Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-10-06
GEN. GRANTS PRESENTS.
Handy Things to Have About the
House.
Better than Being President.

Philadelphia Record,l
The last shipment OF cases contain
ing Gen. Grants presents was made
yesterday from this city, Mr.. George
W. Childs, the great soldiers closest
friend, having stored them here until
the General had permanently located
himself. For FIVE years-since they
retired from the White House-Mr.
and Mrs. Grant have been wanderers.
They have girdled the globe and re.
ceived the homage of the world, and
now they propose to settle in New
York, to pass the remainder Of their
days in the cuietude Of private life.
They have located themselves at
Sixty.second street and Fifth avenue,
New York, and are putting their
house in order.
During his FIVE years of travelling
the General has received valuable
presents enough to gil eighty-two
cases. The corporation presents and
public testimonials are likely to 20 to
the Patent Office, where Washington's
farewell address and such documents
form a part Of the National Museum.
These include an exquisitely carved
wooden box, presented by the city of
Stratford- Avon, and made from
mulberry tree planted by Shaks-
peare; gold boxes presented by the
cities Of Glasgow and Ayr, both con-
tanning parchment scrolls rendering
the freedom Of the cities to the dis
tinguished guest, and large silver
box from the city Of Edinburgh. The
boxes and ether public presents are
on exhibition in Memorial Hall, Fair
mount Park.
Independent of the above, there are
sixty eight cases containing presents
that persain TO the household. Most
OF these goods have been in the custo-
dy of Mr.. Childs, to whom they were
sent while the General was travelling.
Ifthe truth were known, it is proba-
BILE that Mr.. Childs knows more about
the contents Of these cases than their
owner does. On the center table ID
the Ledger publishers Office are rich
wares from the potteries Of Torquay
these articles having been made while
the General was passing through the
establishment. One neat vase has
embossed on it these words: "The
noblest Roman ofthem all" On the
other side is the name U. S. Grant
A unique urn in addition to the name
bears this inscription: Prosperous be
thy life in peace and war"
Lying against the wall in the same
Office is a handsome frame containing
beautifully engrossed resolutions OF
the Carpenters Company of this city.
In vault Of one of the trust compa-
MES on Chestnut street is stored box
containing six of the Generals swords
including the one worn at Appomat.
tox.
! In his new home General Grant will
have a sideboard that will arouse
the envy of all lovers of unique furni.
ture. 1t is made of Mexican onyx
and was presented to him by Mexico
1t is the rarest and costliest buffet il
| New York. The parlors of the new
house will be crowed with presents
| The magnificent service of silver pre-
sented by Mexico to Grant about the
time he became President, and byhin
transferred to his wife, has beer
ordered from the vaults of the banl
where it was deposited, and will b.
used for the first time in what il
known as Grants New York Palace
The magnificent china set which
| General Grant used during the latte
days of his stay at the White House
be having ordered the set from Chins
through Admiral Alden, will also
take conspicuous place among the table
ware. 1t is certain that the ex Presi
dents home will hold treasures o.
| fabulous value, and will be one of the
wonders of the metropolis. No ap
proximate estimate of the worth o.
these goods can be obtained, but it il
understood that in the two-and-a.
half-year trip around the world Gener.
al Grant received presents equivalent
in value to double the expenses Of hil
Tourney.
Meanwhile the General is trying tc
enjoy life. He starts from home every
morning, goes on the elevated road
down to his office, which is away uI
| in the fifth story of Fort Sherman, a
massive Office building at Broadway
and Wall street. He dictates letters
to his clerks, and shortly afternoon he
returns home to dinner. He generally
closes the daily routine with a drive
| He retains his sturdy appearance, and
although ffty-eight years old, is capa-
| BILE of running victory over a lonl
menu However, he is never comforta
BILE when called to preside over {
meeting, although much OF the diff
dence that marked his public life hai
been removed by travel abroad. H,
now feels more easy in public assem-
blages; be certainly has had enougl
experience, and has become a graceful
and pungent speaker. His speech t,
the Press Club, of New York, and hi
remarks at the recent dinner of tn,
Aztec Club give evidence Of this
When nearing the age of three score
it is rather late to doff a natural back
. wardness; but, then, Grant is a grea
man.