prouder of than this to-day. I recognize the fact that whatever there is of greatness in the United States, as indeed in any other country, is due to labor. The laborer is the author of all greatness and wealth. Without labor there would be no government, or no leading class, or nothing to preserve. With us, labor is regarded as highly respectable. When it is not so regarded, it is because man dishonors labor. We recognize that labor dishonors no man; and, no matter what a man's occupation is, he is eligible to fill any post in the gift of the people; his occupation is not consid ered in selecting, whether as a law maker or as an executor of the law. Now, gentlemen, in conclusion, all I can do is to renew my thanks for the address, and repeat what I have said before, that I have received nothing from any class since my arrival which has given me more pleasure." After the speech there was an informal exchange of courtesies, and the deputation then withdrew.

In the evening, a banquet was given by the United Service Club. The Duke of Cambridge presided, having on his right General Grant and Lord Hampton, and on his left Minister Pierrepont and Lord Strathnairn. Admiral Sir Charles Eden was the vice-president, having on his right Sir George Sartorios, and General Sir William Codington on his left. There was a very full attendance of guests.

The Duke of Cambridge proposed the health of General Grant. The General, in reply, alluded to the visit of the Prince of Wales to the United States. He said he knew from all his friends, as well as of his own personal knowledge, that His Royal Highness was received, as the son of England's Queen, with the sincerest respect. He thanked the company for their hospitality, which was one of the greatest honors he had received.

On the 4th, a reception was given at the American Legation, which was a social event of a very high order, and

very enjoyable throughout. It lasted from four until seven o'clock. Nearly all the Americans in London, estimated at over one thousand, called during that time. A large silk American flag hung over the entrance, and the interior was beautifully decorated with flowers. Mr. and Mrs. Pierrepont, General and Mrs. Grant, received all the guests. The reception closed with the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" by Miss Abel, an American.

On the 5th, General and Mrs. Grant, their son, and General Badeau, left London for the continent. They were accompanied to the station by a number of friends, and the parting was most enthusiastic. With the exception of brief stops at Tunbridge and Ashford, there was nothing worthy of note.

A large crowd had collected at the Folkestone station when the train arrived, and as General Grant alighted he was loudly cheered. The Mayor's carriage was in waiting, and the party were driven to the town hall. Here the Mayor received them in his robes of office, surrounded by the members of the town council and a large number of citizens. As the clerk to the corporation read the address, the whole assemblage remained standing. The address recited the idea of honoring the General for his deeds in the battle-field, and concluded by expressing the wish that he might have a third term as President of the United States, and advancing the opinion that he would. In his reply the ex-President ignored this. He thanked them, as he said he did all their countrymen, for their kindness and courtesy. He believed it would be to the mutual interests of the two great English-speaking nations to maintain the friendly relations which now existed. England and

America must lead in commerce and civilization. He also expressed his gratification at the settlement of the Alabama claims, which had been referred to. But he carefully avoided any allusion to politics.

The reception over, the party started at once for the pier, where the steamer Vittoria was waiting to convey them to Ostend, Belgium. The American flag was seen flying among the shipping in the harbor, in honor of the town's guest. A great crowd had gathered again at the pier, and cheered loudly as the Vittoria left and passed out into the straits, the General bowing repeatedly from the bridge of the steamer. General Grant's stay in England had been made pleasant by honors which were extremely gratifying to Americans. His excellent taste in ignoring the toadyism of the Englishman at Folkestone, shows how quickly the General could resent such a piece of impertinence, and that he thought, correctly, that foreigners have no business with our politics.

CHAPTER XXII.

ON THE CONTINENT.

General Grant arrived at Brussels, Belgium, at six o'clock on the evening of July 6, and proceeded to the Bellevue Hotel. No official reception was given him, as it was understood that he was traveling incognito. Within an hour of his arrival, an aide-de-camp of King Leopold visited the General, conveying from his royal master an invitation to dinner, and placing at his disposal his aides and the carriage of state. In the evening General Grant dined with ex-Minister Sanford. Several Belgian functionaries were in attendance at the board.

On the 8th, General Grant dined with the King and royal family; all the high officials of state and foreign ministers were present. King Leopold took Mrs. Grant to dinner, and the ex-President had the honor of escorting the Queen. On Sunday the King paid the General a visit, a step which is considered by the Belgians as being a great honor, as it is entirely out of the usual course. The General and Mrs. Grant visited the King and Queen in the afternoon. On Monday morning all the foreign ministers in Brussels called on the General, previous to his departure. The King's aide-de-camp and members of the American legation accompanied the party to the railway station. During General Grant's stay he was treated with the greatest distinction.

On the 9th, General Grant arrived at Cologne, and was received at the railway station by the American Consul,

President of Police, and the civil and military governors of the city, the Emperor having commanded that every atten tion should be paid to their honored guest. At Cologne the General visited several churches and the cathedral, and made an excursion over the suspension bridge to Deutz, returning by the bridge of boats. In the evening he was serenaded at the Hotel du Nord, by a military band.

On the 10th, he left Cologne, and proceeded up the river Rhine, stopping at Bingen, Coblentz and Weisbaden, reaching Frankfort on the 12th, where a grand reception was given him at the Palmer-garten; the burgomaster presided, and one hundred and twenty guests were present. This included all the prominent officials of the town, officers of the garrison, and leading citizens. The banquet hall was beautifully illuminated and decorated. After the toasts to the Emperor and President Hayes had been drunk and duly responded to, Henry Seligman, the banker, proposed the health of General Grant. Mr. Seligman, in giving the toast, made a few appropriate remarks, in the course of which he said that the General was universally honored and esteemed. General Grant, in reply, thanked the city of Frankfort for the confidence it placed in the Union during the late civil war. He concluded by drinking to the wel fare and prosperity of the city. At the conclusion of this short speech, the General was given a magnificent ovation. The guests rose to their feet and cheered lustily, and the crowd outside, numbering six thousand people, caught up the cheer, and were enthusiastic in their demonstrations of welcome.

After the conclusion of the banquet, a grand ball was given, at which the elite of the city was present. Jesse Grant opened the ball with an American lady.

On the following day, General Grant visited Hamburg, and held a reception, the chief burgomaster presenting the guests. A grand concert was given in the grounds of the