For Our Lady Readers.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 29, 13 November 1896, Page 19

For Our Lady Readers.

Li's Mother. — One beautiful trait of Li Hung Chang's character, which, so far, has escaped notice in the English papers, was his intense love for his mother. His attachment far exceeded the obligations imposed by Chinese custom upon the son towards the parent. When, fourteen years atjo. she fell ill. the Viceroy, who was one of eight sons, petitioned the throne for a month's leave of absence in order that he might go and «cc her : but before the request could be granted the aged mother died. He was then anxious to go into mourning for three years, and resigned all his great offices. The Empress Regent, however, would not hear of his taking more than one hundred days. His memorials and appeals were quaintly pathetic. He said remorse, that he had not seen the last of his mother, would attend him all his days, and even if he were to spend three years in lamentations at her tomb it would not avail to relieve his soul from the poignant and inexpressible regret he feels for his " lack of filial duty." He recited his piteous tale in vain, and was compelled to give up to the service of his country the years he would have spent in mourning for his beloved parent.