The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-29


its character and bearing as an impress some Of
those cabalstic phonetic signs which are the
alphabet of China lays before us. 1t is copi-
ously illustrated with appropriate engravings
and is printed in the clear Typography which Is
insured by the stamp Of the Harpers. So much
for its exterior. OF the literary quality of the
work we must speak highly. Written in style
which could be ce1soriously termed too diffuse,
it is nevertheless OF great perspicuty, and, as a
narrative, is spicy. 1t must be remembered by
those who find fault with the author for giving
two large volumes to the public, that if his pro-
duction is large, so also is the field which he
intends to cover. And no ground, however fai-
low, can be valuable unless much time be de.
voted to its preparation. Mr.. Doolittle, at the
outset tells US that he intends to treat of sub
ieCt which mas never before been appropriately
handled that d residence of fourteen years in
the Celestial Empire has quali6 ed him to speak
understaRdngly. The contents OF these vol
umes. we are also informed, were originally pub
lished in the China Mai, and, as usual, have
reappeared in book form "at the earnest
solicitation Of numerous friends on whose
judgment the author relies" In the
present instance, the judgment of the
friends was correct, but this is an excep-
ton TO the general rule. In the course of the
work the author lays before the reader perfect
treasury of anecdote, incident, custom, usage,
and superstitons. From the opening page to the
last paragraph the interest is kept up, and the
attention OF the reader never for a minute al
lowed to flag. For this, however, the praise is
but partially due to the writer 1t is rather due to
the ceaseess variety of the incident of which he
treats that we are indebted for so delightful
work. As an author Mr.. Doolittle possesses
comparatively little merit, and tits as compiler OF
facts that his chief claim to popularity resides.
But between the writer and editor he has given
to us delightful work, discursively written, yet
teeming with novelties, treating of subjects of
which before we have heard but mere rumor,
and drawing aside the veil ofmystery which has
80 long enveloped the peculiarlties of the Chi
nese, Considering that the citizens of China form
the largest and, in point of age, the most civil
ICED nation of the globe, it is strange fact that
so little has been laid before the Christian pub
lie which reveals their true peculiarites The
work of Mr.. Doottle does much towards placing
them in their proper light, and redeems their
character from reputation which confounds
them with the Bhuddsts of the Ganges or the
child.slayers OF India. As an instance OF the
subjects treated of, we will quote the passage
relative to the causes of the sickness, which may
be of value to our doctors when spring arrives:-
Then endeauor TO erpel uarious deadly infu-
ences proceeding from eUa spnats.-Should any
one who has had general good health be sud-
denly and mysteriously taken with dizziness In
the head, PAIN in his eyes, or with inability to
use his hands or feet as usual, his illness is not
unirequently ascribed to the influence emanating
from some one of seventy-two malignant spirits
or gods. Immediate measures must be taken to
counteract or eXpel this evil influence. A table
is placed in the lightest part of the room in
which the sick man 49, On 1t are arranged three
cups OF wine, platter having on it five kinds OF
fruit and censer and pair of candlesticks. A
quantity of mock-money is also procured, ready
tor burning. Tauist priest is hired to reclte
the proper formulas, in order to secure the ex-
pelling of this malignant influence from the sick
man. Sometimes he invokes the aid of a GER
tain he9dless demon IN this important work.
The priest provides himself with a small bell,
which he rings while he repeats his formulas;
and with bowl of water, which he sprinkles or
snaps with his fingers on the articles offered
and on the sick person. He has also bundle OF
various kinds OF paper charms ready for use
when needed and a small stick OF wood with
which he strikes the table at intervals during
the recitation of his formulas. The incense and
candles are burning all this while, and at the
proper time he sets the mock-money on fire.
About the close of the performance he produces
three paper charms, one OF which is to be stuck
up over the door OF the room, another is to be
worn on the person OF the sick, if it be a man. or
on her head, If it be woman; and the third is
water, are to be drank by the sick one Some
times one of these charms Is suspended on the
curtain of the bed on which the afflicted person
sleeps, according to the directions OF the Off.
ciating priest. He is supposed to know which
of the different methods of using the charms
should be practsed in any given case. In case
the priest is successful in eXpelling the mallg.
nant influence at an early period, medicine is
rarely used in restoring the disabled individual
to health. When the evil influence is removed
the person will soon regain his usual degree of
health, as matter OF course.
In their monetary transactions great deal OF
ridicule has been cast upon the Chinese. For
the benefit of our brokers, we quote the curious
and lucrative system of "money-lending clubs
without interest':-
1t often occurs that an individual desires TO
have a certain sum of ready money to use, but
which he finds himself unable to command.
Instead of borrowing the sum, and paying the
eXorbitant interest demanded by money-lenders,
and instead of trying to raise the sum among his
friends as gift or as temporary loan, he
endeaVors TO induce them to form one of several
kinds OF clubs, the immediate object of which is
TO furnish him with the desired amount, but the
future effects of which will be to supply the
same sum to each one OF its members, without
the usual heavy interest
He induces a trusty friend to become second
or assistant, he being its head or principal
Having prepared number of red envelopes
each containing small sum of money, he calls
upon his relatives and friends who are able to
engage in the club, and who he desires should
enter it, explains to them his plans, states the
amount he wishes to raise, each members
share, and all needed particulars. Those who
are willing to engage in the club receive one OF
the se envelopes as kind of bargain-money,
and after that they may not withdraw without
his consent or unless he fails to secure the
required number Of names. They are regarded
by the customs OF society as bound or pledged to