Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-11-25
4 Nantucket Captain Talks Chinese.


CAPT. SWAIN, of the whalesbip Tvdia
Folger, Of Nantucket, after cruise Of
eighteen or twenty months in the Pacific
found himself, together with half dozen
other commanders of the fleet, obliged TO
seek some portion water and provisions, and
finding themselves only a thousand miles
from Canton, China, determined to make tor
that place, where they would probably
find some American vessels homeward
bound, and they could send to OF perhaps
hear from their friends. Accordingly they
sailed for that port and succeeded beyond
their expectations, not only having a
chance to send letters, but also receiving
several from home; and the Chinese Man
DARN of the port also showed them great
courtesy, and after getting well supplied
with provisions they determined, as q
mark of appreciation of the Mandarin's
kindness, to make big dinner tor him
on board one of the ships, and invite the
American commanders Of other ships
lying there to be present also The lydia
Folger was fixed upon as the one most
convenient for such \ purpose. Capt
Swain made great preparations, and pro-
cured all the Chinese dishes he could and
arranged them at the head OF the table
where the Mandarin was seated IN state, so
that if he did not like The food provided
for the Americans he at least could have
something he could eat. But one impor-
tant thing they forgot to provide, and that
was equal to the emergency, and
bowling with great solemnitY and all
manner of cOntortions, as nearly like
the Interpreter as possible, he pre-
sented the different dishes with his own
hands, saying all the Chinese words he
could bring to mind: "Ching, ti-ang, sin,
chow, chong," without any regard to, in
deed not knowing, their meaning. The
Mandarin received everything graeiously,
and ching chang in return, with
out even a smile. The dinner ended with
apparent satisfaction to all parties, and
they showed the Chinese officer over the
ship and escorted him to the shore with
great ceremony. That evening d Chinese
Government-ship of the larger class came
into port, and the next day the Mandarin,
not to be outdone in politeness by those he
considered barbarians, invited them all to
dine with him and the Admiral, on board
this ship. They accepted and were sur
prised to find themselves supplied with
their own kind of food, the Chinese be
lieving it was part of their eligion to eat
such things, and the Mandarin and Ad-
miral waited upon them with their own
hands, presenting the dishes with such
words Of English as they knew; f0r in
stance, with a plate of beef the Mandarin
would say Bale, shipee, wallzee, hat,
eatee," bowling, at the same time, most
profoundly, or the Admiral, twisting
himself and touching his forehead in
token Of deepest respect, would present a
plate Of cheese, saying: " Melicun, gun,
| boat, sail, rope, eatee, until the Americans
| could hardly keep from laughing out
! right. Capt. Swain alone remained per
fectly composed, and answered with a few
g ching changs," and his companions
never for a moment dreamed but that he
understood Chinese. After dinner the
| Mandarin and Admiral took them over
the ship; they examined curiously the
manner in which she was built, and ex-
pressed the greatest wonder as to how
they got the enormous mast into herwhich
supported the immense reed sail that,they
reefed by folding up like the leaves, of
| book One of them called out: : Here,
Swain, just ask them how they got this
mast into place and fastened it in the bot
tom of the ship" Without any hesitation
Capt. Swain went up to them and pointing
to the mast began: Tien, shang, WOW,
engtsin, tong, chow, wong" and looking
at the mast they answered: Goat, cup,
tar, hi, hi, sir, cotting!'' and, being seem
ingly at the end Of their English, chang
chang-chonged with great vehemence;
and then Swain turned to his companions
and said: "They found a big tree growing
near the shore, and they built the ship
round it, and when they got ready to
launch they sawed it off underneath the
bottom, and pushed her into the sea on
rollers. ~. 7. Graphic.