180 POLITICAL LIFE -IX 



he had formerly had as a cadet at West Point when look 

 ing forward to a furlough. 



I have never believed that the earnest effort made by 

 his friends at Chicago to nominate him for a third term 

 was really prompted by him, or that he originally desired 

 it. It always seemed to me due to the devotion of friends 

 who admired his noble qualities, and thought that the 

 United States ought not to be deprived of them in obe 

 dience to a tradition, in this case, more honored in the 

 breach than in the observance. 



I may add here that, having seen him on several con 

 vivial occasions, and under circumstances when, if ever, 

 he would be likely to indulge in what was understood to 

 have been, in his early life, an unfortunate habit, I never 

 saw him betray the influence of alcohol in the slightest 

 degree. 



Shortly after General Grant laid down his high office, 

 he made his well-known journey to Europe and the East, 

 and I had the pleasure of meeting him at Cologne and 

 traveling up the Ehine with him. We discussed American 

 affairs all day long. He had during the previous week 

 been welcomed most cordially to the hospitalities of two 

 leading sovereigns of Europe, and had received endless 

 attentions from the most distinguished men of England 

 and Belgium, but in conversation he never, in the slightest 

 degree, referred to any of these experiences. He seemed 

 not to think of them; his heart was in matters pertain 

 ing to his own country. He told me much regarding his 

 administration, and especially spoke with the greatest 

 respect and affection of his Secretary of State, Mr. Ham 

 ilton Fish. 



Somewhat later I again met him in Paris, had several 

 walks and talks with him in which he discussed American 

 affairs, and I remember that he dwelt with especial admi 

 ration, and even affection, upon his colleagues Sherman 

 and Sheridan. 



I trust that it may not be considered out of place if, in 

 this retrospect, which is intended, first of all, for my 



