The age-herald., 1900-08-12

to maintain the high rank which he holds as chief of customs which Is equal to that of the Minister.
 The explanation of, his attaining that po- siton is best told in his own words. He said:
 After had been in the Consular service
 five years I was invited to join the Chi
 nese customs, then in their infancy. Some
 thing inspired me to accept the offer. One thing led to another and in 1881 was
 made acting inspector general in the place
 of MT. Lay, who was going home on a
 leave for two years. His resignation fol-
 lowed shortly after his return to China and
 I was appointed in his stead. So in four
 years had risen to the highest post in
 the service. The position was not nearly
 so important then as now; since those
 days the Chinese custom service has grown
 to such colossal proportions that the work
 of detail Is something incredible" Sir Robert has not confined himself to
 his duties with the customs, but the Chi
 nese government has found in him fre-
 quently a confidential adviser. At one time he averted war with France. For that he
 was later offered the position of Minister
 from England to China, but declined it,
 partly on the advice of Dr. Martin, who
 had known him for years and who gave as
 a reason that Hart could be of more ser
 vice in the customs Prince Ching after
 ward thanked him for deciding in favor of China, as he expressed 1t.
 Sir Robert is known by all who come in
 contact with him a man who has tre-
 mendous capacity for work. Almost every day in the year when times are peaceful he is in his office from to o'clock the brief
 stop for luncheon and the sesta which he
 never allows to be interfered with being
 the only breaks He has never given him. self a vacation and it is said of him that for many years he has never set foot out side of Pekin, not even to go to the hills, to which the foreign contingent always mi
 grates at one season of the year. Music
 and literature are the two diversions of his existence. He works to the din of a brass
 band, and when that has silenced he plays
 the violin It seems to soothe his nerves
 nothing else could.
 The "I. G." was the sobriquet by which
 Sir Robert was familiarly known, which,
 being translated. means inspector-general.
 The Chinese customs are said to be unlike any others in the world, and as head of 1t
 Sir Robert is law unto himself. He &C., cepts nominations from foreign ministers, but has allowed no dictation or interfer- ence, and insists upon accepting or reject
 ing candidates as he thinks best regardless of who might recommend them. The ser- vice is made up of sons of diplomatic min- isters of practically all the countries in the world, and many sons of missionaries,
 which letter, having been born in China,
 have the advantage of knowing the Chinese language. q take pleasure" said the 'I
 G." in favoring the sons of missionaries.
 As a host Sir Roberts guests declare he
 is unequaled. When guest comes into the
 house Sir Robert says to him: Your early tea will be brought to you when you ring
 your bell. Please ring 1t only once, holding the button pressed while you can count three. Then, will it be convenient to you to tiffin at 12 sharp? Because, if not, I will tiffin myself at 12 sharp and order your tiffln to be served at any hour you like. ride from to 5; there is always mount for you if you wish it. Dinner at 7:3O sharp, and I must ask you always to ex- cuSe me at Il.
 Needless to say, everything goes like
 clockwark in house like that.
 In everything about the place there is
 method. There is a big wicker chair in the dining room which is always covered with a rug so that nobody can sit in it. In that Sir Robert has had his tea every | afternoon for thirty years. Near by on | shelf stands a blue and white cup which l has been in his sole service for the same l length of time. He is punctuality itself. | The guests simply set their watches by | his various movements about the house. Sir Robert is of medium height and slight build, rather bald, with a kind, thoughtful and humorous face. His voice is low and his manner shy and punctiious. He is a most entertaining man and has an endless | fund of good stories. In any joke he is l always prime mover. He is devoted to | children.
 To the Yamen Sir Robert is officially re- | sponsible and submits full reports, but that | august body has such confidence in him | tbat his authority in his own domain is l never questioned nor are any of his acts | ever altered.