The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-10-07
ETIQUETTE OF TIE QUEUE.
CAREFUL ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE
PlGTAlL IN CHINA.


Fiowery Kingdom-costumes of the
sexes--A Lady's wardrobe-How the
Queue Is Made
In eastern countries the traveller is par
ticularly impressed by the simplicity in
dress, and of the various eastern nations
China certainly leads in this particular
although falling far behind the japanese
and many of the people of India in grace
and beauty, says the Detroit Free Press.
Ladies' costumes are stiff and conven-
tional, as to hide the outline of the figure
is the main object.
A Chinese lady is shocked at the inn
modest apparel of an English woman, the
contour of whose figure is much too
plainly seen to suit her notions OF pro-
priety. A man is dressed in simply jacket
and trousers and these multiplied accord
ing to the severity of the weather. No
undergafments are worn.
On cold days eleven or twelve suits are
piled on and six or seven can frequently
be counted ON passers- by on account OF
the difference in their length and color.
Leggings, overvest and gown are added,
according as they are desired or can be
afforded.
The coolies generally prefer natures
own garb when the temperature permits
it, and an upper-class man ordinarily
wears long gown reaching to the ankles,
short jacket, white stockings, silk shoes
and little blacS skull cap. lady's
wardrobe differs from this only in substi-
tuting for the gown skirt. This is a
veritable divided skirt for it's component
parts have never been joined together. A
loose panel hangs down before and be-
hind, and underneath is a scant skirt
which buttons up at the side. Ladies do
not wear bonnets of any kind. The hair
is dressed deliberately to resemble dragons
and butterflies and many fantastic figures,
and when decorated with fancy pins,
forms a sufficient head covering. 1t is
plastered stiff with a kind of glue and
remains in these astonishing shapes for
two or three days.
Men take as much pride in their hair as
women, and the "pigtail" is a thing of
no little moment. 1t enters into matters
of etiquette which even the lowest coolie
observes, and takes as much skill to man
age as lady's train. 1t is not true that
man would rather die than lose his queue,
though Notwithstanding popular sup
position to that effect, for all the Budd-
hist priests shave their polls, and bald
ness over the whole scalp is exceedingly
common in both men and women. An
occasional careless old man is seen with
out queue, but usually il there is any
hair at all it is gathered into braid,
though the whole may not be any larger
than shoestring, and the owner feels
happy.
In making the queue the whole head is
shaved except circular patch upon
the crown. The hair from this is braided,
and strands Of silk are added, which end
in tassel reaching to the heels. In de-
scending stairs it is picked up as a lady
picks up her skirts, and in sitting down
the " attache " places it carefully at his
side.
In full mourning the black strands are
replaced by white ones, and in second
mourning by light blue or green.
1t is an objectionable breach of ETH
quette for an inferior to enter the pres
ence Of superior with his queue wound
around his neck or head as it is FREE
quenty disposed OF during work, and the
greatest insult one man can offer another
is to pull his queue.
1t seems very odd to see sailors and
soldiers on ships and barracks combing
each others long tresses, or coolies at the
street corners performing the same
friendly Office, and barber's stall or shop
is usually surrounded by dozen or so
men Of all classes, sitting gossiping in the
sun while their long hair floats in the
breeze, drying after a shampoo.
BARRIERS drive lively trade among the
Celestials, for not only the head but the
whole face is shaved, for custom forbids
a man to wear a beard and mnstache until
he becomes grandfather. A gray beard
is an object of great veneration, and the
old fellows take great deal of pride in
the scanty growth which reluctantly
sprouts from lip and chin, and old
handles commonly wear a little ivory
comb, suspended from the jacket by a
silver chain, with which they coax and
pet this hirsute growth with as much
concern as any freshman in a medical col
lege.
In dress, everyday China is dull in
color, and extremely filthy but upon
holidays and feast days gay silks are
donned by rich and poor, ana display is
made which is absolutely savage in it's
brilliancy and combination. AT weddings
the guests are gorgeously clothed, and
bridal procession is a pretty as well as
q frequent sight in the streets of towns.
The bride always goes to the home of her
husband, and the procession is no small
part of the ceremony. The happy young
woman expects to live in submission to her
mother n-law, and hopes in time to rule
a household when her sons bring home
wives. This marrying in Of sons and
"marrying out " of daughters gives rise
to the great clans who all bear one name
and follow one line of trade. They make
up the villages usually, and sometimes
compose whole towns, and not infre-
quently become notorious for their law
lessness and depredations. Almost every
district has it's "Olive" or Gold 4" clan,
which names are as common as Smith and
Jones are with us.
Eating Before Sleeping.
It used to be considered prejudicial to