sking them if the matter could be arranged.

It was not possible for Li Hung to send a tree from China, but he wrote
Yang Yu that he would like him to select a tree that was a native of
China.

A tree was obtained which is a native of Japan and China. It is called the
Maidenhair tree, because its leaves resemble those of the Maidenhair fern.

Its botanical name is _Gingko Biloba_.

The tree was partly planted by the gardeners, and then the Chinese
Minister, accompanied by some members of the Grant family, proceeded to
the spot to perform the ceremony in the name of Li Hung Chang.

The Minister threw a few shovelfuls of earth on the roots of the tree, and
then read some words in Chinese from a scroll he carried.

The words were translated by the Secretary, and proved to be:

"This tree is planted at the side of the tomb of General U.S. Grant,
ex-President of the United States of America, for the purpose of
commemorating him, by Li Hung Chang, guardian of the Prince, Grand
Secretary of the State, and Earl of the first order.

"YANG YU,
"Vice-President of the Centre Board.
"Kwang Hsu, 23d year, fourth moon, seventh day."

This inscription is to be cut in marble, in Chinese and also in English,
and placed near the tomb.

The Mr. Yang Yu who performed the ceremony is the Minister whom the See
Yups came on from San Francisco to visit.

It does not seem as if he were going to be of much use to them, for
instead of returning to China he is to go to St. Petersburg, and he may
not see his Emperor for a very long time.

* * * * *

An amusing story comes from Victoria, British Columbia, about the Chinese
special envoy, who has just arrived in New York on his way to London.

When the Canadian Pacific steamer which brought him over from China
arrived in port, it was found that she had two cases of smallpox on board.

The authorities of Victoria at once ordered her to quarantine for
twenty-four days.

The steerage passengers, who were all Chinamen, were taken to the
quarantine station, where the usual process of fumigation and disinfection
took place.

There were, doubtless, many protests and wails from the unfortunate
Celestials, but nobody heeded them, and the work was carried through
without difficulty.

When, however, it came to the other passengers, there was a great
disturbance. The English were furious, threatening terrible thin