The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1870-11-10
From Good Health.
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within sight of each other, named re.
'pectively Hankow, Hanyang, and WI
chang. The first claims attention al
being the 'entrepot for the black teal
prepared in the adjoining Maboning dis
tricts, and on account of its marking
the limit of foreign steam navigation or
the Yangtsze permitted by the Imperia
government; whilst the second, even
including its suburbs, is unimportant.
But the third, being the capital of Hoo.
peh, the residence of the Viceroy, gov.
erning both the pr' vince and HOunan,
and possessing an extensive Conlucian
temple, fitted with 5000 cells for the
reception of students assembled to un.
dergo the triennial examination, is well
worthy of notice. On such an occasion
it is DANGEROUS for foreigners to visit
Wuchang, as the young literati, parta.
king somewhat of the boisterous spirits
and frolicsome demeanor which are the
occasional characteristics of college stu
dents at home, are apt to indulge in
practical jokes, which, if the visitor re-
sents, usually terminate in brawl. So
well known is this. that it is customary
for the foreign Consuls stationed at
Hankow, on the opposite side OF the
river there about a mile in width, to
advertise the date and duration of each
examination, and warn their respective
cOuntrymen to refrain from visiting
Wuckang during their continuance.
But il is precisely on such an interest
ing. though probably dangerous, occa-
sion that the foreigner, bent on the &C.
QUESTION of information, and especially
desirOus OF an insight into Chinese so
cial life, longs to stroll through the
quaint old city, to linger about the
shops, and enter the clustered temple,
as at that time a greater volume and
variety of Asiatic life is to be met with
than during any other period of the in.
tervening three years.
1t was, therefore, with a feeling of
peculiar satisfaction that we became
aware of an invitation to dinner at the
house Of high mandarin, just received
by our friend the Consul, and accompa-
MED by chairs and bearers to convey us
there. Whilst being jolted along by
coolies it may not be out Of place to give
the reader few memoranda raIatiye to
Chinese food, and how some of it is OBJ
tained. As race the Chinese are vo-
racious, and to the foreigner aceustom-
ed to look apon the appessing of appetite
as one of the minor duties of life, the
epicurean idiosyncrasies Of the wealthy,
aud obtrusive feeding Of the middle and
lower classes, appear totally devoid of
refinement Omniverous to a degree,
there is not creature or plant which
art or industry can procure, capable of
being eaten with safety, that is not used
for foOd-dogs, cats, rats, sea-slugs,
sharks fins, grubs found in the sugar
cane, dried silk-wOrms, earth worms.
mysterious roots, leaves and tendrils-
all are consumed by high or low. The
flesh of wild horses is much priced
the larvae of the sphinx moth, bears
paws, and other animal extremities are
considered delicious; and edible birds
nests, the work of the Hirundo esculenta,
swallow which builds only among the
steepest precipices in the islands of Nav
laysia, stand high in Importance at a
mandarin's dinner; and deservedly so
in pecuniary point of view. as this
delicacy costs at the rate of $35 per lb. |
Sometimes served as an enlree, it is
more frequently converted into soup,
and brought to table along with another,
composed of mares milk and ducks
blood. The species of dog usually cook
cd is small, delicate spaniel of detected
appearance, whose demeanor contrasts
vividly with the noisy demonstrations
of the wild Tartary cats, generally ex-
posed for sale by the same dealer;
whilst the rats, large, plump, and by no
means repulsive-looking, are brought
to market neatly prepared, and skewer-
ed ready Tor roasting. In addition to
their ordinary plan Of netting fish, the
Chinese adopt two other methods which
bear the stamp Of novelty, and are not
by Izaack Walton in his in.
struciions to the disciples of the "gen-
lie art" Probably nowhere else would
ihe idea occur TO even the most impe-
,uniOus fisherman to convert a dead !
into bait Sailing along {
liver Or canal, the traveller occasionally {
ices in the dusk of The evening, among
he lotus flowers and fringes OF reeds
which border the streams, four stout $
oolies vigorously shaking an object
'ver basket. A nearer approach re- e
eals the unusual sight of a corpse be- a
ng denuded of the silver cells which i
ave collected in it during the day c
Where these exquisite and beautiful b
Sh abound, the fishermen are on the il
lert TO detain any remnant of mortality f
eating along. by tying it to stake Fl
lightly, the shaking of the defunct b
roceeds, and is continual time after o
me as long as the remains cling to- e
ether. e
AT another point the foreigner has G
is attention arrested by the appearance e
an open punt, with we'll in the CEN r,
e compartment, and perches project v
lg from the gunwale on the outside. D
N each perch two fishing cormorants a
and side by side, while the fisherman h
ropels the boat by means of an oar g,
yer the stern, and has within reach two n
ng bamboos, one with bag net at al
'e end. AT a signal the birds bound b.