The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-08-12

ground nuts, two cups of wine and several
packets of unburned incense. Around the
walls are arranged chairs, at intervals, and
small tables for tea-drinking. We caught
sight of the women watching us from small
holes made in the cotton hanging before
the door of their apartments Passing into
the kitchen, the process of cooking was
shown to u.s. A huge iron bowl was used
for boiling rice and cabbage, the smaller
utensils being made of fre-elay. The fuel
is the stalks of the millet and reeds cut on
the marshy river banks. As usual in Chi
nese kitchens, picture of the god of the
kitchen, divinity who makes an annual
report of the doings of the household, had
prominent place. To Europeans these
dwellings seem decidedly uncomfortable.
The floors are of beaten earth the win
dows, with rare exceptions, are made of
oiled paper in small squares, admitting a
dim light Notwithstanding the fact that
petroleum is now to be purchased at cheap
rates in China, these country people still
have the same old-fashioned lamp used by
their fathers years ago-a bowl to contain
little bean or castor oil, with wick made
of the pith of the willow. The country
people were very courteous and polite, re-
questing us repeatedly to partake of their
humble fare
We regained our boat and on the third
day after leaving Hankow, found ourselves
at the port of Sien-tao-chen. Here houses
stretch for nearly mile along the banks,
and considerable trade is carried ON in
cotton, rice and sugar. On the tenth day
we were close to the town of Hanchung
Foo, at the head of navigation, and we
deemed it necessary to send on our official
escort to look after our travelling arrange
ments Our leisurely voyage was then re-
sumed.
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE.
1t may be well to give general review
of the characteristics of the people :, had
encountered. 1t need hardly be said that
superstition prevails everywhere among all
classes, but almost every one can read and
write. The men are very sensual, and
opium dens are numerous and well patron
lied. The homes of the common people
are miserable novels of mud or sun-dried
bricks, and often only have one apartment,
in which the entire family is huddled to-
gether Anything but material happiness
Is unknown Without exception, We found
kind and hospitable treatment throughout
our journey. though all showed intense Gu
riosity. The knowledge of the natives, 50
far as regards foreigners, is very meagre,
many never having heard of any country
but Russia, whose name is all-powerfnl eve
rywhere in north and northwest China, and
which had representatives al Peking.
Even the officers with whom we came in
contact appeared equally ignorant.
We were now approaching the outskirts
Of the Hanehung Foo. Rising abruptly
before us were the magnificent snow-clad
peaks of the 81 Ling -Four Spiritsl range
of mountains, glistening in the sun ike
diamonds. Clumps of pine, sycamore, oak
and other forest trees clothed the mountain
sides. Smoke ruse from the fires Of the
eharcoal-brrncrs, who here drive protita-
bic trade Wild crocus, campauula and
rses filled the air Of the early morning
with their odor. The orchards were alive
with women and children picking peaches
and aprieots for the early market in the
neighboring town. We purchased % cat
ties (33 pouads) Of the fruit for $50 cash
f2J cpnfsl.