The party of young friends who called on the bride, called also at the
house of an aristocratic Chinese family, with whom one of their number
was acquainted. There were several young daughters and sons in the
family, who all spoke some words of English. A missionary’s daughter
acted as interpreter. The Chinese young ladies brought out their state
dresses, which were heavily embroidered with silver and gold. They put
them on their visitors, made them walk about the courtyard, following
them with shouts of laughter. They then gave them cake and cups of
clear tea. One lady belonging to the family smoked a long pipe, and
offered another pipe, with opium, to her guests. The Chinese young
ladies showed their little feet, apparently with much pride, to the
visitors; three inches and a half each was the measure of nearly all
the feet.