New-York tribune., 1880-02-22
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
CONE onn CHINESE CUSTOMS.
rorrpTrFN MONTHS IN CANTON. By Mrs Ora
" Ail MAcmIllln ~ Co

is the wife of a distinguished clergyman CT the
Church Of England. whose long residence in the
Civ of Canton and intimate acquaintance with us
inhabitants have afforded her uncommon facilities
for gaining the information which she sets forth III
so lively and agreeable a manner. Her work, Whch
was written during fourteen months residence ID
Canton during winch time she kept mp familar
Intercourse with variOus classes of the people III
their own homes consists of series OF letters TO her
mother and other family relatives and friends IN
England who had eXprC ssed an interest IN the de-
tails of her Chinese experience. Her narrative
accordingly bears the charm of extreme simplicity
she does not hesitate at the minute description OF
the most familiar incidents; not particle Of starch
is 10 be found in her composition her reverend anu
revered husband always figures in her RACES as
Henry : everything is called by its proper name,
without disguise or circumlocution; and her words
are sent TO the press they fell from her pen.
Mrs. GRAY arrived in Canton in the Spring of 1877.
On entering the arbor she was first struck with thc
crowd of boatmen AMI boatwomcn who were scream
np with all their might to attract the attention OF
pasSenrers Their costume was peculiar, composed
of dark blue cotton blouse and wide trousers
which reached "A little below the knee. The feet
and lcgs were bare The women wore wonderful
h.adGross. Their hair was aItlsilcally arrange"
tcap0t fashion with IldrStOnc clasps. lhcy il''u
also iadcStonc earrings aud iadeSionc bangles. lie
scene was quite bcwildering. The writer saw an
cid Clinaman talking TO Henry who proved Il"
be the head servant Of the family. and bad come
out m order tc be on the spot on tie ARRIVAL oi INC
steamer lie selected boat. and they wcr" soon nj
the parsonage. The brdc,1) was surprised to see
so charming aud comfortable a home. VI was III
the Italian STYLE of architecture, two stories hl-h
with two dccp vcrandas IT th" rear, looking ON 'hc
river There was a spacious hall and fine drawing
room. The first duty was 10 complete the inventory
of furniture in the house. wbch was already very
tolcraby well of in that respect. Her adventures
in pursuit of old China and Oriental carpets Were
not more pcrilous than befall many New-l'rk
housckceper:-
We have visited many Of the old chnawarc shops.
and have pickcI up, even il these two or three
davs some good pieces of ancient buc chlra s" ON
drayying-room begins to look hOmclise lou mus
remember that the ChaDla Is already furnished.
We have purchased some small square 'H'ucs,
carpcis some oi which are yellow in IN ground
color with devices in hlUr; others whit" IN the
ground color. with most curious patterns III ST
peuts ancient characters l.nch ~ Shau, meaning
longevity and various animals. IN nl9ht i"''
uuch tesemh' - coarse tapestry. We could hlI We
wished have bought European car2ets, rs We saw
some hanging mp ln the street where We made
our purchases and | believe that the nous'S ~
ShaInccn 1.-THE European settlement ~ CANTON
generally are caipated with them bui we intend
10 clnbe lash our house as much a. p"NN.bIc J"
Chinese style. On oui arrival (Which was SONG
what unexuectedl at the Clap!aiucy. the Whole
house was In disorder, and the diniuC-iooln H'"i
WAS in the hands OF a painter; hut very suuit
time sutliced Tor the Chinese boys to arrange ia"
furniture aud the floors are painted III the SIT
tup-roOnis as well * the bedrooms, thClr Is no
need to lay down carpets. a. with us ~ Lm2idh9.
Whilst we were sill III disorder i!lcId oi Henry
arrived in her chair and most hIuiA nrEs'h "I us
to stay with her for "a few days, uuiIl Our house
could be made ready for our use: nut we dccIlheu
her kind invitation, after our journey oi Zen
"A fp H..
