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

[congratulate?] you, upon being the son of so truly great a General and President whom all the world admired". The Emperor's brother, Carl Ludwig, said almost the same to Fred, and the Duke of Cumberland went into great detail in talking of General Grant's book, which he is reading. The poor man, the Duke feels terribly at having lost his throne. The Duchess of Cumberland has been lovely to me (so also the other Arch-Duchesses) she is just the same gracious amiable person as her sister, the Princess of Wales. I fear I am boring you with all this, dear Mrs Stanford, but want you to know that what you have predicted is so, about General Grant's son being so well received at this most etiquettical artistocratic court and luckily for us money is not so necessary. We feel

13th as the Senator said, that we can do very nicely and appropriately, all that is necessary to do here. We had a large and very pretty reception on "Washington's Birthday" for all Ameicans in Vienna, hung the pitcure of the "Father of our Country" on high amidst our flags, and quite rejoiced in this foreign land, over our National holiday - We see a

great many Americans and do what we can for them, and a good many we are glad to say, come with letters to us from friends. It is so pleasant to see some one from home. We did not accept invitations or go out for a week, upon hearing tha shocking news from Washington, of Secretary Tracy's sorrow, and Secretary Blaine's double loss -

It is gratifying to see how beautifully Mrs Grant is always received and treated in our country just as she was during the life time of General Grant; a glaring contrast to the way in which poor widows here are put aside (unless they have some high rank in their own home), forgotten, as any other part of the household of the departed, great

17th though we deeply regretted that she could not remain here, I scarcely dared hope that she could give up her own home. The best people many of them, do not speak English, and society, here, is gay in the season, chiefly in the way of balls and evening parties, instead of dinners and the luncheons, common now in more modern places

Though, as Fred always says, a king's wife during his lifetime, over here, is far from being the real help-mate and friend, that an American wife always is, to her husband whatever his rank. We trust the "Easter" will dawn upon you and Senator Stanford with your health and happiness renewed- truly when we think of your deeds of kindness and charity of the many who have learning and contentment through your good works, we realize that happines must be yours here and here after. Fred and I join in most affectionate regards for you and the Senator, our chlidren also send their love. They treasure always their beautiful souvenirs of you. Yours faithflully & affectionately Ida Honore Grant

I am ashamed to send this long letter