earth gives credit. The most of Mr. Sage's loans are on call, and as a rule an ample amount of good bonds or gilt-edged stocks must be feft as collateral. The Interest rates are not over high Millions are loaned at 4 per cent par annum. Here is the form of note often used: Stock Note. NEW YOItK. 100.. $500,000.00. On demand for value received we promise to pay RUSSELL. SAGE, or order, Vive Hundred Thousand Dollars, at his of fice, with interest at 4 per cent per annum, having deposited with him collateral secur ity for payment of this or any other liabil ity or liabilities of . . .to said Sage, due or to become due, or that may be here after contracted, the following property, as per memorandum envelope dated . . . . The market value of which is now $ . . with the right on the part of said Sage from time to time to call additional col lateral security should the market value thereof decline and upon our failure to com ply with such demand, this obligation shall forthwith become due, with full power and authority to him or Ms assigns in case of such default or of the nonpayment of any of the llbatlltles above mentioned at matur ity, to sell, assign nnd deliver the whole or any part of' such securities, or any sub stitutes therefor or additions thereto, at any broker's board, or at 'public or private sale, at hie option, at any time or times thereaf ter, without advertisement or notice to . . . and with the right on his part to become purchaser thereof at such sale or sales freed and discharged of any equity and redemp tion. And after deducting all legal or other costs and expenses for collection, sale and delivery, to apply the residue of the pro ceeds or such sale or sales so made, to pay any, either or all of said liabilities, as said Fage shall deem' proper, returning the over plus to uie undersigned; and . . . will still remain liable fr any amount so un paid. (Signed) How a Young Texan Made a Fortune. The most of Russell Sage's loans are to bankers and brokers. He has been ready, however, to lend to anyone upon secur ity, and if the business history of New York could be written. 1 venture many a story would be told as to how falling bouses have been propped up by Sage's money. One of the queer deals was that by which young White, a Texan, made $100,000 out of a loan he got from Sage. It was during the latter part of Cleve land s second administration. The Gov i ur7f' I m -4r TP I I nuxf eminent was hard up for money, and a large block of bonds had been sold at high prices .through Plerpont Morgan. A second block was ready for sale; but this was offered to the public and sub scriptions might b made by anyone Among the subscribers was a young Texan named Abraham "White. He had figured out that the bonds would In crease in value just as soon as they were Issued, and he made bids for several million dollars' worth of them. His bids ranged from 103 to 112. and the bids for $1,500,000 worth were higher than the bids made by Plerpont Morgan and his syndi cate. As a result that much-f the bonds wero awarded to him. At the time White made the bid he had not a dollar In his pocket, and his sole capital was about 44 cents, which he used in postage stamps, and in addition a lit tle small change. As soon as the award was made he called upon several bankers and tried to get a loan to enable him to pay for the bonds, but they all refused. He then went to Russell Sage, and frank ly told him Just how he was situated. Mr. Sage said: "Mr. White, you are asking for a good deal of money, but I will let you have It at 4 per cent per annum." He had White make out the proper papers and loaned him the money, whereupon White for warded the cash to the treasury and got the bonds. He sold them and returned the money to Sage. Out of that deal White is said to have made a clean $100, 000. It is said that Russell Sage never bor Charitable Countess of Limerick AVJH Give Concerts In America to LONDON. Dec. 21. (Special correspond ence of The Sunday Oregonlan.) De cidedly characteristic is the Countess of Limerick's plan to make a concert tour of the United Stales. Her Idea is, of course, to get money for the proposed musical college in Dublin, In which she is keenly interested, and to this end she will give a series of pianoforte recitals in American cities, beginning In February, and covering three months. That her ladyship will please her audiences there seems no doubt, for she studied under Padercwskl In Paris, plays the piano like a professional and was complimented on her performance by the late Queen Vic toria. Lady Limerick, whose husband Is, of course, the Earl, is a typical Irishwoman of fhr best class, rather tall, with fine rows money himself. He Is so situated that he can produce several million dol lars within an hour, and he has always money "for big things. The only time that he had been in d?bt was in 1SS4, when he became ill and had nervous pros tration. He then got tbe crazy Idea that he could raise no money. A million dol lars was then borrowed for