The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18
A CHINESE BANQUET.
DINING IS A TREMENDOUSLY FOR
NAL CEREMONY IN CHINA.


an opportunity to relate her impressions
of Chinese feast, for they are shy of in
viting the stranger and foreigner TO par
take of their hospitality. A lady, however,
who has recently returned from the east,
one that had friends at court and enjoyed
many unusual privileges, gave the follow
ing description of a banquet that was held
in her especial honor.
My invitation to a feast, in the receiv-
ing of which I felt myself TO be greatly
Aattered, came to me in a most pronounc-
ed form. Such courtesies in China do not
blow in with every post, and so cease to be
an event as with us. This one was delv-
cred at my door by a formidable looking
parsonage who came drawn in rickshaw.
1t was in the form of a roll that when I'M
tied proved TO be one yard and half long
and about IS inches in width The Chinese
characters were printed in black on YER
million colored paper. AS nearly as the in
depreciation can be made it read as fol-
lows:
The families of Dong-tien and Sien-
Chung make their bow and invite her la
dyship, the refined Miss Fisk to an in
differently prepared tea, one that they do
not presume to name a feast. 1t win be
given TO do her honor, at their modest
abode on the evening of this same day two
weeks later. The families of Dong-t ten and
Sien-Chung feel it to be highly presump-
tuous to request her ladyship to come I'M
der their humble roof, although it is one
that the emperor has not despsed to adorn.
1t is also a source of deep regret 10 them
that the poverty of their home prevents
that a more suitable tea should be spread
before her ladyship, but there win be So
courses of the best that the market af-
f6rds and no expense win be spared in their
preparation. The answer of her ladyship
is awaited with much impotence. Kindly
accept and we SHAH have boundless joy"
For one unacquainted with Chinese cere-
mony to attempt to answer such an invi-
tatiOn would be reckless undertaking,
and if not done properly might result in
the withdrawal of the precious document,
BY far the wisest plan is to cali in
professional in this art, who at small cost
will perform the service for one in true
oriental style.
A few days before the feast another
commotion at my door called my atten-
ton to the fact that the same individual
was stepping from the rckshaw and de-
lNering a similar looking document to the
above This proved to be a second invi-
tation or reminder of the feast and read
as follows:
The families of Dong-T1en and Sien-
Chung make their bow and beg to remind
her ladyship, the refined Miss Fisk that
q tea is being prepared for her at their
humble abode. The celebration viii be on
the evening of the third day from this al
the hour already set The families of
DongTien and Sien-Chung await with i'm
patience the arrival of her ladyship. Kind
ly be prompt that their pleasure may not
be delayed
To the second invitation an assurance
was sent that her ladyship awaited with
equal impatien the time appointed to be
present at the longed-for feast. But the
Chinese are cautious and do not rely on
the memory of frail humanity. The risk of
their delicacies being spoiled by delay is
not to be taken. Therefore, about an
hour before the feast the same individual
in the same formal manner left a YER
bal message at my door to the effect that
the families of Dong-Tien and Sieh- Chung
were awaiting the gracious arrival of her
ladyship. Notwithstanding the pressing
state of their Impotence, 1 was assured
by all acquainted with their customs
that it would be decidedly bad form for
me to appear on the scene a second sooner
than the appointed time.
My establishment may perhaps be i'm
agined when on arriving l found that the
feastng, as far as 1 was concerned, was
TO be done by proxy. The board of
high Chinaman is too sacred to be pollut-
ed by strangers that are unfamiliar with
their ways Of being polite A Chinaman
whose degree of highness was evident
from the splendor of his embroideries
scraped low before me and signaled to
her refined ladyshp' that she was to sit
upon a side platform, from where she
might have the felicity of Observing him
occupy with dignity her seat at the table.
Her ladysbip," having expended con-
siderable time and thought in endeavor-
yfa- of
nese politeness, was Slightly piqued al this
unexpected arrangement, but as the feast
progressed became more reconciled to her
position
At such a formal function the Chinese
talk very little. 1t is, however, the acme
Of good breeding to smack the lips loud
~ and make as much noise as possible
when eating. This shows appreciation Of
the choice vands the hostess has provid-
ed. grievous breach of etiquette would
be for one to refuse a dish, in which the
the hostess would consider it the proper
rebuff to lean forward, grip her chopsticks
tightly, and force the rejected morsel into
the mouth of the offender
The first course of an elaborate feast
Is, when attainable, birds nest soup. This
IS almost as great a deiicacy as humming
birds tongues. 1t is not, as is often sup
posed, the nest of the bird that is eaten.
The soup is made from a muciiageous Sc
NirN4DAl tudt llle Dlfu LlGhNs oil tuN Jul
SIDE Of his nest to hold ii together nnd
which is similar in appearance and taste
to selatine. These birds are now becom-
ing rare in China, and before high feast
boys are employed days to hunt their
Whereabouts.
The last course is the tea making. A
most elaborate performance this porcelain
OF the finest glaze and decoration is
brought and placed before the hostess
she then, in a dainty manner, washes and
cries each little piece. When this is done
10 her satisfaction she makes an excuse
10 leave the room. The guests then arise
IN turn and examine the fneness of the
ware, It's markings, and especially notice
H. by any chance, a heek of dust should
nave been overlooked When q sufficient
ume has elapsed the hostess returns and
lhe tea brewing begins. Five minutes are
required for the making of each Nup. It's
uellclous aroma appears to possess a mag
lcat effect on the tongues of the Chinese
Ior from being morose lip-smackers they
suddenly become gay and hilarious.
E.a.N