River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-06-21
GOLD CASKET.
which Gives Gen. Grant the Freedom OF
London.


which Gives Gen. Grant the Freedom of
Ex-President Grant was presented with
the freedom of the city of London, at
Guildhall, ON the 18th. About 500
ladies and gentlemen, including several
members of the government, American
consuls, merchants and the principal
representatives of the trade and commerce
of London, were invited TO meet the gem
eral subsequent to the civic ceremony.
The entrance to the halls and corridors of
Guildhall were laid with crimson cloth,
and the walls were covered with mirrors.
The guests began to arrive about half
past eleven, and until half past twelve a
steady stream of carriages poured into
Guildhall yard. Gen. Grant arrived at
ten o'clock. He was received at the en-
trance of Guildhall by tour aldermen and
six members of the city land committee,
and was by them conducted into the Ii
brary, where he was received by the lord
mayor, and took a seat on the dais on the
left of his lordship, who occupied the
chair as president of the special court of
common council, at which were assem-
bled most of the members of the corpo-
ration, the aldermen wearing their scarlet
robes, and common councilmen their
mazarine gowns.
The resolution of the court was read by
the town clerk, and Gen. Grant, after an
address by the chamberlain, was admitted
to the freedom of the city, the chamber
lain extending the right hand of fellow
ship as citizenship, which was cordially
grasped amidst renewed applause. Gen.
Grant replied in suitable terms, and then
subscribed his name to the roll of honor
airy freemen, which concluded the bust
ness ofthe special court. Gen. Grant was
accompanied by Mrs. Grant and Minister
and Mrs. Pierrepont. Among the gentle
men present were Sir Stafford Northcote,
chancellor of exchequer, and many mem
bers of parliament.
The gold caslet containing the freedom
of the city has on the diverse central
panel a view sf the capitol at Washington,
and on the right and left are monograms,
the arms of the Lord Mayor. On the re-
verse side is view of the entrance to
Guildhall and an appropriate inscription.
At the ends are two figures, also in
gold, finely modelled and chased, repre-
senting the city of London and the United
States, and bearing their respective shields
in rich enamel. At the corners are dou-
BILE columns of laurel wreathed with corn
and cotton, and on the cover a cornucopia
emblematical of the fertility and prosper
ity of the United States. The rose, sham
rock and thistle are also introduced. The
cover is surmounted by the arms OF
the city of London. The casket is sup
ported by American eagles, modelled and
chased in gold, the whole standing on a
velvet plinth, decorated with the stars
and stripes. Gen. Grant was conducted
by the lord mayor of Guildhall, where
an elegant dejeuner had been provided.
After the repast the lord mayor pro-
posed the health of the queen, which
was drunk silently, with the music of
God Save the Queen. Gen. Grants
health was then proposed, amidst ire
mendous cheering. The lord mayor in
proposing the health of Gen Grant,
said, I" / as chief magistrate of the city
of London and on the part of the cor
poration, offer you as hearty a welcome as
the sincerity of language can convey.
Your presence here as the late President
of the United States is specially crafty
ing to all classes of the community, and
we feel that although this is your nrst
visit to England it is not as a stranger we
greet you, but as a tried and honored
friend. Twice occupying as you did the
exalted position of President of the Uni
ted States, and therefore one of the fore
most representatives of that country, we
confer honor upon ourselves by honoring
you. Let me express both the hope and
belief that when you take your departure
you will feel that many true friends Of
yours personally, and also of your coun-
trymen, have been left behind. l have
the distinguished honor to propose your
health. May you long live to enjoy the
best of health and unqualified happiness. y
The healths of United States Minister
Pierrepont and the Lord Mayor and toasts
to the army and navy followed. General
Grant left about o'clock accompanied
by the deputation who received him at
the entrance to Guildhall.