The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-20
SKETCHES IN CHINA.

oil Men and WOmen--Scenes In the Streets
Dinners and Drinks-Scho0ls and ThOsC
Who Rise From Them-WhO are HOnOrcd.
FooCHow, May u.s. 1869.
During our stay at F0ochow visited, accompanied
by some OF the missionaries long resident there, q
number Of the Chinese and had an opportunity OF
observing their social habits and customs How
totally different they are from US In their habits
ways, mode OF education, morals, everything No
wonder that we are "outside barbarians' to them
and they knights OF the umbrella fam pettcoats and
pig tail" to Ms. To show how strangely the way
they 'tive, move and have their benign appears 10
foreigners shall quote from recent traveller
ON inquirng from the boatman in which direction
Macao lay, l was answered west-north, and the
WIND he said, was eastsouth. 'YOu do not say so
IN Europe" thought 1. But imagine my surprise
when, IN explaining the utility or the compass he
added that the needle pointed south
on landing the first object that attracted my at
tention was military ohicer, who wore an en-
broidered pettlcoat with string Of beads round his
neck and fan IN his hand. His insignia Of rank
was peacock feather pointing downwards instead
Of a plume turning upward, and q button on the
apex Of his sugar loaf cap instead OF star on his
breast or epanlettes on his shoulders, and 1t was
with some dismay ! observed HIM mount on the
right side Of his horse Several scabbards hung from
his belt which, Of course, thought must contain
dress swords or dirks, but ON venturng near,
through the crowd, was surprised to see pair of
chopsticks and knife handle sticking out OF one
and soon his fan was folded up and put In the other
whereupon l concluded he was going to a dinner
Instead Of review. The natives around me had all
shaved their hair on the front Of their heads
AID let 1T 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 cheekways the
owners were busIy employed pulling them down.
We arrange our toilets differently, thought l. but
l acknowledged the happy device Of chopstlcks
which enabled these gentlemen to put their food
into the mouth endwise underneath the natural
fringe
On my way back to the hotel saw group of
old people some OF whom wore gray boards; few
were chlrruping and chuckng to singing birds,
which they carried perched on a stick or in cages,
Others were catching flies TO feed them and the re-
mander OF the party seemed to be delightfully."- en-
ployed in Tying paper kites, while group OF boys
were looking gravely on and regarding these inno-
cent occupations OF theif seniors with the most
rious and gratfed attehtloh.
AS had come to the country to reside for some
ume ! made inquiries respecting teacher. and
happily found one who understood English. On
entering he stood at the door, and instead of COM
ing forward and shaking my hands, he politely
bowed and shook his own, caspng them before
hun. looked upon this mode as decided Improve
mcnt, especially IN doubtful cases, and requested
him TO be seated. knew was to study Il language
without an alphabet but was somewhat astonished
TO see hun begin at what considered the end OF the
work He read the date OF publication "the nth
year. tenth month and first day" ave arrange our
dates diiIerently,nI observed, and begged him to
read, which he did from top to bottom and from
right to left; You have an odd book here, re-
dollar ana eight-thirds," said he, upon
which counted out three dohars and
The paper was printed only ON one side
the running title was on the edge OF the leaves In
the bottom, the number and contents Of CHAPTERS at
their ends the marginal notes on the top where the
blank was double the size at the foot, and broad
black line across the middle of each page separated
the two works composing the volume instead or
being printed after the otner. The back was open
and sewed outside, and the name OF the work written
ON the bottom edge. ''You have given me too
much,n said he handing me two dollars anu one.
third ana then explanedtha eight-thlrds was eight
divided by three, or only three-eghths. small
vocabulary he carried with him mad the sounds
arranged according to their termination-n,ing
1t was sten. ''Ah, my frend," SAID l. "EngIish
won't help you to ind word in that book Please
red card as big as sheet Of paper, instead
OF neat wnite strip and wrote over Lany aen." al
thought your name was Mr. Wer. Why do you
write your name wrong end first ~ inquired. at
Is you who are wrong" replied he. 'LOoK IN your
own directory. When alone you write names as
} lnsygd should be- placing the h0n0red family name
/ could only say Customs dilIern and giving back
the book begged. him to speak OF ceremony. lie
commenced. when you receive a distinguished
guest do not fail to give him place your lel for
that is the seat OF honor; and be cautious not
Of iamiiafity. IhS was severe blow to my estab-
llshed notions; but when he reopened the volume
and read, ''Ihe most learned men are decidedly OF
opinion that the seat Of the human understanding Is
iii the bey,h exclaimed, Better say In the feetu
and Immediately shut up the book, disulissing him
until another day, for this shocked all my PRINCIPLES
Of correct philosophy even II solomon was against
me-
on going abroad met SO many things contrary to
all my preconceived Ideas OF propriey that readily
assented TO friends observation "that the Chinese
were our antipodes IN many things besides ioca-
ton" Indeed" said !, ''tney are SO; shall ex-
pect shortly to see man walking on his head.
Look there's woman IN trousers and q parry of
gentlemen Ia petticoats; she IS smoking a cigar and
they are flaming themselves But was taught not
TO trust to appearances too much as on passing
saw the latter wore light under garments. We soon
alter the steward OF the house dressed In white
and stopped 10 ask him what merrymaking he was
Invited TO: with a look OF the deepest concern he
told me he was returning from his fathers funeral
Soon after we passed where we heard sobbing AMI
crying and ! inquired who was H. the man sup
pressing q smile, said, ut Is girl about leaving
home 10 be married, VINO s lamentlpg with her fel.
lows.u
thought after these unlucky essays would ask
no more questions, but use my eyes instead Look
| ing INTO shop saw stout fellow sewing lace on
bonnet for a Portuguese lady, and going on 10 the
landing place, behold all the erryboats were rowed
| by women aud from passage boat just arrive>r
| saw the females get out OF the cabin at the Civ
What are we eoming TO next said !; an& iDst then
saw carpenter take his foot rule out~0 Ills stock
| ing TO measure some timber which bis apprentice
was cutting with saw WHOSE bldde was set nearly
AZ right angle with the frame. Beofe the door sat
| nan Dusny euRasea IN whitening the thick soles OF
! pair OF shoes. "Thats shoe WHITE suppose,u
said l. ''and ne answers to the shoe black OF other
lands Just so,' SAID my friend, land beyond him
| is poor wretch with a board round his neck for
shlrt collar for ne has got into ciot an article OF
| ms toilet when answers to the gives with which
| those lads In the Tombs are gaInshed instead Of
| bangles"
In the alleys called streets the signs stood on their
ends anu the pigs We're packed IN baskets, which
coolies were carrying TO the infinite satisfaction OF
the inmates; and the shops seemed to have lost
| their fronts and elected their inmates INTO the
streets where they were eating, cooking working,
| selling and sleeping In every imaginable way
loud voice led us TO look In at open door TO see
| what was going on, when we saw II was a school
and the boys were learning their lessons ali CRYING
ike auctioneers. We next passed fashlonabe
lady stepping out OF her chair, her feet ONLY three
inches long, her plated and embroidered petticoat a
foot longer than her gown, and smallest at bottom
and her waist quite concealed. Then came an
ACQUAINTANCE OF my friends accompanying q spen.
didiy carved CONN., "WhoB dead w asked he
mo man hab die" replied the Celestial this one
piece comm present to my old fader he llkee too
much, counta my number proper; ,spose he
he ~ $50. eh ~ retolned nv rr,opd