This was quite a mistake.

No preference was shown for the aristocracy, but it lay in the nature of the career that wealth and social polish were assets in the exercise of its duties.

An attache had no salary.

He was, therefore, expected to have a tolerably good income at home in order to be able to live conformably to his rank when abroad.

This system arose out of necessity, and was also due to the unwillingness of the authorities to raise salaries in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.