Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-15
CELESTIALS AND CHILDREN.
sights to be Seen In the EVENING
Around Dupont Circle.

Around DupOnt Circle.
COMMUNICATION OPENED BETWEEN THE IN
FANTs AND THE CHINESE LEGATION-EvEN-
ING srRoLLs IN THE PARK-FANs, srLKEN
ROBES PIGTAILs. AND BIG sPEcTACLEx
Dupont Circle Just now, like the other garden
spots which adorn the city, forms q very pretty
picture, the beauty Of which is not at all
detracted from by the baby carriages and the
groups Of little toddlers with their white capped
attendants. Perhaps there is not u greater
proportion of babies in this little park than In
others, but it may be said in passing
that a visit to these sylvan places might
afford q philosopher data for q pretty.
reliable estimate as to the increase in the
next census. However that may be, it would
be Interesting to know the opinion OF the newly
arrived members Of the Chinese legation who
occupy ex-senator Stewards house, overlooking
the circle. They have only been here short
time, but ever since their arrival they have
side OF tue legation building and in and around
the circle. Naturally, they are curious to see
al the strange sights ia this new country, and
Ii is seldom that one of those may not be seen
doing" the vicinity. Even when there Is
nothing more exciting in view than street
car, they will watch with open eyed interest
the progress OF that rather ungainly vehicle,
but what their views are in regard TO this and
other novel features Of the customs and habits
OF 1.-The DarbArIans" among whom they have
to live there is no means of knowing.
COMMUNICATION ESTABLISHED.
The children seem to have established some
mode OF communication with the Celestiais
and in the evening fringe OF excited little
ones may be seen circiing the fence Of the lega-
ton engaged in what appears TO be animated
conversation with the strangers. The foreign
ers seem 10 be delighted with the children, and
their broad faces wear continuous smile, and
they nod their heads and gesticuiate in their
efforts to convey Ideas to their youthful visi-
TORS Cor, inns nl,l
come IL little tiresonne, and then the services of
the policemen are found TO be useful. During
the day TINE, frequently the legation building
seems to be deserted, except occasionally silk
gown may be seen near the doorway or in one
ofthe windows, but towards evening. the Ceies-
tialS come out in force, and their Vari-colored
ground oi the slate colored walls OF the house
at once arrests the eye. They stand together in
groups inside the fence aud gaze around with
carriages and on foot. Then in groups Of two or
three, they start out for walk and find their
way To the park which they seem to enjoy
very much. II is certainly novel spectacle to
see these people in their odd dresses sauntering
along the walks with their fans in notion
Now and then they Will stop at a baby carriage
and look down ut the little occupant, their
sto.td faces lit up with smiles. They talk with
each other, evidently exchanging views in re-
gard to American babies. and the only regret
Is that they cannot be expressed for the benefit
OF the mothers and fathers and the interested
public. There is no doubt distinction Of rank
among the different attaches of the legation,
but in these evening walks, the men in sober
colored costumes and those in rich costumes
walk together III apparent equality.
FANS AND CIGARS.
Some OF them in addition to the fans also
carry cigars, which they smoke with evident
enjoyment. On pleasant evening as many
as fifteen may be seen walkin. about the
circle or sitting on the benches. While they
are stared at they return the stares with inter
est, for while the natives here are studying
what they regard as Specimens of = curious and
almost barbaruuS race, the Chinese are looking
at the citizens of tue capital of this great
try from the same stand point, and they are
anxious to learn sOmethin. about the habits
and customs OF IL people who are sunk in the
ignorance and darkness OF "A civilization that is
not Chinese.
A great many OF them have faces SCARED with
the smallpox, but they have stronger, larger
bodies than the Chinese it is usual to see in
iaundries. Some OF them are quite f1eshy and
they have large faces, and one was observed
with pair Of Chinese spectaces, which have
glasses about the size of lea saucers enclosed in
rims OF wood or reed.