him, but as he got better and was ready to attend to business again he found that his balance the bank was several million dollars. He also found the debt and. paid It with ready money. Mr. Sage has never been afraid to invest big sums nor to spend freely to make more. His economics have been In a small way. He has objected to paying 50 cents for an article worth 23 cents, but not to paying a hundred thou sand dollars for what he thought might soon be worth one hundred and ten thou sand dollars. Is Russell Sage's money his god? I doubt it. He has devoted his life to money-making, because it is his business and because he has enjoyed the game. I asked him once why he kept on work ing, remarking that he was one of the richest men of tho world, and that he had more money than he could ever spend. He replied: "I don't know why. I don't know that I could If I would, and fear I would not live long If I did so. I like work better than play. My happiness Is In my work, and I suppose I shall continue to work as long as I live." At another time he said that he had en joyed himself quite as much while he Ralss Fund for Dublin College. eyes, dark hair, a bright complexion and small, well-formed features. Charitable work is a hobby of her's, and she has .a real faculty of hitting on clever schemes for making money and carrying them throughJo succeses. It was she who orig inally fnought of selling boxes of sham rockthe real native-grown article for the Irish "Soldiers' and Sailors Families Association." On the eve of the first St- Patrick's day after that a large sale was secured, the practice has been main tained, and the "shamrock industry" Is now a regular institution. The Countess of Limerick was formerly Miss May Irwin, a clergyman's daughter. She married the Earl in IS)., and they nave one son. me mue viscount of Ulent worth. The Bar! who Is the fourth of his title, is descended directly from the Plantagenets. He owns 3S00 acres and resides at Dromore Castle. County Limerick. was a member of Congress as when In Wall street, and that wealth was over estimated ss giving happiness. Said he: "Wealth is always traveling under false pretenses. It does not confer the advan tages that the poor Imagine. We men are snaking money because' we want to have the credit of being smart enough to make It. There Is nothing in money itself worth struggling for after one has enough for his needs. Jay Gould said about that same time: "Tbe notion of getting comfort from great wealth Is nonsense. A decently economical man cannot spend more than' the income from a million dollars. Rich. men try to get more, not for the sake of the money, but because they want to ex cel. They are like boys who climb trees trying to see which ca"n climb the high est without falling. They say no man ever had enough. It is not true, r have enough,' and I know, a dozen other men who feel the same." AdvZce tS Young Men. Russell Sage has always been ready to advise young, men, and his advice ls al ways good. like Hetty Green, he be lieves In Providence, and he thinks that Providence has, favored him In giving him a fortune. He believes also that Provi dence helps those who help themselves, and that he is always looking out fpr the young man who thinks, plans, works and economizes. Mr. Sage has np sym pathy with the Idea that a rich man Is necessarily a dishonest man. and says, that the great financiers of the world have become so by honest work and hard work. He told me once that his first thousand dollars "was made by small sav ings, and that he thought It better for a boy to be born poor than rich. He believes that penny savings banks should be connected, with the schools, and that thrift should form a"part of every boy's education. He preaches the value of money, and advises every young man to live within his Income, to spend less than he makes, and to Invest what he saves. He thinks one should have 25 cents out of every dollar, and more If possible. Another bit of his advice to young men Is to join the church and take part In the Christian movement. He believes In charity. ' and says every young man shoujd give as much as he consistently can. I doubt not thai Mr. Sage gives a great deal himself and through his wife. Her charities, at least, are known everywhere. I have already spoken of Mr. Sage's habits. It was after he was four score that he told me that his good health had been due to. his careful eating, drinking and sleeping. He does not believe In club life. Whan he first came to New York he Joined the Union League Club, but he never attended more than three dinners there: and wheat his membership ran out he did not renew It. He has all his llfo had a splendid physique. He attributes this largely to his work while a boy. and to the fact that he has led to some extent an out-of-door life, having been fond of fast horses and driving. Ho has owned fast horses himself. Indeed, an autograph letter of his In Which he speaks of one of his horse deals was sold at an auction sale not long ago In New York for 40 cents. A copy of this letter lies before me. It reads: Office of Russell Sape. No. 71 Broadway, New York. Oct. 15. 