St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-08-28
LII Hung Chang.

Lii Hung Chang, Ambassador Extra
ordinary and Plenipotentiary, the most
famous OF Cinnamon, is en- route from
England to the United States for a short
visit. He is accompanied by six cooks,
his son, daughter-in-law his secretaries
and other followers to the number Of 40.
But the most interesting thing he brings
with him is his coffin,
Lii always takes his coffin with him
wherever he goes, as he expects to die at
any time, and wants to be laid away in
orthodox Chinese style when the time
comes. He had his coffin sent to Lon
don during the coronation festivities at
Moscow, as he feared its presence might
mar the general joy of the Gar
Ii Hung Chang has had this coffin for
more than 80 years, and every once in
while it is necessary to repair some Of
the trimmings, as it is highly orna-
mented affair. 1t weighs 500 pounds,
and separate state room was engaged
forit on the steamer ST. Louis. Its origi-
nal cost was $4,000, and to maintain
it for so long time has cost $4,000
more. The cost OF carrying it around
the world on this trip is close to $4,000.
1t is made of mahogany and the wood
was cut from a single tree trunk. The
bottom is curved and rests on supports
at either end. Its exterior is veneered
with highly decorated carved wood. 1t
is eight feet, nine inches long, three feet
wide and three feet deep. There are no
hinges to the lid, for at the burial the lid
will be fastened at each end with many
bands Of silk cord. There are 16 big
handles, eight on each side. Two long
poles of mahogany go along with it so
that at the burial 32 men can lift it up
and carry it to the cemetery.
Ii Hung Chang, besides being one of
the most notable men of the age, is also
the richest, his wealth being estimated
at $500,000,000 He is burning money
on this trip and at Berlin spent $250,OOO
for diamonds and pearls which he gave
to his daughter-in-law. The German
jeweler was taken a trife by surprise
when he received this order.
Ii Hung Chang is II years old, but he
is hale and hearty and has the appetite
of an athlete of 20. In his apartments
his dinner is served at $50 O'Clock by his
body valet, a man who sleeps at his door
every night, and by three cooks, who
follow their handiwork to the dining
room.
The meal consists of from - to 16
courses, not counting tea and little cakes
at the end One large tray contains all
these various edibles, ranged in rows one
above the other. Roast duck is almost
always the piece de resistance, which
the Viceroy eats with kidney beans.
Then comes savory dish of fresh pork,
with a quantity of jam. Although the
cucumbers are served apart, he usually
enjoys them together with jam and pork.
After this the venerable Chinese turns to
shrimps, the flavor Of which is height
ened by leeks, gherkins and mushrooms,
with which he eats them. Next he picks
two tender chickens preserved in wine
and vinegar along with green peas. Then
he is ready to do justice to slice of
fresh pork cooked in honey with the
smallest mushrooms. This is succeeded
by PURGE made Of pigeons legs and fla
vored with sour jelly. These are some of
the chief plates which constitute the
evening meal, and are followed by des-
sert, consisting of rice cooked with sugar
and sponge cakes, and the whole washed
down with tea.
This menu would send most men of
seventy-one into their graves at an early
date, but Ii goes through it every day.
Some years ago he had stroke of apo
plexy, and when death visits him he eX-
poets it to come in that form, but in the
meantime he is not foregoing any OF the
delights of the table,
When "Fiat Justitia" Talks.