Having a desire to see something of the domestic life of the Chinese, and possessing a moderate share of what is sometimes termed “impudence,” we, in company with two of our shipmates, invited ourselves to _call_ upon a Chinese family. Selecting a house which had the appearance of having a wealthy owner, we marched to the door, and one of our number rapped. The door was opened by the lady of the house, and in we marched. She immediately motioned us to seats, looking at us, and evidently wondering to what she owed the honor of this visit. The house had a very neat, tidy appearance, as had also the hostess, who, though the mother of eight children, appeared scarcely thirty years of age. They were boys, all but two, and were romping about the room, raising “Ned” at a great rate. It being their dinner-hour, she went about her business, leaving her _polite_ visitors to make observations and amuse themselves as they pleased. She soon returned, and placed on the centre of the floor a large dish of boiled rice, another with vegetables, called the children, and seated them on the floor around the “wittles.” After passing us some tea, she took her station with the children, placed a portion of the rice and vegetables on the plate of each one, gave them their “chop-sticks” and told them, as we supposed, to commence. And commence they did. These _chop-sticks_ are two round, slim pieces of ivory, about eight inches in length, which supply the place of both fork and spoon. With the _chop-sticks_ in the right hand and the dish in the left, with its edge close to the mouth, the velocity with which they “fork” down the rice is certainly surprising. They handle these singular sticks with the greatest ease, picking up whatever they wish, and conveying it to the mouth. The principal food of the Chinese consists of rice, vegetables, and fruit—eating little or no meat. The tea which our hostess had the kindness to pass us was of a most excellent flavor. They drink no tea but black, that being their favorite. It is very different from any we ever drank in America, having a much better flavor. After thanking the lady for her kindness, we took our leave, strolling into the “Josh house,” or temple of worship.