It can safely be said that no Chinese official has earned the respect of the community H. E. Li Hai huan, and it was, therefore, very Btting ton the ove of his departure for Poking to take up new and more responsible duties, a reception in hit honour should be given by the Intern: tional Institute, at which his friends, native and foreign, might an opportunity of expressing their appreciation of his good work. There was another important guest, the Mi for-dorignate to Groat Britain, Lord Ching-tang, who sails for England shortly. In honour of the'oession the grounds of the Tostitute wore lavishly decorated with flags and bursting. Between 5 and 6 p.m. many foreign and Chives guests assembled on the lawn, and hero, as the weather was fine, tea and ices were served. A band, too, waa in attendance.
Th following ladies presided at the different tables:—Mrs, Cecil Holli at the English table, Mrs. Fubrmeister at the German (able, Mra, Eitaki at the Japanese table, Mme. Chollot the French table, Mme. Wu and Min Shang at the Chinese tables, and Mrs. Raosom and Mrs. C. Lacey Sites at the two American tables, Tt was not until 6 p.m. that the formal part of the programme bey Reid then addressed the distinguished guests and visitors He sai The occasion was one of congratul tion, not formal or ceremonial, but hearty and' sincere. The two gentlemen in whose honour they met had received the promotion and recognition of the Chinese Goveroment, and they wore lad to be able to join together as com-
Not only this Institute, is were pleased to be tions at this the most important port of China and to extend to them a slight proof of the respect in which they wore held. In 1897, when the plan of the Institute was first adopted by the foreign members of this community, he had the privilege of first making the acquaintance of H. E Lu Hai-huan, who was then leaving s Minister to Berlin. La 18-9, he again mot bim in Berlin, 190", H. E. Lit returned to China and in the first public meeting that was hold, he along with Dr. Wu Ting-fang were among the speakers who commended the work that was contemplated.
Chinese met together to consider what they would do in the way of financial help, and guaranteeing the present si was again present to make his own contribution and to advise the ce-operation of the Chinese. For three yours and more he had been President of the Council. H. E.'s experience in counexion with the revision of treaties eminently fitted him for the post to which he had just b pointed and they wished him ssu cess as would be for the real advo by contributing Th 1 fand in memory of his late father the Marquis Li Hung.chang, and they were glad was to be reprosonted at the Court of St, James. They wore sorry as an Institute to love thei from their midst, and to miss thei counsel and help; but they believed that the service that they would be able to render to the larger interests with which they now come in touch, would be of incalculable value to the nation and would be ted come as they in the past in the hump!
Mr. A. McLeod, as Chairman of the Executive Committes then spoke, anid thet ho felt it was a Privilege to be allowed to attend ud to sy a few words in honour of their distinguished guests, Hin audience was doubtless aware that H.E, Lit had resided hero for sovoral_ years. He felt sure be could aay that H.E. had won the highest degree of respect by the manner in which he had con-ith foreigners. afternoon to bid they ulations, though good friend of the Institute, and hofolt could rely on his good offices in his new sphere, The Institute had not yet become what it was intended it should be, but it was making its of foot felt in a small way, avd be thought had done a great deal of good.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.