and survived a hundred battles, your merit was recognized as the highest in your own land, and your name became known in every quarter of the globe. Raised to the Presidency by the voice of a grateful people, you laid aside the arts of war and sought only to achieve the victories of peace. The people enjoyed tranquility, commerce flourished, manufactures revived, and the whole nation daily became more wealthy and powerful. Your achievements as a civil ruler are equally great with your military triumphs. Now that you have resigned the Presidency, you employ your leisure in visiting different parts of the world, and the people of all nations and all ranks welcome your arrival. It requires a fame like yours to produce effects like these. We, the students of this college, are very limited in our attainments, but all men love the wise and respect the virtuous. We, therefore, feel honored by this opportunity of standing in your presence. It is our sincere hope that another term of the Presidency may come to you, not only that your own nation may be benefited, but that our countrymen resident in America may enjoy the blessings of your protection.

"WANG FENGTSAR, tutor in Mathematics.
"WEN HSII, tutor in English.

"NA SAN, tutor in English.

"On behalf of the students of Tunguon College. "Kwang Sii, 5y. 4 m. 16 d.-June 5, 1879."

The General, in response, said:

"GENTLEMEN: I am much obliged to you for your welcome and for the compliments you pay me. I am glad to meet you and see in the capital of this vast and ancient empire an institution of learning based upon English principles, and in which you can learn the English language. I have been struck with nothing so much in my tour around the world as with the fact that the progress of civilization-of our modern civilization—is marked by

the progress of the English tongue. I rejoice in this fact, and I rejoice in your efforts to attain a knowledge of English speech and all that such a knowledge must convey. You have my warmest wishes for your success in this and in all your undertakings, and my renewed thanks for the honor you have shown me."

Prince Kung was punctual in his return of the call of General Grant. He came to the Legation in his chair, and was received by General Grant in the parlors of the Legation. Several officers from the Richmond happened to be in Pekin on a holiday, and the General invited them, as well as the officers of the Ashuelot, who were at the Legation, to receive the Prince. As all the officers were in full uniform, the reception of the Prince became almost an imposing affair. The Prince was accompanied by the Grand Secretaries, and, as soon as he was presented to the members of the General's party, he was led into the diningroom, and they all sat around a table, and were given tea and sweetmeats and champagne. During this visit there occurred a remarkable conversation, which may not be without its effect upon the politics of the East. The general features of this conversation were no less than a proposition to utilize the services of General Grant as a peace. maker.

In the form of asking General Grant's "advice," and under cover of an anxiety to confer with him, and with a graceful apology for talking business to a visitor out of the harness, this adroit diplomatist engaged in conversation on the subject of the seizure of the Loochoo Islands by Japan, and the consequent disturbance of friendly relations between Japan and China. "I feel that I should apologize even for the reference," said the Prince, "which I would not have ventured upon, but for our conviction that one who has had so high a place in determining the affairs of the world can have no higher interest than that of furthering

peace and justice." There can be no handsomer way than this to compel attention and demand assistance; and, when one is thus pressed by a man of Prince Kung's dignity-by the ruler of the greatest aggregation of human creatures of which history has any record-the generous mind perceives that a grand condescension thus presented as a request cannot be put aside. General Grant's own succinct statement of the spirit of the foreign policy of the American government was also such as to exhibit his sympathy with this fine conception, that a desire to aid the progress of justice in the world should be the first interest of a gentleman in whatever circumstances he might be called upon—a sentiment of knight errantry in statesmanship. Our foreign policy, the General said, is made up of "fair play, consideration for the rights of others, respect for international law," which is a handy adaptation to national circumstances of the three points laid down by Justinian's lawyers as sufficient to properly regulate every human life-"honeste vivere, alterum non lædere, suum cuique tribuere.” Between two men of great experience, accustomed to deal in the great concerns of human life, and whose minds have taken color from their great functions, it is not strange to find this ready sympathy on such a topic, and the world will not be astonished to hear that General Grant straightforwardly said: "I told the Viceroy at Tientsin that everything I could do in the interest of peace was my duty and my pleas ure. I can conceive of no higher office for any man."

The Prince, when he had finished his conversation, drew toward him a glass of champagne, and, addressing Mr. Holcombe, said he wished to again express to General Grant the honor felt by the Chinese government at having received this visit. He made special inquiries as to when the General would leave, the hour of his departure, the ways and periods of his journey. He asked whether there was anything wanting to complete the happiness of

the General, or show the honor in which he had been held by China. In taking his leave, he wished to drink especially the health of General Grant, to wish him a prosperous voyage, and long and honorable years on his return home. This sentiment the General returned, and, rising, led the way to the door, where the chair of the Prince and the bearers were in waiting. The other Ministers accompanied the Prince, and, on taking leave, saluted the General in the ceremonious Chinese style. The Prince entered his chair, and was snatched up and carried away by his bearers, the guard hurriedly mounting and riding after.

General Grant and party returned to Tientsin by boat, and immediately upon his landing received a message from the Viceroy that he was on his way to call. The General received the Viceroy at the house of Consul Denny. After a warm welcome, together they passed into an inner room and received tea and sweetmeats in Chinese fashion. The Viceroy had received instructions from the Prince Regent to continue the conversation with General Grant on the matter of the issue with Japan. After a long and intensely interesting conversation, and a thorough analysis of the matters at issue, the Viceroy pressed every point to influence the General to act as meliator, laying special stress upon the name and influence of General Grant. The General thought it was a diplomatic question, and could be settled through the good offices of ministers of other nations. The Viceroy claimed that it was not a diplomatic question, as Japan had refused to notice any communication from China; consequently there was no chance of reaching a solution by the ordinary methods of diplomacy. How can you talk to ministers and governments about matters which they will not discuss? But when a man like General Grant comes to China and Japan, he comes with an authority which gives him power to make peace. In the interest of peace, China asks the General to interest himself. China

cannot consent to the position Japan has taken. On that point there is no indecision in the councils of the government. The Viceroy had no fear of Japan or of the consequences of any conflict which Japan would force upon China.

General Grant said his hope and belief were that the difficulty would end peacefully and honorably. He appreciated the compliment paid him by the Chinese govern ment. The Viceroy and Prince Kung overrated his power but not his wish, to preserve peace, and especially to prevent such a deplorable thing as a war between China and Japan. When he reached Japan he would confer with Mr. Bingham and see how the matter stood. He would study the Japanese case as carefully as he proposed studying the Chinese case. He would, if possible, confer with the Japanese authorities. What his opinion would be when he heard both sides he could not anticipate. If the question took such a shape that, with advantage to the cause of peace and without interfering with the wishes of his own gov ernment, he could advise or aid in a solution, he would be happy, and, as he remarked to Prince Kung, this happiness would not be diminished if in doing so his action did not disappoint the Chinese government. So came to an end an interesting and extraordinary conversation.

Pleasant, notably, were General Grant and party's rela tions with the great Viceroy, whose kindness seemed to grow with every hour, and to tax itself for new forms in which to form expression. Li-Hung Chang's reception of General Grant was as notable an event in the utter setting aside of precedents and traditions as can be found in the recent history of China. It required a great man, who could afford to be progressive and independent, to do it.

There was probably nothing more notable than the entertainment given to Mrs. Grant by the wife of the Viceroy, on the last night of the General's stay in Tientsin.