Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-05
A Chinese Home.

A Chinese Home.
During Minister Wards lutc visit to Pekin a
private house was allowed him for the use Of him
self and suite, Tho China correspondent Of the
Boston Traveller. who accompanied Mr.. Ward,
TINS describes tho place:
Let US look about tho promises we are to occu-
py. Tho owner was private gentleman OF wealth
and standing, whose family had for tho time yaca.
ted them, not a woman or child appearing wbilo
we tarried. though We often saw the owner. who
was quite courteous and obliging. At tho request
Of tho government, he had consented to give US
tho of his house, or houses, for there were two
both Of brick, and running parallel and being
about $50 feet long. with u court between about
thirty feet wide and paved with hewn stone Like
almost all Chinese houses, they were of only ono
story, and with roofs covered with tiles. Two or
three arches were thrown across tho court, SEEM
ing to divide the long space into rooms, and doors
opened into each building rs thoy were needed
The rooms, however, were few. and dark from the
use of scmtrnnsparcnt paper instead OF glass
windows. They were noat, md tho walls and
ceilings covered with handsome paper. The Chr
bnt little furniture. and the most OF what
had ever belonged 10 this had been removed as un-
suitable to our tastes and customs A gate, closed
nt night, opened into n narrow street. which led
into the centre of tho village and with fow rods
travel ont oi it. Altogether the buildings were
commodous mont and in good taste. Nor had
the government and owner been content with fa.-
nishing us tho best house in tho place, and sup.
plying us with tho suhstantials and delicncies of
the country. 1t was tho hot season Of the year,
and. to relieve their foreign guests from the op-
preston, posts had been erected along tho side Of
each house. some thirty feet high. while poles Of
equal height were planted in the centre. on which
bamboo ratters wero lid. over which new white
mating was spread, which reached from roof
to roof, and quito shut out the sun. while. rs the
changed its position, or set, or other oircuin.
stances. large windows could be made in tho roof
by pulling certain cords, through which tho mir
freely admitted.
In tho oyoningt added to the beauty of the
scene to have large lamps suspended in various
places through tho court, hcxagonal in form, two
feet long and one in diameter. the frame being of
wood, and some Of them having strips Of red cloth
in their hexagonnl sides, ind other stained glass
On the top nm ornamental story was added, foot
high. of carved work, which projected some half
foot beyond tho lantern proper They discovered
n good deal of nrt and taste and are for ornament
more than for use. Long strips Of rod cloth were
hung up tho walls in various places, rs cxprcs-
siyc Of good wishes.
But tho most singular and yot touching and beau
tifu usage is the fastening Of long strips Of red
paper upon tho door posts covered from top to hot
tom with largo gilt Chinese characters. or course
they nre unmeaning without nm interpreter and us
we had three with us. one of them. at my request
translated them for mo, and hero give them To
| your renders.
Opposite tho main entrance, was written in arge
| characters:
"GREAT JOY"
Over n door:
"lieeeive all Heavenly happiness! !'
On thu sides of the door:
''Felicitous DO the sun, and auspicious tho
clouds. !"
aud
Harmonious may be tho breezes. and sweet
the rains"
| Over another door
"lInppiness comes from Heaven -
| On the sides of another door:
"Imngination, like great dragon, scars an hun
dred ieetp'
and
Literature, lkea good horse. is yigvous n
thousand autumns."
Another pair of sentences were perfectly Chi
ncse:
The virtue of sages is like sweet wine: IIeay-
| ems grace cnriches!"
and
"The words of King are like silken sounds
Tho fnyors of the Kingdom are many!
The posting of such sentences over the doors of
houses and IN each side is common prnctice
generally expressing welcome and good wish
cs to the guests and strangers who visit the
house, or else containing sentences from tho Chi.
nese classics. which arc held in veneration among
the people,