The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-06-06

In front of the city lies the little is
land of Shameen, which has been ceded
to the French and the English, where
most OF the foreigners live. 1t contains
many very handsome residences, that
were built in the old days when all the
business with China was done by Eu-
ropeans, who seemed to deal with John
Chinaman pretty much as they pleased,
being in fact merchant princes. living in
the most elegant style and making fab
ulous sums of money, which were ex-
pended lavishly for the comforts and
luxuries of life far from their homes
and among a people who regard them
with suspicion and growing hatred. In
the absence of their families, their houses
became sumptuous clubs, where they
dined. wined and made merry week in
and week out. In the years past many
foreigners have found graves here in the
east, where the climate, the water and
the modes of life are likely to impair the
strongest constitutions. The island has
many attractions. Its beautiful gardens,
excellent club, lawn tennis grounds.
boating course, and its hospitabe people
while the ships lay at anchor off its
shores.
1t was here, it will be remembered,
that a few years ago an infuriated mob
of Chinese made wanton attack upon
the foreign settlement, to avenge the
death of a native who was pushed by the
guard from a river-boat, when attempt
ing with others to board it without au.
thority. Many houses were robbed and
burned, the wharf and stores were de-
stroyed, and the unfortunate steamer
escaped only by dropping out into the
river. The riot prevailed for several
days, until man-of-war put in its ap-
pearance and quelled the disturbance.
A few drilled sailors and marines who
can be landed quickly from our vessels,
with tine repeating rifles and Calling
guns, are pretty sure TO disperse mob
in short time. Such summary treat
ment is often needed, IN these lands for
protection against the Chinese, whose
hatred of the foreign devils" as they
are called, is liable to be incensed at any
moment. Naval vessels are often requir-
ed to lie for months in the most unheath.
full and inhospitable ports to prevent de-
structon of property, and to hold riot
Gus people in restraint.
or the large population of Canton,
fully $50, 900, regarded:as pariah class,
live in boats, and seldom il ever go on
shore. They form strange and inter-
esting community. The boats are fas-
tened side by side in rows, between which
street like openings are left for the passage
in and out of those wishing to change their
position, as well as for the passage of res
taurant aud provision boats, which are
moving about continually to sell mer-
chandise to those dwellers on the waters.
The boats e covered with mating, eX-
cept a portion at the bow, which forms
sidewalk for the occupants to pass
from one to another, without disturbing
anyone. Their boats are their lu:e5, in
which families are locat ed pretty much
as though they were on land. To pre-
vent the children from falling in the
water, the smaller ones are tied with
ropes, as dogs are sometimes fastened,
to keep them from the edge Of the boat
The larger ones are provided with floats
secured to their backs and If they tum-
BILE into the water no notice is taken of
them except by the mother who plunges
overheard to rescue them, without which
they would be left to perish. The cries
of drowning child in China fall on
deaf ears. This community, which lies
along the shores of the river, is one of
the most noveland notable sights in all the
east. On the river are to be seen the
flower boats, or floating hotels of elabor-
ate design, in which very comfortable
quarters and entertainment are found
after the gates of the city are closed in
the evening,
The streets of the city are narrow, lab
yrinthian and dirty. There are contin.
ually thronged with people, many Of
whom carry large loads about. as no
other means of transportation are prac-
ticable. No torses, donkeys or bullocks
are met with anywhere. No wheeled
vehicles rattle over the pavements. The
usual way OF carrying burdens is to sus-
pend them from the middle of a bamboo
pole the ends of which rest on the should
ers of two men. If one person, however, ,is
the burden bearer, the load is attached
to each end Of the pole, its middle being
suppc rted by his shoulders. The more i'm
portant personages ride in chairs and pal
anquIns, that are borne by two or more
chair coolies. Whenever a mandarin
or magistrate passes along the street the
way is cleared by an attendant. I'm
pleasant sights and unsavory smells greet
the visitor about the haunts, the homes
and the huts of these wretched people
who make up the greater part of this
city of Canton.
| In the business thoroughfaTes the
gaudy shops display oriental wares and
merchandise. Most OF the shops are
very small, for the necessities OF this
frugal race are not many. The buildings
are covered with signs which, hanging
by one end, are real vertically, the
characters being placed one above an
other. The silk and china shops, how
ever, are usually large stores, in which
the display OF every variety OF silk crepe,
embroidered panels and wall decora-
tons is fine and interesting. The sales
are made by bright and business-lke
dealers and assistants. The silk shops OF
Canton are unlike any that | have seen
elsewhere in China, in the fact that the
articles offered for sale have only one
price. In other cities ii seems to be the
custom of native merchants 70 charge
foreigners three or four times the amount
they ordinarily charge for their goods,
but il the purchaser has patience and
will wait week OF two he will be visit
ed by the seller every day, and will be
able ultimately to make his purchase on
reasonable basis. In the maket stalls
are found the carcasses of dogs and cats,
either cooked or raw, which form an
important article Of food, the eyes Of
which are regarded as a superior deli
cacy. The tea houses and restaurants
are abundantly numerous in every part
Of the city. The temples and joss-houses,
which play a great part in the daily life
of these people, are huge and ill-shapen
structures of brick and stone, IN the con-
venlional style Of architecture, and are
about as ugly as they are unsightly in
their surroundings. ThroDgs of dirty
beggarly priests invests the temple,
and crowds of wretched beings gather
about the square in front asking aims.
Beggars Of both sexes, repulsive in ap-
pearence and dress, confront the visitor.
In the HoDan temple, which is the most
noted in Canton, we were received by a
robed priest, who for a small fee con-
Quoted us about its sacred precincts.
Here are kept scores of pigs and fowls,
known as sacred animals, that are gifts,
Of devotees to their gods, given in full
filment { promises made in time OF
sickness,
In the native trial courts are enacted
many distressing scenes. The judges
are mandarins who are approached by
rriannerR and mpnials on bended knees.