80 A NATION'S HOMAGE 



The speeches teemed with compHments to Dr. Cook. The Mayor of Co- 

 penhagen first rendered tribute. Minister Egan briefly proposed a toast to 

 the King of Denmark, and the corporation president, in proposing a toast 

 to the President of the United States, spoke of the pride that must be felt 

 by the nation which could boast that it was her son who first planted the flag 

 where no human being had ever before set foot. 



The minister of commerce, in proposing the health of Dr. Cook, paid a 

 warm tribute to "his noble deed." He thanked him for spending a little time 

 in Denmark and said that the privations of the explorer were appreciated 

 most by the men of Denmark whose names are written with honor on the 

 ice rocks of Denmark's northern colony. 



When the nation was first thrilled by the news of Cook's exploit he said 

 he must confess there was some 'skepticism, but afterward it was confirmed, 

 and he hoped that Dr. Cook would try for the south pole with the same 

 success. 



When the minister raised his glass to "Our Noble Guest," there were 

 nine hurrahs. 



Commodore Hovgaard spoke from the standpoint of an expert explorer 

 and commended Cook's methods. 



Dr. Cook replied in a few words, modestly saying: 



"I thank you very much for the warm and eloquent words, but I am 

 unable to express myself properly. It was a rather hard day for me, but I 

 never enjoyed a day better. The Danes have taken no active part in polar 

 explorations, but they have been of much importance as silent partners in 

 almost all arctic expeditions in recent years. The most important factor in 

 my expedition was the Eskimo and dog world and I cannot be too thankful 

 to the Danes for their care of the Eskimo, and now they also have instituted 

 a mission at Cape York. Had I not met with the right Eskimos and the 

 right dogs and the right provisions I could not have reached the pole. I owe 

 much to the Danish nation for my success." 



A telegram was read conveying the congratulations of the King of Sweden 

 for "a brilliant deed, of which the American people may rightly be proud." 



On the same day Dr. Cook was received in private audience by King 

 Frederick of Denmark. The explorer was presented to the monarch by Min- 

 ister Egan. The queen and her three daughters were present. 



« 



It remained only for the hero to receive tribute from the chief magistrate 



