America has extended a most cordial welcome the past ten days to the Chinese statesman, Li Hung-charly, although regretting sincerely that he could not find it possible to stay in this country longer and get a more comprehensive idea of its institution", customs, and people. As this is written Earl Li is at Niagara Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders of the country, en route for Vancouver, where hi will embark on the Empress of China on hi voyage home. Making so short a stay he has had time to see only a very few of the points of interest that the eastern part of the country has to offer, and has entirely neglected the middle and western sections, The programme which I outlined in a previous letter, which was to govern his movements while in America, has been as closely adhered to as the weather and Eatl Li's momentary wishes would permit. Accustomned t" the ordinary public official's fearfulness of offending some one who may be. later useful to him by failing to carry out his part in. any reception or celebration, the American Grids amusing Earl Li's habit of doing just what pleases himself with little regard to the con-stomation or disappointment that he may cause others, It is an illustration of the monarchical spirit in contrast to the democratic custom. Another thing that the people of this country find curious is the invariable inquiry of Earl Li as to the age and salary of the man with whom he happens to be talking for the moment, matters which here are seldom spoken of, 'TWO PRESIDENTS, The traveller's sincere admiration for General Grant was shown in many ways, He visited the tomb of Grant just outside of New York city, insisted on seem; Grant's picture at Washington, express surprise that in the capital city there was not a statue of Grant, and called on Grant's widow, the only call which he made on a private citizen during his stay America. Li was received on the morning following his arrival from England by Pre: dent Cleveland and several members of his Cabinet at the residence of the ex-Secretary of the Navy Whitney in this city. The ceremony was short and as informal as it could possibly be made. The Ambassador presented his letter of credentials from the Emperor of China, which also contained the assurance of his Majesty's most friendly feeling toward the United States, A SANOUINE FORECAST, received in this country fiom Shanghat by Tappend the summary of a news despatch
the Associated Press and transmitted to the newspapers, as giving the American idenof the object and probable result of Ear]
to this and European countries, It is as_ follows: 4th September—There are reports in circulation here among people of the highest authority which, if correct, show that the travels of Li Hung-chang in Europe are likely to have in the immediate future a most important effect upon the policy of the Chinese government and that the interior of the Chinese empire will shortly be thrown open to free trade. When the great Chinese statesman was
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.