Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-04-22

Famlly Ties, OlOOQ relallousIlp, aui
fihal respect and affection are strong in
China. The father is not held respon-
sible for the debts of his sou, but the
son is responsible for the debts of bis
father. He is bound 10 support his
father, if necessary, until he gets marri-
ed and has a family of his own to sup
mort. If he abuses his father-and ev-
en- should the latter become dissipated
and seem to deserve 1.-THE law pun
ishes him, and not only he is punished,
but his neighbors living on all sides of
him are punished, for not interfering
and preventing the i'll treatment.
There are no newspapers in China.
Every town has its market, and two
markets are held daily-morDing and
evening. All events OF Importance are
bulletined in the market place every
day at the expense Of the municipality.
There is no mail system in China. II
a man wishes to write to friend in
distant place, he must wait until he
finds some one going to that place, and
intrust his letter to him for delivery.
In such service there is no surety OF the
letter reaching its destination. This is
realized by Cinnamon in this country,
who get only q few OF the letters sent
to them by their friends, while their let
ters in turn frequently miscarry.
There are no liquor saloons in China.
The people drink spirits made from
rice, as well as gin, and, among the
wealthy, wines, liquors, brandies, etc,
are used, but this use OF spirits IS most
ly during meal time.
Tipping is unknown in China. If
man wants a drink, he can buy his
liquor at the grocery store and take it
to his house for use. No license to sell
is required Any dealer can sell IL free
ly. During my stay of eleven months
in that country, says a writer, l did not
see an intoxicated person.
Rice, meats of various kinds, poul-
try, and fish, are the daily food. a
man can live on fifteen cents a day IN
China, twelve for meats and three for rice.
All classes use rice, which is the main
article of food in the Kingdom.
There is no such thing as courtlng
among young people in China. The
bride and bridegroom never see each
other until they are about to become
man wife. Their courting is all done
by their parents. Let us suppose that
you have son and a daughter OF mar
riageable age, and we are friends.
You tell me that you want to get your
son married, and ask if am willing to
give my daughter to him. say yes, !
have seen your son and like him, but
YOU have not seen my daughter. You
hire a female broker to 90 and inspect
my daughter, which she does for con-
sideration.
Indeed, this is a regular business, aud
many make a good living out of it. She
visits nv house, sees and talks with
my daughter, finds that her feet are so
small that she can hardly walk, that ao-
surd custom of deforming the feet is
still very prevalent in China-and re-
turns and makes a most tiatterDg re-
port. Then you ard come together,
and l give you written paper embody-
ing my consent TO the union, while you
in like manner, signify Your approval,
and give me the paper signed by you,
and the engagement iscompleted. You
then cause a great number OF sweet
cakes be sent to my daughter from your
son, and these are given around TO our
friends as an announcement of the be
trothrl of our daughter. The marriage
itself may not take place for a month,
six months or year after the engage
ment, according to agreement. There
is no religious ceremony OF marriages
in China. A friend ofthe bridegrooms
family-usually man of respectable
ity and posItion-is chosen, who reads
the marriage ceremony from book,
which binds the couple; who, before
that time, were strangers to one another
to live toge.hr during life. 1t is rare
indeed that these marriages. turn out
unhappily.