Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-09-03

who guards his soul. The coffin max IS
It's travels in a big brass hinged box,
and it is doubtful if any one gets a
peep at it during Lis stay in this
country, as the coffin is regarded as
something sacred by the distinguished
Chinaman and his suite.
Prince Bismarck and General Grant
agreed that Ii was The cleverest diplo-
mat they had ever met, and he carries
his diplomacy down to the little every
day affairs of life. 1t was a bit of deli
cate diplomacy to send his coffin to
London out of respect for the car S
feelings, and it also showed his tact
and refinement, for Ii is a thorough
bred gentleman in every inch of his six
feet of manhood.
Ii will be banqueted many times in
this country, but not an ounce of food
will pass his lips at any of these pub
lie feasts. Here his diplomacy will
show itself again. He says that he
fears he might place something in his
mouth that he would not like and
cause him to vince. This he would
regard as an affront to his hosts, so he
eats nothing. When invited to dine
out he eats hearty meal in his apart
ments before leaving, and then he sits
through the banquet without partaking
of any of the viands.
1t must not be imagined from this
that III scornS the delights of the table.
He is seventy-one years old, but he
has the appetite of an athlete of
twenty. In his apartments his dinner
is served at $50 o'clock by his body
every night, and by three cooks, who
follow their handiwork to the dining
room. The meal consists of from
twelve to sixteen 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 Gu
cumbers 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 heightened by leeks, gherldns and
mushrooms, with which he eats them
Next he picks two tender chickens pre-
served 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 mush-
rooms. This is succeeded by PURGE
made of pigeons legs and favored with
sour Jelly. These are some of the chief
plates which constitute the evening
nal. and are followed by dessert, con-
ssting 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 Lii goes through it every
day, and he is hale and hearty. Some
years ago he had stroke of apopleXy,
and when death visits him he expects it
to come in that form, but in the mean
time he is not foregoing any Of the de
lights of the table.
The political career of LII is so well
known that no reference need be made
to it here. While the cables have re
Gently brought rumors to the effect
that his powers in China has greatly
diminished, the statesmen of Europe
seem to think otherwise. The Rus
sian government detailed certain
count to follow LII everywhere in
France, Germany and England, and
keep track of any negotiations he
might enter into with those countries.
1t is quite possible that this count will
follow LII to this country and stay with
him until he is safe and sound in China
again.