1883. D. N. Stanton. Esq.: Dear Sirs I have lound and purchased a very tine young horse, six years old. to match "Louis" and believe I have a very pood and promising horse. They were driven together a half-mile. In 1:13 at Fleetwood. Puzzler Is in good, condition and Is a fast horec, and but for my purchase I should have arranged with, you for him. As it Is, I have to thank you most sincerely for sending him to me as you did, and I shall hope to reciprocate your kindness whenever opportunity offers. Tou can send ior mm at your convenience.. Yours truly, RUSSELL SAGE. Indeed. Mr. Sage in many ways re minds me of David Harum, and between the lines of his money-making life run the texts of numerous sermons. (Copy right, 1905.) FRANK. G. CAKFJSTiSK. Drudgery" gf Literature BUCKLE devoted nearly 20 years to the collecting of materials for his "History of Civilization." He wrote only a portion of the introduction, which remains- great monument to his literary and philosophical teacn Ings. If the work had been finished on tho same scale as begun a hundred volumes would not have sufficed. Crudcn labored 19 years on his "Con cordance to the Bible." and immediate ly after Its publication was sent to .a lunatic asylum. He never fully recov ered from the mental disease brought on by thlc gigantic undertaking- Bancroft devoted nearly 30 years to his "History of the United States,' which is not a history of the country at all, since it ends where the history of the country properly begins. Had the work been continued on the same scale down to the present he must have written 75 or SO volumes. Scott is said to have written "Wav erly" In less thnn six weeks. He wrote very rapidly, seldom revised, and as a consequence his novels were full of blunders, errora and anachronisms. Burns committed his poems to mem ory before he wrote them, and when he sat down to write he had before him no labor of composition, but only the task of writing down what he had already finished. Gibbon devoted over 20 years of his life to the labor of reading for and writing the "Decline and Fall." It is one of the most stupendous literary feats accomplished by one man. Thomas Moore often wrote a short poem almost Impromptu. He consumed over two years In reading and prepar ing material for "Lalla Rooka" and two years more in writing that inim itable poem. George Eliot Is said to have written ."Middlemarch" in four months. Some doubt is thrown upon this statement by the fact that she commonly worked slowly, writing with great care and de liberation, and making few erasures after the work was done. Dickens says In the Introduction of "David Copperfield" that he spent two years In the composition of that novel. He did not usually require so long a time, many of his novels being fin ished In a year and most of the shorter stories In a few days. Though it is said that Congrcvc could prepare a drama for the stage In a few days, four or five times this pe riod was given to the work of revision and reconstruction after the play had been given to the actors. Nearly five years of Irvlng's time was consumed In writing "The Life of George Washington. though it re quired no more than ten days to write the first 120 pages of "Bracebrldge Hall." "The Alhambra" was written during the three months he spent in that palace. Froude passed seven years in col lecting materials and writing his "His tory of England." He was very accu rate and often spent days in an effort to verify a single date or fact. Charity. The right Christian mind will find Its own image wherever it exists. It will seek for what it loves, and draw It out of all dens and caves, and It will believe In Its being often when it cannot see It and al ways turn away Its- eyes from beholding -vanity, and so It will He lovingly over all the faults and rough places of the hu man heart, as thesnow from heaven does over the hard and black and broken mountain rocks, following their forms truly, and yef catching light for them to make them fair, and that must be a steep and unkindly crag Indeed which It cannot cover. John Ruskln. Bright Americans Behind Old-World Thrones SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE MONARCHS HAVE UTILIZED YANKEE BRAINS AND AGGRESSIVENESS ness. having accomplished every thing possible at home, are now being utilized in' the government of a dozen or more of the kingdoms and mon archies of the Old World. This Is no mere figure of speech, but an actual existing fact. Abroad we are popularly known as "Yankees," and the occupants of some of the most ancient thrones of Europe and Asia have not disdained to accept the services of Yankee advisers. In recent years the Dowager Empress of China, the Mikado of Japan, the King of Slam, the Emperor of Corea and the Sultan of Tur key have openly availed themselves of the brains, the Industry and the aggress iveness of shrewd Americans, whose