UNITED STATES AND CANADA 267 



Like some greater men, my predecessors in diplo- 

 macy, I had my secret compact as well as the public 

 document with which you are all familiar — 

 (laughter) — and I am glad to say that even that 

 august body the Senate of the United States had 

 nothing to say to my private negotiations — (cheers) 

 — which you have ratified to-night by your presents 

 and by these proceedings. Ladies and gentlemen, 

 once more I tender you, on my wife's behalf and 

 on my own, our heartfelt thanks. I beg you, Mr. 

 Mathews, to believe that the beauty and the value of 

 the gift which you have presented are enhanced to 

 us by the assurance which you have given me that 

 my wife will find a home amongst the people of 

 Birmingham, whose affection and regard she 

 earnestly desires to obtain. (Cheers.) She thanks 

 you, Mrs. Stringer, and the women of Birmingham, 

 who joined with you in your good wishes and 

 kindly expressions of welcome. She thanks you for 

 your gift, and for all the kindness which accom- 

 panies it. And she is confirmed in her desire to 

 stand well with the people of Birmingham by the 

 promise which you have made her that in future 

 the affectionate regard which has been always 

 shown to her husband will be now shared by herself. 

 (Loud cheers.) And to you, Mr. Smith, and 

 gentlemen, who especially represent my own con- 

 stituents in the Western Division, who represent 

 the constituency which first called me into public 

 life, which has followed me since with unswerving 

 loyalty and kindness, and which now I have the 

 privilege of representing in Parliament, I desire to 



