Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-06
GROWING HOUR.
The Farewell Dinner to
Ambassador Choate,
A Remarkable Gathering Of
Notab|es Do Him Honor,
Mr. Choate Regrets Leaving Friends, but Is
Longing for Home.

London. May 5.-"Certair,v tho
crowning hour of my life is this fare
well benefit to the English stage ;,
So Joseph H. Choate characterized
the farewell dinner at the Mansion
House. at which undoubtedly was tho
most remarkable gathering of notables
ever assembled at the historic resi-
dence OF that picturesque parsonage.
the lord mayor of London. All parties
classes. professions and opinions from
the great metropolis represented nv
the lord mayor himself, to the govern.
ment represented by Arthur T Ralfour
and the Marquis of Lansdown. toseth-
er with few of the American COM
mtlnltY. were there. Mr.. ChOatei SAT at
the right hand of the lord mayor: next
to him was Mr.. Balfour. and then
Lord LaSdOWne. At the left of the
lord mayor were the Archbishop Of
Canterbury ami the Duke of Wellinr-
ton.
There We're present among others
F.arls Mimic. Dartmouth, Aberdeen.
Denbigh. Kinthore Jersey. Onslow and
Crewe: Lords StrfthcOna, Hereford
IeViitt sNttipfI, IItNIc.lce, hugh Cecil
Ralfour Of R,rleigh, MacNaughton
Alverstone and Rothschld: Viscounts
Goschcn and Churchill; Sirs Frederick
Treves. Eric Darlington. Conan Doyle.
Thomas Upton. Alma Tadema, Pur-
den Clarke and others; the Hons John
Morley. James Bryce. Austen Cham
berlain ana Percy Wyndham; the edi-
tors of the London dailies: Rudyard
kipling. Austin Anthony Hope and
other authors and many other nota-
bl1S. the aggregate numbering 800
Among the Americans We're the entire
staff of the embassy. Consul General
Robert ]. Wynne. Vice Consul Carne-
gle and Senator SpOoner of Wisconsin.
The banquet was spread i'm the Egyp-
tian hall. which was draped with the
banners Of past lord mayors and the
Tags Of all colonies.
The Archbishop of Canterbury pro-
nounced grace and the benediction.
The aged lord mayor. a white bearded
picturesque figure in his rich costume.
rose and toasted the King and Queen
Sir Henry Zimmerman pro-
posed "The President" eulogizing
hin. as Il typical character. character
istic of America. 4 firm friend of peace.
though not perhaps of 4 quiesccnt dis
position"
Premier Balfour, in toasting Ny
Cholte. said: "No greater honor could
have been done me than to have pro-
pos ell this toast"
mir. Choatc," he said. chad been
with Britons in days of mourning and
of rejoicing, of disaster and of victory.
not only as the representative Of a
great state, but ever ready to take his
part in any phase of British life. not
connected with politics and he had ev-
or played his part with distinction"
Mr. Balfour dilated on the close rela-
tons between the two countries and
the common sentiment of amity which
survived always despite the mistakes
of official leaders.
On rising Mr.. Choate was greeted
with rounds Of applause. He spoke at
considerable length and with much
feeling. He said that he was homesick
and glad to be returning to his native
land. II he remained much longer, he
said. he would have worse disease
than Inconsistencies. namely. Anglo
mania. An American President had
once wisely said that he would not
trust an ambassador in England more
than four years because the English
would SPOIL him. He said he did not
dare trust himself to speak of the hon
or he felt in being the guest of such an
assembly gathered to say farewell.
Altogether too much credit has been
attributed to me- continued MIR.
Choatc. "fOr the happy and delightful
relations now existing between the two
countries. If I have contributed to
maintain what | found on taking my
post, the last six years will be the
proudest Of my life. But the real rea-
son for the happy state of affairs be-
tween the countries does not belong to
any ambassador, but the two men re-
sponsihlo for their relations are Lord
I.ansdoWne and Mr.. Hay. / never have
been called into the presence of the
King or his illustrious consOrt without
finding them also full of friendship for
the country | represent. The King s
instincts for peace are unerring and
his genius for Cancellation perfect, as
he has shown the world in recent
We cks.