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CHAPTER V.

GREETING FROM IRELAND AT THE LONDON ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA-AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME-BANQUET BY THE TRINITY HOUSE CORPORATION—IN THE PRESENCE OF ROYALTY-A VISIT TO WINDSOR CASTLE RECEPTION BY THE QUEEN-AN EVENTFUL OCCASION—AGAIN AT LIVERPOOL-THE MAYOR'S TESTIMONY TO GENERAL GRANT-A RECEPTION BY THE PRESS -THE WELCOME OF THE MECHANICS-GRANT'S OPINION OF THE LABORING MAN-THE BANQUET OF THE UNITED SERVICE CLUB-DEPARTS FROM ENGLAND.

A deputation of Irish gentlemen waited on ex-President Grant at General Badeau's residence, on the 20th of June, and presented an address, and expressed their gratitude for his aid in procuring from the government of the United States recognition of the claims of Mrs. Carroll, whose husband was killed in a naval engagement during the American civil war. The deputation was presented by Mr. Mullaly. Dr. Brady, a member of Parliament, said that he had been greatly gratified, as had all Irishmen with whom he had spoken, at the reception which had been given General Grant in that country.

In reply, the General said that it was very gratifying to him to know that a case, no doubt worthy and deserving, had been righted, and that this act of justice had been performed under his government. As far as he was concerned, he said that he was simply the Executive, and could claim no credit in the matter further than for having approved what was done. The Government of the United States was much like that of England, and was

divided into three branches, each distinct and independent. Of course, his own branch had its share in urging the claims of this case, but without legislative action nothing could have been done. Soon after, his visitors withdrew.

In the evening of the following day, Minister Pierrepont gave a dinner in honor of General Grant. Among the guests present was the Prince of Wales, who was attended by Major-General Sir Dighton Probyn, controller of his household. At the table, the General sat at the right of the Prince, and Mrs. Pierrepont on the left. Mrs. Grant sat opposite the Prince, with the Duke of Richmond on her right and Mr. Pierrepont on her left. Mesdames Grant and Pierrepont were the only ladies present.

A special performance was given in honor of General Grant at the London Royal Italian Opera, on the evening of the 22d. The spacious building was literally crowded. At about half-past eight the distinguished visitors entered their box. When they had done so the curtain rose, disclosing Mlle. Albani and the full chorus of the company, behind whom was a group of American flags. Mlle. Albani then sang the "Star Spangled Banner," with the full chorus and orchestra. During the singing the entire audience, which had risen at the entrance of the visitors, remained standing, as did also General and Mrs. Grant. When the song was finished, the visitors were loudly applauded, which was acknowledged by General Grant by a very polite bow. After this the "Daughter of the Regiment" was performed, with Mlle. Marmion in the principal rôle. General Grant was obliged to leave early to go to the Queen's Ball at Buckingham Palace. The box occupied by the visitors was beautifully decorated with flowers. For the first time while in England, the General appeared dressed in the full uniform of a Major General.

On June 24th, General Grant attended a banquet given by the Corporation of the Trinity House, the Prince of

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Wales presiding. Among the distinguished personages present were Prince Leopold, Prince Christian, the Prince of Leiningen, the Prince of Saxe-Weimar, the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Hertford, the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Carnarvon, Sir Stafford Northcote, Mr. Cross and Chief Justice Sir Alexander Cockburn.

In his speech, the Prince of Wales thus referred to General Grant:

"On the present occasion it is a matter of peculiar gratification to us, as Englishmen, to receive as our guest General Grant. I can assure him for myself, and for all loyal subjects of the Queen, that it has given us the greatest pleasure to see him as a guest in this country."

These words were received with cheers. Earl Carnar

von proposed the health of the visitors and coupled with it General Grant's name. He said :

"Strangers of all classes, men of letters, arts, science, state and all that has been most worthy and great have, as it were, come to this centre of old civilization. I venture, without disparagement to any of those illustrious guests, to say that never has there been one to whom we willingly accord a freer, fuller, heartier welcome than we do to General Grant. On this occasion, not merely because we believe he has performed the part of a distinguished general, nor because he has twice filled the highest office which the citizens of his great country can fill, but because we look upon him as representing that good will and affection which ought to subsist between us and the United States. It has been my duty to be connected with the great Dominion of Canada, stretching several thousand miles along the frontier of the United States, and during the last three or four years I cau truthfully say that nothing impressed me more than the interchange of friendly and good offices which took place between the two countries, under the auspices of President Grant."

General Grant replied:

That he felt more impressed than he had ever felt before on any occasion. Ile came here under the impression that this was Trinity House, and that trinity consisted of the army, navy and peace. He thought it was a place of quietude, where there would be no talk of toasts. He had been therefore naturally surprised at hearing both. He had heard some remarks from His Royal Highness which compelled him to say a word in response. He begged to thank His Highness for these remarks. There had been other things said during the evening highly gratifying to him. Not the least gratifying to hear that there were occasionally in this country, party fights as well as in America. He had seen before now a war between three departments of the State, the executive, the judicial and legislative. He had not seen the political parties in England go so far as that. He would imitate their chaplain, who had set a good example of oratory-that was shortness-and say no more than simply thank His Royal Highness and the company on behalf of the visitors.

The gathering was a pleasant one, and served to cement the two countries represented more closely together.

An event of great importance occurred on Tuesday, June 26th. It was nothing less than the visit of General Grant and suite to the Queen. They left London by the five P. M. from Paddington, and arrived at Windsor at thirty-five minutes past five. The train on which they left was in charge of a special superintendent, and the journey was through the lovely scenery of Middlesex, Surrey and Berks. The guests arrived before the expected hour, and consequently Sir Thomas Biddulph, who had been delegated to receive them, was not at the station, and therefore their arrival was unceremonious.

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When they arrived at the castle, they found that Her Majesty and Princess Beatrice were out riding in the Green Park, they not expecting their guests until a later

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