Yesterday Prince Ching gave a sumptrious banquet at his own palace to the foreign Ministers and thi terpreter. He was aided by about an equal number of Chinese officials, including those of the Foreign Office. There were over 60 to sit down to the banquet in one of the largo rooms of the Prince's palace. The dishes were of the very hest that the Chinese eau pare. "There were about 20 courses.
banquet began about 6 o'clock. The room and courts were well Jit by lanterns beautifully decorated. The room itself was heated, to the great comfort of the satests. This is the first time that Prince Ching has ever had foreign guests to dine at his own palace. Prior to the Protocol negotiations he had never been accustomed to receive foreigners in any capacity at his palace, but at the Foreign Office. "Phe nests were much pleased with their reeeption, Besides the Legation guests there were present Sir Robert Hart, and the two Catholic Bishops, Favier and Jarlin.
The day before, the German Mi Dr. Mumm, invited to dinner Prin and the other Ministers of the F
Office.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.