Waterbury Democrat., 1902-02-14
THE CHINESE NEW YEAR.
Minister Wu and Wife Entertained
 Many Friends in Washington
Washington, Feb 14, leo2-

Washington, Feb 14, 1902 GA Happy New Year. is some what surprising salutation on the Stn of February. but such were the Wofus with which MT and Madam Wu greeted their friends on last saturday evening when the ssenvoy extraordin- ary and minister plenipotentiary to the United States from China gave q card reception in celebration of the Chinese New Year Wu Ting Fang is famous in Washington for his gen. ial hospitality, as is also ms charin' ing wife, and on no occasion mas Il been more evident than on this, from and American standpoint, someWhat belated New Years reception.
 The rooms of the spacious whlte stone legation on Q street were taste fully decorated with smilax and roses which served to set off to the pest advantage the beautiful tapestries and rare specimens of oriental aft with which the apartments are pfen- tifully supplied. The Chinese dragon and the stars and stripes were grace fully combined in various corners ana double string quartet rendered pleasing musical program in the gal lery above the ball room.
 Guests were invited from five to seven o'clock and 1 did not get there until six, at which time the formal ity which attends the opening hours had worn off. MT Wu had left the receiving line and was holding miniature reception in the ball room where he answered the gay sallies of the ladies with ready wit. Madam Wu, whose tiny feet make long stand ing painful, was still at the head of the line, but was resting on one Of those extraordinarily high chairs one 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 Wu was assist ed in receiving her guests by eight American ladies, including Mrs Hill, wife of the assistant secretary of state, and Mrs John w. Foster whose husband has rendered such signal ser vice to the Chinese empire In the reception room adjoining the dining room stood MT Shan Tung, himself very tall man for one of his race, and with him was his wife, who remind ed one of dainty doll. MT 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 regarded with great pride. She is, perhaps, Chinese beauty, and her | beautiful costume made a fitting set ting for the youthful, quaint face which surmounted it She wore a kimona-like garment of light silk elaborately embroidered with strange | Chinese figures and flowers and car ried bouquet of violets.
 Minister Wu was resplendent in a costume of magenta and dark grey silk and Madam Wu wore gown of old rose and blue silk embroidered with gold and in her hair was mag nificent ornament of diamonds and pearls. MT Mum Yew Chung, the secretary interpreter, was every where, welcoming his many acquaint- ances and contributing to the general enjoyment. Mfr Chung is a general favorite in Washington diplomatic circles and one often hears his charm l ing manners complimented. The young son of MT Wu was present and was the center of much attention. He is a bright little chap and speaks English excellently.
 A lady who attracted much atten- tion was Mrs Yung Kwai, the Ameri- l can girl who married the interpreter of the legation, and who had by her side her little boy, about three years old 1 should judge although he is a perfect little Chinaman, which rem ders it very difficult to judge his age. | The reception was largely attended and during the hours named almost | everyone prominent in Washington society was to be seen, so that at l times there was quite a crush. MT Takahira, the Japanese minister, was present, and seemed to be very much at home, frequently assisting in do- l ing the honors at the supper table | and at the punch bowl, though. like 1 all orientals, he is most abstemious in the use of wine.
 l Some of the beautiful Chinese and Japanese carvings which Madam Wu 1 brought home with her from her last I trip across the Pacific beggar descrip- | t1on Their daintiness and the deft- ness not only of the fingers which
 wrought them, but of the eye which guided the graving tool, must have been wonderful, for the orientals use no magnifying glass in executing the most delicate carving. Whole vil-
 lage streets carved in ivory were shown in one of the cabinets in the
 ball room, the human figures being not over an inch in height and even the lace at the windows of the sedan chairs being perfectly shown. Many
 hours could be enjoyably spent in ex- amining the treasures of Mir Wu's col lection of carvings.