Norwich bulletin., 1909-05-29

we had the hole dug, the shears rais- ed, the guys placed, and the flagstaff raised and secured. There it stood in all it's grandeur, the most beautiful flagstaff in Northern China, and when the Star Spangled Banner waved from it's lofty topmast head on Independence day we'll r may have seen times when I felt prouder, but if so l do not re- member them.
 When our work of raising the staff was over and all pronounced ship shape, I made glad the hearts of the Chinamen by an abundance of both solids and liquids, and then turned my attention to my other two guests, the pilot and the shipyard superintendent. The consulate was well equipped with the means, and if ever the raising of a flagstaff in any part of the world was so thoroughly and joyfully celebrated history has given no account of it.
 When the Chinese celebrated the Feast of the Lanterns I secured three stout bamboo poles and fastened them together in the form of a. triangle, to which I attached lanterns in all theIr variety of color. At dark all the can dles were lighted and the triangle hoisted up to the head of the fiaffstaff, and the display was simply magnifi- cent. It was seen and admired not only thfoughout the foreign settle ment but the natives in 1ien-tsin city went into perfect raptureS on discov- ing it and afterwards thanked me heartily for thus honorine their na tional Feast of Lanterns. One word more about the flagstaff. The French consul on passing, a day or two after it was in place, couldn't believe that a staff of such length and so symmet rical in its proportions could be of wood but of iron and to satisfy him. self came into the compound and when he found that his knife would pene- trate the staff he left the compound a wiser man.
 The racing season at Tien-tsin is an event that is always looked forward to with a lively interest and is heartily enjoyed by the whole community. At twelve o'clock on tAe days of the races every business house is closed, and the whole settlement attends the races. After the first four or five races all adjourn to the tents and have tiffin. The first race that I attended I took with me to tiffin the wife of the man. ager of the Hong Kong and Shanghai bank, and during the repast MT. Det- ring, the president of the Jockey club. and manager of the imperial customs at Tien-tsin, delivered his opening ad- dress and in the course of his speech he took occasion to say some very pleasant things of the ladies and gen. tlemen present. When he had finish ed and the applause had subsided, said to the lady who accompanied me:
 '1s no one going to respond to the nice things the president has said of uS?''
 "Oh, no, indeed" she replied, mo one but the president ever makes a speech"
 And I saw by her manner that she was fearful that I might have the as- surance to respond, and she was so thoroughly American, although her husband was a Scotchman, she was fearful that would not be equal to the occasion. as I had not made a speech since I had been in Tien-tsin
 I then said to Dr. Frazier, sitting op- posite, 'Is no one goinp to acknowl- edge the nice compliments the presi- dent has paid us?"
 NO" he said, unless you~will."
 '''Try me-" said I.
 He arose, and in a few words intro duced me, and when rose up every body seemed to wonder what I had got to say about 1t, but it didn't take long to find out. As mine was theA first speech of the kind they had ever heard they all listened with rapt attention from start to finish, and although say it. perhaps, who shouldn't say it, the speech was a regular corker. and when I sat down. my woman friend was in a perfect rapture, and said She:
 If it were anywhere else, would hug you right around the neck"
 "Oh, thank you" said I. That is certainly the warmest round of ap- plause I have received"
 All of which is modestly submitted.
 One of the most novel and enjoyable events of the winter of 1887 was the picnic on the banks of the frozen Pei ho. Quite number of sleds were en- gagged and a party of ladies. gentle men and children from the foreign set-