NEWS OF THE WEEK.
A VERY marked figure has passed away from the diplo-
matic service. Sir William White, British Ambassador at Constantinople, died in Berlin on December 28th of a second attack of influenza. The son of a Consul, and himself dis- tinguished in that service, he attracted the attention of Lord .Salisbury, in the Conference of Constantinople in 1878, by his minute knowledge of Eastern Europe, and the decisive- ness of his opinions and character. In 1886 he was appointed Ambassador to the Porte, and for five years he has thoroughly justified his appointment, acquiring an influence with the Sultan and all Turkish statesmen which makes all Russian and French newspapers hail his removal as a victory for themselves. Personally, he was like a great English squire, with a bluffness very unlike the bearing of most diplomatists ; but he was exceedingly liked by all around him, and often exhibited unexpected powers of management and finesse. Feeling himself appreciated, he was devoted to his work ; and it will be most difficult to replace him, though Sir H. Drummond Wolff has the necessary knowledge, and Sir Evelyn Baring adequate ability. The former, however, is said to be seriously out of health, and the latter is a special object of French antipathy, and will have much to overcome even with the Sultan.
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