The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-19
LITTLE CHINESE LEAnN OUR wa rs.
Education OF the Children or the Iteration in
Washington.

washington.
No better test Of the gradual loosening Of the
bonds which for so many centuries have made
China the most exclusive and least progressive
OF nations could be cited than tho freedom
with which the children OF tho Chinese Legation
are now permitted to mingle with American
playfellows.
1t was, indeed, but u few years since the
women OF the legation were induced TO modify
somewhat the absolute seclusion to which they
were accustomed, Mrs. Tsin Kno Yin being
tho first to exchange social courtesies with the
women of the Diplomatic Corps. Nor was
this tremendous innovation accomplished with
out serious misgivinss on tho part of the Min
lister himself and considerable clever man.
agement on tho part Of his friends.
Mrs. Yang Yu, her successor, easily slipped
into the way which had been opened for her, her
picturesque appearance and charming person
ality making her a social favoritc. At her first
appearance in public she was the object of
much friendly interest and undisguiscd curl
osity, but 1t soon became no uncommon event
to see her In public surrounded by her little
family.
The children were therefore early introduced
to American customs, and under American
tutors advanced rapidly in the language. The
spirit Of Freemasonry existing among boys
made 1t a comparatively easy matter for the cid
est son, a boy of eight, to make acquaintance
and gain friends. He was placed in school.
and possessing an unusually quick mind, soon
acquired enough English to prosecute his ordi-
nary studies in that language.
He became 80 attached to his school friends
and American ways generally that when in
April last q change in the Ministry was made
the thought of turning his back upon 1t all was
q source of the greatest grief TO him. 1t was
rather hard upon the boy, too, just as no had
got q good grip Of his English to be Obliged to
drop 1t and begin the same grind on French,
for as soon as 1t was known that his father was
to go to st. Petersburg that is what he had to
do. French being the court language in Russia.
Master Yang Yu always wore his little Chinese
costume, which made him rather a conspicuous
figure among his playmates, but once II boy
proves himself a thoroughly good fellow" his
clothes count for little with his chums.
The new Minister, Mr.. WI. being a prottgt
of Ii Hung Chang, and, therefore, Of the more
liberal party, besides having studied law in
London for four years, had. perhaps, fewer
pref udices to combat upon coming to America
than any previous Chinese Minister. Mrs,
WI, however. early made her entrance into
Washington society, and the only son, a lad OF
10, was Immediately placed in a private
school. OF course, his school life seems a little
dull at first, as about all he can do is to sit and
listen to the other pupils reciting, his teacher oc
CaSlOnally calling his attention 10 some DlrtlCu
lar object and reqqirine. hiln to pronounce its
name. However, Washington teachers have
had considerable experience with the children
adapt their methods to them with "a soodly
degree of skill.
Recreation time is quite a different matter
as games and toys, the universal language Of
boys. are fortunately about the same the world
&C, arc as much the part of a Chinese boy.
life as Of an Am x%n and with tn these sea. q.
NJ hOy friends. He has even learned to ride 4
bicycle. but owing to his costume is. Obliged Z
content himself f with h Rig e girl Th wheel Fol;r,b F 90 . Imi
was the first fete day that Master WI witnessed
in America. and II seemed a very homelik.
hrecrnckers, are used on almost every fete occa
!; sion in China, The evening display in Wash
t him, as, though the Chinese were the first ma
, ton in the world to make and use trecrackers
/ quantities, they know little or nothing OF coloret
t lights. and the brilliansy and masniheence o
Life. however, is Very far from being all bee,
1 and sklttles to Chinese boys. They are accus
0 toned to spending many more hours a day q
t Master WI, besides his regular school work
has a Chinese tutor, with whom he is expected
: to work several hours a day at his studies II
3 Chinese. Chinese parents are, indeed exceed
ingly strict, and careful in the trnining ant
, over to the nurses during their hours of play
The Chinese mother OF the higher class expect
i psn sRSnfh Ihe 81 FF fes cbl Far a S' heF Tune In inc co"
Mrs. WI also brought with her to America
a a nephew of l6. who Is hard at work takinl
r daily lessons in English, with the hope OF enter
3 ing the High School in Washington this au
! a very intelligent Chinaman, was. GRADUATED
4 from the High School in June, and Is alrcad,
entered as a student at Cornell. During a re
l cent interview Mr.. SEE remarked, that yer,
. much more work was expected OF universal
t men in China than from the men here, thet
{ principal study being in the line of their litera
( lure, which is complicated. involved, and din
r cult, but which they are taught to adore. MI
r SEE having just returned from a spin. wa
r dressed in the conventional English hicycl
q suit, in which he looked very smart. He doe
d not shave his head or wear IL piStail. and u
I American citizen.
n This cosmopolitan education of even q
{ sprinkling of the younger generation seem
bound to have its influence upon the ironcln
n customs OF the old world and the free inter
8 mingling Of these high-caste Eastern wome
already begun TO bear fruit. Mrs. Ho. for e.
q ample, wife OF the Secretary of Mr. Yang W
although herself the victim OF bandaged fec
will not allow the feet of her daughters to b
6 bound. Indeed, her three little children, a
born in this country, had American nurses an
were fed, clothed. and taken care OF exactly a
o American children are.
When the present Minister was asked:
Z "If YOU had IA daughter would You bind he
g feetl" an inscrutable look passed quickly acros
y his face. as he said:
9 Madam, j have no daughter
IAN IL You hadf'
o After considerable hesitation, no slowly r.
9 plier, II do not think | should" This We
" a concession, as the Minister evidently take
great pride in the little feet OF his wife.
o vICTOR EMMANUEL As 4 HUSBAND