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

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[517] compare favorably with those of the oldest countries of the highest civilization. The better class of males wear the European costume and many of the ladies are beginning to adopt it also. From China to Japan the change is very great both in the people and country. But I thought I saw germs of progress in China. The country has great resources, and a wonderfully industrious, ingenious & frugal people. The end of this century will probably see China looming up.

To-morrow we go to the interior for a week or two. After that 1 shall visit some other points of interest in the country and set sail for home on the 27th of August. I dread going home but must do so.

Remember Mrs. Grant and I to Mr. Welsh and his family with him, and be assured of our kind regards for yourself. Young & Fred join me in this.

Very Truly Yours,

U. S. Grant. Gen. A. Badeau.

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Letter no. Fifty-three.

The beginning of this letter refers to the chapter in my History in which I described Grant's life at City Point.—The remarks about Japan were no more enthusiastic than his conversation always became whenever he spoke of his visit to that country. The impression made upon him there was more vivid than in any European or Asiatic region. He never tired of describing the courtesies he had received, or the character of the inhabitants and the marvelous advance in their civilization within so short a period.

Tokio, Japan, August 1st 1879.

My dear General:—Your letter enclosing the within chapter reached me in the interior of Japan—at Nikko—just the evening before I started on my return here. The chapter is so personal to myself that I can say nothing about it. But I have corrected two or three little errors of fact. My visit to Japan has been the most pleasant of all my travels. The country is beautifully cultivated, the scenery is grand, and the people, from the highest to