The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-11-10

served a'Iempt 10 gorge creature larg-
er than an eel, wanld result in speedy
strangulation. When fish is captured,
the boatman holds out the bag net, into
which the cormorant resigns its prey,
Usually without hesitation. Sometimes,
however, the bird gets sulky, and, lag
giDg behind the others, commences
sporting on its own account. It's first
capture may be of small girth, and is
swallowed with comparative ease
Grown bolder by success, and less fear
of discovery than at first, its attempt is
probably made on grisIe-no matter,
down it goes; and, Of course, liKe an
overgrown chimney-sweep in fue, the
fish sticks at the most critical point.
The culprit Immediately evinces symp-
toms of distress; aud, tapping its
wings on the water, attracts the sharp
ear of the fisherman, who, scuIling to
the spot, lifts the bird and prey into the
boat, plucks forth the fish, and consigns
the feathered thief to punishment by
tying its feet to perch, and depriving
it OF food for the remainder of the day
But our chair-bearers at length sue
ceeded in shouting and elbowing their
way through the crowded city; and
having arrived at San-ko- I'm Sins man.
sion, we alighted, and were ushered in
to lavatory through crowd Of child.
ren; not little Sinners, however, as
they are the progeny Of the domestics,
of whom there appears to be quite
multitude. LavatOry is perhaps scarce.
ly the correct name TO give an apart
ment without root, and whose only
appointments consist IN caldron OF
boiling water, on the lid of which, neat.
ly folded, are dozen or two of Grape
napkins, one of which, after being dip
ped in the hot liquid aud wrung out, is
handed to each guest. A hurried rub |
over the face and temples, then around |
both hands, completed the ablution, and |
without the further ceremony ofdrying
with towels, that being left to evapor- |
alton, we proceeded to the smoking
room, at the door of which we were re-
ceived with many bows and polite
speeches by the host, and introduced to
his friends Opium and tsbacco-pipes
were offered, as we'll as cheroots; but
as We declined their indulgence, the
way was led into the guest chamber,
where we were seated with the strictest
regard to the etiquette of rank and
pecedence. The interior of the apart
ment is usually of costly and hand
some description, the walls aud ceiling
being decorated with fret-work and
carved designs. the furniture a strange
combination of the airy and substantial,
the quaint and the picturesque, whilst
the numerous articles of vertu standing
about, the scroll pictures and gaily
painted lanterns depending by silken
cords from the grotesquely sculptured
beams, present a coup d aea both unique
apd pleasing. The table is ornamenled
with profusicn of vases, in which flow
ers aud fragrant perfumes are placed,
ample space being left all round for the
bowls of the guests, From the time
when the host took his seat on the slight
y raised platform at one end of the
dining table, conversation, commenced
and rarely tagged during the four or
i've hours of the feast. Meanwhile
of comedians took up posi-.
ion at one end of the hall, and awaited
! signal at the completion of the first
ew courses, to commence some favorite
lrama.
The dinner being cumbersome GER
'mOnial of drinking light wine made
rom rice, possessing somewhat the fa-
'or of sherry. 1t was served hot, pour
ID from china kettle into little porce-
ain cups, and handed by handsomely
lressed boy on bended knee, while an !
'ther passed round sweet biscuits made I.
rom buckwheat. During this prelm-
nary course, the host not only drinks, l
'ut eats to each Ofhs guests in success l
ion, observing the strictest etiquette l
t rotation, and they in the same order l
o him and to each other, his every l
Movement and gesture being observed, l
oted and respected. The first course \
II the present occasion consisted of \
Islards and preserved iced fruits, \
hich was quickly followed by cold n
,lishes, such as salted earth worms, N
noked 6sh and ham, Japan leather ian N
'ticle OF food possessing a strong and n
sagreeable taste), and pigeons eggs, N
aving the shells softened by vinegar. N
radually the feast became more sub N
antial, and included basins of sharks "
ls, birds nests, deer sinews, aud 9th N
dishes considered peculiarly nutritious n
I'd appelizing. At length the real SOL y
g were reached, consisting of rice and Z
Irry, chopped bears paws, mutton aud Z
'ef cut into small cubes and floating T
gravy pork in various forms; the Z
'sh ofpuppies and cats boiled in buf- =
los milk, shauntnng, or white cab Z
ge and sweet potatoes; fowls split Z
zen, fattened, and grilled, their iiv- Il
$ swimming in hot oil; and cooked II
gs of various descriptions, containing Ss
nbryo birds. But the surprise of the Sc
tertainment was to come. On the Se
moval OF some of the flower 81
ses, a large, covered, fiat dish was st
lced in the centre Of the table, and at Su
signal the cover was removed. The II
spitable board was immedia ely II
armed with Juvenile crabs, which VI
lde their exodus from the vessel with VI
rprising agility. The crablets had VI
en- thrown into vinegar just as the w