Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-03
CHINESE ETIQUETTE
Elaborate Ceremonies That Attended
aFeast Of Honor.
PRINCIPAL GUEST ATE BY PROXY
The Invitation Itself Was a Most
Imposing Document
UNUSUAL TABLE MANNERS
From the Pittsburg Leader.

From the Pttsburs Leader
My invitation TO feast, I'm the receiving
of which l felt myself to be greatly fiat
tered, came to me in most pronounced
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 delivered
at my door 10y a formula ble-looking persnn-
age who came drawn IN rickshaw. Il was
In the form Of roll that when united
proved TO he one yard and a hale long and
about eighteen inches in width. The CHI
nese characters were printed In bla, K on
vermillion-colorcd paper. As nearly as tho
interpre tation can be made II read as fol-
lows:
The families Of Dong-Tien and STEM
Chung make their bow and invite her lady
ship, the refined Miss Fisk To an iudlrcr-
entity prepared tea. one that they do not
presume to name "A feast II Will be given
10 do her noIor al their modest abode on
the evening OF this same day TWO weeks
later The families Of Dongrien and Stem
chung feel II 10 he highly prcsumptuoYs u
request her ladyship to come under their
humble roof, although IT is one that the
emperor has not despised 10 aiorn. 1t IL
also source of deep regret to them that
the poverty OF their home prevents that a
more suitable tea should he spread before
her ladyship but there will be thirty-siN
courses of the best that the market affords
preparation. The answer OF her ladyship is
awaited with much Impotence. Kindly ac-
cept and we shall have boundless joy
Invitations and Answers
For one unacquainted with Chinese cere-
mony To attempt to answer such an in
vfation would be a reckless undertaking.
and if not done properly might result in
the withdrawal OF the precious document.
By far the wisest plan is to call in a pro-
fcssional in this art, who at small cost will
perform the service for one in true oriental
style.
y few days before the feast another COM
motion at my door called my attention to
the fact that the same individual was step
ping from the rickshaw and delivering
similar-ooking document to the above.
This proved TO be a second invitation or re-
minder of the feast, and read follows:
The families OF Dong-Tien and Slen-
Chung make their bow and beg to remind
her ladyship, the refined Miss Fisk that a
tea is being prepared for her at their
humble abode. The celebration will be on
the evening of the third day from this at
the hour already set The families Of
Dong-Tien and Sien-Chung await with i'm
patience the arrival of her ladyship Kindly
be prompt that their pleasure may not be
delayed
Making Sure of the Guest.
To the second invitation an assurance
was sent that her ledyship awaited with
equal Impotence the time appointed 10 DO
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 verbal mes
sage at my door to the effect that the
families of Dong-Tien end Sien-Chung
were awaiting the gracious arrival of her
ladyship. Notwithstanding the pressing
state of their Impotence ! was assured by
all acquainted with their customs that IL
would be decidedly bad form for me to APP
pear on the scene a second sooner than
the appointed time.
My establishment may perhaps be
imagined when on arriving found that the
feasting. as far as 1 was concerned.
to be done by proxy. The board OF a high
Chinaman is too sacred to be polluted by
strangers that are unfamiliar with their
ways of being polite. Chinaman whose
degree of hghness was evident from the
splendor of his embroideries scraped low
before me and sisnaled to her refined lady
ship that she was to sit upon side plat
form, from where she might have the fe-
licity Of observing him occupy with dignity
her seat at the table.
Table Manners.
At such formal functions the Chinese talk
very little. 1t is however the acme OF
good breeding to smack the lips loudly and
make as much noise possible when eat
ing. This shows appreciation of the choice
viands the hostess has provided griev-
Gus breach of etiquette would be for one To
refuse a dish. in which case 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 great a delicacy 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 mucilaginous Sc
erection that the bird makes on the outside
of his nest to hold ii together. and which
Is similar in appearance and taste to gels-
tin. These birds are now becoming rare in
China, and before a high feast boys are
employed days to hunt their whereabouts.
Art of Making Tea.
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 dries
each little piece. When this is done to her
she makes an excuse to leave
the room. The guests then arise in turn
and examine the fineness of the ware its
and especially notice it, by any
chance, a feck Of dust should have been
overlooked. When a sufficient time has
elapsed the hostess returns and the tea
brewing begins Five minutes are required
for the making of each cup. Its delicious
aroma appears to possess a magical effect
on the tongues of the Chinese; for from
being morose Epusmackers they suddenly
become gay and hilarious.
The final ceremony of the feast is to
throw all the food that is left under the
table, which the dogs are let in 70 de-
YOUR.
East of Chicago Doesn't Count.
William Archer, in Pail Mall Gazette.
When 1 was in Chicago in 1877 1t was the