MY DEAR MR. CRAMER: 

Before leaving England I had accepted invitations to visit cities and country houses in Scotland—­and places in England not yet visited by me—­to take up all the month of September and part of October.  I thought there was time for me to visit this interesting country and to make a run through Denmark, Sweden and Norway and get back to Scotland in time to keep my engagements.  But I have found so much of interest here, and the modes of conveyance so slow in reaching the points of greatest interest, that it is already too late to go even to Denmark, leaving out Norway and Sweden.  Already we have spent eight actual days in carriages in getting from point to point, exclusive of other modes of travel.  We have visited most of the lakes and crossed the principal passes in Switzerland and Northern Italy.  It has all been exceedingly interesting to me, the greatest regret being that I had not more time.

I intend yet to visit Denmark, and the countries north of it, but whether this fall or next season is not yet determined.  Probably about next June.  I am sorry not to be able to see Mary before she returns to America.  I do not expect to return there before next July a year, and possibly not so early.

All send love to Mary and the children with kindest regards for yourself.

Yours truly,

U.S.  GRANT.

DR. M.J.  CRAMER,
United States Minister,
Copenhagen, Denmark.

BRISTOL HOTEL,
BURLINGTON GARDENS,
LONDON, W.

Aug. 26, ’77.

MY DEAR MR. CORBIN: 

We arrived here from the Continent yesterday, and found awaiting us your very acceptable letter.  On Wednesday we start again to visit Scotland where I have had many invitations from both corporations and from private gentlemen.  We will take about three weeks for this trip, after which we will visit some portions of England not yet visited, and Nellie at her home, and get to Paris the latter part of October.  The papers no doubt will keep you advised of our movements in advance of anything I could write to go by mail.  Our visit has been most agreeable in every particular.  People everywhere, both travellers and residents, did all they could to make everything pleasant for us.  How long we will remain abroad is not yet determined, but I think for two years yet if the means to do so hold out.

During my visit to the Continent I saw but few American papers so that I am now somewhat behind in information as to what has been going on in the United States.  All the foreign papers however have been full of the great strike which has taken place on our roads.  It must have been serious but probably not so serious as it seemed at a distance.  My judgment is that it should have been put down with a strong hand and so summarily as to prevent a like occurrence for a generation.

We have made a short visit to Nellie at her home.  She lives in a delightful part of the country.