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Literary
October 21, 1900
The Daily Ardmoreite
Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma
What is this article about?
Anecdote of Li Hung Chang's visit to an Edinburgh exhibition, where he innocently operates sewing machines, confuses them with bicycles, and requests two as gifts for himself and the empress, showcasing his childlike delight and shrewdness.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
How Li 'Worked' Two Machines.
With a seeming innocence that would have done justice to Ah Sin, the heathen Chinee, Li Hung Chang appeared to display the greatest interest in the sewing machines at an exhibition in Edinburgh he visited when in Great Britain several years ago.
His excellency's first question was how long it would take for the sewing machine at which he had sat down to do a certain distance-seemingly confusing the mechanical stitcher with a lady's safety at the next stand.
Without waiting for any reply to his query or further ceremony Li started sewing a little seam. Nor did he do it badly, a fact which made him seem delighted as a child. For some time the viceroy continued his hemming and, though got away at length by his attendants, immediately sat down at the next machine and insisted on working it.
'What is the price?' asked Li at length.
'Your excellency shall have it as a gift,' was the reply of the exhibitors.
'Then I don't want it in that case,' observed the simple and bland Li, 'because I require two, one for myself and the other for the empress.'
And he had them.
With a seeming innocence that would have done justice to Ah Sin, the heathen Chinee, Li Hung Chang appeared to display the greatest interest in the sewing machines at an exhibition in Edinburgh he visited when in Great Britain several years ago.
His excellency's first question was how long it would take for the sewing machine at which he had sat down to do a certain distance-seemingly confusing the mechanical stitcher with a lady's safety at the next stand.
Without waiting for any reply to his query or further ceremony Li started sewing a little seam. Nor did he do it badly, a fact which made him seem delighted as a child. For some time the viceroy continued his hemming and, though got away at length by his attendants, immediately sat down at the next machine and insisted on working it.
'What is the price?' asked Li at length.
'Your excellency shall have it as a gift,' was the reply of the exhibitors.
'Then I don't want it in that case,' observed the simple and bland Li, 'because I require two, one for myself and the other for the empress.'
And he had them.
What sub-type of article is it?
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Political
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Li Hung Chang
Sewing Machines
Edinburgh Exhibition
Humor
China Britain
Viceroy
Empress
Literary Details
Title
How Li 'Worked' Two Machines.
Subject
Li Hung Chang's Visit To An Edinburgh Exhibition
Form / Style
Humorous Anecdote
Key Lines
'What Is The Price?' Asked Li At Length.
'Your Excellency Shall Have It As A Gift,' Was The Reply Of The Exhibitors.
'Then I Don't Want It In That Case,' Observed The Simple And Bland Li, 'Because I Require Two, One For Myself And The Other For The Empress.'