Birmingham state herald., 1896-09-03
OUR SOCIAL WORLD

(All items of social interest will be gladly poted in these columns if sent to Mrs. Eeorge c. Ball, Nineteenth street between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South Hlgh- lands. Telephone 9SS)
 Mr. Sumter Mays Ball had the good fortune in returning from recent trip abroad to cross the Atlantic on the same steamer-the St. Louis-with Ii Hung Chang, and the Atlanta Constitution of Monday gives a half column account of the various incidents, which naturally impressed this young American when he for the first time came in personal con- tact with the greatest Chnaman of his generation and one of the most remark able men of the world today. The in- Didents related confirm the belief held by many that thought the Mongol may wear queer clothes, may need a barber's attention and cannot speak our tongue, still he holds opinions quite in accord with many of us who represent a widely different civilization. Among other things MT. Ball said to the Constitution man: "Li is very easy to approach. He talked with all who addressed him through an interpreter-and was not Q bit reserved in expressing his opinions. He is, on the contrary, very outspoken, and says things that his questioners ire quently do not relish. Richard Harding Davis was on board and went into Lis state room to get some data for an ar ticle that he is going to write. He took pains to explain to him that he had been at the coronation of the cZar to write it up, and that he was writing novel, That made Ii mad. Writing a novel, he ex C1raftN a11i ID INN ashamed of yourself. Writing a novel, indeed. A big strappng, able bodied fel low like you ought to be at work Why don't you go to work?' General Wagner of Philadelphia was on board and en- gagged Ii in conversation. Ii asked about Philadelphia man whom he once knew in China and wanted to know if General Wagner knew him. Oh, yes, exclaimed General Wagner, T knew him very we'll indeed. In fact, he was one of my very best friends. But poor fellow, he got into financial troubles He could not raise some money that he needed on some securities and he lost his lortune.' Li looked al the general in surprise. DO you mean to say said he, 'that he was your best friend. and you did not help him in case like that?' The crowd gathered around and cheered the senti- ment. Lis adopted son and several dis tinguished Chinese were on board. They mingled with the passengers and ate in the regular dinlngeroom. They talked with great freedom and All the way over Lii had a great crowd around him. All the babies on the boat had to be presented to him, and the old fellow did not seem to enjoy it bit. He kept in his cabin more than he would other wise have done to save himself from the curious crowds. He had his meals in his private saloon. They were specially pre- pared by his Chinese cook. He never trusts himself to foreign cooks. The re- ception given Ii at New York was indeed remarkable. The display of ships was a sight worth going many miles to see The booming of cannon and noise of the steamers whistles did not disturb the great Chinaman in the least. He didn't show himself and appeared to take little or no interest in the proceedings He appeared to be dreadfulIy bored all the time"
 Mir. and Mrs. B. E. Conner and MT. and Mrs. T. T. Hlllman left yesterday at noon for Colorado. They will go directly to Glenwood Springs, in that far-distant state, and later visit other points of in- ter st. returning home in about month.
 Mrs. James H. Blount of Macon. Ga, will reach Birmingham today, and will spend the time that her parents, MT. and MrS. B. B. Conner, are absent with her brother and sisters a their handsome home, corner of Thirteenth avenue and Twentieth street, South Highlands
 Mrs. Evans J. Dunn and her sister Miss Irene Dashiell, left Tuesday for visit to northern resorts. They will beabsent sev- eral weeks.
 Miss Jennie E. Walters has returned from her summer vacation, and has re- stunned her duties at Messrs. Victor Gage & Co.
 Mrs. J. w. Barclay has returned from long visit to her old home at Elkton, Tenn.
 pr and Mrs. Amzi Golden are at home again after visit to points of interest in New England.
 Judge and Mrs. H. A. Sharpe and fam fly reached home Monday from St. Clair Springs.
 Friday evening al 8 o'clock at the South Highland Presbyterian church Rev. Dr. John Barbour, who has recently returned from visit to Europe, will lecture, select ing as his tn me "Ten Days On the Con- tnent." There will be no charge for ad- mission to this delightful lecture of Dr.. Barbour's, and the public is cordially in- yited In attpp6 RpfrpSb n1ppts will ba