Evening Star Newspaper, January 26, 1889, Page 10

10 MAMMOTH MARBLE TERRACES. Butiding an Imposing Approach to the Capitol. YHE WORK NEARLY COMPLETED—HOW IT WAS BE- GUN AND CONTINUED—A BURIED ARCADE—THE PROPOSED ENTRANCE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF MEMBERS —THE SAVING OF STEPS, The terrace in front of the capitol, looking west, has begun to show something of what it is tobe. In fact it is nearly finished. The open winter has permitted the work to go on, and it is at that stage now where every day's work tells. One who has not been at the capi- tol for two months would be surprised on going there now to see the change that has taken place within that time. Nineteen-twentieths of the work is done. It is not to be expected that much, if any, work can be done in Feb- ruary and March, but it is expected that the staircase and terrace will be completed by July. THE FIRST APPROPRIATION for the terrace was made in 1882, but the act was passed too late for the building season, and the appropriations during the next three years were made piece-meal gnd always just at atime to miss the regular building « , #0 there has always been delay. Moreover. only a part of the work has been authorized at a time, contracts could not be made at once for whole work. At first the Ho would no! sent to the expenditure. The Senate upon it, and asa compromise the Hou the Senate it could do as it pleased with its own end of the building and they (the members of the lower House), would not attempt to check their extravagance. The Senate might have a terrace on that end of the building, but as for the House, it would live up to the idea of Jeffersonian simplicity and do without this architectural ornamentation. So the work be- gan in THIS ONE-SIDED WAY. The first appropriation was for a marble ter- race on the north end of the building, which should not extend beyond the northwest corner. This kept the improvement out of sight of the House. Then the Senate got permission for an- other section and began work on the west frontof the Senate wing: By this time the work on the north end looked so well and the building was so out of balance that the economy of the House gave way to temptation and they authorized a terrace like it on the southend. The Senate ter- race advanced along the west front toward the main central entrance, and little by little the House gave way and the terrace from that side crept around to meet the other. Finally an ap- Propriation was made last year to COMPLETE THE ENTIRE WORK. the terraces, the grand staireasg branching each way, the fountain and all that. The econ- omy of the House had been entirely overcome, but the work has cost more than it otherwise would have by reason of it. ‘The work is very extensive, and besides be- ing a thing of beauty to render magnificent that approach to the capitol, which is its chief urpose, the inside of the terrace affords 108 large rooms, twenty-eight of which open into the court with large windows and are suitable for working purposes—committee or otherwise, The other rooms are lighted from above and | are suited for storage, for which purpose they are greatly needed. Some idea of the extent of the terrace will be given by these figures: The girth of the marble walls of the terrace and its approaches measures 2,760 lineal feet, or a little over half a mile, and the granite walls forming the court and those of the central passage, 672 feet more, making the entire length of the exterior walls 3,422 lineal feet. or nea hree-quarters of a mile. The front walla. 0 feet, are equal to 110 store fronts of 25 feet each. All the appro- priations for the work, including that of last year, which is to complete it, except the inter- Bal finish of the rooms and the heating, amounts to $815,000. The work has advanced far enough now to add to the beauty of the building. On the south and north ends the terraces are com- leted and surmounted with the balustrades. the House side the terrace extends along the west front to the beginning of the grand central staircase in an almost completed state, surmounted by the balustrade. The marble sides of that branch of the staircase are up and nearly all the steps laid. ON THE SENATE SIDE the work is further advanced. That branch of the staircase is in use, and from there around to its northeastern extremity the terrace is complated, except as to the top paving and mere finishing off. The two sections of the work—from the House side and from the Sen- ate side—have really come together, but this union is not yet quite completed. All the cross walls that support the main platform on the middle line, from which the two staircases branch to the right and left, are all up, and the iron girders are laid across the last narrow space. 4& DOUBLE ARCADE. Between the two staircases, in a half circle, are to be the fountain and the Marshall statue— the statue is there; the fountain is not yet built. Back of the fountain the half circle is formed by two tiers of white marble arcades. ‘The lower of these, which is on the fountain level, is completed, and the first two tiers of stone in the upper have been laid. The lower arcade is merely the support of that part of the terrace and the arches are backed against the solid earth, forming niches, in which ivy will be planted to give the appearance of depth, ‘The arches above will span windows and the lower central doorway. The effect of the lower arcade is striking and suggests the grandeur that may be expected when the double arcade is complete. A BURIED COLONNADE, But there is still another arcade below this and running along the entire front of the ter- race. This, though, is under ground and never will be seen until many ages hence when some archaeologist may be digging in the ruins of this great building and be greatly puzzled by the discovery of this buried colonnade. It might greatly perplex him to tell when and how it was built and what for. He would probably consider it of greater antiquity than the rest of the building. It is merely founda- tion and was not erected, but was moulded in the ground. It is only conjectured that if the earth were dug away it would disclose a very Fespectable row of columns surmounted by arches. In digging to the foundation it was found impracticable to get a foundation in the | usual way, by digging a trench, so deep wells 4 were dug at intervals. Into these well ured cement and arches were thrown across ‘om one well to the other for a support for the foundation. The hardened cement in these wells forms moulded columns and give a power- ful foundation for the whole terrace, The pavement on top of the terrace must be water tight, as a roof for the rooms within, and it will be made of concrete, underneath being a solid foundation of cement over the brick arches. Alternately on the marble balus- trade will be bronze lamps and urns, Flowers and vines will be planted in the square beds re- served for