The business of shopping is reduced to a system
in Canton, which shows some comical features.
though not much less forlorn than the common
place American model
Ibove tborourhlv cuioycd the shopping. and wish
Won could see enter shop. salut" the mast of
H. receive hs chn-clin ~ return then taL Il seat
III the inner shop (lOr IN many cases. the shops are
divided INTO two cOmparm"ut-l, ana receive my
cup of the simple IN its full sense ~ II - without
milk or sugar. Then You mention what YOU re
nuire and the article Is brought ia and displayed
hclorc YOU. he master ol the Sh"p names Ms WlCc
Henry after appearing to reflect i0r lew seconds
probabIy offers half what lsdcmandcd. and ue bar
cuinIng il then begun. II Is all done ~ perfect
good humor. Sometimes Hcnrys first offer is ac-
ceutcd and then one knows tat 1t X more than
fair price, sometimes he advances nearer 20 the
merchant demand, but nc does thl' slowly, and a.
a rulc ~ hc advances the owner OF thc shop drop,
ms Drlcc httlc by little. In street. however,
where foreigners generally deal. wlch J. close TO
Shamcen, the price IS ilNed o1' Ia ihN street are
snmc beautiful SHOPS containing IVORY car 'nLS,
rev. rv silk goods, ana black wood furniture. IN
the provision shops YOU see s.raugr sights H. some
| | have noticed ducd ra's cooked dog n'@h-Nihch
wien cut up, u l., INTO joints Tor Hai", nave
mistaken for sucking g-plg-ducks bills edible birds
! nests and every variety of meat ana htl. IN" lat
| ter Is IA Disgusting sgnt a. 10 make D. look itrsL
each piece when cut u sncared over WITH bloud In
poultcIcrs shops have seen owls, whit" k> with
! tneIr ewes sovn u2 TO prevent them from taking
fright at the passera-hY, a. they stand usually on
oue ler on ucrchcs III front of the shops. lizards. tor
! toisrs etc, ali for human food. Nothing Is wasted
hy the thriiy Chinese: ali and every per; of an AMI
NAL is rcckOlicd by them "a GOOD 10 De eaten. have
! also observed grent numbcr OF op"u-a'r stalls.
| winch are placed either under mat coverings, or
eiriniv under large umbrc las made OF dried palm
! leaves have seen most picturesque groups ,tand-
/ inp ronnd these stalls drinking toLp, Or eating
boiled rice with chOpstIcks or perhaps taking cake,
! ar other hight rcfrcshmcnt. The Chinese are most
! lpveterae gamblers, and have nuilccd snail boys
| gambling a. stalls where NUS, Oranges. or other
fruits are sold Ia tIc streets ana squares one often
sees groups OF four or FIVE Chinese squattHg. who
! are engaged N PLAYING cards and doninOcs, while
| Others stand and look on at the game
The new conner soon fell into the routine Of max
ing fashionable calls which at first afforded her not
a little amusement By the chance OF observing more
closely the interior of the houses III tho European
ouatcr. She was much struck with Their English
apDcarance, carpetcd tncy were with English
carpets, and mauy welknown cngrayings hanging
! on the walls The black wood furniture and the
large verandas are all that give the idea of being
N the East when seated in of these iarg draw
inq-rooms The scene was diversified bya visit to
a ncighborng monastery, which the writer de-
scribe, with her usual bland and clldlikc
JUNCTION -
When our calls were paid. We went into the city.
and after search in of the curiosity snop, for
| blue CHINA, we went into the Flowcry Furcs;
| Monastery. The monks were having "A meal IN IN
hall and plentiful the feast appeared 10 be- with s
| many dishes containing various portions of food.
| They rose and welcomed us. and expressed great
| pleasure IN seeing Henry again. We begged them
| ivon can iInagine mine WAS the pantOmimc actipul
to Ie seated. They offered us seats at another
| table. and one of the young monks brought lis tea
in covered cups Another of them. whose dnty II is
| to receive visitors, sat down with U.s. and Henry
| and ne cbiu-chinncd each other 10y touching cups
and then yye sIppcd our tca Dried fruit of yarioIS
i,L. liche1s Namuecs, dragnns eNcs. dI led ri nrer