The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-25

cI'S room, 0f course, Was the cabin, ana
had carved alcoye fixed in il, together
with silver hangings, purchased during
some former trip down the river The sail
ors slept on their own mats on top OF the
tubs OF wood-oil slowed in the house, and
managed 10 make themselves comfortable
In their own >tyle.
Taking leave OF our Junk friends. and re-
cciving wishes o! a good journey. we be-
OOk ourselves TO our own boat. At day.
light we were aroused by the sounds OF de-
hauling Of ropes and the firing OF
crackers and hOubs by Our Chinese cOniin-
yent, who were chn-cbinning the river
god for safe journey. Around us were a
number of boats conveying cabbages, tur-
nipS, and radiShcS 81 an enormous slZe from
The various vegetable gardens situated upon
The alluvial ground formed by the delta Of
the Han. The soil is extremely rich, al
though It has been worked for many wears.
To our left stood the town OF Han Yang,
towering above which was the Han Hill,
serving nv a protection 10 the city against
TIE eXil influences Of wind and water tFcng
Shul. The vast plain on which llankOw
stands was to our right. Here and there
upon its broad face were dotted bright
patches of green and small houses built OF
mud and matched with straw, forming the
iarm.yards OF the settlers. Yearly these
places are subjected to floods, caused by
THH RISING or THE MIGHTY RIVER,
hut still with a persistence worthy OF better
cause, the houses are rebuilt in the same
SPOT. and work il resumed as il nothing bad
Large sheets OF water, upon
which the water-liIy and lotus grow, are to
be seen At intervals. The lotus l. grown
for ITS seed its flowers, its root, and even
stsmens and pistil, all forming part OF The
Chinese food, and figuring in their pharma-
cppcis. The wafer chestnut or calthrop
grows abundantlv. and is eaten at every
meal, especially during the summer months,
a, il is supposed to possess cooling virtues
for the blood. Our boaimen pursued their
way along the banks OF the river, using a
long line fastened to the masthead for tack
ing purposes, and enliyened their labOrs by
small talk and remarks about their foreign
PASSENGERS. At midday we made fast
alongside large raft OF poles, which was
on lis way TO Hankow for sale. Numerous
boats laden with wOOd-Oil vegetables, tai
low, and t0baccO.lcaf passed Us At intervals.
Men. women, and children were all con-
Siderablv exercised in their minds as 10 the
object Of the "iOreign devils = in visiting
this region. but catching sight Of our
friend the Mandarin. and learning from our
servants that we were in Chinese en-
ploy, they assumed more respectful
tone. The population around tins dis
trict differ considerably in their ply
sique from those Chinese dwelling in
California. They are fairer in complex
ion, cleanlier i'm habits, and their faces
exhibit more intelligence. The provinces
OF Honan Hupeh and Human form the ORR
ginal Chung KwOh Central kngdom), a
name by which all China is row known.
The men OF these provinces make the best
soldiers OF which China can boast. They
are blindly submissive TO destiny, and at the
same time are brave and ready 10 follow to
the death a good leader. But, in common
with all CelestialS, they have strong imag-
ination and creduIity, from which their SUI
perstitiOn springs. Their powers OF en-
durance were frequently observed by us
during our journey, a long days work being
accomplished by them with scantv food.
Taking these people on the whole, they are
far superior to the inhabitants OF the south
ern provinces.
After a short delay we again moved on,
catching glimpse in the far distance Of
a range Of low-lying hills. Perched upon
various peaks were
TEMPLES or BCDDHA,
and here and there a pagoda stood sharply
defined against the sky. The weather was
very pleasant for July, although we found
il rather warm in HankOw. a refreshing
breeze swept down from the hills. The
scenery became picturesque as welourneyed
on. The fields were alive with men and
women busiIy engaged in various pursuits.
And here WAS the patient-water buffalo,
voked with donkey to the rude and priml-
tive pillow. The system of irrigation is as
old as the days Of the Phara0hs \ series
OF buckets on a wheel. which re-
ceived its impetus from treadleS worked
by boys, served for this purpose. The
tobacco, which grows abundQntly in the
Province, was now being cut, and lay on
the ground to get sun-dried. The country,
having been denuded Of trees during the
TAPPING rebellion. presents monotonous
appearance. Bamboo groves have been
planted around the temples. and the CHI
nese willow, with its graceful, dropping
branches, by the side of some wayside
shrine. served u shade for the tield-wOTkers
10 rest during their midday repaSt. The
simple wants OF these laborers are easily
satisfied. Generally the land cultivated be-
longs to the family for generations. Here
md there are the graves OF their ancestors,
green mounds which are halOwed by the
ashes OF the deceased, and to demolish
which would be sacriege ID the eyes OF The
gods OF heaven and earth.
The dweling-hOuSe is generally con-
structcd OF mud and brick. with tiles for
roof, and the whole surrounded by a wall.
the gateway, one finds his passage
barred bv 4 screen, sometimes built OF brick
and sometimes OF wood. bearing upon
" bite dam0nd-shaped field the character
which means happiness. This screen is be-
ieved to ward OF the influences OF bad
spirits from the dwelling. Passing to the
right or left, the entrance to the house Is
gained. We now perceived the family an
ce>tral lablets-a huge picture Of Buddha,
before which several
INCENSE STICKS WERE BURNING,
and some few plates containing food, such
~ boiled rice, dried beans, aud ground
nuts. two cups Of wine, and severa! pack
II, Of unburncd incense. Around the walls
we're arranged chair. at intervals, and small
ableS for tea-driEking. We caught sight
II the women watching lis from small holes
made in the cotton hanging before the door
II their apartments. Passing into the
,itchen the process OF cooking was shown
o us. 4 huge iron bowl was used for
polling rice and cabbage, the smaller u'en-
Ills being made OF tire-clay. The fuel is
he stalks OF the millet and reeds cut on
he marshy river-bank. As usual in Chi
lese kitchens, a picture OF the god Of the
Sitchen, "A divinity who makes an annual re-
port OF the dolngs OF the household, had
, prominent place. TO Europeans these
iwallings seem desIdedlY uncOmfOrtable.