[
313]
own and
England, where, indeed, he never felt as a foreigner; for he loved
England after he knew Englishmen at home.
Of
Japan he said:
We have now been in Japan for nearly a month.
My reception and entertainment has been the most extravagant I have ever known, or even read of . . . . This is a most beautiful country and a most interesting people.
The progress they have made in their changed civilization within twelve years is almost incredible.
They have now, military and naval academies, colleges, academies, engineering schools, schools of science, and free schools for male and female, as thoroughly organized and on as high a basis of instruction as any country in the world.
Travel in the interior is as safe for an unarmed, unprotected foreigner as it is in the New England States.
This is marvelous, when the treatment these people and all Eastern peoples receive at the hands of the average foreigner residing among them [is considered]. I have never been so struck with the heartlessness of nations as well as individuals as since coming to the East.
But a day of retribution is sure to come.
These people are becoming strong, and China is sure to do so also.
When they do, a different policy will have to prevail from that imposed now.
During this time
Grant conceived many and large ideas in regard to an Oriental policy for this country, especially toward
China and
Japan; and had he reached the Presidency again, it would have been a principal object of his Administration to inaugurate this policy.
On the 28th of August, 1879, he wrote to me:
My visit to this interesting country and abroad is now drawing to a close.
On the 2d of September we sail for San Francisco.
Our reception and entertainment in Japan has exceeded anything preceding it. At the end of the first year abroad I was quite homesick, but determined to remain to see every country in Europe at least.
Now at the end of twenty-six months I dread going back, and would not if there was a line of steamers between here and Australia.
But I shall go to my quiet little home in Galena and remain there until the cold drives me away.
