Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-06-09
SingulariiieS of the Chinese.

S. Williams, a printer, who resided twelve
years in China; has recently published his
experience among the Celeslials.
The following extract presents in an anu
sing light some of the contrasts between them
and us.
"On inQuiTing Of the boatman in which
direction Macao lay, | was answered west
north and the wind he said, was east south.
we do not say 50 in Europe thought |, but
imagine my surprise when in explaining the
utility of the compass, he added that the nee
die pointed south. On landing the first OBJ
ject that attracted my attention, was a militia
ry officer, who wore an embroidered petticoat,
with a string Of beads around his neck, and a
fan in his hand. His insignia Of rank was a
peacock feather pointing dOwnwards instead
of a plume turning upwards, and a button on
the apex of his sugar-loaf cap instead Of a
star on his breast, or epauIettes on his shuul-
ders and it was with some dismay ! obser-
we'd him mount on the right side of his horse.
Several scabbards hung from his belt, which
Of course, | thought, must contain dress
swords o rdlrks, but on yenturing near through
the crowd, | was surprised TO see a pair Of
chopsticks and a kEite-handle sticking out of
one, and soon his fan was folded up and put
into the other, whereupon concluded he was
going TO dinner, instead of a review. The
natives around me had all shaved their hair
on the front Of their heads, and let it grow
long behind many of them did not shave
their faces, but their mustaches grew over
their mouths, and lest some Struggling hairs
should diverge cheek-ways the owners were
busily employed pulling them down. I'VE
arrange our toilets differently, thought |, but
| acknowledge the happy device of chop
sticks, which enabled these gentlemen to put
their food into the mouth endwise underneath
this natural fringe.
son my way to the hotel, | saw a group
Of old people, some of whom were greybeards;
a few were chirruping and chuckling to sing
ing-birdS. which they carried perched on a
stick or in cages, others were catching flies to
feed them, and the remainder of the party
seemed TO be delightfully."- employed nfying
fantastic paper kites; while a group of boys
were grayeIy looking on and regarding these
innocent occupations of their seniors with the
most serious and g%ratiiied attention.
"As | had come TO the country to reside
for some time, | made inquiries respecting a
teacher, and happily found one who under
stood English. On entering, he stood at the
door, and instead of coming forward and
shaking my hands, he politely bowed and
shook his own, clasping them before him; |
looked upon this mode as decided improve
ment, especially in doubtful cases, and re-
quested him to be seated. / knew ] was to
study a language without an alphabet, but
was somewhat astonished to see him begin
at what | considered to be the end of the
book. He read the date of publication 'the
fifth wear, tenth month, and first day. I'VE
arrange our dates differently | observed, and
begged him to read, which he did from top
to bottom, and proceeding from right to left.
You have an odd book here remarked !,
taking il up; what is the price 2 "A dollar
and eight thirds said he; upon which !
counted out $33, and went on looking at it,
The paper was printed only on one side, the
running title was on the edge of the
leaves instead of the top of the page, the
paging was near the bottom, the number and
contents of chapters at their ends, the margl'
nal notes on the top, where the blank was
double the size at the foot, and a broad blank
line across the middle of each page separa'
ted the two works composing the volume
instead Of one being printed after the other
The back was opened and sewed outside, anC
the name of the work written on the bottom
edge. You have given Inc too MACH sale
he, handing ne S2l, and then explained tina
eight thirds WAS eight divided by three, 0