The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-02-12

A lady correspondent OF the Pittsburgh
Chronicle writes as follows:
During the few weeks which we have
spent In Frisco" we have found Nothing
more interesting than the novel sights an.
strange people Of Chinatown. Ii has been
one OF our principal diversions 10 walk
through that quarter Of the city, observing
the curious scenes always to be witnessed
there.
Last week IL was our good fortune 10 be
at the house OF Rev. y. Gibson, when some
OF the pupils In his missionary school came
10 invite himself, family and teachers To
Chinese dinner. As a friend OF Mr.. c., we
were included In the invitation. We most
gladly accepted, and about seven o'clock.
"Wednesday evening, accompanied by Farm
Dow, Don Son and Vim Chong, we wound
our way 10 restaurant in the upper part
OF Chinatown. Passing through store,
we assembled two flights of stairs. On the
first landing we were attracted by two of
the gaudy ornaments so common in Chi
nese buildings OF all descriptions. These
are made OF colored paper, tinsel and che
nile. and usually have an Idol in the CEN
ter. Hanging upon the walls. they are
quite snowy as seen from a distance, but
do not bear close inspection. This last re-
mark would not, however, apply 10 the
rooms which We soon entered. A whole
door had been engaged for our entertain
ment. The walls were decorated with |
Chinese characters and with pictures both |
American and Chinese. Our hosts polite |
ly informed us that the former were /
= more better thaur the latter. In the |
front room was one long table. at which |
we ate. AT one end OF each room were
couches, which We Were assured were not /
intended for opium smokers. Aroundthe
walls were ranged bright chairs. the most /
beautiful objects in the establishment.
They gave rich appearance To the whole
room. The cushions were of crimson
and were embroidered most elaborats,y
and beautifully with silk. Between every /
two OF these chairs was pretty lit le table
We had barely time TO look about the
room before We were invited to dinner.
The table presented an appearance at once
novel and attractive. AT each place was "A
china plate, pair Of ivory chop-sticks,
china spoon, wine cup, and a knife and
fork. (Of course we scOrned 10 use the
last-named implements); of the twenty
persons who sat down together, no two
had plates. cups or saucers alike. Scatter
ed about were dishes Of curious shapes and
various sizes. These were filled with Chi
nese almonds, watermelon seeds. lof
which the Celestials are very fondl, water
chestnuts and Chinese fruits of various
sorts. An antelope, a lion, devil fish and
several other animals, which is would have
puzzled zoologist TO name, kept guard
over the dainties. These resembled the ,
sugar creations of our confectioners bur ,
Were made, we learn. OF flour. There was ,
suite variety OF hues displayed by these !
animals, every one of the prismatic colors !,
lending its aid 10 enhance the brilliancy , ,
and naturalness OF their appearance. A ,
number OF bouquets contributed beauty ,
A A apd
of the table stood one in which was placed :
a little rack, made of wire covered with :
bright paper. In these were cards an !
nouncing each course as ii was placed upon
the table. The first To which we directed )
our eager gaze was .'Stewed Biri-nests.r ,
This is great luxury among the Chinese. ,
lt Is obtained in caves among the islands ,
Of the Orient. A species of swallow col
lects the material from seaweed. macerates !
IL with her bill. and then of the gummy !,
substance thus made. builds her nest ,
against the walls OF these caves. This l. !,
collected at great peril. When prepared !
IL sort of soup, j. very tempting to the /
Celestial palate. We were somewhat pre- !;
JUDGED against the article; however, we
found il not unpleasant. only little in
sipid. Then followed dishes OF all sorts J,
meats fried and meats stewed, fishes. !
fowls, vegetables. shark fins, bon bons. !,
and almost every imaginable eating thing. =
The meats were all nicely cooked. and had
a peculiar relish which made IL possible 10 :,
eat more than we had supposed ourselves
capable of. One dish Impressed us as
peculiar. il was Mushrooms and Duck
Our nearest neighbor re- 4
with a glance at the "web-foots.n !,
. We cook him. Mellican man throw him :,
away" We repressed our inclination to !,
act in accordance with the customs of our i
and smiingly ate the mushrooms. =
Our hosts drank to our health collectively, \
ndi, idually and repeatedly, with the rose y
wine, without which Ii would be impos- y
'ible 10 have Chinese dinner. The tiny =
china cups which held this beverage a.
would have to be empried many times.
however, to have produced any serious
results
After the fourteenth course we were in
7ited to leave the table for few moments. =,
We walked about, admiring the pictures. . q
the musical instruments which
lung in one corner; stood on the balcony. n
listening to the notes OF melody from the u
heater next door. and some, In order to 10
ose no time. sat in the handsome chairs. W
thinking fragrant tea from most tempting te
title cups. a
In few moments we were invited ba * "a
o the table to partake of Chinese fruit and ~
'astry. The former IL delicious, the latter "a
most curious. There were groups of ami :"
nails which defied description, cats and g.
ogs Of every hue, birds and beasts Of in - -
escribable forms and colors. II was a =, ~
title surprising to find lemon made Of ~ ~
PONCE cake, and somewhat startling on -,
iting beautiful rose OF exquisitely tinted ~
en- shell. to find IL full Of mince meat. q,
After disposing o. these dainties. we a.
Tere invited into the back room, where r.,
ur hosts entertained US In various ways -,
n half an hour. Your correspondent VI