Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-08-28
A CHINAMAN'S BOOK.
what Ho Thought of Matters ana Things
In tho Western World.

III ho western world.
In the latter part of the last centum
Chinaman, Ong- -IIao by name,
made an extended tour through por-
lions OF Europe. On returning to his
native country, in tho year 1791, he
set forth the results of his obscrva-
tlons in book which he called "The
Chinaman Abroad" This curious
work, which was translated into En-
Slish. is now scarce. 1t contains many
amusing descriptions of European Gus
toms From tho preface tho follow
ing is extracted:
European countries arc originally
on tho outside verge of civilization,
end their being now assimilated to
The villages of our inner land is en-
tircly owing TO the virtuous influences
OF our august government which
transforms those distant and unknoyn
regions by tho innate force of its ma
jesty,"
In his account of tho dilfer ma
tons visited by him the author says.
"Iho Dutch inhabit tho northwest
corner OF the ocean. They have high
noses and rcd hair, white faces and
gray eyes. They do not allow their
boards to grow Their coats are clean
and neat with short bodies and mar
row sleeves. while their gait is light
and nimble."
OF tho French he remarks: Their
dispositions are violent and bolster
GUS Whenever tho Dutch
arc lnsultcd by tho English they de-
pend on the French for assistance.
The kingdom of Franco is large and
tho population humorous. so that the
English arc somewhat afraid of them.
"lho English arc denominated by
the Chinese, Ang-mo (red-haired peo-
ple); they also well in the northwest
corner OF tho ocean, very near TO the
Dutch, whom they much resemble in
person and dress. but their language
and writing aro different"
Referring to customs and Europeans,
ho writes Every seven days there
is ceremony day or Sabbath, when
from nino to eleven In the morning
they so to tho places of worship to
rcclto prayers and humble charms,
the hearers hanging down their heads
and weeping as If thero was some-
thing very affecting In 1t all, but after
half an hour & ] abbor they nro allowed !
to dispersc, and away they go 10 feast
In their garden houses, and spend the
whoio day In delight. without attOnd- |
lug TO business.
K when Europeans mako an enteay
aainment they set out long table, ~ |
(which scores of people sit down. which
y called q feast, or fiesta, and. when
Tho strlnged instruments play up.
mon and women stand opposite each
other and dance. which is called
dancing, or tandak.
"Whon n young woman is marriage
ablo sho Is allowed to select her own
partner. who is called hcr lover or
soola. If they arc fond of each other
they dance together in order to settle
tho match.
''Wivcs arc called nial or mistress,
ana the men arc very much afraid of
Ihom; tho affairs of tho family are all
under their control"
Ong-Tae-Hae was also an observing
naturalist MS we'll as n philosopher
md politician, as tho following de-
'cription. taken from this interesting
Jook, will show:
"The ink monkey IS common in tho {
northern regions, and is about four or s
i've inches long 1t is endowed with l
m unusual instinct lis eyes are like I
stones. and its hair is Jet {
'lack. sleek and flexible. rs soft as q {
'illow 1t is very fond of eating I
hick Chinese ink, and whenever peo- l
10 write, it sits with folded hands '
nd crossed legs, waiting till tho writ {
ng is finished when it drinks up tho q
of tho ink; which done. it Il
quats down as before, and does not c
risk about unnecessarily. Ong. Tao o
lac used TO keep one at tho head of n
is ink stono or in tho middle of his s.
pal box IN Y Press. ii
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