The Statesman of China.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 214, 7 September 1895, Page 12

The Statesman of China.

Few men have experienced such changes of fortune as the present Viceroy of China. In the course of his long life Li Hung Chang has been alternately caressed and repulsed by the celestial occupant of the Dragon throne. One day he was the father of his country, and the nexb he was its Catiline. The degradation thab overtook him during the late disastrous war is fresh in every mind. Again it has been found that he is indispensable, and Li returns to power to continue a policy of peace and reform. Bub, in spite of all he has seen, the Viceroy, as Professor Douglas regretfully remarks, still believes in * the ineffable wisdom of tho founders of Chinese polity, and the superiority of the civilisation of China.' Ab any rate, be believes) in English medicines, particularly after two attacks of paralysis, from which he emerged safely under the hands of Dr. Irwin, of Tientsin. The future statesman was born seventy three years ago afc Hofei in the province of Anhui, where bis family had flourished in a quiet way for countless generations. Ib was when the Taiping rebellion caused civil war in China that young Li firsb came to the front. He learned from the war of 1860 the military superiority of the foreigner. Ib is inberestiDg to note thab Li Hung Chang, after falling foul of others, at once recognised the high characber of Gordon, and afterwards entertained for him a real esteem and friendship. Nevertheless, bhe bwo men had serious quarrels on the subjecb of lootiDg and the beheading of prisoners, on which, as may be imagined, bhe Christian soldier and the heathen held opposito views. After the capture of Soochow Gordon was specially incensed at the things allowed to happen by Li, now governor of tho province of Kiangsu. Like Achilles, the commander of the Ever-victorious Army had retired to hie tent, and when Imperial messengers arrived bearing gifts, be seized a stick and drove them oub. ' Thab a man should decline was within the mental grasp of the governor, bub that he should refuse to receive ten thousand taels passed his .comprehension.' Li Hung Chang has had tho faculty of choosing his servants well, from a native poinb of view, but; tho European standard of morality ia so different that comparison is difficult. Li has a right to be considered a good specimen of the Chinese official class, and yot we find him in the closest relationship with men who have been convicted of forgery, of malversation of funds,of cowardice, and of bold unfcrubbtulness. . . Dishonesty has never beeu a necessary bar to Li's favour. Though a civilian by braining, Li has many of tho qualities of a soldier. In physique he stands head and shouldera above tho average heighb of his countrymen, measuring more than 6 feeb. His eyes, which are nob even yet dimmed by ago, are brighb, piercing and sparkling. His manner is calm and collected, and his features indicate ability and tenacity of purpose.