Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-06
A CHINESE HOUSE.
A Dwelling Full of Quaint Sur
DriReS.

In ner new book on China, Miss Cor
dOn-Cummiug gives this description of
Chinese house Of the better class: 1t COW
ers so much ground, and there are so many
open halls, consisting chiefly OF pillars
aud ornamental roofs, scattered proms-
cuOusly about, among paved court yards,
decorated with flowers in pots, and then
there are walls pierced by oddly shaped
portals, formed like OctagOls, or circles,
or even teapots, and all placed at irregu-
lar intervals, never opposite one an
other, and then shady mOrsels OF garden,
with all manner Of surprises in the way
Of little ponds, and angular bridges, and
quaint trees. Then somehow, quite un-
eXpectedly, you find yourself in brightly
ornamental suites of small rooms, which
seem TO have been originally one great
room, subdlvlded by partitions OF the
most elaborate wood carving, and fur
nished with beautiful polished blackwood,
and hangings OF rich materials.
Such houses are, in fact, the patriarchal
encampment OF a whole clan, to which all
the sons and brothers OF the house bring
their wives, and there take up their
quarters. living together apparently in
very remarkable peace.
We We're received by our host and half
dozen gentlemen OF the family, and for
some time we sat in n fine open reception
hall, drinking pale straw-cOlOred tea IN
it's simple form, aad playing with nice
little son, the hope of the house. Pres
emily our host (WhO is very friendly TO
foreigners, and from intercourse with
them, is less punctiIlous than most China
men on the matter Of being seen speaking
TO his women folks led us aside ana pre-
scented us TO his most kindly and courte-
Gus mother, who conducted us to her
apartments, her son accompany
ing us. He then introduced us to
his little bride, aged IL. His mat
rimOnial ventures have 80 far been I'M
lucky, two previous wives having died
very early. This one seems nice, bright
little lady. She was very highly rOuged,
as was also her sister-in-law. Another
sister, being indspOsed, was not rOuged,
nor was the mother, and therefore pleas
anter to our eyes; but the Canton ladies'
| love to lay on the color thick. There is
no deception about 1t, It's good, honest
! red, laid thick upon the cheek,
and carried right round the
| eyebrows. The latter are shaved
| to refine their form. rhey cannot under
stand why English ladies' should refrain
! from such an establishment. only when
in mourning do they refrain from it's use,
! and one notable exception is that of a
| bride, who, on her wedding DAY, may
| wear no rouge, so that when her RED SILK
veil is removed and the fringe &C pearls
raised, her husband, looking on her face
tor the first time, may know for certain
what share of beauty unSdorned has fallen
| to his lot.
But OF all eccertricities Of personal dec
Grafton the oldest, | think, is that OF
gliding the hair, which, am told, young
Canton girls do on very fun dress occa-
slOns. Certainly | do remember a time
when some English ladies powdered their
hair with gold dust; but then they owned
| golden locks to start with, whereas these
are all black and glossy as the ravens
| wing.