Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-07-11
THE WEEK
In the United States and the
Old World.
CHENG TSAO JU.
The Popular Chinese Minister and his
Pretty Wife.

The Popular Chinese Minister and his
Pretty Wife.
Mr.. Cheng Tsao Ju, envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiaIy of China, is packing
his gripsack for tour across the equator
writes Washington correspondent to the st,
Louis Post-Dispatch The weather is becom-
ing too warm for this oriental gentleman, and
he proposes to seek n cooler climlte ON the
winter side of the equatorial line. He is
accredited not only as minister to the United
States but also to Spain and Peru. It is 10 the
aforementioned country that he starts in lew
days. Although appointed m mister to Peru
some two years ago, al tbs time Of bis leaving
for the United States, he has meyer seen fit to
enter upon the active ser, ice of TINT position.
Tho unsettled stutetof p3Ities, the doubt as TO
the head OF the government, and the question
of entire safety in that wardisturbed country
have kept him from visiting there until now in
his official capacity. The departure of
Mr.. Ju will be regretted by not few
people in Washington. G nsidering his
inability to converse, his popularity is
quite phenomenal. No well regu-
lated giver OF swell parties would think of Civ
ing large party or dinner in the social
season without inviting Mr.. Ju, and it could
be counted upon with toleiaDe certainty that
Mr.. Ju would accept, and that his sill1en gown
DioSh Oup WIN tub dItp anu WCll OlSu
pig tail would be prominent features of the
evening. A few times during the season he
has returned the social honors crowded upon
him by throwing open his home the Chinese
legation, TO people of the diplomatic and social
world by invitation. His residence was very
large and elegant one, handsomely furnished
Rich carpets and hangings, the products OF tho
lar East, curious ornaments on mantels and
walls, rare products of the handiwork of the
most cunning of the flowery kingdom, all tend
ed to make this curious Chinese home. Most
Of these have been stag parties, but on q few
occasions the ladies have been invited Mrs.
Ju has been invisible on these occasions. The
nearest approach was that at one time her in
fant daughter, the first Chinese baby of rank
ever born in this country, was brought down
stairs from the nursery. 1t was
curiously dressed in silken gown,
very much after the "Aother Hubbard" order,
white pattern stockings, which provokingly
hid its toes from the anxious feminine eX-
plo1ers and other articles of baby attire quite
too numerous and curious to mention. 1t was
clearly Chinese baby until the one touch Of
nature which makes ''the whole world akin"
was reached, and when it raised its voice and
wept it was recognized as genuine piece of
intantlIe humanity. Mrs Ju has never been
seen in society. She has made. during her
stay here no more Than two or three acquaint-
ances The rules of Chinese society are sup.
posed to be such as to have prevented her
making miscellaneous acquaintahces. She is
quite young, and seemed rather averss to
making acquaintances often when opportunity
offered. She is no more than perhaps 20
years of age, while her husband tie minister,
is 60. Neither of them speak any English
worth mentioning, the young wife having sue
ceeded rather better than the old husband is
catching some English. The minister himself
speaks scarcely word Of English, his entire
vocabulary in our language not exceeding
dozen words. He makes no attempt at con-
versation except through an Interpreter, this
being the case with his American secretary,
Mr.. Bartlett. In their home life the minister
and his wife continued largely in the habits of
their country. their food, which was prepared
under the supervision of Chinese cooks, was
largely Chinese in production and manner Of
preparation. Ofcourse, the markets we've well
patronized by those who prepared their table,
and fowls and vegetables Of American produc-
tion were prominent among the articles pur-
chased here Many of the other articles of
food however, came from their own country,
and were prepared according to the customs
there. The tavorite chop--tic was discarded
by the minister and his wife after their arrival
here, and the American knife and fork substi-
tuted, though with some of the under members
oil the legation the fondness for the chop-stick
continues. Recently the legation has removed
to less pretentious establishment on Massave
near Fourteenth street. Mrs. Ju and her baby
Mi-whici translated means American-have
left for China in expectation of the departure
Of the minister to South America.