The Washington times., 1894-03-25
How Mrs. Yang Appears
In Her Legation Home.

The Chinese are notorious the world over
for their conservative ways, but the present
minister from the celestial empire seems to
be rapidly adopting American customs.
Still, while his wife has made some incur
sons into society, she is far from enjoying
the freedom of our women, and for the
spouse of such an illustrious official to be
interviewed is something almost unknown.
Mrs. Yang has made several acquaintance
among the ladies here and she has taken a
great fancy to Mrs. Gresham and Nine
Romero, wife of the Mexican minister Direct
appeals to the legation were useless. so
through the kind offices OF Nine. Romero.
Mrs. Yang kindly consented to see a visitor
this week. The Chinese Legation is a brown
stone building out on the breezy hills near
Calumet place. and the mansion has an i'm
posing air OF solid comfort and elegant lux
ury. Strange to say, the butler is an Irish
man.
Within doors one finds unmistakable signs
of the Orient. for in the pretty parlors are
many OF the quaint screens and gorgeous
hangings that came from the land of the
dragon But the furniture is all Of American
style and make.
The first to appear was young person.
who glided softly into the room, his slender
form gowned in dark silken robes and padded
shoes. making no sound on the delicate car
pet. This gentleman was one of the secre-
teries OF the legation. who is attending school
in town, and who acts as interpreter
Presently Mrs YANG nppparad and tr11ly
dazzling vision of Easter loYeliness she must
have made as she stood at the arch doorway
Surely such picture of gorgeousness was
never before seen except on some rich Chi
nese face. 4 robe of silk embroidered with
small flowers and birds reached from her neck
to her tiny feet. the black hair was combed
back from u waxen face where paint made Il
vivid blush on the plump cheeks and even
around the almond eyes. And to crown it
was a heavy round cap decorated with jewels
and from which gay ribbons streamed down
behind. On each side of the head. just above
the ear. were two bouquets of artificial flow
ers standing straight out in front and flow
ing rs any hue of the rainbow. Mrs. Yang
does not speak English herself. so the con-
versa.ion was carried on by means OF an in
terpreter.
She expressed herself as very much pleased
with Washington and the ladies she has met
here and thinks their dress very becoming
Mfs- 1auS, when questioneu as TO tne
women OF China, said there were no Chris
tians amongst the high-class Chinese and it
| was not likely Christianity would spread in
China. OF American customs she did not
propose adopting all. but would take part in
a small way in social life next Winter. Women
in her country did not so on the street alone
except to joss houses (church), and their
shopping was done by means of servants and
samples IRON the stores.
Rank in China is divided into nine
classes. each denoted by a button. The
present Minister belongs to the second rank,
which is shown by a bright red button worn
on the cap. There are several small chill
dren, and presently two tiny tots trotted into
the parlor deckeG in long brocaded robes
and crowned with gorgeous caps of flowing
ribbons. There are two apiece, a man and a
woman, for each nurses child. These women
have tiny feet, like those one sees in pictures.
but they manage tc waddle around pretty
lively.
Mrs. Yang talks but little. and has ex-
| tremely quiet ways, sitting with her hands in
her lap and scarcely raising her brown eyes.
But she has made rapid progress in our
ways, and is now studying English