New-York tribune., 1896-08-30

DAYS reception in the ballroom Of ex-Secretary
William c. Whitney's Ffth-ave. home. was the
nresentation Of his letter Of credence to the
President This letter was a most elaboratey
prepared document. done on Chinese parchment
and wrapped In a covering Of rich yellow silk'
unon which was figure of the rampant Cninese
dragon worked i'm red, blue. and green ana
white shades The parchment resembed moth
ing known TO American eyes quite so strongly
as q well-fled music roll. The letter carried
an English Interpretation. The reception ala
not last more than twenty-five minutes, and
consisted I'm the introduction Of the Niceroy 10
Mr. Cleveland by the Secretary Of state MF'
OInev. the exchange Of complimentary addresses
between the two men: the subsequent presenta-
tion of the few state officers present to the
Nations guest: the introduction Of Ii Hung
Chang's sons and attendant officials to the
President. and then the farewell Ill Huhs
Chang then returned to the Waldorf Hotel
where he spent the rest of the day in quiet TO
prepare for the dinner which was given III MS
honor last night
RECEPTIONS IN THE PAST
Tho DEATHS of all this briefly summarized
stor, are interesting in the extreme and fur
nish a source for comparison Of similar ar
fairs I'm the past such as the reception OF the
Prince Of Wales of the Grand-duke Alexis; the
Emperor Of Brazil Dom Pedro of the Duke
Of Veragua the first japanese mission to
his country which preceded the welcome to the
Prince of Wales by only brief time and the
honors paid to the Princess Eulalia In this
instance aside from the fact that the recep-
tion was not held at the Nations Capital. the
most painstdking regard was paid to the possi-
bic sensitiveness of feeling Of one who comes
from a country i'm which great attention is
paid to Journalism. However, since the opening
Of the far-away empires Of the East to more
republican influences. much OF the old-time
Eastern reverence for revealed greatness has
passed away For instance there were no eX-
aggerated genuhexions and grovelling obei-
sanccs yesterday before the President on the
part Of the visitors As on Thursday. on board
the St Louis an introduction was followed by
bow and shake of the hand quite in the
American fashion But state etiquette was rig
idly observed from the very beginning of the
brief ceremony till its close.
The first item Of the reception the early
morning call made by Ii Hung Chang upon
the Secretary of state. NJ. Olney, who. on his
arrival in the city. had gone To the Waldorf
in order TO simplify this necessary movement
on the part Of the visitor who had been ap-
priSed OF the ARRIVAL ol MI olH'S' II was
shortly after o'clock when the Chinese states
man called upon the Secretary of State. whose
rooms were on the third floor Of the hotel The
audience between the two men was brief. and
then within an hour Mr.. Olncy called upon il
Hung chang in the latter's apartments. this
proceeding being strictly in accord with diplo-
matte rul".
AN INTERPRETER UNNECESSARY.
though the formality is apparently unnecessary.
ne Ii Hung Chang according 10 the statement Of
one Of MS own suite. is conversant with the Eng
Itch language. only rivalling Won Moltke in ab-
ity.to keep silent In his own tongue. however. he
has IA do loss talking for he need not bother him
s,lf to sneak to So many people. The Secretary OF
ct,te in his return call. accompanied 10y
General RuCer and 'he details Of the reception
,,.ra arranged Then the principals separated
and rreparations were begun for the departure
T., the home Of Mr. Whitney. which. for the time
l.,nr had been turned over TO the President. and
bonce was tn. official residence Of the chief EX-
ecutiye.
The four troops Of cavalry. under the command
.of Colonel Sumner. which constitute the body
GUARD and military escort Of the Viceroy during
bfss,av in Ncw-York city. were on hand in ample
time and formed in Thirty-third-st at about 10
o'clock But the Ambassador. walking between
Secretary Olney and the interpreter. did not ap-
near To crafty the waiting throng in the corri-
dor and in the street until 1910 Hts air was
CHEEKY. and he seemed to appreciate deeply the
enthusiasm OF the waiting crowd and the sa"is