The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-04

can Soil,
Ne,O York Times
Dressed in the picturesque, bright
hued costume OF her country, little Mai
Tsin, daughter OF the Chinese minister,
looks for all the world like an animated
Japanese doll, To this mite OF human
ity belongs tho distinction of being the
only Chinese baby OF noble birth in
| America, and although she has not yet
reached the age OF two years, she has
an empire all her own, and numerous
subjects, over whom she holds undis-
pulod sway.
Her birth in Washington, June "a,
1891, was the occasion OF much rejoic.
ing and the customary ceremonies at
tending an event OF the kind among
Celestial families OF rank. On the third
day after, the baby was bathed for tho
first time, before an image OF the God
dess OF ChIidren-supposed to guard
and care for child until the sixteenth
year is reaChed-then dainty dressed
in the finest OF fine garments and for
mally presented to the members OF tho
household, each OF whom bestowed up
/ vi llGL u pSuukllul ulAu CObbly klAbt SAblSA
OF jewels or silk. After she had been
sufficiently admired and discussed by
the family, q few friends who called to
offer their congratulations in person
were admitted and allowed glimpse Of
the weo foreigner.
On this important day, also, little
silver bell and an ancient coin OF pc.
culiar kind were bound with piece Of
red silk tape around each tiny wrist in
such u manner rs to leave foot or
moro OF loose string between. Accord
ing to popular superstition generally
followed in the Far East, this string is
supposed to have the effect OF restrain
ing child when, in after lie, he or she
is inclined to be naughty or disobedent,
and the silver aud coins are used to in
sure wealth and prosperity to the wear
err. At the expiration OF fourteen days
tho cord is removed. A common ex.
| preston among the Chinese when chill
dren are troublesome is, "Why can't
you behave? Didn't your mother bind
your wrists2"
Whom the ceremonies OF this eventful
day were completed baby was carried
back to the bedroom and kept secluded
there for one month, unseen by any
one but tho nurse and her parents. At
the end OF tho period she was robed as
before in her ceremonial garments, and
this time, accompanied by her mother,
participated at aTeception given in her
honor The interest Of this occasion
was increased by the public bestowal Of
the name Mai, after the tiowery month,
by her father. This is only her baby
or "milk" name. When she is ten
years old she will be weighed for the
first time and christened.
The first anniversary OF Baby Mails
birth was celebrated in manner high
ly gratifying to his celestial hlghness.
She was the recipient OF many beautiful
aud numerous toys, from home and
abroad.
AT n certain time OF this day she was
placed with much ceremony upon q
large table, in the midst OF various arti-
cies previously arranged, such as a pair
Of money scales, brass mirror, paint
brush, pencil, one or two books, sill
yer rattle, u string OF gold beads, &C.,
the supposition being that the first arti.
clio grasped by the little e-year.old
would indicate her future character,
employment, or condition in the world.
The entire household WAS assembled
to witness the proceedings, and all
watched in breathless excitement while
she was being seated. Which would
she Choose?-the pencil, or book,
thereby proving that she was the pos.
SCISSOR Of literary talents OF high order
tho silver musical toy, indicative OF
musical ability; the brush OF the artist
-whichP Every one was on the qui
vive, but laughing, mischievous, BaOy
Mai had no doubts herself as to her
preference.
She was no sooner placed in position
than she made a frantic dive with both
little brown hands and grasped in one
the mirror and III tho other the beads,
and boat them together gleefully in the
midst Of the general approval. Her
selection was interpreted by her fond
parents to moan that she would always
DO abundanlly supplied with this
worlds goods, and very fair to look
upon.
AT an unusually carly ago Mai began
to walk, and one day when she wNs
toddling along pushing chair before
her, the ceremony "of cutting the cords
OF tho feot" was observed, to facilitate
her progress. This important opera
ton was performed by her nurse, who
procured a largo knife from the kitchen
and Immediately behind tho child went
through tho motions Of cutting u sup,
posed cord connecting tho feet OF in
fants, causing them TO stumble aud fall
With these exceptions, the brief life
OF little Mai has been thus far very
much like tho life OF any American
baby. She has her TOYS and dolls md
books, and every pleasant day, at
tended by hor Chinese nurse, sho tNkei
walk in tho grounds and pnrks i'm
modiately surrounding her homo. Hot
quaint little figure, In its Oriental
dress and hcavly.bUadod headdress
always attracts much attention, but NJ
tcrly unconscious slo runs and plays al
hur own sweet will, as bright and hap
py.lookinE child rs ono could wish Il
200.
All tho members OF tho legation ar,
her willing slaves, aud no more thinl
Of disputlng her imperlous command
than they would those Of their clliOf.
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