Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1853-02-19


Gently published by Mrs. Eliza J. G. Bugemar
who went to China as missionary, we have tn
account of a visit to Mrs. Pwan, the lady c
Pwan 1ingkwa, who, we are told, is "sal
merchant of wealth, and somewhat favorable t.
foreigners."
q "Pwan Tingkwa is employed in the service 0
the government; this gives him some dist;nc
non. lie has ten wives. The lady of tn,
mouse or humber one wife, did not make he
appearance until a little time had elapsed. A
length she entered the room and the others gave
place, while she received her visitors, and refu
6sed to take her seat until every one of hel
guests were seated. She was q beautiful young
creature, not over twenty-one years of age
Her hair was arranged in their usual tasteful
snanrer, and adorned with flowers, pearls and
entertainments. She was attired in simple
dress of grass cloth, tight about the throat, with
large sleeves, exposing beautiful hand, and
wrist full of bracelets. Underneath her grass
cloth tunic she wore embroidered skirt that near
ly concealed her little feet. Her manners were
graceful and elegant. To the remarks of tie
ladies, (her visitors) she responded courteously,
never allowing herself to sit while any of the la
dies were standing.
-"Tea was served in small cups with covers,
without milk or sugar. Soon after this we were
invited into. another department. Mrs. Pwan,
our lady host took Mrs. Parker by the hand and
led the way, while several other of Mr.. Pwan
Tingkwas ladies attended to the rest of us, and
We followed, the company Of relatives, nurses,
servants and children succeeded, all eager to
satisfy their curiosity by gazing at us. A re-
past was prepared, consisting of jellies, fruits,
Chinese call it bit for the heart 1t was easy
to distinguish the lady of the house;she moved us
to be seated, while she presided the others STAN
ding, and the servants tanning us while we par
took of the delicacies. According to Chinese
etiquette, Mrs. Pwan passed some fruit or jelly
on her fork or on her choh-stick to each lady,
and we would return the compliment, she rising
very gracefully and receiving it; they even so
so far as to put it into your mouth.
'Tiffin being finished we repaired to her pri-
vate bed room. 1t was furnished with mirror,
bureau, bedstead with mattrass, the bed-clothes
neatly laid in folds and put aside in the back
part of the bed. We followed Mrs. Pwan, all
the attendants accompanying us, through the
different apartments of this spacious building
still unfinished. The carving was elegant
The rooms were furnished with divans, ,centre-ta-
blQ,s, mirrors and chandeliers. The ceilings
were beautifully painted with birds and flowers
a gallery was appropriated to the sdg-son9
(thcatre.)
an goiLg down the staircase, we passed the
room where 'his excellency' and guests-the
gentlemen who accompanied us-were regail-
ing themselves with choice refreshments; they
could not help turning their heads to catch
a glimpse of the fair Chinese ladies. At length
the time arrived for us to leave; the females of
the house. one and all retired to the inner apart
ments, and the gentlemen conducted us to our
sedans. On returning home, we suffered our
faces to be exposed, and gazers were not few,
eagerly striving to get peep at the .fdu quipo,
or foreign devils wives, as they stigmatized us.
Il could not learn that one in Pwan Tingkwa's
household knew how to read in her own Ian
guage and as to their employments, much time
is spent at the toilet-embroidery perhaps occu-
py part, and then the amusements of the the
atre, and others equally frivolous fill up the rest.
Not many mothers after this visit, heard of
the death of Mrs. Pwan, and also learned that
her husband was never pleased with her. l re-
member one of our company once asked him
how he passed his time? He replied, his wives
were all over his house, and he amused himself
with them"