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tremendous struggle to its conclusion and won great victories, they admired still more the use to which he had put his victories, and they saw in him the first and foremost instrument in the settlement of issues more important to civilization and to freedom than any other which had been tried in our times—issues involving the very existence of America. In America war had been the prelude to a peace which he hoped, and might fairly believe, to be the harbinger of a lasting alliance and union. He contrasted the career of Grant with that of Napoleon, the latter having betrayed the confidence bestowed on him by France in undermining the institutions which he was expected to guard and defend. In honoring General Grant there was a desire on the part of England to draw closer the ties which unite the two great English-speaking nations; and everywhere the conviction was gaining ground that their freedom, friendship, and cordial union was the best guarantee for the freedom and progress of the world.

General Grant, in responding to the toast, said:

"MR. MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF BIRMINGHAM: I scarcely know how to respond to a toast which has been presented in such eloquent language, and in terms so complimentary to myself and to the nation to which I belong, and in which I have had the honor of holding a public position. There are some few points, however, alluded to by your representative in Parliament, that I will respond to. He alluded to the great merit of retiring a large army at the close of a great war. If he had ever been in my position for four years, and undergone all the anxiety and care that I had in the management of those large armies, he would appreciate how happy I was to be able to say that they could be dispensed with." (Laughter and applause.) "I disclaim all credit and praise for doing that one thing. I knew that I was doomed to become a citizen of the United States, and, so far as my personal means went, to aid in eradicating the debt already created, and in paying my share of any expenses that might have to be borne for the support of a large standing army. Then, further, we Americans claim to be so much of Englishmen, and to have so much general intelligence, and so much personal independence and individuality, that we do not quite believe that it is possible for any one man there to assume any more right and authority than the Constitution of the land gave to him." (Hear, hear.) "Among the English-speaking people we do not think these things possible. We can fight among ourselves, and dispute and abuse each other, but we will not allow ourselves to be abused outside; nor will those who look on at our little personal quarrels in our own midst permit us to interfere with their

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own rights.

Now, there is one subject that has been alluded to here, that I do not know that I should speak upon it at all; I have heard it occasionally whispered since I have been in England-and that is, the great advantages that would accrue to the United States if free trade should only be established. I have a sort of recollection, through reading, that England herself had a protective tariff until she had manufactories somewhat established. I think we are rapidly progressing in the way of establishing manufactories ourselves, and I believe we shall become one of the greatest free-trade nations on the face of the earth; and when we both come to be free-traders, I think that probably the balance of nations had better stand aside, and not contend with us at all in the markets of the world. If I had been accustomed to public speaking-I

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never did speak in public in my life until I came to England-I would respond further to this toast; but I believe that the better policy would be to thank you not only for the toast, and the language in which it has been presented, but for the very gratifying reception which I have had personally in Birmingham."

Mr. L. P. Morton made a brief speech, expressing his great personal gratification at witnessing the hospitality and courtesy shown General Grant, which had produced a deep, and he believed, a lasting impression on the citizens of the United States. At the conclusion of these ceremonies General Grant left for London.

On the 20th of December the General visited Brighton, and

was the guest of Mr. Ashbury, M.P. On the 22d a banquet took place in his honor. It was given by the Mayor and Corporation. The chief men of Brighton were present. The Mayor, in proposing the General's health, referred to the mutual friendly and commercial relations which subsisted between the two countries, and to General Grant's great military and civil services to his country. General Grant replied as follows:

"MR. MAYOR AND GENTLEMEN: I have to rise here in answer to a toast that has made it embarrassing to me, by the very complimentary terms in which it has been proposed. But I can say to you all, gentlemen, that since my arrival in England, I have had the most agreeable receptions everywhere; and I enjoy yours exceedingly. In a word, I will say that Brighton has advantages which very few places have, in consequence of its proximity to the greatest city in the world. There you can go and transact your business, and return in the evening. If I were an Englishman, I think I should select Brighton as a place where I should live, and I am very sure you could not meet a jollier and better people anywhere. But I would say one word in regard to a toast which preceded, and that is in regard to your Forces. I must say one word for the Volunteers, or Reserve Forces, as I believe you call them. They are what the English-speaking people are to rely on in the future. I believe that wherever there is a great war between one civilized nation and another, it will be these Forces in which they will have to place their confidence. We English-speaking people keep up the public schools in order to maintain and advance the intelligence of our country, and, in time, fit our people for volunteer service, and for higher training; and you will always find the men among them who are equal to any occasion. I have forgotten a good deal our Mayor has said that I would like to respond to, but I can say, that since I landed in Liverpool, my reception has been most gratifying to me. I regard that reception as an evidence of the kindest of feeling toward my country, and I can assure you, if we go on as good friends and good neighbors, that the Englishspeaking people are going to be the greatest people in the world. Our language is spreading with greater rapidity than the language of any other nation ever did, and we are becoming the commercial people of the world."

On the following day the General left Brighton for the metropolis.

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PARIS VISITS TO THE PRINCIPAL PLACES OF INTEREST-THE

AMERICAN COLONY.

ENERAL GRANT'S visit to Paris had been somewhat postponed. Originally the idea had been entertained of visiting Paris in midsummer, on the way to Italy. A reception had even been proposed for the General, which was to have taken place in Paris on the 4th of July. Certain changes in France, however, were transpiring, which, in the opinion of the American representatives in Paris, might give General Grant's visit in July somewhat of a political character. The struggle between the President of the Republic, General MacMahon, and the Jules Simon cabinet had set in, and it was thought that the presence of General Grant would be taken by the monarchical and imperial parties in France as savoring of a political character, in

favor of the republicans. General Grant could not come to France without becoming the guest of General MacMahon, and a false interpretation of the visit might have been entertained. It was then determined that the journey to Paris should be postponed until October.

In France political feeling was at fever heat. Though Paris, the great city, was apparently as peaceful as on the eve of the Lenten feast, as quiet as before that coup d'état which Victor Hugo has described in his " Histoire d'un Crime," every one

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The boulevards might throng

knew that the crisis had come. with eager bustling throngs; all the currents of life, society, business, and pleasure might be rushing on; still, in an instant there might come revolution and anarchy. The writer strolled under the shadow of the Madelaine, and turned into a street leading to the Place de la Concorde. It was here the guillotine once stood; and where the fountains were now gushing, oceans of blood had been shed, which those waters never would cleanse. On toward the Bastile swept a broad avenue of light. There were masses of illumination clustered around the obelisk of Luxor, and the moon shed its beams on the gilded dome of

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