CHAPTER IV.

GRANT ATTENDS AN EXHIBITION AT BATH-RECEPTION AT GENERAL BADEAU'S-PRESENTED AT COURT-THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY-AN INTERESTING CEREMONY -FETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE-BREAKFAST AT GEORGE SMALLEY'S-A GATHERING OF BRAINS — A FINE AFFAIR-DINNER WITH THE PRINCE OF WALES.

On the 8th of June General Grant attended the agricultural exhibition at Bath. His reception by the citizens was a very cordial one. He was met by the Mayor and the Town Committee, besides thousands of citizens. The Mayor presented an address of welcome, assuring him that the citizens always accepted with gratification any opportunity of showing their respect for his great country, and giving prominent notice that the great services of the General himself are duly appreciated. General Grant replied briefly, expressing his thanks.

Having dined with the Duke of Devonshire, at whose table he met about fifty members of the House of Lords, and others, the General proceeded to the residence of General Badeau, in Beaufort Gardens, where he was given a brilliant reception. Outside the Badeau mansion, was a long line of elegant equipages, while several policemen were stationed in front of the house to prevent confusion. The interior of the house was profusely decorated with shrubs and flowers. When General Grant arrived, a distinguished company had already assembled in the drawingroom, by whom he was warmly greeted. Among the first to welcome him was Mr. Gladstone, who has been a very cordial friend of General Grant from the first.

As General Grant moved about the saloon he encountered Lord Northbrooke, Lord Fitzwilliam, Lord O'Hagan, Sir Charles Dilke, Sir Patrick and Lady Grant, who claim some kind of kinship with our illustrious countryman; the Lord Bishop of Bristol and Gloucester, Jacob and Mrs. Bright, Mr. Kinglake, Tom Hughes, who has become almost a hero to Americans; Mr. Macmillan, the publisher of the celebrated magazine bearing his name; Mr. Walter, the proprietor of the Times; Mr. Bothwick, of the Morning Post, and Baron Reuter.

Among the Americans present were Minister Pierrepont and Mrs. Pierrepont, Mr. Hoppin, of the American Legation; General Torbert, Consul General of the United States in France; Mrs. Torbert, Mrs. Hicks, George W. Smalley and wife, William Winter, the critic; Olive Logan and her husband. Mr. Wirt Sikes and Miss Kate Field.

On the following day General Grant lunched with Lord Granville, and in the evening dined with the Marquis of Hertford. After the banquet, a reception was held in the drawing-room.

On Thursday, Minister Pierrepont presented to the Court, General and Jesse R. Grant, Mr. James Birney, Minister at Hague; General Badeau, aid-de-camp in waiting; Mr. N. M. Beckwith, Mr. Arthur Beckwith and Mr. Wirt Sikes. On the Sabbath following, the General and his wife attended church in the morning, and spent the remainder of the day in rest.

The freedom of the City of London was bestowed upon General Grant upon the 15th of June. This is no common honor. The greatest heroes and the proudest monarchs have been reckoned among the "freemen." George III., who always expressed a supreme contempt for ordinary matters and mortals, had to acknowledge that the City of London could bestow a franchise more valuable than all the knighthoods and baubles of the crown. Since his day hundreds of men, whose works will ever be regarded as the gems of history-statesmen, scientists, lawyers, merchants, princes, have been recorded in the grand old book, which is prized by the Corporation of London more than all the privileges and immunities granted by the government. George Peabody, the noble and benevolent American merchant, whose name is ever uttered by the poor of the English metropolis with affectionate reverence, was made a freeman. General Garibaldi, the liberator of Italy and the father of Italian unity, received the same privilege. The Shah of Persia, the Sultan of Turkey, the Czar of Russia, Prince Leopold of Belgium, Napoleon III., General Blucher and M. Thiers were also presented with the rights, privileges and immunities of the dwellers within "ye Bishopgate" and Temple Bar.

It has often been asked, What is the freedom of the City of London? It is simply this—a small slip of parchment, inscribed with the name and titles of the person to whom it is to be presented, guarantees to the holder and his children after him, forever, the right to live and trade within the city prescribed by St. Clements in the west, Bishopgate in the east, Pentonville on the north and the shores of the Thames on the south, without having to pay a tax on the goods as they are brought through the gates. It exempts them from naval and military service and toils and duties throughout the United Kingdom. It insures to his children the care of the Chamberlain, who, in case they are left orphans, takes charge of their property and administers it in their interest until they arrive at years of maturity. The parchment bears the seal and signature of the Lord Mayor and Chamberlain and is generally ornamented with ribbon, and illuminated. It is always enclosed in a long, thin gold box, and is intended, of course, as an heirloom.

When the Corporation have decided to confer the parchment upon any distinguished individual, he is notified in the old-fashioned style by the City Chamberlain, whose missive begins, "You are hereby commanded to appear in the Common Hall," &c., naming the date when the City Fathers will be present. He is met in the Common Hall by the Mayor and Councillors. The City Chamberlain informs him that the city has decided to confer upon him the privileges of a free citizen, and makes an address, usually applaudatory of the special services or merits of the individual. The recipient signs his name in the Clerk's Book, and this official and the City Chamberlain then sign their names beneath as guarantors or "compurgators," becoming, according to the rule, responsible for his acts as a citizen. The recipi

ent then steps forward, the oath is administered by the Chamberlain, who demands that he shall be in all and every respect, true and loyal to the interests of the city; he shakes hands with the Mayor, Chamberlain, Clerk and Councillors, and the gold box is committed to his care. This is the method usually adopted toward all who are not within the category of royalty.

Jealous of their power and prestige, and with the view of checking the arrogance of former kings and queens, the Corporation of London would not allow the crowned heads to pass beneath Temple Bar without permission. Whenever the royalty desired to enter the city the "graciousness" came from the Lord Mayor. He would meet majesty with the keys of the city in his hand, and when he had unlocked the gates, in imagination, he led the way into town. Thus in presenting the freedom of the city to monarchs the Lord Mayor meets them in state at Temple Bar. The royal cortege, with an escort of the Horse Guards, usually leaves Buckingham Palace, passes into Trafalgar square, thence to Charing Cross, along the Strand to St. Clement's boundary, on the west side of Temple Bar. The Mayor, attended by the Chamberlain, advances to the carriage of the royal guest, makes a brief address and offers the keys of the city, which are simply touched and handed back. The Mayor returns to his state coach, and, preceded by a strong detatchment of police, passes down Fleet street, past Chancery lane and the principal courts to Farringdon, across Farringdon to Ludgate Hill, up Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's, passing round the cathedral to the south, thence to Cheapside, eastward along Cheapside to King street and down King street to the Guildhall. The militia of the city and the sergeantat-arms (mace bearer) receives the guest at the door, and he is received by the peers and the company present standing.