People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 April 1894 — CHINESE COURTSHIP. [ARTICLE]

CHINESE COURTSHIP.

A Wooing as It Is Carried on In the Flowery Kingdom. In his own flowery kingdom the heathen Chinee who desires to become a benedict does not dream of approaching his desired bride until he has heard what her father has to say. The interview with papa on these occasions is largely occupied by a prolonged haggle over the amount the suitor is to give until the bargain is adjusted to mutual satisfaction. Then the suitor, highly perfumed with assafedtida, which is the smart scent among Chinese, as it was among the Carthaginians, calls on the bride’s mother and is introduced to the bride, whom, it must be understood, he has not yet seen. The visit consists largely of bowing, scraping, flourishing the hands, cringing in every posture, every kind of ceremonial and very little con* versation.

The lover does not speak one word to his intended, and seldom glances toward her. Usually singing and dancing girls come in and furnish diversion. He remains in her presence for two hours or longer, during the whole of which time lie does not get a moment alone with his intended, or even a fair look at her sac it is not etiquette for him to scrutinize her too closely. When he has gone he sends her presents. It is a good omen if he sends a gift of egg shells painted every kind of color. All his visits are conducted on the same plan. He does not get a direct and full view of her face until they have “gone away,” that is, until she has been brought in her palanquin to his house. —N. Y. Recorder.