sets itself the task of embodying. The dinner itself was among the finest ever given in London, the cuisine of this association of liberal gentlemen being celebrated all over the world, and free from all danger of its chef ever being called on to fight for his reputation in the courts, as the Napoleon of the soup tureen who composes banquets for a rival club was obliged to do of late. The table was a picture in itself, not to speak of the good things between the top and bottom of the menu.

Earl Granville, as soon as the cloth was removed, proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen. To this the Right Honorable William E. Forster responded in a singularly eloquent speech. In the course of his remarks he referred to the great services of General Grant in the cause of human freedom. He dwelt with particular emphasis upon the importance to civilization of the cultivation. of amicable relations between the two great countries, England and the United States. With great felicity he pictured the results of such a state of friendliness, and elicited continued cheering. Passing on to a more practical branch of his subject, he amplified upon the opportunities for advancement to the human race, which a hearty concord between the two nations would give. He saw in it the acceleration of discoveries in every branch of science, the material progress of the masses and the setting up of loftier standards of private taste and public virtue.

Earl Granville proposed the health of "the Illustrious Statesman and Warrior, General Ulysses S. Grant,” alluding in the course of his pithy speech to the beneficent. results accruing to both nations from the settlement of the Alabama Claims. "England and America," he said, “nay, civilization throughout the universe, recognize in General Grant one of those extraordinary instruments of Divine Providence bestowed in its beneficence to the human race."

Upon rising to reply, General Grant was greeted with

a perfect storm of applause. "I am overwhelmed," he said, "with the kindness shown by Englishmen to me and expressed to America. I regret that I am unable adequately to express, even with the temptation to do so of the omnipresent enterprise of the New York Herald [cheers]-to express my thanks for the manifold fraternal courtesies I have received. Words would fail, especially within the limitations of a public speech, to express my feelings in this regard. I hope, when an opportunity is offered me of calmer and more deliberate moments, to put on record my grateful recognition of the fraternal sentiments of the English people, and the desire of America to render an adequate response." "The speech of Earl Granville," he continued, "has inspired thoughts in my bosom which it is impossible for me adequately to present. Never have I lamented so much as now my poverty in phrases to give due expression to my affection for the mother country."

General Grant spoke under the pressure of unusual feeling, and continued with unusual eloquence to express the hope that his words, so far as they had any value, would be heard in both countries and lead to the union of the English speaking people and the fraternity of the human. race. During the delivery of his speech the applause and cheering was almost continuous while he was on his feet. The dinner was the greatest demonstration yet made in the ex-President's honor.

The interest taken by the American public in the movements of General Grant not only concerns itself with the honors showered upon the great soldier, but also partakes of curiosity to observe what effect all this will have upon the man. He has always been individually an object of speculation.

During the war, people studied his cigar stumps, and we all remember what Lincoln, judging by results, thought of his brand of whisky. His silence was symbolical, and

eager partisans, and often the nation, grasped at his cententicus utterances-if not as the rallying cries of new ideas, at least as old ones put into fighting form. From operating on millions of men he has become a being to be operated on. Princes, dukes, earls, marquises, viscounts, have him within short range, and fire dinners and receptions at him. Princesses, duchesses, marchionesses, open all their batteries and smiles and soft speech upon him. The heavy shot of statesmen, scientists and philanthropists bang into his brain. British brass bands blaze away at him, British crowds let fly volleys of cheers at him, and away ahead are seen the ammunition trains of the nobility, gentry and common people, coming up with more dinners, receptions, civic honors, brass bands and cheers. Almost enough to make us pity him. How will he come out of the ordeal?

1

CHAPTER XXI.

GRANT IN ENGLAND.

The following letter, written by Gen. Grant to George W. Childs, of Philadelphia, will be of general interest: "LONDON, ENG., June 16, 1877.

"MY DEAR MR. CHILDS:-After an unusually stormy passage for any season of the year, and continuous seasickness generally among the passengers after the second day out, we reached Liverpool Monday afternoon, the 28th of May. Jesse and I proved to be among the few good sailors. Neither of us felt a moment's uneasiness during the voyage.

"I had proposed to leave Liverpool immediately on arrival, and proceed to London, where I knew our Minister had made arrangements for a formal reception, and had accepted for me a few invitations of courtesy; but what was my surprise to find nearly all the shipping in port at Liverpool decorated with flags of all nations, and from the mainmast of each the flag of the Union was most conspicuous.

"The docks were lined with as many of the population as could find standing room, and the streets, to the hotel where it was understood my party would stop, were packed. The demonstration was, to all appearances, as hearty and as enthusiastic as at Philadelphia on our departure.

"The Mayor was present with his state carriage, to convey us to the hotel, and after that to his beautiful country residence, some six miles out, where we were entertained at dinner with a small party of gentlemen, and remained

over night. The following day a large party was given at the official residence of the Mayor, in the city, at which there were some one hundred and fifty of the distinguished citizens and officers of the corporation present. Pressing invitations were sent from most of the cities of the kingdom to have me visit them. I accepted for a day at Manchester, and stopped a few moments at Leicester, and at one other place. The same hearty welcome was shown at each place, as you have no doubt seen.

"The press of the country has been exceedingly kind and courteous. So far I have not been permitted to travel in a regular train, much less in a common car. The Midland road, which penetrates a great portion of the island, including Wales and Scotland, have extended to me the courtesy of their road, and a Pullman car to take me wherever I wish to go during the whole of my stay in England. We arrived in London on Monday evening, the 30th of May, when I found our Minister had accepted engagements for me up to the 27th of June, having but a few spare days in the interval.

"On Saturday last we dined with the Duke of Wellington, and last night the formal reception at Judge Pierrepont's was held. It was a great success, most brilliant in the numbers, rank and attire of the audience, and was graced by the presence of every American in the city who had called on the minister or left a card for me. I doubt whether London has ever seen a private house so elaborately or tastefully decorated as was our American minister's last night. I am deeply indebted to him for the pains he has taken to make my stay pleasant, and the attentions extended to our country. I appreciate the fact, and am proud of it, that the attentions I am receiving are intended more for our country than for me personally. I love to see our country honored and respected abroad, and I am proud to believe that it is by most all nations, and by some even