A CHINESE CUSTOM.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 110, 29 April 1876, Page 2

A CHINESE CUSTOM.

The latest fashion in China, says an American journal, is something entirely unique, and needs a little explanation to the uninitated. A lady announces her intention of getting up a “ sentimental tea sot.” This means that she desires each of her friends to present her with a cup and saucer, whose size, quality, and costliness are left to the taste and generosity of the donor. When a sufficient number has been presented, the nondescript collection is christened as a sentimental tea-set. The lady is then in duty bound to give a tea party to her contributors and friends, in which the cheering weed is served in this motley china, gathered together in this polite way of putting one’s friends under contribution. Of course the ladies vie with each other in seeing who can collect the greatest number of offerings and the gentlemen are warmly welcomed who come bearing in their hands costly cups of Sevres, or the petite creations of Oriental taste. We know of a lady in a neighboring city who numbers twelve of these oddities, and she has just begun her collection. Her tea-ser-vice thus far ranges from a tiny cup and saucer a hundred years old to an offering large enough for a bowl. The inter, mediate range - includes a ridiculous variety in form, size, and material. Great was the sport of the first tea-drink while the unique display afforded an abundant subject for conversation. We were told by those in authority, that the fashion promises to bo quite universal this winter, and we are sure it will be provocative of endless fun, and, perhaps, just a little rivalry, for will not a woman’s attractive powers be measured by the number of these fragile offerings she receives from her friends ? What a resurrection of old tea-cups and saucers from long-occupied hiding-places will take place, and what a search there will be in china shops for specimens rich and rare !