The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-07-22
OUR MINISTER TO ENGLAND.
Com pIimentary OInner to ReVerdy
johnson at Annapolis, Nd.

The banquet to Reverdy Johnson last evening
at the City Hotel of Annapolis, was a most
select and successful affair. The banqueting
hall WAS beautifully decorated with American
flags aud at the head of the room behind the
chair OF the presiding officer large British flag
was appropriately displayed, flanked at either
side by the Stars and Stripes. The room was
brilliantly Illuminated, and music was sup
piled in abundance.
At the appropriate period of the festivities
Colonel Joseph II. Nicholson opened the speak
lug by lengthy address, during the course of
which he alluded in the most complimentary
terms to the guest of the evening.
Mr.. Johnson 10 his response said:-I an
gratified 10 believe from this warm and friendly
greeting that you estee N me 4 brot her, and my
feelings tell me that ] am. A native Of Anna
polls, where all my youthful days were passed,
every face and name that you bear reminds me
OF the happy days that have had in thus city.
III memory Tecur to the joyous hours spent
here. There is not nook or corner OF the city
that is not as familiar to me as the alphabet.
How often have / strolled with schoolmates
through its streets in search Of amusement. And
alas ! how few, II any, remain OF that number.
The reflection is a melancholy one, but it is
consolpg to know that felt for each the stroug-
est attachment and had in each a friend. Here,
too, obtaIned my education. st. Johns was
my first and only school. How gladly do
remember the many hours passed upon its
beautiful green, the earnest rivalry with which
the boys engaged In the sports that give youth
delIgh and serve to impart vigor to the bod y
and strength to the mind, TO fit both for the
laborious hours OF study. l seem to have now
before me the venerable form OF President Nc
Dowel, when, with measured AMI stately steps,
he was seen coming from his dUelling, at the
foot of State House hull, to the college, and the
scattering OF the boys, running to their respect
i've rooms within the honored pile, that
they might be in their proper places on his
arrival. l cannot, however, remember Chow
sad 10 the thought that any one OF the hun
dreds OF youths then in full and Joyous health
or OF the professors, who daily instructed us in
nkaA Fln han nhNane
and duty of a vrtuous life, are now among the
living. 1t was here, too, that | hrst became
devoted to the study of the law. When reached
the age OF twelve or thirteen years every hour
that | could snatch from the duties OF the col
lege | gave TO an attendance upon the several
courts. NV father, who wished me to adopt the
profession I'm which you will not am sure,
think il indeliCaie in me to say he occupied q
conspicuous and honored place, advised me to
tins course. And TO that and his other advice
am mainly indebted for whatever success in
the pro ession may have attained.
Mr.. Chairman, | sail IN a few days for England.
from the Port of Baltimore. / have selec ed
that as the place of my departure, for, among
other reasons, desire to see as long as can my
adopted and native cities, my two loved homes
And when, in passing down our NOBLE nav, my
eyes will be turned with AN xious gaze upon the
spires and mountains which illustrate the reli
gOus faith and grateful patriotism OF the former
and upon that beautiful aud commanding
steeple to4erlng so high aoft, as II It's prOVice
was to keep watch and guard over this city and
that cupola which crowns my ST. Johns, both
so rich in Revolutionary aud literary assoca
lions, and when they shall all fade f1om my
view my heart will be saddened. But still, how
ever distant may be, home will ever be before
me-home, around which all our affection;
gather. Home =
WhereeT / msy roAm-howe'er blest may be,
My spirit lnstncliVely turns unto theel
And now, ladies and gentlemen, with q heart
full OF gratitude for the present proof of your
friendship, have but one thing more to add
1t is to say
Farewell!-a word that hath been and must bel
sound that makes Us ungOr-yst. FAREWELL