The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-28
GRANT IN PEACE.
NO. XVI.
Palace and Prasifl ent.

Ostend messages met him from the King inquir-
ing when he would arrive at Brussels, and the
royal railway carriage was placed at his disposal
to convey him to the capital. In that city the
mem bers of the government Immediately paid
their respects and the royal equerries brought
invitations for the General and his entire party
to a dinner at the palace The Kings carriages
were offered to the exPresident and an aide-de-
camp was ordered to report to him during his
stay. General Grant, however, availed himself
OF this courtesy only when he paid official visits.
In calling on the members of the government
and the foreign ministers he went in the royal
carriages, attended by the Kings officer, and
also in his visit to the palace, but at no other
time.
The invitations to the dinner were in French,
and translated they read az follows:
By order Of Their Maiesties.
The Grand Marshal of the Court has the honor to
invite
Their Excellencies, General and Mrs Grant,
to dinner the Palace of Brussels Sunday, 9Th July
1877, at 6 IL o'clock.
Frock dress.
The words .'frock dress" len frac) signifed that
court costume was not required. The notifica-
ton was written, not engraved, on the card, and
was doubtless intended to make the etiquette as
little onerous as possible for the democratic ex-
President. Invitations were also sent not only
TO the American minister and his family. but to
Mr.. Sanford, the former minister and his wife,
and to all the American officials in Brussels,
down to the vice-consul, who was an Englishman
and never went to court at home
On the day Of the dinner the King himself
called on General Grant at his hotel The visit
had not been preannounced, and there was not
time after the carriages drew up for the General
to descend the staircase to welcome his Majesty,
ant in every other way the King was received
with the usual honor
q He was attended by several gentlemen Of his
court, who remained standing during the inter
view, and when they were presented to General
Grant they mad Q him the same obeisance which
they were accustomed to offer to their sovereign.
The visit was short as such ceremonies usually
are among persons of exalted rank Mrs. Grant
was present, and the King conversed with her as
well as with the General. His Majesty speaks
very good English, so that there was no difficulty
about the language
Perhaps just here may repeat story that
Mr. Lowell once told me about Mrs. Grant Mr..
Lowel was minister to Spain when General
OEdnb WAS III hduSlOs anu llihuS uluucE AOE lHo
exPresident. Mrs Grant was placed between
two personages who, like herself, spoke only
their own language but the Minister described
her ease and self-possession as quite inimitable.
She appeared to converse continually, was bow
ing and smiling all the evening. ana apparently
as much interested in her companions as any one
at table; an instance of fine breeding which,
1t seems to me, was worthy of queen, or the
wife of an ex-President.
But to return to Belgium. The Kings visit
was made on the day of the dinner, and as such
clvilties are to be returned Immediately, Gen
eral Grant inquired when he and Mrs. Grant
could pay their compliments to the Queen. His
Majesty knew that General Grant was to leave
Brussels the next day. and accordingly proposed
that the ex President and Mrs. Grant should
come to the palace few moments before the
hour for dinner, when the Queen would be ready
to receive the formal visit.
In the evening the royal carriages were sent
for the party, which consisted of the General and
Mrs. Grant, Jesse Grant and myself. On arriv-
ing at the palace we were shown through what
seemed an interminable suits of lofty rooms and
finally entered one where several of the ladies
aud gentlemen of the court were already pres
emit; the other guests of the evening had not ar
rived 1t was July. and the windows overlook
ing the park were all open. the sun had not yet
set, and of course. the candles were
not lighted; the effect of the great
rooms in the warm afternoon, with only
half dozen people in evening dress and half
costume, scattered here and there, was peculiar.
The men were either in military uniform or
frook dress, that u.s. dress coats, knee breeches,
black stockings and low shoes. with buckles,
chapeaux and swords. Full dress would have
required white stockings, gold lace and EN-
broidery, and other paraphernalia. The General
and all the American gentlemen wore plain even
ing clothes.
We remained in this apartment while the
company was assembling No one seemed au-
thorzed to receive formally for their Majesties
though the guests greeted each other as they
arrived. Every one remained standing indeed,
cannot remember that there were any seats in
tho room. After few minutes the King entered
to conduct General and Mrs. Grant to pay their
visit to the Queen. He gave his arm to Mrs
Grant, the General followed, and they disap-
peared, but soon returned, the King now coming
only to the door, which was Immediately closed
upon him.
Shortly afterward thecompany were requested
to take positions to await the entrance of their
Maiesties. General and Mrs. Grant stood next
The doors by which they had come in from the
Queen. These doors were now again thrown
open, and courtier announced in a loud voice
Jle Roi ct Ia Refine ("The King and the Queen "
Their Majesties entered bowling, every one else,
Of course, making obeisance The King was in
uniform; the Queen, except for her jewels, was
no better dressed than Mrs. Grant The royal
pair spoke first to General and Mrs. Grant as
If welcoming them for the first time. the previous
visit being considered separate occasion from
the dinner. Then their Majesties passed around
the circle and each in turn addressed every one
of the guests, talking few moments with each.