The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-03-23
CHINESE STREETS.
Queer Sights to he Seen in the Thorougii-
fnrNa of n Celestinl CITY.

| Queer Sights TO he Seen in the Thorough.
fares of n Celestial City.
The streets N Chinese cities are from
six to twelve fees wide, and are filled
from morning to night with ceaseless
throng. Every man is black-haired,
the fore-part of his head is shaven,
while behind him hangs the queue inn
posed by the Machu conquerors. Here
comes the coolies, In blue jackets and
blue knickerbockers, bare-footed, or
straw-sandalled, with bamboo across
the shoulders, carrying heavy weights
and singing, "Eh ho, ah ho, ay ho-li!'
like all the brethren of their craft east
of the Mediterranean. This man with
long flowing robe, wide sleeves, huge
horn-rimmed spectacles, slow swagger-
ing gait, languid-fluttering fan, evil
IDENTIFY a very important person indeed,
is, in fact, Confucionist scholar.
Here totters along q woman on her
tiny three-inch feet, clad in gay en-
broidered jacket, and delicate silk
skirt, perhaps small silver-mounted
tobacco-pipe in her hand, her head
adorned with strange hirsute struc-
lures like u carving knife,
trencher, flying swallow, or what
not, II touch of rouge to cheeks and
lips, while powder gives mistiness to
full-heshed facial charms. Here is
small boy, if it be winter, gaily dressed
in brilliant colors, perfect ball of
many wrappings-if it be summer,
equally gaily dressed in the not unbe-
coming garb of his yellow skin alone.
For vehicles look at yon sedan chair,
borne by two or three men. In it sits
a gentleman, elegantly clad in white
or lowered silk or in costly furs, ac-
cording to the season. If there be four
or even eight bearers you will have
timely warning, for this is mandarin;
before him runs a motley crowd of re-
tainers beating gongs, carrying tablets
inscribed "Be SILENT" "Make way"
Misunderstanding fellows with stee-
pled-crowned Guy Fawkes hats, armed
with whips, mouthing out uncouth cries,
are the lictors of the great man. Others
carry the great silk umbrella. the badge
of Office, meant for the official should
he ever wish to move his heavy well-fed
body, with its impressive self content,
from his chair. This is an event which
rarely occurs; in fact it is an awful
thought to an Englishman that sitting
in chair and scolding are the most
violent forms of exercise in which
mandarin ever INDUCES. On the breast
of his handsome silk robe he bears en-
broidered some strange bird or beast
which marks his rank on his hat
button, blue, red, crystal or gold, ac-
cording to his dignity. and, if he be
distinguished, one-eyed or even two
eyed peacock's feather. Occasionally
some distuber of the peace, spied fla
granite delicto from the chair is
promptly thrown into the street
stripped and beaten. Here comes clat-
tering and jingling along small pony,
which bears military official; none
but one accustomed to the rough life of
camps would use so fatiguing a mode
of locomotion. This miserable, un-
kempt being. bowling dismal ditty,
and rattling together two bamboo slips,
is beggar. 1t is as well to give him
the microscopic dole he claims, for he
will stay there, inert but vocal, till he
gains his point. Such one has been
known to commit suicide in determin-
ately parsimonious shop in order to
bring its owner into trouble with the
authorities. North China Herald.