National Republican., 1884-09-13

atrolled by English and American tour
lists. and hundreds of books have been
written describing with minutoness every
phrase of European life, manners, peoples,
and scenery, tho vast empire Of China
has received comparatively little attcn-
tion. Yet from what has been already
learned, no region of the globe would
afford moro material to the traveller and
writer than the LAND of tho Celostials."
Access to the interior of the country has
always been difficult and is sometimes very
dangerous on account of the hostility in
yariably felt by the Chinese toward the
"outside barbarians," or Foreign Devils"
A number of books have, however, been
published on China and the Chinese, the
most entertaining being such as enter
into the private and homo lifo of this
singular people, who, in almost every par
ticular of importance, are entirely differ
ent from ourselves. The great fault with
all narratives of travel lies in the fact
that the writers do not SOC enough of the
life of the people, but when onco the
barrier which separates the strangers
from tho natives is wholly or partially
removed, the tale becomes interesting
because 1t shows the people as they are.
On this account the works written by the
various missionaries who have spent years
in China are among the best works on
that country. Prominent among these
are those of Rev. Charles Taylor, who was
both highly honored and greatly success
full in his work among the people Of China
some years ago. His books abound with
clever touches of nature that give real
insight into the Chinese life and charac-
ter.
Among the most entertaining portions
of DIR. Taylor's Chinese works are those
which treat of the manners of the Chinese.
"rhe salutation between two Chinaman
when they meet consists in each clasping
and shaking his own hand, instead Of
each others, and bowling very profoundly,
almost to the ground. several times. \
question more common than How do you
do p is Have you eaten riceY This be-
ing the staple article of food throughout
the empire, and forming the chief and in
dispensablo part Of every meal, 1t is taken
for granted that If you have eaten rice
you arc we'll. Etiquette requires that in
conversation each should compliment the
other and everything belonging to him in
the most laudatory style, and depreciate
himself, with all pertaining to him, to the
lowest possible point. The following is
no exaggeration what is your honor
able nameY My Insignificant applica-
tion is Whong.' Where is your magnifi-
cent palaceP My contemplate hut is at
Suchah.' How many are your illustrious
children? My vile, worthless brats are
fve.' How is tho health Of your dis
tinguished spouse? My moan, good
for.nothing old woman is WE'LL"
1t is well known that with proper
training Cinnamon mako good cooks, but
. 4, hni thn1 a In linr
Most people have probably seen them in
the laundries sprinkling clothing by
ejectng tho water from their mouths in
fine spray, and when first employed as
cooks some care is necessary to prevent
their moistening flour for bread in the
same manner Mrs. Taylor, upon visit
to her kitchen the day after she had
ordered chicken for dinner, found the
fowl running about the kitchen perfectly
destitute Of feathers, having been picked
alive. In their homes the Chinese are
exceedingly hospitable. They urge you
to sit and then Immediately have cups of
ten made and placed on small stands
before you and you are solicited to 'eat
tea.' A teaspoonful of the leaves i;
first put into the cup, then boiling
water poured upon them and the
Very small saucer is placed on
the top to prevent the escape of the aroma
Half OF green olive is added when par
ticuarly delicate flavor IS desired. As
soon us it becomes sufficiently cool they
begin to sip it through an opening made
between the saucer and the cup by sliding
the former little to one side. Milk ant
sugar are never used. Pipes and finely
cut mild tobacco are also brought at the
same time, and you are importuned t.
eat smoke Smoking opium is called
eating and peal smoke They neve
chew, but excellent snuff is made anC
used from u small and often very costly
glass vial to the stopper Of which is
small spoon. The snuff taken out is de
posted on the back of the hand, thence
taken by the long thumb nail TO the nos
trils"
With all other people beggary is an ex
ceptional condition to which the in
dvidual may sometimes by misfortune
be reduced; in China it is regular bust
Eess, beggars being born into the profes
sion and bringing up their children to it.
"In every large city there is a vas
association of mendicants, to which ever,
one who begs for II living must belong
At the head of it is one styled the begga
king. His authority is absolute, and t
him the others are amenablc. The societ,
has a code of rules, and by this ever
beggar has right, according to custom
TO stand at the door of q dwelling an
howl, sing, knock, or make any othe
noise he pleases, until tho occupant give
him one cash Then he is obliged t
desst, and can apply at the same plac
no more on that day. No two are allowe
to beg together at the same place, ye
they are so numerous that few doors ar
free from their clamorngS long at time
The prnprietors of large establishments
who desire to save themselves from tn
annoyance of these continual visitation
do SO by paying certain sum at once
the king, who causes written statemeI
TO that effect to be pasted by the side {
the door, and this procures for that hous
certain exemption. No beggar dare
approach it, for, though fe
OF them can read, all recognize the Sc;
may be beaten by tho occupants of I'll
house, OF, being reported to the king,
more severely punished. Every beggi
has his beat, beyond which he dare II,
CO. and has also his superior, to who
every night he hands over a certain pa
of the days proceeds. The overseers
turn pay to the king a fixed sum month";
which must be large, as he lives like
nabob. If beggar breaks the laws he
sent to the king, who is held responsib
by the city magistrates for tho good col
duct of all his people. The punishmer
he administers is generally too slow f
the people who suffer flom the depred
tions of the beggars, and when begg
is detected in an otIense his punishmei
generally consists in having his han,
tied behind him, being drawn up over
limb Of the nearest tree, and beaten ha
to death with sticks, clubs, fists, or an,
thing that comes to hand"
The principal feature about Chini
mans costume is the fact that nothir
ever fits but his stockings. His clothir
consists really of three or four shirts
garments made after the fashion of a shin
each opening in front and having f.
huttnns n sacred numher These hu tto