Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-14
Il CHINESE.
Description Of John at work---Ths Gen.
dItioa- of Things in North Adams.

Correspondence Of the Boston Post.l
-NoRTH ADAMS, July 6.-The last of
Mr.. SIMPSONS seventy-five Chinese
shOemakers having been set at work
to-day, and the whole number being
now industriOusly employed, some
ideas of their capability and efficiency
can be formed, all this having been
mere conjecture in the past, To-day
completes three weeks from the first
entry Of the Mongolians into the
shops. and to-day there are several
{" teamsD who no longer require the
supervision of an instructor, but work
on their own hook, aud turn out
equally good work with the average
of that performed by the Crispins. In
fact, Mr.. Sampson declares that his
work never averaged as good in
quality, under the old d~ispensation,
as now. As to rapidity, of course the
UFientals are inferior, rs yet, to their
predecessors. 1t has been thought
best 10 allow them to take their own
time, merely requiring that the work
shall be wen and thoroughly done,
and allow them to gain speed there
after. But II the Cinnamon be net as
rapid as the CrispiuS, they make up
in persistent, unFemitting industry,
which, in the long run, will enable
them to make a fair showing, at least
"a to quantity of work turned out.
To-day the last detachment of fifteen,
who have hitherto been in blissfuI
ignorance of the art, were brought
into the shops, and, under the tu-
telage of their brethren who have
already acquired it, are plunglng into
its mysteries. E
These Chinese are a most Observant
and initiative people. Their little,
oblique, almond eyes take in a great
deal of what Is going on around them,
and on occasion they prove that their
memories are alike quick and reten-
tive and their facility for execution
good. With their utter ignorance.
both of the craft and OF our language,
it is a matter of surprise how speedily
and thoroughly they have mastered
the t~echniealitieS Of the business, and
what they are shown Once they rarely
forget or need to be shown a second
time, Hence their progress in acqui-
ring the trade has been as rapid as
that Of average English-speaking APP
prentices, and has far exceeded the
expectations of Mr.. Sampson, or his
superintendent, Mr.. Chase. "A
1t is novel and pleasing sfghtthat
the bottoming room in Mr. SIMPSONS
factory presents. All around the spa
ciOus apartment, which is on the sec
ond floor, and lighted on three sides,
are teams Of the yellow-skinned
apprentices, industriOusly pegging
away, each at his own particular
bench, and passing the work along to
its next stage. Each team" consists |
of three men, each of whom performs
a certain part Of the bOttoming, and
together completing the shoes ready
for the finishers. In the center stand
pegging machines, which are al
ready managed with much skill by a
couple of the CelestialS. 80
The foreman and interpreter, All
Sing, or, as he pow calls himself,
Charley Sing, is a tall, good looking
young fellow, who speaks, reads and
writes English with considerable IA
be isvery quiet and unassum-
in his manners, but has excellent
government over his Oriental breth-
rem, and is the principal medium of
communication between them and
the white instructors and foreman.
He was unfortunate enough TO have
his right thumb crushed On the cam OF
4 pegging-machine, two weeks ago.,
~ the sudden starting of the power
~ a green hand whom he was in
,tructing. He carries his hand in a
ling, and says it's @Weliy sore,A but
better He wears better
than the majority of the Chi
aamen. aud enjoys some privileges,
and comforts extra to theirs. t5s
Notwithstanding the influx of visi- 7
lOrs With which the factary has been
laiiy oyerrun, the Mongolians lose
very little time in noticing them. Or
,nnariiiy, they keep steadily at work,
looking at nothing else, and seefnne
yauife0hsei0us that outside barbariansI
are II q room, or that anything on
earth, save ~shOemaking, Is worth iiv-
ing Tor. When the visitors approach
a "team9 and manIfest particular M
terest in them, they simply look M
with a pleasant smile and nod and
perhaps a cheerful show do.' and 90
pm as before. They converse sparing-
" and always pleasantly; In fact, Mr..
chase aVeFs that he has never heard
an unkind word exchanged laor seen
any trace of discordant feeling sineel
he took charge OF the Asiatics at San
Francisco. Their language sounds no
more unpleasant than Spanish or Ger
man, and Is certainly as musical as
All the men are young, none over