182 RECEPTIONS OF COOK AND PEARY 



cameras were turned on him from every point of vantage as he 

 passed through a guard of honor of the Forty-seventh Regiment 

 to receive the greeting of the Reception Committee. 



As he was greeted by them, a wreath of roses was placed about 

 his neck by Miss Ida A. Lehman, a daughter of one of his old 

 Brooklyn friends, who had been delegated to decorate the ex- 

 plorer in accordance with the custom followed at his welcome at 

 Copenhagen. As Miss Lehman threw the garland about his neck 

 she said : 



"You hero of the North, come to us, your friends, associates 

 and business acquaintances of your neighborhood, Bushwick. 

 Your record with us was one of honor, character and conscience 

 and your word the synonyhi of truth. We believed you from the 

 far North and are here to proclaim you a 'gentleman of Bush- 

 wick/ " 



Doctor Cook wore the garland during the reception cere- 

 monies, although he did not look particularly comfortable with it. 



Borough President Coler welcomed the explorer on behalf of 

 Brooklyn. He said: 



"I regret that we have not a Mayor as big as our town to re- 

 ceive you. You are not only a great explorer, but a thorough 

 American gentleman, and Mrs. Cook is a thorough American 

 lady." 



Captain Bradley S. Osbon, secretary of the Arctic Club of 

 America, spoke for that association, and read a letter from its 

 president, Rear Admiral Schley, who regretted his inability to be 

 present. In this letter Admiral Schley said: 



"I hope you will carry to Doctor Cook my congratulations and 

 abiding faith in the great achievement he has accomplished." 



In reply to these greetings Doctor Cook made a short speech, 

 in which he said: 



"To a returning explorer there can be no greater pleasure than 

 the appreciation of his own people. Your numbers and cheers 



