r deposits?

"Do you like the Chinese diet; and how much did one meal cost you?

"How old are you? [One of the first questions a Chinese host usually asks
his guest.] Are you married? What is the trade or profession of your
parents? Are they wealthy? Do they own much land?" (A Chinaman's idea of
wealth is limited somewhat by the amount of land owned.)

"Will you telegraph to your parents from Shanghai your safe arrival there?

"Were you not rash in attempting such a journey? Suppose you had been
killed out in the interior of Asia, no one would ever have heard of you
again.

"Are you Democrats or Republicans?" (The viceroy showed considerable
knowledge of our government and institutions.)

"Will you run for any political office in America? Do you ever expect to
get into Congress?

"Do you have to buy offices in America?" was the last inquiry.

There was considerable hesitancy on the part of us both to answer this
question. Finally we were obliged to admit that sometimes such was the
case. "Ah," said the viceroy, "that is a very bad thing about American
politics." But in this censure he was even more severe on his own country
than America. Referring to ourselves in this connection, the viceroy
ventured to predict that we might become so well-known as the result of
our journey that we could get into office without paying for it. "You are
both young," he added, "and can hope for anything."

During the conversation the viceroy frequently smiled, and sometimes came
so near overstepping the bounds of Chinese propriety as to chuckle. At
first his reception was more formal, but his interest soon led him to
dispense with all formality, and before the close of the interview the
questions were rapidly asked and discussed. We have had some experience
with examining attorneys, and an extended acquaintance with the American
reporter; but we are convinced that for genuine inquisitiveness
Li-Hung-Chang stands peerless. We made several attempts to take leave, but
were interrupted each time by a question from the viceroy. Mr. Tenney, in
fact, became fatigued with the task of interpreting, so that many of the
long answers were translated by the viceroy's son.

[Illustration: A CHINESE BRIDE.]

The interview was conducted as nearly as possible in the foreign fashion.
We smoked cigarettes, and a bottle of champagne was served. Finally the
interview was brought to a close by a health from the viceroy to
"Ta-ma-quo" (the great Am