New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-13
A Pick.Nick In a Chinese Graveyard.

Extract Letter from San Francisco communicated to The
Tribunea
The number of Chinese in the city is between
two or three hundred and they are among the
most respectable portion Of the community, indus
t;ious, orderly, good natured, and very polite. l
have made the acquaintance of quite number of
them, and like them much.
l had always heretofore supposed the Chinese
were rather curious people, clingng with great
tenacity to the ancient manners and customs Of
their race therefore it was matter of no little
surprise to perceive with what readiness they
adapt themselves to the habits of the "bar.
6a'ians" with whom they are thrown in contact
In matters of dress they present curious
mixture of Oak Hall and the F7owtrv Enc
plre. few days since l saw .one of them
on horseback dressed in a short Jacket over
his satin robe, and gaiter-pants strapped over
his huge wooden shoes, to which were at.
tached pair OF Mexican spurs as long as the
shoes themselves. He rode without saddle or
bride, and guided the animal he bestrode by kick.
ing him on either side of the head distinguish.
ed friend Of mine, Mandarin of three tails has
beccme Ifear irreclaimably Terrestrial and adopt
ed the Yankee costume throughout even cut off
his three tails, and but for his swarthy complex.
ion, his high cheek bones and narrow eyes, one
would scarce suspect his Celestial origin
They have custom twice year of forming
procession and visiting the graves of their country
men, where they bury candles and hold feast
l witnessed one of these OCCASIONS a short time
since, and unexpectedly became participant in
the solemnities, If such they could be called On
the day appointed, the Cinnamon all met in one
OF the squares of the city, dressed in their usual
robes of blue figured satin, very wide trowsers of
the same reaching just below the knee, bare legs
and wooden shoes
Thox, ed
steeds, and as scarcely any of them knew how to
ride, their appearance was sufficiently comical. On
their arrival at the graveyard Ia dismal valley sur
rounded with sand hills, about two miles from the
city, the first thing was to fire of about fifteen
bushels OF crackers at once, which made most
dealening roar, quite sufficient to nave aroused
the seepers beneath, II noise would have done it,
They then placed two lighted candles at the head
OF each grave, with q bunch of frag ant tapers
OF some sort but so careless and inattentiYe were
they, that saw q thievish Mexican busy himself
IN blowing out the candles and slipping them into
his pocket.
The next proceeding was to set out the feast
My friend the tailless Mandarin, spying me among
the spectators, invited me TO join them, and it is
needless to say most willingly complied. The
funeral baked meats on this occasion, consisted
oil large hog roasted whole, all kinds of fowl and
game, fruit in profusion, plenty OF wine, and tea
served round in little cups There were SOUPS
which were fearfuly and wonderfully made, and
numbers OF dishes very delicate to the taste of the
composition OF which could not form the slightest
conception. They were provided with little car.
pets upon which they knelt, in default Of which
spread my handkerchief and knelt beside nv
celestial entertainers
It was indeed a strange sceRe,-the oldest pic.
nc have ever yet attended. Occasionally the
question would rise to my mind, " What are YOU
al doing at home just now, in the quiet New
Eng land village! What is such and such friend
In the States engaged in at this moment, while |.
away In California, in the dismal Chinese grave.
yard, kneel here in the midst of this outlandish
group, lHten to unpronouncesble iSrgon and par,
take Of Undesirable dishes ?"
IL was here that made my first sssay upon a
Dish OF rice with pair of vertabe chop sticks,
and the dexterity with which HANDLED these i'm.
PIGMENTS drew forth many grins OF deligh. from
the admitting spectators The company were
very merry full Of fun and frolic; indeed through
.he whole affair l did not discover the
leStt approach to that seriousness of department
occasion. VIZ F''''' ''-A viz
men tea was passed around each man bowed
nlmseH 70 the ground three times aud sort of
priest went through kind Of service. followed
oy prayer which must have been very fnnnv
ana evidently contained some excellent bits ~
the audience would occasionally burst in.o ;c,r,
derste laughter. After this, the wine circnIstad
Freely and ! made them & brief speech tbsnI;n-
them for their courtesy TO me, stranger and s9
outsider, expressing my sense Of admiration for
sne Plous custom that had brought them together
"a .hat melancholy occasion, with lot of abosb''
- tn'k sort, to which they listened attentiveIv
me ali ~ 5lSek eyes twinkling ourousy upon
" rem thew broka ~ 81