New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-11
CHINESE AUTOGRAPHS.
From Gdligndnf

Chinese customs are very peculiar, and present
an inexhaustible fund of surprises. Among the
most curious is the fondness Of the Chinese for the
use of red as their official color. In China, I'M
pera ediots are traced with red ink-their distnc-
tive finland are regarded with the greatest ven
eraticn, which. by the way, is by no means always
the with similar official productions in Europe
The use of red ink is with a few exceptions lie
served TO the Emperor as was that OF purple paper
10 the Byzantine potcntates in the seventh and
eighth centuries. The cdicts, or simple dcta
signed by the Son of Heaven. have ever been held
in deep respect in the Celestial Empire. An in
stance in point: An Ambassador once sent by
Louis XIV. as the bearer of presents TO Kang-lli.
qG at tine PaGg one Of 70 tbs q@ npe a oo
the ENJOYS message and returned with a square
bit of paper laeonically Inscribed in red ink Of
well" For some time brisk competition
tinued among Chinese autograph collectors for this
precious mssive which finally became the property
In the early days of the Chinese Empire the
soverejgns did not trouble themselves regularly
sign official documents, but used to dip the thumb
wet sdigts were applied to the paper, the finger
marks serving as signatures: After the fingers
had thus been used, the rest of the ink was wiped
or on the flowing silk robes just as many s0yenly
individuals of the present dry their pens on their
coats. The higher Mandarns also got into tue habit
of signing in this primitive fashion, and with their
crimsoned fingers used TO trace an indcscrbabe
heroglyphic on the papers submitted to them.
Others even went further. After immersing the
palm of one of the hands In the fluid, they
Stabbed it on the paper, and thus affixed their
signatures. This latter custom was not peculiar 10
China, being also practised by all the early SOW
ereigns of the East. Hence the reason why an
open hand at the head of all Slahometan state
papers represents the signature of the Grand Seign
Tor. Sultan Amurath III. who lived in the four
teenth century, was n solitary exception TO this
rule. He used the figure of a leopard instead Of an
open hand.
The passion of the Chinese for the possession OF
the signatures of the Emperor or his Mandarnsis
such That, in default of anything better many Of
the inhabitants of the Flowory Land have their
autocrats initals--in red-on their fans These
articles of luxury, it must he remembered
essential portions of the national costume. Whether
the weather be hot or cold, in rain and snow alike.
every CONNIE IL lGut Chinaman must never be I'M
provided with his fan. And 1t is natural enough.
human nature being much the same everywhere,
that fans bearing the Imperial initials specially
in favor. The Chinese are, besides ardent auto
graph collectors In Europe an artist will make
present of a painting from his brush TO n valued
or honored friend while an author presents h.
literary production. In China the highest token OF
esteem on the part of one or its inhabitants is bis
autograph. When the first interview between NJ. DO
Lagrenee, the French Ambassador aud tho High
Commissioners, king took place at Macao in 1914 /
the latter offered to LOns Philippes envoy and tho
principal members of his embassy some fans
which might possibly have been worth twopencs
apiece. They were, however really regarded as
presents of the highest vaue py their donors. be-
cause his Highness king, himself, had written
few lines on them in crimson ink.