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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

loved. It has always been my desire to see all jealousy between England and the United States abated, and every sore healed. Together they are more powerful for the spread of commerce and civilization than all others combined, and can do more to remove causes of wars by creating moral interests that would be so much endangered by war.

"I have written very hastily, and a good deal at length, but I trust this will not bore you. Had I written for publication, I should have taken more pains.

"U. S. GRANT."

On the 19th, General and Mrs. Grant, Minister and Mrs. Pierrepont, and Consul-General Badeau, dined at Marlborough House with the Prince of Wales. The dinner was a full dress affair. Earls Beaconsfield, Derby and Granville, and the leading members of the government, were present. The ex-President occupied the seat of honor at the table. The dinner proved one of the most enjoyable since the General's arrival.

On the 20th, a deputation waited on ex-President Grant at General Badeau's house, to present an address and express 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 war. The deputation was presented by Mr. Mullaly. Dr. Brady, M. P., said he had been greatly gratified, as had all Irishmen to whom he had spoken, at the reception of General Grant in this country.

The General said 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 to himself, 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.

On the 21st, ex-President Grant dined at the residence of Minister Pierrepont. The Prince of Wales was present, attended by Major General Sir Dighton Probyn, controller of his household. General Grant sat on the right of the prince, and Mrs. Pierrepont on the left. Mrs. Grant sat opposite the Prince, having the Duke of Richmond on her right and Mr. Pierrepont on her left. Mesdames Grant and Pierrepont were the only ladies present. The other guests were the Turkish, Austrian, German, French, Italias and Russian ambassadors; the Dukes of Argyle, Wellington and Westminster; the Marquises of Salisbury, Hertford and Lansdowne; the Earls of Beaconsfield, Derby and Carnarvon; Earls Granville and Manvers; Lords Cairne, Manners and Houghton, also Sir Stafford Northcote; Mr. Cross, Home Secretary; Mr. Gawthorne Hardy, Mr. Hoppan, Mr. Beckwith and Jesse Grant.

On the 22d, a special performance at the London Royal Italian Opera was given in honor of General Grant. The house was filled. General and Mrs. Grant and General Badeau arrived at half-past eight. The curtain immediately rose, disclosing Mlle. Albani and the full chorus of the company, behind whom was a group of American flags. Mlle. Albani sang the "Star Spangled Banner," with the full chorus and orchestra. General Grant, for the first time since his arrival in England, was dressed in the full uniform of a major general. The entire audience rose on the General's entrance, and remained standing during the singing, as did also the General and wife. After the song was finished, he was loudly applauded and bowed in response.

General Grant was obliged to leave early to go to the Queen's ball at Buckingham Palace. The General's box was decorated with flowers.

On the 24th, General Grant was present at a banquet given by the corporation of Trinity House. The Prince of Wales presided. Prince Leopold, Prince Christian, the Prince of Leinington, 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, were among the distinguished company present.

The Prince of Wales, referring to General Grant, in the course of his speech, said: "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."

Earl Carnarvon 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 center 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

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