The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-13

with the oldest. and can assure them Of the kindest
treatment. not only from teachers but from the
people
Prince KUSG-we have now some students in your
American colleges.
General GRANr-Yes. believe there some at
the college where one of my studied. Harvard
Prince KrSe-we propose to send others to your
schools and European schools. long as the results
are satisfactory. What they learn there they will
apply at home. fT
General GnAST-I understand China has vast min
eral resources The viceroy at Tientsin told me OF
large coal fields yet undeveloped If this is SO the
wealth Of such deposit is incalculable and would
be SO especially in the East. America and England
have received enormous advantages from coal and
iron. would not dare to say how much Pennsyl
vania one of our States, has earned from her coal
and iron. And the material greatness OF England.
which, after ALL underes her moral greatness. comes
from her coal and IRON But your coal will be of no
use unless yon can bring it 10 q market. and that
will require railroads.
TALK ABOUT PROGRESS.
The allusion to the influence the development Of
the coal and iron interests of England had upon her
greatness seemed to impress the ministers especially
the Secretary of the Treasury. who repeated the
statement and entered into conversation with of
his colleagues the subject. Prince Kung said
nothing. but smoked his pipe and delved into the
birds nest soup. The dishes for repast came
in appalling fashion-came by dozens
all manner of the odd dishes which China
has contributed to the gastronomy of the
age. am afraid Prince Kung more Interested
in the success of his dinner than in the material
prosperity of the nation and with the refinement Of
poiteness Characteristic Of the Chinese kept piing
the Generals plate with and sweetmeats until
there was enough before him to garnish Christmas
tree. The General. however,. had taken refuge in
cigar and was beyond temptation. You there is
time for good many things in Chinese interview.
What have written may seem a short conversation.
But it was really long conversation. In the first
place it was deliberate. slow conversation. There
a upon the partoof tho Chinese They
were curious and polite. They had heard great
deal about the Generals coming. It had been talked
over for weeks in the Yamen. He was the most dis
tnguished stranger that had ever visited China. He
HAD been the head OF the American government. and
1t was surprise that amount of discussion could
appease. that having been the head of the govern
ment he should now come with all the honors his
own government could give him. I am afraid. also.
the want of uniform had its influence upon the
imagination of the Yamen. that interview
never lost its character OF surprise. General Grant
on his part anxious to do what he could to in
duce the Chinese to come more and more within
this to the viceroy in Canton to the vceroy
Tientsn who may be called the Wellington of China
and to all the officials with whom he had come in
relations. do not suppose that he would have
cared about IL, or that he would have allowed his
visit to go beyond mere study and curiosity, had he
not seen that opportunities had fallen to him such
as had fallen to no other stranger who had ever
come to China. There was every disposition the
part Of the Chinese to be courteous General Grant,
But they polite people, and courtesy requires
no effort and amounts to little. But the action Of
the naval authorities of the diplomatic and consular
authorities the respect paid him by foreign repre-
sentatives. the extraordinary demonstration in
Shanghai all contributed to invest the coming Of the
General with meaning that the Chinese could not
overlook. General Grant felt. not alone Ameri-
zation of the world that this opportunity. like what
fell to him in Siam. was really duty. and this
counts for the earnestness with which he pressed
upon Prince Kung and the Yamen the necessity OF
Chinese progress.
fl THE PARTY PROGRESS.
Then Chinese entertainment gives time for talk
and food. The speeches have to be translated from
Chinese into English. and from English into Chi
nese. Office that Mr.. Holcombe performed with
readiness. Prince Kung did not enter with euthu-
siasm into the talk about material progress 1t
seemed If the subject bored him. But Prince
Kung lives in the centre OF political intrigue. He
the head of the government-the regent-brother of
one Emperor and uncle of another. the ruling men,
Der Of the ruling house. The burning question in
Chinese politics is the influence Of the foreigner.
Parties divide this question at home they used
to divide on the question Of slavery. and when it
comes up, it is always coming. Cinnamon show
temper. as at home an average states
man Of either party would show temper il
you pressed him closely the currency question
State rights. Prince Kung is rs far advanced the
subject you could expect from q Tartar states
man who had never seen the or o ship. who had
always lived in Chns-and nearly always In .
palace-who belonged to an alien governing
which held China by force and prestige. and who
had behind him his own Tartar class who oppose
all European customs. He could not 60 far
LiHung Chang the viceroy at Tientsin but the Vice.
roy has had more opportunities OF seeing tho world.
and of knowing what good would come to China
from progressive policy. The talk about the i'm
provement of China therefore. at this interview.
was mainly the part Of General Grant. The part
of the conversation which impressed Prince Kung
most was the suggestion that real progress China.
to be permanent. must come from the inside
from the people themselves. remark OF this kind,
so unlike the observations generally addressed to
orientals by the outside world calculated to
make as 1t did. q deep impression.
CHINESE UNIVERSITY.
We could not remain long enough in the Yamen to
finish the dinner. as We had an engagement to visit
the college for the teaching OF English education
to young Chinese. This institution under the d.
rcction OF DIR. Martin. American. and the build
ings adjoin the Yamen. Consequently. on taking
leave OF the Prince. who said he would call and
the General at the Legation. We walked few steps
and were escorted into the class of the college,
Dr. Martin presented General Grant to the students
and professors. and tho students read the fol-
lowing address:-
Address TO GENERAL GRANT.
General T. 5. GRANT. ex-President Of the United
States:-
sR-we have long heard your name. but never
dreamed that would have opportunity to look
your face. Formerly the people of your South
ern states rcoelled against your government and
rly obtained possession Of the land but through
your ability leading the national forces the rebel
chief captured and the country tranquilzed.