St. Landry democrat., 1890-08-02
China.

China, or the Celestial Empire. az 1t is
sometimes called, is one of the Oldest and
most remarkable nations on the globe. It's
high antiquity, its peculiar civilization
its complicated system of government it's
wonderful artificial works, all combine to
make China and the Chinese nation and
people of much interest to all.
But with all these attractions, China is
very imperfectly known. For many hun
dreds of gears the people jealousy guarded
their land from all intrusion on the part OF
others; and, although for the last half
century, foreigners have been permitted to
enter, it will be many years before the
world will be fully acquainted with the
language, resources, and people of this
densely populated nation.
The early history is of such mythical
nature as to make it very hard to sltt the
true from the untrue. There is national
legend, which says that Pankee, the first
of all things, founded the nation. AT first
it was governed by gods. and afterwards
descendants of the gods, who taught the
people all the arts of civilization.
The true history seems to commence
with the Hia dynasty, begun by Yu the
Great. about 22O7 B. C. During the reign
of Slug Wing, was born Confucius, who
deserves a place among the worlds great
men. At this time, the country was dl-
yided into many small States, each gov
erned by it's own ruler, The King of Tsin
finally gained ascendancy over the others,
and it was from him that the country re-
ceiyed the name of Tsina or Chica. Dur
ing the reign of Tsin the great wall one of
the most onerous undertakings ever COM
menced by human hands, was built.
China presents many objects of interest
to the traveller The country is so densely
populated that every inch of arabic land
has been carefully cultivated, and in many
places the traveller comes upon hoatlng
islands, which are little villages in them
selves, and there are people living on these
islands who have not set foot upon the
shore for years.
There are several systems of lakes in
China. and the scenery around these lakes
is very beautiful. A peculiar feature OF
one lake, the Tain, is, that, although
| quite shallow, high mountains rise
| abruptly from it's shores on the western
| side.
| But, If the traveller could find nothing
else to occupy his time, he might spend 1t
very profitably in studying the people.
They are truly peculiar race, and do
not think that other nations are apt to
appreciate them as they deserve.
The Chinese are very proud of their
country and it's ancient civilization, which
was t1ourishing at time when Christian
nations had no existence. The love of his
country is one of The most strongly rooted
principles in the mind of chinaman.
Considering that China contains one-thlrd
! Of the population of the globe that pop
ular education is more general. and the
social structure more firmly settled than
in any other country and that many of
the great inventions of modern times have
been in use by the Chinese for centuries,
the narrow mirdedness and over bearing
disposition to foreigners with which the
Chinaman is charged, may be called only
natural.
Considered as individuals, the Chinese
are industrious, skillful, polite and provi-
dent. Although they have less personal
courage than the Europeans, and lower
standard of morality. yet they are neither
quick tempered nor revengeful; and under
favoring circumstances, their commercial
enterprise would play an important part
in the world.
On the whole, the Flowery Land Is
country which will richly repay the re-
searches either of the student or the trav-
eler, whose privilege it Is to visit its
ancient shores.