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of our people to you personally, and to the nation over which you preside, and which with admirable ability you have succeeded in directing to its noble destiny. Neither the distance which separates us, nor any difference of race, will ever weaken in us and in our people that firm friendship which unites us with the brave American nation with which for a hundred years Italy has had relations productive of mutual esteem. We are inclined to convey to you these sentiments so much the more readily, because, for the purpose of the more worthily celebrating the memorable day by the monster Exhibition at Philadelphia, you were pleased to invite to the festival all the nations of the earth. Accept the assurances of our highest esteem and friendship, together with the prayers which we offer to God that he may have you, my very dear friend, in his holy keeping. — Given at Rome on the 11th of June, 1876.

Your good friend,

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VICTOR EMANUEL.

Countersigned, MELIGARI.

PUBLISHERS' NOTE.

THE preceding pages show the remarkable favor with which Dr. Thompson's Lectures were received, and the estimate placed upon them by the foremost men and journals in Berlin, Dresden, Florence, Paris, and London.

[From the Berlin "Kunst-Correspondenz" of March 1, 1876.]

"Dr. Joseph P. Thompson began, on the 21st of February, a course of lectures, in English, upon the origin, development, and results of that remarkable and unparalleled event in the world's history, the American Declaration of Independence. Dr. Thompson is welcomed by crowded audiences, composed of American and English residents, and an influential and learned German circle, including many members of Parliament. The lectures exhibit a fulness and depth of historical study, and are rich in philosophical reflections and intellectual comparisons of different nations and of the founders of political systems. The lecturer patriot of the New World in the finest sense of the word—is thoroughly penetrated with the historical spirit, and is especially fair toward the rich cycle of events in Germany."

[From the Berlin "Fremdenblatt," Feb. 25, 1876.]

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"Dr. Thompson's lectures are attended by a very numerous and highly cultivated audience, including several members of the diplomatic corps, university professors, and members of Parliament. The well-known, ready, forcible, and clever orator is followed with marked attention."

[From the Berlin correspondent of the "Weser Zeitung," Bremen.] "Sachse's Art Salon, in which these lectures are given, is scarcely able to contain the audiences, which are composed of Germans as well as of Americans sojourning here. Dr. Thompson, who has an enviable reputation as a scholar and as an expounder of the German Church polity, is an excellent speaker, a perfect master of his subject, and knows how to engage the attention of his hearers."

[From the Berlin "Staats Anzeiger," an official journal, of March 15, 1876.] "The famous American scholar now residing here, Dr. Thompson, has just closed his course of lectures on the American nation, delivered before a large and select audience. In the style of pragmatic history, these lectures handled the institution and the philosophical development of the United States with interesting points of comparison in the history of France, England, and Germany. Dr. Thompson is known to be remarkably versed in German and Prussian affairs, which he has made a fundamental study. The style and manner in which he handled the historical development of Germany since the Reformation, the just appreciation which he awarded to the Prussian form of State life, the high tribute that he paid to the royal house that founded the State and had led it on to greatness, evoked the warmest applause of his hearers, at least half of whom were Germans. At the close of the lectures, special acknowledgments and thanks were tendered to Dr. Thompson for the highly intellectual tone and the friendly international spirit in which he had carried out his historical parallels. It is hoped these most substan

tial and instructive lectures will be published."

[From the "Berlin Post" of March 1, 1876.]

"Last Wednesday, at the close of a series of lectures on the history of the United States, delivered by Dr. Thompson to a numerous and applauding audience, Prof. Zumpt arose to thank the orator in the following words, which well characterize America's civilization and its relations to Germany:

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"It seems to me both improper and ungrateful that we who have listened to these lectures should silently separate, at the close of the course, without expressing our feelings. I therefore venture to propose a vote of thanks.

“This vote has a double signification, at least for that portion of the ladies and gentlemen here present, who, like myself, are Germans. We have been told of the origin of the United States, its development, and its hopes for future welfare. America and Germany, although taking their origin in opposite elements and having different forms of government, have still the same principles, religious and political freedom. We may, perchance, choose different paths; but the goal is the

same.

