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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
November 29； 1852。
All these facts； conflicting； but more or less pertinent； being
duly considered； I would have the rule regarding dress remain as
it is； save in the rare cases when the sovereign of a country； at
some special function； requests some modification of it。 In such
case the Secretary of State might； one would suppose； be allowed
to grant a dispensation from the ordinary rule without any danger
to American liberty。
For the more profound considerations which this vast subject
suggests； the judicious reader may well consult 〃Sartor
Resartus。〃