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men of property, and so securing the best and most beneficial administration of affairs for all classes? take universal suffrage and universal amnesty, and all will be well. Can you, my dear sir, devote your fine powers to a better work than complete restoration on this basis? . .

Of course I do not look for any change in the status of the negro; his right to the ballot will never be revoked, and he should be allowed to exercise the privilege conferred on him freely.

The future of our country is full of promise; the tone of our people is American, and the enlightening and elevating power of Christianity will exert still greater influence over our national life in the cycles that open before us.

CHAPTER XXIX.

President Hayes-Hon. Richard W. Thompson-Hon. William M. EvartsMission to Brazil-Steamer Russia-London-Paris-Stuttgart-Voyage from Bordeaux to Rio de Janeiro-Arrival-First Impressions.

PRESIDENT HAYES was inaugurated on Monday, March 5, 1877. His address on the occasion was of a high order; it was distinguished for its breadth of view and patriotic tone. It prepared the country for his statesmanlike course at the outset of his administration.

He promptly removed the United States troops from the States where they had been in antagonism with the civil authority; he recognized the right of local government; and he adopted measures for the promotion of a speedy reconciliation between all sections of the Union.

The supremacy of the Constitution was restored.

He organized a Cabinet composed of statesmen of ability, character, and well-earned reputation.

I made a visit to Washington shortly after Mr. Hayes entered upon his administration. I met him for the first time at a reception given by Mrs. Hayes, and was treated with consideration. Calling at the White House at an informal evening reception, I enjoyed a conversation with Mrs Hayes, and appreciated the manners and the qualities which already distinguished her, and which won for her, while she presided at the social entertainments given at the Executive Mansion, friends from all parts of the country, who then admired her, and who still revere her memory.

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Hon. Richard W. Thompson, Secretary of the Navy, was a friend whom I had known intimately when we served in Congress. We were Whigs, and attracted to each other by our strong sympathy upon other subjects. His abilities won for him distinction, and his exalted character gave him a high rank in the country. Soon after my arrival in Washington, I passed an evening at Mr. Thompson's residence, and he informed me that the President would offer me a place in the diplomatic service. I had not said anything to the President in regard to an appointment under his administration, and was grateful for this unsolicited mark of his favor. Mr. Thompson made known to me the President's views, and proposed to accompany me to the Department of State, and introduce me to Mr. Evarts.

The next morning we called on Mr. Evarts, and I was presented to him. The great reputation of the Secretary of State was of course well known to me, but I had not met him before. I appreciated the cordial reception which he gave me. I had two interviews with him in regard to the mission which might be offered for my acceptance. After an extended conversation upon the subject, it was understood that upon the return of the Hon. J. C. Bancroft Davis from Germany, I should be appointed to succeed him; he had given notice of his purpose to come home, but had not stated at what time he would relinquish his post. On a visit to Washington some time later, I was informed by Mr. Evarts that the mission to Germany was not yet vacant. He stated that the Minister to Brazil had forwarded his resignation, and suggested that I could be appointed to it, if I would accept it; but that my ideas, he knew, were all European, and that the place might not be agreeable to me. He proposed that I should see the President. I called on the President immediately and made known to him what had occurred at the Department of State. He said he did not

know when the mission to Berlin would be vacant; but that my appointment to Brazil would be made immediately if I would accept it. I said: “Mr. President, ought I to accept it?" He replied that he did not like to speak for another man, but as a large number of Southern men had gone to Brazil at the close of the war, I might render important service to the country by accepting the mission to Rio. I said that after having heard the expression of his views in regard to the mission to Brazil, I could not hesitate to accept it.

The appointment was promptly made, and returning home I made my arrangements for an early departure.

I sailed with my family from New York in the steamship Russia of the Cunard Line, on a bright morning for Liverpool. It was not a new ship, but possessed certain advantages, and excluded steerage passengers. The captain had long experience in conducting a ship across the Atlantic; he was second in command of the Columbia, on which I had made a voyage years before with Captain Judkins. Everything was auspicious; the weather was fine; we were on a summer sea; and the passengers were agreeable people. Our two daughters had never before been on the sea, but they were not much disturbed by the waves. The daily walk on the deck of the ship, and the cheerful surroundings, relieved the monotony of the voyage.

A bright day welcomed us upon our arrival at Liverpool, and we passed a few hours there in looking at some objects of interest.

Our travel to London on the railway was pleasant; the glimpses we caught of scenery-the fields rich with grain, the whole aspect of a country under fine cultivation-were enjoyed by us. As we approached London everything interested us; and when we entered the great metropolis we felt that we were in a city full of attractions for us. We took apartments at the Charing Cross Hotel, and

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found it good. It was thoroughly English in all its appointments, and the ladies enjoyed it. I called at the banking-house of Messrs. Morton, Rose, & Co., the bankers of the United States in London, and had a most agreeable interview with them.

Our sight-seeing in London was limited by the short time which we gave to it. To an American, Westminster Abbey is the most interesting place in London; its historic glory, its mementos of monarchs, of the mighty dead who served the Church and the State, its scholars, its poets-all awaken emotions which no other spot in Europe can excite.

Fine weather still favored us; the travel to Dover, the brief run over the Channel, and the stepping on the soil of France were all enjoyed by us. As I landed at Calais an official person in handsome uniform addressed me as "General," and asked if I were "English." I replied: "No, American!" He gave me a military salute. It was an unexpected tribute to my soldierly appearance, and amused us as a mark of French politeness. The travel to Paris from Calais was delightful; we saw France under its most pleasing aspect, and were much charmed by the expanding view of that beautiful country. England awakens in me emotions which no other country in the world can excite, outside of my own native land. I feel that I can claim a part in its glorious history; its language, religion, law, are mine; but I love France, and I find an unfailing interest in looking upon its sunny plains, and seeing its bright, cheerful people. To heighten the charm of the view an afternoon shower came up, and a resplendent rainbow spanned the fair fields through which we were passing. We reached Paris before sunset, and caught the first view of that beautiful city under a clear sky. We drove to the Hotel Meurice, and took apartments. This charming hotel is in the Rue de Rivoli, opposite the Gardens of the Tuileries, and I preferred it