The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-12-03

THE dinner began by q cumbersome
ceremonial Of drinking light wine
made from rice, possessing somewhat the
flavor of sherry 1t was served hot,
poured from china kettle into PORCELAIN
cups, and handed by a handsomely
dressed boy on Bonded knee, while an:
other passed round sweet biscuits made
from buckwheat. During this prelimi-
nary course the host not only drinks, but
eats, to each Of his guests in succession,
observing the strictest etiquette Of rota-
ton and they in the same order to him
and to each other, his every movement
and gesture being observed, noted and
respected. The first course on the pres
ent occasion consisted Of custards
and preserved ice-fruits, which was
quickly followed by cold relishes, such
as sailed earth-worms, smoked fish and
ham, Japan letter ian article of food
possessing strong and disagreeable
taste), and pigeons eggs, having the
shells softened by vinegar. Gradually
the feast became more substantial, and
included basins of sharks fins, birds
nests, deer sinews, and other dishes con-
sidered peculiarly nutritious and appe-
tizing. At length the real solids were
reached, consisting Of rice and curry,
chopped bears paws, mutton and beef
gravy; pork in various forms the flesh
| Of puppies and cats boiled in buffaloes'
milk; shantung, or white cabbage, and
sweet potatoes; fowls split open, fat
tened and grilled, their livers swimming
in hot oil; and cooked eggs of various
descriptions, containing embryo birds.
But the surprise of the entertainment
was to come On the removal of some
of the flower vases large, covered, fiat
dish was placed in the center of the table
and at sieshal the cover was removed.
The hospitable board Immediately
swarmed with Juvenile crabs, which made
their exodus from the vessel with sur
prising agility. The crablets had been
thrown into vinegar just as the guests sat
| down, and this treatment being obnox-
ious to the feelings of the crustacea
renders them irritable on escaping from
| their acid bath. Fast as they ran their
sprightly motions were anticipated, and
soon checked by each guest Selling the
nearest, thrusting it into his mouth
crushing it between his teeth and swal
lowing it without ceremony. / deter
mined to follow the Chinese example
and, for once, try couple of
| infant crabs, which found soft
and gelatinous, as they are but
tiny creatures, not more than a day or
two old, but was compelled to yield at
the third; it had evidently resolved on
vengeance, and. taking advantage of my
want of dexterity in the management of
chop-sticks, inflicted such nip upon my
lower lip that l relinquished my hold
and desisted from further experiments.
The conversation having been neccssari-
ly somewhat interrupted by the episode
of the crablets we leaned back in our
chairs to watch the comedy until the sol
was handed around, a liquor made from
/
the wine drinkers Of Europe to revive
their faded palates. Various kinds Of
shell and fresh fish followed, succeeded
by several thin broths, and concluded by
the costly, though insipid, birds nest
soup. The table being cleared very
pretty specimen of the Yuen-ming- yuen
porcelain was placed before the host 1t
consisted of series Of nine dishes (cor-
responding to the number seated at the
board) shaped like a cabbage and all
fitting into one another. The contents
were variety of scorched seeds and
nuts, which were nibbled, along with
sundry hot wines and tea, amid cloud
of tobacco smoke, the host considerably
procrastinating his usual opium-pipe till
a later period.