Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-06-24
From Our Washington Correspondent

MEssRs. EDiTORs -
In these days of instantaneous tclegraphic
communication, lightning presses and cheap
dailies, the special correspondence OF distant
weekly is a a0ic roach through which to trans
nit necs. shall therefore in the present
letter avoid those items of general political
interest which know will be found elsewhere
in your columns, and devote the space thus
saved to further introduction of our Chinese
visitors to your readers
The cordiality with which they have been
received here, both officially and by the poo
pie, has had the effect 10 haio them ont, and
disspato the reserve and shyness behind which
they at first seemed disposed to remain. Dur
ing the past week they have evidently made
up their minds to be pleased with the place
and the people, and hence to ego in" and en-
ioy themselves in American fashion. In pur-
suit of knowledge or pleasure they have been
omuipresent day and night about the city.
They may be met at all hours upon the streets
curiously gazing into the show windows max
ing purchases in the shops, or strolling about
the public buildings They always 90 in
groups of two or three, and whether the day
be hot or cool, are constantly plying the fan
which seems to be inseparable from their hand.
They are the most natural fellows In the
world bearing constantly upon their faces
pleased expression, while they submit patient
ly and pleasantly TO the curious inspection
and familiar questioning Of the crowd Step
into a church ycstry or hall where o fair or
strawberry festival is being held, and you are
sure 70 find two or three Of them present in
dulgug in cream aud strawberries, or stand
ing as the center of a group OF young ladies
who are soliciting their autographs. If any
Of my fair readers would like to possess one
of these interesting documents, let her take a
card and pencil and copy three or four Of the
characters found upon tea chest aud she
will have one that cannot be distinguished
from the original.
This morning two Of them came into church
and took seats near me, where they remained
during the service, apparently deyout and in
terested listeners, although they could not UNI
derstand a word that was spoken. Several Of
them however, speak English and French
very well, and invariably astonish those with
whom they converse, with the extent and ac-
curacy of their information as TO our history
and the arrangement and workings Of our POI
litical institutions
While the members Of the House Of Rep
resentatives were being presented to them the
other day, Mr. Hooper was introduced as
the delegate from Utah. Instantly the
face of the chief mandarin lighted up with a
smile Of sympathy as he exclaimed Oh
Utah know heaps Of wiyes" and he
graspcd the worthy delegates hand with an
energy that showed that he thought he
must be the happy possessor of the indefinite
number alluded to-
On Thursday last grand military review
Of all the forces stationed in the vicinity Of
Washington was ordered by Maj Gen. Han
cock, in order to give the Embassy an idea Of
our army, lis organization, discipline drill
and evoutions. The place selected for the
parade was the beautiful aud extensive plain
in front Of Lincoln depot in the eastern part
Of the city
The depot which is an immense collection
Of military store-houses, constituting a small
city in itself Is under the care and superin-
tendence of General Asa 7. Blunt, A. . NJ.
whom your readers will remember as the pop
ular Colonel of the 10Th Reg't, VI Vols,
one Of the most popular, efficient, and valua-
BILE officers in the Quartermasters' Department
Of the regular army.
Under his careful oversight everything had
been provided for the accommodation Of the
distinguished guests and to ensure success.
and TO lend eclat to the occasion A battery
of artillery was stationed upon the right which,
as the carriage containing the party approach
ed the grounds, Numbered out salute Tho
IufuufvxY W. lr.urr, IN .. A..
and the cavalry upon the left. Upon the plat
form We're the President, Secy SchoGed, Seo'y
McCullocb Chief Justice Chase. the various
foreign ministers, the Chinese Embassy. and
many army officers, Senators, members of
Congress, and other visitors The main en-.
trance was decorated with the flags of the va
rious nations, while the various army corps
flags were suspended from cords stretching
from the flag stats. In the center of the
stand the national ensign was displayed. and
at either side the official ensign of the Chinese
Empire hoated in the breeze These stand.
ards are immense triangular flags of bright
yellow silk, upon each Of which is painted a
hideous black dragon
Immediately after eleven O'Clock. General
Hancock and staff, Minister Burlinpame and
the two chief mandarins, Sun Tajen and Chin
Tajen, took their positions in front of the
stand, and the infantry, marching by company
fronts, passed in review. After having re-
turned to their original position the bands
struck up Yankee Doodle" and at fright
shoulder shift the columns swept by again
ON the "double quick, which movement was
regarded by the mandarins with broad prins
of satisfaction. The regiments on exhibition
were composed of veterans and their drill
marching and evolutions were simply perfect
Their polished arms, cleaning bayonets and
FURNISHED shoulder scales and belt plates
flashing in the sunlight gave them brilliant
and magnificent appearance The cavalry
followed close behind the infantry and seemed
to elicit the especial admiration of the Chi
nese. They passed the stand upon rapid
trot, with the heads of their horses as accur
ately aligned as though each bride was held
by an invisible hand. Upon approaching the
stand for the second time, the order was Civ
en- to charge" Instantly the cleaning sa-
bres flashed in air, spurs were buried in the
quiyering tanks of the steeds, and with cheers
and yells the squadrons, at full run, thunder
ed across the plain, causing it to tremble as
though shaken by an earthquake.
1t was a grand and fearful exhibition.
and so excited the astonished admiration of
the mandarins, that, for their qualification, it
was ordered to be repeated again and again.
After the review was over, the United
States Steam Fire Brigade, with its attendant
hose carriages, &c, obedient to a signal, came
laundering out from the depot, and with the
black smoke curling from their pipes, went
Rushing forward with infectious speedn
Before the astonished Embassy had fully com.
pretended what manner of creatures these
hre- breathing monsters were, they had formed
in line, and running out few hundred feet of
hose were defantly throwing their streams of
water into the sky Leaving the fremen to
irrigate the dusty plain, the distinguished
company adjourned to spacious room in the
rear, and proceeded to irrigate their dusty
Threats with iced champagne, and to discuss