The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-02-19
Our Washington Correspondence
The Chinese Minister Gives a Mag
nificent New Years Reception.

The Chinese Minister Gives a Mag
%nificent New Years Reception.
WASHINGTON, February ID, 1902 -
Special: "a Happy New Year" Is a
somewhat surprising s~alutation on the
Sth of February, but such were the
words with which MIR. and Madame WI
greeted their friends OH last Saturday
evening when the Envoy ExtraordI-
nary and Minister Plenipotentlary 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 OF this, from an Ameri-
can standpoint, somewhat belated New
Years reception.
The rooms of the spacious white
stone legation on q St. were tastefully
decorated with smilaX and roses, which
served to set off to the best advantage
the beautiful tapestries and rare speci-
mems of Oriental art with which the
apartments are plentifully supplied.
The Chinese dragon and the stars and
cphipSo WClO SloCCluilJ COhuDluCu III
various corners, and a double string
quartetle rendered a pleasing musical
program in the gallery above the ball
room.
Quests were invited from five to
seven o'clock and L did not get there
until six, at which time the tormality
which attends the opening hours had
worn off. Mr.. WI had LETT the receiv-
ing line and was holding a miniature re-
ception in the ball room, where he an
swered the gay sallies of the ladies with
ready wit. Madame WI, whose tiny
feet make long standing painful, was
still at the head of the line, but was
resting on one Of those extraordinary
high chairs n always finds in Chinese
homes and which enabled her to half
stand, half sit. They leave even a 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, including Mrs. Hill,
wife of the Assistant S Secretary of State,
and Mrs. John w. Foster, whose hus-
band has rendered such signal service
to the Chinese Empire. In the recep-
ton room adjoining the dining room,
stood Mr.. Shen Tung, himself a very
tall man for one of his race, and with
him was his wife, a tiny creature who
reminded one of a dainty doll. Mr..
Shen's knowledge of English is some
what limited, but not sufficiently so to
prevent his introducing 10 every guest
his petite wife whom he apparently re-
garded with great pride. She is, per-
haps, q Chinese beauty, and her beauti-
full costume made a fitting setting for
the youthful, quaint face which sur
mounted it. She wore a Kimona like
garment of light silk deliberately m
broidered with strange Chinese figures
and flowers and carried a bouquet of
~violets.
Minister WI was resplendent in a
costume of magenta and dark grey silk,
while Madame WI wore a gown of old
rose and blue silk embroidered with
gold, and in her hair was a magnificent
ornament of diamonds and pearls. MI.
Mun-Yew Chung, the Secretary Inter-
prefer, was everywhere, welcoming his
many acquaintance and contributing
to the general enjoyment. Mr.. Chung
is a general favorite in Washington
diplomatic circles and one often hears
his charming manners complimented.
The young son of Mr.. WI was present
and was the center of much attention.
He is a bright little chap and speaks
English excellently.
A lady who attracted much attention
was Mrs. Yung Kwai, the American
girl who married the Interpreter of the
Legation, and who had by her side her
little boy, about three years old, /
should judge, although he is a perfect
little C6inaman, which renders It yerv
difficult to judge his age.
The reception was largely attended
and during the houls named almost
everyone prominent in Washington So
ciety was to be seen, so that at times
there was quite a crush. Mr.. Takah,ra,
the Japanese Minister, was present and
seemed to be very much at home, fire.
quently assisting i'll doing the honors
at the supper table end at the punch
bowl, though, like all Orientals, he is
most abstemious in the use of wine.
Some of the beautiful Chinese and
Japanese carvings which Madame WI
brought home with her from her last
trip across the Pacific beggar descrip.
Their daintiness and the deft-
ness not only of the fingers which
wrought them, but of the eyes which
guided the craving tool, must have
been wonderful, for the Orientals use
no magnifying glass in executing the
most delicate carving. Whole village
carved in ivory were shown in
one of the cabinets in the ballroom,
The human figures being not over an
inch in height. and even the lace at
windows of the sedan chairs being
= "tIv shown. Many hours could J