Daily globe., 1879-06-01
A STRANGE CEREMONY.
The Queer Manner in Which ''Alice, the An
GEL" was Welded to Charles Jamison in
San Francisco.

The San Francisco Call of a recent date
says: Charles Jamison, an interpreter Of
Chinese and English, born in China but
educated in this city, was married last
night, "a Chinoise, to a young Chinese
girl named All Gay, which being trans
lated means "Alice, the Angel" This is
the first marriage according to Chinese
rites that has ever taken place in this city.
Miss All Gay, who is about eighteen years
Of age, was a 1ew days ago placed in
charge Of two matrons, who busted them
selves in instructing her in her duties as
wife. A number of the relatives of the
groom yesterday morning sent Miss All
Gay presents of cakes, on which were
printed notices of congratulations and
wishes Of prosperity in her new sphere of
life. A large number of merchants and
the president Of the Six Companies Wis
tied Chinese restaurant on Jackson
street, where a banquet was to be given
after the ceremoney, and deposit with the
proprietor sums of money varying from
one to ten dollars to be given to the groom.
Each individual donation was wrapped
IN strip Of red paper and marked with
with the name of the donor, and the pack
ages when endorsed were delivered to the
groom; who according to the custom of
his country, was in duty bound to seek
out the donors and extend to each a per-
sonal invitation to the banquet. One
hundred and eleven Cinnamon made do
nations, and as the groom had to invite
each one Of these he had no light task be-
fore him.
The groom had selected for his future
home two rooms on the first floor of the
old Baptist Church building on Washing
ton street. Those he fitted in part with
Chinese and American furniture On the
walls were hung a number of large strips
of red paper, on which were stamped
Chinese proverbs relating to marriage and
married life. On table in the first
room were lacquered trays, containing
Chinese dried fruits and sweetmeats,
| while on others were tiny cups for tea.
There were also on the table Chinese
ornaments and several water-pipes.
Yesterday afternoon, at about five
o'clock, the female chaperones conducted
the girl in their charge to the rooms Of
her future husband, but before she
crossed the threshold of the door they
threw a heavy handkerchief over her
head, and shut out everything from her
sight. This they told her was to warn
her that in entering the married state
she was cropping in the dark future, but
that, placing implicit faith in the hus-
band, and relying upon him to guide
her, she need not fear of making mis-
step. She was then conducted to the
, first room, and then to the room adjoin-
ing, where she met the man who was tc
become her husband. He was standing
by bed in the room, and as she ap
preached the handkerchief was removed
from her head, and both sat on the edge
of the bed. In sitting down he intention
,, ally sat on a portion Of the silken skirt
she wore. She made no attempt to re-
, move the garment, by allowing him te
remain seated on her garment gave proof
that she was his captive and willing to
submit to his orders. Had she, however
drawn her garment toward her it woulc
have been proof that she would not bt
submissive, and would not obey him un
! less she felt inclined to do so. The pail
then knelt before a small altar from
which hung ancestral tablets, each Offered
! prayer, after which they went into the
l other room, where they seated themselves
: One of the chaperones poured tea
I into two of the cups, and offered these t.
the groom and bride, telling each to take
a sip. This being done, they took tht
cups again, mixed the contents. and re
turning them to the pair, told them te
drink, saying that as their lips had touch
ed the beverage, they would draw inspir
alton from each other by partaking O
the mixture.
;" The bride, accompanied by the cha
perones, followed by the groom and som
relatives, formed a procession and left tn
J house, amid the explosion Of fre-crackers
and marched through Stout's alley to tn
restaurant on Jackson street, where tn
guests were waiting on the third floor
As the party ascended the stairs an o.
chestra played'an air which stretch {
imagination might construe into wee
ding march. As the bride entered tn
room where the guests were assembled
J, she was supported by the two chaporone'
e and had her face hid from view by larg
IS fan. She was led around to each of th
: guests, and as she approached curtsie
b three times. The guest returned tn
e curtesy, and then recited proverb,
which the bride replied. After havin
y gone through this ordeal III times, th
/ party sat down to a banquet gotten up
IS the highest style Of Chinese culinary ar
The first course, which lasted nearly tw
n hours, being over, the bride was escorte
y to her home again.
a During the evening Cal reporte
who had attended the banquet, was aske
ID by the gaoom to pay visit to the brid
a. On the way to the brides home the groo
It, said: II have been married in the tr,
Chinese fashion to please my Chine
friends. The ceremonies last sev.
is days, and at the expiratiation of the Sc
d enth day will go before a justice of Il
II neace and he married in American fas