Page images
PDF
EPUB

CHAPTER XXIV.

GRANT IN PARIS.

Ex-President Grant, accompanied by his wife and son, left London for Paris on the morning of October 24, 1877. On the arrival of the General and party at the railway station in Charing Cross, to take the train for Folkestone, he was greeted by a large crowd of Americans and Englishmen, who gave him a hearty cheer as he stepped out of his carriage. A special train was in waiting to convey the distinguished party. The large space in front of the hotel and station, extending through to Trafalgar square, was filled with vehicles and pedestrians. After considerable hand-shaking in the waiting-room, and lively greetings on the platform, Sir Edward Watkin, the chairman. of the Southeastern Railway Company, being in attendance, he and his guests boarded the train, which moved off precisely at ten o'clock. After a pleasant run of about two hours the train arrived at Folkestone, where General Grant was met at the wharf by the Mayor and members of the Common Council; and fully two thousand of the inhabitants of this old Kentish town welcomed the exPresident with loud cheers. The General at once went on board the special yacht Victoria, accompanied by the Herald correspondent, Sergeant Gazelee, and one or two other officials, these being the only guests. As the trimlooking yacht, with the American flag flying at its fore, left the chalk cliffs of old England, the General stood upon the bridge and waved his hat, responsive to the cheers and adieus from the shore.

The sea was calm, with only a gentle swell, and a fine summer yachting breeze prevailed. The General paced the deck, enjoying his cigar and studying the interesting points and scenery along the majestic cliffs on the southeastern coast, where William the Conqueror landed and fought the battle of Hastings. On nearing the French coast he beheld the sunny hills and shores of the memorable site of Napoleon's Boulogne camp, where the Austerlitz army so long prepared for the invasion of England.

The Victoria arrived at the Boulogne wharf at a quarter to two o'clock. A large crowd of Frenchmen, who had been advised of the arrival of the grand guerrier Americain, was in attendance, and received the guests with a hearty greeting. On entering the special train, the subPrefect of the Department met and was introduced to the General. In the name of the Marshal-President and of the French people, he welcomed him to the shores of France.

The General expressed his warm acknowledgments, saying he had long cherished the wish to visit France, and he was delighted with the present opportunity. M. Hoguet-Grandsire, the Senator representing the Department of the Pas de Calais, also bade him welcome in a brief address, full of sympathy and kindly feeling.

After a long delay, somewhat in contrast to the promptness of the English railroads, the train started for Paris. On the way the General studied closely the scenery of the lovely country along the route, noted the principal industrial sections, and especially observed the wonderful agricultural resources of the country.

General Grant spoke a great deal about his reception. in England; that it had been unvarying in warmth, and, as to the hospitality of the people there, nothing could be more kind, considerate and gracious. Everywhere he had experienced, both in official and private circles,

courtesy and respect. At Amiens General Grant quietly partook of a dish of consomme.

As the train neared Paris the moon rose, and the General curiously studied the prominent features of the great French capital. They reached the station at a quarter to eight o'clock. Generals Noyes and Torbert entered the car, accompanied by the Marquis d'Abzac, first Aide-deCamp of the Marshal-President, the official whose duty it was to introduce ambassadors.

In the name of the President of the French Republic, the Aide-de-Camp tendered General Grant a cordial welcome. In reply, the General thanked the Marshal, saying he anticipated great pleasure and interest from his visit to France. Generals Noyes and Torbert greeted him warmly. The party had borne the journey splendidly, none of them showing the least fatigue.

Among the Americans awaiting the arrival of General Grant at the station, in the company of the Minister, were General Meredith Reed, from Greece; ex-Minister Partridge, Admiral Worden, the bankers Seligman, Winthrop and Munroe; Dr. Johnson, Dr. Warren, and the representatives of the leading New York journals.

A richly carpeted salon was prepared at the station for the reception of the distinguished party. The ladies of the party, conducted by General Torbert, passed through this salon on their way to the carriages. A splendid bouquet was presented to Mrs. Grant by a French journalist on the way. General Grant followed, leaning on the arm of Minister Noyes. As soon as he appeared in the crowded salon, several rounds of hearty cheers were given, and a number of people were presented to him.

The party then entered carriages, in company with General Noyes and the Marshal's Aide-de-Camp and introducer of ambassadors. They drove to the Hotel Bristol,

where a handsome suite of rooms had been engaged for them. After a quiet dinner, General Grant smoked a cigar and retired early.

The following morning opened dismally. Rain fell in torrents, and there seemed no prospect of its cessation. During the morning General Grant called upon his bankers, Messrs. Drexel, Harjes & Co. Upon his return, a multitude of visitors, including diplomatists, ambassadors and Americans, began to arrive, and continued to come until noon. The most eminent men of France were among the callers. At two o'clock, General Grant, wife and son, with Minister Noyes, drove to the Elysee, through a pouring rain. President MacMahon, the Duchess of Magenta, and the Duke Decazes, received the General most cordially. The Duchess did everything in her power to render the occasion agreeable.

General Grant wore plain evening dress, calling upon the official head of the French people simply as any American citizen, properly introduced, might.

President MacMahon said that he was truly glad to welcome so eminent a soldier and citizen to France.

In brief, the ex-President of the United States replied that the opportunity of expressing to the chief magistrate of France the friendly sentiments entertained throughout the length and breadth of America toward the French people was equally pleasing to him.

The interview was entirely informal and exceedingly cordial. President MacMahon extended and General Grant accepted an invitation to dine at the Elysee on the Thursday following.

At four o'clock the committee of resident Americans called to invite General Grant and family to a grand banquet to be given in his honor by the American residents of Paris, upon any date the General might see fit to appoint. General Grant named November 6, thanking the

committee for the honor conferred upon him by his owni countrymen in a foreign land. Much agreeable conversation followed.

In the evening General Grant, accompa...ed by a personal friend, took a long walk around the Tuilleries, Palais Royal, Place de la Concord and the Boulevards, for two hours, seeing Paris by gaslight.

The unanimity of the American residents in Paris, in assisting to make his stay a pleasant one, was one of the most pleasing incidents of the General's tour, and the courteous reception accorded by President MacMahon was not so much formality as it was an expression of the kindly feelings that exist between the French nation and our own, and will be regarded as an evidence that the century-old ties that bind the two nations together are not weakened by time or any alterations of the political conditions that have arisen, or are likely to arise, in either country.

On the 27th, General Grant visited the Herald Bureau, remaining an hour or more. He then went to the studio of Mr. Healy, the American artist, and gave a sitting for a portrait; afterwards strolled about Montmartre and climbed the hill, which affords a fine view of Paris. In the evening he was honored by visits from several distinguished people, including the Comte de Paris, head of the Orleans family, and the Duchess of Magenta, wife of the Marshal-President.

If being much feted brings much pleasure, General Grant must have been in a happy frame of mind. After the stately round of London festivities, which were led off by the magnificent reception at Minister Pierrepont's; after becoming a citizen of some twenty-five Scotch burghs; after going through Belgium, and dining with kings and such; after the return to England, which led to the eating of dinners with some twenty-five fine old English corporations, the imperturbable ex-President took his way to

« PreviousContinue »