Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-01-30
GRANT AT Malta.
The HOspttRlit1eR Extended tO HIm
by The Duke OF Edinburgh.

A correspondent of the Herald
who accompanied the eA-presiden-
tial party on the voyage from Paler-
mo to Malta writes as follows from
the last place under date Of Decem-
Der 30:
We had made fast to our anchor
age and had fired the salute of 21
guns, by which a vessel of war does
honor to a foreign port, when an
officer reported to General Grant
that the Duke Of Edinburgh was
coming on hoard. The ship next
to the Vandalia was the Sultan, a
noble English iron-clad, under the
command OF his royal highness.
The general was standing on the
deck studying the town when the
captains boat Of the Sultan, with
the duke steering, whirled around
the stern. His royal highness was
received at the gangway by Captain
Robson. He was dressed in his
uniform as captain, wearing on his
breast the Star of the Garter. The
general advanced and greeted the
duke and presented the gentlemen
with him, and they retired to the
cabin. They remained in conversa-
ton for the best part of an hour,
talking about Malta, its antiqui-
ties, its history, England, educa-
tion, the Eastern question, the
weather and Besika Bay. His royal
highness said he had orders to sail
and supposed his destination was
Smyrna. He had had his time at
Besika Bay and did not regard the
return with any enthusiasm. He
spoke of the visit of his brother-in-
law, the Grand Duke Alexis, to
America, and the qualification of
the family at the reception by our
people, The duke is the pattern of
a sailor, and has all the ease and
off. grace of his family. On
taking his leave his royal highness
asked the general and family to visit
him at his palace of San Antonio
and take luncheon. The palace of
San Antonio is about four miles
from the town. 1t is surrounded by
orange groves and walls and is noted
as the only large garden on the is
land. The drive was through an
interesting, glaring country, the
perpetual glare almost dimming our
eyes. When we reached the palace
the duke and duchess received Gen
eral and Mrs. Grant and their son
in the most gracious manner, After
luncheon his royal highness escort
ed them through the orange groves.
At noon General Grant visited the
Governor-General of Malta. On
leaving the general was saluted
with twenty one guns. A regi-
ment was drawn up in front of
the palace as a guard of honor. The
governor, a famous old French gen.
eral, Van Straubeuzee, wore the
Order of the Grand Cross of the
Bath. He received the generaland
party at the door of the palace,
surrounded by his council and a
group of Maltese noblemen. After
presentation to Lady Van Straubeu-
zee, the same ceremonies were re-
peated. In the evening there was
a state dinner to the general and
party at the palace, including
among the guests Commander Rob
eson and Lieutenant Commander
Caldwell, of the Vandalia, as we'll
as the captain and executive officer
of the Gettysburg, At the dinner
General Grants health was pro-
posed, which was responded to in
the heartiest manner. We all then
went to the opera, and on the en-
trance of the general the company
sang the "Star Spangled Banner"
Miss Wheelock, of Boston, singing
the air, The cheering was enthu-