After tiffin the Royal party drove to the Little East Gute, where they were met by chairs provided by Consul-General Hughes, and where they divided into two parties. The first, consisting of the Duke and Duchess, Sir John McNeill and Mr. Hughes, under the guidance of the senior Customs clerk, Mr. Chow Quae-quay, visited the city gardens, the principal yamens, some of the most interesting temples, and some of the dest shops, at which their Royal Highnesses made sundry purchases of silk and other Chinese produce. The other party, consist ing of Colonel and Mrs. Cavaye and Dr. Kilkelly, conducted by Mr. Chang, of the Customs, also visited the principal places of interest in the native city and made purchases. The whole party returned to the British Consulate and dressed for dinner, in civilian evening dress. The Duke wore the badge of the Garter, and the members of his staff their decorations. Escorted by a guard of mounted Sikh police, the party reached the Tien How Kung at about half-past seven, and were received by a guard of honour of 100 Chinese soldiers, who greeted the distinguished visitors with a fanfare of trumpets. In the building the party were received by the outgoing and incoming Taotais (who were the hosts) and a number of the principal local Chinese officials. The party were conducted to a reception-room where, in accordance with the highest Chinese etiquette, the Duke and Duchess occupied seats on the kay as far as possible from the door, while their hosts sat near the door as far from their guests as practicable. The reception-room, dining-room and court yard were illuminated with Chinese lanterns and with gas specially laid on for the occasion. The furniture was covered with new scarlet silk embroidered with gold, and the whole place presented an extremely festive appearance. There was a large crowd of Chinese both inside and outside the building, anxious to behold the great foreign mandarin and his consort. After tea had been handed round in the reception-room, the party proceeded to the dining-room, the Duke and Duchess, together, walking first, followed next by the two Taotais and the other guests. The Duke occupied the seat of honour at the central position at the table, having on his right the Taotai Nieh and on his left the Taotai Kung, on whose left. was the Duchess, next to whom sat Mr. W. R. Carle: to act as interpreter. The rest of the party, 23 in all, consisted of Taotai Wuh (Director of Local Taxation). Brigadier General Chen, District Magistrate Pei, Mixed Court Magistrate Tsai, French Mixed Court Magistrate Koh, Interpreter Sir Richard Rennie, Mir. and Bre. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Mowat, Mr. and Mrs. Bredon, Mr. von Loehr, and Mr. John Macgregor (Chairman of the cipal Council It should be here expl: ed that the Trotais were anxious to invite some of the foreign Consuls, but as the Duke had expressed a wish that the party should be a small one, it was decided that the invitations should be confined to a few of the leading British officials, and the German Vice-Consul-General out of. compliment to the Duchess's nationality.
The dinner was mainly Chinese, but was partly served in European style, being provided from one of the large restaurants in the Foochow Road. The table was decorated D. in the Chinese style with artificial flowers and numerous small dishes of sweetmeats and fruits. On the table was a handsome silver service of wine and soy cups belonging to Taotai Kung. Each place was laid with knife and fork and silver-mounted ivory chopsticks. These latter instruments were not, it is almost needless to say, utilised by the Dukeand Duchess, both of whom, how: ever, tasted several Chinese dishes and ai peared to appreciate them, the Duchess in particular. There was excellent Shao-hsing wine served hot in the Chinese fashion while the foreign wines were of the best. On the side of the table opposite to the Duke and Duchess several places were unoccupied, so as to leave an uninterrupted view of a stage which had been specially fitted up for theatrical performances. On this stage a portion of a Chinese play was represented while the dinner was in progress, and there were also some capital acrobatic performances which seemed to afford the Duke and Duchess considerable amusement. There was the usual uccompaniment of gongs and drums, somewhat subdued in deference tu the ears of Euro-eans, but still uncomfortably vigorous.
he dresses of the actors were specimens of embroidery such as ure seldom seen on the Chinese stage, and were evidently selected with care, so as to produce a specially good effect.
'The dinner, which was of course a very good one, ended about half-past' nine. Taotai Kung then rose, and in a few words proposed the toast of the Queen, which was drunk by all standing. The Tavtai then read the Chinese ver n of an address to the Duke, and handed it to Mr. Bredon, who proceeded to read an English translation, after stating that he had been requested by the Tavtais to do so on their behalf.
was us follows
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.