Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-03-14
the year when 5000 or more of the
matchless blossoms
raor rDo,r -,rru, r.TrD

the year when 5000 or more of the
matchless blossoms
LOOK UP FROM THE WATER
at one time. Out over this lake were
built summer-houses that might al
most be called pretty from foreign
standpoint and which were certainly
luxuriant in all their appointments.
At the right season of the year the
prospect from these lakeside vcrandas
must be charming indeed. In one
place there was purely japanese
pavilion, filled with Japanese plants
just as we at home might have an
apartment fitted up q Ia Japanese
fashion.
We now begin to encounter repre-
sentatlves of the family, who flocked
about us numerously and cordially
remarked ''Chin-chin!" in greeting.
They were the finest and most clearly
looking Celestials l have yet seen in
China; Though I must reluctantly an
nounce that the girls affected small
feet and the young men cultivated
immensely Ioog fnger-nails. These
are indispensable badges of aristocra
cy, however.
In dress they were quite presentable
IN any society, by reason of the rich
silks and satins which they wore. 1
even fancied that they irked of the
heathenish pig tail, which is pre-
scribed by laws as imperative as those
of the Modes and Persians; for 1 no
ticed that the boys wore theirs over
the right ear, in order to possess the
merit of originality at least. In the
matter of dress no Chinaman cap be
persuaded, by any consideration
whatever, to conform to forei gn
methods la this the people show
less taste than their initiative neigh
bors, the japanese, who are accused
of being tickle.
The little tots focked about US, not
at all afraid apparently,
REABHING OUT THEIR CUTE LITTLE
and piping the salutation, Chin
chin" Their cleanliness made them
the first native children have seen in
China who were attractive. Some of
them got hold IF the plug hat of Mr..
Seymour, and, in great glee, began
trying it on.
Whenever we were introduced to a
member of the family he would put
both hands together in a devotional
attitude and raise them to his head.
In turn we tried to initiate this action
so as not to seem altogether devoid of
good breeding. One of the young men
talked quite decent pigeon English,
and from him we learned many valu-
able facts about the premises. He
showed us his five piece sons" and
RECALLED us with some choice tea Gun
fred. As we drank we gallantly
wished him many sons to gladden. his
declining years, the highest compli-
ment that can be paid to Celestial.
To have said children" would have
been to pay an ambiguous compli-
ment. while to have said daughters"
would have been gross insult.
We were now shown into reception
rooms ad infinitum, all extravagantly
luxurious Ga the tables were copies
of Hong Kong native dailies. Every
few minutes the plotting young Hou-
qua, who spoke English, would beg in
the most earnest tones that we would
overlook the confusion in which
things were found. AS the Chinese
New Year" approached the house
was being cleaned from top to bottom
and scores of servants were at work,
washing all wood work, including the
chairs and sofas with marble seats),
and even the granite blocks.
Noticing that few of the rooms
HAD MORE THAN THREE SIDES,
l inquired the reason for this; where
upon the imperturbably comfortable
heather replied, "Chinaman no get
cold" The thermometer is occasion
ally depressed as low as forty degrees
here in the coolest weather; But these
cold blooded natives, like the japanese,
do not mind the exposure. We went
into what, l suppose, might be called
the picture gallery of the main man
sion-a room having on its walls the
portraits of all the heads of the Houqua
family. The painting was of native
work.
Not ony did the wives and daugh-
tiers Peep out at US from behind cur
tanned windows, but they came out in
plain sight and bowed timidly. They
were painted clear to their foreheads,
and had their lips crimsoned with
vermillion. Their feet were invariably
small-or rather mangled--and their
attire was exceedingly immaculate.
We were not invited to shake hands
with them of course, and they remained
in the background. The members of
the family were much interested in
the Franco Chinese difficulties, owing
to the important possessions in Hon
am; and this young man in question
inquired anxiously whether it was
true that Sontay had been retaken by
the Black Flags by means of a terrific
destroying the entire French
army. We assured him that there
was no ground for such a rumor.
This illustrates the deception which
is Systematically practised by those in
in China. Here was the
wealthiest and most aristocratic fam
lily in all Kwang tung province labor
ing under the misrepresentation pur.
posely put in circulation.
Prayers in Fifth Avenue.
New York TribHnel
A speaker at the West Side Mission
experience meeting recently said that