of which weighs sixty tons. Originally it supported only one bell, which weighed four hundred thousand pounds. A fire burned away its supports, and it fell, and now lies at the base, cracked, and is used for a chapel, being twenty-five feet high and sixty-seven feet in circumference. When it fell, it was buried in the earth by its weight, and lay there a hundred years, when it was raised and placed on a grand pedestal,the largest bell ever cast. If Grant could have had such a bell at Donelson, Vicksburg, Shiloh, Richmond, or Appomattox, his "boys in blue" would have made it heard over every battle-field!

From St. Petersburg Grant went to Warsaw, Poland; thence to Vienna, where there were a series of imposing receptions, dinners, and royal entertainments, consuming four days. Here he saw St. Stephen's Cathedral, whose bell was cast from one hundred and eighty cannon taken from the Turks, and weighs forty thousand pounds.

He visited the public library at Munich, one of the largest in the world, containing eight hundred thousand volumes, thirty-three thousand manuscripts, and three hundred thousand engravings.

Again General Grant turned his face toward France, going through Switzerland, chiefly to visit Ulm, where Napoleon captured Mack's whole army. The reader will recollect that General Halleck, in an order quoted on a former page, compared Grant's Vicksburg campaign to that of Napoleon against Ulm. Perhaps there was a connection between that order and Grant's visit.

When he reached Bordeaux, where the freedom of the city was offered him, he found a letter from King Alfonso, of Spain, inviting him thither.

XXVII.

FROM SPAIN TO CHINA.

GENERAL GRANT visited Spain and Portugal next, though his stay was short. King Alfonso welcomed him to Vittoria. He had decided previously upon the rank and character in which Grant should be received, -that of captain-general of the Spanish army,-next in rank to king.

King Alfonso was a young man of only twenty years, yet dignified and mature.

"General Grant," he said, "I am most happy to welcome you to Spain. I feel myself highly honoured by your visit. I have read all about you, both as a great general and president, and have admired your career and have been very anxious to see you."

"I thank your majesty with all my heart for this cordial greeting,” replied the General, “and I assure you that the people of my country as well as myself desire the prosperity of your government. You share our deepest sympathy in the recent death of the Queen." Alfonso had recently buried his wife.

"I have read kind words of sympathy in the American journals, and they touched my heart," responded the King. "Our marriage was one of love purely, and we were engaged from the time we were fifteen years of age. We were very happy together, and she helped

me much to bear the burdens of my office, which are very irksome."

"I know how it is," remarked Grant; "the eight years of my Presidency were the most harassing and weary ones of my whole life."

"While my wife lived," continued the King, "I found in her a solace for all my cares; but now she has gone, my only comfort and relief is to be actively engaged in labour the whole of the time."

In this familiar and pleasant way the conversation continued for some time, the young King appearing to be glad to find a man to whom he could unburden his soul.

On this visit Grant learned that ex-President Castellar was about starting for San Sebastian, and he sent for him. Castellar came at once.

"I sent for you," said Grant on shaking his hand cordially, "to thank you personally for your noble sympathy for the United States Government in the late civil war. There is no man in Spain whom I desired so much to see as yourself. Be assured that the defenders of our Government appreciated your kindness, and were glad that, while your presidency was short and stormy, you maintained the integrity of the Spanish Government."

Castellar thanked the General for his complimentary address, and spoke words of eulogy in return.

In Madrid Grant visited the royal palace, occupying, with its gardens, eighty acres; also, the Escurial Palace, called "the eighth wonder of the world."

In Lisbon, Portugal, King Don Louis invited him to a grand banquet at the palace, the ministers and leading men of the court being present. This King's father, Don Fernando, fell in love with a Boston lady, who

came to that city to sing, and he married her. She is called the Countess d'Ella; and she took great pleasure in showing the General over the palace.

He called at Cadiz, the oldest city in Europe, founded eleven hundred years before Christ. Thence he went to Gibraltar, by invitation of Lord Napier, where he spent three days in sumptuous dinners, royal fêtes, and review of troops.

He now turned his steps toward England, in order to fulfil his promise to visit Ireland. At Pau, France, at the foot of the Pyrenees, he stopped a short time, and the Americans there gave him a banquet, at which Mr. Douglas introduced him as "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER GRANT." The General replied,—

"I never succeeded in making speeches, and think I will not make the attempt now; but will justify the epithet of Mr. Douglas by making an unconditional surrender."

This sally was received with great laughter and cheers.

On reaching England, he prepared for a hurried visit to Ireland, including Dublin, Belfast, Derry, and other cities. It was January 3rd, 1879, when he reached Dublin. He was welcomed, and the freedom of the city was offered to him by Lord Mayor Barrington. He was fêted throughout the day, and, in the evening, at a grand banquet, he made his longest speech.

General Grant returned to his daughter's home at Southampton, England, where Mrs. Grant had remained while he went to Ireland. He made immediate preparations to visit India. The company was now somewhat changed, and consisted of the General and Mrs. Grant, Col. Fred D. Grant, their son (in the place of Jesse), Mr Borie, and Doctor Keating, of Philadelphia, with Mr.

Young, the Herald correspondent. They sailed on the twenty-fourth day of January.

At Bombay he was welcomed to India by the Governor of the Presidency of Bombay, and the use of the Government House at Malabar Point tendered to him. Here he was lionized for a week, making two or three brief speeches in reply to compliments paid him.

At Agra he visited the Taj, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

On leaving Jeypoor, where honours were lavished upon him, there was a great display at the public hall. "An attendant entered, bearing a tray filled with wreaths of the rose and jessamine. The Maharajah, taking two of the wreaths, put them on the neck of the General. He did the same to Mrs. Grant and all the members of the party. Then taking a string and silken cord, he placed that on Mrs. Grant as a special honour. The General, who was instructed by the English Resident, took four wreaths and put them on the neck of the Maharajah, who pressed his hands and bowed his thanks. Another servant came, bearing a small cup of gold and gems containing attar of roses. The Maharajah, putting some of the perfume on his fingers, transferred it to Mrs. Grant's handkerchief. With another portion he passed his hands along the General's breast and shoulders; this was done to each of the party. The General, then taking the perfume, passed his hand over the Maharajah's shoulder, and so concluded the ceremony, which, in all royal interviews in the East, is supposed to mean a lasting friendship. Then the Prince, taking the General's hand in his own, led him from the hall, across the garden, and to the gateway of his palace, holding his hand all the time."

Next, the General visited Lucknow, memorable for