Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-15

a..-..-.. - .i.o .eTf. sHe lli1H o outl or some
other buoy is also fastened to its back to keep
il from drowning in the event of its falling over
board At the age oftwo or three years, the
little girl begins to hold the SOUL or oar with
its parent; and thus is trained to hold 1t alone
when its strength is equal to it.
For the most part, this class Of females OBJ
tain livelihood by carrying people (Chinese,
across the rivers and from place to place: their
husbands being employed in the city and sub
burbs by foreign and native merchants. But
occasionally they perform still more servlle
labor. Last summer a large dock was to be
excavatcd in the immediate vicinity of Canton,
for the safe accommodation of all boats. Wheth-
er it was a private or public work, ] am not
certain. Severa! hundred females were en-
ployed in the undertaking. The scene ex-
hibi,ed from day to day, all but defied des-
cripiion. The excavation was TO be made in
low marshy land, bordering upon the river
As you approached the place you might see
scores of little boats made fast by a long bam-
boo polo stuck into the soft mud, destitute Of
an inhabitant except occasionally poor de-
cripd and gray-headed grand parent, taking
care of a little child. Mothers and daughters
are busy at work in mud and water. The
task before them is no less than 10 remove a
surface of half an acre of this marsh to the
depth of ten or twelve feet, an embarkment be-
| ing loft next TO the river to prevent overflow
ing.
/, Seyeral strings Of narrow planks are laid
ldCNh, entling quite ou.sof the square to be
,excavated. These planks are kept constantly
/ wet, and cubical Sections of this solid mud are
placed upon the plAnks; by the side Of which
several hundred females, from ten to fifty years
of age, are arranged. One takes hold OF the
mass with her hands, ard slides it along as far
as she can reach to her next neighbor, who
passes il TO the next, and SO on till 1t reaches
its destination Thus they were employed,
deep in the mre, hour after hour, and day af-
ter day. Their scanty dress is accommodated
to the work. For the most part, they have no
protection from the scorching sun but cotton
handkerchief, or coarse piece of cloth in the
form of hood, thrown carelessly on. Here
many mother carries her little child suspend
ed from her back, with its head pendant and
exposed TO the sun perhaps asleep. At 6 o.
clock, P. NJ, all quit work. repair 10 the river
and perform abluiion, leaving their clothes to
dry on them. They then receive their wages
OF about ten cents, take to their boats, and make
for their respective villages, some mile or
more distant. The conversation of both men
aud women was rude often in the extreme.
In my evening excursions for exercise,
frequently passed by this place, and as often
would the question arise, "What would Chris
tian females in England, OF happy America,
say, to behold such scene !" And what do
you think, my dear sisters and friends, of the
imperfect representations of the condition of
these poor laborers i-Contrast their circum-
stances with your own this moment, and then
say, are you not favored, highly so,who enjoy
the rehnements and privileges of New Haven!
A nd may there not be anobligation resting up
on you, and yet not imperfectly realized
While speaking of this class, others also might
be mentioned who are employed in scooping
up gravel at the end of long pole, from the
bottom Of the river, for filling up low land, in
order to build upon it. This is also very Ia
oorious.-Many accompany their husbands in
fishing for livelihood. Others spend much
- siseir tune ia tho water digging s,uscles.
These, either from their habits, or other causes,
seem to be almost a distinct race. They are
about three and half feet in stature, and theil
muscular system well developed. When they
have dug small basket full of muscles and an
other full Of ground nuts, they take them upor
the arm and come TO the city, and with Tho
blue hood upon their heads, and with thei
pantaletis rolled up snug, their plump and taw
+ ny limbs exposed, they go hawking their eata
bles about the streets. like the orange men
and 'raddsh boys of New York, with shril
and musical voices II is very creditable I
, people who buy. that generally they treat thes
defenceless persons with proper civility.