of Xipangu, or Japan, at that era much and mysteriously talked about by Marco Polo and other travellers; but by a splendid blunder he tumbled upon America. I have good reason to greet his name in memory, apart from certain other not unimportant results of his error, owing as I do to him the prodigious debt of a dear American wife, now with God, of children, half- American and half-English, of countless friends, of a large part of my literary reputation, and, to crown all, for this memorable evening, "Nox cœna que Deum," which of itself would be enough to reward me for more than I have done, and to encourage me in a much more arduous task than even that which I have undertaken.
I am, to-night, the proud and happy guest of a Club celebrated all over the world for its brilliant fellowship, its broad enlightenment, and its large and gracious hospitalities. I see around me here those who worthily reflect by their weight, their learning, their social, civil, literary and artistic achievements and accomplishments, the best intellect of this vast and noble land; and I have been pleasantly made aware that other well-known Americans, although absent in person, are present in spirit to-night at this board. Comprehending these things as I do, and by the significance which underlies them, it is a special regret that I do not command any such gift of easy speech as seems indigenous to this country, for, truly, it appears to me that almost every cultured American gentleman and many that are not cultured are born powerful and persuasive orators.
How, lacking this, can I hope to give any adequate utterance to the gratitude of respect, the deep amity, the ardent good will with which my heart is laden? An Arab proverb says: "A camel knows himself when he goes under a mountain," and if I have sometimes flattered myself that much duty and long habitude with the world and its leaders had made me, in some slight degree, master of my native tongue, the tumult of pride and pleasure which fills my breast at this hour makes me understand that I must not trust to-night to my unpractised powers, but must rely almost entirely on your boundless kindness and assured indulgence.
Indeed, gentlemen, I think I should become at once in-
