Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-11-22
The Chinese.

A recent writer, holding an official
position under the British Govern
ment in Canton, has furnished some
curious details as to the domestic ex-
penses OF Cinnamon. The currency
in China is made up OF three none.
tary denominations, to wit, the "tael,'
or ounce of silver, worth at par, ST.
331-3; the Mexican dollar; and the
"tsien" or cash." of which nominal.
ly 1000, but usually 1900 to 800
constitute the dollar. This minute
subdivision of the dollar affords great
facilities for buying food ard goods
in small quantities. Now it has been
stated that Chinese beggar can sus-
tain life upon 80 cash, or about two
cents day. Upon this point the
writer mentioned says that in China
life can be, and frequently is, sup
ported for considerable time upon
even a less sum than 80 cash, but pre-.
fers to place the average cost of the
food and lodging of the lowest class
of Chinese at As cash, or three cents
a day. At this rate the cost of living
per month would amount to 80 cents,
and this is the lowest sum upon which
existence can be indefinitely prolong-
ed. The next higher class, the ordin-
airy laborer or coolie, expends from
$1.20 to 81 month for food alone.
AT 81, it is estimated the coolie could
live above the style of his class. Up
on one tael or S1.331-3 cents per
month he would have a sufficient
quantity of rice, fish and vegetables
and pork, once day; upon one dol
lar month, he might be able to live
for some time, but would, in all pro-
liability, be finally broken down by
disease, resulting from hard work,
exposure and poorness Of diet. The
better classes in China, who live com.
fortably, but without display, are es-
timated to expend about 81 a month
for each individual.
In regard to rent, the Chinese en-
JOY superior advantages, the cheapest
houses for a single person being as
low as 10 cents a month, and these
narrow quarters being often occupi-
ed by two or three families. A mar
ried coolie will, it is stated, share a
house Of three rooms with another
married coolie at a total rental of
81 a month. The class expending
an average OF 81 a head for food will
occupy house renting from S72 to
S06 year. The rate of wages for
servants in houses renting for the
above sum is from 60 cents to $l.40
a month in addition to food, and three
servants from the ordinary establish
ment of married man with children.
Two dollars a month, it is believed,
would cover the expense Of each ser.
want; in some families the servants
are also supplied with clothes. From
the above considerations the total
expenses of a Chinese Iaborer for
himself and wife, are fixed at $3.50
for food and one dollar for rent, max
ing a necessary outlay of $3.50 per
month, exclusive of clothes.
The lowest sum on which a Chi
nese could manage to work and to
support life, would be s2.35 for food
and rent. The cost of living in the
various classes of Chinese cannot be
particularized in the different grades,
but the expenses of a family of the
respectable better class composed of
man, his wife and three children,
are placed at $50 a month, divided
as follows: For rent, S8; food for
three servants, SO; food for parents,
S8; food for the three children, IS,
and wages Of servants SO, making the
total of $50, as above given. The
prime necessaries of life in China are
very cheap, but it is asserted that the
silly stories of the Chinese want of
nicely in eating garbage and ofal,
are utterly destitute of foundation
and illuatured, as none but the lowest
beggars eat anything that would Of
fend the tastes of the European races.