New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-11-28
SUNDAY EDITION.
NOV. 40, 1886.

from the ceremonial Importance OF her sovereign.
In fact at many of the smaller courts the e,quetco
is more exact than that which surrounds imoeria Al
potentates At Brussels there seemed happy
mingng of that regard for forms which in the Old
World is still considered essential, with courtesy
which it cannot be said that every palace breeds
There was music during dinner far enough on
not to interrupt conversation, and as the twilight
faded, the great chandelier with It's hundreds OF
candles. that hung over the table, was lighted by
peculiar continuance. sort of thread of slow
match connected the candelabra, and the fire was
seen to travel from another till all were iiiu-
minated. When the dinner was the party rose
in Continental fashion; the King took out Mrs.
Grant and General Grant the Queen the others
followed with their dinner partners, and the sep
aratiou that is common England and often hero
did not occur. The men all accompanied the ladies'
to the DRAWN g-rooms and renamed there.
Again, neither the royal hosts DOR their guests
were seated. The company stood in circle, and
the King and Queen passed around within 1t. as
before. The conversation now was more prolonged
and animated bat still there was certain
formaIity The co1rtiers did not move freely about
IN the presence of the soyereicns. All the guests
were presented 10 both General aud Mrs.
Grant. At about half an hour after
dinner the King and the Queei retired,
party whom they were not to meet again.
General Grant left Immediately afterward ne
was accompanied to his hotel by royal equerry.
and vent as before in royal carriage The care
full courtesy that marked every circumstance OF
the evening was in striking contrast with the
offensive etiquette of Marlborough House. or even
the strained ceremonial OF Windsor. The King OF
tie Belgians is a Bourbon just as blue In blood
as a Guelph and according TO all the rules OF pre-
cedence, Just as much Of a sovereign as any named
in the Almanach de Gotha; but be did not fear 10
lessen his dignity disturb hts throne by treating
an ex- Presdent of the United States with the same
courtesy he would have offered TO Isabella OF Spain
or Bomba of Naples.
The next head Of Stately whom General Grant
was entertained was the President of the Swiss
Republic and although the courtesy could be no
more marked than that displayed by the Ming OF
the Bel gians was struck not unfayorably with
the democratic simplicity coming so soon after
regal parade fortnight alter the dinner ID brus-
sells General Grant arrived in Berne Ii under
stood that the President preferred 10 receive the
first visit, and | therefore promptly ascertained
when the democratic magistrate would he AT home
to his democratic compeer; The VISIT was no
more formal than many that had been paid 70
General Grant in Washington in fact it in no
way differed from the ordinary reception OF one
private gentleman by another. The President re-
ferred TO the sitings of the Council OF Arbitration
at Geneva. OF which swiss statesman had been
member. He declared that Switzerland felt com:
plimented at the selection of Mr. Staempffl, and
compIimeDted General Grant upon the adop-
ton Of the prnePbe OF tbs
of the smallest and the greatest of republics ex-
changed salutatlons, and General Grant withdrew.
The visit was returned within half an hour.
The same night the President gave dinner 10
nine gentlemen in General Grants honor. He was
unmarried, and therefore did not extend the IN
yItatlon to Mrs. Grant The company m
cluded Mr. Staempni. the swiss arbi-
traitor. and several members of the Gov
ernment The etiquette was extremely SIM
pie like the service; indeed. neither differed from
those at the houses of private gentlemen IN
America unless IN their greater simplicity. But
the taste that reigned exquisite; the converse.
ton was animated and intensely Interesting aud
fine dinner was equal in all essentials Of courtesy
and refinement to any ever given to General
Grant 1t confirmed me in my democratic prefer
ence for the reality of hospitable but unassuming
elegance TO all the forms and spirit OF that cere-
mOny which so often trampIes upon courtesy. For
courtiy paraphernalla and parade have discoy-
vulgar when il is royal as if republican.
"s ADAM BADEAU.