ac knowledged usefulness have earned for themselves medals of merit, royal titles and. In some Instances, handsome private fortunes. Shrouded In Mystery. The work of these remarkable men is not always performed In the full glare of the footlights of the world. Indeed, in many cases their Identity has been shrouded behind a mist of mystery, elu sive as It is Impenetrable. For , years strangers traveling In the land of the Sphinx have been puzzled over the per sonality of an American who has been the power behind the throne, a man whose word . has been law and whose Influence has apparently been able to accomplish anything from the arranging of an audi ence with the Khedive to permission for the carrying away of one of the pyra mids of Egypt. In other instances mon archs desirous of securing the best talent obtainable for strengthening and uphold ing their thrones have openly and direct ly appealed to the Government of the United States to assist them in finding Americans versed In International law. and the strategy of statecraft. Some times these applications assume the form of official communications. Again, they are entirely informal, and take the shape of friendly negotiations between Ameri can representatives abroad and the Am bassadors of foreign potentates located In Washington. The Individuals selected for these responsible posts almost Invariably Justify the confidence reposed In them. The most successful immediately assume the manners and the garb of the men and women they are to serve, and the remain der of their lives are spent In a foreign clime, amid strange scenes and among strange peoples. Adviser of Slam's Ruler. Edward H Strobcl, who Is now the right-hand man of the Emperor of Slam, is a typical Illustration of the kind of men who have won fame In other lands. He was formerly Assistant Secietary of Suite, and after that became professor of Law at Harvard University. A few years ago he was tendered the position of legal adviser to the Emperor of Slam, and ac cepted the offer. He has been away for several years, and his friends. In tho United States only hear from him at rare Intervals: but It Is known that he is offl clally (jailed "The Political Counsellor" to the Siamese government. It Is quite evi dent that he has impressed his Individ uality very deeply upon the ruler of the land of the white elephants, and that he nas aaaptea nimseii naiurauy to me pic turesque nation which he Is serving. In the international complications that have been arising from time to time In the Old World during the last few years it will be noticed that Slam, of all the other countries, has been singularly peaceful and tranquil. How much of this Is due to the quiet, plodding, steady-going ad viser of the Emperor Is not difficult to guess. While Mr. Strobel was In the depart ment at Washington he won the good wlll of all his associates and those that had business with the office. He dally gave evidence of having a well-balanced, ana lytical mind. He was extraordinarily well versed In International law, and when he left this country for Slam he probably knew more about that nation. Its people. their habits and history than any other man In the United States. If he had the desire, he could write a marvclously In teresting book concerning the country which he has voluntarily adopted as his home. Sultan's Right-Hand Man. Another interesting character, quite the opposite of Mr. Strobel, Is Captain Rans ford D. Bucknam, the American adviser of the Sultan of Turkey. . The manner In which he came to occupy this unique posl tlon is more fascinating than a dime THE FUTURE HOME OF DAISY LEITER An the Countess of Suffolk, She Will Repair the Fortunes of a Vnst Estate. LONDON. Dec. 31. (Special correspond ence of The Sunday Oregonlan.) "When Miss Daisy Loiter becomes the Countess of Suffolk, her country resi dence will be the stately Jacobean man sion shown In the accompanying photo graph. Chariton Park Is the name of this family seat of the earldom, and It Is beautifully situated near Malmesburyi In the County of Wiltshire. It Is noted chiefly for Its picture gallery, one of the finest In England, and containing some superb specimens of the old masters. An east front was added to It by the Earl of Suffolk, who was a not specially efficient Secretary of State at the time of the American War of the Revolution. The estate nflw consists of only about 10,000 acres, the peerage having been de nuded of much of Its former wealth. novel. Captain Bucknam fr many years occupied a responsible position with the famous Cramp Shipbuilding Company, in Philadelphia. That concern constructed the cruiser MMJMa for the Sultan's gov ernment, and Captain Bucknam was se lected as the proper person to deliver It formally Into the custody of the much-talked-about potentate who resides with in the musical' sound of the Bosphorus. The vessel was Inspected and accepted and, so was Captain Bucknam. The Sul tan was so Impressed with his personality and with his ability as a navigator