The New York herald., 1879-10-09
A CHINESE BIRTHDAY CELEBRA-
TION.

from the San Francisco Alta California, Oct IL
During the past three days the Chinese Consul
General of California. Chen Shu Tang. has been
celebrating one OF tho most important festivals in
his life. It is the third decade birthday or the
class and wearing the rod button. is the
immcmorial custom OF his cult. each successive
years after their twenty year of age. to have
q grand birthday celebration. 1t lasts three days.
the first OF which the celebrant receives calls of
congratulation. and the last day he gives
grand party. concluding with dinner to
those who have paid their respects to
hum. 1t Is q point In high Chinese etiquette
not invite any previously to tho party, but
friend after friend calls the first day or the
anniversary, aud. after the expression Of good
wshes s about to cave it is suggested to him that
the Is going to be held and IL proper tor him
to attend It, AZ learned Chinese remarked. should
l invite any one to attend my birthday celebration
without their having previously offered me their
respects. 4. would look as though was doing at
friendly rernembranccs that wore not felt
for me-" Tho elimination Of Chen Shu Tang's fcto
occurred in tho Vic Tie Ping Theatre, on Jackson
street yesterday 1t began at noon and lasted until
midnight. The walls OF the theatre were handsomely
decorated with scrolls OF red satin. inscribed with
golden letters. embroidered pictures ON silk. aud
many colorcd screens and hangings. From the cell
ing hung various colorcd lanterns. baskets OF real
and artincal flowers. interspersed with lighted gas
jets
on which was a large centre table covered with a
red and gold cloth. on which rested numerous fancy
objects in bronze and porcelain and small fancy
screens, all of which presents to the givcr of
tho enter tainment. Over these, against the wall.
very largo red satin scroll. which was
worked in silk embroidery the picture OF Chinese
celebrity whose years had been as long as Methusa-
lch's, whose children had been many those OF
Augustus tho Strong aud whose wealth had been
scarcely less than that of Crnsus. paragon of
Queen OF Beauty was doing him homage. This
gift to Chen shu Tang had been presented
by forty of his intimate friends, and was
symbolical OF their wishes for his future.
On this dais he sat during the whole OF his fric.
receiving and succossivcly briefly entertaining tho
guests as they arrived Upon the floor of the thea
tire. which had been formed by building tho
orchestra and parquettc, arranged fifty ele-
gantly carved black tables, to each of which were
eight chairs. covered with rod housings. 1mme
datcly in front OF the stage row of chairs,
covered with rod satin. trimmed with gold. to which
the moro distinguished guests were invited.
In front OF the gallery was n large gauzc screen
extending around the circle behind which
commodatcd over a hundred OF the elite OF Chinese
miscuous. but fully ablo to witness all that was
going They woro arrayed In all the coors of tho
rainbow. Tho variety and gardy effect of the head
dressings were marvellous. Amid this circle OF the
recherche and small footed a host OF children
playing In % soleinnly ludicrotts manner.
A theatrical performance lasted from tho begin
ming to the end OF the ae aud the sweet sounds of
tho tom-tom. one stringcd fiddle and cymba lent an
inspiriting charm to the scene. Light lunch was
served all day by host of attendants. and at half
past six o'clock state dinner OF forty courses was
served. The guests included all the prominent
Chinese OF the city. In Chinese circles the enter
tainmcnt was voted to be one of the most magnin-
given In this city, In front OF the build
Celestial throngs. Tho costumes OF the actors. and
nearly all tho decorations. were imported from
China. A friend of Chen shu Tang estimated the
cost Of the entertainment ut fully $4,000.