Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-03-25


that perhaps not half dozen-if any-of our read
ers have genuine Chinese love letter.
We have, though. Recently in Annoy marriage
was concluded between a son of the ancient family
of "Tan," and daughter of the equally old and
respectable house of o )" and the annexed produc
tons, are assured, are literal transaons OF the
letters that passed the occasion between the faith
ers of the young couple. Here we have the propo-
sal of the father of the bridegroom
''The ashamed younger brother surnamed Tan
named Su, with washed head makes obeisance and
writes this letter to the greatly viruous and humble
gentleman whose is 0, old Teacher, great
man. and presents at the front of the gallery Cat
this season of the year, the satin curtains
yeloped in mist rejecting the beauty of the River
and Hills in the fields of the blue gem are planted
rows of willows close together arranging and dhus-
ing the commencement of genial influences, and con-
seuuentv adding to the good OF the old year.
IL duly reverence your lofty door. The guest OF
the Su country descends from good stock, the orl-
gin of the female of the Hui country likewise lis so
too) You have received their transforming infu-
ences resembling the effects produced by rain: much
more you my honorable nearly related Uncle your
good qualities are of very order |, the mean
one am ashamed of myself. just rotton wood is IN
the presence of aromatic herbs. now receive your
Indulgence, inasmuch as you have listened to the
words of the match maker, and given Miss s IN
marriage to the mean ones eldest son, named Hang
your asserting to it is worth more to me than
thousand pieces of gold The marriage business
will be conducted according to the six rules of pro-
| to my ancestors with presents OF gems and silks
will arrange these things received in your baskets
so that all who tread the threshold OF my door may
enjoy them. From this time forward the two sur
names will be united and trust the union will be
fecitous and last for hundred years, and realize
the delight experienced by the union of the two
countries Chin and Chin hope that your honor
able benevolence and consideration will defend me
INCREASINGLY. At present the Dragon flies IN Sin
Hal term. the first month, lucky day. |, Mr. Su,
how respectfully. Light BEFORE
On this decoction of the essential oil of modesty
the Young Miss S father Looks with favor, so he
responds in state Of still profoundly polite
humility
! "The Younger brother, surnamed 0, named Tus
of the family to be related by marriage: washes his
head clean, knocks his head and bows. and writes
this marriage letter in reply to the far-famed and
viruous gentleman surnamed Tan, the venerable
teacher and great man who manages this business.
At this season the heart of the plumbossom is IN
creasngly white, at he beginning of the first month
it opens its petals. The eye brows of the willow
shoot out their green. when shaken by the wind 1T
displays its glory and grows luxuriany into five
generations. lis matter for congrauatlon the
union of 100 years. | reverence your lofty gate
The prognostic is good also the divination of the
lucky bird. The stars are bright and the dragons
meet together. In every succeeding dynasty Office
will be held and for many generation official vest
ments will be (not only those OF your
family surname will enjoy all the aforementioned
felicity more especially will you, honorable gen.
tleman who possess abilities great and deep. your
manners are dignifed and pure. I. the foolish one,
am ashamed of my dmnutiveness. |. for long
time, have desired your dragon powers, now you
have not looked down upon me with contempt, but
have entertained the statements of the match maker
and agree to give Mr.. Kang to be united to my des~
pcable daughter. We all wish the girl to have her
! hair dressed, and the young to put on his cap
of manhood The peach flowers just now look beau
tiful, the red plum also looks gay | praise your
son, who is like fairy horse who cross over
through water, and is able to ride upon the wind
and waves, but my tiny daughter if like green
window and feeble plant, and is not worthy of be-
coming the object of verse.
Nov reverently bow to your good words and
make use of them to display your good breeding
:, Now hope your honorable benevoence will always
remember me without end. Now the Dragon flies
in the Sin Hal term, first month lucky day. Mr.
E Tu makes obcsance. May the future be prosper
, GUS"
The modesty of the old gentleman is painful
that almost afraid to guess what may have
been the feelings of Master Tan and Miss o.; but
whatever they were. they must have overcome them
bv this time, for the friend to whom indebted
. for these epistolary gems danced at their wedding
a couple of months back. and was nearly sufocated
with drinking scalting black tea out of nut
shell cups.
But the letters themselves-for we have received
the originals, together with the translation-ure al
least remarkable for external glitter as for inter
, nal value. Each of them is about the size of the
Cii>enSpages and consists of rich frame composed
of something like papier mache, inside of which
is artisticaIy folded scroll of richly tinted crimson
paper studded with the golden letters that convey
the words of love and modesty. The outer surface
F is likewise emblazened with a quantity of raised
work representing robes of honor, tails of dstinc
ton, the smallest of small Shoes peacocks feathers
and variety of other equally tasteful designs which
supposed to be emblematic of the vast accession
to the wealth and honor of both contracting houses
that may be expected to flow from the union of the
n gallant Su Tan, unior, and the accomplished Miss
! Tu O.-Caicuttd Chronicle