Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1845-11-29
CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

nov FLETCHER wEBsTER's LECTURE ON CHINA.
FIRST OFFICIAL vlslr.-I. was an
sounced TO the Minister tina. letter from
Gor Ching, containing an imperial cdic,,
vas abou! to be brought to him. by four
high officers from Canton. The cores
pondence had been carried on between the
Minister and Ching for some time, when
his announcement was ma1c. Every
hing was prepared for the reception Of
bis firs, official vsn from high Chinese
dictionaries. and we awaited their arrival.
fer while discordan, noise. accom-.
RsnieI with loud cries at intervals. was
heard, aud we looked from the blinds Of
he verandah to see the approach Of our
visitors. Two Unlocking fellows, with
wire caps on their heads-one of them
With whip, and the other with ain axe
in his handled the procession. These
we're the execulioners. who always pre-
sede high officer. Next came a score
Of poorly dressed and very dirty soldiers,
with spears. shields and halber,s, Then
4 man or two on wre,ched ponies, whose
Mir stood out in all directions. and whose
names and tails were ignorant of brush or
curry comb then the band Of music. and
then the sedan chairs of the grea. men
themselves. They were four in number.
al large and fne looking persons, dressed
IN high colored Grape gowns. fastened
round their waists by blue girdles. and
buckles Of precious stones. We stood up
TO receive them with our hats on, foi j. is
Chinese etiquette TO be covered. az mark
0fresPec,. They entered with their caps
on, displaying their red and blue buttons
and peacock's feathers. The button is
fastened 10 the top Of The cap. and the
feather hangs down behind. They ap.
preached. shook their own hands at us,
and the chief among them presented the
se: TO the Minister. On receiving it..
be moioned them TO be seated, and take
of their caps, which, observing carefully
Our movements, and keeping lime with US.
they did. One Of the interpreters now
read the letter, and after short interval Of
.lIence. such sor, of conversation as can
be carried on BY means Of interpreters,
looks and signs, took place. The frs.
cisili,y was. on their part. asking our
names: This information being given and
'sciproca,ed, they proceeded to shock our
notions Of good breeding by asking our
ages! This, however, is an indispensa-
Die attention we returned i. at once, and
were Of course much edited at our infor-
nation. After few minutes conversa-
ton, we had a luncheon in the Chinese
room; our guests. according 10 the Chi
nese etiquette, seated themselves on the
,eis, which. with them, is the place ol
honor. Chops,icks had been provided fol
all Of US, and we made our first expert
menss with them. 10 the unres,rained a.
musement Of our guests. They showed
!'sle inclination 10 eat, but decided taste
'or the barbarian liquors, champagne ant
cherry bounce. A very red faced gentle
man, whom we afterwards saw very fire.
quen'ly. Mau,choo Tartar, by name
lung Lin. disposed Of half a dozen .um
oilers Of bounce, in 40 many minutes. W.
were as,onished BY the very loud tone Q
.helr voices !; II must hsvs been easy Il
aave heard in the street everything sal
ey them. As i, is point Of polItaees
empty ones glass, when drinking vii,
slF'end-and they each drank with all 9
"-'hey became, gradually, = slsvass