that purpose along the top of the terrace and surrounded by a coping of Ten- Bessee marble. AN UNDERGROUND ENTRANCE. In connection with this work Mr. Clark has been asked to make an estimate for a private “members’ entrance” on the ground level of the terrace, with an elevator to take the mem- bers up to the rotunda. The idea of the mem- ber asking for this estimate is to introduce a Proposition in the House to tunnel under the Staircase to make such an entrance 80 as to avoid the steps. Mr. Clark says that the only way such a thing could be done without undermining the foundations would be to cut through one of the committee rooms on the lower level at one side of the staircase, and run the elevator up one of the smail courts or wells just outside the dome. If this were done, he says, it would be = as well to let the elevator 0 up to the t great balcony of the dome. While the saving of steps for the weary Statesmen is under consideration, it is sug- ested that the best way would be to have a ‘ge tunnel ent right through under the capi- tol from north to south—from B street north to Bstreet south—through which to run the street cars. Senators and, members could then be lifted, by means of elevators, from the latform of the cars up into the Senate, House, upreme Court, or where else they chose. It tay be some time before this idea is carried out, but an effort will be made to get an ele- Vator to carry members from the Marshall statue up to the rotunda, alia The Minister’s Suggestion. tin her rocking-chair, and scissors and thread, 254 Glked an whe sewed of her neighbors’ faults, 110 (he iaininter winked he was dead. But be wnt quite etill in his patient way, An wend wil her acid tail, od on thie one, and them op that, 11 nok -beaked naw. “These wimeors are ccoaatuliy dull,” sid she, Asher sewing she enerily fone On 6 nair, the winsater murmured low— “Tusn why doe't you wen your tonguot™ homer ce Journal. wae THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, SANUARY 26, 1889 ining” LI HUNG CHANG. An Interview with the Uncrowned King of China. HOW THE TALK WAS SECURED—OFFICIAL SUR- ROUNDINGS—CROSS-EXAMINED BY THE GREAT VIckRoY—1 VIEWS ABOUT COREA, THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRALIA—-WILLCHINA RETALIATE? From Tue Stan's Traveling Comraissioner. Trentsix, November 15, 1888. The emperor of China is invisible to any bar- barian eye, and if he were not, he is still but a boy and probably knows less about his country than the least of his officials, The real empe- ror is the empress—his aunt, and her proud and determined personality is known to the | outside world chiefly through Li Hung-chang. Between the empress and the great viceroy there is a close political partnership and an offensive and defensive alliance. Therefore the presence of the viceroy is the nearest pos- sible approach for a foreigner to the throne of China, And all the world knows that he is one of the most interesting and powerful men in it. Viceroy of the province of Chihli, hence ex oficio the guardian of the gate of China, senior of the four grand secretaries of state, formerly grand guardian of the heir apparent, president of the board of war, superintendent of the North sea trade. Count Shinu-ki of the first rank, special plenipotentiary times with- ou number, practical owner of an army of 5.000 men and a fleet which. so far as wood and iron go, is second to none in the east, im- mensely wealthy, preternaturally astute, ut- | terly unscrupulons. having at last overcome all his enemies and even able to laugh calmly at the dreaded censors themselves, Li Hung- chang may be fairly looked upon’ as the ruler of these 350,000,000 of shaven heads and plaited tails, at least so far as the outside world is con- cerned. If I had a chief object in my journey around the world, it was to interview Li Hung- chang. And I have just talked with him for nearly two hours. BEFORE THE INTERVIEW. It will easily be believed that he is not the most accessible of men, and after waiting a week at Tientsin for an answer to my request for an interview, my methods of influence be- ing all exhausted for the moment, I had tem- porarily relinquished the project and ordered my ponies to be ready to start for Peking the next morning. It happened to be the race day at Tientsin and business was suspended, the banks closed and everybody gone to the course. At half-past 2, as I had my foot in the stir- rup to go top, a European-looking note was put into my hand. It was beautifully written, and read: ‘Dear Mr. Norman:I have the pl ure to inform vou that his excellency the Vice- roy Li will be pleased to receive you after- noon at 4:30. Ihope therefore to find you in | the waiting-room of his excellency’s yamén at the hour appointed. Yours sincerely, Lo Feng So I had succeeded. But there was no time to be lost, as the viceroy’s residence is 2 | or 3 miles from the hotel and it was necessary to procure a chair, with bearers in official r: hats, and a man to carry one’s card, for I was | informed that it would not be properly dignified | to pay such a visit of ceremony on horseback or in a jinriksha. A friendly Chinese merchant soon procured these for me, and the four bear- ers carried me off in the closed chair, like a cat in a basket, at the rate of 5émiles an hour, while the card-man trotted alongside and ob- jurgated anybody who got.in the way. Mr. Lo ‘éng Luh, I should add, is the English secre- tary to the viceroy, and an official holding sev- eral important appointments. THE OFFICIAL GATE. The yamén (literally “official gate”) of a Chinese official is his combined private and official residence, though in general use the word “yamén” is equivalent to “office” or “bu- reau.” It consists always of a large number of buildings surrounded by a strong wail, with a wide gateway and painted doors. In the center are the official’s private living-rooms and the apartments of his wife and concubines, if he has any; then comes his secretaries’ offices, his waiting-rooms, and his large official court or | reception-room. Around the yard into which | you enter are the buildings where his servants and “runners” live, the latter being the harpy- | like dependents, who shout when his distin- | gushed visitors enter, form his train when he goes out, do all his dirty work, “squeeze” his titioners and sell his secrets—a bad lot. If e is a magistrate his yamén contains also a prison, and his “runners” stand by to deal with culprits condemned to “eat bamboo.” An official yamén is also a house of refuge for anybody fleeing from popular vengeance. Half an bour’s shaking through the narrow streets of the native city of Tientsin brought me to a bridge over the river, across which -two dense crowds were passing both ways—coolies, beg- ‘ars, mandarins in chairs, on ponies, and on lonkeys, and all kinds of common citizens. By the time we had jostled half-way across THE FAMOUS YAMEN was in fall view—a mass of roofs inclosed ina high wall of grey brick, with a big gateway projecting at one side, over which ascore of flags and banners were dehy while in fronta crowd of petitioners and beggars raised a ceaseless hubbub. My bearers broke into a trot as soon as they came in sight of the gate, and entering it swung rapidly round a blank wall built directly in front of it, and deposited me in the court-yard behind. This wall is set up in every yamén with the geomantic object of stopping evil influences, which can only pro- | ceed in a straight line.’ Two enormous and gaudy figures of officials or emperors or deities —I don't know which—were pasted to the doors, and a these, so placed as to catch the eye of the viceroy every time he goes forth, is asimilar flaming monster, the fan or beast avarice—a warning against the besetting sin of Chinese officialdom. While I was noticing these. and the runners loitering about were commenting in chorus upon my personal ap- | pearance in a manner evidently very entertain- ing to themselves, my card-man had rushed | forward and two petty officials came to con- duct me to the waiting-room. THIS WAS THE FIRST SURPRISE. The great man’s ante-room resembled the out- | paitent’s waiting-room in a charity hospital at | home—a bare, dirty, white-washed room, no | bigger than an ordinary parlor, with a seat like thatof a third-class railway carriage running around it, broken at intervals of acouple of feet | by small ‘tables placed upon it. Mr. Lo Féng | Luh, by contrast more resplendent in his offi- cial winter dress of silk and satin and sable and ermine, wearing. of course, a red-roofed hat crowned by a big button, was already there, and tea was served tous at once. Before we had time to touch it, however, the viggroy's chamberlain came to say that the Chung Tang awaited us. Ishould explain that to say “Li | Hung-chang,” as we do, is to Chinese ears both ignorant and rude; he should be spoken of as “Li Chung Tang,” i. ¢., “Grand Secretary Li,” or, more simply, “the Chung Tang,” ‘The for- eign community at Tientsin, at least all of them who have much to do with the Chinese, invariably employ the last expression, IN THE PRESENCE. We followed the chamberlain, or whatever he was, for a couple of minutes across a yard, through several door-ways, around the veranda of an open court, and turned abruptly into a room and around a large screen. “The vice- roy,” said Mr. Lo, with perfect European man- ners, as he soogeee back and left me face to face with a tall and strongly-built Chinaman, who put out his hand and smiled pleasantly and ited a solitary syllable. “The viceroy says he is very = to see you,” explained Mr. Lo, very much as a proud mother elab- orately interprets the inarticulate cackle of her first-born. The great man acknowledged my bow in the Chinese manner—by bowing with his clasped hands at the height of his chin, and motioned us to be seated, myself op- lounge site him, Mr, Lo on a foreign circular tween us, | | LI CHUNG TANG is a pure Chinaman, not Manchu, like the dynasty he serves. He is very tall for a Chi- nese, 5 feet 11, I should guess, and must have been a powerful man in his youth, His face is the most strongly moulded I have seen in China—not flat, as they usually are, but with all the features distinctly marked and the lines broad and deep—a face that would hold its own in comparison with any foreign face. A thin gray moustache and ‘chin beard” did not con- ceal his mouth and chin at all, but what the general expression of his face may be I have no idea, as he wore an enormous pair of round tortoise-shell goggles. This may be his cus- tom, as it certainly gives him a great advan- tage in diplomatic conversation. or it may be by a temporary order of the doctor, as he is jast recovering from a rather alarming attack of facial paralysis which rendered him unable to speak for several days and of which I can see traces in the twitching and drawn lines of the side of his face. But at any rate he looked me straight in the eye during nearly the whole of our interview, while I have so slight a notion of what he really looks like, that I doubt if I should recognize him in the street without his glasses. HOW HE WAS DRESSED, The viceroy was dressed simply, not to say shabbily, in the ordinary Chinese stiff round bat, a thickly padded upper garment of some kind of yellow silk and an undergarment of gray silk. His hands were tucked into his wide sleeves and came out twice during our conversation, opce when he wished to blow his nose, which he did the carpet in a familiar but manner, once when he was startled by a little piece of news. Stood with pipe, oking materials node, at sf wit , STM mate: and fire, a! tho bask of the seve i . and every fir minutes he walked solemnly forward, filled the pipe, blew the fire-stick into a 5 viceroy ned one corner of his mot the attendant lie = 1e inserted the stem and ap light to the bowl, the great man smoke and opeved his mouth again, when the pipe-bearer withdrew as he had come. This occurred a score times at least, and neyer & muscle did the viceroy move, except just to ie the corner of his mouth wide enough to admit the pipe-stem. THE RECEPTION-ROOM is a small parlor, well-furnished with modern European furniture, except on one side where an alcove, hung with scarlet silk, contains a cushion and table adapted for sitti and writing inthe Chinese fashion. The Chung Tang probably sits {n this elevated port on state occasions; on the present he reclined ve comfortably on a sofa, Three or four atten ants did nothing, and did it well, simply listen- ing to the conversation, while 1 saw in the background that another had opened a window an inch and was listening from outside, These attendants are always present at official inter- views, extraordinary as such a habit may seem to us, and the natural result is that most of the foreign representatives have one at each yYamén in their pay, and that there are few secrets which money will not buy. After I left the Chung Tang I met a facetious acquainance who inquired where I had been. “Talk- ing with the viceroy,” I replied, ‘“Oh,” he said, “I'll get all you said to him fora couple of dollars to-morrow.” Naturally I offered it to him then and there at half price. There are two interesting pictures in this re- ception-room. One represents the fable of the monkey, the cat, and the chestnuts, and I be- lieve the viceroy pointed to this ona recent occasion when he was approached on behalf of British interests in Thibet. The other puzzled me a good deal. It hung immediately over the viceroy’s own seat, and was a very large, full- length portrait in oil, representing a tall’ man with a long gray beard, in a frock coat, and covered with decorations, Later I learned that it was a portrait of Herr Krupp, presented by himself. Its position suggests the retlection— an undoubtedly true one—that the Chinese will love that foreigner best who will best