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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 former letter； and the same was
found to be true of a second letter by the Secretary of State；
Mr。 Hay； so that I add these to the treasures to be handed down
to my grandchildren。
Shortly afterward came a letter from the chancellor of the
empire； most kindly appreciative。 It will be placed； with those
above referred to； at the close of this chapter。
Especially noteworthy also was the farewell dinner given me at
the Kaiserhof by the German…American Association。 Never had I
seen so many Germans eminent in politics； diplomacy； literature；
science； art； education； and commerce assembled on any single
occasion。 Hearty speeches were made by the minister of the
interior； Count Posadowsky； who presided； and by Professor
Harnack of the university； who had been selected to present the
congratulations of my entertainers。 I replied at length； and as
in previous speeches during my career； both as minister and
ambassador； I had endeavored to present to my countrymen at home
and abroad the claims of Germany upon American good will； I now
endeavored to reveal to the great body of thinking Germans some
of the deeper characteristics and qualities of the American
people； my purpose being in this； as in previous speeches； to
bring about a better understanding between the two nations。
The Emperor being absent in England； my departure from Berlin was
delayed somewhat beyond the time I had fixed； but on the 27th of
November came my final day in office。 In the morning my wife and
myself were received in special audience by both the sovereigns；
who afterward welcomed us at their table。 Both showed unaffected
cordiality。 The Emperor discussed with me various interesting
questions in a most friendly spirit； and； on my taking leave；
placed in my hands what is known as the 〃Great Gold Medal for Art
and Science；〃 saying that he did this at the request of his
advisers in those fields； and adding assurances of his own which
greatly increased the value of the gift。 Later in the day came a
superb vase from the royal manufactory of porcelain； bearing his
portrait and cipher； as a token of personal good will。
On the same evening was the American Thanksgiving dinner； with
farewells to and from the American colony； and during the
following days farewell gatherings at the houses of the dean of
the ambassadors； the secretary of state for foreign affairs； and
the chancellor of the empire； finally； on the evening of December
5； with hearty good…byes at the station from a great concourse of
my diplomatic colleagues and other old friends； we left Berlin。
Our first settlement was at a pretty villa at Alassio； on the
Italian Riviera； and here； in March； 1903； looking over my
garden； a mass of bloom； shaded by palms and orange…trees in full
bearing； and upon the Mediterranean beyond； I settled down to
record these recollections of my lifemaking excursions now and
then into interesting parts of Italy。
As to these later journeys； one； being out of the beaten track；
may be worth mentioning。 It was an excursion in the islands of
Elba and Corsica。 Though anything but a devotee of Napoleon； I
could not but be interested in that little empire of his on the
Italian coast； and especially in the town house； country…seat；
and garden where he planned the return to Europe which led to the
final catastrophe。
More interesting still was the visit to Corsica and； especially；
to Ajaccio。 There the traveler stands before the altar where
Napoleon's father and mother were married； at the font where he
was baptized； in the rooms where he was born； played with his
brothers during his boyhood； and developed various scoundrelisms
during his young manhood： the fur