Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-01-14
A Chinese Dinner.
HOW DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ARE RECEIVED AND
ENTERTAINED.

HOW DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ARE RECEIVED AND
ENTERTAINED.
In one of his letters to the Troy Times
Hon. John NJ. Francis gives the following
agreeable account Of Chinese hospitality
Some idea of Chinese hospitality and the
hol-, and garden of a wealthy Chinaman
ma not be uninteresting. The house is
surrounded by high wall, as the Chinaman
at home likes to be private. Having pre-
yiously sent in his card, the guest is con-
Quoted through side gateway and shown
into the reception hall, u spacious chamber,
quite open on one side TO the courtyard.
From the ceiling depend number of gor.
geous lanterns of large size, inscribed with
Chinese characters. Here the guest is re
ceived with great politeness by the master
of the house After an interchange of com
pliments, he is invited into an inner payil-
ion and requested to take seat ON raised
dais covered with red cloth. As a matter
OF etiquette the guest declines this honor,
but after considerable pressure he reluctant
ly accepts it, the host taking lower seat,
thereby showing the greater honor for his
guest. Here tea is Immediately served and
the usual Chinese pipe is offered. Several
servants are in waiting TO do the slightest
bidding of their master. After half hours
social chat walk in the garden is proposed
The terrace in front of the reception-room
presents wonderful proiusion of flowers
goldfish in large numbers are seen in the
clear waters. On the other side of this pond,
what appears TO be huge rock is covered
with rare trees and flowers. On inquiry it
is ascertained that this apparent rock forma-
ton was constructed of masses of sea-wOrn
stones, put together with marvellous skill,
the interior forming intricate grottOes and
caverns, the passage from one 10 the other
contrived with artistic ingenuity. Com
Portable seats are found in the grottoes, and
into the walls are fixed marble tablets, upon
which are inscribed yHous notices and say
ings Of sages The f0or i paved with
mosaic and the light admitted from an open
ing above gives quite Rembraudtish effect
to the scene On the summit of the rock
work about fifty or sixty feet high, is built
pavilion filed with art work, and hung with
elegant lanterns \ curiOusly formed zig
zag bridge leads across the pond (Which
from its considerable size may be called an
artificial lake, to the rock work briefly de-
scribed. There are covered ways around
this miniature lake, and in these are 4 pro-
fusion of objects to admire. The walls are
of polished Canton marble, built in octagon-
al Slabs. wherein are fixed tablets and anti
que carvings cut in the manner OF cameoes.
Rare porcelain vases and antique bronzes
are seen, and the tancitul trellis work i
both quaint and beautiful
The time has now arrived for dinner the
guest is invited into the spacious dining
hall, where table is laid with several small
dishes Of fruits and condiments piled up in
the queerest and most fantastic shapes The
roof of this hall IS OF carved wood OF rich
brown color. and brilliant with gliding,
beautiful chandeliers depending therefrom,
relieved at intervals with Chinese lamps Of
curious construction The walls on two
side- are Of inlaid marble, in which are
placed mirrors The chairs and tahles are
of dark rose wood, inlaid with Yariegated
marble, and in convenient nooks are hung
water color drawings in the form of Scrolls
which, apart from their absurd perspective,
eynce considerable merit and originality
The foor is inlaid with fine sort OF native
tile The north and south sides of this room
consist Of windows OF stained glass. admit
ting soft and most delicious light stand
iug on the tables and pedestals are splendid
enameled vases and incense burners Of great
value. beside bronze and JADE stone orna-
ments.
Dinner i now waiting, and the great
| difficulty is to sit down, every one TOR polite
ness sake trying to persuade has neghbor
to sit down first Alter an absurd display
\ of this sort-bowing scTIpings smiling,
| gestieulating, and arguing-a compromise Is
| finally effected, and all bob down together.
| The dinner commences by an attack on the
sweetmeats and condiments, each person
| dexterousy handling his chop-stick and pick
| ing lut anything be may fancy in an indis-
criminate sort OF way. No plates are used,
and tie yiands have to be conveyed direct
| from the dishes to the mouth Dried melon
seeds are usually first served, and the host
generally takes a handful OF these and pass
t. them to his guests at the same time hot
wine is offered it is distilled from rice, and
has something OF the flavor Of sherry After
Skirmishing some time among the various
small dishes, the more important ylands are
brought forward. and continued in almost
endless succession. OF course, the expen-
siye and highly appreciated bird 's-nest soup
forms one OF the courses. This and shark :
nus -td 7AAENf Ht-NbA -
ham, shrimps, various kinds Of tsh, pork
in many forms and some of the sweets, are
most reished by foreigners. The dinner i
often continued to tedious length, occupy
ing three to i've hours The difficulty ~
using the chop-stick- and the absence oi
plates cause some embarrassment TO the IN
experienced foreigner. bat the host pasSe1
over all mishsps with pleasant words, and
the guest is made to feel quite at hls ease
after little time. No mutton or beef, OF
ANYTHING in the shape of joints, Is served.
The Chinese do not like the mutton flavor
and beef j. rejected because COniucius has
pointed out that 1t Is improper TO take the
lite OF an animal 50 useful IN agriculture
Wishing to do special honor to his guest AT
the table. the host selects some choice bit
and with the chop-stieks he had only mo
ment before had IN his own mouth passes the
piorsel 10 him. it would be considered ex
tremely rude if the protiered food were re
iected. and the favored guest must iorthy
himself to receive and eat It, The hot wine
is frequently slipped, and the pipe is at IN
tervals introduced. During the meal anC
at its conclusion, bowls Of rice are brought
in, held up close to the mouth, and shoVelet
IN quickly Finally. and as close, tiny
cups Of tea Of choicest flavor are served
supplemented with little more smoking
The sedan chair is now in readiness, thu
host escorts his guest to the outer door
compliments are exchanged, the host shake
his own hands for a goodbye and the altar
is ended. This is a briei sketch OF actua
experience and observation by Il gentleman
who, with others. was complimented Wit
dinner at the yaman of wealthy China
man. 1t should be said in this connection
that only intimate acquaintance, lmportan
official position, or the most favorable an
influential introduction, can secure sucl
consideration from Chinaman toward
foreigner. No ladies appear on such a
occasion the women q the household ar
kept isolated and out of sight and alway
treated a. Interiors