A NEW LINCOLN STORY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 621, 25 September 1909, Page 6

A NEW LINCOLN STORY.

:. Mr. Matu-ice.Low.tclls.a'goodand;hjthorto unpublished story in the "National'-'Review," as told by Mr. Chauncoy Depew. . * ' ■. "A veteran' English statesman, who 'wai attached to the' British Embassy during the Civil ,War, told me last summer an incident: never-before i published. Tho British Minister .at 1 that timo accredited ;'to Wnshington was Lord' Lyons. '■ 'He was an English "diplomat'of , the .'old school, dignified, formal; able, and a' .bachelor... H.often-dined alone, with full courses'and full ceremony. In tho midst of .his dinner President Lincoln wo"uld be announced, follow' the servant into tho dining-room, and take his seat'at the table.' Of course, with bis .ideas, the Minister was as astonished and complimented. as!df A it.had been the. king in the countries where be : had . before served. Ho : would urge-the president to join him in the! dinner,; but the President would answer, according to,my informant, 'No,'Lyons,')l havo had mj dinner.' If anything comes which is inviting, I'll browso',around.' But boforo the President:'departed, the' evcr-prosent, dangerously; acute situation,' and fear of Great Britain b recognition of the Confederacy, and the means of averting;it, were under discussion. .No one knew of these visits an'd informal talks ; llf the historian could know,.he would probably say that the information thus conveyed; to yueen Victoria by •her Minister,, coming directly and confidentially from' tho President of : the ; United States, was the most potent factor of all the 'influences brought to bear in. that crisis in keeping!the.Queen and her consort, Prince' Albert,' 'always alert and cordial,for : friendly'relations with our country." ,-' ,j