an said that in his position as president of the
association it was his pleasurable duty to present a copy of
their guide to Mr. G. F. Hoar, the distinguished member of
the United States Government, who had always taken a great
interest in their historic City.--The presentation consisted
of a handsomely carved box made by Messrs. Matthews and Co.
from pieces of historic English oak supplied by Mr. H. Y.
J. Taylor. On the outside of the cover are engraved the City
arms, and a brass plate explaining the presentation. A beautifully
printed copy of the well-known guide, bound in red morocco,
has been placed within, and on the inside of the cover there
is the following illuminated address:

"To the Hon. G. F. Hoar, of Worcester, Mass., Senator of the
United States of America. Sir,--The members of the Traders'
Association, Gloucester, England, ask your acceptance of a
bound copy of their guide to this ancient and historic City,
together with this box made from part of a rafter taken from
the room in which Bishop Hooper was lodged the night before
his burning, and from oak formerly in old All Saints' Church,
as souvenirs of the regard which the association entertains
for you and its recognition of your ardent affection for the
City of Gloucester, the honored place of the nativity of the
progenitor of your family, Charles Hoar, who was elder Sheriff
in 1634; and may these sincere expressions also be typical
of the sterling friendship existing between Great Britain
and America."

"Senator Hoar had been unable to attend the meeting, and
the presentation was entrusted to the American Vice-Consul,
Mr. E. H. Palin, to forward to him. Remarking on the presentation,
the Mayor expressed his regret that Mr. Hoar had been unable
to accept the high and important position of American Ambassador
which had been offered to him. Addresses on the installation
of the electric light were then given by Mr. Hammond, M.I.C.E.,
and Mr. Spencer Hawes."

I was invited by the Corporation of the City to visit them
in the fall and receive the freedom of the City, which was
to be bestowed at the same time on Sir Michael Hicks-Beach.
But I had arranged to return to the United States before the
time fixed for the ceremonial. So I was deprived of that
great pleasure and honor.

I had a great longing to hear the nightingale. I find in
an old memorandum that I heard the nightingale in Warwickshire
in 1860, somewhere about the twentieth of May.