The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-06-21
GRANT, MAGNIFICENT OVATION TO
THE ILLUSTRIUUS AMERICAN IN
LONDON.
Presentation Of Magnificent Casket, With
the Freedom Of the Great City.

Ex-President Grant was presented
with the freedom of the city of Lon
don at Guild Hall on the 18th. About
900 ladies ana gentlemen, including
several members of the government,
American Consuls, merchants and
principal representatives of trade and
commerce OF London, were invited to
meet the General at dejeuaeT subse.
quent to the civic ceremony. The eli
trance to the hall and the corridors
were laid with crimson cloth ard the
walls were covered with mirrors
Guests began TO arrive about half pas,
II O'Clock ana until half past Il O'Clock
a steady stream of carriages poured
into Guild Hall. Gen. Grant arrived
at o'clock. He was received at the
entrance by four Aldermen and six
members of the City Of London Com.
mon Council, and was by them con.
Quoted to the library. where he was
received by the Lord Mayor, and tooh
seat on the platform to the left of hi;
lordship, who occupied the chair o.
President OF the Special Court of tbs
| Common Council, at which were as
sembled most OF the members of tho
corporation, the Aldermen wearing
scarlet robes and the Common Coun
cilmen their mazarine gowns. Tht
resolutions of the court were read by
the town clerk, and Gen. Grant, after
an address by the Chamberlain, was
admitted to the freedom of the city
The Chamberlain extended the righ
hand of fellowship as citizen of Lon
don, which was cordially grasped annie
renewed applause. Gen. Grant re
| piled in suitable terms, and then sub
scribed his name to the roll of honor
airy frecmen, which concluded the bu
siness of the Special Court.
Gen. Grant was accompanied by Mrs
Grant and Minister aud Mrs. Pierre
pont. Among the gentlemen presen
were Sir Stafford Northcotc, Chancel
lor Of the Exchequer, and many mem
bers of Parliament. The gold caske
containing the freedom of the city
has on one of its central panels view
of the capitol at Washington, aud OF
the right and left are the monogram
/ and coat of arms of the Lord Mayor
view Of the entrance to Guild Hall
and appropriate inscriptions the end
are two figures, also in gold, tinel,
modelled and chased, representing TIN
city of London and the United States
and bearing their respective shields il
| rich enamel: ut the corners are double
columns of pearl, wreatned with corn
| and the bottom and cover is cornu
copia, emplematical of the plenty an(
| prosperity of the United States. Thl
rose, shamrock and thistle are also in
troduced. The cover is surmoUntet
by the arms of the city of London
The casket is supported by American
eagles modelled and chased in gold, tn
whole standing on velvet plintl
decorated with stars and stripes.
Gen. Grant was conducted by thu
Lord Mayor to Guild Hall, where al
elegant dejeuRer had been provided
After the repast, the Lord Mayor pro
posed the health of the Queen, whicl
was drank silently, with music o
| "God Save the Queen" Gen. Grant
health was then proposed, amid tire
mendous cheering. The Lord Mayor
in proposing the health Of Gen. Grant
said: 81, as chief magistrate of th,
city of London, and OH the part of th,
corporation, offer you as hearty wei
come as the sincerity of language cal
convey. Your presence here as thC
late President of the United States, j
specially gratifying to all classes of th'
community, and we feel that although
this is your first visit to England. it il
not as a stranger We greet you. but a
tried and honored friend. Twice oc
cupying, as you did, the exalted posi-
ton of President of the United States
and therefore one of the foremost rep
resentatiyes OF that country, VIC con
fer honor upon ourselves by honorins
you. Let me express both the hope
and belief that when you take youl
departure you viii feel that many true
friend of your personally, and also o
your countrymen, have been left be
hind. | have the distinguished honor
to propose your health: May YOU live
long to enjoy the best of health ant
unqualified happiness"
The healths Of United States Minis
ter Pierrepont and the Lord Mayor
and toasts TO the army and navy fol
lowed.
General Grant left about 4 O'Clock
accompanied by the population who
received him at the entrance to Guild
Hall.