that he Immediately made him part of the Im perial household. His position probably corresponded to that of a Vice-Admlral In the Turkish navy. Just what the actual title was and Is will probably never bo known. A halo of mystery has always surrounded Captain Bucknam's work In Turkey as It does all of hose who hold responsible positions around the throne of the dagger-dreading, much-bedeviled Sul tan. Captain Bucknam was formerly the chief officer of the- City of Pekln, the Pacific mall Bteamer which was wrecked ori one of its journeys be tween San Francisco and Hong Kong. After accepting a post at Cramp's shipyard, he had charge of many Im portant missions. One of these was the task of taking the new Maine on Its trial trip a historic occasion when the new vessel made a run in from Boston Light to Five Fathom Bank at the rate of 17i knots per hour, regarded everywhere by experts as the fastest time ever made by any ship in the world. Within the past few months Captain Bucknam has made a tour of British. German and American shipyards and ordnance works for his Imperial employer. Those who are well posted on the situation say that the real purpose of Captain Bucknam in Turkey Is to improve and build up the Turkish navy, which has been allowed to fall far behind those of other . small European powers. Heretofore everything has been sacri ficed for the army, but now this is to be changed and the navy placed in its proper position. The Sultan's naval programme Is to cost In the neighbor hood of $20,000,000. Behind Corea's Throne. Burham White Stevens, another bril liant American diplomat, only a few months ago was made the legal adviser to the Emperor of Corea. He has hosts of friends in Washington and other American cities, and they rate him as a man of remarkable ability. His se lection is credited to the sagacity of the Mikado of Japan, who, seeing and understanding tho embarrassing posi tion of the Emperor of Corea during the nresent reat war. sinrErestpd thnt an educated and experienced American4 be appointed as the International law adviser of the monarch of thai much troubled island. There is no question but what Mr. Stevens will have great power at the Corean court. For many years he occupied the position of coun sellor to the Japanese Legation in Washington, and It was his work there which was of a very high order which led the Japanese government to Interest itself in the movement to send him to Corea, where his services might be utilized at a crisis when the quick Judgment of a man versed In inter national law Is of the greatest impor tance. Whether Mr. Stevens employ ment is to be temporary or permanent no one can say at the persent time, but in any event it Is likely to raise him to a point of importance that might well be envied by the diplomats of Europe. JThe Mikado's Selection. It Is not in diplomacy alone, however, that quickwitted Americans are in demand on the other side of the ocean. Wise kings and emperors recognize their abilities in other paths of human endeavor. As an instance of this the case of General Horace Capron may be cited. General Capron, many years ago. at the earnest solicitation of the Mikado, accepted the position of com missioner and adviser of the Kaita kushi (or Agricultural Department) of Japan. The iwork of opening up and developing the Island of Yesso was entrusted to his care, and so well and wisely was it done that it Is pointed out to this day as a model of advanced agricultural work. When General Ca pron began his mission, he carefully examined the influence of the climate and the capabilities of the soIL Inci dental to this, he Instituted a system of transportation by means of im proved roads. The natives were taught ; how to make farming profitable. Ex Early In the ISth century the then Lord Andover. heir to tbe Earldom, made a marriage which bade fair to repair the shattered fortunes of the family. His wife owned in her own right extensive property, which included no fewer than four country seats, two of them with deer parks. She died leaving an only daughter, to whom she bequeathed her entire estale. The daughter in due time married Colonel Upton, but had no chil dren. She long survived her husband. In her will she Ignored the late Earl of Suffolk, leaving most of her property, In cluding Castle Rising, to his brother, the Honorable Greville Howard. Had she left her estate to the head of the house, the present young nobleman would have been under no necessity offseeking a marriage with an American heiress to replenish the family exchequer. And then, cynical British matrons are now saying, Daisy amples in the rearing; and breeding of foreign stock were .presented to them. Besides this. General Capron made a splendid collection of foreign, fruit seeds, grains and vegetables, and. capped it all off by introducing: labor saving machinery on the island. Gen eral Klyetakl. the Governor of the island, praised the work of the Ameri can very highly, and said that through It a prosperous future for the