Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-11-14
MANoAR MS AT WASHINGTON.
Some Gossip About the Legai on from the
Central IlOWery Kingdom.

Central E1owery Kingdom.
The members Of the Chinese legation
in Washington are frequently seen at the
Capitol, listening TO the debates either in
the senate or house, though they do not
understand much Of what is said unless
they happen % have an 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-
tie" 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
teenth street, afterwards for one season
the residence Of Congressman Wheeler,
of Alabama. and at present the head
quarters of the Union lcayu
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 takiug in a
comedy or comic opera as o'ten as two
and three times a week. They are great
dresserS, too. in their own Ie 'uliar way,
and several members Of the cation are
the possessors of magnifcen diamonds.
| II is custom Of theirs to WeIr an inn
nIense diamond in the front M the little
round cap invariably to be se,r on their
heads, and which is never taken off, no
matter where they go,
One Of their number is a man If enor-
nous flesh, and he has very broad face,
with a 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 are
nice looking men, and have graceful
and crnUar0'Nely smooth faces.
They are fond OF going to receptions, and
of course have great many invitations.
The younger ones are expert dancers, and
the giddy girls who think il is Just too
awfllly charming" TO waltz with q
Chinaman seem 10 be in ecstasy when
they are asked to whirl around 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 a week grand ball II is gotten
up regardless Of expense, and there is
plenty 10 drink, too much, in fact. from
all accounts Of the wild orgies which 60
on there. Two years ago many Of the
"MeliCan' men and women who went 10
the Chinese minister's ball made hogs Of
themselves, and ever since that rather
disgraceful affair the lines have been
drawn, and the Mongolian minister is at
least sharp enough to know who the peo-
pie are that receive invitation bids to the
ball. II is. therefore, bound TO be a more
select gathering since it has become
harder to procure an invitation.
The predecessor Of the present Chinese
minister once gave ball that is often
talked Of in Washington. 1t 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.
The trouble was the American statesmen
didn't know 10 what extent the Chinese
punch was loaded" II is an insidious
and seductive drink-sweet and pleasant
at first, but lasting in its effects. The
minister could speak but little English.
He had been taught 10 say few sen.
tences, to be spoken when the guests ar
rived and departed. The congressman
! would come up and saw: IL am now
going" and before they could say any.
thing further his Chinese highness would
calculate: "Glad to hear it, not know,
ing what it meant, or that he had spoken
the wrong sentence at that particular
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. Yorl
Graphic.