Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class BookLedyard, Mary Forman
General
Seven Maids of Far Cathay: Being English Notes From a Chinese Class Book
Ledyard, Mary Forman
Chinese in literature
The Moral is plain and not at all rare.
Just praying and hoping failed for that pair.
Be Up and Be Doing. Yourself never Tare,
If ever a Husband you wish to ensnare.
With the shining of the Sun while yet the Moon has not gone to sleep, we
six Chinese girls of the graduating class to which Cui Ai once belonged
and now belongs not, come unto her room to adorn her for her marriage.
We have friendly quarrellings over the red slippers of so great
smallness, which she has made herself - as to who shall place them on
her tiny feet - also we snatch at hair-pins and bracelets, to be No. 1
aid at dressings.
Cui Ai pays scanty heed to the admonitions which her paid attendant is
all time speeching unto her, but is full of cheerfulness at which we
have much marvelings. At last, attendant place red wedding-veil on head
and we fasten many brooches upon red wedding-gown. Over the bride's
small hands Bing Ding slips jade bracelets and all is in placement.
The Mistress of Ceremonies (Miss Powers) enters and taking Cui Ai by
hand, leads her into garden; we follow at distance of most
respectfulness. Down the path they walk, past the wonderful red chair
all of one blossom, even the poles covered with vines and flowers, and
up the Chapel steps.
Inside Chapel, Miss Powers lead Cui Ai to altar where wait Groom and
Minister, while Miss Sterling all time play Wedding March of Honorable
Mendelssohn.
Outside Chapel, Chinese band play and friends fire crackers with so
great noisesomeness that we can but hear Minister's word like
whisperings. Whisperings cease, and Bride and Groom make proceedings
down aisle side by side; Miss Powers at back, while Miss Sterling play
Wedding March from Honorable Lohengrin.
Chinese crackers increase in noisesomeness. Groom puts Bride in her
chair of beauty and takes his own chair of plainness behind her.
The Wedding Procession proceeds. At head comes Bride with her red
lacquer Chests, Boxes, Bathtubs and Household utensils, each borne on
poles by Coolies. Following these are hanging shelves, one upon the
other, all suspended by poles carried by four bearers, each shelf
containing some sweet or cakes. The lantern bearers with lanterns of
uttermost gorgeousness come next, then follow the Groom's chair and his
men friends. Also many pyramids of beauteous flowers. Of a truth Cui
Ai's Procession of Marriage is most magnificent.
To the house of newness and littleness all in the Procession march on,
but we go not until the evening of the sixth day.
When Procession make arrival at house of Groom, men friends enter in and
servants at the once begin to pass foods. Upon each tray must friends
place coins wrapped in red paper, for this is a custom that all men must
observe.
All evening must Bride and Groom entertain guests; this time Cui Ai make
introduction of so great foreign entertainments men cannot to make fun
of poor, little Bride as before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account