Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1899-06-22
Chinese Etiquette.

-
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 M door by
formidable-looking parsonage, who
came drawn in a rickshaw. 1t was IN
the form of roll that when united
proved to be one yard and half long
and about eighteen inches in width.
The Chinese characters were printed In
black on yermillion-cOlor paper. As
nearly as the Interpretation can be
made it read as follows
The families Of Dong-Tien and Sien-
Chung make their bow and invite her
ladyship, the refined Miss Fisk, to an
inditferently prepared tea, one they do
not presume to name feast. 1t will
be given to do her honor at their mod
est abode on the evening Of the same
day two weeks later. The families OF
Dong-Tien and Sien-Chung feel it to
be highly presumptuous to request her
ladyship to come under their humble
roof, although it is one that the en-
peror has not despised to adorn. 1t Is
also a source of deep regret to them
that the poverty of their home pre-
vents that more suitable tea should
be spread before her Iadyship, but
there will be thirty-six courses Of the
best that the market affords and no
expense will be spared in their prePar-
alton. The answer of her ladyship is
awaited with much impatience. Kind
ly accept and we shall have boundless
joy.
For one unacquainted with Chinese
ceremony to attempt to answer such
an aninyitationwould be a reckless under
taking, and if not done properly might
result in the withdrawal Of the prec-
ious document. By far the wisest plan
is to call in a professional in this art,
who at small cost will perform the SER
vice for one in true oriental style.
A few days before the feast another
commotion at my door called my at
tention to the fact that the same indi-
vidual was stepping from the rickshaw
and delivering similar-looking doc
ument to the above. This proved to
be a second invitation or reminder Of
the feast and read as follows:
"The families of Dong-Tien and
Sien-Chung make their bow and beg to
remind her ladyship, the refined Miss
Fisk, that tea i, being prepared for
her at their humble abode. The cele-
bration 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 impatience the
arrival of her ladyship. Kindly be
prompt that their pleasure may not be
delayed.
To the second invitation an assur-
auce was sent that her ladyship await
ed with equal impatience the time ap-
pointed 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 ta-
ken. Therefore, bout 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 and Sien-Chuug
were awaiting the gracious arrival Of
her ladyship. Notwithstanding the
pressing state Of their impatience, I
was assured by all acquainted with
their customs that it would be decided
ly bad form to appear on the scene
a second sooner than the appointed
time.
My astonisbment may perhaps be
imagined when on arriving l found
that the feasting, as far as l was con-
cerned, was to be done by proxy. The
board Of high Chinaman Is too sacred
to be polluted by strangers that are
unfamiliar with their ways of being
polite. A Chinaman whose degres OF
highness was evident from the sPlen-
| dor Of his embroideries scraped low
before me and signaled to her refined
ladyship' that she was to sit upon a
side platform, from where she might
have the felicity Of observing him &C.
cupy with dignity her seat at the table.
At such formal functions the Chi
nese talk very little. 1t is, however
the acme of good breeding to smack
the lips loudly and make as much
noise as possible when eating. Thi'
shows appreciation Of the choice Wand;
the hostess has provided. a grieyOu'
breach of etiquette would be for one