Smyrna times., 1876-03-29
MS eIIUn e OWS
For the Smyrna Times.
A Delaware Lady at a Chinese
Wedding.
FoocHow. CHINA, Jan. %, 1876

letter. on were pleaSeu " puOhSh AZ "NN
asked for any other items concerning
China that thought interesting. little
thought then that l should record as an
eyewitness, any of the strange ceremonies
ofthe Celestials; but had been in Foochow |
little more than month, when l was invited |
to attend the wedding of this same Man
darin's eldest son, and as such an oppor-
tunity does not often occur, for foreignerto |
penetrate into the household of the higher |
classes of Chinese, was glad to accept the
following invitations
Mr.. Chang Ahok presents his comph- |
ments to Miss L. r. German, and requests |
the pleasure of her company at his resi-
dence in the AtO neighbourhood on the
following occasions connected with his
sons marriage, viz
On Tuesday afternoon, December 2Sth,
at 4 o'clock, to inspect the presents sent by
the Parents of the Bride.
On Wednesday morning, December 29th,
at 1890 o'clock, to witness the marriage
ceremony.
On Thursday afternoon, December 3Oth,
at 2.3O o'clock, to be present at the recep-
ton of the friends of the family.
FoocHow, December oath, 1875.
The inspection of bridal trousseau is
rare and coveted privilege to ladies, so on
Tuesday 2Sth, we were promptly at the
house. Our host fat and jolly, met us near
the entrance and we ladies were escorted
through two large halls into the third and
most retired. where Mrs. Ahok and few
of her lady friends, received us, with that
overwhelming politeness, so essential IN
Chinese etiqutte. While we are slipping
the tea which is served, as soon as we are
seated. we have time to observe the apart
ment, our hostess and her friends-nor
need we do this stealthily as Europeans are
want to do, as it is polite here, to gaze and
admire openly. Ahok is quite foreign in
his tastes and has adopted many OF our less
noticeable customs in his house-but it fol
lows generally the Chinese style of archl
lecture and adornment, for he is far toe
polite to offend his countrymen, by slight
ing their timehonored prejudices. The
reception rooms are merely wide halls
running through the centre of the house
and ascending from the first. On the righ
are three small rooms intended for the
bride and groom and containing the furni
ture and presents sent by her friends, a
well as her trunks; these three rooms wer
not more than thirty feet long, and narrow
so that to us they looked like good size'
closets. Opposite was long room, fun
nished in foreign style and appropriated
the foreign gentlemen, invited to witnes
the ceremonies.
II may surprise you to know, that
number were present on this first day an
examined the silk robes and jewels wit
great apparent interest. But the ladi'
alone were admitted, on this day to tn
private apartments of the young couple,
inspect their gorgeous appointments. a
afraid an American girl would have missC
many articles, not only of luxury but al
Of comfort, but the bride elect no dou
thought the furnishing complete. The han
ings of the room were red. as were the CT
tains and furniture of the bedstead, al
the brides trunks and even the sm
mirror was covered with red silk richly e
broidered. But the attendants are unloC
ing the silver caskets, containing the brid
Jewels and we must give our whole min
to examining and admiring them. Th'
must have been dozen of these boxes a
the sets were very complete, brooch
and finger rings, bracelets and head or
ments. One set included five beautiful
chased gold shields, for the aristocratic lc
nails that adorn the fingers of many of
elite. One pair of bracelets set rot
closely with pearls, cost eight hundred
lars and were beautiful in design I
finish, as were most of the orname
King fisher jewelry, made from some OF
rarest plumage of that bird, is especi
priced here and there was set OF ii
with very elaborate head ornaments. A
we had examined and amired all
Jewels, the trunks were opened and
loose upper robes which are the chief ;
Gle Of Chinese lady's dress were exhibi
They were all of silk, of almost every sh
and most of them exquisitely embroide
the devices being slgDlhcaDt as wen
beautiful. cannot tell how many of t
trunks there were, but one of the Ia
took the trouble to count the keys, bel
ing to the boxes containing the brides
ables and there were forty-three of Il
We went home wondering whether
j possession of all this gorgeous apl
would compensate tie bride for the II
ceremonies Of Chinese marriage.
On Wednesday we were early at AL
house, that we might see the bride a
/ and leave her chair. band Of musi
IN were In attendance and heralded
arrival of each guest with bastof trum
beating of drums and squeaking of fid
truly hideous to civilized ears. Ther
large doors were thrown open an'
sedan chairs were carried through
outer halls, into the furthest hall, '
Mrs. Ahok and few of her friends av