Evening star., 1896-09-11
Ii TO AMERICAN WOMEN
Some Of the Things He Said to Clara Bell
Brown.
Much Opposed to the Use of the Dicy-
cle-His Iden Of the Duty
of Women.

tngton. with the understanding that the in
terview should not be printed until Ii had
departed from the country. The results of
the interview are now given to the public
through The Star.
Clara Bell Brown writes:
He asked II wished to question him, and
1 at once placed my battery and poised my
pencil.
What is your opinion Of American wo-
men?"
He wittily replied that he had not enough
acquaintance yet with them to write a book
Of Impressions. as other tourists. and pre-
ferred to reserve his opinions til; ne knew
more.
What do you think Of the woman In
poltics?'
He grew animated and voluble at once.
Ladies'. he said, "have their duties as
keepers of the home, mothers and guar-
diahs Of our children-the men and women
OF the future. That Is their proper sphere
A man should never bring to his wife the
That which Is said by the men should never
be repeated In the apartments OF the wo-
men: that which is said or done in the fam
iy should never be breaihed to the world"
he quoted Confucius to uphold his opin-
Ion, and when responded that these sehtt-
ments contained the subiimest wisdom, he
turned to me with smile which 1 could
onIy describe as radiant. and we at orce
became personal and communicative.
asked the Interpreter to tell Earl IL an
deitcateiy as possible, that considered him
great deal better looking than his por-
traits. When he heard this. he turned a
look on me OF unlimited approval
Disapproves the Bicycle Girl.
When 1 spoke Of the bicycle for women.
his countenance underwent a Jightning-ltke
change. Disgust took the place of appro
baton.
bot
Upon being told that 1 did not use
wheel. he spoke out In meeting" and said
that ne was totally opposed to women rid
Ing about the streets on such a thing .nd
When asked IL Chinese women would ever
use Wheel his head began to wag yio
lently, No! No! No! Not modestr'
Just mere he remarked. with a chuckle
that ne was afraid American women would
curse him l replied that We had too much
interest In MS opinions and too much re-
speci Tor MS craftsmanship not to receive
anything he said with due consideratio,
The next question l read carefuIlv from
my notebook. Aion'
DO you not think that your visit IN
a"erea ~ erica VIII modify or change the views
OF many OF your countrymen as IN ,ha
standing and influence of women?"
No Desire for Change.
The grave and reverend no,i,ic;,n .s,,o,
to have this query repeated. After consid
Grafton he said with marked empbasis hu,
some hesitation:
Il appreciate the life and conditfo, ot
ladies in your country very much as I find
II. nave every respect for your customs
ana institutions. but China Is an old coun
!ry. we desire no change from the Gus
tC ms OF our race. There will be no change
turies.' '1Ae NeA
The gravity of these sentiments threw
KIND OF gloom over the matinee de Chinois
ana l plunged recklessly at question No. I.
piece. o'
Why don't your young Chinese noblemen
come over and court our wealthy GIRLS. as
Englishmen dor
Why not! Why mott" cried the inter
prefer with such glee that Earl Ii bent
eagerly forward for the Chinese text of the
matter AS 1t was translated aloud, the
young men of the suite drew near with
smlllhs interest echoing: why not?"
Ihey all looked to the old chief for his
opinion. This matter lay near their hearts
anc rows of white teeth and general
setthng OF attitude and apparel testified to
the effect produced. The master smiled q
benz gnant smile, as if to say: No doubt
the boys would like it," and remarked:
Ieil her that perhaps the American girls
would not be contented with the way of
lie IN emma as they are with court life in
London. Our ways are SO different We
are the product Of the unchanging CEN
turfes. and her countrywomen would not
readily assimilate with our doctrines nor
our customs. StiIl-' and he left rhe
question open, with an indulgent smile
around the circle.
Again and again he expressed his pleasure
at the reception he was having in America
He called my attention to the flowers which
were used in profusiCn in his apartments,
then he launched out into quite disserta-
tion upon the Chinese ideas as to the man
as the head Of the family and state.
hn6 o-l-. 1,f.,
asked the advice of their wives upon mat
ters Of national interest. 1t did not take
him long to say no to this. He courteously
gave me to understand that while he would
opinions.
During the interview he had held a hand
some goid-headed cane 1t was passed to
me for admiration. and handed to the little
girl: she was made to read the Inscription,
stating that 1t was presented to Gen. U. S.
Grant by a friend. Mrs. Grant herself
gave this cane to Earl L. who shows 1t
with evident pride.
A Message to American Women.
Finding that 1 had stayed over an hour
and that cards were coming in rapidly. I
arose to CO. My last request was for a
message to the American women. AL
though he had been notified Of this inten-
tion. he hesitated. and voluble conversation
took place between him and the Interpreter.
who soon explained that as he had not
given any message to the men of Amer
lea first, he feared that they would object
to message to their ladies'" from him.
1 gathered that he thought our men would
resent a personal gallant message to us.
Assuring him that American husbands
were not jealous. and would be glad of
any attention. especially verbal, that he
showed to American danes and their
daughters. he proceeded to utter this SEN
timent:
Tell the ladies Of America that while 1
feel 1t is delicate thing to do, am graft
fled at their desire to hear from me. 1
have seen few of them, but heard much
OF them. From my personal friendship for
Mrs. Grant, and my appreciation of her
countrywomen. tender the ladies of Amer
lea my high regard. and leave them,
through you. a grateful farewell for their
country and kindness"
I assured him that our cultured women
had a high appreciation Of his statesman
ship, and held him in esteem as one of the
worlds leading craftsmen in governmental
questions. This appeared to please him
greatly. He nodded his appreciation and
bid me adieu with one Of the most graceful
personal compliments it has been my lot
to hear.