help them to keep all foreigners away. THE INTERVIEW. As soon as we were seated, an attendant brought tea and champagne and placed them on a little table beside euch of us, and the in- terview began, Mr. Lo translating so_perfectly and so promptly that it was as though we were both speaking the same language. My own idea, of course, was that I was about to inter- view the vicer« Nothing was further from his intention, which was clearly to interview me. Question after question fell from his. li for one mortal hour, and as Mr. Lo apparently did not translate the feeble attempts I made from time to time to stem the interrogatory torrent, I was as helpless as a man in a den- tist’s chair. I think the best thing Ican do is to repeat the first part of the conversation ver- batim, not that the subject-matter is of the slightest importance, but because it throws a flood of light on the working of the viceroy’s mind, and exhivits such a curious mixture of childishness, astuteness and Chinese manners. After nearly an houz of it I began to feel that I must be with Alice in Wonderland. Here it pol ea as nearly word for word as I can re- call it. A FLOOD OF QUESTIONS. “The viceroy hopes you are in good health and that you have had a pleasant journey.” Reply taken for granted. “Where have you been?” and “Where are you going?” Easily answered. “How old are you?” This, I after- ward learned, is an enquiry essential to polite- ness in China; I ought to have returned the compliment. newspaper?” The largest in the world, was the natural stereotyped reply, but the’ next question was a staggerer. “What is your yearly income from writing for newspapers?” remembered, fortunately, that our debating society at college had decided on one ocei that it was sometimes justifiable to deviate from veracity, and I replied accordingly, with the natural result that the next remark was, “His excellency says you must be a very skil- ful writer to earn so much money.” I could not observe whether he also winked under his goggles. “You have mai have you no companion?’ “Are you not afraid of being stabbed?” “In dangerous countries—not, of course, in China— Icarry means of defending myself.” “The viceroy says you must have been in very great danger.” “Not to my knowledge.” “The world is full of wicked people.” *‘His excellency is evidently well acquainted with it.” “ARE YOU GOING To THIBET?” I took this enquiry for a joke, as nobody knows better than the chung tang that it is almost as easy to go to the moon, so I replied in the same spirit, “yes, and I have specially to beg from his excellency the favor of a safe- conduct and letter of recommendation to the grand llama himself.” But it was no joke at all. “Impossible!” exclaimed the viceroy, sit- ting bolt upright so suddenly that the pipe- bearer narrowly escaped prodding him in the eye with the mouth-piece. ‘Impossible! Cer- tainly not! I cannot do anything of the kind. It would be most unwise in him to think of go- ing.” I did not dare to admit that I had ven- tured to joke with the great man, so I said, “Then if it is impossible for me to go, perhaps his excellency will tell me What is the trath about the recent troubles.” ‘The people of ‘Thibet are very foolish,” was the reply, “but I have sent a commissioner to them, who is at this moment conferring with the English, and there will be no more fighting.” f trica to look like a person who believes what he is told. As a matter of fact, Li Hung-chang has as much power over the Thibetans as the sultan has over the mahdi, but Thibet is a very sensitive spot with the ‘Chinese authorities, and they will probably do anything, even to declaring war, to keep it out of the hands of the barbar- ians. COREAN MATTERS, From this point conversation, orrather cross- examination, became very serious, ‘When you were in Seoule did you see the Chinese Resident Yuen?” “I did not.” “Did you see Judge Denny?” “Frequently.” “Why did you not call upon Yuen?” “Because my time there was very limited and I knew I could learn the Chinese side of the dispute better here. And now that Ihave the honor of conversing with his excellency perhaps he will permit me to ask him—" Vain attempt! “Did you see the Russian minister there?” “Frequently.” “And the British consul?” “I was his guest.” “Were yon presented to the king?” “I was.” “What is e going to do?” “I have little notion—prob- ably nothing.” “What are the Russians goin; to do?” “Nothing.” “Have you any goo: reasons for thinking so?” “Many.” “Will you please enumerate them?” “Well, first, "be- cause they don’t want Corea—I doubt if’ they would take it as a gift.” “But is it not essen- tial to them that they should have a port on the Pacific from which their ships can issue in winter?” “They can issue in winter from the port they have already.” “The viceroy says he does not understand you.” “They have an ice-breaking machine which can cuta way in or out ut any time.” When this reply was trans- lated to him the great Chinaman half rose from his sofa, drew both his hands from his sleeves, wagged them at Mr. Lo and grunted vocifer- ously. Then he violently blew his nose in the manner previously referred to. “Are you quite sure?” “Quite.” AT VLADIVOSTOK. P “Do you know what are the biggest guns the Russians have at Vladivostok?” « ” “What are they?” “Twelve inch, thirty-five tons.” ‘Is Viadivostok impregnable?” “No.” I de- termined that since I was thus cornered with a fire of questions I would not waste a word. “Could the English fleet take it?” “Yes—the Chinese Pei-Yang squadron could at present.” (i thought (ke og a compliment might be useful.) + by io you say ‘at present?’ cause it will be impregnable before long.” “You say you take pRotogrsphe— aia you pho- tograph Viadivostok?” “Yes,” “Can you re- produce these photographs?” “Yes.” “His excellency says, will you be kind enough to make him a present of a set of them?” “If his excellency will do me the honor to accept them.” (Mental reservation—“‘Don’t you wish you may get them!” As the Americans say, “It’s a durned poor man that can’t promise a pup.”) ‘Will younow please state your second reason?” ‘RUSSIA'S ATTITUDE. “Because by any action in Corea, Russia would offend China, Japan and England alike and precipitate a Pacific alliance against her- self, which she has far too much sense to do.” “What is your third reason?” At this point— and I have not given the conversation in half its wearisome detail—my patience — way. I had seen Li Hung-Chang, I had ed with him, I had examined his surroundings, and if he ron net going. to tell me anything, it was not worth while for mie to sit there any longer to be pumped. So I replied, “My opinions upon such a matter can have no value what- ever for his excellency, whereas if he would favor me with an authoritative statement con- cerning the relations of China, Corea and Rus- sia, it would have the A ayy tl pans value for the rest of the wor! panera amy ‘What is the