Year: 1868

WASHINGTON. June IL, 1862


In placing the United States the first of the outside
nations on the diplomatic list Of the Celestial EN-
pire, Mr.. Burlingame certainly gave us an import
ant advantage, exclusive of the primary object in
view Of which the mission was inaugurated. First
Impressions are generally the most enduring and
vivid. Since their presence in this capital city Of
the nation no pains have been spared to make the
visit OF the Embassy agreeable and instructive. Their
visits to the Capitol and the contemplation Of Its vast
and attractive proportions-the little insight they
received into the democratic mode OF legislation ex
cited their curiosity as revealing an entirely new
and novel system Of government Their other visits
to the public buildings and entertainments official
and otherwise, were impressive Of an unrestrained
and sincere hospitality, which has evidently had its
OF Sun Tajen and Chih Taen. Their actions
speak 1t, and their interviews with the in
terpreters indicate an unusual interest in eve-
rything that s passing. Having spent some
days in contemplating the strength and progress of
the republic as manifested in the large scale Of all
that pei tains to the workings OF the government the
visit TO Mount Vernon was aptly illustrative Of the
simplicity OF the earlier days. The natural beauties
OF tne sue OF Mount vernon the turbulent waters Of
washington In the distance, and In all directions,
far as the eye could reach fields Of waving grain and
extensive forests at once elected the admiration of
the Celestias. The associations Of the place with
the name Of Washington increased its attractions,
which the visitors did not hesitate to mention
in terms gratifying to the pride and reverence OF an
American when contemplating himself the home OF
the Father OF his counry II might be supposed that
this allus0n to the effect which their presence at the
tomb and home OF Washington had upon the minds
OF the Chinese IS purely imaginative. But not so.
Inc name or washington to the Chinese Is better
known than that of any other prominent character
outside the history OF their own country. Mr. Bur-
lingame states that work published in China with
III the past few years, and written by an eminent


literary man OF the Flowery Land, in mentioning some
OF the eminent personages OF other countries placed
Washington at the head of the list. His
greatness was more appreciated on account of the
moral and social eminence OF the man than any ex-
traordnary evidences of superior military genius.
AS the friend OF agriculture and as who had at
one time unlimited power placed IN bis hands, and
having resigned it voluntarily when the necessity of
career which elicit unbounded admiration. In this
character the life Of Washington was held up as
imitation even by the greatest and the best of the
followers OF Confucius Shortly after the ap-
Of Of the book IN question In
greatest OF Americans was forwarded to our govern
ment and an excellent portrait OF Washington was
sent out recognition of the compliment. One of
the last ofical acts Of Mr.. Burlngame prior to his
acceptance OF the mission rendered him by the En-
peror Of China was the presentation of this portrait
OF great ceremony. The distinguished from different
parts OF the empire gathered together to participate
in the affair and to do honor to the name OF Washing
ton. This scene was widely circulated. Chief among
those familiar with 1t were the two philosophers now
surprising therefore, that the occasion OF the visit
Mount Vernon was to them one Of unusual interest,
and under the direction of Mr. Herbert, the super
intendent Of the estate, who explained every point
OF interest. They came away possessed OF an
amount Of information respecting the domestic life
Of Washington not soon to be efaced. The demo-
cratic tendency OF the Chinese character had GER
tanly here fine field for reflection and study. and
on their return to the city sun Taen and Chih Taen
were enthusiastic in the pleasure and information
derived from the trip.


1t to be hoped that opportunity will be allowed
thorough familiarity with our Institutions and
localities Of interest, historical and otherwise.
They are here fresh from the scenes OF their
native land, rendered dull by exclusion from
foreign aggression during forty centuries. Every
thing Is novel, and the Impressions thus re-
ceived will last when the frigld formatles and
wearyng official courteses of the Old World govern
ments Will have exhausted their avdity to nvesti-
gate and protracted absence from home Will have
diverted their minds to the distant shores OF ASIA,
where the temptations OF luxury. ease and contem-
Imagination to their experience in the outer world