into requisition, various societies paraded the streets, and many houses were finely decorated with flags; salutes were fired at sunrise, noon, and sunset, by the naval receiving ship and the monitors, all the government and commercial vessels were decked with bunting, and thousands of people went down to Fortress Monroe to witness the fire-works there displayed. Montgomery, Ala., bid farewell to the Old and saluted the New century of independence, in handsome style, all business being suspended, the streets and houses streaming with the red, white, and blue; a salute of thirteen guns was fired at break of day, and of thirty-seven at noon; a procession of military and fire companies and citizens marched through the streets, and

commemorated by a grand banquet at the Westminster Palace Hotel, under the auspices of the American legation, a large and distinguished company of citizens of the United States and their English friends being present. It was a magnificent occasion, worthy of the centennial of the greatest Republic in the world. Toasts to the health of President Grant and Queen Victoria were received with applause and music. The sentiment, The Day we Celebrate,' was responded to by Rev. Dr. Thompson; The Mother Country,' by Mr. Henry Richard, M. P.; 'The City of London,' by the Lord Mayor; "The Army and Navy,' by Major-General Crawford; and 'The newly-appointed Minister of the United States,' by Hon Ed

Most significant, it may be remarked, was the respect paid to the occasion in foreign countries; not only the Americans, in all the European cities, joined in celebrations, some of them outwardly public and participated in by foreigners, but the daily press everywhere discussed the day and its historical lessons. In Dublin there was a popular gathering, numbering thousands, and spirited political addresses. In the city of London, the anniversary was

Taylor's national ode, delivered by him. the same day in Philadelphia, were read; and letters in response to invitations were also read from Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Gladstone, the Duke of Argyle, Earl Granville, Lord Houghton, the Earl of Roseberry, the Earl of Derby, Dean Stanley, John Bright, etc.

In Paris, the American legation was superbly decorated with flags and insignia, and the American colors were profusely displayed in the principal streets.

In Lisbon, the American ambassador held a public reception, and gave a banquet in the evening; several of the city journals also noticed the day, in leading articles complimentary to the American people.

The Americans residing in Frankfort, Heidelberg, Offenbach, Wiesbaden, and other towns in the vicinity, met in the Frankfort Palm Garden, and there joyously celebrated the day with speeches, the reading of the immortal Declaration, a superb banquet, and closing with a concert and magnificent fire-works. In Berlin, the day was magnificently celebrated, Minister Davis presiding, and proposing "The health of President Grant,' Mr. Fay following with a toast to 'The Emperor of Germany,' and, among others, American Citizenship,' 'Americans in Europe,' and 'The Day we Celebrate,'-the latter being in verse. In the evening there was a splendid soiree at the American ambassador's, followed by tableaux vivants representing revolutionary scenes, such as Washington at Valley Forge, Antoinette receiving Lafayette, etc. At Stuttgart, there were salutes, speeches, reading of the Declaration, patriotic hymns and songs, and other festivities.

Among the incidental matters, of enduring interest, pertaining to the day and event, and which are here deserving of record, may be mentioned the proclamation by the chief magistrate of our nation, in which, with becoming deference to and as reflecting the religious sense of the people, he said: "The centennial anniversary of the day on which the people of the United States declared their right to a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth seems to demand an exceptional observance. The founders of the govern

ment, at its birth, and in its feebleness, invoked the blessings and the protection of a divine Providence, and the thirteen colonies and three millions of people have expanded into a nation of strength and numbers commanding the position that was then asserted, and for which fervent prayers were then offered. It seems fitting that, on the occurrence of the one hundredth anniversary of our existence as a nation, a grateful acknowledgment be made to Almighty God for the protection and the bounties which he has vouchsafed to our beloved country. I therefore invite the good people of the United States, on the approaching Fourth day of July, in addition to the usual observances with which they are accustomed to greet the return of the day, further, in such manner, and at such time as in their respective localities and religious associations may be most convenient, to mark its recurrence by some public religious and devout thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the blessings which have been bestowed upon us as a nation, during the centenary of our existence, and humbly to invoke a continuance of His favor and of His protection." In response to this, many places of public worship were opened for morning religious devotion.

Another most notable incident was an autograph letter from the Emperor William, of Germany, to the President, conveying his imperial congratulations to the latter and to the American people. This remarkable letter was officially presented

to President Grant, on the morning of July 4th, by the German ambassador in person, and was as follows:

WILLIAM, by the grace of God, Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, etc.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:-Great and Good Friend,-It has been vouchsafed to you to celebrate the Centennial festival of the day upon which the great republic over which you preside entered the rank of independent nations. The purposes of its founders have, by a wise application of the teachings of the history of the foundation of nations, and with insight into the distant future, been realized by a development without a parallel. To congratulate you and the American people upon the occasion affords me so much the greater pleasure, because, since the treaty of friendship which my ancestor of glorious memory, King Frederick II., who now rests with God, concluded with the United States, undisturbed friendship has continually existed between Germany and America, and has been developed and strengthened by the ever-increasing importance of their mutual relations, and by an intercourse, becoming more and more fruitful, in every domain of commerce and science. That the welfare of the United States, and the friendship of the two countries, may continue to increase, is my sincere desire and confident hope.

Accept the renewed assurance of my unqualified esteem. WILLIAM.

Countersigned, VON BISMARCK. BERLIN, June 9, 1876.

On account of the great interest in this friendly document from "Fatherland," which was naturally excited among the German population of our country, (now numbering some millions of our most patriotic people,) we likewise reproduce the letter in its native language, together with an authorized fac-simile of the Emperor's autograph, also a fine portrait of the venerable monarch, and an engraving of the new national flag,-none of which features

are to be found in any other volume published in the United States.

A letter of similar purport, though not received in season to be delivered to the president on the Fourth, was also sent by the Czar of Russia, also by King Victor Emanuel, of Italy, and from other nations.

Noteworthy, perhaps, above all the other inspiring incidents of the day, and which wrought up the people's patriotic sensibilities to the most fervid pitch, was the scene already briefly alluded to on a preceding page, when Mayor Stokley presented to Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, the original Declaration of Independence, -Mr. Lee's grandfather having, one hundred years ago, offered the resolution to the Continental Congress, "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." On the age-dimmed but immortal parchment being exhibited, in its massive frame, to the sight of the people, men swung their hats, and cheered with almost frantic enthusiasm; women waved their handkerchiefs, and in some instances gave audible utterances to their transport of delight; children innumerable were held up in the struggling mass of humanity to view the venerated national relic; and, amidst the wildest expressions of joy on every side, that ascended to and seemed to rend the very heavens, the sacred document was read. The chord of unity and sympathy, full, free, and entire, ran through the vast assemblage, as though no territorial sectionalism had ever marred the nation's harmony-or, if it had, that all by-gones were now happily buried and obliviated. And, as between North and South, nothing could have given more gracious assurance of present good will and future promise of amity and accordant purpose, than the message dispatched by the mayor of the former capital of the Southern Confederacy, as follows: "The people of Montgomery, Alabama, the birthplace of the Confederate government, through its City Council, extend a cordial and fraternal greeting to all the people of the United