The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-17
Makes Greatest impress
sion Upon Count Ii.
The Chinaman Has Big Squad
With Him.
Some Interesting Facts Con cerning
the CeleStials.

schNChs <AdSs Inc BfdnQ OlQ man
of China, Count Ii Hung Chang. went to
uawarden Saturday and paid visit to
the grand old man Of Great Britain,
William E. Gladstone. The Chinese en-
voy drove from Chester, where he was
received by guard of honor, and was
heartily cheered by large crowds OF peo-
pie. His interview with Mr.. Gladstone
lasted three-quarters of an hour. They
discussed, through an Interpreter a
variety OF topics, and, after enjoying
tea, were photographed together. The
veteran statesmen seemed To enjoy each
others company.
A week from today Ii Hung Chang
will be on his way 10 the United States,
which leads to the reflection that Amer
lea is less likely to benefit from the tour
of Ii Hung Chang than Russia. Ger
many, France or England. Count Ii.
and every member of his suite down to
the cooks assistant, is impressed more
by material evidence OF strength and
display than by anything else.
press representative visited Carlton
House terrace yesterday and was
quickly given to understand that what
would always live in.their memory and
what would be spread broadcast among
China was the overpowering magni-
flcence Of the Russian coronation cere-
monies, the irresistible appearance of
the German army and the undoubted
power OF the British feet. seen at Spitz-
head when the Chinese envoy visited the
queen at Osborne. The republican sim
plicity Of LIS reception In Paris did not
appeal to them. Doubtless the still
more simple reception they will meet
with in the United States will not i'm
press them particularly, as intrigues in
China render IL imperative that Ii
should hurry home. and he will not have
time TO really understand the strength
and wealth of the country. Further,
coming from a race where etiquet is
Of the strictest, they were displeased
with the careless tone OF official life in
France. That these things will count
I'm China's future foreign relations seems
assured, as certain members OF the suite
have kept a diary Of events and i'm
pressions which. II not made public. Will
be laid before the emperor.
Count Ii travels with an establish
ment-about 60 persons-the uses of
which. to the Europeans. are hard to
understand. That II is complete from
the Chinese standpoint cannot be ques-
tlOneu, IN tne race OF the oOO pieces OF
baggage, of every possible size. shape
and appearance. that were brought TO
London. The suite is organized in two
sections, the mandarins, who take part
In official matters, and the domestics.
who look after the comfort OF the party.
These are more particularly for Count
Ii, his suite being commonly satisfied
with the attentions OF European SER
wants supplied by their hosts.
The most interesting personality among
the mandarins-apart from tho giant
figure OF the ambassador-is Command
ant Ii Bob, who commanded a Chinese
gunboat at Port Arthur and ran her
ashore when the Japanese fleet appeared,
escaping in junk. For this. II appears,
he was condemned to death, but was
taken under Ii Hung Chang's protec-
ton, and Will possess his head until Ii
dies, when, Commandant Ii Bob pla-
cidly remarks, Il Will lose it,"
To the suggestion that he had better
remain behind at Vancouver, Il. c., Com
mandant Ii Bob replies with a grin
His duties throughout have been TO take
charge of the presents TO potentates and
look after Ii Hung Chang parrots, four
OF which have been treated to a trip
round the world.
Among the domestics the real nobility
is LIS cook. The boxes that form his
baggage resemble antiQuated tea chests
though no smell from the ancient eggs
highly cured hams and birds' ness they
are said TO contain, IS perceptible. The
cooks task, apart ffem its Importance
is not heavy, as Count Ii Is a most alb
stemious man, eating little and indulg-
ing lightly In the rare Shamshoo rice
wines that stock his cellar.
Lord Lonsdale's servants are already
half dead for want of sleep. When the
reporter enquired what was a good time
70 see Viscount Ii, Ii HuEg Chang's
son, the answer was: ANY time after
in the morning" Most OF the suite are
then up and ringing for tea and rice
When the visitors have had their tea and
rice they pay a round of visits TO each
other, apparently, as there is a good
deal of hustle, coming and going be-
tween the rooms, the doors OF which they
invariably lock IL they leave the rooms
empty for a moment. Whether or not
this has anything 10 do with the fact
that the whole Of the mandarins treated
themselves to gold watches. with raised
monograms, while in Paris, or the Chi
nese distrust Of tc-cign devils, Lord
I.onsdale's servants are still unable to
determine. A European breakfast is
served at s. TO which ample justice is
done. Lunch is ready at !, and dinner
is served at 6. Tea is required at all
nours. Most of them at Carlton House
Terrace sleep two hours IN the after
noon. and they retire at any time be-
tween 3 and midnight.
Ii Hung Chang follows somewhat
similar routine when his engagements
permit, though he does not rise much
before I, and generally Focs TO bed be-
fore TO- Though veteran he does not
sleep so muCa as rcpOse. mis- brain Is so