Year: 1865

From New York Times, June s.


New York was in blaze of excitement yes
terday All the people, good, bad and indiffer-
ent, patriotic, curious and toadyistic were up
early and out before ordinary breakfast hour.
From Brooklyn, Jersey City and along the line
of the outoftown railways came hundreds of
others, just as patriotic, just as curious-one
and all inspired by the absorbing determination
to see the hero of the hour, Lieut. Gen. Ulysses
g. Grant. Battling the efforts of the enterprs-
ing, flanking the array of reportoral vigilance,
the General reached his hotel the far-famed
Aster, undetected by the myriad eyes OF the
people, uncaught by any one of the most zeal
ous hunters, who waylaid every path but
the right one.


THE POPULAR OVATION.


It had been arranged that the General should
first receive certain prominent military and
local officers who desired to consult with him
in regard to the future programme IN the city,
and for that purpose he stationed himself In
the large parlor at the futher end OF the corri-
dor. The people, however, have very de-
cided objection to committees and regulations
to programmes of demonstration or exclusive
ness Of any kind when it interferes, even Tor
moment, with their wishes and perhaps their
best interests. 1t was decided so in this in
stance At 10 o'clock the crowd in


FRONT OF THE AsTOR HOUSE.


was immense Many thousands of people had
assembled, and it was very difficult for the ac-
tive policemen to keep the way open for the
embarrassed horses and the wheel.locked We
hicles. "Grant, Grant," was their constant
cry but no Grant appeared, nor did the CON-
mittee vOuchsafe an information as to his
whereabouts OF the probabilities OF obserVa-
ton


WHAT THEY SAW.


Having entered, they stopped. They saw a
few Young officers In glittering uniform, but
where was the General? Looking for the
Lieutenant General commanding the armies OF
the United States, they expected to see an i'm
posing figure, o full breasted. elaboratey but
toned coat, gold tinsel on his legs epauletts on
his arm, and sword and pistol by his side.
There was no such there. Standing square in
front of the fire place, with figure reflected in
the mirror stood . medium-si3ed well-built
man. with q moderately large head, brown
haired close clipped as to beard and moustachs,
keen eyed and square jawed, clad in brown
sack coat, with light checked trOwsers and
patent leather pumps; in his mouth was
'.prime Havannah," on which he vigorously
drew, and his right hand conscious. perhaps OF
the demands to be made upon it, rested lightly
on the mante, SO looked Grant, the soldier
whom they admired and the guest to whom
they desired to do honor


The room was soon thronged. Gathering
about the General. they shook his arm as they
would swing q fail; looking at him in the
eve with admiration they pressed him to sui
location and offered him their adniration.
The room was warm, and 1t was as hard task
TO get fresh air in as 1t was to get the old
crowd out. Men circled around the room,
seizing the generals red and weary hand time
and time again, as if there was virtue in the
grasp and merit in its vigor. This sort OF
thing would very soon wear ont the most tre-
mendous frame.


HOW HE BORE II.


A good-natured man is the Lieutenant Gen.
eral. From early morn till after one he was
shaken and bored, and bored and shaken. The
animus of the majority, who called, was re-
spect and sincere regard for the soldier who
had done SO much for the country. Conse-
quently 1t was to be expected that he would
be willing to endure much that was mentally
boresome, physically wearying and personally
unpleasant, but an iron frame. sinews of steel
and bones Of rock would hardly have sufficed
for tie occasion. At times the general ordered
the doors closed while he rested, but after o
brief interval, he was up aud at 'em.


With q cigar In his mouth continually he
puffed away, apologizing to the ladies for SO
doing, but taking fresh one every few mo-
ments, until about eleven O'Clock, there came
such rush of crinOline that he, for the time
being, left off the practice. 1t was suggested
that it would be . good idea for him to change
l3nQS OCCASIONALLY, W WHICH uC IcpIcu tuhI Nc
wanted "to keep one hard for future use." In
response to . query about his speaking at the
Cooper Institute, he said: II made up my
mind about that many years ago. l never
have spoken and / am too old to begin not
that am so very old, either but / can't speak
and l certainly shall not dictate anything for
any one else to say for me-


At the Astor House the General was to dine
at three o'clock precisely. The committee
WllCQ naQ him in charpa had ordered


GRAND DINNER.


The only speeches of the afternoon were
made by Mr.. Grinuell, Mr.. Gurley and General
Grant After the subStautials had been care
fully placed away, Mr.. Moses H. Grinnell arose
and said:


SPEECH OF ME-. GRrNNELL.


GEN GRANT: On behalf of the citizens of
New York have great pleasure in welcoming
you to our hospitalities. New York. Sir. has
ever been ready to recognize merit worth and
services, and now, Sir, in welcoming Won we
express our simple, strong and satisfactory
regard for you as man, our admiration for
you as an officer, our heartfelt affection tor Won
as the leader of our gallant armies. Applause !
Knowing your desire for quiet and Your dislike
for publicity, we deemed IL best to meet Won in
this quiet manner, that we might testify our
regard and manifest our affection. Applause.


As Gen. Grant has always refused to speak.
considerable curiosity was manifested in regard
to his reply. Rising slowly, and glancing with
quizzical modesty around the board, he said: