Gilpin observer., 1901-01-17
VISITING IN CHINA.
cEREMoNlALs THAT ARE PROPER ON
SUCH OCCASIONS.


Are Intricate, and the Etiquette
smncks of Hypocrisy-The Houses
and Their Furnlshings.
All Chinese houses are hidden from
passersby in the street by high, blank
walls, while ON each side of the en-
trance are the stables and the apart
ments set apart for the gatekeeper
and other servants. In China the mule
takes the place of the horse, and near
the door of the courtyard n well
groomed, well fed mule will generally
be found hitched to an iron ring in the
wall, this being the animal which the
master either rides or harnesses to his
cart. When visitor is expected after
accepting an invitation, If the hostess
and her daughter-in-law are not in
waiting to receive the guests, there are
sure to be half a dozen women serv-
ants, while the family will be in wait
ing In the court beyond. They will be
dressed in their finest apparel, rich
silks, magnificently embroidered, with
the hair deliberately dressed and adorn-
ed with jewels, and bearing rich silver
and gilt fans, also much decked with
! jewels. On entering the guest ad-
dresses the mother-in-law first and
afterward the other ladies, the visitor,
II woman, being welcomed in the
Chinese fashion-by placing one closed
hand upon the other and moving it up
and down. If the children have been
brought out for inspection, as is very
generally the case, they will be drawn
up In line and will greet the visitor
with pretty and graceful courtesy.
AS a rule, Chinese children will be
found extremely pleasing and attract
i've, their quaint and fascinating lit
tie dresses, jackets and trousers, which
suit their dark skins and bright eyes
SO admirably. lending much to the gen.
eral. happy effect. Chinese house
hold is community in which the par
ents are the hl ad, over which the moth
er rules with a rod Of iron. Each son
must bring his wife to his mothers
house on his marriage, and he must
there remain with his growing family.
| Until she Is fortunate enough to give
birth to a son the position of the
daughter-in-law Is very much like that
Of an upper servant. her life being fire.
Quent!y one Of the greatest misery. The
best rooms of the houses face the
south. and these are occupied by the
mother-in-law. she having usually n
suit of apartments. with reception. din
ing and | ed rooms whi: b are separated
by handsomely carved screens. The
flooring is of brick or stone and un-
covered, this being even the case in the
emperor's palaces. What is more, it is
I t..
tory for all sorts Of rubbish, being care
fully swept. however, when a visitor is
expected.
In the reception room Of well to do
Chinese house n handsome table is
usually found placed against the wall
opposite the door, with a chair on each
side, while around are cabinets filed
with bronze and porcelain. In the bed
room a k'aug. or oven bed. occupies
more than half the space. and on this
bed the Chinese woman spends more
than half her existence. sewing, eating
and gossiping thereon. and ut each end
Of this bedstead are carved wardrobes.
The dining room Is separated from the
reception room by solid wall and not
by screens. as In the other apartments,
while 1t must be reached by going out
of doors. although 1t is under the same
roof. The furniture consists of high.
square table, with two or more polish
ed and none too comfortable looking
chairs, side tables for the serving Of
the many dishes which go to form the
meal, and upon the wall Inscriptions In
Chinese characters.
On the threshold the hostess steps on
one side and entreats her guest to en-
ter, which the latter, to be polite, must
strenuously refuse, requesting her
hostess to precede her. This little bit
Of Chinese etiquette can be prolonged
for some time, when of course the
guest enters first, us was originally
intended. She is then conducted to
the place of honor. this being the chair
at the right Of the table. which she
must at first refuse. repeating the
previous meaningless performance,
ending by occupying the place. Pipes
are then brought In, but II the visitor
is a foreigner and does not smoke the
hostess foregoes her accustomed pun.
Presently ten is brought In, clear us
amber. favored with flowers and serv-
ed without sugar or cream.
With 1t are served delicate small
cakes, sweetmeats, candied fruits, red
fruit marmalnde pressed into small
squares and wnlnuts Drowned In hot
oil and dipped In sirup. What Is con-
sidered vulgar In England is considered
polite in China, for during the meal
the guest must smack FER lips to show
the meal Is appreciated. Very few are
educated, the great majority being
able to neither write nor read. Proba-
bly, first Of NIL the guest will be asked
her age. for the Chinese ask the most
pointed and personal questions. The
older she Is the more admirable will
she appear In the eyes OF her hostess.
| 4.