Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-16

Chinese Official With Peacock Feather
one of the generals, who were acting
against the rebels in the famous TAPPING
rebellion. This war occurred in China
about the time Franklin Pierce was Presi
dent. 1t cost the country 10.0O0,C0O of
lives, and it was largely through ii that
it was put down. Lii Hung Chang is a dip
lonat, as well as a statesman, and he
worked his way up from one position to an
other until he got to be commander-in-chief.
He took Chinese Gordon into his confidence
and made him one OF his generals Gordon
drilled the Chinese according to foreign
tactics, and together they vanquished the
rebels. The result was that Iii became the
greatest man in China. He was given one
big office after another until he became
only second to the emperor. This is the
position which he holds today. He is super
intendent of northern trade, and controls
the commercial matters of all North China
numbering more than 110,WO,0O of people
He is the governor general of the province
of Chill. and Is practically the secretary
of state. He has for years been the chief
medium of communication between the
Chinese and foreign nations, and he is the
most progressive Chinaman in the empire
1t was he who introduced the telegraph
into China, and the wires that run into his
palace at Tientsn connect him with every
court of Europe and with every part of the
United States. He is said to be very
rich man, and his income ranges between
$4,000 and 100000 per year. No one knows
how much he has made outside Of his
offices I heard 1t said in Tientsin that he
was worth S5O.OOO.O0O. and on the other
hand his friends claim that he is not worth
more than 100000 or &.OOO.O0O. What
ever-he has must come from his own idea
of his share of the receipts, for the Chi
nese government pays small salaries and
expects the officials to steal the balance.
Peacock Feathers In China.
Ii has risen in rank as well as in power.
He is now an earl, and when I saw him
last summer at banquet in his palace
his head was decorated with cap out of
the hack of which stuck his three-eyed
peacock feather. This last is even a
greater distinc ton than the yellow jacket
1t is one Of the greatest things an emperor
can give. and is usually conferred only
upon princes and mobiles of the highest de-
gree. The feather was about two feet
long and was fastened to a big cap with a
turned-up brim by great button, which
rested on the center of the crown of the
hat, and which was also mark of high
rank. The feather stuck out behind the
hat and quivered as Ii Hung Chang put
his yellow fists together and bowed low in
saluting his guests. There were other
peacock feathers upon some of the Chinese
high officials among the guests, but Lii
Hung Chang was the only one who had a
three-eyed peacock feather. The double
eyed peacock feather is much lower
honor. and the single-eyed peacock feather
is worn by many ordinary officials, and it
is possible to buy the right to use it. Even
blue plume or the crow feather. This is
conferred as a reward for services upon
officials below the sixth degree of rank
and is worn by the Imperial Guards.
AS to the yellow jacket, this is only to
be used when the man who has it is in