circulation of your | silence. Then, speaking very deliberately, the viceroy said: CHINA, COREA AND RUSSIA. “The relations referred to in your question are as follows: There is a distinct understand- ing between China and Russia that any action by the latter in Corea will be regarded by the latter as a casus brili.” In reply toa second question the viceroy said: “At present the re- lations between China and Russia are simple. Upon the long Russian-Chinese frontier China is strong, Russia is weak. Vladivostok is very far from real Russia, It is alone, Russia and China had better be good friends.” “But when the trans-Siberian railway is finished, excel- lency—?” “Yes, then the relations of China and Russia will be revised. When will it be finished?” “Iam informed that there will be rail and water communication in four years.” “Then you must repeat your question to me after four years, As regards Corea, itis a country unable to stand by itself, any talk of its ‘independence’ is waste of words; the rela- tion of China to it is the same as it has always been, and you may be prepared shortly to see events which will make this relation quite clear ‘to all the world.” CHINESE IMMIGRATION. When he had once started the viceroy was willing to goon. Of course I asked him about the question of Chinese immigration to the United States, “I understand,” he said, as nearly as I remember, “that the newspapers havea great deal of infiuence in America. Well, tell them from me thatI ask them to refer the matter to their sense of justice. They make professions of dealing justly with all the world. How have they dealt with China? They refuse us citizenship, they suffer our people to be murdered or expelled by armed mobs, they shut us out of their country, except under certain severe restrictions, and then when we agree to these they break them off and exclude us altogether. China has never done so false and unjust an act as that, Yes, we have agreed toa good many of these restrictions, but we shall not agree to any more. China is able now to take her own ‘i- tion among western nations, and she will do so. . SHALL WE RETAIATE? Icannot say. We are perfectly able, and the temptation is great. We shall not submit in silence to outrage and treaty breaking, but I hope and believe Americans will see how wrong they are and alter their recent laws for them- selves. If not, the United States and China wiH not be friends. Now tell me about the English colonies. Has the queen the right or not to order her colonies to act justly, to can- cel unjust laws that they have’ made, and to punish them if they do not?” I explained that the right doubtless rested in theory with the imperial government. but that in practice it could hardly be exercised. ‘Then why call them colonies and subjects of the queen?” re- turned the viceroy. “Why not say at once that they are independent, and let us deal di- rectly with them?” “Rut is it a fact or not,” Tasked him, “that the Chinese g views the emigration of its people proval, considering that ious and fami i Y= e government.” was the severe and diplomatic reply, “demands for its subjects the rights that are accorded to them by solemn treaty, and the same favors that it accords to the subjects of other friendly powers.” “And with regard to Austra “At present we are at the stage of ‘And afterward?” “I cannot say.” ‘TWO PIECES OF NEWS. add two pieces of news ina few words. The long-projected railway from Tientsin to Tungchow, the port of Peking, from which city it is only 13 miles away and about 80 from Tientsin, is just about to be sanctioned by the emperor, the projec- tors’ petition having been passed on to the throne backed by Li, the seventh prince, and the Marquis Tseng. ''This is a step of import- ance which can hardly be exaggerated. And second, the Wharton Barker ‘American and Oriental Trust” scheme is about to be revived, but this time without Mitkiewiez, with conces- sions promised which have a real and great value, and with the co-operation of a certain amonnt of London capital. The viceroy took his glass at last and we all drank, Mr. Lo translating, “His excellency wishes you a pleasant journey, and says you will please give a good’ account of your inter- uiew with him in your newspaper.”. Then the viceroy accompanied me across his private courtyard and Mr, Lo politely saw me into my chair. Henry Norman. FASHION FANCI OF THE HOUR. GREEN remains a favorite color. Gray AND Purpieare again used for half mourning. Tue latest dangler for the chain or the chate- laine is a silver or a nickle locket for car fare. Princess Gowns, when worn by very young women, almost invariably button in the back. Wie Exastic Bexts, woven with silk cord and gold wire, are both stylish and convenient for wear with blouse waists, Osrricu feather fans in two shades are new and beautiful. They come in all colors, but pink, red and green are long favorites. Panis will wear nothing but rough woolens upon the street, and chooses them in some shade of green oftener than all other colors, ‘Tue Pivusu orn Brocave Baa for opera-glasses is now made 12 to 15 inches long, so as to con- tain and carry fan, handkerchief, and powder uff. “ Tue Batt Gowns of married women are elaborately embroidered and contrast magnifi- cently with the elegant simplicity that is de rigueur for the rosebuds. Many Hanpsome Cioaxs for evening wear are of gray, lined with flesh-pink or white. Gray velvet, with salmon-pink satin, is a pecu- liarly fetching combination. + AntiriciaL FLowens bloom all over this win- ter's ball gowns. They are so lovely as to almost rival nature. Ali of them show much green, especially lilac, acacia, or laburnum clusters. Ciota Gowns are as much worn as ever, but in place of the checks and mixtures so long seen are now made up in rich shades of plain cloth, with trimming of fur, braiding or em- broidery. TuovcH tHe VioteT is just now the day flower par excellence, white or pale blossoms are preferred for night wear, and nothing sur- sses a gardenia, with setting of its own green leaves. Tue Repincore now so much worn must be severely simple if it would approach good style. The skirt that goes with it must be like- wise plain and is usually different, both in color and in’stuff. * Fur wira Tvtxe is the highest novelty for evening wear. It is usedon the corsage, and Labrador sable is oftenest chosen. London belles go further and wear fur borders to lace gowns—or rather across the front of the silk underdress, with the long lace skirt draped to fall over it. Ix Footegar shoes of red crocodile leather, with pointed toes, buckles and very high heels are new and stylish. Shoes of Russia leather, for wear with tea gowns, come in all colors,an: must exactly match the costume. New button boots fasten straight up the front after the fashion of lacing. For tue Tueater Paris ordains the “‘capulet” —a hood of gathered white lace over white or ink satin—the fulness caught by one bow