And, alas! In the midst of it all, with its soft glow of lights, its sweet breath of flowers, its throb of music and bewildering radiance of banners, there was a vacant chair. Upon it hung a wreath of green, tied with a knot of white ribbon. Soldier and statesman and orator walked past that chair and seemed to reverence it. It was the seat intended for the trumpet tongued advocate of Grant in war, Grant in victory, Grant in peace, Grant in adversity--the seat of Roscoe Conkling. A little later and a clergyman jostled into the vacant chair and brushed the green circlet to the floor. Gray and grim old General Sherman presided. About the nine round, flower heaped tables were grouped the long list of distinguisned men from every walk or life and from every section of the country. Among the speakers was Ex-Minister Edwards Pierrepont who was one of Grant's cabinet and who made a long speech, part of which was devoted to explaining the court etiquette of dukes and earls and ministers in England, and how an ex- President of the United States ranks in Europe when an American Minister helps him out. The rest of the speech seemed to be an attempt to get up a presidential boom for the Prince of Wales. When Mr. Pierrepont sat down, General Sherman explained that Col. Robert Ingersoll did not want to speak, but a group of gentlemen lifted the orator up and carried him forward by main force.--New York Herald, April 28,1888. TOAST: GENERAL GRANT