194 A SAGA OF THE SEAS 
you to join our toast of ‘Long life, health, and happiness to 
your most worthy countryman,’ let me add a Highlander’s 
wish—that England and America may always be found, in 
peace and in war, ‘shoulder to shoulder.’ ” 
An answer from Secretary of State Seward came promptly 
as follows: ‘Your salutations to the President from the ban- 
queting-hall at Willis’s Rooms have been received. The din- 
ner hour here has not yet arrived—it is only five o’clock; the 
sun is yet two hours high. When the dinner hour arrives the 
President will accept your pledge of honor to our distin- 
guished countryman, Cyrus W. Field, and will cordially re- 
spond to your Highland aspiration for perpetual union be- 
tween the two nations.” Apparently the President—unlike 
Highlanders—did not drink toasts between meals and had 
regular hours for dinner. 
The Duke also sent a cablegram to Field’s family in the 
United States and received a reply from his oldest daughter, 
as follows: “I thank you most sincerely for the kind words 
you have spoken of my father, causing me to feel that we are 
friends, although our acquaintance is thus made across the 
sea and in a moment of time.’”’ This message from an Ameri- 
can girl was well phrased and appropriate. Like Secretary 
Seward’s message, it was read to the assembled diners. 
A few days later Field received a note from Argyll Lodge, 
Kensington, in which the Duke expressed his pleasure at 
presiding at the banquet. He said: “I would rather have my 
name associated with the Atlantic telegraph than with any 
other undertaking of ancient or modern times.” Several let- 
ters of regret were received from prominent persons who were 
unable to attend. 
Among these was Lord Clarendon, who had assisted Field 
to get governmental aid; he referred to Field’s “zealous ef- 
forts in promoting friendly relations between our respective 
countries.”’ Goldwin Smith, well known on both sides of the 
Atlantic, wrote of his personal gratitude to “the author and 
