“I see by a telegram to the Daily London News that Mr. Seward has resigned, and Colonel John Hay takes his place as Assistant Secretary of State. Hay is a good fellow, was in the diplomatic service once, is an accomplished, well-mannered gentleman of whom any American might be proud, and only a few years ago earned his bread by literary labors as editorial writer on the Tribune, besides being the author of ‘Jim Bludsoe’ and ‘Little Breeches,’ as you, of course, know. He married a rich wife and is quite independent of the office. “All this ought to presage some _intellectual discrimination_ of the deserts and needs of _certain other literary men in the service_. But we shall see. Certainly you will get your leave of absence now. “When you have made up your mind to go, let me know. Meantime give my best regards to your wife. “Yours ever, BRET HARTE.” * * * * * _July 1, 1879._--The business of the Consulate goes smoothly on. I have good assistants and no little leisure. Besides, Zurich is so centrally located that in a few hours I can travel to the most interesting spots of Europe. Germany, France, Italy are only a little journey off, the first but a couple of hours’ ride away. The scenery here is delightful, the climate moderate. “What would you like if you could choose,” said a Swiss to me at my tea table the other night. “Nothing,” I replied, “only to stay here forever.” “You are content,” he answered. “I envy you--you are a happy man--the first one I ever saw!” CHAPTER XXII 1880-1881 A LITTLE STAY BY THE MEDITERRANEAN--AM OFFERED A POSITION IN CHINA--AN ARTICLE ON THE SWISS RHINE--ALSO ONE ON MY EXPERIENCES IN THE REBEL ARMY--TWO LETTERS FROM GENERAL SHERMAN--GRANT AND THE PRESIDENCY--SAYS THE BARE NARRATIVE OF MY ESCAPE FROM PRISON WOULD BE AN EPIC--BANQUET AT THE LEGATION--I WRITE FOR THE NEW YORK TRIBUNE AN EXPOSE OF HOW CERTAIN EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES SENT PAUPERS TO THE UNITED STATES--AM VIOLENTLY ATTACKED FOR IT BY MANY AMERICAN JOURNALS AND REPRIMANDED BY STATE DEPARTMENT--SWISS GOVERNMENT COMPLAINS--INVESTIGATION FOLLOWS--I AM JUSTIFIED--LETTER FROM SHERMAN AS TO HIS SON TOM--VISIT AMERICA--SECRETARY BLAINE COMPLIMENTS ME--THE PRESS CHANGES ITS TONE AND NEW LAWS ARE ADOPTED AS TO IMMIGRATION IN UNITED STATES AND SWITZERLAND--TRIBUNE SAYS EDITORIALLY, “MR. BYERS DESERVES THE THANKS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”--A LITTLE VISIT TO THE POET LONGFELLOW, AND THE ALCOTTS; ALSO TO THE AUTHOR OF “AMERICA.” _March, 1880._--During a recent leave of absence I saw the Italian cities for the second time. We also spent some weeks at San Remo, by the Mediterranean, taking little foot excursions to Monte Carlo and Nice over the celebrated Cornici road. This lofty highway of Napoleon’s, above the sea, is the finest foot excursion in Italy. [Illustration: Olive Trees by the Mediterranean.--_Page 189._]