Morning journal and courier., 1884-02-14
AROUND THE WORLD.

In Hong koms-A Cheeky Heathen-The Work of the EngEtsh-ChInese Admira- ton for Squeaky mU- sing Effect Of Law Against Them Dissipation Hong Kong-Temper- ance Halls.
 HoNG KoNG. Dec. 2+. l To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 Leaning over the rail of the steamer, I negotiate with Chinese woman to transport myself and luggage ashore. She gathers up my traps and escorts me into trim little sampan provided with a sail. She lives in
 this boat together with her daughter, black haired lass of some twenty summers, an infant of less than two years, and a wretched Maltese cat which is lashed to the deck of the
 miniature craft in order to help acclimate it to an ocean life.
 Arrived at the stone jetty, my baggage is bounced upon by half dozen coolies, who are always hanging about like vultures, waiting for some such chance. With 8 majestic wave of my hand, such as bsfts an American sovereign abroad, I seek to dismiss all but one of them, selecting a meek looking fellow in ths suburbs of the crowd. This is 8 somewhat difficult undertaking, but at last [ succeed ed and we marched triumphantly to the hotel, which is only short piece distant. Here, in moment of rash generosity, I offer the fellow dime for his services, which have cersainly not been arduous and consumed only about eight minutes. But alas my timid. meek looking porter has suddenly become the personiication of cheek He demands thirty cents I know that this price already paid is a good days wages to Chinese coole, but am perplexed as to the proper course to pursue, for he is creating scene for me- At this point gentleman on the veranda of the hotel steps up, having witnessed the whole proceeding, and asks how. much the fellow has received. The coolis thereupon hides the coin but divulge the truth. Hive cents would have been too
 much" says the gentleman, and then he Is about to make the fellow give back the money,
 to pay him instead 8 smaller sum. But John
 Chinaman is on the alert for detection, and
 with a wicked look in his eye fees swiftly
 from us. This and other similar experiences
 have shaped my policy toward the Chinese
 I have use for them. l am irrevocably
 opposed to them in any capacity whatsoever.
 Never did I appreciate the depth of meaning
 there is latent in the expression total de-
 pravity'' until brought into contact wit h
 these pig-tail heathens at home.
 It seems good to be on English soil, de-
 spite all the extrayaganties that naturally
 spring up in tiny empire of thirty square
 miles, How much has been done In the way
 of beautifying this St. Helena of the Chinese
 seas, during the forty years since it was ceded
 by the Chinese government to Great Britain |! Then it was desolate, though picturesque series of irregular hills. Now this shore has
 attained quite tropical appearance by req son of the trees and plants that have been set out As I pass along the streets the briIliancy of the foliage continually excites
 nv admiration Many of the tropical trees are in blossom. I have the names yet to learn.
 'Rickishas and sedan chairs are the popu- lar modes of conveyance in Hong Kong. The chairs are very different as 8 rule from those seen in Shanghai, owing to the differ ence in climate. They are for the most part quite open, or at best provided merely with bamboo blinds; and those of the wealthy are often very elegant. The English people uni form their servants in white, and tne effect of these coolies moving about in clean white linen IS indeed refreshing. It must seem little ineongruous to poor John to put on mourning, however, simply for the sake of hls master (for white is the Chinese symbol of mourning
 Speaking of street con7eyances reminds me Of curious fact about the wheelbarrows, | which are so popular in purely Chinese cities. | It is an established principle in Oriental phi iosophy that the Chinese enjoy 8 big noise. l