New-York tribune., 1900-12-09

their asperites First OF all. the visitor Is asked
her age; and II she seem quite elderly this Is
geniality. II is not to be construed as rudeness:
on the CONTRARY T Ls II f6r Is he % ib Mde
Kingdom everything Is reversed. and youth and
the dignity. gray hairs and experience OF age.
Should the hostess remark-as she may-that he5
visitor appears much younger than her years WouId
warrant. the ignorant Western barbarian has no
cause to feel attered for II is distinct expression
OF disappointment The question or age disposed or
inquiries are then made as to the honorable
China and the length Of time the journey aSTos5
a. nanifesfed as 10 ones Impressions OF the Fast
that touch of nature which makes the whole world
tsr-in-law may have been permitted to be present.
but she never ventures to speak or SIT IN the pres
which is rarely granted.
DRESS A FRUITFUL THEME
Among the women OF China. as with those OF
every other country on the globe dress IL fruit
full theme of discourse. which can hardly be ex-
haustsd. Should she be bound foot woman, the
hostess will show the collection OF tny shoes which
she has been embroIderng gold thread ana
many coIored silk floss. which her daughters-in-
law have embroidered for her; and she is not above
calling attention to the rainbow cOlored brocades
OF her own rich garments her Jade bracelets. the
hoops OF dull gold set in pearls which adorn her
ears She fingers the dress OF her visitors with
Chinese especially admire-alI coming in for some
amusing and INGENIOUS comment +. %. = ,--,-,.,,.
asked Of ones gown. and the close fitting sleeves
bodice a
inmodesty which is one more evidence Of Western
nferorty
been sent to mission schools living practically a
prisoner within the court seldom going abroad
Chinese woman is so limited that the practicable
II is relief therefore when the visitors are in
formed that the feast is served. This is always
table Of polished Wood The Plates are GPoW Very
hardly more than thimbiefui. and the dessert is
served first This is arranged In rows. for 1t may
which four dishes OF four rows each are heaped
with fruit FRY squares Of Stg maEmaade and candied
food Is excellent and most temptingly arranged,
way of tempting the appetite The use of rats cats
and dogs is confined to the very poor in the south
tables wen enc 5ns d are served upon the
hostess this being the honorable place''-another
Chinese reversal OF Western custom.
Western guest may bring her own. Should these
not be forthcoming she win have a painful strug-
scarcely manage. This. however will only afford
amusement the hostess being privileged TO laugh
foreign visitor: the servants also being permitted
makes with the unfamiliar implements AS fast as
a course is disposed OF the viands are removed
SeS SeGdsrns Lfs variety Of sh fowl Vesetabes f
ters little damPHhss 9 gathered into aOwecy ruf
million spots. beche de mer-stewed slugs-
ast os All rice and SOUP Not once are me little
plates changed and II the food is not eaten the
change the plates would be fatal to the hostess:
she would certainly die within the year.
She throughout the fifteen sixteen courses
has breathed stertOrously. and smacked her lips
with a gusto. this being the acme Of Chinese ee-
gance She has also thrown upon the paved floor
anv remnants Of food which she wished to put
aside and upon these the pet cats OF the house
hold resale themselves Finally, when Il impOs-
sbIe 10 eat another mOutlful the vsitOr-f she can
speak the language-uses the polite form. Eaten
full" and is obligingly excused thereupOn from
further effort
THE hostess rises and She with her visitors re-
turns 10 the reception room, all the former tedious
ceremony repeated and there tea is again served
> When the proper hour for departure arrives the
visitors are escorted 10 the gate and sent back
TO their own house in their hostess's cart. again
accompanied by her servant II they have made a
favorable impression. within day two the
want returns with a gift-a souvenir of the visit
presented by their hostess.