The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1877-03-05
For the Inteliigencer.l
A Chinese Dinner Party.

Whatever our ideas may be to the
contrary, John Chinaman is without
doubt a gourmsnd of the deepest dye,
and a. the risk of being dubbed a
Chinaman, l assert, that a rcpast as
set in the house of the better or more
correctly speaking the W wealthier classes.
is by no means to be de.pised or thought
of with contempt.
But lie: us premise with few parti-
culars.
Invitations and their mode Of send
ing them vary according to the rank Of
or the respect intended to be raid to
the guest; by the value of the mate
rial on which it Is written, or by It's
length is 10 be measured the honor in-
tended 10 be accorded to the visitors
This missiye is usually borne by one OF
the many hangers-on there are to a
mandariue's retinue. the bearer invari-
ably expecting TO be rewarded with
some substantial present IN the shape
of coin The invitation Is formidn-
BILE document. for II enumerates with
exact precision all the titles and digni-
ties held by or appertainimg to the per
sons invited; it Is then folded up col
umn by column, and. in the case Of
great ceremony, Inclosed in silken
wrapper and bound round with cord
OF the same material.
To say that Chinese is as polite as
French count conveys but faint idea
of the irksome polish. The Chinese
code os etiquette is most punctilious
and would outriyal In sauvity the usagss
of the most cercmonious counts in Eu-
rope. The moment guest alighfs
irou, his sedan chair. the host steps
forth into the veranan 70 salute the
visitor this is done by complimentary
speeches. such as: How truly magnan-
imous of yon TO leave the grandeur OF
your noble mansion to join me at
u frugal meal in my detesssble hovel.
bowiug the head the while, bending
the body aud knees. aud joining the
hsn,i in front of the chest and sway
ing them up aud down from the head
10 the feet: this finished 4 contest fol-
lows 80 10 procedure. neither party
choosing to enter the dwelling before
the other. A!.er various other divers
benIipgs. bowings aud ges,ieuia,ions,
this POINT is cedei hy the hest and
yucs, en- tering the house together.
Upon entering the reception room,
auotLex ceremony ensues equslly pro-
,raete.i aad irksome. Tho point now
10 be det. rmined is. where each shall cit
and " ho shall lie seated first for among
,,,her marks of distinction the import
auee of a sues, ia known 10y the size Of
,h, chair IN which tie Is seated.
The host row waves his hand 20 .
large ara, chair requesting the honorrd
guest - BE- seated. attempting to Take =
small chair without arms for himself
Good breeding ccmpels the guest IN
,arn 10 refuse this compliment. insisting
;ha. the host shall occupy the seat oi
honor. and after . weaTylug contest o'
poli,eness the dispute Is amieabi! ad-
ius,ed 10 the satisfaction - both parties
hy their sitting down simultaneously
ar ou the ssuae couch os oG two chairs
n coual dimensions ard similar terms
A. soon "a the whole Of the guests are
Assembled. TED In snail covered porcelain
ems i handed ro8aa After tins has
| been i'm bll.d. little chat Is indalsed
in. when the servants. all dressed IN
! long white robes tsstensd IN at the
~s.s, With silk sashes and wearing re'i
,asselcd hat, announce 'aa, An ham olt
repass has been prepared which they
hope the guests will deisn 20 psr'aAe
/ Of NV bsgins another battle, foE I.e1'
/ one II the visitors will hear ot rreccd
ing the ho>t into the han4uei'ng "'s'
A;ter much palaser this roan' 4 .e.i'f'
/ ~ the entertained beng plaoci be
tween rwo Of those present sLa thn'
three deep they enter The apartment
The room is . Large square, 81 the upie'
end q which. aud screened by !aisiee