They have monstrous big doors and silent men in Downing Street; and, I am told, a stenographer sits behind a big screen in Sir Edward's room while an Ambassador talks[24]! I wonder if my comments on certain poets, which I have poured forth there to provoke his, are preserved in the archives of the British Empire.

The British Empire is surely very welcome to them.

I have twice found it useful, by the way, to bring up Wordsworth when he has begun to talk about Panama tolls.

Then your friend Canon Rawnsley[25] has, without suspecting it, done good service in diplomacy.
The newspaper men here, by the way, both English and American, are disposed to treat us fairly and to be helpful.

The London _Times_, on most subjects, is very friendly, and I find its editors worth cultivating for their own sakes and because of their position.