over the forehead, another back of the neck. Lon- don decrees a plush opera hood, with lace frill around the face, and long lace boas attached in place of strings, Marenuarn Fern, intermixed with the deli- cate pink that is sold for a song, is much used for table decoration by those whose purses or local habitation make blossoms just now out of the question. Sere and yellow grape leaves, pre: last autumn,are even more economical, and go wonderfully well with fruit of almost every kind. Frencu JEWELLERS are turning out many or- naments of dead Fm in Greek and Etruscan patterns. A necklace of long, slender leaves, with round beads between, is especially nota- ble, and goes well with the narrow chaplet of bay and olive leaves in red and green gold, that is the height of fashion for the hair. Seed and Harvest. A wonderful thing is a seed— The ae ine —— forever! ‘The one ing changeless, utterly true— Forever old, and forever new, ‘And fickle and faithless never. Plant blessings, and blessings will 8 Plant hate, and hate will grow: ae: Hf Seace Sat yore ak @ a he Swot, that you My head aches and I feel all broken up gener- ally.” Doctor—"You don't take exercise enough, You ride down to business instead of walking, a8 you'should.' Berrowiy---But I can’t afford to walk, it ree , and lunches cost x ths Written for Tae Evexrxe Stan. ETIQUETTE AND MANNERS. What to Do and What Not to Do in Polite Society. ‘MES. SHERWOOD'S CORRESPONDENCE COLUMN— HOW TO ACT IN THE PRESENCE OF COMPANY— INFORMATION ABOUT SENDING AND RETURNING CARDS—POLITENESS AND GOOD MANNERS, The following are the questions and answers that have been selected for publication this week as being of the most general interest: R. H. write the theater. During the intermission a young friend comes up and engages the gentleman in conversation. The gentleman who accom- panies the lady almost turns his back on the lady, nor does he introduce his friend, saying it is not etiquette to introduce in public places. It seemed to argue a lack of respect to the lady.” Indeed it was, but if a young lady goes alone to the theater with a young man without a chaperone she lays herself open to just such treatment. She should not do it again. G. W. asks the proper way to present a letter of introduction. Call with the letter, leave your card and ad- ess and wait to be sent for. the cards for a fashionable wedding?” Always the family of the bride. In England the groom is not allowed to pay for anything except the clergyman’s fee and for the carriage with which he drives the bride away. “Reader” ask Who should select the min- ister to perform the ceremony—bride or groom?” Always the bride. She is all powerful on the ocension of her weddin; x Loci” writes: “I returned a young lady's bow, not recollecting who she was. My manner betrayed my forgetfulness, as a third party afterward informed me. I sent a note to the young lady, apologizing for my stupidity. Should she not have answered the note, accept- ing or declining my apology ?” n the first place, the young lady was un- nevessarily observant. She should not have noticed the absence of recognition if you bowed. require an apology.” VULGAR REPETITIONS. You ask if we object to the terms “lady friend” and “gentleman friend.” Decidedly. They are vulgar and repetitions. H. R. 8. asks if it is proper for a widow to have her husband's or her own name on her visiting card, It is usual in this country for her still to bear her husband’s name, but it is not strictly legal, especially if she has a daughter-in-law who ars the same name, sks: ‘If four men make a call on a lady with her three daughters, who have three ladies visiting them, making seven in all, should each man send up a card to every lady, making eight cards in all.” This sounds like: “A man was voing to St. Ives, He met seven wifes, Each wife had seven sacks,” ete, As he has so much arithmetic he could prob- able solve this by the Rule of Three. “Ambitious” writes thus: “After my mar- riage, which was but a few months ago, I sent out cards for informal afternoon receptions (not teas) on a specified day of each week. Most of my callers are strangers to me, friends of my husband. I instructed my servant to answer the bell ith card receiver in hand. Was that correct?’ Yes; entirely so. “When I return these cards should I send up my name and leave card in the hall?” t is better to send up a card, as servants make great mistakes as to names. tea you would leave your card and a servant would announce your name as you enter. Al- ways have your address on your card. It helps the lady the next time she wishes to invite you, ACTS OF POLITENESS, Another question: “When a gentleman who had been entertaining us with music in the drawing-room arose to make his departure I was very much embarrassed to find myself the only woman to stand up. A friend told me it was not the custom for a woman to stand when a man took departure. Again I was blamed when making a call on a husband and wife that I did not rise when the husband came in, I afterward arose when his father came in, by way of atonement. Does age make a difference in this respect in one’s treatment of men? On another occasion I kept my seat when a gentle- man who had dined with us came to bid me good evening. Please tell me when to rise and stand in the presence of gentlemen,” There is no law about it, but we should say you were right when you rose to bid good by to the gentleman who had been entertaining you with music. If you were the hostess you certainly were right, and, again, it was proper for you to retain your seat when your friend's husband came in. Again, you were right in rising when his father came in, as age does entitle a man to these observances. You could not be expected to rise to bid your friend good night when he had been dining with you, but itmight be better to do so. These acts of politeness are entirely gratuitous on a woman's part, except toward high officials and old gen- tlemen. In Europe you would stand while the Prince of Wales or the Duc d’Aumale was speaking to you. A president, a governor, a member of the diplomatic corps, in cities where official position is recognized, would expect a lady to rise when he left the room. “Saturday” writes: “I was talking toa lady the other day, andI put my hand on her arm to emphasize what I was saying. She appeared very indignant. Now, why?” It is not in good taste to touch a lady's arm when talking to her. Abroad it is considered the greatest insult to nudge the elbow, slap a man on the back, or in any way to touch the pergon except to shake hands, SENDING CARDS, “Mrs, Cornelia” writes: “I have sent cards to Mrs, Iddesleigh for my Wednesdays for three years, She always comes to see me on Fridays. Ought I to stop sending her cards?” Yes. decidedly. The persistent ignoring of your day would seem like an insult. Although a card sent by mail is one recognized as an at- tention, the distances, the engagements