I have seen them in public receptions stand on one side and chatter in French, Spanish, or Italian, poking all sorts of fun at the hostess and her entertainment, and then, as she approached, rush to greet her with a mock homage which made my flesh creep. I have heard them declare that "all Americans are cads," and the next instant prove the less sweeping proposition that "all cads are not Americans" by fulsome compliments to a distinguished Justice or Senator. They, however, dispense a generous hospitality, and society, which has learned to estimate them by their own cynical standards, and is neither elated by their smiles nor annihilated by their snubs, cultivates them as best suits its own purpose. The United States supports abroad thirty-eight embassies and legations, consisting of ministers, secretaries, and attachés, besides about one thousand consuls. * * * * * The Congressional Directory gives the personal history of Secretary Knox as follows: PHILANDER CHASE KNOX, Secretary of State (1527 K Street), was born in Brownsville, Pa., May 6, 1853, son of David S. and Rebekah Knox; his father was a banker in Brownsville; graduated at Mount Union College, Alliance, Ohio, in 1872; entered the law office of H. B. Swope, Pittsburg, Pa., and was admitted to the bar in 1875; was assistant United States District Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania in 1876; was elected president of the Pennsylvania Law Association in 1897; was made Attorney-General in the Cabinet of President McKinley in 1901 as successor to Hon. John William Griggs, of New Jersey, resigned, and was sworn into office April 9, 1901; was the choice of President Roosevelt for Attorney-General in his Cabinet, and was confirmed by the Senate December 16, 1901; resigned that office June 30, 1904, to accept appointment as United States Senator, tendered by Governor Pennypacker June 10, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Hon. M. S. Quay, and took his seat December 6; was elected by the Legislature in January, 1905, for the term ending March 3, 1911; resigned as Senator March 4, 1909, to accept the position of Secretary of State, and was nominated, confirmed and commissioned March 5. Congress had to repeal the act raising the salary of the Secretary of State before Mr. Knox could take the position, because he was in the Senate when the salary was raised. THE WAR DEPARTMENT In time of war or just following a war the most interesting department is that which was lately occupied by Elihu Root and William H. Taft. Mr. Root is noted as a great corporation lawyer, and at first seemed to consider that the government of the United States could be run on the same principles as a great corporation—that is, "We shall do as we please in spite of public opinion." But he was severely brought to task for this. Later he became Secretary of State.