"If, during the struggle for independence, some rulers of German principalities were base enough to sell their subjects as instruments for tyranny, on the other hand we Prussians

--

- nay, we Germans -are proud that one of our Great Frederic's best officers fought at Washington's side. Light-hearted, like a German soldier, brave, and true to his commander, he helped to organize the army of the newly-born republic.

"We are accustomed in Germany to celebrate birthdays; also, when

a person has for a number of years held office, we assemble around him to wish him a long life and the continuation of his happiness. In the course of this year the American nation will celebrate its birthday, after having gloriously lived through the first century of its existence. A hundred years are long for human life: they are but short for that of a State. Yes, America is young, very young; but the more time has she to develop, the more can we expect from her, the more can she accomplish for the advancement of humanity and civilization. Now that we have heard these six lectures on the birth and growth of this nation, how can the purport of our vote of thanks be other than “Long live and flourish America"?

"The second part of our thanks is personal, and refers to Dr. Thompson: it is in common to all, both Americans and Germans. Our learned and eloquent friend is a warm patriot in the noblest sense of the word; but next to his own country, which he naturally prefers to all others, Germany is probably that which is dearest to him. He lives amongst us, and knows us well: our customs, and ways of thinking, are familiar to him. He is also a glowing admirer of those who are at the head of our government, of our emperor, and of the whole illustrious family of the Hohenzollerns. Dr. Thompson fights like a veteran at our side in the war which we wage against religious oppression. Of his lectures themselves I will say nothing. They are above my praise. Words would fail me to value them according to their worth. I will only add, that, as to myself, I have listened to them with ever-increasing interest and rising admiration. I therefore consider it a duty of simple gratitude openly to express our thanks to Dr. Thompson.""

This address was accompanied with a crown of laurel, presented by the German ladies who had attended the course. This was bound with the Prussian colors, and bore the motto,

"Du gabst so Viel uns, aus dem Schatze Deines Geistes!
Doch nicht Verstand allein, die edle Seele sprach aus Dir;
D'rum sagen wir aus ganzer Seele, Dank dafür.”

The lecturer having met all the expenses of the course (the lectures being free), at the close a handsome testimonial was presented to him by the American residents of Berlin "as a token of gratitude for the able and impartial manner in which he had brought before a German audience a fair picture of America and its institutions."

In Dresden the lectures were given in the commodious rooms of the "American Club," which were filled to their utmost

capacity. At the close of the course the following address was made by George Griswold, Esq., president of the club :

"On behalf of the club which you have so greatly honored, and of the ladies and gentlemen here assembled who have been attentive and delighted listeners, I desire to return you heartfelt thanks for your very able and eloquent lectures.

"Especially do we thank you for your disinterested kindness in having taught us so much concerning the causes which led the States to separate from the mother-country, and concerning the virtues of our forefathers who framed and organized the government which has been such a boon to mankind, and under which, in so brief a period, the United States of America have been enabled to take a foremost stand amongst the most enlightened and powerful nations of the world.

"To you, sir, we are indebted for much valuable historical and political knowledge, enlightened ideas of government, and statistical information which we could not have acquired or even collated for ourselves, but which could not have been imparted in more impressive, eloquent, and agreeable language or manner; and, although in numbers we are less than the brilliant and learned assemblies you have so recently addressed at Florence and Berlin, be assured that we have not been less attentive, less instructed, or less gratified, and that we are not less grateful, than they.

"Again thanking you for the benefit of your vast researches and of your impartial comments on the centennial history of our free institutions, we bid you God speed in your disinterested, praiseworthy, and patriotic endeavors to enlighten your countrymen and the people amongst whom they are temporarily sojourning.

"We wish you health, long life, prosperity, and happiness."

In Florence, by the generous invitation of the "Circulo Filologico," their spacious and elegant hall was placed at the disposal of the lecturer. James Jackson Jarves, Esq., the well-known art-critic, wrote to "The American Register," Paris, "Dr. Thompson's accomplishments as an orator and scholar, and his specially patriotic course in Germany as a fitting representative of the more serious side of American character, are peculiar qualifications for his opportune appearance at the present moment in Italy as a lecturer; although it is to be regretted that he could not deliver this course in Rome, where he would be certain to have an appreciative Italian audience, in part from the members of Parliament and statesmen

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