The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-12-05
VOL. XV. NO. II.

come together. and I give you a
written paper embodying my consent
to the union, while you. IN like maa-
ner, signify Jour approval, and give me
the paper signed by you, and the en-
gagement Is completed. GU then
cause a great number Of sweet cakes to
be sent TO my daughter for your son,
and these are given around to our
friends as an announcement Of the be
trothal of our daughter. The mar
riage itself may not take place for a
mouth, six months, or a year after the
engagement, according to agreement.
There Is no religious ceremony or mar
riage in China. a friend Of the bride
groom's family-usually a man Of re
spectability and position--is chosen
who reads the marriage ceremony from
a book, which binds the couple, who
before that time, had been strangers to
one another, 10 live together during
life.
Are there not frequent instances eI
unhappy marriages 10 this way?'
NO, indeed On the contrary, such
marriages are nearly always happy
The young couple soon learn to love
one another, ahd live in harmony to-
gether'
DO men gi5sz dowers TO their
daughters in MARRIAGE"
Quite often; but if 4 parent dies
without giving anything to his cough
ters. his property all goes to the -ons.
The daughters get nothing. The
father of the newly-wedded young man
furnishes his house. though if he be
poor the father OF the bride does so
secretly, so as not to expose his pow
erty. The bride, however, is expected
to furnish her chamber and bedding.
The Budhists worship idols, do
they uo;?"
"In one respect they do. They have
images Of all sizes-large churches
have large images and small churches
small ones. Each private house has
its J Joss image, and family worship can
be carried on at home. Besides this,
each family has a record Of its ances-
tors and members who have deceased
These are written on oblong pieces oi
wood, one side containing the time and
place of birth, and the other the date
of the death, aud kept on shelves at
tached to the wall. On each anniver-
sary of the death of these departed
members Of the family, it is supposed
their spirits return to their homes, and
these are worshipped on those days
joss sticks burnt to their memory
and other ceremonies gone through
with. After lapse of ninety years
from the time Of departure, the spirit
of the deceased person ceases to be
worshipped, as it is held that after tina;
period it can no more visit the earth.
"How is business in China?"
In the seaports it is very active
Since
THE DUTIES on TEAS
imported into this country, have, been
abolished, there has been a large spec
ulative demand for teas and other
commodities of the kingdom usually J
exported. In the interior the usua
industries 90 on all the time.
"Is money plenty2"
+ "There s.lenty of money, but out
+ side these k,cities, very little bust
ness actiyt VtEThe Chinese are gen
orally too l1peh afraid to risk thei
money to be enierprisiug.
What interest is paid for money il
China?'
ITO brokers or money-lenders abou
fourteen per cent. per annum, will
good collateral. In pawn shops tn
rate is three per cent. per month.
THAT is better than five per cent.
week in Boston. Are there any usur.
laws in China?"
"None. All the government doe
/ is to enforce a contract made betweel
individuals"
in regard to teas, how is the sup
ply regulated?"
by the demand. If there is an in
creased demand, more land is pu
under cultivation, aud larger suppl
is produced.
"Aro teas adulterated in China?"
"Yes, but not until they reach tn
factories. The adulterations, whic
consist principally of coloring matter
are usually harmless The best an
purest teas are the black teas, tn
ooloags, etc. There are tea factorie
where the teas are sorted, graded an
boxed for shipment to foreign coun
tries, in Foo Chow (the most exten
sive in China, in Canton, Shangha
Annoy and Chew Shan (Formosa,
The green teas and some of the Japan
are the ones that arc doctored th
most.
What kind Of tea do you use i
your family-that is, drink yourself
Mr.. Ar. ar Shower"
Il use black tea. oolong principally
in my family. Formosa tea is pur
and generally of good quality"