BERLIN, OXFORD, ST. ANDREWS- 1901-1903 211 



President Roosevelt above mentioned, there had come 

 from him a second epistle, containing a sealed envelop 

 on which were inscribed the words: &quot;To be opened on 

 your seventieth birthday.&quot; 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 As 

 sociation. 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 con 

 gratulations of my entertainers. I replied at length, and 

 as in previous speeches during my career, both as min 

 ister 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 re 

 ceived in special audience by both the sovereigns, who 

 afterward welcomed us at their table. Both showed un 

 affected 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 



