Smyrna times., 1902-02-19
NEW YEARS RECEPTION IN
FEBRUARY is A NOVELTY
MINISTER WI, THE CHINESE PLENIPOTEN.
TIARY, HOLDS A CARD RECEPTION.
What Our Washington Correspondent Has to
Say Regarding the Brilliant Social Event
at the Spacious Legation Building.

with winch Mr. ana MADAM Wu greet
ed their friends on that Saturday
evening, when the envoy Extraordi-
nary and Minister Plenipotentiary to
the United States from China" gave a
card reception in celebration of the
Chinese New Year. WI Ting Fang is
famous in Washington for his genial |
hospitality, as is also his charming |
wife, and on no occasion has it been |
more evident than on this, from an
American standpoint, somewhat belat
ed New Years reception.
The rooms of the spacious white |
stone legation on @ street were taste
fully decorated with smilax and roses,
which served to set off to the best ad-
vantage the beautiful tapestries and
rare specimens of oriental art with
which the apartments are plentifully
supplied. The Chinese dragon and
the stars and stripes were gracefully
combined in various corners and a
double string quartette rendered a
pleasing musical program in the gal
lery above the ball room.
Guests were invited from five to
seven o'clock and did not get there
until six, at which time the formality
which attends the opening hours had
worn off. Mr.. WI had left the receiv-
ing line and was holding O. miniature
reception in the ball room, where he
answered the gay sallies of the ladies
with ready wit. Madam WI, whose
tiny feet make long standing painful,
was still at the head of the line, but
was resting on one of those extraordi-
narily high chairs one always finds in
! Chinese homes and which enables her
to half stand, half sit. They leave
even tall man, who attempts to sit
back in them, with his feet dangling.
Mrs. WI was assisted in receiving her
guests by eight American ladies, in
cluding Mrs. Hill, wife of the Assist
ant Secre etary of State, and Mrs. John
W. Foster, whose husband has rem
dered such signal service to the Chin
ese Empire. In the reception room
adjoining the dining room, stood Mr..
Shen Tung, himself very tall man
for one of his race, and with him was
his wife, tiny creature who reminded
one of dainty doll. Mr.. Shen's
knowledge of English is somewhat
limited, but not sufficiently so to pre-
vent his introducing to every guest his
petite wife, whom he apparently re-
garded with great pride. She is, per-
haps, Chinese beauty, and her beau
tiful costume made fitting setting for
the youthful, quaint face which sur
mounted it. She wore a Kimona-like
garment of light silk elaborately en-
broidered with strange Chinese figures
and flowers and carried a bouquet of
violets.
Minister WI was resplendent in O
! costume of magenta and dark grey
silk and Madam Wu wore a gown OF
old rose and blue silk embroidered
with gold, and in her hair was a mag.
nificent ornament of diamonds ano
pearls. Mr.. Mun-Yew Chung, the
d Secretary Interpreter, was everywhere
welcoming his many acquaintance
/, and contributing to the general enjoy
a ment. Mr.. Chung is a general favor
ite in Washington diplomatic circle
and one often hears his charming man
4 ners complimented. The young sol
q of Mr.. WI was present and was tn
centre of much attention. He is
n bright little chap and speaks Englis
T excellently.
A lady who attracted much attentio
:. was Mrs. Yung Kwai, the American gin
who married the Interpreter of the LIE
CATION, and who had by her side her lii
tie boy, about three years old shoul
= Judge, although he is a perfect littl
= Chinaman, which renders it difficult t
- Judge his age.
= The reception was largely attende
- and during the hours named almol
= everyone prominent in Washington 81
- ciety was to be seen, so that at time
~ there was quite a crush. Mr.. TAX
. hira, the Japanese minister, was pre-
&c ent and seemed to be very much
- home, frequently assisting in doin
- the honors at the supper table and
~ the punch bowl, though, like all or
~ entails, he is most abstenious in IL
:" use of wine.
Of Some of the beautiful Chinese al
ON Japanese carvings which Madam "
brought home with her from her la
trip across the Pacific beggar desert
tion. Their daintiness and the del
ness not only of the fingers whi
RS. wrought them, but of the eyes whi
gs, guided the craving tool, must ha
hat been wonderful, for the orients use
i've magnifying glass in executing the me
Use delicate carving. Whole village stree