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and various pleasant features of the conversation dwell in my
memoryparticularly the Emperor's discussions of Mark Twain and
other American humorists； but perhaps the most curious was his
amusement over a cutting from an American newspapera printed
recipe for an American concoction known as 〃Hohenzollern punch；〃
said to be in readiness for the prince on his arrival。 The number
of intoxicants； and the ingenuity of their combination； as his
Majesty read the list aloud； were amazing； it was a terrific
brew； which only a very tough seaman could expect to survive。
But as we all took leave of the prince at the station afterward；
there were in my heart and mind serious misgivings。 I knew well
that； though the great mass of the American people were sure to
give him a hearty welcome； there were scattered along his route
many fanatics； and； most virulent of all； those who had just then
been angered by the doings of sundry Prussian underlings in
Poland。 I must confess to uneasiness during his whole stay in
America； and among the bright days of my life was that on which
the news came that he was on board a German liner and on his
return。
One feature of that evening is perhaps more worthy of record。
After the departure of the prince； the Emperor's conversation
took a more serious turn； and as we walked toward his carriage he
said； 〃My brother's mission has no political character whatever；
save in one contingency： If the efforts made in certain parts of
Europe to show that the German Government sought to bring about a
European combination against the United States during your
Spanish war are persisted in； I have authorized him to lay before
the President certain papers which will put that slander at rest
forever。〃 As it turned out； there was little need of this； since
the course both of the Emperor and his government was otherwise
amply vindicated。
The main matter of public business during the first months of the
year was the Russian occupation of Manchuria； regarding which our
government took a very earnest part； instructing me to press the
matter upon the attention of the German Government； and to follow
it up with especial care。 Besides this； it was my duty to urge a
fitting representation of Germany at the approaching St。 Louis
Exposition。 Regarding this there were difficulties。 The Germans
very generally avowed themselves exposition…weary
（Ausstellungsmude）； and no wonder； for exposition had succeeded
exposition； now in this country； now in that； and then in various
American cities； each anxious to outdo the other； until all
foreign governments were well…nigh tired out。 But the St。 Louis
Exposition encountered an adverse feeling much more serious than
any caused by fatigue；the American system of high protection
having led the Germans to distrust all our expositions； whether
at New Orleans； Chicago； Buffalo； or St。 Louis； and to feel that
there was really nothing in these for Germany； that； in fact；
German manufacturing interests would be better served by avoiding
them than by taking part in them。 Still； by earnest presentation
of the matter at the Foreign Office and to the Emperor； I was
able to secure a promise that German art should be well
represented。
In March； a lull having come in public business as well as in
social duty； I started on my usual excursion to Italy； its most
interesting feature being my sixth stay in Venice。 Ten days in
that fascinating city were almost entirely devoted to increasing
my knowledge of Fra Paolo Sarpi。 Various previous visits had
familiarized me with the main events in his wonderful career； but
I now met with two pieces of especially good fortune。 First； I
made the acquaintance of the Rev。 Dr。 Alexander Robertson； an
ardent admirer of Father Paul； and author of an excellent
biography of him； and； next； I was able to add to my own material
a mass of rare books and manuscripts relating to the great
Venetian。 Most interesting was my visit； in company with Dr。
Robertson； to the remains of Father Paul's old monastery； where
we found what no one； up to our time； seems to have
discoveredthe little door which the Venetian Senate caused to
be made in the walls of the monastery garden； at Father Paul's
request； in order that he might reach his gondola at once； and
not be again exposed to assassins like those sent by Pope Paul V；
who had attacked him and left him； to all appearances dead； in
the little street near the monastery。
Returning to Berlin； the usual round of duty was resumed； but
there seems nothing worthy to be chronicled； save possibly the
visit of the Shah of Persia and the Crown Prince of Siam。 Both
were seen in all their glory at the gala opera given in their
honor； but the Persian ruler appeared to little advantage； for he
was obliged to retire before the close of the representation。 He
was evidently prematurely old and worn out。 The feature of this
social function which especially dwells in my memory was a very
interesting talk with the Emperor regarding the kindness shown
his brother by the American people； at the close of which he
presented me to his guest； the Crown Princess of Saxony。 She was
especially kindly and pleasing； discussing various topics with
heartiness and simplicity； and it was a vast surprise to me when；
a few months later； she became the heroine of perhaps the most
astonishing escapade in the modern history of royalty。
As to matters of business； there came one which especially
rejoiced me。 Mr。 Carnegie having established the institution for
research which bears his name at Washington； with an endowment of
ten million dollars； and named me among the trustees； my old
friend Dr。 Gilman had later been chosen President of the new
institution； and now arrived in Berlin to study the best that
Germans were doing as regards research in science。 Our excursions
to various institutions interested me greatly； both the men we
met and things we saw were full of instruction to us； and of all
public duties I have had to discharge； I recall none with more
profit and pleasure。 One thing in this matter struck me as never
beforethe quiet wisdom and foresight with which the various
German governments prepare to profit by the best which science
can be made to yield them in every field。
Upon these duties followed others of a very different sort。 On
the 19th of June died King Albert of Saxony； and in view of his
high character and of the many kindnesses he had shown to
Americans； I was instructed to attend his funeral at D