New-York tribune., 1900-07-22
GOSSIP OF THE CAPITAL.
FEW WOMEN HAVE PRESIDED AT THE
CHINESE LEGATION


MRS. WI AND SOME OF HER PREDECESSORS
THE WASHINGTON STARS, NEW BUILDING,
A PROPOSED GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION
Washington July 21.-Mrs WI the wife Of the
Chinese Minister. takes prominent part in society
and directs the domestic affairs of her husband 5
Legation. She IS a clever and interesting woman.
and regrets as much does the Minister the un-
happy events In China which causing 50 much
suffering 10 Americans But what can We do9.'
she asks appeaHngly. 1T is mob, just as you
nave nops In this country We can only regret We
cannot help matters" Just now Mrs. Wu spends
much time in Dupont Circle, which is situated near
the Legation and she IS of course observed by
every one. She bears the scrutiny placidly and to
those whom she knows talks frankly about the uu-
fortunate state of her country. This attractive
little woman is of very few women who have
presided AT the Chinese Legation
Ine first Envoy Extraordinary sent from China
70 this country was Arson Burlingame, Ameri-
can by birth. through whose agency the Celestial
Kingdom first opened her doors 10 the United
states He was appointed in 1868, and came hese
IN President Johnsons administration for the pur-
pose OF negotiating treaty between the two Gov
ernments. Associated with him in this special mis-
sion were Chih kang and Sun CHA Ku, the first
Chinese officials TO present credentials TO the au-
thorltIes IN the United States These ENJOYS. men
OF high birth and great Importance in their own
country, We're accompanied by a large suite. among
whom were no women IL was not until President
Arthur's administration, when the venerable and
dignthed Cheng Tsao Ju, who represented China
at this capital, and brought not only his wife but
a number of other women as maids and attend
ants, that a Chinese woman installed at the
head Of that Legation. But Mrs. Cheng was
scarcely more than figure head. Young. iuexperi-
enced, and having the poor little feet, compressed
in babyhood, which made walking a misery her,
she content to remain secluded, and was so
seldom seen In the world that only those who were
on intimate terms with the Legation knew OF her
presence there. But to Mrs Cheng in America
came her greatest happiness. Her little daughter
born here on United States soil and under
the protecting folds Of the Stars and Stripes
The Minister rejoiced 1t and called the little
maiden Nj, the Chinese equivalent for America,
a name. he gracefully said that had been chosen
because on leaving this country he would be con-
stantIy reminded Of the happy days spent here.
Cheng Yen HoOn. the dandy Of the Orient who
was still bachelor when he acted as Minister
here, succeeded Mr.. Tsut, and, although enter
tained assiduously. no woman assisted mis- func-
ttons No woman, indeed, could have dressed more
magnihcently than did this diplomat. He brought
trunks full Of Clothes his gowns were made of the
hantsomest brocade. stiff with embroidery and
studded with precious stones. II is said that like
the Empress Josephine, ne never wore dress
more than once. Al any rate. no one ever saw
MIN twice in the same costume. His jewels were
peduJlIuI IN the extreme, and he Invariably
wore Jade ring, curously carved and mis- man
darin's cap studded with magnificent fitr1Onds
Mr. Cheng was succeeded by the grave and mid
die aged TsUi kuO Yin who brought with him Mrs
Isui, also grave and middle aged and inclined TO
sIoutness, which, together with little feet made
II impossible for her to go about. She made no at
tempt, indeed to take active part in society for
no other reason than that she suffered to such ar
extent In walking, and the first and only time she
ception given just before her husband was recalled
ihe most popular and attractive o the Chinese
was MIS- Yang, the wife OF Mr.. Wu's predecessor,
Yang Yu, who is at present in St. Petersburg
Mrs. Yang is a ManchUrian by descent, and so was
n9t handlcapped by the unnaturally small feet
assuming the place in society 10 whfchthey- we're
eutitl 2 -aH and graeeful ilsssEsei ot winning
charming wife of the Chinese Minister although
she could not speak a word Of English and was in
a warm place for herself here and her departure
was genuinely regretted.
The Chinese Legation still occupies the quar-
ters selected for II by Mr.. WI shortly after his
arrival in this country, which is known as the
schneider house. and Is situated Seventeenth
marble. handsomely furnished and richiv G,5s Seao
rated inside with Chinese works Of art the most
pretentious home the Legation occupied. 1t is
which characterized II in the early days when IT
occupied Stewart Castle, which has recently passed
all or Minister'S stan had rooms in the LEGATION
building. and their housekeeping was done after
the custom followed az home. The Stewart mansion
Is situated IN one or the most fashionable quarters
of town, and when society drove by there on an
afternoon its eyes astOnShed. its nOStrilS
offended by the sight and smell Of chickens hung
with smoked meats and various herbs and veee-
bes For time these ba bits rbrea tened 70 make
attention Of the Minister they soon abandoned
and no house in Washington is more elegantly
conducted or managed on more magnificent scale
than that Of Minister WI.