Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1879 — A Chinese Wedding. [ARTICLE]

A Chinese Wedding.

Ah Quy is the Chinese for Alice, the Angel. Miss Ah Quy began to get married in San Francisco, on Thursday night of last week, to Charles Jamison, an Englishman. The marriage was the first one according to Chinese rites that has ever been celebrated on this continent. The marriage ceremony began on the day mentioned, and, as it continues for seven days, doubtless was concluded day before yesterday. On the morning of the first day the groom received the money contributions of 111 friends, and with the money hired the Chinese restaurant and its kitchen for the day. The 111 guests arrived before noon and sat at the table. The bride then made her appearance. She held a large fan before her face, completely screening it. She passed before the 111 guests and curtsied slowly three times before every one, or 333 times. Proverbs were recited by all the guests. What the proverbs are like we are not told, but presumably something of this style: “Never use the broomstick but to sweep.” “When you dine on butter, dine on it, and when you dine on hair, dine on hair.” After the guests had been curtsied to, tea was drunk. As the nuptials were in progress when the last mails received from ’Frisco left, there is no telling how the wedding ended.— Exchange.