The New York Herald Newspaper, June 16, 1877, Page 3

i NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1877--TRIPLE SHEET. BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF LONDON. The Route Followed by Frince and Oommoner when Receiving The presentation of the freedom of the city of Lon- don ts always an event of importance. General Grant, who yesterday received this honor, will find himself tn fistinguished company. It is no common honor. Tho greatest heroes and the proudost monarchs have been reckoned among the “treemen." George IIL, who always expressed a suprome contempt for ordinary matters and mortals, had to acknowledge that the city of London could bestow a franchise more valu- able than all the knighthoods and baubles of the crown, Since his day hundreds of men, whose works will ever be regarded as the gems of history—statesmen, sciontists, lawyers, merchants, princes, have been recorded in the grand old book which is prized by the Corporation of London more than all the privileges and immunities granted by the government. George abody, the noble and benevolent American merchant, whose namo is evor uttered by the poor of the English metropolis with affectionate reverence, was made atreeman. Goneral Garibaldi, the liberator of Italy and the father of Italian unity, recoived the same priviloge. The Shah of Persia, the Sultan of Turkey, the Czar of Russia, Prince Leopold of Belgium, Napoleon III, General Bluchor and M. Thiers wero also presented with tho rights, privileges and immunities of the dwellers within “yo Bishopsgate’’ and Temple Bar. WHAT THY 'PREKDOM’? CONSISTS IN, It has often been asked, Wnat is the freedom of the ¢ity of London? It is simply this—a small slip of parchment, inscribed with the name and tities of the person to whom it is to be presented, guarantees to the holder and his children after him forever the right to live and trade within the city prescrived by St. Clements in the west, Bishopsgate in the east, Penton- ville on tbe north and the shores of the Thames on the south, without having to pay a tax on the goods as they are brought throagh tne gates. It exempts GENBRAL GRANT. Grand Reception by the Corporation of London, AN HONORARY CITIZEN. Presented with the Free- dom of the City. BRILLIANT © SCRNES «AT. GUILDHALL. Receiving the Casket and Right Hand of Fellowship. THE BANQUET. A DistinguishedCompany Greet Him and Extol America, A Fete in His Honor at the Crystal Palace. {RY CABLE TO TAR Waitin. | : Loxvon, July 16, 1877. The reception given by the corporation of this city to General Grant yesterday was y complete success. It was a historical tent in the history of two great nations, tho metropolis of the English speaking world paying Grant the same honors as those paid to William of Orange, the Duke of Marlborough, Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington, The event excited unusual in- torest even in cynical London. The day was unusually sunny and clear, being what many of the spectators called “Queen's weather.” BARRICADING TO KEEP OFF THE CROWD. When the Heraup correspondent arrived SITES AED hE EERIE, FS So eS 2 ee eS ee Civic Authorities, urylane yOlympic The Thy vert) d i. Se] them trom oaval and military service and toils and duties throughout the United Kingdom. ft insures to his obildren the care of the Chamberlain, who, incase they are left orphans, takes charge of their property and administers !t tn their interest until they arrive at years of maturity. The parch- ment bears the seal ana signature of the Lord Mayor and Chamberlain and ts generally oraamented with ribbon and tlluminated, [t ts always enclosed in a long, thin gold box and 1s intended, of course, as an heirloom. METHOD OF PRESENTATION, When the Corporation have decided to confer the parchment upon any distinguished individual ho is notified in the old fashioned style by the City Chamberlain, whose missive begins, ‘You aro hereby commanded to appear in tho Common Hall,” &c,, nam- ing the date when the City Fathers will be present. He ts met in the Common Hall by the Mayor and ew Annnnnnne the of the at Temple Bar. Freedom Councillors, The City Chamberlain mforms him that the city bas accided to confer upon him tho privileges of a free citizen, and makes an address, usually applaudatory of the special services or merits of the individual. The recipient signs his name in the Clerk’s Book, and this official and the City Cnamber- Jam then sign their names beneath as cuarautors or | “compurgators,"’ becoming, according to the rule, re- eponsible tor bis acts as a ci nm, Tho reeiprent then steps forward, the oath is administered by the Cham- berlain, who demands that he hall be in all‘and every respect true and loyal to tho interests of the eity; he sbakes hands with the Mayor, Chamborlain, Clerk and Councillors, and the goid box !s committed to his care. ‘This {8 the method usually adopted toward all who are not within the category of royalty. “PRESENTING TO ROYALTY aT TEMPLE DAR Jealous of their power and prestige, and with the view of checking the arrogance of former kings and at Guildhall at eleven o'clock in the morn- ing all the neighboring streets were barri- ended, that is to say all those streets in the immediate neighborhood, such as Gresham and _ Basinghall streets, to prevent all traffic that might in- terfere with the free arrival and departure of carriages through King street and the Old Jewry. Traffic was suspended east to the Bank of England, the Stock Ex- change, Lombard street, and King William and Moorgate