fired, and near the depot the houses were decorated with the National colors. At Antioch, school children were drawn up in line upon the depot platform, and waved their handkerchiefs as the train moved past. At Stockton, the General was welcomed by Mayor Hyat and escorted along a line composed of military companies, the Stockton fire department, Union veterans, and veterans of the Mexican war, to a carriage drawn by four white horses. The procession then formed and traversed the principal streets until the court house was reached, where there was a concourse of several thousand school girls dressed in white, who saluted the visitors by waving 'kerchiefs and clapping their hands. After passing the procession in review the General was driven to the Yosemite house, where he received the prominent citizens. At the conclusion of the reception at the Yosemite house, the General retired to his apartments. At 4 o'clock the distinguished guest and his party entered the diningroom to partake of a collation offered by the leading citiAfter viands had been discussed, Gen. Grant, in reply to an address of welcome by Mayor Hyat, said: zens. "GENTLEMEN: I am very much pleased to be back in your city once more, which I have not seen in twentyfive years. I am very much obliged for the hearty reception at your hands, and will say that, though I have been here several times, I have never stayed so long before. When I was on the Coast before I visited Stockton six times, but this is the first time a roof ever sheltered me in your city. Among many gentlemen I met to-day was one who was sure he knew me at Knight's Ferry in 1849. While I would not dispute the gentleman's word, I was never on this side of the Rockies previous to 1852. I was. only three times at Knight's Ferry in 1852 and 1854, and think some one must have been personating me there. [Loud laughter.] However, I am glad to meet you to-day, and can never henceforth deny being in Stockton in 1879.” Dr. G. A. Shurtleff and State Senator Hudson, spoke briefly, after which the company broke up. The General and party left at 7:20 for the Yosemite, via Madeira, which point they reached after midnight, and remaining in the sleeping-car during the night, started by stage directly after breakfast. The Previous to his departure from Madeira, the General had a brief reception with citizens and residents of Fresno City, and among the number who congratulated him upon his return to his native land were several Union and Confederate veterans. At Fresno Flat he received further congratulatory calls from Fresno County veterans. coach which conveyed the party was handsomely decorated. Thirty-six horses were used in the trip, six changes being made. Upon the arrival of the distinguished party at Clarke's Station they were met at the stage and welcomed by J. B. Bruce and S. Washburn, and escorted to the parlor of the hotel.. The Mariposa brass band had crossed the mountains, a distance of thirty-six miles, to join in the ceremonies, playing "Hail to the Chief." Dinner followed, after which an informal reception was held in the hotel parlors. The General was serenaded, and retired at an early hour. On the morning of October 3d the General and party entered the Yosemite Valley from Clark's Station, the General and Mrs. Grant occupying the front seat of the coach and six," with the driver, fully determined to view the delightful scenery, which the visitors said surpassed anything they had observed on the Rhine or in Switzerland. Mrs. Grant was even more pleased than the exPresident, Monroe, the driver, stating to a bystander, "I ever hauled a lady over these roads who was so enthusiastic." At Lookout Point, whence there is a view of the distant San Joaquin Valley and the hazy Coast Range, the stage stopped awhile. At Inspiration Point, whence a sight is had of the whole valley, the point of view in some of Hill's pictures, the stage again stopped, and every one alighted. The General mounted the top of the stage, and sat for some time viewing the splendid prospect, and evidently appreciated fully its grandeur and beauty. When all were satisfied, the stage drove down the winding road and on to Bernard's seven miles distant. While going through the valley, the General allowed no object of interest to escape him. He noted all the domes, roads and peaks, and asked Monroe about hights and distances. The rest were equally delighted. At the lower bridge over the Merced, a dozen blasts had been set, which were fired in succession as the stage was passing, unrolling terrific echoes. Nearly all the population of the valley, including the tourists, were on horseback, skurrying all the roads, at the windows, or on the porches of the hotels, which were hung with flags and liberally adorned with boughs of evergreen. As the stage approached Leidig's, the proprietor of the hotel came out and tendered the hospitalities of his place to the party. At Black's the guests were on the front porch. The stage dashed on up to Bernard's, which had been trimmed with evergreens and flags, and in many ways given a gala appearance, though Mr. Bernard had but a few hours' notice of the honor intended him. As the vehicle neared the steps, the Mariposa band, brought here for the purpose, woke the echoes of the surrounding cliffs with "Hail to the Chief." Some cheering followed, and there was a general rush from the neighboring buildings toward the hotel. The party were hardly recognizable for dust. There were few greetings; all were at once shown to their rooms. The following days were spent in exploring and visiting principal points of interest - Glacier Point, Sentinel |