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His Triumphant Capture of the Inhabitants of the Flowery Kingdom.

Washington, June 20, 1868.

A new and startling drama is performing on the world’s stage. The Occident and the Orient are at last united. The oldest nation on the face of the earth is shaking hands with the youngest. Gray-bearded China, after being hermetically sealed during the long ages, opens her arms to embrace Young America, and in the height of her good humor includes the rest of the world. Another laurel is added to the fame of America. A countryman of ours has shown what genius and courage can accomplish in the great field of diplomacy. Anson Burlingame has smitten the strongholds of China as Moses smote the rock in the wilderness, and the sweet waters flow forth in Washington in the shape of dozens of pig-tailed, almond-eyed, silken-clad Orientals, who charm by their picturesqueness, and who leave the gates of wonder standing ajar every day. To the eye of an ordinary “barbarian” one Chinaman looks as much like another as two pins from the same paper; but a very close inspection shows that the two mandarins are made of a little finer clay than the “suite.” There is just about the same difference as between their own exquisite porcelain and the modern French china.

Owing to the fashionable shoes of their mother, the mandarins have inherited feet made expressly for Cinderella’s slipper, whilst their delicate taper fingers vie with any high-born damsel’s in the land. They are exceedingly attractive, but the sentiment they inspire is as strange as themselves. It isn’t the usual homage that woman gives the opposite sex, and their fluttering silken skirts and fans help to keep up all sorts of illusions. They have brought a miniature China with them, in the shape of all that goes to sustain life—their own servants, cooking utensils, favorite beverages, etc.

The Metropolitan Hotel had been turned into a Chinese pagoda, and Minister Burlingame and his elegant wife are the presiding seers, whilst the multitude flock to offer incense at their shrines. Not an hour can they call their own; and though they are very weary this exhausting weather, Mr. Burlingame says, “I am so glad to meet with so much kindness from my countrymen.” It is this warmth—these genuine, electric flashes of the soul—that melts all opposition. Since the birth of our young Republic how many wise and good men have been sent to China; but we must acknowledge that we never sent the right man before. All honor to the young pioneer who reflects so much credit upon American diplomacy. It is a plain citizen of our Republic who introduces the oldest monarchy to the whole civilized world.

In answer to the question, “How did you bring it about?” “Bring it about?” said he. “I studied Chinese character. I made them feel that we meant them no harm. It has been the habit in times past, if any demand or request was made by foreign powers to the Chinese Government and the request was not favorably received, to dispatch a gunboat to make a warm impression. This never was my course of action. I never resorted to force. I labored to make them feel that my propositions were for our mutual good; and,” he continued, “I must not forget to say how much influence women have in China; for if the two most influential women in the Empire had not favored the expedition we should not have been seen in this part of the world. Of these august ladies one was the Empress’ mother; the other the wife of the Emperor.”

Mr. Burlingame did not say whether he met these ladies face to face; but, if he did, the birth of the Chinese embassy is no longer a wonder, for even Queen Elizabeth, one of the greatest sovereigns that ever lived, was never proof against those subtle, insinuating influences far easier felt than described.

Mr. Burlingame was cast in one of nature’s finest moulds. Towering just enough above the medium height to be called commanding, with proportions as symmetrical as a perfect tree in the forest, a face is added that is strikingly classic, which attracts the eye for a moment only, giving way to the spiritual impression.

Whilst this Chinese panorama was unfolding, a graceful woman for a moment was pictured on the canvas—Mrs. Burlingame, the only woman who accompanies the party. There was a gleam of a pair of dark, lustrous eyes; a shadow cast by the heavy coils of black, wavy hair; something blue and filmy as Oriental gauze enveloped her fine figure; a side door opened, and the vision was gone.

Striking points of similarity exist between the old monarchy and the young Republic. China is divided into provinces as our country is divided into States. Education is within reach of all. From the humblest beginning merit can rise and divide the honors with the imperial blood. An inexorable fiat envelops China as with a network of bristling steel. It is the supreme law of the land. There is no appeal from its decree. It holds the highest and the lowest in its vise-like grasp. Like death, it respects no private claim. The Emperor is as impotent before it as the Chinaman who has not the wherewith to provide a dinner. This is the one great principle, the all-powerful cohesive force which has kept this vast Empire together from time immemorial. Let America try to forget the past, and in this respect walk in the footsteps of the imperial China.

Olivia.