216 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



Avebury an ingenious micrometer, but Lord 

 Avebury himself caught a chill and slight influenza 

 which laid him up, when he returned home, for 

 a week. On the first day that he was out, after 

 the attack, he took the chair at the first meeting 

 of an association of which the object was among 

 the most important of the many efforts for good 

 that he made in his life. This was the Anglo- 

 German Friendship Society, formed for the 

 purpose of promoting a more friendly feeling 

 between the two countries. At the end of the 

 meeting a telegram expressive of goodwill was 

 sent to the Kaiser, who replied through Prince 

 Billow : 



His Majesty the Emperor has received your lord- 

 ship's telegram, and I am authorised by His Majesty 

 to transmit his sincerest thanks to you and to all those 

 who share your feelings of friendship and goodwill. 



Subsequently to his telegram. Prince Biilow 

 had made a speech in which he spoke of a " pro- 

 found dislike " of England for Germany. Lord 

 Avebury on behalf of the Committee wrote to 

 him : 



6 St. James's Square, S.W., 

 8lh December 1905. 



Dear Prince BOlow — Our Anglo-German Friend- 

 ship Committee desires me to thank His Majesty the 

 Emperor for the gracious message he has been good 

 enough to send us through your Serene Highness. 



Our Committee regret to observe that in your 

 Highness' opinion Germany has " to reckon in England 

 with a profound dislike towards us." 



No doubt certain newspapers seem to be doing their 

 best to sow feelings of ill-will between the two countries. 

 We are convinced, however, that the real opinion of 

 England has been misrepresented to Your Excellency, 

 and that no such " profound dislike " actually exists. — 

 I have the honour to be, yours very respectfully, 



Avebury. 



