Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-02-04

now DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ARE RECEIv-
ED AND ENTERTAINED.

may not bo uninteresting. The house Is
surrounded by high wall, as tue China
man at home likes TO bo private. Having
previously sent in his card the guest is
conducted through side gateway and
shown into the reception hall, spacious
chamber, quite open on one side 10 the
courtyard. From. the ceiling depend
number OF gorgeous lanterns of large size,
inscribed with Chinese characters. Hero
the guest is received with great politencss
by the master Of the house. After an in
terchange of compliments, he is invited
into an inner pavilion and requested to
take a seat on a raised dais covered with
red cloth. AS a matter Of etiquette the
guest declines this honor, but alter consid-
cradle pressure lie reluctantly accepts ii,
the host taking lower seat, thereby show
ing 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 tho slightest bidding
Of their master. Afler a half hours social
chat a walk in the garden is proposed. The
terrace in front Of the receptiln-room pre-
sents wonderful profession Of flowers;
goldfish in large numbers are seen in the
clear waters. On the other side of this
pond, what appears 10 be huge rock is
covered with rare Trees aud flowers. on
inquiry it is ascertaincd that this apparent
rock formation was constructed Of masses
of sea-worn stones, put together with mar
velous skill, the interior forming intri-
cate grottoes and caverns, the passage from
ono to the other contrived with artistic in-
genuily. Comfortable seats are found in
the grottoes, and into the walls are fixed
marble tablets, upon which are inscribed
various notices and sayings OF sages. The
floor is paved with mosaic and the light
admitted from an opening above gives
quite Remhrandtish effect TO the scene.
On the summit Of the rock, about fifty or
sixty feet high, is built pavilion filled
with art work and hung with elegant lam
terms. A curiously formed zig-zag bridge
leads across the pond (Which from its con-
siderable size may be called an artificial
lake, to the rock work briefly described.
There are covered ways around this min.
iature lake, and in these are profuson of
objects to admire. The walls are of pol
ished Canton marble, built in octagonal
tque carvings cut in the manner of came
oes. Rare porcelain vases and antique
bronzes are seen, and :he ianciful trellis
work is both quaint and beautiful.
The time has now arrived for dInuer;
the guest is invited into The spacious din
ing-hall, where table is laid with several
small dishes Of fruit aud 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 depend
Ing therefrom, relieved at intervals with
Chinese lamps of curious construction.
The walls on two sides are of inlaid marble,
in which are placed mirrors. The chairs
and tables are OF dark rosewood, inlad
with variegated marble, and in convenient
hooks are hung water-color drawings in
the form of scrolls, which, apart from their
absurd perspective, evince considerable
merit and originality. Tho floor is inlaid
with fine sort OF native tile. The north
and south sides Of this room consist of
windows Of stained glass, admitting soft
and most delicious light. Standing on the
tables and pedestals are splendid enameled
vases and incense burners OF great value,
beside bronze and jade stone ornaments.
Dinner is now waiting, ana the great
difficulty is to sit down, every one for po-
litencss sake trying TO persuade his neigh
Dor to sit down first. Alter an absurd dis
play Of this sort-bowing, scraping, smil-
ing, gesticulating, aud arguing-a COM
promise is finally effected, and all bob
down together. The dinner commences
by an attack Oh the sweetmeats and condi-
ments, each person dexterously handling
his chop-stick and picking out anything
he may fancy in an indiscriminate sort Of
way. No plates are used, and the viands
have to be conveyed direct from the dish
es to the mouth. Dried melon seeds are
usually first served, and the host generally
takes handful of these and passes them to
his guests; at the same time hot wine is
offered; 1t is distilled from rice, and has
something the flavor of sherry. After
skirmishing some time among tho various
small dishes, the more important viands
are brought forward, anl continued in al
most endless succession. OF course, the
expensive and highly appreciated birds
nest soup forms one of the courses. This
and sharks fins, sea-slugs, pigeons; gg
soup, boiled ham, shrimps, various kinds
Of fish, pork in many forms, and some of
the sweets, are most relished by foreigners.
The dinner is oflen continued 10 tedious
length, occupying three to five hours. The
difficulty in using the chop-sticks and the
absence of plates causes some ombarIas-
ment TO the inexperienced foreigner, but
the host passes over all mishaps with pleas
ant words, and the guest is made 10 feel
quite at his case after little time. No
mutton or beef, or anything in the shape OF
joints, is served. The Chinese do not like
the mutton flavor, and beef is rejected be-
cause Confucius has pointed out that ii is
improper to lake tho life of an animal so
useful in agriculture. Wishing 10 do spe-
cial honor to his guest at the table, the host
selects some choice bit, and with the chop
STICKS he had only moment before had in
his own mouth, passes the morsel to him
it would be considered extremely rude if
the profiered food were rejected, and The
favored guest must fortify himself TO re-
ceiye and eat it. The hot wine is frequent
ly slipped, and the pipe is at intervals in
troduced. Daring the meal and at its con-
clusion, bowls Of rice are brought in, held
up close to the mouth, and shoveled in
quickly. Finally, and as a close, tiny cups
OF tea Of choicest flavcr are served, sup
plemented with a little more smoking.
The sedan chair is now in readiness, the
npip 10 10