Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 1

[347] to “gild refined gold.” But still the remarks which the venerable chairman had done him the honor to make regarding himself, required the sincere acknowledgments of his heart. He thanked his Lordship that he had not held him as a foreigner; for, indeed, if any one thing above another could give an American pleasure, he might say it would be to come to Great Britain and find himself authorized to claim kindred here, and have his claims allowed (applause). Speaking their language, derived from them, enjoying their laws, and, he might say, almost their political institutions,—for all that had been held sacred during all their constitutional history remained with his countrymen, and Magna Charta was perpetuated in the liberal institutions of America,—were they not, he would ask his Lordship, their brothers (applause)? Might not an American come here, and find, indeed, that he was coming home,—coming, as it were, to his father's hearthstone? He went to their churchyard, and there, perchance, he found his father's monument. Such men indeed were relations, and on such accounts he rejoiced that the chairman had not held them as foreigners, but greeted them as brothers. Might he say then, in this presence, so learned and so honorable, that of all countries England was the pride of Americans? They all rejoiced that they came from her and of her; they all rejoiced in her glory, and in her devotion to the sciences; and they gladly came up to such a high festival as this,— such a liberal association, where the good of mankind was consulted in its most important aspect. Might he presume to look still further toward the gradual strengthening of the intercourse between the two countries; and, indeed, anticipate the day when the Association would not merely travel from Liverpool to Newcastle, and from Newcastle to Birmingham, but have the whole world for its arena (loud applause); when they might see the meeting passing over from Birmingham to Philadelphia, and from Philadelphia back to Newcastle? Then, indeed, they would have an alliance greater and stronger than parchment or treaties; an alliance producing a scientific union, practical and theoretical, between both countries (applause). He had been betrayed into saying more words than he ought; but the very kind manner in which his Lordship had done him the honor to speak of his humble self, had so tempted him that personally he could not say less, while the manner in which his country had been mentioned would have justified him in saying more. Might he conclude by expressing to his Lordship personally his sincere acknowledgments, and likewise his thanks to the gentlemen present, in common with his learned friends (loud applause)?

From Newcastle I went in the coach of the Bishop of Durham to Auckland Palace.¹ This is the celebrated seat of the most powerful bishop of England. It is a venerable castle, with a beautiful park about it, stocked with deer. Here I was hospitably entertained for two days, and pressed to stay longer, and cordially invited there whenever I could come, on this visit