Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-02-10
All Sin as a Host.

In one of his recent letters to the Troy
IN. " Times, the Hon. John NJ Francis
gives the following entertaining account
of how distinguished guests are received
and entertained at Chinese dinner:
Some idea of Chinese hospitality and
the house and garden Of wealthy China
man may not be undressing The house
is surrounded by a high wall, as the
Chinaman at home likes to be private.
Having previously sent in his card, the
guest is conducted through a side gate
way and shown into the reception-hall, a
spacious chamber quite open on one side
to the courtyard. From the ceiling de-
pend number Of gorgeous lanterns of
large size, inscribed with Chinese char
acters. Here the guest is received with
great politeness by the master Of the
house. After an interchange of compli-
ments 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,
IC1llCI-
antly accepts it, the host taking the 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 theiI master After
half hours social chat a walk in the
garden is proposed. The terrace in front
OF the reception-room presents a wonder
full profusiOn 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 ascer-
tanned that this apparent rock formation
was constructed of masses of sea-worn
stones, put together with marvellous skill
the interior being intricate grottoes and
having the passage from one to the other
contrlved with artistic ingenuity. Com
Portable 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 a Rembrandtish effect to the scene.
On the summit of the rock-work, about
fifty or sixty feet high, is built pavilion,
filled with art-WOrk and hung with ele-
giant lanterns. A curiously- formed zigzag
bridge leads across the pond (Which, from
its considerable size, may be called an ar
tifiCial lake, to the rock-work briefly de-
scribed. There are covered ways around
this miniature lake, and in these are pro-
fusion Of objects to admire. The walls
are of polished Canton marble, built in
octagonal slabs, wherein are fixed tablets
and antique carvings cut in the manner OF
cameOes. Rare porcelain vases and an
tique bronze are seen, and the fanciful
trellis-wOrk is both quaint and beautiful.
The time has now arrived tor dinner
the guest is invited into the spacious
dining hall, where the table is laid with
several small dishes of fruits and COndi-
ments piled up in the queerest and most
fantastic shape. The roof of the 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 sides are
of inlaid marble, in which are placed
mirrors. The chairs and tables are of
dark rosewood, inlaid with variegated
marble, and in convenient hooks are hung
| water-cOlor drawings in the form of scrolls,
which, apart from their absurd perspec-
tive, evince considerable merit and origin
ality. The floor is inlaid with fine sort
of native tile. The north and south sides
of the room consist of windows of stained
glass, admitting a set and most delicious
light. Standing on the tables and pedes-
tails are splendid enameled vases and in
cense- burners of greatvalue, beside bronze
and iade-stone ornaments
Dinner is now waiting, and the great
difficulty is to sit down, every one, for po-
likeness sake, trying to persuade his
neighbor to sit down first. After an alb
surd display of this sort-bowing, scrap
ing, smiling, gesticulating and arguing
a compromise is finally effected and all
UOD uOWu lOSGtlIeI uC uI1uSI GULL
mences by an attack on the sweetmeata
and condiments, each person dextrously
handling his chop-sticks and picking out
anything he may fancy, in an indiscrimi-
nate sort of way. No plates are used,
and the viands 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 passes them to his guests. At the
same time hot wine is offered; it is dis
titled from rice, and has something of the
flavor Of sherry. After sEirmishing some
time among the various small dishes, the
more important viands are brought for
ward and continued in almost endless sue
| oession. Of course the expensive and
highly appreciated bird's-nest soup forms
one of the courses. This and sharks fins,
sea-slugs, pigeon's-egg soup, boiled ham,
shrimDS yariOuS kinds of fish 11OrE in