158 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



paniment of the English National Anthem. This 

 was followed by the toast of the President, and the 

 singing of the " Star-spangled Banner." 



Then came Mr. Chamberlain's turn, in response 

 to a few words of welcome by the chairman. Mr. 

 Chamberlain said that, although he had been given 

 to understand there would be no speeches, he was 

 glad of the opportunity to acknowledge the courtesies 

 extended to him by the Society, as well as American 

 hospitality generally. It was no new thing to 

 Englishmen, and if the Society imagined that the 

 visitors were fit objects for the charity they so freely 

 dispensed, it grievously erred. His party had 

 come, he continued, on an important diplomatic 

 mission, and perhaps his hosts thought it was their 

 part to " take them in." He hoped that his errand 

 would be conducive to the object they all had at 

 heart — that of uniting, still more effectually, the 

 friendship between England and America. He 

 concluded by saying : " I see opposite to me — 

 symbolical of the work of your Society — the two old 

 flags. May they long wave together and tighten 

 the bond between our countries." 



Among the speakers that followed were Mr. Fitler, 

 then Mayor of Philadelphia ; Lewis Abrahams, 

 President of the Washington branch of the Society ; 



