Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-07-16

"a CHINESE D1SNER Parry When Chinese
invites to a ceremonious dinner, large red paper
is sent several days before the time. On this is
written the invitation, in the poltest terms of the
language. On the day before the feast anc ther
invitation is sent to the guests, on ross-colored
paper to remind them of and to ascertain wheth
er they are coming. Again on the next day, a
short time before the hour appointed, the invita-
ton is repeated, to inform them that the feast is
prepared and awaits them When tho guests are
assembled, the first thing presented is almond
milk, in large cups. Every table is served with
exactly the same food, and the same number of
Dishes at one and the same moment. Only four
five persons sit at each table in very fashionable
houses not more than two or three. The tables
are mostly made Of polished ebony, or Surat back
wood, and double; for, as they no tablecloths,
the upper table is removed, with all that is on it,
at the end of the first course to give place to the
second For the end of the first course, the tables
are laid out with chop-sticks, wine cups, China
ware or enarnelled spoons or stands, and two little
plates, with fruits, nuts, etc. Several small cold
Dishes such as dry sailed fish, shred fine and made
into salad, with mushrooms ETC., are spread over
the board, only leaving room in the centre for 4
cup, about the size of breakfast cup. The din
ner now commences, and all the wine cups are
filled with heng-tsoao-a weak acidulated
liquor, distilled from millet seed, and is always
drank hot-and the master of the feast rises, as
we'll as all the guests he holds the VINE cup IN
both hands, sauting them with it, after which
they all drink together, and sit down again. A
cup with hot food is now served in the centre of
every table
After the first course has been finished the up
per table is removed, and the table remaining is
spread with spoons, winecups, chopsticks vinegar,
soy, and sweet sauce, with some plates of sliced
raoishes, oranges, and various other fruits and
vegetables, placed before each person and all the
large fruits are sliced as we'll as the vegetables.
While the second course is preparing, those who
The second table being prepared the guests are
all seated again, when birds nest soup-the most
expensive and the greatest delcacy Chinese
Offers served up, with pigeons or plover's eggs
floating upon it, to each person.. When entertain
ing any of the high constituted authorities, the
master puts the first dish of the second course on
each table himself as it is brought in by the SER
wants. After all, tea is served up in covered cups
as before described--oE the leaves, and without
milk or sugar; and thus closes the entertainment.
On the day following the feast, the host sends a
large red paper to each of the guests, apologizng
for the badness of the dinner; and they answer
him on the same sort of paper, expressing in the
most exalted and extraragant terms the pleasure
them. The pigtailed nation in everything are
unlike any other people, though doubtless under
all this show of politeness is hidden an equal a.
mount of duplcity and discrimination as can else
where be found. The Chinese customs evince
much that Is hollow hearted in their social rela-
tons. Tour he China.