Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-17

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to free the dead from any calamity when
may be sent on him as punishment ior
using in any way too much water In this
world, or for using it in an unworthy man
ner, Such a course offends the god OF
water, and he very properly Furnishes the
sin in the other world. A certain classic
or formula, relating to this subject is chant
ed. The recitation of this particular
formula makes the distinction between this
and other ceremonies performed on tne
death of relatives. If children, on the
death of parent, do not have this GER
emony performed, they are liable to be
charged with deficiency of tilial regard
for the happiness OF him who, perhaps, is
suffering from the cause above specified.
CHINESE ADVERTISING MEDIUM.
The employment of go-betweens or mid
die persons between the two principals in
the transaction of many kinds OF business
is one of the "peculiar institutions" OF So
ciety as existing here, and probably all
over the empire, with local notifications.
The native importer of goods from another
port does not personally negotiate with the
retailer or the wholesale buyer. The owner
| of q house or farm, in market for sale or
| for rent, may not be called upon by those
who wish to purchase or rent Tor them
selves. A sort of professional persons are
|
betweens" betwiXt the owners and the buy
ers, or the owners and the renters. The
system does not extend to business between
ordinary retailers and their customers, but
| to importers, wholesale dealers and owners
| of houses and lands. Some men are 60
| betweens in the sale and purchase OF rice,
| Others of oil, Others of medicines, &c
Generally the same person does not nego-
tiate the sale and purchase of more than
one class OF merchandise or property.
The pay OF these go-betweens Is usually
five per cent. on the sum of money given
by the buyer to the Her. Of this percent
age, the buyer pays three and the seller pays
two parts, which, on large sums. is very
handsome compensation Tor his trouble and
responsibility. 1t amounts to the same
thing as clearing five per cent. commission,
all the expense of porterage and transfer
being betrayed by the buyer, and the mid
dle-man being at no expense for clerk,
Office or store.
The go-betweens, who probably in this
city alone amount to thousands, are con-
stantly on the lookout for an opportunity
to close barg lin i'll view of the i've per
cent. commission. He acts the part of an
advertising medium living perambulat-
ing newspaper, the use OF which costs the
owner of property and the prospective
buyer of it nothing, unless an actual trans
fer is effected. He spends his time princi-
pally in traversing the streets, calling on
the wholesale dealers and the retailers, eX-
tracing and giving information relating to
his particular branch of business. There
are no ''dailies' or "weekles" circulating
among the Chinese in this part of the en-
pirc, in which the arrival of cargoes of fresh
goods is announced to the public, or the
offer for sale of landed property, etc., is ad-
vertised. The work of asccrtaining
where different kinds of merchandise and
landed property for sale or rent are to
be found, and the quality, condition, and
price, ETC., is virtually intrusted by retail
ers and buyers or renters to middle-men
1t becomes their business to gain informa-
ton from the holders or owners of pur-
chaseable or rentable property, and impart
it to those who may wish to purchase OF
rent. 1t is necessary for them to be dill
gent, not only in ascertaining facts from the
sellers in regard to particular kinds of mer.
chandise offered for sale, but also in seeking
out those who deal in it, for their remuner-
alton depends wholly on their effecting a
transfer.
CHINESE "LITTLE FOLKS"
Here are some stories told by the Chinese
of remarkable children:
During the Northern Sung dynasty,
which began about 42l, and ended 470 A. d
there lived little boy whose name was
Moo. At an early age he was noted for the
versatility of his talents and the tenacity Of
his memory. In studying book it is said
he needed only to read it over once, and
then he could repeat it. One day, when he
was four years old, guest remarked in the
hearing of the lad that "Contucius had nc
elder brother" Moo instantly replied In
the language of the classic: "He took his
elder brothers daughter and gave her away
i'm marriage" thus proving that ConfuciuS
had an elder brother. The whole company
greatly wondered at this extraordinary re-
ply. w
In the same dynasty lived little boy
whose name was Kuang. One day, while
plaving with company of children, one
of them happened to fall into large earth
en- lar full of water. All of the other boys
ex ept Kuang were too much frightened tC
render any assistance, and ran away. He
taking a stone, broke the jar, and saved his
playmate's life by letting the water escape
Every one who heard the circumstance ad'
mired the boys uncommon wisdom ant
presence of mind.
In the samy dynasty there lived another
bright lld, whose name was Yenfoh. While
quite small, he was once playing ball will
some juvenile companions. The balllodgins
in the deep cavity of post, all gave it up a
lost except Yenfoh. He took water, anC
pouring it into the hole in the post, the bal
floated to the surface.
In the time of the same dynasty lived ;
man named Wan, who at an early age wa
distinguished for his ready wit. When h
/, was only seven years old, his father wa
prefect in the country of Wei. An eclipse o
the sun occurring, the project informed tn
Emperor of the fact, The queen dowager in
uuired how much Of the sun was eclipsed
The prefect did not know what to answer
when his1ittle grandson, standing by hi
side, suggested to him, "Why not say tn
part OF the sun not eclipsed is as large a
, the moon in the first of the month ?" TIL
old man returned the indefinite reply thu
suggested greatly surprised, and wonder
ing at the quick understanding and read
expression of his little grandson.
CHINESE CURSES.
The Chinese are adopts in cursing. Her
are few specimens:
When you die, may you go to Hades, AM
.. have your bowels ripped open
May you be tried in the cauldron of oil
May your tongue be cut off!
May you be thrown on the mountain Q
knives!
,, May you have none left to open the doc
, and trim the lamp!
May your children and your husbah
,, perish (said to married woman.)
! May the pestilence deprive you OF pos
! terity!
May you not live to adult age!
, May you die before marriage!
May your rincense-furnace be turned bot