New-York tribune., 1885-03-07
GENERAL GRANT IMPROVED.
HE SLEEPS WELL AND FEELS BRIGHTER.
WHAT HE SAID RECENTLY OF HIS CASE - HIS
LITERARY WORK.

LIIEhANr WOhks
The scene around General Grants house yester-
day was in marked contrast with tho day before.
which was of the busiest since the x-President
has been SICK The callers were comparatively few,
and came mostly in the afternoon, and it was sell
dom that there were more than two carriages in
waiting Almost every one in the city who is
quainted with the General called him the
day after the Retirement bill passed. rendered
him congratulations by proxy, and learned from
the lips Of Harrison that the patient was improv.
ing This information undoubtedly satisfied the
minds OF the visitors, allayed whatever feeling of
alarm they had over the Generals condition. and
gave them assurance that he was in no immediate
danger and this probably accounts for the falling
off in the numbers of those who called to inquire
about him yesterday. Those who did call. how
ever, evidently belonged to the class
Of intimate friends, for they were smil-
ingly ushered in by the gentleman
nered Harrison and remained longer with
in doors than the visitors have during the
last few days.
The illness of the General is now SO thoroughly
known throughout the country, and particularly in
this city, and has awakened such universal feel
ing OF sympathy, that 1t has brought an entirely
new class of visitors. These are people who do not
know the General or any member Of his family per-
sonally. but who have O warm admiration for tho
grim old warrior in his sturdy battle against his
fatal malady. They do not attempt to enter the
house even to inquire at the door. bat stand
sngly OF in groups Fifth-ave, or in Sixty-sxth-
ST. and talk of the achievements Of the General In
time Of peace and war, walk up and down IN
'front.' of the house locking at the window in the
second story where the Generals library is stu
ated and where he spends his days. in the hope that
they may catch glimpse of him. They were dis
appointed yesterday, however, for the curtains
were pulled down most OF the day. and the General
was not seen to look out at all.
There was hardly carriage that passed up OF
down Fsfth-ave. from which the driver or Occu-
pants did not cast glance at the house, and some
of them even stopped for time near by where they
could watch it, A middle-aged man aud an old
lady even got out Of their coupe and. after walking
down and taking good look at the front Of the
house. returned 10 their carriage and drove away.
The tall policeman who stands near tho corner OF
Fifth-ave said that he had got 80 used to and so
tired OF being asked what house General Grant
hyed IN that as soon as any one looked at him
his lips mechanically opened and he repeated
"Tbe first house on the lefto why" said he.
believe that half the town has been here to-day
and what astonishes me most Is that all whom L
have heard talk the greatest SORROW for the
General. and couldn't be more demonstrative IN
their sympathy IL 1t was their own father who was
uck.r The small boys who play In the street
scanned 10 have come within the influence of the
general feeling of sorrow for shout as loud as they
NAV at the Mad ison-ave. end Of the block, as soon
as they approach the er-Presidents house their
voices are hushed, and nothing is heard but the
patter OF swift-uDDinq feet
sa policeman and the private Waterman OF the
neiglborhood were leaning upon the Cchtrai Iath
walt la tho shelter OF large c'ninp o. osefetgen u
tess having "a quiet chat, at 2 o'clock YESTERDAY
morning. the watchmau's eye saw shower OF
spar KS iall INTO Sxtysixth-st, near lithavc ana
y.nSsy sss' rsn.
. That's n fire. sure" said hs, and accompanied by
the policeman he 20 the front door and pulled
the bell violently The sparks continued TO noat
ont from tho chimney aud urid tame shot several
feet above il. Some Of the people hying IN the
house on the other side of the street ilad peeh
awakened by the bright light shining into their
windows and the whole househt Id was aroused and
stood in the rooms anxously watching the progress
of the flames. a number OF persons VINO had nesn ecu
either seeking business pleasure gathered IN the
sttcet and there were several loud cries of fire
heard It seemed an age before Harrison came To
the door, still rubbing the sleep, out of his eyes
seeing an oficcr in nnifofm, he hastily inquired
aY"nr house Is ablaze,p said the officer, on the
roof, and you'd better rout every one ana get
them dressed -
Harrison dashed like flash up tho polished stairs
TO tho Generals ROOM lie was sleeping as peace
fully as an infant glance at the nrep.aoo ea *
game mon the roof Tho room having become
chilly one of the Generals sons had got no and
thrown some wood upon the dying enbers, and
their burning 6rskIy the cause OF the alarming
sight on the roof The affair, though II proved IN,
significant, might have been serious ana created
considerable excitement. The General slept
through tho commotion and was IN no wise dis
turbed. ,., -,
Great patience and fOrtitude and with such entire
absence of complaint that II appears even 10 those
who sec him every day that his mind does not dwell
at all upon the inevitable end tina tioliows an
epthelial cancer in the throat Ia q conversation ION
held "A few days ago with General Badeau IN hls
library. he dropped remark that shows that ne
evidently appreciates the seriousness OF ms con
dition There was q large am0nnt of manuscript
scattered around the table and hoor near MIN.
and he was looking through the various packages
and giving directions and information concerning
such he thought of sufficient Importance 10 lncor
porate INTO the history of his ies work, or OF any
particular Literary yalne , oo few % weeks S' he
would find t necessary to use In forwarding ms
literary labor toward completion, he began 10 give
d'1sui1 GENERAL Badean interrupted him and told him
that il was unnecessary for him to continue any ex
preston OF his desires will respect to thls PartGaMp M
able to dispose of II himself at tho proper time,
General Grant replied, without a change Oh ex- s
preston, the shadow OF regret or lear upon nls
face. in his usual quiet tone Of voice anu pushesS
General. that may be what you think; but my
impression is that will not last thirty dsy vs. o;n
lie then went on and continued the work OF eolHe
through his papers, without the slightest change IN
his depeanor. :, ,,
General Grant had been IN bed
but short time on thursday
night when he sank into cain AM anu
peaceful slumber He awoKe sevSin, Si
times during the night, but speedily
dropped asleep again. and when the tune came and ,U
him TO get up yesterday he had slept more . @
more soundly than he has for q week past. AFTER
getting up aud being dressed he took Small
amount OF nOurishment. His stomach haa reccT 1,
cred from the violent vomiting attack Oh .no G aay
before and retained food without giving any dis-
tressing symptoms He was rather cheeriui IN
spirits and his mind had recovered lls puoyanIy
aud power, and with 1t came desire IpI wVln:
Ho did not do any writing upon. his BOOK. out
listened to the reading Of portion oft by his sons