him with dishes of soups and sweetmeats, dishes of bird'snest soup, sharks' fins, roast ducks, bamboo sprouts, and a teapot, with a hot, insipid tipple made of rice, tasting like a remembrance of sherry, which was poured into small silver cups. We were none of us hungry. We had had luncheon, and we were on the programme for a special banquet in the evening. Here was a profuse and sumptuous entertainment. The dinner differed from those in Tientsin, Canton, and Shanghai, in the fact that it was more quiet; there was no display or parade, no crowd of dusky servants and retainers hanging around and looking on as though at a comedy. I did not think the Prince himself cared much about eating, because he merely dawdled over the bird's-nest soup, and did not touch the sharks' fins; nor in fact did any of the Ministers except one, who, in default of our remembering his Chinese name and rank, one of the party called Ben Butler. The dinner, as far as the General was concerned, soon merged into a cigar; and the Prince toyed with the dishes as they came and went, and smoked his pipe.

We could not remain long enough in the Yamen to finish the dinner, as we had an engagement to visit the college for the teaching of an English education to young Chinese. This institution is under the direction of Dr. Martin, an American, and the buildings adjoin the Yamen. Consequently, on taking leave of the Prince, who said he would call and see the General at the legation, we walked a few steps and were escorted into the class-room of the college. Dr. Martin presented General Grant to the students and professors, and one of the students read an address of welcome.

General Grant replied very briefly, thanking them for their kind words of welcome, and expressing the hope that the future might be ever bright, not only of each individual, but of the institution itself.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

PRINCE KUNG RETURNS GENERAL GRANT'S VISIT—A REMARKABLE CONVERSATION-THE LOOCHOO ISLANDS GENERAL GRANT BECOMES A MESSENGER OF PEACETHE SITUATION- -HOW JAPAN HAS TREATED CHINA WAR NOT DESIRED - HOW JAPAN CAPTURED LOOCHOO -WHAT CHINA WANTS-THE DISPUTED TERRITORY.

Prince Kung was punctual in his return of the call of General Grant. He came to the legation in his chair, and was received by General Grant in the parlors of the legation. Several officers from the Richmond happened to be in Pekin on a holiday, and the General invited them, as well as the officers of the Ashuelot, who were at the legation, to receive the Prince. As all the officers were in full uniform, the reception of the Prince became almost an imposing affair. The Prince was accompanied by the Grand Secretaries, and as soon as he was presented to the members of the General's party he was led into the diningroom, and we all sat around a table and were given tea and sweetmeats and champagne. During this visit there occurred the following remarkable conversation.

Prince Kung.-There is one question about which I am anxious to confer with you. The Viceroy of Tientsin writes us that he has mentioned it to you. And if we could secure your good offices, or your advice, it would be a great benefit, not only to us, but to all nations, and especially in the East. I refer to the questions now pending between China and Japan.

General Grant.-In reference to the trouble in the Loochoo Islands?

Prince Kung.-Yes; about the sovereignty of Loochoo and the attempt of the Japanese to extinguish a kingdom which has always been friendly, and whose sovereign has always paid us tribute, not only the present sovereign but his ancestors for centuries.

General Grant.-The Viceroy spoke to me on the subject, and has promised to renew the subject on my return to Tientsin. Beyond the casual reference of the Viceroy in the course of conversations on the occasion of interviews that were confined mainly to ceremonies, I am entirely ignorant of the questions.

Prince Kung. We all feel a great delicacy in referring to this or any other matter of business on the occasion of your visit to Pekin-a visit that we know to be one of pleasure and that should not be troubled by business. I should not have ventured upon such a liberty, if I had not been informed by the Viceroy of the kind manner in which you received his allusions to the matter and your known devotion to peace and justice. I feel that I should apologize even for the reference I have made, which I would not have ventured upon but for the report of the Viceroy, and our conviction that one who has had so high a place in determining the affairs of the world can have no higher interest than furthering peace and justice.

General Grant.-I told the Viceroy, that anything I could do in the interest of peace was my duty and my pleasure. I can conceive of no higher office for any man. But I am not in office. I am merely a private citizen, journeying about like others, with no share in the Government and no power. The Government has given me a ship of war whenever I can use it without interfering with its duties, but that is all.

Prince Kung.-I quite understand that, and this led to the expression of my regret at entering upon the subject.

But we all know how vast your influence must be, not only upon your people at home, but upon all nations who know what you have done, and who know that whatever question you considered would be considered with patience and wisdom and a desire for justice and peace. You are going to Japan as the guest of the people and the Emperor, and will have opportunities of presenting our views to the Emperor of Japan and of showing him that we have no policy but justice.

General Grant.-Yes, I am going to Japan as the guest of the Emperor and nation.

Prince Kung.-That affords us the opportunity that we cannot overlook. The Viceroy writes us that he has prepared a statement of the whole case, drawn from the records of our Empire, and he will put you in possession of all the facts from our point of view.

General Grant.-The King of the Loochoo Islands has, I believe, paid tribute to China as well as Japan.

Prince Kung-For generations. I do not know how long with Japan, but for generations Loochoo has recognized the sovereignty of China. Not alone during the present, but in the time of the Ming Emperors, the dynasty that preceded our own, this recognition was unchallenged, and Loochoo became as well known as an independent Power in the East owing allegiance only to our Emperor as any other part of our dominions.

General Grant.-Has Japan made her claim upon Loochoo a subject of negotiation with China? Has she ever presented your Government with her view of her claim to the Islands?

Prince Kung.-Japan has a Minister in Pekin. He came here some time since amid circumstances of ostentation, and great importance was attached to his coming. There was a great deal said about it at the time, and it

was said that the interchange of Ministers would be of much importance to both nations. We sent a Minister to Japan, an able and prudent man, who is there now. This showed our desire to reciprocate. We supposed, of course, that when the Japanese Minister came there would be a complete explanation and understanding in Loochoo. We welcomed his coming in this spirit and in the interest of peace. When he came to the Yamen, and we brought up Loochoo, ke knew nothing about the subject, nothing. about the wishes or the attitude of his Government. We naturally inquired what brought him here as a Minister. Of what use was a Minister, if he could not transact business of such vital consequence to both nations and to the peace of the world? He said he had certain matters connected with the trade of the two countries to discuss something of that kind. It seemed almost trifling with us to say so. When we presented our case, he said that anything we would write or say he would transmit to his Government - no more. He was only a post-office. When our Minister in Japan presented the subject to the authorities he had no better satisfaction, and was so dissatisfied that he wrote to us asking permission to request his passports and withdraw. But we told him to wait and be patient, and do nothing to lead to war, or that might be construed as seeking war on our part.

General Grant.-Any course short of national humiliation or national destruction is better than war. War in itself is so great a calamity that it should only be invoked when there is no way of saving a nation from a greater. War, especially in the East, and between two countries like Japan and China, would be a misfortune—a great misfortune.

Prince Kung.-A great misfortune to the outside and neutral Powers as well. War in the East would be a heavy