The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-19
CHINESE RECEPTION.
Queer Entertainment Promised for
Gothan's Four Hundred

New York, Nov. 19.-In the case Of
reginald De kOVen, composing ChlneSe
operas seems to tend naturally to Civ
ing Chinese receptions. He proposes TO
treat New York society to something
startling, if nothing more, on Sunday,
November p. Whether the idea was
his own opera Of 1.-THE Mandarin" now
running at a local theater, Mr.. De KO-
ven is going to give reception a la
Chinese.
This unique affair. viii take place at
the residence of Mr.. De KOven, No. 50
Irving place. and will be a continued
succession of Chinese features. each Of
them being a decided novelty to the
average resident of this city. =
Upon the arrival of each guest, all Of
whom must be clothed in Chinese gar
ments, in compliance with the invita-
lions Used by Mr.. De KOven, he
will be taken in charge by a servant
dressed as a coolie, who viii conduct
him to a sedan chair borne by two
more servants with imprOVised pig-tails
and boluses. After being seated in the
chair the guest viii be carried into the
presence Of the great mandarin, Ii
Hung Chang, who viii be impersonated
by Mr.. De KOven himself
His excellency will be surrounded by
a Chinse guard in the regulation uni
form Of that country's soldiers. the
most distinctive feature of which Will
be an enormous target attached to
both the front and rear Of the blouse
After kneeling with his back to the
Mandarin, in conformation to the Chi
nese custom, the guest Will be conduct
ed to the general reception room Here
the entertainment will be of a strictly
Chinese character.
After the formality of the Nandarin's
greetings has been finished, and the
guests are assembled, the designations
and pleasantries which will be INDUCED
in viii be distinctly Oriental Fantan,
Chinese poker, and numerous games
peculiar to that peculiar heather viii
be PLAYED.
Another feature of the entertainment
will be the smoking OF opium. All the
guests will be initiated in the nlyster-
les of hitting the pipe" and dope"
will be provided in quantities to suit
the user, likewise pipes and attendants
At u o'clock a Chinses luncheon will
be served in Chinese style by Won F'ung
a caterer from Chinatown. A Chinese
kitchen win be built and four of Won
F'ung's Chinese cooks will manufacture
the mysterious chop suey and yocki
man. The luncheon will be served on
plain wooden tables in the regulation
Chinese bowls. No forks or knives will
be allowed. The invited guests are now
practicing With chop sticks.
The whole house will be decorated in
a manner betting the occasion. One
room on the second floor viii be fitted
out an exact reproduction of a joss house
and joss sticks will be burned through
out the evening. Idols of Chinese re
igion will be worshiped-
During the time between the games
of Chinese poker and the luncheon a
lantern feast will be participated in by
the guests and by the members of the
Mandarin company. in whose honor the
reception is given
The members Of the leading Chinese
theatrical company, now playing in
Doyers street, will produce a few of
the 399 installments of a Chinese play
which portrays the visit of Ii Hung
Chang to America and other civilized
countries Mr. De Koven has composed
special music for the affair, which is in
rehearsal by the members of the Man
DARN company