United States. This brought the people to his door by the thousands, in a delirium of joy. Twelve deputations with drums and banners arrived in one day, and the Stars and Stripes blossomed forth all over the city, as from time to time they are accustomed to do, showing the emotional heart of those extraordinary people.
Of course, Washburne was in a most dangerous position. But apparently he enjoyed it. A sense of humour is not the least of the equipment of an American diplomat. He said, whimsically:
"To-day I found they were mining the streets. Pleasant little neighbourhood this. As I came home this evening I found them erecting a barricade. * * * So in a day or two we shall be between the upper and the nether millstones, besides being in a capital position to have a bomb fall upon us."
All honour to Elihu B. Washburne. He upheld the traditions of Gouverneur Morris, who established the precedents of disinterested effort, and was a worthy representative of the
