Correspondence (incoming): Grant, Ida, 1890 Feb- Dec

Vienna Feb 12, My dear, kind Mrs Stanford, Colonel Grant and I have read and re-read your beautiful letter, for which we were both most grateful. Indeed we do not wish to impose upon your goodness of heart or the Senator's for we realize most thoroughly what your mail is, and all the demands made upon your time - even at the risk of wearying you both, we cannot resist writing sometimes to you, without expecting replies, feeling happy if two such kind friends as you and Senator Stanford have been to us, know of, and approve our...

life here and the way in which Col. Grant fills the office which Senator Stanford wishes him to hold, and which The President conferred upon him. We are just vain enough to feel sure that Senator Stanford and you are pleased, in hearing good reports of us so I try to give you the best. We are really so distressed to know, that you have been so ill, but now have read of your beautiful dinners and luncheons and rejoice that you have recovered sufficiently in strength to thus exert yourself though there is always fear that in kindness to others, you will over exert yourself. That is the great difficulty I know, for one occupying your high position in

and entertainments at home seem wonderfully like fairy-land to us, now that we see how truly simple these foreign monarchs' lives are compared to those of our great Americans. We have been meeting all the Arch-Duke, Arch-Duchesses and members of the Royal family lately and they exhibit a sincere interest and great admiration, in speaking of our wonderful country. Indeed it is evident, that in the old world, our country is now holding proper place, but still there is much ignorance of us, in the inland countries. I am sure it will not seem egotistical in us, to let you know dear Mrs Stanford that in all our presentations to these Royal people, Colonel Grant has had marked

[left hand side] greatest benefit to her. It always seems to revive her in interest and happiness, to see you, my dear Mrs Stanford, to whom she is sincerely attached. Your dinner to her must have been most beautiful. Indeed I have read all accounts with intense interest even to the detail of flowers and lovely table-cloth used. Really the accounts of the magnificent living

[right hand side] 5th Washington. I can just imagine all the applications and demands made upon your patience and time. It seems most wise that you should not have the immense receptions, after your illness, as they are really so wearying.

Mrs. Grant appreciated most deeply your kindness to her and her trip to Washington. Tom seems to have been the

[left hand page] talking and asking many questions about America in which he said he and his father had always [--had always--] taken intense interest and he then asked if Fred was the Grandson of General Grant. When we said the oldest son, he arose shook hands most warmly with Fred [insert? which he had done already] and said "I am most happy to know you, and congratu[lations]

[right hand page] [7th?]

cordiality extended to him, several having remarked to us both, "We have never had before, so great a name enrolled upon the list of Diplomats". We are most gratified that the son of such a father has been sent to our country. At a ball two nights ago, the Grand Duke of Tuscany came and sat beside us for half an hour