Accompanying the Envoy was his suite, which was composed of a number of Chinamen of high rank. None of these illustrious persons had the slightest knowledge of Western ways, and they one and all protested that to fumigate them, or their great Chang, was practically fumigating the Emperor of China! In their eyes this seemed the most awful crime that mortal could commit.
His Excellency Chang refused to submit to any such insulting treatment, and appealed to the Canadian Government, the British Government, and the Chinese Ministers in London to protect him.
He declared that, rather than submit, he would go back to China without fulfilling his mission,—a proceeding fraught with considerable danger to himself, as he stated that the Emperor, his master, might cut off his head, and the heads of all his suite, for disobedience to his wishes. But the noble Envoy preferred death to fumigation.
What he imagined fumigation was it is impossible to say, but he warned the authorities that if they attempted it, the Emperor of China would declare war on England.
The unfortunate officials did not know what to do, and waited in a great state of anxiety for orders from the Government.
The story does not say how the matter was arranged, but as His Excellency is now in New York, and war has not been declared by China, it is to be supposed that he was not fumigated.
The Japanese are a very progressive people.
A generation ago the inhabitants of Japan were not allowed to leave their country, nor were foreigners permitted to enter it.
Since the war with China Japan has taken a wonderful start; her commerce and manufactures have greatly increased, and her people have begun to seek a better market for their labors, and emigrate to foreign countries.