The New York herald., 1878-01-12
GENERAL GRANT IN SICILY.
Christmas Day and How 1t Was
Celebrated in Palermo.
A WARDROOM DINNER
Bright, Cheerful Faces and a
Blazing Plum Pudding.

The Christmas festival was celebrated In this far
Scian bay by the officers OF the Vandalia as specia
honor to General and Mrs. Grant Tho day was colder
than usual IN this sunny climate, and those oil US VINO
remembered to bring warm winter apparel did not
nud 1t at all out OF place Palermo. although under
the dominion of the liberal King Victor Emmanuel,
still contains enough ofne Bourbon and ecclesiastical
element to give a festival like Christmas especial
value. Last evening a delegation of ship cap
tains in port, plying between Palermo
md Now England, called and paid their
respects 10 the General This morning their ships
radiant with bunting IN honor OF our guest Tho
morning with the ringing of multitadinous BELLS
whose peas came over the bay telling that the good
people Of Palermo rejoicing in the Nativity Tho
effect OF this hustle and tumult OF sound-bells In
every key aud tone, ringing and peaing and chimirg
their echoes coming back from the gray hills under
whose shadow anchored, was unique. and AZ
every bell awakened a memory OF home the day
brought a feeling OF homesick ness, visible many
faces as they came into wardroom interchanging
The pmcnts oil the season. The General re-
mained board until noon 10 receive the visit OF
the Project, came in state, and Was honored with
a salute OF fifteen guns. His Honor remained only
few minutes. in which he rendered the General all
tho hosp pitalites and courteses OF the town But
the General declined them, with thanks Alter tho
departure OF the city authorities the General and
for two three hours, looking the holiday groups.
who made the day merry in their sicllan
fashion. There spurts Of rain coming from the
hills, which dampened tho enthusiasm Of this lazy,
happy, sun-loving people.
DINNER AND CHURCH SERVICES.
There nothing in the rain to deter any ono ac-
cusiomed TO our cold gray northern skies, and the
General continued his walk without paying it
the compliment of an umbrella Some OF the officers
went to the pretty little Episcopulian church, and
others busted themselves preparing for the Christ
mas dinner. never knew the capacities OF narrow
wardroom until wha. Lieutenant Miller and his
assistants achieved ON the vandalia. The hatchway
became arbor, the low ceiling bloomed with green
cry, seemed about to return TO its original
LEAKAGE Tho tabo became parterre OF flowers and
trailing vines and although the limitations OF the SER
vice felt in the candles aud candlesticks, tho
whole room was so green and fresh and smiling
when came down to dinner that it seemed like a
glimpse OF tar, dear America The hour for dinner
half-past nve, and we assembled in the ward
room with naval promptitude. give you the names
OF the hosts:-Chief Engineer J. Trcy, Surgeon
George H. Cooke, Lieutenant Commander A. G. CaId-
well, Lieutenant e. I. strong, Past Assistant En-
Rineer G. w. Baird, Past Assistant Engineer ID. NJ
Fulmer Lieutenant Jacob W. Miller, Pay master j.
i. LOOMS, Lieutenant Richard Rush. Captain L. f.
Pagan, commanding the marines; Lieutenant H. o.
Handy, Lieutenant W. A. Hadden and Master j. W.
GUESTS.
In this lis. you have the names OF the wardroom
ohi ,ers OF the Vapdaa. and II 1t were not
hfter the least excite a suspicion OF my dsintcr
esledness ! would tell you what IA gallant, manly,
rhivalrous company they Tho guests Of the
ing were :-General Grant and wife, Commander Ii. b.
Robeson, commanding the ship; Jesse X. Grant, and
the writer of these lines. The General looked
unusually we'll as he took his seat be-
tween Lieutenant Commander Caldwell aud
Paymaser Looms, his lace little tanned
by the Mediterranean sun, but altogether much
younger and brighter than have seen nim for many
years. The abandon of snip life, the freedom from
the tolls OF the Presidency the absence OF the camor
scandal Of Washington lie have driven away that
tired, weary anxious look which marked the General
during his later years as President And, AS he sat
under the green boughs OF the Christmas decoration
the centre of our merry company IL seemed as II he
were young as any OF the mess, u m uch younger
man by Tar than our junior Dannenhower, who looks
grave and serious enough to command all the fleets in
the world. Mrs. Grant was capital health and
spirits and quite enchanted the mess by telling them
earliest hour OF the conversation that she al
ready felt when she came back TO tho Vandaa from
some errand on shore as II sne were coming home. I
wish could lit the vc lar enough TO show you how
much the kind, considerate, ever womanly and ever
cheerful nature OF Mrs Grant has upon al
but must not invade the privacy OF tho domestic
circle. she the queen OF the feast, and gave
her quoenly honor.
RESOURCES OF THE sTEwARD.
THIS was the company, and | give you our as
idea OF what ships kitchen can do for q Christ
mas i'm