Adam Badeau, Grant in peace: from Appomattox to Mount McGregor, a personal memoir

[291] engraved, on the card, and was doubtless intended to make the etiquette as little onerous as possible for the democratic ex-President. Invitations were also sent, not only to the American Minister and his family, but to Mr. Sanford, the former Minister and his wife, and to all the American officials in Brussels, down to the vice-consul, who was an Englishman, and never went to court at home.

On the day of the dinner the King himself called on General Grant at his hotel. The visit had not been pre-announced and there was not time after the carriages drew up for the General to descend the staircase to welcome His Majesty, but in every other way the King was received with the usual honors.

He was attended by several gentlemen of his court, who remained standing during the interview, and when they were presented to General Grant they made him the same obeisance which they were accustomed to offer to their sovereign. The visit was short, as such ceremonies usually are among persons of exalted rank. Mrs. Grant was present and the King conversed with her as well as with the General. His Majesty speaks very good English, so that there was no difficulty about the language.

Perhaps just here I may repeat a story that James Russell Lowell once told me about Mrs. Grant. When General Grant was at Madrid Mr. Lowell was Minister to Spain and made a dinner for the ex-President. Mrs. Grant was placed between two personages who like herself spoke only their own language, but Lowell described her ease and self-possession as quite inimitable. She appeared to converse continually, was bowing and smiling all the evening, and was apparently as much interested in her companions as any one at table—a bit of fine breeding worthy of a Queen,—or of the wife of an ex-President.

But to return to Belgium. The King's visit was made on the day of the dinner, and as such civilities are to be