and the carriage hire not permitting some ladies to make all their calls in a great city, all rules be- come inoperative. No lady can fulfill ail her duties in person. “If cards are left on your day you must consider it a call. “Young Lochinvar” asks: “If Ileave a card for a young lady must I leave one for her mother?” You must leave one for her mother, and not one for the young lady, until you have been asked to the house. “Mrs. Carleton” writes: “I was admitted to a lady’s house the other day, and then the ser- vant came back saying it was inconvenient for the lady to receive. Should I be offended?” No. It was probably a message stupidly given and badly translated by theservant, Ser- vants make half the trouble in this world by not knowing what to say at the door, BAD MANNERS, : “E. C. de C.” writes: ‘I have lately come to New York to live, and had occasion to employ new people, and sent lately for a typewriter. She came to me, but as I descended to m: - lor to greet her she did not rise, but, si in my best chair, allowed me to enter and ao to her without rising. She swungher feet and said: ‘Well, you sent for me, did you” I thought this very rude, as it is not the way I try. When I go to the tel woman clerk presides she rudely. Aman seems to understand his busi- ness better. At a famous dry goods shop I pre- sented my check, well known to the firm, and a young woman clerk refused it, saying, ‘Don't you know it’s not good.’ I went to the head of the firm, who was very much d and threatened to send her away, but I notice she is there yet. Is there no remedy in your great country for these bad manners?” We fear not. Bad manners seem to be on the increase, for the young woman who came to look for writer work, in not rising was inexcusable. probably lost a great deal of good work and pay by her lack of man- ners. As for manners of the ¥ bh ie gentleman takes a lady to | “May” asks: “Whose place is it to procure | Secondly, she should have answered your note | and have said that so “trifling a matter did not | Ata large | young rong Near who a strong under the silken doublet of a good manner. A friendly be- havior often conciliates more than wit or brilliancy, Fashion sense, entertain- company. E. W. Suzewoop. HOME MATTERS. EVERY-DAY SUGGESTIONS TO INDUSTRIOUS HOUSE- WIVES—LITTLE THINGS WELL WORTH RE- MEMBERING TO SAVE TIME AND TROUBLE—A FEW RECIPES FOR TOOTHSOME DISHES, ‘Tissue on Parntixo Paper is the best thing for polishing glass or tinware. Tue Best or Tea makes but an indifferent decoction unless the water is fresh. Eco Ssenis Cavsuep and shaken in a glass bottle half filled with water will clean it quickly, Parst Mave wrrn Tunrentixe is a better | protector for iron work than when mixed with | linseed oil. Kerosene 1s UNexcentep in starch to give polish; also to polish glass; it will make your windows shine like silver, To CLean OrNaMENTS OF ALABASTER dissolve borax in boiling water and apply with a cloth | or soft brush; rinse carefully and dry in the | sun, Pyevmoyta, Says Dr. Semenr. of New York, is a house disease, originating, with diphtheria | and inflammatory rheumatism. in damp, dirty, or unventilated rooms and cellars, Tae Remevy Acaiyst Sore TuRoat of wear- | ing a few threads of Berlin wool around the throat is said to act by keeping up a belt of | skin action and so acting as a counter-irritant. Ice-Cream Canxpy.—Three pints of sugar, | three-fourths of a pint of water, one teaspoon- : ful of cream of tartar, boil till it ropes, remove | from the fire and stir in any seasoning you wish and pull till white. Corres Ictxo.—Take half a pound of fresh | butter and quarter pound of powdered sugar, { and beat them toa cream in a bowl. adding drop by drop during the process half a teacup- ful of the strongest coffee that can be made. To Use Ur Corp Meat.—Prepare your meat as for hash; line deep dish with boiled maca- roni; on top of that place the hash; cover it with tomatoes, over which sprinkle bread crumbles, with a little butter; bake until nicely browned. Now Twat 17 1s Customary To Have Frurts, flowers, the vinegar cruets, or salt and pepper | bottles, placed in the conter of the table in lieu of a large castor, pretty devices are made of linen to lay upon the cloth, Some of these are elaborately embroidered. To Crean axp TicuTeN cane-seat chairs turn up the chair bottom, and with hot water may be thoroughly soa dirty use a little soap. Let it dry in the air, and it will be as tight and firm as when new. and may occasionally take the place of the oatmeal and milk so universally served at that meal, Make them with sour milk, with soda to sweeten it. The batter should be stiff. The oatmeal, unless it is ground very fine, should be soaked in water all night. Here 1s a Use por Otp Paper which may be new to some of the ladie: newspapers in several thicknesses, place in a pan of water until thoroughly wet, then wring out, tear in small bits, pick up fine and throw see if you do not like it better, Lapy Fixcers.—One cup of sugar and one- half cup of butter; beat them together; then add one egg and beat well; add one-fourth cup is dissolved; a pint of flour with a teaspoonful of cream of tartar in it, Cut in strips, roll in sugar and bake in a quick oven. Mvsrarp Rexisu.—Take one tablespoonfual each of mustard and flour, one teaspoonful of Diack as 08 and salt, and two teaspoonfuls of sugar. Moisten all with good vinegar. Have on the stove one pint of vinegar to come to a boil; then pour in the mixed ingredients. Let it boil and keep stirring, then pour it wide-mouthed bottle. use, Oysters 4 La Crewe.—Open a dozen oysters | carefully and save the liquor; take a half pint of milk, add to it a piece of butter the size of a walnut, thicken with flour, and simmer ten minutes. Add the oysters with their liquor, and seasoning to taste. Have some nicely browned slices of toast, take up the oysters carefully, lay them on the toast, pour the mixture over and serve. Tue Temptation To Oven-Decorate is so great that we are apt to try our hands on such movable articles of furniture as tables and chairs, forgetting that the value of decoration depends as much on contrast with simple sur- faces as upon studied design and execution of the decoration itself. A person —— a e effect by beautiful table should not Cestroy decorating it with works of art. Boox-cases ake a Frurrrvn Source for dec- oration, When one has a groundwork of shelving to work upon, the fitting up becomes an interesting task. Soft-tinted india silk cur- tains, embroidered or plain, may be made to cover the major part of the shelves; an occa- sional piece of Chinese embroidery upon silk or cotton cloth, or a Turkish linen cloth, may be made to serve as a picturesque and useful pro- tection from the dust. Wasuineton Ometet.