Morning journal and courier., 1891-05-18
A Chinese Gentleman.
From Paper by the Late Richard H. Dana in
 the Atlantic Monthly

From 0 Paper by the Late Richard H. Dana in
 the Atlantic Monthly.l
 The amazement of these quiet China men, sitting at their doors and counters, at the spectacle of two strange men, in ions and hair and no skull-caps or cues, was too much for them, and they poured out and pressed upon us, until We were glad to find ourselves within the custom house. Here we found high official, whose exact rank we did not know, but who appeared to have full powers. There was something extremely interesting and impressive in the aspect of this gentle man; for gentleman he was, if ever l saw one. He was young, say twenty-five or thirty, with a countenance of great intel ligence, frankness and gentleness, with every appearance of integrity, and charm of manner which would have carried oil the prize for politeness in any competitive examination, however cosmopolitan 1t might be, as we all said at last, after an evening spent with him.
 He assured us that no boats not official could pass after the gate was once closed. The refusal seemed all the more decisive from its extreme politeness. But the countenance of MT. Syle exhibited no dis comfiture. Instead of moving of, he sat down quietly. awaiting a change of poli- | cy, and engaged the officer in conversation | upon general topics of interest The gen | tleman, whose name was U-u, inquired about Dr. Hobson's work on anatomy, which had been lately translated into Chi. nese, and of English works on history and geography, the names of which he knew, | and some of which he had obtained al great expense and trouble at this inland | city. MT. Syle took his address and { | memorandum of the books which hs named, and promised to send to him iron Shanghai. Mr. Syle thought he had now advanced his earthworks far enough fol an assault; and telling him of our distin guished party of learned meu, magistrate and scholars. suggested the great honor h. might do us and the great pleasure h. would confer if he would pay us a visi on board our boat He accepted the invi tation with as much eagerness as etiquett and dignity would permit; and, bringing | a small force of servants to carry lantern and keep off the crowd, he was soon seat ed in the cabin of our boat. Cigars ana wine were offered him. He took one O two puffs at the cigar and one sip of tn wine, and when he was pressed, instead @ saying that they were too strong for him said he feared he was not strong enougl for them. The conversation became yer. interesting. He was scholar, studen of Kong Futz and Mentz; had receive' high degrees, as the costly gem on his cal indicated, and was inclined to philosophi speculations; had read many Englisl works translated into Chinese, and wa eager for more He confessed, or rathe asserted, the superiority of western sci ence, and looked forward to its spread il China. He was dressed in the most costl. silks tastefully cut and arranged, and O colors so exquisite that we could hardl! keep our eyes off them. We certaini! could not keep our eyes off him. The ef feet he produced can be expressed by nc other word than charm. He did not over do manner, as many Chinese do, and ther' was an appearance of more sincerity II his kindness and attentions than we usual ly give his race credit for. He scarcel. moved in his seat. There was nothing approaching a hasty gesture or action only an exquisite repose, yet his voice an' face were alive with interest. He sum : moned one of his servants, excused him