The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-05-21
THE WONDERS OF CANTON.
QUEER SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN
AN ORIENTAL CITY.
streets DenseIy Packed with PeO-
pIe-The Fish market-A Chinese
Fire Euaine.


A description of some of the queer
things to be met with in Chinese city is
the most interesting part Of Canton let
ter to the Philadelphia Press. Says the
writer: One must take q sedan chair
Few men who come here on a flying ex-
cursion attempt to thread their wav
through the may labyrinth of Canton
streets on foot, even though they are ac-
companied by guide.
Soon we are being hurried along the
narrow streets, which are densely packed
with people. Our sweating and painting
coolies keep up an incessant yelling to
warn the pedestrians to make a passage
for us; and so dexterous are they and so
obliging are the people on foot, that the
swinging dog-trot is seldom relaxed.
Whenever we meet another chair, how
ever, one party has to stop entirely to
wait for the other to pass by, and even
then the sides Of the cars frequently rub
together. The coolies are trained to such
encounters in narrow places, and there
seems to be a tacit recognition as to the
vehicle which shall defer to the other,
which is always according to circum-
stances. So, also, when we turn cor
ner, it is frequently difficult to wedge
chair through, owing to the extreme mar
rowness of the streets.
1t is, indeed, a motley crowd that we
meet. There are all types, from the
blind leprous, deformed and mendi-
cant up to the most aristocratic man
! darins.
! The common people are the most in
! teresting There are two things for
which they can be heartily admired No
more industrious temperance people are
to be found anywhere. They have re-
duced the cost of living to its actual
minimum, and for the two dollars a
month that it actually requires they will
toll assiduously from morning till night
seven DAYS in the week. Most of those
one meets are busy transporting various
kinds of burdens. These are suspended
from the ends of bamboo poles, which
are carried over the shoulder. In this
way the most impossible loads are car
ried, ranging all the way from delicate
chinaware up (or DOWN to live hogs. We
Americans, who have so. much difficulty
in carrying small umbrella in crowd,
might take a lesson from the heather
who bobs along so rapidly in fourfoot
street with two two-bushel baskets dang
ling from the ends of pole.
Here comes the chair of some public
official. Of course we barbarians must
give way before such an august person
age, and our chairs are wedged close up
against wall to allow the procession tc
pass.
First, there are half dozen coolies in
uniform, who go ahead as an escort,
bearing small flags, such as American
children would be ashamed to play with.
Then comes the chair, huge green affair,
through the shutters of which we catch
glimpse of the rather pertly form
of the occupant. The chair is borne by
four coolies Close behind, by one OF
the ironies of fate, comes funeral pro
cession. 1t is funeral without corpse
however, for it is not practicable to carry
coffins through these narrow streets.
Here is the fish market. The Chinese
always sell their fish alive, and all sizes,
from the tiniest eel up to the most pro.
digious of fresh and salt water fishes
may be seen floundering about in wooder
tubs or stone basins, partially filled with
water. When a customer wants a fish
he selects one to his liking, and it is re
moved from the tank with dipnet. In
stinctively cruel in every thing, the
Chinese do not stop to kill the fish, bu
gouge pound or two out of his side,
smear the removed portion with BLOOD
from a dripping pan (all the blood is
saved) and then pass it over to the wait
ing purchaser, after having tied a string
to it. All meat is carried from the mar
ket by means of a string, neither clotl
nor paper being used. have seer
scores Of Cinnamon with pieces of mea
thus tied, not more than two inches
square.
A little further on is the fruit district
This is really tempting quarter. Ther,
are all kinds of strengthening fruit
and nuts, the names of which one de
spairs of learning. At this season of thu
year oranges, bananas, Chinese pears
cocoanuts and pineapples are the stapl
fruits. Among the nuts the lychee stands
prominent.
But what is all this excited yelling
about2 People are rushing into the opel
store fronts on either side of the street
and our coolies hurry to the nearest eros
street, up which they turn as if to ALLOW
something to pass. 1t proves to be fire
engine gong 10 cOnnagratlon IN tn
suburbs. 1t looks like puny machine
propelled by rope full of coolies, and i
Just as large rs the width of the stree
will permit, too large to be drawn through
some streets. 1t is, of course, a. hant
engine, and throws a tiny stream abou
a quarter of an inch in diameter. Their
is a short hose, which is dropped into
neighboring well or cistern, if there
not canal handy to the scene of the fire
The clumsy contrivance is hauled at ful
speed along the street, making a terrific
rumbling noise as it bounces over tn
uneven granite slabs with which tn
street is paved. The men in front kee
up an incessant bowling to warn pedes
trians and bearers of burdens to clear tn
entire width of the street. Back of thi
apparatus came band of men arme,
with pixies and awkward wooden buck
cts. while back of them again are