their peril, and they were all saved.

What you and I ought to do is to go out and help build up the dikes
against the ocean of crime and depravity and sin which threatens to
overwhelm this nation. Men of Holland, descend!--to the dikes! to the
dikes! Bring all the faith and all the courage of your ancestors to the
work, and then get down on your knees, and kneel with us on the creaking
wall, and pray to the God of the wind and of the sea that He may hush
the one and silence the other.

BAYARD TAYLOR

TRIBUTE TO GOETHE

[Speech of Bayard Taylor at a reception given in his honor by the
Goethe Club, New York City, March 20, 1878. The reception was held
in recognition of Mr. Taylor's appointment as United States
Minister to Germany. Dr. A. Ruppaner, President of the Club,
presided.]

It is difficult for me to respond fitly to what you have done,
fellow-members of the Goethe Club, and what my old friend Parke Godwin
has said. I may take gratefully whatever applies to an already
accomplished work, but I cannot accept any reference to any work yet to
be done without a feeling of doubt and uncertainty. No man can count on
future success without seeming to invoke the evil fates.

I am somewhat relieved in knowing that this reception, by which I am so
greatly honored, is not wholly owing to the official distinction which
has been conferred upon me by the President. I am informed that it had
been already intended by the Goethe Club as a large and liberal
recognition of my former literary labors, and I will only refer a moment
to the diplomatic post in order that there may be no misconception of my
position in accepting it.

The fact that for years past I have designed writing a new biography of
the great German master, is generally known; there was no necessity for
keeping it secret; it has been specially mentioned by the press since my
appointment, and I need not hesitate to say that the favor of our
government will give me important facilities in the prosecution of the
work. [Applause.]

But the question has also been asked, here and there--and very
naturally--is a Minister to a foreign Court to be appointed for such a
purpose? I answer, No! The Minister's duty to the government and to the
interests of his fellow-citizens is always paramount. I shall go to
Berlin with the full understanding of the character of the services I
may be expected to render, and the honest determination to