Year: 1876




different from our ideal of a full dress cos
tune, that they are difficult to describe.
The prevailing style of skirt was a rich,
scarlet silk, with pleatings at the back and
sides and exquisite Roman border and
broad embroidered strip down the front.
This skirt is worn short, perhaps the better
TO display the tiny, dsformed foot, with its
red satin shoe. There was a great variety in
color and shade of the upper garment,
sort OF long loose sacque. 1t is no uncom-
mon thing for Chinese lady in full dress
to wear four or five of these sacques or
"saugs," all of silk, most elaborately en-
broldered. Several had watches, which
they wore outside like medallions and the
entire contents of their jewel cases were no
doubt displayed on hands, arms, neck and
head-while powder and rouge had been
used freely, to heighten the charms of the
lovely and hide the blemishes of the ugly.
There were some really pretty faces among
the ladies and greater variety of features
and expression than l had expected to
see. One of the most distinguished guests
was Penang lady, wife of rich merchant,
| who is one of the tallest and finest looking
Cinnamon l ever saw. This lady's dress
was peculiar and neither pretty nor grace
tul, put her diamonds were magnificent.
She wore large brooch and her loose robe
was fastened down the front with the same
costly stones, while at each movement of
her hands, there was sparkle and flash
that dazzled the eyes. Many of the guests
brought presents for the bride, usually
some trinket, or ornament, that was placed
on a salver. After the reception was over
heard with dismay, that Ahok had pre-
pared a Chinese feast and wished the foreign
ladies to remain for it; l had a profound
conviction that could not bring to his
hospitable table a proper appetite, but
there was no escape. Night came on be-
fore the feast was served, and the halls
were brilliantly lighted with lanterns and
| Chinese charlottesville latter contained
little glasses filed with different colored
liquids, or oil, and floating on top was the
wick. The effect was very pretty when all
were lighted; indeed, to stand at the en-.
trance of the long halls and look through
the vista Of crimson and gold, more brilliant
under the chandeliers than in daylight, the
scene was quite fairy like, On the feast l
need not dwell-it was very similar to one
described in you columns some years ago,
and, truth to tell, shrink from recalling
viands that were far from appetizing to a
foreign palate, though comprising many of
the rarest delicacies known to the Celestials.
Suffice it to say that the small plate Of
watermelon seed, that was beside each
plate, through all the varying 'ses, re-
ceived my constant patronage, and never
knew the good qualities Of these kernels
before. At the conclusion of the feast, q
| servant brought to each lady small and
exquistely carved silver box, containing
powder, rouge and a little mirrow-these
the ladies used with an openness and free
dom that were charming as were they (?)
when cheeks and lips had been touched
up" Afterward long pipes were brought
and many of the ladies took few whiffs of
1
the mouth and letting the smoke pass
through the nostrils. take pleasure in
saying that neither our host, nor any of his
family, nor even his numerous employees
use tobacco, though its use in China is far
more general than | supposed, and now and
then, in our walks, we pass a field where
the rank weed is growing. l should have
mentioned before that the bride was
present at the feast, seated with two Young
girls at the central table; but she was not
permitted to eat anything, though the table
was most temptingly spread, and she had
been on "short allowance" for two days.
When the repast was half over, she made
the tour of the hall, supported by the old
woman, who had been her good or evil
genius throughout the ceremonies, and
filled each guests glass with wine from a
ever she carried in her hand. This wine,
called "samshu" is favorite drink with
the natives, and is always taken hot; !
cannot decribe it, as / did not taste it,
although courtsy demanded that we should
lift our cups as the other guests did. be.
lieve it is an intoxicant, but the Chinese
can drink large quantities of it. A brief
sojourn in the ladies' hall after the enter.
tainment was over and then the ladies be.
gan to depart in gay gilded chairs with
much bowling, some hand shaking with us
foreigners and no end of "last words" to
the host and hostess. We followed soon,
your correspondent in the arm of Mr.. Ahok,
laughing internally at the comical picture
of this jolly, fat cavalier, in lilac gown
and pigtail, sailing down the hall, with a
woman-something unknown to Chinese
etiquette. But he handed me to my chair
!, and bowed us out with the grace of O
, Chesterfield and urged us to come again
with cordiality that left no doubt of the
sincerity of his regard for the natives of the
Flowery Flag Kingdom"


I. r. JERMAN.
Foo Chow, June, 1875. {


Papa, "0h, don't talk about it How or