Arizona republican., 1900-09-22


 He was wearing a loose flowing fur clcak and carried a very simple stick in his hand. His high rank could be told only by the button which he is privileged to wear. He shook his wis itors very warmly by the hand. and then We all sat down at a table which was loaded with tea and champagne The conversation lasted twenty min utes and was very commonplace.
 "The next morning Ii returned the visit of the French officers on board their ship. The viceroy was interested especially in the guns. He asked through his interpreter whether the guns were of Creusot make. and the word Creusot. which he pronounced quite correctly, sounded very strange coming in the middle of the native pa tois which he invariably speaks. It was quite manifest that the Chinese understood fully all the details of the guns which were shown to them; nevertheless, true to their instincts of false courtesy. they were SO gocd as to express astonishment and wonder and to go into raptures over the working of the guns. Before leaving the ship Lii invited the officers to dine with him that same evening. and NJ. PichOn, the French minister. and his wife were also invited. Iii received Us with all due pomp in a big room which bore testi- mOny to the high respect enjoyed by its owner in the shape of large official communications in the handwriting of the dowager empress. with which the walls were adorned. On a stool of carved wood in the background stood
 
 devoted to Ancestry worship The room was furnished in the French style that is to say. in the fashion which prevailed fifteen years ago in Paris. In the most approved manner Ii offer ed his arm to Mime. Pichon. and con- ducted her to the table. NJ. Pichon sat on the opposite side of the table. The dinner was excellent, and was of Flu ropean character. The whole palace was lighted by electricity. In the next room d large crowd of subordinates and servants crowded themselves to- gether to get a good view of us, and they made a fearful noise.
 Swallow-nest soup and turtle soup were served first. and then followed a cold fish with mayOnnaise: this was sharks fin, and tasted like India rub Der. Then came bullet breasts with moril, pigeons eggs cooked in oil. nut ton outlets with puree of peas, a vari- ety of mushroom known as silver ears ham with preserved fruits, aspic made of pate de foie gras, fishes tripe, roast ducks, roast fowl. shrimps, Chinese cakes with a very good flavor. biscuits and evil tasting dessert cakes. chocO- late cream and fruit ice. In all, there were eighteen dishes. Before every guest was menu printed OH red paper. Twice during the meal Lis pipe bearer handed a pipe to his master who gave it back after taking two puffs at it. When he does not give official dinners Iii lives almost exclusively upon diet of milk. He prefers human milk.
 When the dinner was at an end We returned to the large room, where tea and coffee were handed around. The afternoon call on Ii Hung Chang had really been made with the object of NJ. Pichon having a little conversation with Ii. As M. Pichon did not then gain his point, the interview was post pOned to be suddenly renewed on the present occasion. Thus the two chief men plunged all at once into a serious conversation. It was so earnest that the young French officers could not fol- low it; they lounSed in their chairs. and. as they smoked. dreamed of the distant outside world. But the man darins Tn the suite of the vicerOy swarmed around his chair, and entered keenly into the discussion. At last. after exchanging the usual compliment tary expressions. and with certain vague assurances on the part of Li Hung Chang we took our leave of that powerful man. "-London Globe.