APPENDIX. LOCAL ACCOUNT OF THE CEREMONIES. From KEENE'S BATH JOURNAL, October 24, 1908. The city of Bath has done honour this week alike to the memory of a great statesman whom she is proud to reckon among her host of distinguished residents during the eighteenth century, and to the official representative in this country of a young nation which cherishes the recollection of that statesman's friendship for it in dark and troubled days. The visit of the American Ambassador (Mr. Whitelaw Reid) on Thursday to unveil a tablet at 11, North-parade, recording the fact that Edmund Burke once dwelt there, has been the event of the week. The happy idea of commemorating by means of mural tablets the celebrities who in times past added distinction to the city has been very successful in drawing attention to the remarkable way in which Bath is, as one well-known visitor put it not long ago, "spotted" with historic houses. No fewer than 22 unveiling ceremonies similar to that in which the American Ambassador participated on Thursday afternoon have now taken place, and in addition several tablets have been placed in position without any speech-making; so that in all 34 of these plain but instructive and enduring records tell their own story to the observant passer-by. Many eminent men have visited Bath in connection with the ceremonies, but few such occasions, if any, have aroused more interest than that which we now record. Mr. Reid's own personality, and the fact that he came to Bath as the accredited representative of the United States, ensured for him the heartiest of welcomes, and the city's traditions for hospitality were well maintained. The day's programme included, in addition to the actual unveiling ceremony, the presentation of an address of welcome to the Ambassador from the Town Council, a public luncheon, an inspection of some of Bath's most interesting architectural and other features, and a special illuminated concert at the Roman Promenade in the evening. There were appropriate decorations, in which the British and American flags were conspicuous, at the Guildhall and North-parade; and at the Guildhall there were also electrical illuminations in the evening, electric glow lamps being used to outline the face of the building. Mr. A. J. Taylor carried out the official decorations, which were supplemented by a display of flags by many residents, and Mr. Teague arranged the Guildhall illuminations. The general preparations for the visit inevitably involved a great deal of quiet, unseen work, and the Mayor (Mr. T. Hodgson Miller) was largely indebted to a committee who assisted him in this direction. Mr. T. Sturge Cotterell's long experience in the arrangement of similar functions was again of the greatest helpfulness, and Mr. B. R. F. Pearson assisted him in connection with the secretarial and organising arrangements. The American Ambassador travelled in a saloon attached to the express train which leaves Paddington at 11 o'clock and arrives in Bath at 12.48. The portion of the down platform at which the slip coach stopped was decorated with flags, and here the Mayor, with whom was the Mayoress, awaited the arrival of the Ambassador. The ex-Mayor (Mr. S. W. Bush), the Mayor-elect (Mr. J. W. Knight), and the following past Mayors also welcomed the guest of the day :-Alderman Chaffin, Alderman Rubie, Alderman Major Simpson, M.C., Alderman Phillips, Alderman Henshaw, Mr. John and Alderman Oliver. Kislingbury, Divisional Superintendent of the G.W.R., was also present on the platform. The Mayor wore his robes of office. He shook hands with the Ambassador, who was introduced to the Mayoress and others present, and then proceeded to the Mayor's carriage. În this, with the Mayor, the Mayoress, and Mr. Cotterell, he Mr. drove off at once amid the cheers of the crowd which had gathered. An escort of six mounted police from Bristol rode in attendance upon the civic party. The carriage took a circuitous route to the Guildhall, where a large gathering of spectators heartily greeted the city's guest. The Abbey bells were rung in honour of the Ambassador's visit. Meanwhile the members of the Town Council had assembled in the Council Chamber. PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS. Thanks to the precautions taken, there was no overcrowding in the Council Chamber, when the formal address of welcome was presented to Mr. Whitelaw Reid. Although technically a special meeting of the Council, the visitors present far out-numbered the civic representatives. The ceremony was timed to commence at a quarter past one o'clock, and the Mayor, wearing his scarlet robes and gold chain of office, punctually made his appearance, followed by the American Ambassador, who was was received with hearty cheers, the company standing. Among those present were Aldermen J. Chaffin, Arnoll Davis, W. F. Gould, J. E. Henshaw, R. H. Moore, C. B. Oliver, E. E. Phillips, E. G. Peacock, J. Rubie, I. J. Stone, C. H. Simpson, A. Taylor, and T. Vincent, Councillors S. W. Bush, J. H. Colmer, T. S. Cotterell, A. H. Fortt, E. W. Farwell, H. Green, H. T. Hatt, J. Howard, B. John, Preston King, J. W. Knight, T. M. Gibson, S. Edwards, V. Evans, C. H. Long, W. F. Long, O. Newman, J. W. Paton, T. F. Plowman, G. F. Powell, P. C. H. Ryan, J. M. T. Reilly, J. A. W. Ricketts, F. W. Spear, S. Sydenham, G. Strange, T. Southwell, A. W. Thomas, H. J. Thomas, E. B. Titley, W. Tonkin, C. J. Tabor, W. Withers, E. White, and F. Young. The general company included the Mayoress, Lord Hylton (Lady Hylton was unadvoidably absent), Lord and Lady de Blaquiere, the Lord Mayor of Bristol and the Lady Mayoress, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff and the Lady Mayoress, Sir Charles and Lady Hunter, the Archdeacon of Bath (Venerable Hylton Bothamley), the Rector of Bath and Mrs. Boyd, Mr. G. P. Gooch, M.P., Mr. Charles Morley, Colonel and Lady Mary Skrine, the Rev. C. Hylton Stewart, Dr. Perry Worden (American Consul at Bristol) and Mrs. Worden, Mr. A. M. Broadley, Judge Gwynne James, Colonel Clayton, Colonel Hunt, Colonel M. P. Ricketts, Mr. J. H. Holst, the Rev. C. E. B. Barnwell, Mr. Sydney Humphries (President of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce), Miss Johnson, Mr. W. L. Russell, Mr. and Mrs. J. Harris Stone, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Stoffell, Mr. J. Allon Tucker, Mr. A. G. D. Moger, Mrs. Climenson (who through Mr. Broadley recently presented the city with a portrait and autograph letter of Burke), Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Cotterell, Mrs. Rubie, Mrs. Jackman, Mrs. Vincent and many others, including a large contingent of representatives of the Press. The Town Clerk having called over the roll of names of members of the Corporation, the minutes of the various committees printed upon the agenda were formally attested, and the Town Clerk then announced that the next "business" was the presentation of an address to the American Ambassador. The MAYOR, whose rising was the signal for cheers, said : Gentlemen of the Council,-This is a rare and indeed unique occasion in the history of Bath. Throughout the long annals of our ancient city we have records of the reception of many distinguished visitors, but never before have the Council and citzens of Bath had the honour of offering a civic welcome to an Ambassador of the United States of America. (Cheers.) It was with the utmost pleasure that I received some little time ago the gratifying intelligence that his Excellency would consent to pay us a visit, and for his kind consideration in agreeing to do so, and for his ready response to my invitation, I beg to express not only my own sincere and hearty thanks as Mayor, but also the gratitude of all the citizens of Bath. (Cheers.) Sir, an address has been prepared for presenta |