The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-03-03


!" are the siuews OF the deer Dogs are sa
10 occupy the third place; but OF these
had no specimen at the Governors tabi
II seems, however, from the high value 81
upon them, that they are not, as they hav
been sometimes represented, the resourc
Of extreme poverty, but one OF the luXprie
of the rich. Sharks fins are in great re
quest, and we're served in two or thre
forms. Biche-de -Mer, large sea.snall o
slug, is one Of the prime delicacies, and !:
in fact, very good; being, as served, muc'
The same sort Of thing as an oyster.
at is rather remarkable that the CHI
nese, prizing as highly as they 90 severa
dishes very much like oysters, should no
valoe the oyster itself. ! do not recollec
THAT we had oysters in any shape on ih
occasion; and am told that they are no
much used, although thoy are found il
abundance. Shrimps, which are uncom
monty large and fine here, were served Il
|several FORMS One set Of bowls were fill
ed with the tongues Of singing birds; other:
with meats and game of different sorts
lgenerally minced into small morsels, flaw
lored with various condiments. and some
times wrapped up in paste.
.Oftbe dishes that | tasted, nearly ali
had good relish, and some were excellent
I, appears to me that could have dned
very well upon almost any one of them
The Chinese cookery, in its general char
acteristics, strongly resembles the French
land, after little usage, would, fancy, be
Thought fully equal to it.
"The Chinese have no wine, property
so called. The samsho, which Europeans
call wine, is distilation from rice. It is
served ia cups, and has something of the
taste Of The lighter wines Of Spain. Be
sides this we had champagne and sherry
in profusion. The Governor drank great
quantity, occasionally mixing the two
wines, but withou, any effect upon biz
head. The company challenged each 9th,
er 10 take wine in the English fashion,
which is also, believe, Chinese one
after emp,ying their glasses, the Chinese
held them up bottom upwards, to show that
they were drained to the last drop, expect
ing the other party 10 do the same.
.The plates were occasionally changed
but il did not appear 10 be thought neces-
sary 10 90 through with this ceremony al
every change in the contents. The Gov
ernor, when ANYTHING particularly NICE
was handed, would take a quantity in his
chop-sticks aud put it upon my plate
which before it was changed, generally be
gan to assume the shape Of pyramid. -
Sometimes, Instead Of transferring the deli
cate morsel with bis ehop-sticks TO ms
plate, he would take it in his fingers ant
put il into my mouth. This is regarded a:
i The highest possible mark Of respect and at
tention. The patient is, Of course, expect
ed to acquiesce in it with every appear
ance Of delight and gratitude. The Chi
nese themselves, sometimes employ {
rather awkward method of getting rid o
the necessity of eating the immense guam
titles that are served on these occasions
/ was told by the French Consul that the
Governor himself, at dinner given to him
lby the French Minister, emptied his bowls
under the table as fast as they were hand
ed 10 him, so that one Of the attendants
was steadily at work IN sweeping the
aocr.
u safer we had been about ha!i-an-houI
at table, requested Dr.. Parker 10 inform
lhe Governor that | would propose as Q
sentiment TO be drank standing, the healtt
of the Emperor of China. The suggestion
was received with unanimous applause
We all filed cur glasses with champagne,
and drained them, with the exception Of
mine, 10 the bottom. The Governor, then
before we resumed our seats; proposed the
Health Of the President of the United
lStates, which was received in the same
way. He then, still before sitting down
proposed my health; and when this wa:
disposed of, !, in turn, gave his. Ate!
this, there was general hurra, and We al
took our Sc ats. We had now become no
precisely exhiirated, but rather good-hu
mored. and the wine circulated pretty tree
|lly. Various healths and sentiments were
given aud drank, some standing and somt
sitting. Among others DR.. Parker offered
The prosperity Of the great Chinese En-
pre- 10 be drank standing. Upon this VI
all rose, and The Governor before drinking
added, .aud that Of all the friendly foreigt
powers al the same time extending hlt
righ, hand upward, and calling Heaven Il
witness the sincerity OF his expressions. =
Alter drinking this, we all joined in anoth
er general hurra, and once more look Oh
seats. Twas told by those ofour country
men who had been presen. on former oc
, casiops OF the same kind, that there wa
more oi the flow Of soul as well as cham
pagne this time than there has usual,
been. was certainly good deal surprls
ed a, the total absence OF formallty, aud tn
unrestrained gayety that prevailed at tn
, table, though no one present seemed II
any degree to have lost his sef-possesslon
awhile these matters were in progress
change Of scene took place upon the ia
, bic itself. After we had tasted in success
D sion of the contents Of at least fifty differ
3 ent bowls, the table was partly cleared
/ and another series of dishes OF a more sub
eI :, au,ial character made their appearance
!, Among these was small pig roasted whole
, solid Joint of beef, and another of mutton
/. turkey, fowls, and game roasted whole
! and others of the same kind. By-.he-by,
leg of mutton and turkey are among tn
/, most expensive dishes that can be serve
r here; the former costing at the rate OF ha
- IL Al. 60. g..