that the whole is greater than a part, or that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and yet it is upon such platitudes that astronomy, by aid of which we have penetrated some of the far-off mysteries of the universe, is based.  The greatest cathedrals are built of single blocks of stone, and a single block of stone is a platitude.  Tear the architectural structure to pieces, and you have nothing left but the single, common, platitudinous brick; but for that reason do you say that your architectural structure is platitudinous?  The effect of Mr. Roosevelt’s career and personality, which rest upon the secure foundation of simple and obvious truths, is like that of a fine architectural structure, and if a man can see only the single bricks or stones of which it is composed, so much the worse for him.”

Of the addresses included in this volume the next in chronological order was that on “International Peace,” officially delivered before the Nobel Prize Committee, but actually a public oration spoken in the National Theatre of Christiania, before an audience of two or three thousand people.  The Norwegians did everything to make the occasion a notable one.  The streets were almost impassable from the crowds of people who assembled about the theatre, but who were unable to gain admission.  An excellent orchestra played an overture, especially composed for the occasion by a distinguished Norwegian composer, in which themes from the Star-Spangled Banner and from Norwegian national airs and folk-songs were ingeniously intertwined.  The day was observed as a holiday in Christiania, and the entire city was decorated with evergreens and flags.  On the evening of the same day, the Nobel Prize Committee gave a dinner in honor of Mr. Roosevelt which was attended by two or three hundred guests,—­both men and women.  General Bratlie, at one time Norwegian Minister of War, made an address of welcome, reviewing with appreciation Mr. Roosevelt’s qualities both as a man of war and as a man of peace.  The address in this volume, entitled, “Colonial Policy of the United States” was Mr. Roosevelt’s reply to General Bratlie’s personal tribute.  It was wholly extemporaneous, but was taken down stenographically; and it adds to its interest to note the fact that on the evening of its delivery it was the first public utterance on any question of American politics which Mr. Roosevelt had made since he left America a year previous.  The Nobel Prize speech and this address taken together form a pretty complete exposition of what may perhaps be called, for want of a better term, Mr. Roosevelt’s “peace with action” doctrine.