Island had been Insured. "When General Ca pron left Japan, a few years ago, ha was received by "the Mikado in a spe cial farewell audience. In the course of his remarks the Mikado said: "In deed, your services were extremely val uable, and they deserve our high ap preciation; and it is hardly a matter of doubt but that the future progress of this Island, the fruit of your labor, will much advance the happiness of my while empire." Organized Japanese Customs. The American customs system has alsobeen emulated in other lands. Scores of Americans have been em ployed in introducing our regulations into foreign ports. This began about 1870, when Henry Denlaon, at one time an officer in the department of the Commissioner of Customs in "Washing ton, accepted a. proposition to reorgan ize the customs service In Japan." Ha was so successful that he was decorat ed by the Mikado, and is now one of the titled men of the Flowery King dom. Very little has been heard ol Mr. Denlson In recent years indeed, his old associates in Washington can not say whether he Is in the. land of the living but long ago he was reck oned among, the successful and wealthy men of Japan. Many years later H. F. Merrill, an American who had served acceptably in the Chinese service, became Inspector General of Customs at Corea, The position of Inspector-General of Customs in that country was regarded as one of tbe most responsible outside of the post occupied by the Emperor himself. It was one of the first positions that foreigners were permitted to fill. At the time of Mr. Merrill's appointment tjie work oC the office was attended by very great difficulties, the affairs of the customs be ing in a wretchedly corrupt and confused state. There was never any reason why the customs service should be not only self-sustaining, but highly profitable; but up to that period tho general government had not received a single dollar, the whole of the receipts having been disbursed in impracticable schemes. It Is significant that when the government began an in vestigation of the work of one of the officials in the custom-house at Chemolpfc the edifice was suddenly burned down and all the records destroyed. E. C. Talnter and F. E, "Woodruff are two other Americans employed in the" customs service of China. When tfiey were selected for this work the then American Charge d'Affalres In Pekin re ported that "the Chinese authorities here and in tre provinces are learning to look upon the present system with more and more interest, and to appreciate the ad vantages of utilizing Western learning. Integrity and skill In a service found too tempting for natives to carry on hon estly." Before Messrs. Talnter and Woodruff had been at work' half a year 15 new and flourishing ports had been opened. If the dumb pages of the archives of the State Department at Washington could speak, they mlgh unfold many a true tale of romance and adventure which, by contrast, would make modern fiction appear dull and uninteresting. But the guardians of our National diplomacy have ever been cautious and conservative, and frequently the brief, stiff, formal com .municatlons which appear in the written records convey but a faint hint of the throbbing and fascinating life stories that lie hidden beneath the cold, inanimate words. (Copyright, 1905.) GEORGE BARTON. Congress of French Scientists. According to the British Medical Journal, the next congress of French Scientific Societies twill be held at Algiers in 1005. The following are Ura questions proposed ior discussion la the section of medicine: Tuberculosis and tha means of diminishing contagion; sanitariums at high altitudes and by the seaside; hygiene of hot countries; methods of disinfection against contagious diseases and the results obtained in towns. In rural districts and In the Insti tutions where the disinfection of dwell. Ings and living rooms Is practiced: the convey ance of water to towns; the different forms of plague and Its propagation: the part played by insects In the dissemination of disease; the prophylaxis of malaria In North Africa; try panosomiasis In Algeria. Letter would have stood small chance ofi ever becoming the Countess of Suffolk. It may be remembered that at tho Delhi Durbar, Daisy Lelter, it was re ported, refused to curtsey to her sister. Lady Curzon. who, as wife of the Vice roy, took precedence of all womenkind there, laughingly protesting that she was a "free-born American." The Earl of Suffolk is now aid-de-camp to Lord Cur zon, but when the Iatter's term of office In India expires, the Countess of Suffolk will take precedence of Lady 'Curzon. as the Suffolk Earldom dates back to 1603, and Lord Curzon'3 title was createde only In 1S98. Although he will eventually In herit the Scarsdale honors, created in 1761. the Suffolk Earldom will still rank as the senior one. and be entitled to precedence at state functions. But thus far the Earl of Suffolk has given no promise that he will ever make the name for himself which Lord Curzon has won. 7