officers were made and immediately
confirmed. Those of Blaine and Windom were anticipated but the
remainder of the cabinet excited some surprise. They were
comparatively new men, without much, if any, experience in
congressional life, but were well known in their respective states
as gentlemen of ability and high character. A bare majority of
the Senate were classed as Republicans. They retained the organization
of the committees and no material changes were made. The Senate
acted upon its general custom to confine its business to that which
it could do alone without the action of the House. It adjourned
on the 2nd of April, 1889.

CHAPTER LVI.
FOUR AND A HALF MONTHS IN EUROPE.
Our Party Takes Its Departure on the "City of New York" on May 1--
Personnel of the Party--Short Stop in London--Various Cities in
Italy Visited--Sight-Seeing in Rome--Journey to Pompeii and Naples
--Impressions of the Inhabitants of Southern Italy--An Amusing
Incident Growing Out of the Ignorance of Our Courier--Meeting with
Mr. Porter, Minister to Rome--Four Days in Florence--Venice Wholly
Unlike Any Other City in the World--Favorable Impression of Vienna
--Arrival at Paris--Reception by the President of the Republic of
France--Return Home--My Opinion Concerning England and Englishmen
--Reception at Washington--Campaigning Again for Foraker--Ohio Ballot
Box Forgery and Its Outcome--Address at Cleveland on "The Congress
of American States"--Defeat of Foraker for Governor.

Soon after the close of the called session in April, 1889, Mrs.
Sherman and I concluded to make a trip to Europe. Both of us had
been confined more than usual for over a year, and needed recreation
and a change of scene. We went to New York on the 27th of April,
stopping with my niece, Mrs. Alfred M. Hoyt. On the next day we
witnessed from the battery the naval parade in honor of the centennial
of the inauguration of Washington. On the first of May my little
party, composed of Mrs. Sherman, Miss May Hoyt, my daughter Mary
and myself, were driven to the steamer "City of New York," and
there met Senator Cameron and his wife, with their infant child
and nurse, Mrs. Colgate Hoyt, a niece of mine, with four children
and nurse, and Mrs. Henry R. Hoyt, child and nurse. With this
large party we had a joyous and happy voyage. Among the passengers
we found many agreeable companions and had the usual diversions,
such as music, singing and card playing. We arrived at Qu