THE NATION'S KIND WISHES. GENERAL GRANT'S BIRTHDAY A HAPPY ONE.

General Grant had a happy birthday. He went outdoors twice and joined his full family at the birthday dinner, enjoying the evening with them afterward. The day passed as quietly in the house as could be expected, and the General was able to read many of the messages of congratulation addressed to him. The perfume of flowers filled his home from early morning and the bell rang all day long. The parlor floor was rich with the color of many flowers, and upstairs they rested in every available space. Callers besieged the house until late in the day.

The Rev. Dr. Newman and a visitor from California were greeted by the General as he came down prepared for a drive. He talked with them in a very cheerful manner. In the evening he descended into the parlor to see Rev. Dr. Tiffany and was still in good spirits, but had done so much talking by that time that his vocal muscles felt strained and tired. The General rested in the last part of the afternoon, so that he felt refreshed when dinner was announced at 6:30 o'clock. The family has entered the dining room when the General came downstairs. He was joyfully greeted and seemed very happy.

In the center of the table, 63 tapers were aflame amid banks of flowers. Dinner occupied about two hours, the General relishing it as much as anyone. After dinner there were family devotions, then all went into the parlor. Word had reached the house that part of the Seventh Regiment would march past, and the General said he wanted to review them. With this purpose the parlor curtains were pushed aside and the house was lighted. Many people gathered in the street and looked on at the brilliant scene. But the troops did not come and at 10 o'clock, thoroughly wearied by the excitement of the day, the General went to his room.

After a quiet morning, the General went driving at noon with Mrs. Grant and their daughter and son, U.S. Grant, Jr. They were gone nearly an hour. As soon as Dr. Douglas left after a consultation at 4:00, the General, with the collar of his Spring overcoat upturned and carrying a cane, came out and walked to the corner, walking slowly and with a slight limp. He seemed to be in pain and was less firm on his feet than formerly, but he was naturally worn by exertion during the day. He went back into the house unaided. During the walk he recognized three of his neighbors by bowing, because they had hung out flags to celebrate his birthday.