Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-08-09
A Chinese Dinner.

Hang Yang, a merchant, who was a
superior man, and to whom my husband
had become quite attached (writes an
English lady from Hong Kong,) one
day invited him to call at his house, and
take a meal, a great honor, and finding
it would be agreeable, included me in
the invitation. He sent two sedan
chairs for us. When we arrived we
were ushered into the reception-room !;
there were raised seats running around
the sides, of beautiful bamboo, and
many chairs standing at intervals about
the room. Elegant little tables sup
ported vases of beautiful porcelain, and
hideous monsters of soap-stone were in
the corners.
A profusion of bows passed, and 1
was taken into an inner room, where
sat Madame Hang Yang before a little
box, filed with drawers, like the little
Chinese cabinets. She had not quite
completed her toilet arrangements, but
bowed and smiled as l entered pointing
to chair, and kept on with her opera
tions, about which there is no secrecy.
She was very good-looking, but was
painted with the thickest white L had
ever seen, and had her teeth stained
black with betel-nut-as is the custom
when married. Her attendant hair
dresser, who had just finished her per
Torrance, stood by to take the little
brushes from the hands of her mistress
and replace them in the drawers when
she had finished. Her hair was JET
black, and was very much creased, was
plated and rolled up in masses upon
the back of her head, and stuck full OF
jeweled pins and flowers made of bright
colored paper, also silver and gold
She wore a gay lowered robe, with
long hanging sleeves, and her arms were
| adorned with bracelets of heavy gold
AS she spoke no English, and l spoke
no Chinese, we looked at each other IL
a smiling fashion, nodded and bowed.
We sat together at table upon settee'
of cane. and her two children were alst
at table, and were as decorus in be
havior as young people OF twelve anC
fourteen years of age with us. First
sweetmeats were brought ; then no
wine, in lovely tiny porcelain cups
then cups of larger size, with a pinct
of tea at the bottom of each, upon which
hot water was poured, which is the Wa,
Chinese tea is always made thus on,
gets the flavor and none of the bitter
ness. Then boiled rice and some kinC
of food cut in mouthfuls. Chop-stick
were laid by each plate, and L founC
my husband was nearly as dexterous il
their use as his host. labored heavil,
with mine, and made many ineffectua
attempts at spearing morsels swimming
about in my plate, not daring to 81
quiet or decline anything, for fear O
being impolite. Little squares of soft
colored paper, edged with gilt, wer
placed by each plate as napkins. Last
ly, we finished with the famous birds
nest soup. After the dinner, towels
dipped in hot water, were passed roun
upon trays, for us to wipe our mouth
and hands upon.
Scraps of verses and proverbs we1
engraved upon the walls, and sheets {
colored paper were hung in conspicuou
positions, bearing various mottoe
Some were interpreted to me, such s
the following
"We can do without the world, but "
need friend" "Great wealth come
by destiny, moderate wealth by indu
try" "Great minds have wills, othe
only wishes"