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of Dresden is famous； and for this occasion splendid additions
had been made both to it and to the orchestra； nothing in its way
could be more impressive； and as a climax came the last honors to
the departed King； when； amid the music of an especially
beautiful chorus； the booming of artillery in the neighboring
square； and the tolling of the bells of the city on all sides；
the royal coffin slowly sank into the vaults below。
On the following morning I was received by the new King。 He
seemed a man of sound sense； and likely to make a good
constitutional sovereign。 Our talk was simply upon the relations
of the two countries； during which I took pains to bespeak for my
countrymen sojourning at Dresden the same kindnesses which the
deceased King had shown them。
During the summer a study of some of the most important
industries at the Dusseldorf Exposition proved useful； but
somewhat later other excursions had a more direct personal
interest； for within a few hours of each other came two
unexpected communications： one from the president of Yale
University； commissioning me to represent my Alma Mater at the
tercentenary of the Bodleian at Oxford； the other from the
University of St。 Andrews； inviting me to the installation of Mr。
Andrew Carnegie as lord rector of that institution； and both
these I accepted。
The celebration at Oxford was in every way interesting to me； but
I may say frankly that of all things which gave me pleasure； the
foremost was the speech of presentation； in the Sheldonian
Theatre； when the doctorate of civil law was conferred upon me。
The first feature in this speech； assigning the reasons for
conferring the degree； was a most kindly reference to my part in
establishing the Arbitration Tribunal at the International
Conference of The Hague； and this； of course； was gratifying。 But
the second half of the speech touched me more nearly； for it was
a friendly appreciation of my book regarding the historical
relations between science and theology in Christendom。 This was a
surprise indeed！ Years before； when writing this book； I had said
to myself； 〃This ends all prospect of friendly recognition of any
work I may ever do； so far as the universities and academies of
the world are concerned。 But so be it； what I believe I will
say。〃 And now； suddenly； unexpectedly； came recognition and
commendation in that great and ancient center of religious
thought and sentiment； once so reactionary； where； within my
memory； even a man like Edward Everett was harshly treated for
his inability to accept the shibboleths of orthodoxy。
This reviving of old and beginning of new friendships； with the
hearty hospitality lavished upon us from all sides； left
delightful remembrances。 Several times； during the previous fifty
years； I had visited Oxford and been cordially welcomed； but this
greeting surpassed all others。
There was； indeed； one slight mishap。 Being called upon to speak
in behalf of the guests at the great dinner in Christ Church
Hall； I endeavored to make a point which I thought new and
perhaps usefully suggestive。 Having referred to the increasing
number of international congresses； expositions； conferences；
academic commemorations； anniversaries； and the like； I dwelt
briefly on their agency in generating friendships between men of
influence in different countries； and therefore in maintaining
international good will； and then especially urged； as the pith
and point of my speech； that such agencies had recently been made
potent for peace as never before。 In support of this view； I
called attention to the fact that the Peace Conference at The
Hague had not only established an arbitration tribunal for
PREVENTING war； but had gained the adhesion of all nations
concerned to a number of arrangements； such as international
〃Commissions of Inquiry；〃 the system of 〃Seconding Powers；〃 and
the like； for DELAYING war； thus securing time during which
better international feelings could assert themselves； and
reasonable men on either side could work together to bring in the
sober second thought； that thereby the friendships promoted by
these international festivities had been given； as never before；
time to assert themselves as an effective force for peace against
jingo orators； yellow presses； and hot…heads generally； and
finally； in view of this increased efficiency of such gatherings
in promoting peace； I urged that they might well be multiplied on
both sides of the Atlantic； and that as many delegates as
possible should be sent to them。
〃A poor thing； but mine own。〃 Alas！ next day； in the press； I was
reported as simply uttering the truism that such gatherings
increase the peaceful feeling of nations； and so the main point
of my little speech was lost。 But it was a slight matter； and of
all my visits to Oxford； this will remain in my memory as the
most delightful。＇7＇
＇7＇ The full speech has since been published in the 〃Yale Alumni
Weekly。〃
The visit to St。 Andrews was also happy。 After the principal of
the university had conferred the doctorate of laws upon several
of the guests； including Mr。 Choate； the American ambassador at
London； and myself； Mr。 Carnegie gave his rectorial address。 It
was decidedly original； its main feature being an argument in
behalf of a friendly union of the United States and Great Britain
in their political and commercial policy； and for a similar union
between the Continental European nations for the protection of
their industries and for the promotion of universal peace； with a
summons to the German Emperor to put himself at the head of the
latter。 It was prepared with skill and delivered with force。 Very
amusing were the attempts of the great body of students to throw
the speaker off his guard by comments； questions； and chaff。 I
learned later that； more than once； orators has thus been
entrapped or entangled； and that on one occasion an address had
been completely wrecked by such interruptions； but Mr。 Carnegie's
Scotch…Yankee wit carried him through triumphantly： he met all
these efforts with equanimity and good humor； and soon had the
audience completely on his side。
Returning to Berlin； there came preparations for closing my
connection with the embassy。 I had long before decided that on my
seventieth birthday I would cease to hold any official position
whatever。 Pursuant to that resolution； my resignation had been
sent to the President； with the statement that it must be
considered final。 In return came the kindest possible letters
from him and from the Secretary of State； both of them
attributing a value to my services much beyond anything I would
dare claim。
On my birthday came a new outburst of kindness。 From all parts of
Europe and America arrived letters and telegrams； while from the
Americans in various parts of Germanyespecially from the Berlin
colonycame a superbly engrossed address； and with it a
succession of kindly visitors representing all ranks in Berlin
society。 One or two of these testimonials I may be pardoned for
especially mentioning。 Some time after the letter from President
Roosevelt above mentioned； there had come from him a second
epistle； containing a sealed envelop on which were inscribed the
words： 〃To be opened on your seventieth birthday。〃 Being duly
opened on the morning of that day； it was found to be even more
heartily appreciative than his