A NATION'S HOMAGE 79 



of flowers. Johan Hansen, the minister of commerce, and a committee of the 

 Geographical Society gave a reception to Dr. Cook at the hotel The minister 

 made a speech of welcome, in which he said : 



"Before retiring to your much-needed rest, Dr. Cook, I hope you will give 

 us an opportunity of bidding you welcome to Denmark. I thank you on 

 behalf of my countr}-men for the noble deeds which you so successfully ha\e 

 performed.*' 



The minister then invited Dr. Cook, on behalf of the government, the 

 municipality and the Geographical Society, "as our honored guest," to a 

 banquet tonight at the town hall. 



Dr. Cook thanked the minister "for the very kind reception you already 

 have granted in Denmark, and with which I feel most delighted." 



Minister Hansen, over a bottle of champagne, then led in 'Three cheers 

 and a long life for Dr. Cook." 



The members of the reception committee withdrew and were succeeded 

 by a numerous delegation of tailors, bootmakers and barbers. The explorer 

 placed himself in their hands, and several tradesmen were at work on him 

 at the same time. 



At the end of an hour Dr. Cook emerged with his hair neatly trimmed, 

 his mustache cropped close and in a new suit, hat and boots. He then went 

 to the American legation and had luncheon with Minister Eean. 



In the evening a banquet was held in the magnificent municipal building.' 

 Four hundred per.sons. many of them women, attended, while thousands con- 

 gregated in the streets in a drenching rainstorm to catch sight of the explorer 

 when he entered. 



There was a preliminary reception in the lofty and spacious entrance hall. 

 The spectacle with so many of the men wearing orders must have impressed 

 the explorer by contrast with his recent experience. The company marched 

 upstairs to the air of the "Star Spangled Banner." After all had been seated 

 the minister of commerce, Johan Hansen, escorted Dr. Cook to the chair of 

 honor amid a demonstration which caused him to color deeply. 



Minister Egan sat at Dr. Cook's right, with the Mayor of Copenhagen 

 and Miss Egan beyond. Mrs. Gamel. a wealthy Copenhagen woman, who 

 has contributed extensively to arctic exploration and has been closely identi- 

 fied with it, was at the chairman's left. The menu presented a lithograph of 

 the crown prince greeting Dr. Cook and a map of the arctic circle, giving Dr. 

 Cook's route and a facsimile of his autograph, with the date. 



