The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1895-06-25
LovEMAklNe N CHINA.
1t IL Very Peculiar Process--What Some
Letters Show.

very pOCul1ul PlVOOoof W St'J WY
least. Some curious specimens Of
letters have come to light regarding
the marriage of the son of the an
cient family ofsTan and daughter
of the equally old and respectable
house of o.
The following is a literal transla-
ton of the proposal of the young
man:
1.-THE ashamed younger brother,
surnamed Tan, named Su, with
washed head, makes lobeisance and
writes this letter to the greatly viz
tuous and humble gentleman whose
surname is o, old teacher. great
man, and presents it at the foot of
the gallery. The satin curtains are
enveloped in mist, rejecting the
beauty of the river and hills. In the
fields of the blue gem are planted
willows, close together, arranging
and diffusing the commencement of
genial influences and consequently
adding to the good of the old year.
II duly reverence your lofty door.
The guest of the Sue country de-
sends from a good stock. The orr
gin of the female of the Hui country
likewise (is so too).
IT, the mean one, am ashamed of
myself, just as rotten wood is in the
presence of aromatic herbs. / now
receive your indulgence, inasmuch
as you have listened to the words of
the matchmaker and given Miss 81
in marriage to the mean ones eldest
son, named Kang. Your asserting
to it is worth more to me than 1, 900
pieces of gold.
1.-THE marriage business will be
conducted according to the six rules
of propriety, and l will reverently
announce the business to my ances-
tors, with presents of gems and
silks. will arrange the things ar
ranged in your baskets, so that all
who tread the threshold of my door
may enjoy them.
From this time forward the two
surnames will be united, and l trust
the union will be felicitous one and
last for 100 years and realize the de-
lights experienced by the union Of
the two countries, Chin and Chin,
II hope that your honorable be-
nevolence and consideration will de-
fend me increasingly. At present the
dragon flies in Sin Hal term, the first
month, lucky day /, Mr.. Su, bow
respectfully. Light before"
On this decoction of the essential
oil Of modesty the young Miss O's
father looks with favor, so he re-
spends in state of still more pro-
foundly polite humility.
1.-THE younger brother, surnamed
o, names Tus of the family to be re-
lated by marriage, his head clean,
knocks his head and bows and writes
this marriage letter in reply to the
far famed and virtuous gentleman
named Tan, the venerable teacher
and great man who manages this
business.
" Ills matter of congratulation the
union of 100 years. reverence your
lofty gate The prognostic is good,
also the divination of the lucky bird.
The stars are bright, and the drag
ons meet together.
I'm every succeeding dynasty Off
ces will be. held, and for many a
generation Official vtestments will be
worn Cnot only those of your family
surname viii enjoy all the afore
mentioned, felicity, more especially
will you, honorable gentleman, who
possess abilities great and deep.
Your manners are dignifed and pure.
II, the foolish one, am ashamed of
my diminNtiveness. l for long
tiIne have desired your dragon pow
ems. Now you. have not looked down
upon me with contempt, but have
entertained A the statemeSt~of the
Northumberland agree tdRgive Mr..
Kang' to be united to my despicable
F'daughter. ;
II praise your son, who is like a
fairy. horse, who can GROSS over the
water and is able to ride upon the
wipd and waves, But my tiny daugh-
ter is likeV green willow and a.feeble
plant and is not worthy of becoming
the subject of verse.
Nov l hope your, honorable be-
nevolence will always remember nae
without end.
4kNow the dragon flies in the Sin
HG term, first month, lucky day.
AIr. tn makes .obeisance. May the
future be prosperous.
The modesty of the old gentleman
is SO painful that we are almost
afraid to guess what may have been
the feelings of Master Tan and Miss
O.-Exchange.