streets, and west as far as St. Martin’s-le-Grand and St. Paul's, In fact, all the scenes ot Lord Mayor's day were re- enacted. AN OYATION TO GRANT. General Grant arrived most unostenta- tiously in the private carriage of the Amer- ican Minister, accompanied by his wife, Jesse (his son), Mr. and Mrs, Pierrepont and General Badean. Ten thousand spec- tators crowded to the edge of the barri- eades and greeted him with that hearty cheering peculiar to the English when they desire to welcome a stranger of distinction. A COMPARISON WITH OTHER RECEPTIONS. Just as much enthusiasm was manifested as on the occasion of the visits of the Shah, four years ago, and when Garibaldi took the Emperor of the French by surprise and ac- cepted an ovation such asiwill never be for- gotten by those who witnessed it at the Mansion House, MET BY ALDERMEN AND MILITIA. As Grant alighted he was met by a depu- tation of London Aldermen, arrayed in their gorgeous crimson robes and with the gold chains of office glittering in the sunlight. As he passed on into the corridor a company of the City Guards and Yeomen presented arms and the crowd again gave a long cheer. It was a brilliant scene. BEWILDERING SPLENDOR, The escorted into the library. distinguished purty were then ilere the scene | became bewildering in its antique splen or, The stately hall with its stately aleoves lined with books, and its uiany colored | windows which blushed in the golden sun- light; the ladies attired in their variegated spring toilets, the Aldermen in scarlet and the Councilmen in their mazarine robes, all presented an ensemble at once charming and inspiring. The band played ‘Hail Columbia” as the party entered. THE ADDRESS OF WELCOME. General Grant walked in a dignified and self-possessed manner toward the Lord Mayor's chair and took a seat to the left of dais amid. the cordial cheering, ‘Lhe City Chamber, lain arose and read the formal address on behalf of the Mayor, tendering to the tho most General the right hand of fellowship and referring at length to the fact that he was the first President of the American Repub- lic who had been elevated to the dignity of citizenship of the city of London. HONORING GRANT AND AMERICA. Ailnding to the kindness extended by America to the Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur, he said the Corporation received General Grant, desiring to compliment the General and the country in his person by conterring on him} the honorary free- dom of their ancient city, a freedom existing eight centuries before his ancestors landed on Plymouth Rock, nay even be- fore the time of the Norman Conqueror. London, in conferring the honor, recognized the distinguished mark he has left on Ameri- can history, his magnanimity, his triumphs and his consideration for his vanquished ad- versaries, It also recognized the conciliatory policy of his administration. A PERORATION, They, the corporation, fervently hoped he would enjoy his visit to England; that he might live long, and be spared to witness the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon family go on in their career of increasing amity and mutual respect, in an honest rivalry tor the advancement of the peaco, | the liberty, and the morality of mankind, RIGHT HAND O¥ FELLOWSHIP. In conclusion the speaker said:~ ‘Nothing City, st the Hands of Lukes Hosp. Artitt. thes Ground [Eis sj i the Lorag Mayor and quvens, the Corporation of London would aot allow | pret Chancery tane ana tho principal courts to Far- the crowned beads to pass beneath Tompie Bar without permission. Whenever royalty desired to enter the city the “graciousness” came from the Lord Mayor, Howould meet majesty with the keys of the city im hts band, and when he had anlocked the gates, in imagination, ho led tho way into town, Thus in Presenting the treedom of the city to monarchs the Lord Mayor meets them in state at Temple Bar, The royal cortége, with an escort of the Horso Guards, usuatly feaves Buckingham Palace, passes (nto Tratalgar square, theneo to Charing Cross, along the Strand to St Clement's boundary, on the west side of Temple Bar, The Mayor, attended by the Chamber. Inin, advances to the carriage of the royal guest, & briof address and offers the keys of the city, which aro simply tonched and banded back, Tho Mayor returns to bis state conch, and, preceded by a strong detach ment of police, passes down Floct street, now remains, General, but that I should present to youan illuminated copy of the resolution of this honorable court, for the reception of which an appropriate casket is preparing, and, finally, to offer you, in the name of this honorable court, the right hand of fellowship as a citizen of London.” The Chamberlain then shook General Grant’s right hand amid loud cheering. GRANT'S THANKS. Grant arose and very briefly and ap- propriately thanked the Court for the dis- tinguished. honor, and then signed his.name tothe roll of honor, with the Clerk and Chamberlain as compurgators. THE BANQUET. The company then proceeded to the banqueting hall, where seats had been pro- vided tor 1,000 guests. The Lord Mayor presided. At his right sat General and Mrs. Grant, Minister and Mrs, Pierrepont, General Badeau aud Jesse Grant. DISTINGUISHED GU Among the distinguished guests present were Sir Stafford Northcote, Lord and Lady Tenderden, Mr. Stansfield, Mr. A. E, Fos- ter, several peers prominent in the House of Lords, a number of the members of the Honse of Commons, consuls, merchants and other citizens of London. DECORATIONS, The room was