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high character and of the many kindnesses he had shown to
Americans； I was instructed to attend his funeral at Dresden as a
special representative of the President。 The whole ceremonial was
interesting； there being in it not only a survival of various
mediaeval procedures； but many elements of solemnity and beauty；
and the funeral； which took place at the court church in the
evening； was especially impressive。 Before the high altar stood
the catafalque； in front of it； the crown； scepter； orb； and
other emblems of royalty； and at its summit； the coffin
containing the body of the King。 Around this structure were
ranged lines of soldiers and pages in picturesque uniforms and
bearing torches。 Facing these were the seats for the majesties；
including the new King； who had at his right the Emperor of
Austria； and at his left the German Emperor； while next these
were the seats of foreign ambassadors and other representatives。
Of all present； the one who seemed least in accord with his
surroundings was the nephew of the old and the son of the new
King； Prince Max； who was dressed simply as a priest； his plain
black gown in striking contrast with the gorgeous uniforms of the
other princes immediately about him。 The only disconcerting
feature was the sermon。 It was given by one of the priests
attached to the court church； and he evidently considered this an
occasion to be made much of； for instead of fifteen minutes； as
had been expected； his sermon lasted an hour and twenty minutes；
much to the discomfort of the crowd of officials； who were
obliged to remain standing from beginning to end； and especially
to the chagrin of the two Emperors； whose special trains and
time…tables； as well as the railway arrangements for the general
public； were thereby seriously deranged。
But all fatigues were compensated by the music。 The court choir
of Dresden is famous； and for this occasion splendid additions
had been made both to it and to the orchestra； nothing in its way
could be more impressive； and as a climax came the last honors to
the departed King； when； amid the music of an especially
beautiful chorus； the booming of artillery in the neighboring
square； and the tolling of the bells of the city on all sides；
the royal coffin slowly sank into the vaults below。
On the following morning I was received by the new King。 He
seemed a man of sound sense； and likely to make a good
constitutional sovereign。 Our talk was simply upon the relations
of the two countries； during which I took pains to bespeak for my
countrymen sojourning at Dresden the same kindnesses which the
deceased King had shown them。
During the summer a study of some of the most important
industries at the Dusseldorf Exposition proved useful； but
somewhat later other excursions had a more direct personal
interest； for within a few hours of each other came two
unexpected communications： one from the president of Yale
University； commissioning me to represent my Alma Mater at the
tercentenary of the Bodleian at Oxford； the other from the
University of St。 Andrews； inviting me to the installation of Mr。
Andrew Carnegie as lord rector of that institution； and both
these I accepted。
The celebration at Oxford was in every way interesting to me； but
I may say frankly that of all things which gave me pleasure； the
foremost was the speech of presentation； in the Sheldonian
Theatre； when the doctorate of civil law was conferred upon me。
The first feature in this speech； assigning the reasons for
conferring the degree； was a most kindly reference to my part in
establishing the Arbitration Tribunal at the International
Conference of The Hague； and this； of course； was gratifying。 But
the second half of the speech touched me more nearly； for it was
a friendly appreciation of my book regarding the historical
relations between science and theology in Christendom。 This was a
surprise indeed！ Years before； when writing this book； I had said
to myself； 〃This ends all prospect of friendly recognition of any
work I may ever do； so far as the universities and academies of
the world are concerned。 But so be it； what I believe I will
say。〃 And now； suddenly； unexpectedly； came recognition and
commendation in that great and ancient center of religious
thought and sentiment； once so reactionary； where； within my
memory； even a man like Edward Everett was harshly treated for
his inability to accept the shibboleths of orthodoxy。
This reviving of old and beginning of new friendships； with the
hearty hospitality lavished upon us from all sides； left
delightful remembrances。 Several times； during the previous fifty
years； I had visited Oxford and been cordially welcomed； but this
greeting surpassed all others。
There was； indeed； one slight mishap。 Being called upon to speak
in behalf of the guests at the great dinner in Christ Church
Hall； I endeavored to make a point which I thought new and
perhaps usefully suggestive。 Having referred to the increasing
number of international congresses； expositions； conferences；
academic commemorations； anniversaries； and the like； I dwelt
briefly on their agency in generating friendships between men of
influence in different countries； and therefore in maintaining
international good will； and then especially urged； as the pith
and point of my speech； that such agencies had recently been made
potent for peace as never before。 In support of this view； I
called attention to the fact that the Peace Conference at The
Hague had not only established an arbitration tribunal for
PREVENTING war； but had gained the adhesion of all nations
concerned to a number of arrangements； such as international
〃Commissions of Inquiry；〃 the system of 〃Seconding Powers；〃 and
the like； for DELAYING war； thus securing time during which
better international feelings could assert themselves； and
reasonable men on either side could work together to bring in the
sober second thought； that thereby the friendships promoted by
these international festivities had been given； as never before；
time to assert themselves as an effective force for peace against
jingo orators； yellow presses； and hot…heads generally； and
finally； in view of this increased efficiency of such gatherings
in promoting peace； I urged that they might well be multiplied on
both sides of the Atlantic； and that as many delegates as
possible should be sent to them。
〃A poor thing； but mine own。〃 Alas！ next day； in the press； I was
reported as simply uttering the t