On Tuesday we start up the Nile on a special steamer provided by the Khedive.  We expect to go as far as to the first rapids stopping at all the points of interest on the way.  This will probably take three weeks.  On our return we expect to go to Suez, thence by Canal to Port Said, and then take our steamer again.  From Port Said we will go to Joppa and out to Jerusalem.  Returning to Joppa we will go to Beirout, and out to Damascus—­possibly diverging to visit Baalbec, thence to Smyrna from which we will visit Ephesus, thence to Constantinople.  Returning we will stop a few days at Athens, thence to old Syracuse on the island of Sicily, then to some convenient point on the Italian coast from which to reach Rome.  We will remain in Rome for several weeks.  Should you write me any time within six weeks from this directed to the care of our Minister at Rome, the letter will reach me.

Altogether we have had a most pleasant visit.  Our return to America during this year depends somewhat on circumstances, principally the means to stay away longer.  It is likely this will be the last opportunity I shall ever have of travelling abroad and I am desirous of making the most of the pleasant opportunity.—­Give our love to Mother, Jennie and Mary, and accept my thanks for your kind offers.

Very truly yours,

U.S.  GRANT.

Constantinople,
March 5th, ’78.

MY DEAR MR. CRAMER: 

On my arrival here I found your letter inquiring especially about the time I expect to be in Copenhagen.  My plan is to be in Sweden by the middle of June, and after visiting that country and Norway, to return by way of Copenhagen.  It is not likely that I shall be there before the fifth to the tenth of July, and it may be that I shall like the northern country so well that my visit to Copenhagen will be postponed even a month longer.

We have had a delightful winter.  Over a month was spent in Egypt, visiting the old ruins of that country under the most favorable circumstances.  Leaving Cairo we visited Suez and passed through the Suez Canal to Port Said.  From the latter place we went to Joppa and out to Jerusalem.  Since then we visited Smyrna and Ephesus and are now here.  The Russians are outside of the city but do not come in.  A stranger would not detect from appearances that an enemy was so near.  In fact I think the Turks now regard the Russians as about the only people in Europe from whom they can expect anything.

When you write home give my love to Mother, Mary and children, and
Jennie.

I will inform you later, when I know definitely, about the time to expect me in Copenhagen.

Very truly yours,

U.S.  GRANT.

Rome, Italy,
March 29th, ’78.

MY DEAR MR. CORBIN: