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

Just when you think you and the Senator will be coming to Vienna, as we want to make our plans accordingly - You have no idea, with what happiness we hear of your proposed trip abroad this year, and it would indeed be the source of greatest distress to us, if we should by chance be absent or not near enough to come to receive you here, when you should be ready to come to Austria - you do not say how long the Senator would remain at Kissingen - Perhaps you would be coming here in June? We are most anxious to hear. Fred had not made positive arrangements, but has planned to put his 60 days leave, all together and get permission from Washington, to go away during July and August, as those months are said to be excessively hot, the most disagreeable ones in Vienna. Then in those hot months, the children would be released from their studies, and we might take our (my) first little trip in Europe - as us remaining

He certainly deriv0ed wonderful benefit from the waters before, indeed you both looked better than we had ever seen you, last spring - It was really too bad that you were ill after that, but you said nothing in your letter, dear Mrs Stanford about your health, which we hope is now entirely re-established. We hear from everyone of Mrs Grant's good health

here, we would be uncomfortable in the mid-summer unless we were to take a villa near by the city in the country - We wish not to leave here, before you come, whether it be late or early or we would plan to return here. We are so delighted that you find Kissengen a convenient resort, and that the Senator, though already so much better in health, will take the course again

as well as from herself - All agree that she has never looked better indeed I think her jaunt abroad, though very hard for her in anticipation, proved most beneficial in reality, last season. She quite dreaded the voyage just before sailing, but later took the greatest comfort in it, quite, as it is with her keeping house, which she always dreads, and would not and could not give up for the world. She is most happy in seeing her friends this winter, and having many of her family near her, all of which is a great comfort and satisfaction to Fred and me since she could not consent to remain over here, with us. Mrs Grant has not yet written us, her plans for the summer, which will require some discussion I suppose and she must decide between her lovely little cottage at Long Branch, staying with Bush and Fannie at their farm where they have just added a room especially pretty for Mrs Grant, I

done here by certain rules and laws of etiquette - The Ambassadors have all been having their state banquets to which we have been asked, and we have quite enjoyed the ceremonies and seeing the gold-laced [ ?] servants etc. - We also have dined this week with the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, ( a great honor it is thought here) who live as you know, near Vienna, since he is no longer king, and we think the Duchess quite charming. Most

here or travelling during the Season, either at home or abroad - The latter plan would certainly delight us, as she might then be persuaded to stay with us a while - though as Mrs Grant always says to us her say, "Mothers should be entirely free to do as they choose" though their children are always so happy to be near them. We have been quite occupied here ourselves of late as it is the fashion to give dinners after lent, and everything [ ?]

amiable and lovely in character like her sister, the Princess of Wales - He, the Duke, was intensely interested in talking of General Grant's book, about which he asked so many questions, that Fred has presented him with a copy - they have been especially kind to us, she remembers Fred when he was a youth and dined with her family the King & Queen of Denmark, his father being our President at that time. Of course General and Mrs Grant were entertained by them beautifully as they were by all the royalties, when they were abroad. We have of course been obliged to return some of the invitations and have just had quite a large dinner for the Minister of State, Count [Kalusky ?]and some of the Ambassadors, but hope now to settle down to a more quiet life - The saying is that all society loves Vienna between the last days of May and the first days of June. We have the greatest pleasure in seeing the many Americans, who are now passing through Vienna on their way from the east and south. It is a great happiness, to see them in this foreign land, & do [what ?]