Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-04-10
0he state 81 Ghjoa.


don, by Sir John Bo~riug, has been published in tie
journal of the Statistical Society. We make the
following extracts from thisimportaut and interesting
document which written in July, 1855
THE FISHING POPULATION.
The multitudes OF persons no live by the fisheries
of China afford evidence not only that the land is
cultivated to the greatest possible extent but that it
Is insufficient to supply the necessities of the over
flowing population for agriculture is held in high
honor IN China. and the hnsbandman stands next in
rank 10 the sage literary in the social her-
archy. 1t has been supposed that nearly a tenth Of
the population derive their means Of support from
fisheries. Hundreds and thousands of boats crowd
the whole coast Of Ghiua-sometimes acting IN com
muntes sometimes independent and isolated. There
Is species oil craft by which fish be inyciged
which Is not practised with success in China
variety Of net from vast scines; embracing miles, 10
The small hand hiet In the care Of child. Fishing
by night and fishing by day-fshing in moonlight
by orchlighi, and in utter darkness, fishing in boats
Of all sizcs,-fshng by those who stationary ON
the rock by the seaside and by those who abs
for weeks the widest OF scas-fshing 10y cormor-
nnts,-hshing by diters,-hshing with lines with
baskets, by every imaginable decoy and device
There i river which Is not stnked to assist the
fisherman In his craft. There IL no lake no pond
which Is not crowded with fish \ piece Of water is
nearly valuable n field of fertile land. At day
break every city is crowded with sellers of live fish,
who carry their commodity in buckets of water sa-
kept for another days service. And the lakes and
ponds of China not only supply large provisions OF
hsh-=they produce considerable quantities OF edible
roots and seeds, which are largely consumed by the
people. Among these the esculent arum, the water
rhesnnt (sc,rpns ub1osus aud the lotus (netambil)
are the most remarkable
TIE WATER POPULATION.
The enormous river population OF China, who live
only IN boats, who were born and educated who
marry, rear their families, aud dc--w ho IN word
tlnfr
have dream of any shelter other than the roof and
who seldom tread except on the deck board Of
their sunpans--shows TO what an extent the land ia
crowded aud how inadequate it is to maintain the
cumbcrers of The soil In the city of Canton alone 1t
IS estimated that 100000 people dwell upon the sur
face of the river; the boats sometimes twenty or
thirty deep cover some miles, and have their wants
supplied by ambuatory statesmen, who wend their
way through every accessible passage. OF this vast
population some dwell in decorated river boats used
for every purpose OF ccnce and iesti,ty-for thea
trcs-for concerts-ior eusts-for Rambling-ior lust
for solitary and social recreations some craft are
employed IN conveying goods AMI passengers aud
in state of constant activity others moored
and their owners engaged servants or hborers on
shore. Indeed, their pursuits rcary various
ns those of the land population. The immense
riety of boats which are found in Chinese waters has
never been adequately described. Some are of cuor
nous SIZE aud are used rs magazines for sal or rice
OTHERS have all domestic accommodations, and are
tinpoBel pT the TAi5cf 81 NlDf ldblllltS Will iii
their domestic attendants and accommodations from
one place to anoher-some, called centipcdes, from
their being supposed to have 100 rOwcrs convey with
extraordinary rapldity, the moro valuable enrgoes
from tho inter warehouses 10 the foreign shipping in
the ports these, from the huge aud Cumbrous
junk, which remind one of Noah nrk, and which
represent the rndennd coarse constructions OF the re-
hottest ages 10 the fragile planh' upon winch soli-
ary ePcr h4Rg5 upon the outskirts OF soelety-hoals
oil every form and applied 10 every purposc-eNhhtt
e. IJ
called anplihious, II mot aquatic Not only are
land ana water crowded with Chinese, but many
dwell upon artificial islands which float upon the
lakes islands with gardens aud houses raised upon
the RATS which the orcupirrs have bound together
and On which they cultivate what is ueedtul for the
supply 81 life daily wants. They have their poultry
and tler vegetables far their flowers aud their
aehools Tor ornament, their household gods or pro-
lection and worship.
TIE CHINESE As AGRICULTuRlSTS.
In all parts of CHINA to which We have access we
Ind not only that every foot of ground IS cultivated
which i capable of producing anything, but that,
from the value of land and the surplus Of labor, cub
u'ation is rather that ot gardeners than OF husband
Tho sides OF hills, in their natural dccltty oil
ten unavailable, arc 10y succession Of artificial ter
races, turned profitable account. Every little hit
of soil though il be only few feet in length and
hrendth is TUNED 10 account and not only is the sur
t,ee of the land thus cared for but every device IS
employed for the gathering together OF every article
ly clearing the streets of the sercomceous fifth
The stimCnnis to production are applied with most
untiring industry. In this colony Of Hong Kong |
scared, ever ride out without finding some lue hit
Of ground either ncw, cultivated or clearing for ru-
usrtiea.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Chinese again have no prejudice whatever Ms
regards TODD they eat any hing aud everything from
which they derive nutrition. Dogs, cspeenlly
puppies, hRbtually sold fr food and have seen
in the hatcher, shops, Large dogs skiuued aud hang
ing " IA their NScera lay the side of pigs aud goats.
Even Ia rats aud mice the Chinese have no objection
neither to 'he flesh ofmonkcys aud snakes, the sea
sug Is ~ urislocraIc and costly dcllcneY which Is
ne, cr wanting nny more than the edible birds nests,
ut feast here honour is intended TO be DOM To the
guests. Unmatched ducks aud chickens are favor
lite dish Nor do carly stages of pntreiacton create
any disgust; rotten eggs are not condemned 10 eldi-
ton; fish is the more acceptable when 1t has strong
fragrance and tAtour to give more guso 10 the rice
As the food tie Chinese eat is tor the most part hard
coarse and OF itlr cost their beverages are SIM
enh,rlr economical. Drunkenness is n rare wee IN
China and icnurutel spirits strong drinks are sell
dom usel. Tea may he said to be the national 'he
universal heveragclnd though that employed 10y the
multitude does not cost more than from Sd to Cd per
H. an Infusion OF less costly leaves is commonly Gu
! roy cd, especially IN localities remote from tea dis
/ trict}. Both in eating Nnd drinking the Chinese are
temperate. and are satisfied with two daily meals
"the morning rice at abont ten \. NJ and "the eve
ming rice NJ tAe p. VI. The only repugnance have
observed IN China Is 10 the uSo OF mik-an eNtraordi
nary prejudice; especially considering the Tartar in
hncnre which have been long dominant IN the land
bat never SAW or heard of butter, cream, milk OF
whey being introduced at any native Chinese table
MATRIMONIAL PECUhARIriES
The marriage IF children is of the great COW
cernS Of hmc>. Scarcely is "a child born IN the
higher ranks of life ere the question Of its future es