Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-07-29
rIse cHrxEsE QuARTnR.
A Walk Through Mott street
The Chinese Districts Of New
York aud san Francisco
Compared.
New York Tribune.

pire. The Chinese quarter of New
York not only furnishes an example
of the cosmopolitan character of the
city, but illustrates the influence OF
American manners and customs upon
a people who have been for centuries
most conservative and tenacious of
the ways Of their f~orefathers. New
York has no chinatown proper in
the sense in which that name is ap-
piled to the various Pacific States.
Mott street differs from the regular
chinatown" most noticeably in the
style of the houses, which are all dis
tinctively American. The houses of
a California Chinatown are usually
built of wood, and in architecture-if
such a word may be applied to these
excuses for houses-they have cousid-
cradle of the Chinese character. The
houses are mostly one story high,
with a small porch in front, and are
built CONTINUOUSLY for either So
ciable or commercial relations.
The windows and door posts
and often the doors themselves, are
covered With strange inscriptions,
printed in black ink on bright red
paper. AT first sight the enterprising
Caucasian would suppose that these
numerous inscriptions we're advertise
ments, but, if the Chinese themselves
tell the truth, such is not the case.
Strange as it may seem for heather,
many of these writings are players,
and as the Chinese religion is of a
negative character, the players are
posted up on the doorways and near to
other entrances into the house, to act
as a spell in keeping away the dragon,
the Chinese impersonation of evil.
Mott street compels the ChinamaR to
conform to American customs in the
kind of a house he lives IN, and the
New York climate causes SOON changes
in the regular Chinese wardrobe. The
bats one sees worn by the Chinese of
New York are often of American
make, whereas in San Francisco ono
invariably sees in summer a large
STRAW or willow hat, resembling in
shape an inverted washbeWl, and in
general appearace not unlike the old
fashioned beehives. The light, paper
soled, junk-like shoe Of the Pacific
coast is often ~supplanted in New York
by the more substantial leather boot
or wooden soled shoe. In San Fran
cisco tapers, thrust into the ashes of
many Others which have been burned
before, are placed in small earthen
vessels, and are kept constantly burn
ing before the doors. These are not to
be seen in Mott street.
But what robs the Chinese quarter
of New York City Of the distinctive
national character is the entire alb.
seneo Of Chinese women. The China
men who loiter about the stores and
shops Of Mott street look rather lone
some in their celibacy, but withal
seem gay and cheerful. Two of them
were pelting each other with water
melon skins the other day, and en-
dangering the eyes of passers, as a
reporter was going up the street.
where's the joss house, Johu?"
was the first question asked.
me no %saVee," was the reply.
An English-speaking Chinaman was
found, who said You 90 light acloss
the sleet, you find him upstairs"
Following the directions, a glimpse
of the joss house was obtained. The
temple differs from its California fell
lows in not having the large, gilt let
tered inscriptions, which make the
California joss house look like a cir
Gus tent in the distance. Above the
door Of the regular Chinese Joss house
there is invariably a would be life
like representation Of the much feared
dragon. The execution is generally
equal 10 complexity and vagueness to
the original conception Of the painter.
In the building there is a small court,
with the open eky above it, where the
incense is burned, and where the
fumes of oil and tapers may rise un-
obstructed heavenward. AS for the
idols, they are generally three or more
III number, this giving the worshiper
some degree Of choice in the matter OF
mis- devotions.
The idol itself is made in the image
Of a Chinaman. Characteristic lean
ness, however, as seer in the China
men of the street, is idealized into
undue obesity. joss sits up as
portly, with pulled cheeks. almond
eyes, artificial moustache and impe
rial, as if he we're the monarch Of an
empire.
Sometimes he has two hands, some
times four. and in them symbols Of
power. Peafowl feathers adorn the
back Of the throne where the idol
sits. There seems to be some auper-
stitious reverence among the Chinese
OF these feathers, for they are seldom
absent from any religious ceremonies.
Printed prayers, long enough one
would think to save the whole Chinese
race, cover the wall Of the joss house.
The opium joints Of New York have
nothing different from those Of San
Francisco. But the sister city Of the
Golden Gate can boast, or deplore
rather, a pre-. eminence in Chinese the
atricals. One hears no music in Mott
street, and might infer that the Chi
nese are not a musical people. On
the contrary, they claim 10 be- the only
musicians. Instrumental music has
the preference with them. The favor.
lite Instruments in the Chinese orohes.
ira are the Rong-of which there arc
many yarieties-A kind of lutte or
guitar, With wire strings picked by the
finger nails, Q small reed instrument,
resembling in appearance the olASionet
or hautboy, but 10 tune putting to
shame the most tuRelul Tabby Of the
garden wall. The Chinese tunes, OF
tune-for all tunes ara but a slight
modification Of one theme-is always
| pifohad In a minor bav Gouotv with