The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-07-29
The Chinese at North Adams,
Mass.

Mass.
The Chinese have rs yet exhibited nc
idolatrous belief. have no fixed faith ol
that kind. though they have their minia.
ture Josses slowed away among their
Lares and Penaies. They evinco truly
impartial willingness IN attend the forms
of worship established here. and are to te
found In almost equal numbers ut the va
rious churches every Sunday. behaving
with perfect decorum, though evidently
with little appreciation of the solemni'
ties or significance of the occasion. On
"a recent communion Sunday eight oi
them attended the Congregational church
and occupied two adjoinioc pews. Al.
ter the breaking Of the bread, the pastor
extended his usual invitation-this Is a
very liberal church-to all who love the
Lord Jesus Christ to partake, and tho dea-
cons passed the plate To the Cinnamon.
One, who sat at the door of the first pew,
evidently understanding something Of the
right, nlOtioncd his companions to decline,
which they did. When the wine was cir
culated however. It was evident to those
whose curiosity got tho better of their
devotion. and who were watching the
Oricntsls, from their whispering and
smiling that they were resolved on par.
taking of this, but tho deacons passed
them by this time. and did not extend the
cup. This naturally caused q little amuse-
ment to tho irreligious spectators, but the
Chinese appeared imperturbable.
A large, light, and airy kitchen, sup
piled with ample range and tables, has
been partitioned of, and from this opens
large wash room. In this room arc In
stalled two elderly Chinese cooks, A
glance ut this apartment when in full
blast dispels at once many of the preva-
lent ideas respecting Chinese fare, which
have been drawn from tho pictures oil
piytailed Cclestials with bamboos Of rats
and puppies slung across their shoulders.
The principal difference between their
food and that of ordinary Caucasian h-
borers Is in the substitution of rice for
bread. Rice Is the principal component
of each meal. and 1t Is thanked by moth
ing more disgusting than beef, pork,
or fish. cooked with vegetables In ortlina-
~ style. The supper and breakfast are
made of rice, with fish sauce, resembling In
appearance anchovy, string-beans. &C..
and tea. The scrupulOus neatncss Of the
cooks Is commented on by all.
THE MESS HALL.
Four men are the complement to Ia
BILE and each squad takes care of Its own,
two benches and dishes. The ownership
of benches, or their position In the room.
is indicated by Chinese character artis-
tically cut into each. The table furniture
is simple. A big pan for rice and anoth-
er for meat ,.r vegetables, and n plate
for sauce make up the common stock.
and n bowl and pair of chopsticks
apiece the individual quota. The bowls
are of the genuine blue and white China,
from the Flowcry Kingdom, and the
oliops' icks small ebony rosls, tapering
towards the point and perhaps foot long.
Each disposes of the solids of his meal
from his bowl, using the sticks with sur
prising dcxterity, and washes out tho
bowl with tea. which he takes straight" "
milk and sugar being considered unwel-
come adulter,,tions to the Asiatics. The
tea they use is brought from China to San
Francisco especially lor them. and is pe-
culariy fine and delicate. They drink
nothing else. keeping n huge pot of tea
constantly in the bottolning room. to
which each applies when thirsty. Char.
ley Sing occupies separa'e table AMI
enjoys little more varied and more
American bill Of fare.
THE SLEEPING QUARTERS.
Each bunk is provided with mattresses
and blankets. and closed from obscrva-
ton by n calico curtain. A fine system of
ventilation has been introduced and the
room is airy and not in the least close or
confined. Each man takes care of his
own bunk. and keeps his clothing neatly
hung up mt the head. This hall commu-
nicates with the mess room on ono side
and the yard on the other.
Many visitors daily make tho rourds oil
the shop and the "Asiatio Hotel" and
are much amused by the quickncss of
the Mongolians in Observing any new pc.
culiarities of their guests. A gentleman
wearing white silk hat was surprised in
passing small group of tho yellow boys
to have one address him rs "Watt hat"
whether Chinese rendering Of white
hat. OF the more slangy "what hat" he
was in doubt. Tho waxed m,ist,che of
one of tho party, seemed to provoke the
liveliest mirth Of the Orientals, who
were evidently not familiar with that de-
yelopenient OF. civilization. Their amuse-
ment was evidenced by u series of the
most expressive and laughter provoking
gestures and grimaccs, their stock of Eng
iish being manifestly inadequate to do
justice to the subject. They appear very
friendly and pleased with visitors, and
when introduced by Mr.. Chase or Char
ley. will repeat the names of their guests
with great precision. All are now work
ing regularly and gradually increasing
the amount Of finished work turned out
daily. The question Of their speed rs
workmen can only be answered by the
experience of time, but in the other es-
senti,ls of workmen they are fully salts
flying their employers and, naturally, no
one else, except the Crispins, seems dis
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