The San Francisco call., 1909-01-03
oM oArzaocrafc htne/e
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long as they can see each other.
UP to now I never had an Opportu-
nifty to attend any OF the large dinners
Of state given from time to time by
high officials. and I must say some OF
the Impressions I received at this func-
ton were anything but agreeable.
Small tables. one FOR each guest, had
been set in the s2aciops hall. but as
more guests appeared than expected
It became necessary to seat two per-
sons at some OF the tables. The guests
all sat facing one another. and the
hall was beautifully decorated with
flowers. costly vases, 1ardinieres and
Chinese bric-a-brac. There were no
tablecloths. but scarf of richly en-
broidered red silk was laid across the
table In front OF the guest. On my
table I found several platters OF meat,
already carved and arranged in the &
form OF pyramids. prettily decorated
with flowers and lemons. I was as
sured and am willing to believe that
some OF the courses were great dell
cacies, eut to me they did not look
inviting.
The Chinese may be great epicures.
q hundred years or more before IL could
learn to relish such. things as silk
2 worms. the larvae Of the sphinx moth,
earth worms and Jelly fish. The re-
mainder OF the guests all seemed to
reyel In the luxuries. and evidently
could not understand why I failed to
appreciate the. delicate seasoning An
other delicacy much prized by the Chi
nese Is species OF giant spider. They
care very little for milk cheese and
butter; neither do they eat much beef.
veal or lamb Toward the close OF the
banquet our host led the way into the
garden In the meantime the servants
cleared the tables and carried water.
for on our return to the hall there was
general washing of hands. one OF the
servants holding the bowl. while an
other poured the water. This cere-
mony performed. we sat down to enjoy
really delicious fruit, winding up with
tea and cigars.
At these large functions il is custom-
airy for company of actors to appear
with all their paraphernalia. The port
able stage and decorations are SET mn
with astonishing rapfdity. but before
the performance begins certain cereno-
nies have to be performed. Bowinr
low, the leading man hands to the hosf
the repertoire printed In gold. PoItrs~
ness requires that he should pass n -
the principal guest for him ri nal~e
the selection. but with a bow he passes
II on. and so 1t travels around until it
Is returned to the host again. and an
that remains for him to do Is to CHOOSE
piece that Is likely TO meet with ~
approval OF his guests.
The ladies witness the performarc.
from behind silken screen in an ad-
joining apartment. where they an.se.
without being seen. Between ths ac+.
the guests are regaled with music b1s
Tor foreigners ear this is an excee,1-
ingly doubtful enjoyment was No..
tnan surprised to see the leading ma.
step from the stage in the middle ~ a..
act and proceed to take up a coile,.
ton from the guests. Considerin~ ths.
all those present We're invited thfs c,,-es
tom appears in the highest degree ~
cultar. t r Pc
But there was still another surr~,..
IN store for me. At the end 80 tSe
feast the servants went around sr,o-ss
the guests taking up a colIect,e, ~.
the benefit OF their master In ords~ ~
defray the costs OF the. hanoneti Ot.ss
countries. other waysi And ves tsa
Chinese think their habits ana c,,s. .1e
90 perfect that they look down 81 ~,
foreisners as being far behind IN ctv,ss1 IL
sation- At least this was th~ 60 :. 80. -
I'll n few years ago. IN