New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-05
IN PURPLE AND FINE LINEN
EMINENT cHINAMEN AT THE BREvooRr
THE YOUTHFUL III CHING FoNG, son OF THY
ERoY, AND HIS LITERARY
AMBITION.


The marbletled corridors Of the Brevoort Houss
presented scene OF Oriental magnlfcence Yesterday
afternoon, when groups OF subjects Of the Flowcy
Kingdom strolIcd lanNlidIy through them on Their
way TO carriages IN waiting. The Cclesuais wers
arrayed actually in purple and fine linen. both the
purple and the linen being Of the most exquisIh
texture and fabric.
The groups were composed Of the Chinese Minister
and suite who had arrived from Washington on satur.
day. and the full siaR Of tho Chinese Consulate IN
this city. Accompanying the Chinese Minister was
Ii Ching FOng, the eldest Of III Hung Chang the
Vceroy Of China whose influence IN the politics OF tbs
land OF COnfucus IS like TO that OK bismarck IN
Germany or Of Gladstone I'm England III Ching Fong
attracted much attention by Of his youthful APP
pearance and the gOrgeOusieSs Of his apparel, but
Chang Yen IIoon and Lang shung were also con
spcuous because OF the brlliiancy OF their attire Al
30 the entire party entered open baiOuches a. the
ruth Avenue entrance, and were driven away towani
Central Park. The filed with equpages,
notwihSi andng the great numbers of wealthy people
who are out Of town, and the sidewalks thrOngei
with prOmenaderS. As the carriages containing the
eminent Cinnamon passed along. their occupants
regarded objects Of intense curiosity by the people,
Strange to say, not common Chinaman was any
where to be seen. The party returned TO the hotel
at o'clock, and spent the evening quietly at Tho
hotel. There callers.
The Chinese visitors are spending few days In the
city sightseeing and enjoying themselves the ent.rs
suite having come over from Washington an escort
of pleasure to Ii Ching Fong who belongs to The
extremely crcumscribed class OF hereditary
Chinese mobiles This young nobleman VII
in time succeed his father a. ViceDy,
consequently lie IS almost important
parsonage as an heirapparent to the throne Itself
Untll recently he has held Office as first secretary Of
the Chinese Embassy a. the Court Of ST. james.
Some months ago he left London and went 10 China On
leave OF absence In order that he might compete In
the trlennial examinations for the third literary
degree. These competitive examinations are Of high
ORDER and they open TO all classes Of subjects
whether noble or common, they are regarded a. es.
tabllshing a condition Of extremely superior merit
The examinations held in Pckng. one every three
years, and conducted large scale. Thousands
of students from all parts Of the Empire 90 Picking
to compete and as the intervals spent in prepare
tion the competition IS extremely spirited. Naiu-
rally. therefore. the merit Of the vci0s must BE- pro-
nounced pecaly "a The number Of successful candi
dates is limited 10 sixty eighty. A. the sons Of
the mobiles and those Of the peasants contend equal
terms, the laureS arr held In higher esteem than
any title acquired by accident of birth.
Prior to the last examination ~ Ching Fong had
the first and second literary degrees but in the
competition for She third degree he was unsuccessful
which not surprising considering The laI,s
number OF brilliant competitor. During bis visit
10 his home III Ching FOng was offered The post q
first secretary Of the Chinese Legation IN Washington
by T,ui KwOh Ying. the newly appointed Chinese
Minister To the United states and acceptcd II. he
had left his wife in England. however, and he Will
return 10 London for her before settling at his new
post of duty and honor He VIII remain here for
week or days, during Will b period he VIII be
the guest of the Chinese Minister After that he
will make tour of the leading summer resorts. m
Guiding Newport, Saratoga and Nagara rails. Hs
will then return to this city and sail for England.
returning TO this country with his wife early In
October Ii Ching Fong. athou"h only thlriy-tW0
wears old Is an accomp he'd Chinese scholar. lie
converees hueny in English. French and German and
IS studying other languages. lie has an inteng,sm
and pleasant countenance and is as aifablc as a R
lOmas ever are. II is likely that the party VII
receive an ovation In the Chinese section OF ths
city II visit is made to IT, as Is now uhder diS
clsSiOn.