Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-14
Chinese Earsua

Ioe Wlole SURFACE OF inc ptaln was covered
With autumn cotton crop still standing. The
econo mic husbandry of China lays hold of
every bit OF ground, aud not q single rood
was lying fellow. In the spring this vast
extent Of cotton-oovered ground. now a
snowy expaDse OF foecy hollis, starred here
and there with bright sulphur yellow blos-
som, bad been one huge field OF waving
fertility Of the rich slIuvial soil, 1t had
produced its third crop-namely, rice.
There was an air OF quiet; OF pc ace and
deniZens seemed neither to heed nor to re-
quire the products OF other lands. Villages
there were zone to ee seen. The Inhabitants
dwelt In single hOmesteads, or In snug cot
tages, collected In little groups, like tiny
hsmlets, of three or four. These pleasantly
diversified the landscape. Clumps of trees,
from between which peered out OF the
quaint, curved roofs-so marked q feature
of the architecture OF Eastern China-cut
the Skyline and redeemed the view from
the dull, monotony of an endless plain. The
farms bore the aspect OF being owned by the
well-to do. As the narrow pathway passed
In front OF each prosperous looking home
On the one nand broad trench divided
the roadway from the fields; on the other
ran a neat lattice fence, deity woven of
Rant creeper which surrounded the little
garden and the various farm buildings.
Within this fence stood the stately trees
q slim and graceful bamboo, growing not
in clusters as further south, but In single
stems. The little plot between the house
walls and the palipg was planted with let
husbandma1 grudges even q corner TO gar
den flowers; but here and there bloc med q
few asteIs or OVERWHELMING which would
put our Temple garden sho rs to shame; and
once In way, the gorgeous crimson of the
gigantic Chinese cockscomb glowed against
the dingy backgrounds of the farmhouse
wall. The first tints OF autumn were already
deepening on the leaves, and rich yellows,
browns ard reds added color to a picture
which would otherwise have presented too
great sameness OF hue. The dwellings
invariably faced the esplanade. and flied up
an interval in the fence, which Joined them
at either end. We Will describe one. II was
long ard low, without an upper story. The
principal room was In the center aud was
entered by wide folding doors. Within IL
the members of the family who were not
in the fields could be seen at meals, or at in
door work. Some few perhaps We're weay-
ing long strips of coarse cotton cloth on the
esplanade in 'front.' AT a window was an
turning the rollers of the simple machine
that frees the white tufts OF cotton from the
seeds. A sharp twanging sound issued
from the chamber At the side By inquiry
lads "teazing" the cotton into thin flakes
with quaint implement like fiddle-bow.
The stranger was received With civility, or
rather with that absence of civility which
seems the sum total of politeness am ong the
Chinese A hideous chorus, set up by the
yelpipg ours which infested every homestead
In The nefghbOrhOOd; q sharp reproof from
the farmer or his lads, which produced
silence, or low and scarcely audible growls;
q ready response, In pantC mime, to q CUES
lion In the same form as to the way, and
then relapse into silence and busy labor,
as though no one of foreign race was with
In league-such was the strangers only
greeting. The children and the younger
women retreated within the gates, or back
10 the farther corner Of the room, when the
strange face OF the barbarian" was seen
oonned their winter clothing, as early and
late The autumn air was fresh and nipping.
The blue blouses and leggings, quilted AMI
stuffed with cotton, were piled on one above
smother, till the little wearers looked like
miniature balloons. The gait of the women
the universal custom In these Northern
provinces, was uDgTaceful In the extreme,
and they tOddleG about in SO uncertain q
manner as to excite establishment at their
untiriDg Industry in the fields. Their dress
was tasteless in shape and color, and their
atures lacked even the slight share of good
looks possessed by their sisters of the pro vim
ces further South. There was little to At
tract the stranger to stay, or to induce him
TO investigate the style and processes of the
native farm. Foul odors assailed his sense
OF smell as soon as he approached one OF
these latter. The ditch between the home
stead and the fields was but q fetid sewer.
Cnutterable horrors were collected beneath
the windows by the wayside, and the filth
OF The garments OF men, and women and the
ch1Idfen was such as must be seen to be
believed. The comfort, and even abundance,
or which so many signs were evident, was
O|erIald by superlativenesS of dirt which
TIE squalor attendant On the most abiect
poverty can hardly match. The visitor
gladly turned away to continue his walk,
Pnd 10 con template scenes which could only
be enjoy ed when looked at from affair." Fort.
Mighty ReCie,U.