New-York tribune., 1873-03-18
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
FAR CATHAY.


social condition Of China so much as to contradict
certain erroneous impressions in the popular views
m the subject. The prominent idea of a Chnaman
has but little foundation in fact He is regarded as
a grotesque sert Of animal, who smokes opium per-
petually, browns his daughters as soon as they
ere bern. finds his favorte food rats and pup
pies with no sense Of honor or honesty, and with
whom cruelty is only pastime. Even more incor-
rect are the notions which prevail in regard TO the
foreign residents who have settled in China The
merchants often set down as band of unscrupu-
Jous adyenturers Missionaries are described as an
offciOus meddlesome race, while consuls and naval
officers supposed TO be 10 league with both classes
instead Of restraining them within their legitimate
sphere
The fore ON population in China consists mainly Of
merchants and missionaries. In intelligence ana III
teqrty the former class do not fall behind the mer
chant princes of England and America CONNER
eial honor is a. much the rule with them as Win
seumHnitles of the same importance in other coun-
srios The habits of the foreign merchant IN emma
are very much the same as they are at nome ne
bnlds house in the handsomest style That ne can
afford furnishing il with English furniture, plate
and glass of the best quality For his business pnr-
1oses through the day, he keeps convenient car
riage in which he traverses every part OF the settle
meut His evening exercise is taken in more styl-
Sorses After that comes the dinner at which meal
every foreign resident in China tries tofOrget that he
q. not at home His table is supplied with every
luxury that money can command. Ihe ma
Awe markets abound with excellent tsh, meat,
and vegetables. His own poultry-yard, pig-sty,
and dairy serve to supply any Deficiencies that may
be found The choicest groceries are imported from
England. Wines of a superior quality from the
same source placed on the table, and malt liquors
.l.N load
on liberal scale and it is rarely that the table is
not surrounded by a circle of genial friends and
chance visitors from other parts of the world. The
great drawback in society, hitherto has been the
scarcity of ladies, but a mania for marriage has
lately broken out among the bachelors. few OF
whom do not now visit England but return Bene-
dicks. Ladies' of course, are made much Of The
domestic servants readily adapt themselves to for
eixn customs. Men universally employed, ex-
cept as ladies' maids and nurses. The kitchen is
presided over by man, who has from TWO 10 Iour
mates under him, and they in most cases are the
real artists The cookery is in the best French and
English styles. The dinners and banquets set out
on Chinese tables would do no discredit to any
European cuisines The servants are admirable in
case of an emergency. You may tell the butler late
81 the afternoon that you will have q number Of
guests at dinner in the evening and when the time
comes you will find everything in as good order as
81 the directions had been given week beforehand
1t is the custom in the Winter months for gentlemen
Go make up parties for country shooting as there is
plenty Of pheasants partridges, deer, and widfowl
and on these occasions the Chinese servant is In
valuable.
The Protestant missionaries form an important
element in the foreign society of China. They are
less numerous than the Catholic missionaries, and
pursue different plan of operations The latter
have no intercourse with the mercantile classes Of
foreigners land at into the interior to act upon
the natives Their success is remarkable as their
aevOtiOn The Protestant missionaries, on the other
hand, are usually married, and settle at the open
ports where they mix in the foreign society of each
place. As aynatter of course they usually retain
their dress and national habits. One mistake of
which they have been guilty, is the erection Of
sbowy churches in the foreign style of architecture,
with tall steeples towers risngfabove the low
roofs of the Chinese cities These towers create an
il will in the whole population. who believe that any
erection pointing upwards, except one of their own
pagodas, will brng down evil influences upon the
entire neighborhood.
Among the customs of the Chinese which first at
tract the eye of the observing stranger are the bril-
liant decorations of the shop-signs which are dis
played in all the principal thoroughfares These are
not placed merely upon the fronts Of the shops. Each
establishment is furnished with projecting caves,
At each corner next the street is suspended perpen
dicuIar board richly vanished and inscribed both
sides with the of the and notice of the
commodities for SALE This can be read at distance
by persons passing mp down the street, and fire.
auently a scroll of cloth with similar inscriptions is
hung across the street for the same purpose. The
long hne of these glittering signs stretching over
bead both sides and visible for full mile more.
forms a conspicuous and attractive vista. ramble
along the main street of great Chinese city shows
of the signs to rare advantage, and discloses
wonderful sights.
Here is a remarkably handsome one, vanished Jet
black and inscribed with large boldly penned characters
In gold Ii reads being interpreted, Lmtless produc
uon. Fessts prepared la Tartare. or la Chinose,"
distinction il may be presumed possessed OF more i'm
pcrtance the Ceesals than TO their foreign vstOra
hThe delicaces OF the season. seasugs smothered in
vermieelh and trimmed with nnelyshred ham: Force:
seats ready at all hours" This is side OF the
shop the other is displayed smaller, but not less
PTetentous board suggesting the possession OF Dehca
ties from beyond the seas Peepng into the interior
Of the shop, may be observed another attractive but
smaller sign board tastefuy fitted in crimson and gold
which points 10 the sentimental socabe wayfarer
thai he may be supplied with teteatete meals 10 his
fancy and on the O;her wall Is cd the suggestive
hint also ceverly framed, that famous wine from
the sea" provided for thirsty customers. Each Of
these signs has band of scarlet silk Haunting loosely
Om the handle, that the shop has been lately
established enlarged that some accession OF bus
capital has accrued 10 the hrn scarlet being the
festive color in China. Not nfrequenty coarse white
e0tton or hempclOth may be observed similarly
mounted sign that death has invaded the establish
ent, white being the color OF mourning. At New Year
Lime The sgnboards likewise OrDamented with
Having taken a sip Of their famous wine and courte
Dusy eschewed the offer Of smOthered sea-sug, we
snowy sgnboards backed by upon of heavily
taseed glass lanterns, all pretty painted with figures
flowers and Chinese writing. II does not need any
eOnveIsaDee with the language 10 discover the business
done upon these premises the odor of drugs and
aromaucs being sufficiently suggestive. over the
center door displayed two Characters, mean