Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1886 — American Women in China. [ARTICLE]

American Women in China.

The following from a private letter from Mrs. Denby, wife of our present Minister to China, gives a interesting description of a call made by the Gen. Li, Viceroy of Pekin, upon the women of the American Legation: “Was that not a step towards modem civilization to be taken by a Chinaman who had never been out of his own country, and who had never called upon a lady before? We had all preparations made for his reception, consisting principally ;of setting out a table with all sorts of Chinese cakes, confectionery and various wines, on the day appointed. In due time he arrived, accompanied, of course, by a numerous escort and w ith all the accoutrements of his high estate. He was met at the gate by the Secretaries and Chinese Secretary, all shaking their own hands and bowing. At the door Mr. Denby met him and escorted him into the drawing room. We inferior beings watched the proceedings as well as we could through the window, but did not venture to go in until His Excellency repeated his requestto see us, which he did in due time. When the summons came I entered, followed by my daughter, Hattie, and the two ladies of the first Secretary’s family, whom I had sum-moned-to assist me in supporting this high honor. If you could only have seen us! We entered in single file, all bowing and shaking our own hands in the most absurd manner. Gen. Li received us in the same way, coming to the drawing-room door to us. He signified that I should take a seat near him at the table,, but I thought that too much honor and declined, hut sat on a divan near at hand. Then he conversed through the interpreter. He asked me how I liked China, I responded that I thought it a very wonderful country; that I had no idea of its greatness until I came to it. Then he said a few othe? things, and finally told me that when 1 came to Tein-Tsin he hoped I would call upon his wife or wives, I am not sure which. When these courtesies had been passed, I thought it best to retire before our brilliant conversation began to languish, so I rose, and, after more shaking of our own hands, and bowing, we went out, the General escorting us to the door. Li Hung Chang is a splendid looking man. He would attract attention anywhere for his magnificent proportions and fine -face. He is larger and taller than my husband, and his face shows power and intellect. • I met him afterward at a dinner at the Russian Minister’s, and there he shook hands our way with all the ladies. It was the first time he had ever dined with foreign ladies. ” , In late experiments by a Russian physiologist, neither pure tin nor the bichloride of tin proved poisonous when introduced into the stomach of a dog, but when the bichloride waS injected into the veins it was quickly fatal. If Eve didn’t wear an aprofi we don’t see how she could drive the chickens out of the garden.