, 1884-02-13
CHINESE SCHOOLS.
A Pleasant Sketch Written by a
Genuine Americanized Chinaman.
HOurs OF study. and Methods of
Maintaining Discipline 80 why
Chinese Girls are not Allowed
to Attend school
Nov York World

lNoN 1OIA Ofll-
Ayoung Chinaman, clad iu American gar
ments, his hair cut in American style and his
American boots neatly polished, called at Tho
World Office this week and submitted the fol-
lowing manuscript winch he had himself pre-
pared for the press:
"Al the children in China must go to school
when they are bstween eight and nine years
of age. We nave no public schools. Whom
we first start to school it is a private school,
and not more than thirty or thirty
five scholars are allowed in one
school, because each scholar has a diff
fsront lesson, and II there were too
many scholars the work would be
too hard for the teachers. The FIRST thing
we study is to read Confucius, our religion.
The children who frat start to school take
but very few lessons from Confucius- They
arc instructed by their teachers how to be-
have and what they ought to do for their
parents, and how to pay good respect to
strangers. They must bow and call the
stranger a teacher, for tine name of teacher
Is held with great respect. The school
teacher has full charge OF the children, and
tho parents have very little to do with them
after they to attend school. The
school teacher sees the children moro and 20
understands Thorn better, and sses them in
tho wrong, so they can correct than better
than their parents
AFTER the first Xix months they begin TO
study Confucius, and they study until they
get through the -Four Kings. Perhaps the hill
dren can got through Confuciusa and the -Four
Kings In three or four years. Then they go
to college II they can afford it The -Four
Kings was written by the disciples of Con-
fucius; he had seventy-two where Christ had
twelve. You never get through college un-
til you become an officer. If you do not
want to become an officer you have to leave
college. Oh, It is much harder for us to go
10 school when We are little We have to DO
in school In the morning as soon as we can
see to read, and when the teacher comes we
have to recits our lesson, and II we do not
know 1t we cannot 60 home for breakfast, or
IL we are allowed 10 go a mark Is placed on
the face; those who can rooite it can have
their breakfast.
AFTER breakfast we practice writing two
hours; then the writing-books ara taken up
to the teacher and he will write all the new
letters on the top OF the writing-book from
the lesson which you have recitsd, and all no
wants to find out IL you know 1t. Then we
are given q new lesson to recite the next
morning. We aro not allowed to play or
Z Tx 10 any one in the school. We all study
out loud at the same time and on different
lessons. The teachers are very strict, and
when 1t gets late and the scholars cannot soc
to read, then tho school Is out. We are not
allowed to make any noiss or TO run or stop
on the way home, aud II we do not do as tina
teachers say then we get a good thrashing
with n number OF small switches tod to
gsther.
you will notice the Chinese when they
pass along the street; they go quietly and
mind their own business. 1t is because they
were brought up In that way. We havo No
way to become an officer except through
school. We have no voting business at all.
The way we elect an officer is this: The
government gives out a question or verse
from Confucius, and you nave to write out
your argument 1t is like your debating OF
discussion of any question. Then the smart
est man Is employed 10 examine the argu-
ments, and IL the paper is not neat and clsan
it is thrown in the waste-paper basket; II II
Is neat and clean he will read 1t, and the first
mistake he comes to he will read no further,
but throw 1t away, and also not allow
but one sheet of paper 10 each person tc
go In the ball. The doorkseper will search
you before you go in, and then tho one who
has the best argument becomes IN officer.
"Ths girls are not allowed to go to schooI
since our Emperor Lee-Siman's reign, about
twelve or thirteen hundred years ago, because
they associate with men and write to zach
other In the secret way for their secret wants,
as they would not have a drunkard for a hus.
band, but they would drink a glass OF wine
with a fast young man. They would not use
profane language, yet they love the society
OF men whom they know are profans out OF
their presence They would not, wish to bs
considered dishonest, but they use deceitfuI
words and countsnancs the society of men
known as deceiven. They would not be irre-
ligious, but they smile upon the most ire
ligious and even Immoral men and show that
they love to be wooed by thsm. This Is the
virtue Of two many women, a virtue scarce
worth the Numerically no virtue at all; Q
hypocritical, hollow pretension to virtue, a,
unwomanly as It Is disgrAcsful. This Is not
the virtue OF true womanhood.
$50 now only the daughters OF the officer,
receive private instruction in their ow1
homes, and we would not rave the old Gus
tom any more for young ladies and young
gentlemen TO associate together before mar
ringe as In this country. The wives and hus
bands are selected by their parents. We dc
not marry 70 any one that belongs to thu
same descendants or tho same town, except
In large cities. 1t may seem strange to yor
that we have no choice in the selection Of oui
wives, yet we have confidence in our parent,
that they will choose those who are purS
and good for us. The Chinese are happy In
their married lie and divorces are not known
/ have now taken as much OF your time q,
seems proper and will not tell you about MI
language, writing and literature until mex
time, So 1 will not continue any longer tc
occupy your valuable time and will close By
ayinH a good-by to ALL