Glimpses behind the diplomatic scenes are rarely given to the public. It is an-nonced from time to time that an Ambassador or Minister is retiring from the service or has been transferred to another post, but the real reasons for the step are generally different from those officially put forward, and truth rarely rises into view from the bottom of her well. The appointment of M. Bompard as Ambassador to St. Petersburg has, however, to uso a homely expression, put all the fat in the fire. It was stated a few days ago that the Marquis de Montebello, who has held the post for about twelve years and played an important part in the formation of the Franco-Russian alliance, had been allowed to claim his right to retire. As a matter of fact, the Marquis quested to resign and flatly declined to do so, whereupon he was removed from his office. It was rumoured, soon after President's Loubet's return from Russia, that some unpleasantness had occurred, and it is now clear that the Ambassador managed to offend some important personage. He also failed to conceal his disapproval of certain steps ho was ordered to take, and, on the strength of his long residence in the inner circles of the Russian Court, displayed an independence that was not at all to M. Delcassé's liking.—Consequently, he has to go. Having nothing more to ex]
pect from the powers that be, he will probably have something more to say on the matter and will certainly be ded as a martyr by the Opposition. Still, in these days an Ambassador, bein a mere agent at the end of a telegram wire, ceases to be of much uso if he fails to carry out his instructions, and the Marquis cannot be credited with good judgment in refusing to resign and then complaining when the inevitable result followed. The trouble is, I believe, rather personal than political. M. Del-casse's humble origin is against him in his relations with the aristocratic diplomatists under his control, and when ho finds it necessary to exert his authority they are more or less disposed to rebel." H.M Muaaffer-ed-Din.
That amiable despot the Shah is once more in his good city of Paris. I say "his" because the Parisians have no other monarch to admire at present, and the authorities vie with one another in organising shows and entertainments for the benefit of the King of Kings. The Shah has not changed much since he was here last, two years ago. His immense moustache is perhaps a shade greyer, but he does not look any more tired than he used to do At times he is quite cheerful, and he has been seen to smile repeatedly. Ho clings to his little peculiorities, among which are a horror of rapid railway travelling and a craze for buying all sorts of articles that are noti at all likely to be of any use to him, He still takes the keenest joy in being photographed, and has bought sundry cameras wherewith to practise on his loving subjects at home in Persia, but he no longer walke on to the balcony and takes snapshots as he used to do. No doubt even this thrilling delight has palled, like everything must when you are lord of ait you survey and have no one to contradict, you. The habit of doing just as ho pleases is shown in the Shah's way of upsetting
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.