—One cup milk, six eggs, tablespoonful butter, salt and pepper, one teacupful bread crumbs. Let the milk come to a boil, pour it over the crumbs, and let stand a few minutes. Break open the and stir till well mixed; add the breed and milk and season, Melt the butter on a hot skillet, pour on the omelet and let it cook slowly; cut in squares, turn, fry a delicate brown and serve immediately. Raistny_ Purrs.—Mrs. C. W. Taylor, Glens Falls.—Take two eggs, one-quarter cup of butter, one cup sweet milk, two tabl sugar, two cups of flour, two teaspoons of bak- to a ing powder, one-half cup of raisins, Steam | thirty minutes in cups wet in cold water. To be eaten with sweet sauce. Sauce: Take one small spoonful of flour and a piece of butter the size of an egg. Rub together till smooth; = on boiling water and let it boil. Sweeten, wor to taste. Devitep Eoos.—S. J. B., North Argyle.— Boil a sufficient number of eggs, ten minutes or until |they are perfectly hard. While hot remove the shells and cut each egg in halves, taking a tiny slice off each end of the white to make it ‘stand on end” nicely. Then rub into the yelks, mustard, butter, pepper, salt and vinegar to taste, making a smoo' i Have the mustard and vinegar . Refill the whites with the mixtures, rounding each slightly, and serve cold, for luncheon or tea. Aw Exceitent Mixture to remove grease spots from boys’ and men’s clothing is made of fe of alcoho! to one part of amm: ey A e liqr e grease rul igently with a sponge and clear water. The chemistry of the operation seems to be that the alcohol and ether dissolve the and the ammonia forms a with it which is washed out with the water. The result is much more sati: than when something is used which only spreads the spot and makes it fainter. Lemon Warr.—Cover a quarter of a box of gelatine with four tablespoonfuls of cold water mek lead ods Oe ene int piling wat r, a cup . Juice of one small lemon, a fal of va- nilla, sii smal the coger to Meoeone aioe away ina cold place to stiffen. When con- but not really hard add the unbeaten Ht ufiiit Bee, Ht i i z OKs, and i ‘till all are at private mle Guriny the wale ts it te cover advances ftaaderat Sours i =e PYUNCANSON BROS, Auctioneers USTER'S ALF OF VALUABLE. uwtittsd BE ATE ON POURTEI 4 EXTENDED AND SPRING SIREET NOM decd of trast dated November 10th, = f so liter 3548 foie pe the land District of Colum! and at (hie request of the party secured 1 wi sceuctian in thot of the Prenalcen, THUR. -NTV-FOCLTH DAY OF JANUARY, A.D. ALY? O'clock P.M Yof Washington, Dime trict of Columbia, to wit: that tract or parcel. of land on the north aide of Spring «treet, at the point of union with 14th st. extended, being known as lots one, tw ree, twenty-two, twenty-three and twenty our, and parts of lots four to twengy-one inclusive, cexceyt Lote we and ten), and twenty edJoiuit rte, all belie for: * your Libraries at your: cedon sale each evening 8° 7. merly Of the Holmead estate, “Pleasant to be sold as Per plat, which can be seeu at the amo Soneer Terme: One-thinl cash: balance in one and two years in equal payments, with interest at 6 per nnum, payal emiennuslly, and to be seen by deed of truston the proped epost of 1.00 wil be required on each pare day If the te j¢ are not © ed with in ten days fre ne PTOI be resold at the rink a cost of defaulting party after five days’ p notice of such resale im soime uewspaper published in Wash- ington, D. C. dds C. M. ARMSTRONG, Trustee, IS POSTPONED ON AG- ather until THURSDAY, A.D. 1SS®, at same hour ©. M. ARMSTRONG, ‘Trastee, uct, __ ja2b-dads $ and piace. DUNCANSON BROS, FP HOMAB DOWLING, anctionesr. MERIDEN SILVE Gi inecial sale of a wiock Nilver-Plated ~ latest desing rooms MONDAY, ENTY-DIGHTH, 1889, commencing CLOCK AM. ould be large, attended, as the goods are and will be 80 without limit ja24-3i dese LocaT Y SALE OF ABLE DIN THE CITY OF W By virtue of the power contained made to us. and duly of the District of Columbia in liber N. BMS, ct sea. at the request of the parts 7 sell, by public auction, t t of Dw son Brothers, northwest, in the city of Washington, D-C.,on WED NESDAL, JANUARY THIRTILTI, L880, AT POUR O'CLOCK P.M. “All the undivided one-fifth vested in George A. Hyde,” th: the oniy chaid deceased, 1D streets interest in fae . heirs-at ceased, in and to all these certain parcels of lam, uate and being im said cit; ict, known and a. I distinguished as and being | square 11, lots 5, 6.2 aie square 16, lot 9 of sq: | lot 7 in square lots 4,5 and 34 iti square square 89. All of ¢ round are unimproy Also the folle Let 0. dot N. Li. ine mive, 1M By p SK, lots 3b to 7, inc ry above-mentioned parcels’ of proved parcels of grou improved with « and a sponge wash the cane work so that it | i. Should it be | OatmeaL Pancakes are good for breakfast, | Fold old, soft | of miik, in which one-half teaspoonfal of soda | Vhen cool it’s ready for | ms of | SS 3S feet by 72 tect), also two kill ethird ix erred pay ‘option epost of # al over your carpet instead of wet tea leaves, and | the A plat descriptive of | extent of the abov iH ith y EIGHTH SUREET. TWENTY. in frot of 1CK DWELLT EAK EAST CA rar Past built two- x twelve, and bd to be mex ey q ited with "in at ti NSON BROS., Auctioneers, JP URCANSON BROS. Auctioneers 7 skiment made day of Junnary, 188: L Will sell at public avvtion IONDAY, JANUARY TEN U'CLOCK A M., all tai attention. THOS. 3,1 The assignee will receive pri fixtures in bulk up to day of sa da 26 DUNC CARRIAGES, Court of in « the Xo. st, stables of th and SLVE O Oleott & Co., fron! ii alley, 14th streets and H and I streets ncrihwest, all of the ry Letween personal property and partnership) effects of the old rm of Uleott & Co... ec horses, five car- | riages, three 9 sleighs, # lot of 5 For undersigned, ‘The roperty remines on | Lettre the day’of sale. 7 oe FULLMC CHAP! jald-a rpuomas DOWLING, Auctioneer. TRUSTEES’ SALE. By virtue of adeed of trust recorded in Mber 1245 folio 464, et seq. he land records of the District jumbia, and at the writter the notes ‘secured thereby. we will. sel JANUARY TWENTY-NINTH, at FIVE ( M., in front of the premises, all those pieces cels of land and premises known and distiugutst on the round plat or plan of Washington city, District af Columbia, as lots thirty-seven (37) and thirty-euwht in the recorded subdivision of oryrimal lots num- ‘one (1), two (2), and three (3), in squareseventy- seven (77). ‘Terms cash. A deposit of three hundred (#300) dol- lars required at tine of sale. ied ‘erms to one pone ten (10) days, Twise will be resold at the defaulting purchacers, ecw parce: & WESCOTT, Trustee, ‘§a18-10t L. D. WINE, Trustee. _ PIANOS AND ORGAN PIANOS! MUSIC! PIANOS!!: gigs _@23 Pp During recent repairs several NEW LANOS became injured, We offer them at — petit: ‘THOMSON &00., 3a23-1m Music Store, 621 11th st, below F, Saxpers & Sravax. ESAS SP, EE aye ESTEY ORGANSJ organs have on oe. the gation Bat acy taf A - Wd monthly payments. D1 TST A s, 934 F stn Waatitarton, me ‘Be 4877 Main st. Richmond Var Ea KUEN, ANA BE UNEQUALED IN SECOND-HAND PIANOS. — A large alae Srace Hisannrasias se