The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-03-20

pusiuess, VIII OFTEN endure Tor long time, with
stole indifference, the noise aud confusion, as
well as the entreaties and wretchedness of the
miserable creatures, for they are guard against
other applications. Why should he he moved ?
The sights and sounds have been familiar to
him from his boyhood, and his object is to pass
the day with the least possible expense. Many
OF these poor creatures pass the night in the
streets, with the stony pavement for their bed.
and a thin mat for their covering. Bad food,
insufficient clothing, exposure at nj ght, and to
cold and damp, soon bring on disease, aud re.
duce them to the last degree Of exhaustion and
suffering; their legs become covered with foul
ulcers, their faces haggard and eyes sunken
filth and rags complete the picture of the most
ablect wretchedness TO which the hum9n frame
can be brought. Unable longer to go about
after food to satisfy the cravings Of hunger.
they lie on the sides of the streets, where, un-
cared for alike by their companions in misery
and the strong man who passes by on the
other side, a lingering death terminates their
sufferings.
There Is an open square in front of large
temple, about five minutes walk from the for
elgn factories, where large numbers of beggars
congregate to spend the night. Here, at day
light IN the morning, they may be seen in all
stages, and it is heart.rending spectacle 70
look upon them as they rise from their stony
beds, adjust their tattered garments and 90
forth with tottering steps, in different directions
to seek precariOus subsistence for the day
After most of them are gone, there remain
those who are unable to walk. or who. durino
the night, have paid the debt of nature.
! This is the spot for the rich man to learn
how TO enjoy his wealth, and for the man who
has food and clothing, and a shelter from the
storm, to learn herewith TO be content, and to
! give thanks to Him from whom all his blessings
| flow.
| 1t is impossible to estimate the number who
live by begging, but in the city of Canton they
must amount to thousands. Fifty may often be
met in walk of fifteen minutes. 1t is said
that the eyes of children are often put out, and
they are then taught to beg. This is doubtless
comparatively rare.
! Multitudes of poor are supported by their
relatives. The family relation and obligations
are such, that when a man is in want, he has
claims on his nearest Kindred, and custom re-
quires that aid shall be rendered. When men
are out of employment, they live with such of
their relatives as are more fortunate; and thus
1t happens that who is successful in
business will have with him an indefinite num-
| Der OF dependent relatives, who work for their
| food, If there is any for them to do.
| Beggars are under the direction of a head.
man, who distributes them to the different
l'neighborhoods, protects the citizens from un.
lawful exactions, and receives contributions
from those who prefer giving a stated sum
monthly, TO the daily opportunities of the mis-
cradle creatures, or from those who, by reason
OF funeral or marriage, wish to have their
houses free from unpleasant Interruptions.
Within two centuries, charitable institutions
have been founded at various places, owing.
doubtless, to the influence of Catholic mission
/ altn Ihor
render aid to the multitudes who need it, and
are so badly managed that but little good is re-
allied from them. In the Eastern suburbs Of
Canton, there Is an asylum for aged and infrm,
one for blind, and one for orphan children. A
lew hundred persons are supported at these
places from the public treasury.
Wnh reference to that large class of the pop.
ulation who depend for subsistence on their
4afi1oais modes in which they are employed.
! Aside from those skilled in the various mechan-
ic arts, there are the day laborers, whose work
is uncertain, and wages low 1t must be re-
membered not only that no labor saving MA
chinery is used in Ching, bet also beasts of
burden and carriages for transportation are
unknown, and everything which cannot be con.
veyed to its destination by water must be car-
RED on mems shoulders. In the present state
of things, therefore, immense multitudes of men
OAtPlOiLASutf HHO WOulu DC Oo-
priyed of g means OF ssbsistence, if the improve
ments of Western civilization were suddenly in
troduced. "a
The wages received by able-bodied men are
from three to four dollars per month, and out
OF this they must pay for their food This may
seem like extremely poor psy, but, on taking
into consideration the price Of living and the
great competition, it seems more reasonable.
Generally, the cost of rice, which is the main
article OF food, does not exceed two cents per
pound for good quality, ana the ordinary price
paid for board as one dollar and fifty cents uer
! rlonth. The expense for clothing in a warm
climate is very little; and When it is necessary
to make display, the fnery is hired for the
occasion.
While, therefore, this great En- pire teens
with millions of human beings, bountiful
Providence causes the earth and the waters to
yield abundant supplies of food, so that ordina-
ry industry is rewarded with all the accessories
OF life; and if men starve 70 death in the streets.
as they do ALMOST every day, it is not because
OF denciency in the general stock, but because
of its unequal distribution, and the hardness OF
heart in those who have plenty. X,
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