thickness, there is no fear of their sinking out of sight. A late writer, in speaking of these granite visitors, remarked that they were moving, more or less, every year toward the lower part of the Mer, (the termination of which is called the Glacier de Bois,) by a gradual movement of the ice, but as the journey is a slow one, it will be centuries before they get down to the valley.

The Mer de Glace seems to be the gorgeous result of three great glaciers, all discharging their frozen contents into one immense basin. The three are the Glacier du Lechand, from the Jorasses; the Glacier du Tacul, whose long, unbroken surface seems to fall from the summit of Mont Blanc; and the Glacier du Talefre, which is a succession of beautiful white pyramids that descend from the sparkling heights around. The Tacul, from its line of descent and great breadth, is the most important of the three, and gives the others a supplemental appearance, when viewed apart. It is after they have completely united, however, that the grandeur may have fairly said to have begun. The point of union, from the mighty force of the opposite powers, each pressing against the other, causes a desolate display of confusion-an immense caldron of ice, in which huge masses of rock are split and scattered about like grains of coffee in a hand-mill.

This extraordinary and imposing phenomenon is very justly considered one of the greatest curiosities, not only of the vale of Chamouni, but of Savoy. Its extent, its wondrous pinnacles and columns; the junction of three mighty glaciers; the lofty peaks, rising on all sides; the granite cubes, on which human foot will, perhaps, never stand; and the beauty of the surrounding aiguilles, (that of Verte is 13,000 feet above the level of the sea, and 7,000 above the Mer,) all combine to impart to it an interest of a wonderful nature. All others of the Alpine

glaciers have a strong resemblance; this ocean of ice stands alone in wonder and variety of conformation. There is a hackneyed phrase that has done good service in all spheres of literature, and to use it is almost vapid -but "to acquire an idea of the Mer de Glace, it must be seen." Description is tame and treacherous. A famous crevasse, known as Le Moulin, in which the water roars as if there was a Niagara Falls beneath, has been plumbed to the depth of three hundred feet. This dangerous hole is located near where the three glaciers spoken of rush into coalition, and it serves to mark the boundaries of peril and passage.

When General Grant left Geneva, he departed by way of Simplon for the north Italian lakes. A brief stay in this picturesque region, and he and his party returned by way of Splugen Pass to Ragatz, at which latter point he met his brother-in-law, M. J. Cramer, American Minister

to Denmark. A few days spent here, and he departed for Palanza, on Lake Maggiore, where he arrived Sunday, August 5th. A few days later he visited Bellagio, where a grand fête was given in his honor. Several American residents in Rome sent congratulations to the ex-President. The evening following his arrival he was serenaded at his hotel, after which a concert was given in his honor, followed by a display of fireworks. Addresses were made by the Mayor and an officer who had served under General Garibaldi. General Grant in his reply referred to the exceeding hospitality he had received, praised the general conduct of the people so far as he had seen them, expressed his delight at the grand and lovely scenes that had met his eye at every turn since he had crossed the Alps, and concluded by saying:-"There is one Italian whose hand I wish especially to shake, and that man is General Garibaldi." This allusion was greeted with great applause.

During his stay at Lake Maggiore, there was a grand round of festivities, and every one seemed determined that the General should enjoy himself.

After visiting Lake Como and all the important points in Italy, General Grant and his party accompanied Dr. Cramen to his residence in Copenhagen. Having spent a few days with his sister, General Grant and suite departed for Antwerp, where they took passage for London, where they arrived safely, and took apartments at the British Hotel.

After enjoying several days' visit, General Grant and his party departed for Edinburgh. A special Pullman car was chartered for the purpose, and was placed in charge of Mr. Roberts, the Pullman agent in London. The party consisted of General and Mrs. Grant, Jesse R. Grant, General Badeau, Mr. W. F. Coolbaugh, the banker, of Chicago; Mr. H. A. Roberts, Jacques Hartog, the Gen

eral's faithful courier, an excellent linguist, speaking eight different languages, and the correspondent of the New York Herald. From London to Edinburgh, the distance of four hundred miles, the scenery is exceedingly attractive. All through England, and in the south of Scotland, the country is a perfect garden, and not until one gets among the chilly hills, valleys, and crags of Northern Scotland es one feel that he was getting into open country.

All along the route of the Midland Railway great enthusiasm was manifested. The reception given to General Grant as each station was reached was whole-souled and fully meant hospitality. At Carlisle (the dinner stopping place), at Galashiels, Melrose, Harwick and a number of smaller towns in Scotland there were expres

sions of joy end enthusiasm that remind one of the railroad receptions General Grant gets at the towns of Illinois and Ohio. It seemed as though they knew him perfectly well, his face, his history, &c., for they recognized him everywhere, and demanded as much handshaking as could be done in the limited time the train had to stay. Then