New-York tribune., 1901-03-31

alleged at the mperfous demand OF Russia-who
has thus become what may be termed an inter
national incident.
A British subject. but not an Englishman. he
was born in the parish OF Magheragall. in the
County Down, not many miles from Belfast Ire
land. In lineage he comes of that sturdy Scotch
Irish stock which has made the province of Ulster
famed for It's Drawn and brain both at home and
abroad. Those northern men had the courage Of
their convictions-'their rights they knew. and
knowing, dared maintain them to the death"
Magheragal the name of his native parish means
in the Celtic tongue "the fruitful vineyard of the
stranger" The city Of New-York should not be ig-
norant OF 1t and traditions. for the late A T.
Stewart was born there.
Beneath the shadow Of that parish church young
Brown grew to manhood. In his veins coursed
the blood of the Hamptons-a family of churchmen
and sodiers-one OF whom wes Archbishop of
Armagh and Primate of All Ireland. Naturally he
looked forward TO holy orders as his vocation.
With this end in view he made his preparation for
college But insuperable difficulties arose. and he
changed his mind. and read with a view 10 follow
ing secular pursuit. The British Government
had organized what called the COPS of stu
dent Interpreters for the purpose OF eXpeditIng
,he intercourse OF the English ambassadors with
the chiefs of the nations to which they
credited-nore especially IN pagan lands having
difficult or barbarous dialects. Appointment to
thi. corps had by college men after compet-
tive examination. The competitor OF high stand
ing received his choice field within certain lim
tations. snd then, with his associates, was sent
abroad for a three years course under native
teachers In the language OF the land In which he
was TO serve. The privilege Of choice was the lot
OF Mr. Brown. and he selected China.
There were several reasons known 10 his friends
for this preference. China in those days moro
open TO Western ideas than Japan-and it was GER
tainly more saubrious than most Of the stations
In India. there another reason which,
doubtless had much more to do with his decision
Near his native heath is the charming little
OF Hillsboro From this place few years before
a Young man went China who rank
among the first. II not. In fact. the very first OF
the student interpreters. When Mr. Brown made
already well forward on his way TO distinction in
1'hina-and he is still there working hard and
PAINFULLY as ever He organized and for many
wears has been the head of the imperial customs
Of China. Queen Victoria long years before her
death recognized his merit and raised him TO the
order of knigh thood-his name is Sir Robert Hart.
Assigned Picking. young Brown found himself
diplomatists well with the leaders of the
Chinese Government. A hard worker. diligent
student ma king the most of his opportunities, he
speedily ripened and qualified himself for any
work pertaining the Orient and its Mongonan
race and civilization. When AnsOn BurlinGame
United States Minister Resident, appointed by
c1ina as her representative in extraordinary mis-
of Mr. Brown as his secretary. That he might
cent the place thus offered the British Government
gave him an unlimited leave OF absence. IL is well
known that Mr. Burlin2nme died before his mis-
ei,n was competed: but II II not q, generally
known that Mr. Brown. by order CT the government