Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1890-03-13
33sIntr1tt Chronicle.
oTHURSDAY. MARCH 10, 1890.
ABOUT FORNOSA.

necticut. This island is attracting some
attention at present. Very little has
been known or written about it. In the
seventeenth century minister by the
name of George Candius wrote some
thing about his life on the island in a
book called collection of Voyages and
Travels" This book was printed in
1887, and is a curious old volume.
In 1904 another writer, by the name
of PsaImanaazar, also wrote about a
visit he paid to the same island. These
old writers tell about the manners and
customs of the people found there. They
were wild and savage race.
The women cultivated the rice; when
it was ripe they cut it with small
knives. In the morning they arose ear
ly and tramped out enough to do for the
day. The men were always idle, espe-
cially between the ages of Is and "a.
The old men of 50 and 90 sometimes
helped the women little in the fields,
or hunted in the forest. In each town
twelve councillors were chosen. These
were always men. They must be over
40 years of age, and they could only
hold Office one or two years. When
their term of Office expired, there was a
bunch of hair pulled from the crown of
the head and from below each temple.
This was mark of honor. These rulers
did not seem to have much authority,
except in one thing. On certain feast
days the women were not allowed to
wear silk or any extra finery. If they
were found dressed up too much, their
clothes were torn off or cut to pieces. The
women pierced their ears four or five
times. and wore as many rings in them.
They did not marry until they were 2l
years old. The children belonged to the
mother until they were 3 years of age,
after which they belonged to the father
and left the mother. The boys all slept
together in one place, usually a temple,
in order to make them brave.
The priests were all women. Their
religion was very low and degaded.-
They ate their rice, as they do now, from
a wooden bowl set in the center of the
house. They all sit around the bowl,
and dive into the rice with their fingers.
They still have curious way of sealing
a friendship with each other or for
eigner. They throw an arm around
each others neck and, bringing their
heads together at the same moment,
drink from the same vessel. 1t is a
very trying experience for a foreigner,
but the vow of friendship thus made is
never broken. Their huts are still made
by sticking poles into the ground and
fastening two longer ones on top, then
covering the whole with long grass and
mats. A few stones, gathered in lit
tie heap in the center, is used for the
fire. place. To give them pig will gain
their lasting good will. They will greed
lily devour it only half cooked, chatter
ing and grinning over it like wild beasts
When one dies, they build a hut be-
fore his house, covering it with green.
boughs. Inside, they place a vessel of
pure water and a cup. They say the
water will purify the SOUL. They be-
lieve there is narrow bridge over
which all souls must pass after death.
Beneath this bridge, they say, there is
deep and filthy hole. When the wicked
soul tries to pass over this bridge, it
swings suddenly round and drops the
sinner into the miry hole. The good
soul travels across the bridge in safety,
and enters a country of plenty and pleas
antneSS.
The Chinese invaded the island many
years ago, and have taught the natives
in the western part many of the arts of
civilization. In the eastern part of the
island the natives are as wild and saw
age as ever. They hate the Cinnamon,
and count it great pleasure to kill one.
The pretty musical name Formosa
was given to the island by some Span
ish navigators who admired its beauti-
full scenery and delightful climate. Its
forests are dense with the aloe and
palm. There are enough camphor trees
to supply the whole world with that
valuable gum. In these forests also
grows large tree from which the Chi
nese get the pith out of which they man.
ufacture the pith paper, or 'rice paper"
as it is incorrectly called This paper
looks like fine porcelain, on which the
Chinese paint most exquisite flowers,
butterflies and insects.
Botanists delight in the rich growth
of flowers on the island, especially the
lilies and the rare orchids. Rice is now
raised in such quantities as to have Civ
en- to Formosa the name of 'the granary
of China" Americans drink greater
part of the tea raised there.
When Commodore Perry visited the
island, they gave him a large stone to
put into the National Monument at
Washington in honor of our "Great
Mandarin" as they called our first Pres
ident
The missionaries are now telling the
"beauitiful story" to those that ''sit in
darkness" in this island of the far-off
seas.
A few years ago a scientific American
visited Formosa to make a collection of
animals, insects and flowers While
stopping in one of the villages he told
some of the boys that he wanted to get
some specimens of q certain kind of
snake, very beautiful green reptile that
had a poisonous bite. The boys of For
mosa are just like other boys. They
were delighted. therefore, with the idea
of making some money. The result
was that there were more snakes brought
than could be used. But the professor
paid for every snake. Among the boys
that came was little yellow-faced fel-
low in wide trousers and short tunic
and skull cap. He brought two snakes.
He shyly entered the professors room
and laid the snakes on the table. The
professor put some copper coins with a
square hole in the center, known as
.'cash," into the boys hand. AS he was
leaving the scientist tossed the dead
snakes into the grass, but not without
the boys seeing the action. He imme-
diately returned and laid the coins on
the table just where he had before laid
his snakes.
"Why do you return the money!" in
quired the gentleman in surprise.
"You don't want my snakes, and l