The native American. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1840, 1837-12-16

+ WASHINGTON
| From Rs Kaiokr6ockxr.
soUcHoNG. sLANG-wHANG. AND BoHEA:
OR THE THREE EDITORS OF CHINA.
i BrTHEA VTsoa or ssoaHAs LEsLIE.'
Souchong, Bohea, and Slang Whang, three in.
telligent brothers, of Pekin, having travelled about
the world for some years, and seen all that was
worth seeing, from the Doric columns Of resusci-
ltated Pompeii, and the glinering Bouleyards Of
Paris, to the City Hall and Scudder's Museum,
in the great town Of Manahatta, returned TO their
native capital, with resolution TO reform their
Ic0untrymen. SOnch0ng devoted himself to the
introduction of Wellington boots; Bohea under
took to do away with the queue; and Slang
Whang determined TO make his fellow-subiects,
male and female, discard tea, and take to drinking
c0syufzku, which is the Chinese for brandy.
BUTT was easier TO talk Of these innovations than
to effect them. Souchong, with his Wellington
boots, was Stunned by sober people, and Bohea
was regarded % mere visionary, a believer in
person, as the older Pekinites
would say, With their fore-fngers on their fore
heads, rather unfarnished in the upper story
Slang Whaag, 70 be sure, made some progress
with his con fzku, but the affairs Of the tourists
were at low ebb,S when Slang Whang (who had
been silly imbibing quantity Of his new beyer-
age with an old musty Tartar,) suddenly declared
his intention Of starting a new weekly period
lcal!' .rGpe @
Souchong and Bohea were both in raptures,
and the old Tartar, when they had explained to
him what grand thing weekly periodical was,
lstroked his beard, and took another pull at the
lconfMxku, whice he afterward observed was al
ways his way, when he was pleased. ill az
The Pekin Pagoda' took wonderfully. The
Chinese girls vowed it was the most amusing
thing possible. The whole town was in commo-
ton, and the very street patroes sometimes drop
ped the whips with which they were wont to cas-
tgate all unruly subjects who disturbed the peace
of the emperor, to read the Pagoda,' and to talk
of Souchong, Bohea, and Slang Whang. They
were the merriest set of fellows living, and such
impudent varlets! They attacked the queues I'M
mercifully, and sang aloud the praises of Well
ington boots, while glittering tales were written
to show the pleasant qualities of confutzku, which
was pronounced the most excellent refreshment in
the world, and Z cure for all diseases.
Bohea, Souchong, and Slang Whang, had each
a bosom friend. Bohea was devoted to Fo-ko;
Souchong was very brother to So-ko, and Slang
Whang was never seen but his beloved Chin
Chin was sure to be discovered moment after.
Fo-ko, So-ko, and Chin Chin were three excel
lent fellows. They were, moreover, as rich as
they were good, and had helped our travellers
through some Of their toughest periods of distress.
Indeed the three editors were in other respects
particularly indebted to them. Fo-ko had rescued
Bohea one day from the grasp of crazy Tartar;
! Chin Chin had one night drawn Slang Whang
out Of the imperial canal, after somewhat free
indulgence in his favorite nfufxkal, and Sou.
chong was (if the truth must OUT somewhat in.
terested in So-ko's three sisters. As the travel
lers grew more prosperous, their love for their
three friends increased. The sPagoda' had gone
on with wonderful success; so much SO, indeed,
| that knot Of fellows in Nankin had started one
precisely similar in all respects, except, as the
Pekinites swore, it was not half SO good. The
Nankin people called their periodical The Great
Wall. With such formidable rival in the field,
LII behooved the .Pagoda' TO come out strong, and
take the lead in point Of merit, as they had done
in time.
| We must not lie on our oars said Souchong.
We must pull harder than ever, added Bohea.
We must play the very old Harry with them,
exclaimed Slang Whang, putting down pitcher
Of coafuazku, and smacking his lips.
| We must buy new type observed SOuchong.
I'VE must procure better articles remarked
Bohea. s. -f
We must have nothing in that is not first
rate. Try the confxtzk,9' cried Slang Whang.
whatever comes of it. we are the leaders Of
Chinese periodical literature resumed Souchong,
holding out his Wellington boot
1 The Great Wall watches us like lynx, add
| ed Bohea.
| No matter,' rejoined Slang Whang, the Pc
kin Pagoda is no chicken. 1t will last seventy
thousand years if it does one.'
4 L. - all -
eight millions Of subscribers added Bohea.
/ But we must strain every nerve, watch every
/ line, and make it perfection--naore than Perfec-
| ton cried Souchong.
| Certainly said Bohea.
Certainly! echoed Slang Whang.
Slang Whang,' said Chin-Chin one day,
have favor to ask of you.'
MY dearest Chin-Chi replied Slang
Whang, you make me too happy. There is no.
thing on earth that / would not do for you.
4 i knew, my beloved Slang Whang, that you
were the most amiable person in the world.