The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-18


Wonderful are the Pyramids. and wonderful as
dream tho ruins OF Thebes. There you see mechan-
zeal results which you cannot follow or solve, engi-
neering achievements We could not even now re-
peat The Great Wall is marvel of patience
that the labor which had builded the Great Wall
would have built the Pacific Railways. General
Grant thought that Mr. Seward had moderated
its extent. II believe" he said, 'that the labor
expended this wall could have built every railroad
in the United States. every canal and highway ana
most il not all of cities" The story is that
millions employed the wall; that the work
lasted for ten years. have ceased to wonder ut q
story like this In the ancient days-the days which
our good people are always lamcnting and u return
to which is the prayer OF many virtuous and pious
souls-in the ancient days when an emperor had a
to the fields and hills and gathered in
the people and made them build on peril
build the Great Wall. No people would ever have
done such thing. When you see the expression OF
Roman. the Greek and the Englishman-in the
achievements of Cinnamon when they have been
allowed Their the oWn way and the
prerogative of king. 1t never could have
been of much use in the most primitive
walked about the top and studied
it's simple massive workmanship. and looked upon
the plains OF Mongolia over which the dreaded Tartar
came. On one side of the wall was China the
other Mongolia. We at the furthest end of our
journey and every step now would be toward home.
There was something like a farewell in the feeling
with which We looked upon the cold land OF mys-
terry which swept on toward the north-cold and
barren even under the warm sunshine. There
something like welcome in the waves again
greeted them and knew that the sea upon which we
from long and friendly association would carry us
homo TO America aud tighten even that journey
with glimpse OF the land OF the rising sun.
A CHEPoo
At five in the afternoon we were under way. The
smooth and settled into dead cam-a
blessing not always vouchsafed in the China seas.
We along all night across the gulf and early
the morning found ourselves ut Chefoo. Judge
Denny had gone ahead Chefoo being within his con-
sular jurisdiction to that all preparations
made for the reception of General Grant. Chefoo is
a port u summer watering place Tor the European
residents of Shanghai and Tientsin. 1t is situated
the northern side of the Shantung promontory,
in latitude 81 deg. IS min. So north and longl
tude la deg. 70 min. 50 east Chefoo does not
present interesting appearance from the Tho
hills rise and form amoderate background to the hor
showing that the European had put his loot here
and was seeking the summer winds. Cnefoo was
opened trade in 1861 as ono OF the results Of the
French and English expedition against Pekin. The
province of Shantung, OF which Chefoo is the open
port, was for long time one of tho out-ofthe-way
provinces of China. It is famous for its eli
mate. The health seeking foreigner has dis
covered the dryness of its atmosphere. the cool
breezes which temper the pitiless summer rays-the
firm, bracing Winds which bring strength with the
winter. AS Europeans come more and moro to
China Chefoo grows III value, and in addition there
is trade especially In the bean pancake which gives
it mercantile vitality: The bean pancake Is used
fertilizer all over China. and Is made by throw
heavy stone wheel The oil is pressed out, and what
remains goes into the fields to give new life to the
OF this trade when know that in 1877 the amount
OF beans aud OF bean cake exported was more than
hundred million pounds. There is good trade in
cotton, and the position which the town holds
toward Japan. Corea and the Pacific settlements Of
the Russian Empire insure Chefoo commercial
prominence on the China seas. In winter when the
pecho River is frozen and communication with
Pekin is interrupted. Chefoo assumes new impor-
lance the seaport of Northern China.
THE CHEFoO CONVENTION.
The historical value of Chefoo arises from the fact
that here signed the Chefoo Convention between
~ hinoa and nrlnn uhnnf Nvhi haar
sionally in Parliament This convention arose out
of the murder of Mr.. Margary. an English official.
For this crime England demanded reparation, and
came with her fleet to Cheioo to demand 1t. Sir
Li-Hung Chang our friend the viceroy of Tientsin.
came here to settle 1t. They show you the
house in which the convention was signed.
and which is called the Treaty House. This
convention WAS tor the purpose OF rendering
PREPARATION to England for the crime Of English
man. When the English once get the Chinese into
a treaty making humor they cover good many
points. They demanded the publication of decree
all over the Empire regretting the murder. They
insisted that British officers should be sent to Yum
nan, where the murder was committed, to see what
could be done in the way Of trade and also that the
Vceroy of India should be allowed TO send mission
to Yunnan. Fifty Thousand pounds was to be
paid indemnity tor the murder and the En-
peror to write an imperial letter and send 1t to
the Queen by special embassy expressive OF his
sorrow. Permission was also given to explore
China through to India. The signing Of this
vention the last political relation OF international
character, gave Cbefoo a worldwide fame. Beyond
this and the air there is nothing to interest you in
Chefoo. The bay when we came was studded with
junks which massed close to the shore. fleet
gunboats drawn up the landing and were
streaming with flags OH account OF the arrival. We
landed about eleven, and the barge made q detour
through the fleet The vessels all nred alutes and
the point of debarcation was tastefully decorated
The General and Mrs. Grant on landing were mot by
Consul Denny, the Vice Consul Mr.. q. L. Simpson.
the commissioner Of customs. and all tho foreign
residents The Generals party were escorted to n
small pavilion, where presentations took place to
the ladies and gentlemen present. From here there
house Of the Vice Consul The foreign settlement
and tho Custom House building, were decorated.
Chinese troops from the viceroys army were drawn
up ON both sides of the road. temporary arch was
erected in which the American and Chinese flags were
intertwined Mounted Chinese officers rode ahead
and the General followed after in chair carried by
eight bearers. The people OF the Chinese town had
turned out, and amid the firing OF cannon. the play
ing of Chinese music and the steady, stoid inquir-
ing gaze of thousands, carried to the Con-
sulate. Here there was luncheon. After luncheon
General Grant stroiled about the town and in the
evening attended dinner ut the house OF the Gus
toms Commissioner, Mr.. Simpson. At the end OF
the dinner there ball. attended by most OF the
officers OF the Richmond and the Ashuelot and the
principal residents. There were fireworks, lanterns
and iluninations. and the little conservative town
had quite holiday.
A MIDNIGHT SALUTE.
At midnight General Grant and party. accompa-
MED by Captain Benham. returned on board the
Richmond. There was one incident on the return
of a novel and picturesque character. According to
the regulations OF tho American navy no sa-
lutes can DO fred by men-of-war after
to sail soon AZ the General embarked and be-
fore the sun arose would be out at So the Chi
gunboats sent word that they would fire twenty
one guns General Grant passed. In his barge. The
announcement caused some CONSERVATION in the
weliordered minds of our naval friends, and there
was grave discussion to what regulations per-
United under the circumstances. 1t would be rude
to China not to return her salute. There were es-
pccia for going out OF the way to recognize
any honor shown US by the Chinese. Our mission
in those lands so TAR as IL was mission. was one OF
peace aud courtesy and good will. Captain Benham.
with the ready ability and common sense
which naval officer he possesses in
an eminent degree, decided that the
tesy should be honorcd and answered gun
tor gun, and that in doing he would
be carrying out in spirit ut least the regulations
which should govern naval commander. SO 1t came
to PASS that Lieutenant Commander Clarke found
himself performing a duty which suppose never
before dcyoyed upon n naval officer holding mid.