decorated with miniature English and American flags and the tabies presented an interesting and artistic ap- pearance. TOASTS, After the déjeuner the toastmaster, dressed in a gorgeous silk sash formed of stars and stripes, arose and the bugle sounded. The first toast was ‘‘The Queen,” the second was “The Health of General Grant,” which was received by the gnests standing and amid great cheering. THE LORD MAYOR'S SPEECH. The Lord Mayor then said :—‘I, as Chief Magistrate of the city of London, and on the part of the Corporation, offer you as hearty a welcome as the sincerity of lan- guage can convey. Your presence here, the specially gratifying to United all classes of the community, and we feel that, although this is your first visit to England, it is not a stranger we greet, but a tried and Twice the exalted position of Presi- the United one of the that honor upon ourselves by honoring you. Let me express both the hope and the belief that when you take your departure you will as the Inte President of States, is honored friend. you did, dent of occupying, as States, and therefore foremost repre- sentatives of country, we confer feel that many true friends of yours person- ally, and also of your countrymen, have been Jeft behind. honor to propose your health. I have the distinguished May you long live to enjoy the best of health and un- qualified happiness.” THE GOLDEN CASKET. The gold casket, containing the freedom of the city, is in the cinque cento style, ob- long, the corners mounted by American On tho reverse side is a view of the entrance to the Guildhall, and inscription. At the figures, also in gold, finely modelled and eagles and beautifully decorated. an appropriate ends are two chased, representing the city of London and the United States and bearing their re- spective shields, the latter executed in tich = enamel. At the corners are donble columns laurel wreathed with corn and cotton, and on the cover a cornucopia, emblematic of the fertility and prosperity of the United States. ‘rhe rose, shamrock and thistle are also introduced. The cover is surmounted by the arms of the City of London. The casket is sup- ported by American eagles, modelled and chased in gold, the whole standing on a velvet plinth decorated with stars and stripes. GENERAL GRANT'S ADDRESS, General Grant’s reply was made with deep emotion, and was simply to return his thanks for the unexpected honor paid him and his desire to say much more for their brilliant reception than he could express, CONCLUDING TOASTS. “The United States” was coupled with the rogton, across Farringdon to Ladgate Hill, ap Lua gato Hillto St. Paal’s, passing round the cathedra! to tho south, thence into Cheapside, eastward along Cheapside to King street and down King strect to tha Guildball, The milttia of the city aud the sergeant-at- arms (mace bearer) receives the guest at the door, and he 1# received by the peers and company present standing. ORAYT'S PRONANLE ROUTH. This route is indicated on the accompanying map. The route General Grant took was this:—Leaving Cavendish rquare he passed mto Oxford street, thence over the newly built Holborn viaduct to Snow Hilt and Newgate street, and from Newgate iby the Ola Batley, where the celebrated prison stands) into St, Martins le Grand, leaving the General Post Office to the north, tnence via Cheapside and King street to the Common Hail, name of Mr. Pierrepont, who responded in ® happy speech, complimenting Grant and England. The final toast was “The City of London,” and responded to by the Lord Mayor. The company then dispersed with “three cheers for General Grant and the United States.” TAKING COFFEE AT THE MANSION HOUSE, After leaving the Guildhall the company proceeded to the Mansion House, at the corner of what was once the famous Bueklesbury and Poultry. Here they took coffee with the Mayor. A YETE AT THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Then the Mayor's state carriage was or- dered and they drove over to Sydenham to the Crystal Palace, arriving at the main entrance at half-past four o'clock P. M. They were received with the most boister. ous enthusiasm, As they passed under the rotunda cheer after cheer went ap for the “American General,” Your correspondent estimates that there were at least thirty thousand persons present. DINING BENEATH BLUE GLASS, A tour of the vast building was rapidly made, the party dining in the west wing. General Grant avoided all demonstrations made by the crowd, AT VASE, When darkness set in Grant was escorted to the place of honor in the Queen's cor- ridor of the palace, where he remained for some time smoking and chatting with his friends and their ladies. A GRAND PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY. A grand display of fireworks took place during the evening. The twilight was beautiful and there was a perfect Medi- terranean sky. The principal pyrotechnic display pieces were the portrait of Grantand the Capitol at Washington, which were roe ceived with prolonged cheers, RETURN HOME. At about eleven o'clock the demonstra. tion finished and the party returned to town in their carriages. General Grant on part- ing with the Mayor expressed hts extreme gratification and pleasure. A GENERAL MOLIDAY. It was like » holiday at the Palace, The trains running to and from Pimlico, Lon. don Bridge and Ludgate Hill were literally laden down, and the usual jollity of the British sightseer was especially perceptible on the journey back to town, To-day the General dines at Kensington Palace with Princess Louise,