New-York tribune., 1905-04-15
HONORING Mr.. CHOATE.
Ambassador Guest of Bench and Bar
at the Middle Temple.

London. April 14.-"Farewelll Rejoice! He
goes back TO his home with his duty well and
nobly done taking the universal respect and
admiration Of kindred nation ana his own"
thus concluded Lord Chancellor Halsbury's
parting tribute TO the American Ambassador
AIr. choate. who recently was distinguished by
election as n member OF the Middle Temple, and
tonight was honOred by the greatest gathering
of the bench and bar IN the history OF the Inns
c. Court. The Attorney General Sir Robert
F1nlay, seconded the toast. saying:
This is no ordinary occasion. Never has
worthier man occupied the post OF Ambassador
10 Great Britain. and none has carried away
come guest at the Inns than this consummate
advocate. great diplOmatist and genial man OF
the world.
The assembly was an extraordinary one in
character and numbered nearly four hundred
members OF the bench and bar, including almost
every leading justice and barrister in England
Nr. Choate sa; between Lord Halsbury and
Lord Macnaghten. Lord OF Appeal in Ordinary.
Ranged on both sides were the venerable Privy
Councillors, each wearing his decorations and
orders. Other well known men present were
Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief Justice; Sir Rich
ard Hem Collins Master OF the Rolls: Viscounts
Knutsford and Llandaf. Lord James OF Here
ford. Lords Dunboyne Stirling. Robertson
stormonth and Coleridge. H. Il. Asquith, former
Home Secretary, and all the members OF the
American Embassy
The great dining hall OF the Middle Temple is
q vast oazen chamber. its high roof supported
BY heavy beams. The walls are panelled with
coats-o6-arms and The windows are OF stained
glass Al one end Of the hall is Watts's frescO,
Legislation" representing lawmakers from the
time OF Moses 10 Edward II. At the other end
S q screened musicians gallery ornamented
with carved life sized figures IT was occupied
tonight by a few women guests. not dining, but
simply looking on On high movable pedestals
huge roasts were carved before the guests by
the Inns carver, pe-ched above the assembly.
As the guests took their places they remained
standing until the Lord Chancellor had pro-
nounced grace
The first toast was drunk after the simple
words. The King" The second. pronounced by
The Lord Chancellor. was The President the
Great Magistrate Of q Great Nation"
M Choate. rising, looked somewhat pale after
his recent illness Ee greeted with pro-
longed but dignifed applause. Addressing the
assembly as Brothers. all" he said, in part:
Words cannot express my gratitude for this
s1nicue and overwhelming honor. For an ATneri-
can lawyer 70 be the guest Of the bench and
bar OF England an occasion graced oy the
snr,Isuding presence Of so many Of their most
cistineuished members oyercOnnes him with
sense of his own unWorthiness. ] can only sup
pose ;hat in my person and over my heao you
represent. thank you al from the bottom OF
my heart I am especially grateful 10 my frleno'
Eae Lord Chancellor.
Mr. Choate paid tributes 10 his personal
friends. Lord Chancellor Halsbury and Lord
Chief Justice Alverstone. and said that the Snew
Diplomacy TO which the Lord Chancellor had
said he belonged had made his task here easy.
The men with whom he had had 10 deal at the
Foreign once, the late Lord Salisbury and Lord
I.ansdoWne were both Of that school. saying
whist they meant and meaning what they said
He had always found them anxious to maintain
the friendnest relations, always willing TO meet
America half way, and never with card up
their sleeve. His task had been easy because
there were Queen Victoria and King Edward on
one side and President Mckinley and President
Roosevelt on the other. The English people and
Americans. he said, were ever determined TO be
friends. adding:
The relations between the bench and bar OF
the United States and Great Britain were inti-
snate and enduring. At the beginning We bor-
rowed eyeryrhing-your laws, your courts, your
customs; but gradually We have been paying
the debt until we have almost reached state
Of mutual obligation and interdependence. The
ancient Inns OF Court and Westminster Hall
ere regarded by my countryTnen, and especially
10y ny professional brethren. with intense In
1erest and satisfaction as the nurseries and
home Of the common law which underlies and
sustalns the principles and liberty common 10
9TH countries.
Mr. Choate viii have one more public farewell,
that al the hands Of the Lord Mayor on May 3.
Ne expects to sail for New-York on May %.