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370 of Mr. Coney as consul to Navarre in France, afterwards to Paris as consul-general, and later as consul to the port of San Francisco.

President Diaz has been twice married, his present wife being Carmen Rubio, the lovely daughter of the Hon. Romero Rubio, Secretary of the Interior. Madame Diaz is now only twenty-four years of age; her figure is lithe, willowy and petite; her beauty rather of the Moorish type, her complexion delicately pink, like a sea-shell; eyes large and luminous, with a wealth of raven-black hair peculiar to the women of her country. She is extremely graceful and cordial in her manners, and bears with remarkable composure the honors showered on her as first lady in the Aztec country and mistress of the Mexican "White House." In her dress she is fully up to the European standard, and, her toilets being ordered direct from Worth, she enhances her beauty with rich fabrics and warm hues. In addition to her personal charms, she adds the accomplishment of being a linguist of a high order, speaking English and several other languages with equal fluency.

There are no "White House receptions," nor general social demonstrations, such as we know at our own capital. There is no contest for precedence between the wives of members of the cabinet and diplomatic corps, and perhaps the peace of the country is none the worse for that.

Never before, perhaps, have two as youthful, beautiful and noble women occupied their respective exalted positions as Carmen Romero Rubio de Diaz and Frances Folsom Cleveland. They are near the same age, each the pet and idol of her respective people. In Mexican homage and courtesy Madame Diaz, by common consent, is called "Carmelita" throughout her realm—a pet name her people have given her expressive of their love and tenderness.

I recall with much satisfaction my acquaintance with President and Madame Diaz, and the gracious courtesy and hospitality with which I was welcomed in their home. The last personal reminder of this distinguished pair was received on the eve of my departure from the capital, when President Diaz at my request inclosed the photographs