Mason, in '78, had been consul-general in Frankfort several years--four, I think.

He had come from Marseilles with a great record.

He had been consul there during thirteen years, and one part of his record was heroic.

There had been a desolating cholera epidemic, and Mason was the only representative of any foreign country who stayed at his post and saw it through.

And during that time he not only represented his own country, but he represented all the other countries in Christendom and did their work, and did it well and was praised for it by them in words of no uncertain sound.