New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-02-20


they never saw, and which of course they never
fnd But was ever fair arranged like one OF
thesef Hero are furniture shops, curio shops,
toy shops pork and sausage shops; butchers and
bakers tea dealers and paper dealers; bird fanciers
washermen and fishermen; cOf1in-makers, sng-sng-
ers and mountebanks; musicians land such mnsic6
priests and prostitutes knife grinders anu organ
grinders; umbrella members, and Sham-Shu peddlers
sugar-cane and ricecake peddiers; charcoal burners
and pedders BARRIERS and rag pickers chair Coolies,
gamblers, and hnerant vagabonds all huddled to-
gether in one seething nextricable mass Flatfaced
women with enormous teapot head dresses and little
splay feet swathed and bandaged looking for all the
world like so many overloaded fower-pots ready to
fall from topheaviness ong-tailed, bighatted, fat
footed Coolies with the everlasting bamboo poles on
their shoulders, and scores of boys and grls-mna-
ture editions of the above-putty and saucer
eyed, and all looking so much alike that it seems lit
tie less than marvellous how their own parents are
able to recognize them. There sits well-to-do
merchant enjoying his pipe before tho door of his
dark little den, redolent with the fumes of opium
and sandal-wood, and immediately opposite are
dozen stalwart coolies gambling for iced fruit or
rce-cakcs All is life. hustle, and confusion. No
where in the wide world can such pictures of active
life, persistent labor, money-grabbing, industry
and ayarice be seen We grope our way through
the crowd and mount the stairs once moro.
The lower class Of Chinese do not bear very good
character. In 1915 they were publicly designated Us
set of pirates and robbers and their status does
not appear to have improved much SINCE They con-
sst of two distinct tribes or clans known as Hak-
kasp and Puntes" They are perpetually at war
with each other and the stories of their almost daily
rencotrcrs wei Tho olice reports of Victoria The
city constabuary force ia altogether composed OF
Malays and East Indians. These custodians Of the
peace. dressed up in their long blue uniforms and
stiff stocks, after the most approved London style.
are really most formidable and imposing body OF
nIcn. They strut about in manner that would pro-
woke @ smile from anybody but Chinaman, who
seems TO stand in most abject awe of them. The
Malays taking advantage of this and their position,
use their batons and clubs most numerically, and
most unprovoked and wanton acts Of cruelty were
perpetrated on these poor fellows during my stay.
But must draw my rambles ON this wonderful little
island TO close. Hong Kong, in spite Of its large
Chinese populations its cuno shops, its tea
hongs and its opium dcns and gambling hells leaves
an unmlstakable European stamp upon it, and the
traveller who would study the character and habits
of that truly wonderful people, must leave Hong
Kong aIr push into the interior as soon rs possible.
Before leaving it, however let us take look in upon
one of the characteristic institutions Of the place.
Rambling one cyenng-as was our wonted custom
when not too tired with the day. work-through the
Chinese quarter, my attention was attracted by q
light through partially opened doorway and an UNI
usual display Of red pa per slips which danged from
the sign over the door, Ny first impression was that
il was a small oss-house, or pawnbroking establish
ment An impression which the appearance of a
crowd Of natives standing grouped round what
seemed TO be large altar, or ovalshaped table, in
side, served TO strengthen. But extremes meet in
this wonderful country and people ina most singular
manner Churches. pawnbrokers' shops, and
gamblug-hcll are 30 much alike outside
that the foreigner. as in my case, IS continually in
danger of mstaking one for the other, on in slang
yerbiage putting his foot IN it," Seeing my curiOs
ity ooitcd one OF two of the insiders next the doot
...'iJncd me 10 comcin accepted their invitation
and soon found that il was gambling shop. Some
idea OF the extent TO which gambling X carried on
among these people may be gathered from the fact
that over $4,000 a month-a sum equal to a quarter
OF a million dollars years. paid TO Government FOR
these gambling licenses. Over and above this
the profits are known to be very large.
No sooner was | inside than way was cleared for
me- and soon stood near the elbow Of the banker or
croupier, where had a good chance OF witnessing
the movements Of those around me.
The table or platform OF which the game is con-
ducted is between three and four feet high, about
six feet long and three broad, and IS usually covered
with piece OF mating Owing TO the hight OF tins
stand stools or raised foot-boards are not unfre-
quenty placed around the table, upon which the bet
ters elevate themselves to the desired point. The
game is very simple simple indeed as to soon lose
all its interest 10 all but those engaged in stalking
upon its chances. Near the banker Is q tray filled
with dollars, smaller coins. and little packets OF
broken silver lie also has supply of bank notes in
a drawer In front VI him lays square slab usually
composed Of pewter. On tho sides OF this slab are
marked one, two. three, and four respectively am
invited to bet and stake n small sum on No. III,
over Chinese playing card.
The banker does not know the name Of the players,
and in order TO maintain their separate individual
ties he deals to each one playing card and regards
them in his own mind during the game, not as IIo-
Kec, PohK Wum- Kee or Fun, but as such and
such number of such and such suit.
Before we begin to stake, man seated at the other
end of the table takes from large heap of bright,
clean Chinese cash before him, double handful,
which he places in smaller heap upon the table and
covers with pewter cup. When all have staked, he
takes of the cup. and this done, no more stakes can
be- made. Now. with long chop-stck. no draws four
cash from the heap, and then four more, and then
four more and 80 on until the four last have been
drawn out and only three remain, and have won!
The banker takes up all the stakes on the one hro
and four sides of the pewter slab hrst ana then 10
pays the winners receive back my dollar, and three
dollars besides less per cent, the bankers commits
sion, so that | win a. 10.
There is kind Of arthmetical phenomenon TO DO
met with at most Chinese gambling houses Who' by
some mysterious process of counting can always tell
what the winning number will be, before the cash
have been half counted. There stands one Of these
prodigie, now. The instant the cup is taken on the
L.ox l. ,,xo. ,nop the cash and / expect, begins