The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-30
MAN kR.NS At WASHINGTON
Some Gossip About the Lecsfion fro'n tho
Ccntrri IIovcry Kingdom.

Some Gossip About the Legation from the
Ccntrri TIovcry 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 thcy do not
understand much of what is said unless
they happen to have an interpreter with
theu, which is not frequently the case
when they are going ebout the city sight
seeing. The Chinese Is perhaps the larg-
ct OF any of the foreign legations at
Washington. They occupy the immense
residence here known Us 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 mt 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 Union 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
comedy or conr'c 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.
1t is q custom Of theirs to wear an i'm
mense diamond in the front 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 cnor-
nous flesh, and he has very broad face,
with a rough looking skin. Heis 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
figures and comparatively 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 it is just too
awfully charming to waltz with a
Chinaman seem to be in ecstasy when
they are asked TO whrl 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 tie Chinese give
once q week a grand bail 1t is gotten
ND regardless Of expense, and there Is
plenty To drink. too much, in fact, from
all accounts Of the wild orgies which 90
on there Two years ago many Of the
"Mcficanm men and women who went TO
the Chinese ministers bali made hogs Of
themselves, and ever since that rather
disgraccful affair the lines have been
drawn. and the Mongolian minister Is at
least sharp enough to know who the peo-
plc are that receive invitation bids 10 the
ball. It Is. therefore, bound to he 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. IL was On
affair that Lard out more than half of the
members Of congress. and prevented a
QUORUM III Alii iDAl-T lN- AfNR - AtNt' Nttt
lie trQublc was the American statesmen
didn't know 70 what extent the Chinese
punch was loaded" II Is an insidioue
al.l seductive drink-sweet and pleasant
at first, but lasting in It's effects. Tie
minister could speak but little English.
He had been taught to say few SEN
tences, to be spoken when the guests ar
rived and departed. The congressman
would come up and say Il am now
going" and before they could say any
thing further his Chinese highmess would
calculate: Glad to hear it, not know
ing what it meant or that be had spoken
the wrong sentence at that particular
tine. 1t was very comical, and those
who attended that famous ball will
forget the Chinese punch and the biz,
aching heads that followed. New York
Graphic.