embers. My second duty is to make an immediate change of the
programme. Among the distinguished guests who honor us by their
presence to-night is the illustrious patriot and statesman who has
filled--yes, filled, not rattled around in--the great dignity of the
Presidency of the United States. [Applause.] In his career he has won
the admiration of the country not merely by his transcendent abilities
as a statesman, but by his noble qualities as a man. Among other
characteristics, his love of children has touched the heart of the
country. He has promised the little children who are gathered in his
distant home that he will join them in preparing and sharing the joys
of Christmas. It is imperative not that he shall leave us at this
moment but that he shall terminate the three days of cordial and
perhaps somewhat burdensome hospitality which he has enjoyed in
Philadelphia, at a later stage of this evening. In order that he may
be entirely free, and because the first word should be spoken by the
first man at the table, I ask you to join me, at this time, in
drinking a toast to the health of the illustrious patriot, who is as
greatly respected and honored in private life as he was in the
Presidency--General Benjamin Harrison, whom I now have the pleasure of
presenting to you."]

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF THE NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY OF
PENNSYLVANIA:--When my good friend and your good neighbor and
President, Mr. Charles Emory Smith, invited me to be present to-night, I
felt a special demand upon me to yield to his request. I thought I owed
him some reparation for appointing him to an office the emoluments of
which did not pay his expenses. [Merriment.] Your cordial welcome
to-night crowns three days of most pleasurable stay in this good City of
Philadelphia. The days have been a little crowded; I think there have
been what our friends of The Four Hundred would probably call "eight
distinct functions;" but your cordiality and the kind words of your
presiding officer quite relieve my fatigue and suggest to me that I
shall rightly repay your kindness by making a very short speech. ["No,
no!"] It is my opinion that these members of the New England Society are
very creditable descendants of the Forefathers. I'm not quite sure that
the Forefathers would share this opinion if they were here; but that
would be by reason of the fact that, notwithstanding the load of
substantial virtues, which the