Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-03-17
ASIATIC EMBASSIES.
LADIES OF CHINESE, JAPANESE
AND COREAN LEGATIONS.
The Wife of the Chinese Minister
Dresses With MongoIian Mag
niflceEce-Thc Japanese and
the Corean Ladies.

Minister, who has a name unpronounce-
able and uuwrtable, is called by the peo-
pie in Washington, Mme Tsui. She
never attends any Of the social functions,
never receives callers and never goes out
unless she is closely attended.
Nine. Tsui, however, found most in
teresting. 1t was through the courtesy
of the First Secretary that l was allowed
to see her. She came down to the par
lor ATTENDED by the interpreter, two OF
the Secretaries and the wife OF one OF
the Secretaries, Nine. Wang. She was
arrayed in ell her Mongollau sp!endor.
Her petticoat of white silk was heavily
embroidered with gold. A sort of tunic
of black satin worn over this had also a
heavy border Of embroidery. Her sleeves
were CT white China silk, very full and
very fine. Her feet were in embroidered
satin shoes that we're certainly not more
than 2t inches long, and the stockings
lust visible above them seemed to be of
solid gold thread. Her straight black
hair was worn brushed up from the fore
head and ornamented with many golden
pins. This coiffure was fearfully and
wonderfully made and must have cost
somebody a deal OF time and patience.
Her hands were very plump and
pretty. Upon the first finger of each she
wore a mystical looking ring--onc OF
gold filagree, set with a large catseye,
and the other a huge blood red stone
that resembled a carbuncle. l was told
that this lady was considered a great
beauty in China. Her eyes are black as
sloes, and the corners of them have de-
cided downward curve. Her mouth IS
red and full, and her complexion is a
clear olive tint. The breadth of the
face Just below the eyes is not according
to the European standard Of beauty, but
this, am told, is what renders her such
a very great beauty in China. She wore
huge ornaments in her ears, but they
were held on by gold springs. Her cars
were not pierced.
Mue. Tsui does not speak one word OF
English, but she talked very readily to
the interpreter. askel her how she
liked this country. She replied guard
edly: 'It is very well. All countries
are very well to those who live in
them" l said: "Do you not think that
women of America have much more
freedom and independence than they
have in your countryl" The interpreter
propounded my question iu the queer,
choppy language of China. The wife Of
the Minister looked down at her plump
hands and then at the tips OF her little
shoes. Then she looked at the Secre-
tary's wife, who smiled; then, looking
back at me, she made answer: "Your
country has its customs, and my country
has its customs also. 1t is not for me to
say which Is best"
The Secretary clapped his hands, or
rather he rubbed them together in a
pleased way aud laughed, as he said in
very good English, "Is she not true
diplomat" The little woman seemed
utterly unconscious that she hal made a
clever remark. l asked her ii she would
not like to attend the receptions in
Washington and the balls. thought
she looked little wistful for a moment,
but she answered readily enough; "It is
not the custom of my country. We do
not dance, aud do not understand Eng
lish, and l know nothing of American
manners. think it is better that | stay
at home" Then | asked her how she
passed her time. This seemed to interest
her. She took up the border of her
black satin tunic aud held it toward me,
speaking eagerlyiu Chinese. She seemed
to forget that could not understand
her.
"She says" explained the interpre-
ter, "that she did this embroidery her
self, and that she does great deal of
embroidery. She makes her baby's
clothes" Then asked to see the baby,
and after some consultation it was brought
down. 1t rosembled nothing so mucl as
funny little brown doll. 1t squinted
at me through its little Sits Of eyes and
puckered its face into a grimace, which
the fond mother called a smile.
| saw the ladies OF the Chinese En-.
bassy a day later out for their walk.
They were veiled aud closely attended.
They went down to the Central Market,
which seems to have great attraction
for them. The two younger women
seemed quite giddy. They gathered up
handful Of potatoes from one Of the
market stalls and pelted each other with
them.
Nine. Tateno, wife OF the japanese
Minister, is a very different type OF a
woman. Not only does she attend all
the social affairs in Washington, but she
enjoys them keenly. She joined her
husband year ago last winter, in the
middle of the season, and made quite
sensation. Not that there was any
thing sensational about the lady. 1t
was because there was not that the people
were surprised. She has the eye', aud
the complexion, and the shining black