The
most of these invitations I declined, for the reason that I wanted to
rest. Neither were we able to accept more than a small proportion of
the other invitations. The Rev. Dr. Brooke Herford and Mrs. Herford,
whom I had known in Boston, consulted with the American Ambassador,
the Hon. Joseph Choate, and arranged for me to speak at a public
meeting to be held in Essex Hall. Mr. Choate kindly consented to
preside. The meeting was largely attended. There were many
distinguished persons present, among them several members of
Parliament, including Mr. James Bryce, who spoke at the meeting. What
the American Ambassador said in introducing me, as well as a synopsis
of what I said, was widely published in England and in the American
papers at the time. Dr. and Mrs. Herford gave Mrs. Washington and
myself a reception, at which we had the privilege of meeting some of
the best people in England. Throughout our stay in London Ambassador
Choate was most kind and attentive to us. At the Ambassador's
reception I met, for the first time, Mark Twain.
We were the guests several times of Mrs. T. Fisher Unwin, the
daughter of the English statesman, Richard Cobden. It seemed as if
both Mr. and Mrs. Unwin could not do enough for our comfort and
happiness. Later, for nearly a week, we were the guests of the
daughter of John Bright, now Mrs.
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