The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-07-26
BREAKING THE ICE.

A start has been made toward break
ing down the barriers of exclusiveness
which surround the women of the Chi
nese royal household. Mrs. Conger.
wife Of the American minister, took the
Initiative She recently sent out invi-
tations to tea Chinese princesses, says
a correspondent of the Independent, for
a luncheon at the American 1ega ton.
She remembered that never before had
Chinese royalty sat at table with outer
-baLbarians;" that some of these ladies'
had never even seen these white stran-
gers in their land, but had doubtless
heard OF them pale creatures with
blue eyes and red hair. who lived on
milk apd white sugar. who wore clothes
that were too tight for them, and spoke
a diabolical tongue, and whose very
glance was full Of danger to any self
respecting lady. To go to their homes.
to breathe the same air, which might
bear countless magic influences, to sit
at table with them and partake of their
incofnprehenaibie food would certainly |
require great bravery and independ- !
ence. Mrs. Conger realized this, and
would not have been surprised at polite
regrets from the entire company. But |
the event proved more happy. The
lady of highest rank who was Invited |
was Jung Shou. the Princess Imperial, |
adopted daughter of the Empress Dow
ager. and from her Mrs. Conger first
received an acceptance of the invita-
tion. which was followed by those of
the other Prizcesses. At the appointed
time q brilliant procession of yellow
and red sedan chairs gorgeously trim
med with gold. red. blue and green.
carts with mounted outriders. soldiers
in gay uniform. and the very modest
array of four hundred and sixty-one
servants filed through the legation
gates. Mrs Conger had reason to
know the exact number of attaches
for, IN accordance with Chinese Gus
tom. she gave each one a tip. Ten
American ladies We're invited to help
Mrs. Conger In entertaining her royal ]
guests. After the greetings the ladies .
were ushered into beautifully deco ]
rated dining room. where toasts were S
drunk in crystal water from Jade |
Spring Mountain" A pleasant hour
followed. with a brief musical program. f
Then the royal guests, after many ex- q
pressions OF friendly regard, took their T
depai ture. /,
This little social gathering in Pekin I
was full OF irnp6: lance. It changed the g
attitude OF the Processes from sus- z
picion to admiration for their white b
know 5
more OF these outsiders, who had proved ]
to be fr,elds instead of foes. Two /,
weeks had not passed when the Prin- h
cess Imperial invited the American Ia r
dies who had been her hostesses to meet r
the Chinese Processes at her home +
Ihis was an act unprecedented in Chi b
nese history. The reception to the Ia n
lies or the diplomatic circle, given by h
the Empress Dowager some time ago. e
was political In purpose. and social
equality was not conceded to the for
eisners. When the ladies arrived at
the palace they were greeted with
great friendliness by the Princesses. n
The Empress Dowager. although not v
present, evidently wished to express, s
her good will. Scarcely were the ladies o
seated when two little round baskets o
we're brought in. One was presented 9
% Mrs. Conger and one to Nine. Uchi- \
Ia. the Japanese Minister'S wife, who
vas also a guest of honor. Each bas- =
xet containeo q tiny black pug dog! =
These little creatures were gorgeouslyi =
attired in red satin harnesses, and gold .
bells and collars. upon which were en- n
sraved in Chinese characters. "Compli-l h
nents OF Her Majesty, Empress Dow +
ager OF China" The banquet which h
followed was served in American style. \
forks. plates. table-cloth and d
napkins, replaced the carved chop 9
sticks and bowls. bare, highly polished +
table. and danpened finger dolly Of ma n
tive society functions. To the ladiesi :
was served the following REMARKABLE ,
menu: Birds nest soup. roast duck
fms. rods. fish croquettes, stringI :
beans. fungus. stewed pith of bamboo
red fruit jelly. cup cakes, ducks kid
neys, fried clans. sliced cucumbers. :.
sprouts OF bamboo root roast lamb. =
shredded chicken, green peas. shrimp :.
fritters. ham and scenes and chicken 7
soup with isingiass. F