Clarksville evening chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn) 1886-1890, 1888-11-15
MANoARiNs AM WASHINGTON.
Some Gossip About the Legation from the
Central Flowcry Kingdom.


Central Flowcry Kingdom.
The members Of the Chinese legation
in Washington are frequently seen at the
Capitol, listening TO the debates either in
the senate OF house, though they do not
understand much of what is said unless
they happen to have am interpreter with
them, which is not frequently the case
when they are going about the city sight
seeing. The Chinese is perhaps the larg-
est of any of the foreign legations at
Washington. They occupy the immense
residence here known as Stewart cas-
tle,'' and which was formerly the dwell
ing place Of the senator of that name
from Nevada. Before they took this
house the Chinese legation were quar-
tered in a commodious house at the
corner of Massachusetts avenue and Four
tenth street. afterwards for one season
the residence Of Congressman Wheeler
of Alabama, and at present the head
quarters of the Unioi league.
The members of the Chinese legation
are fond of going to the theatre. They
invariably occupy boxes, and night after
night they can be seen at places of
amusement; sometimes taking in a
comedy or comic opera as often as two
and three times week. They are great
dressers, too, in their own peculiar way,
and several members of the legation are
the possessors of magnificent diamonds.
It Is custom of theirs to wear an i'm
r1ense diamond in the fTSnt of the little
round cap invariably to be seen on their
heads, and which is never taken off, no
matter where they go!
One of their number is man of enor-
nous flesh, and he hasa very broad face,
with rough looking skin. He is getting
along in years, and he'pants and blows
when walking down the street with his
official associates. The minister is big
man also. Several of the attaches aIB
nice looking men, and have graceful
figures and comparatively smooth faces,
They are fond of going perceptions, and
of course have great many invitations.
The younger ones are expert dancers, and
the giddy girls who think It is just ''toc
awfully charming" to waltz with g
Chinaman seem to be in ecstasy when
they are asked to wf;r! arogs1d with these
foreigners. They are seen often during
the winter months at the weekly hops
given at the leading hotels.
Up at the legation the Chinese give
once week grand bali. 1t is gotten
up regardless of expense, and there is
plenty to drink, too much, liz fact, from
all accounts of the wild orgies which go
on there. Two years ago many Of the
'sMeIican'' men and women who went to
the Chinese ministers ball made hogs OF
themselves, and ever since that rather
disgraceful affair tho lines have been
>-rawn, and the Monaghan minister = at
least sharp enough TO know who the peo-
pie are that receive invitation Bids to the
ball 1t is, Therefore, bound to'be more
select gathering since it has become
harder to procure an invitations.
Tho predecessor Of the present Chinese
minister once gave a ball that IS often
talked of in Washington. TX was an
affair that land out more than half of the
members of congress, and prevented a
quorum in the house for two whole days.
Tho trouble was the American statesmen
didn't know to- what extent the Chinese
punch was loaded" 1t is an insidious
and seductive drink-sweet and pleasant
at first, but asting in its effects. The
minister coaTd speak but little English.
He had been taught to say few sen
fences, to be spoken when the guests ar
rived and departed. The congressman
would come up and say: II am now
going" and before they could say any
| thing further his Chinese highness would
calculate. s'Glad to hear it, - not know
ing what it meant, Or that he lad Spoken
the wrong sentence at that particulal
time. 1t was very comicaL. and thos'
who attended that famous ball will neve
forget the Chinese punch and the big
aching heads that followed~-New Yorl
Graphic.