The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-08
VIEWED BY SLANTiNG EYES.
Cinnamon Wonder at the Customs and
Dress of Western Nations.

Cinnamon Wonder at the Customs and
Dress of Western Nations.
From an article in a Moscow paper
with the unpronouncable name of
Vvestnik Yevropy, it appears that the
inha bitants of the celestial empire take
very great interest in the doings OF
the people of Europe. Books on Euro
peans form quite branch of Chinese
literature: their diplomats and savants,
as well as those who travel for pleasure
and business, furnish all kinds Of in
formation to their fellow -countrymen,
who read it with avidity.
The first to betray their curiosity in
this respect were the inhabitants of
the rich city of Canton; they were de-
sirous to know something about those
who were able to do SO much toward
trade and gain SO much money.
Several successive wars, which have
all ended badly for the Chinese, have
increased their desire to know more
about the western races, with there
suit that the Chinese public is suffer
ing from an embarrassment of riches
in the way of books ana pamphlets
concerning us.
1t has occurred to a certain Shen-
Sui-Shen to summarize all this liter
allure in one volume: he has accord
ingly published book of information
toms, financial matters, education. etc,
etc. which enjoys great popularity in
China. Chapter X. of this work deals
with popular customs; it is from this
chapter that we take the following:
Our dress is mentioned first They
notice that on festivs occasions our
ladies dress in white, whereas in China
white is a sign of mourning. Long
dresses they do not understand; the
Chinese lady won Id not be able to dis
play her small feet in such robes.
AS to the corset-''an article made of
silk or cotton'-it passes their compre-
hension.
The Chinese authorities express sur
prise that the women are considered
equal to the men, that the wife's father
and mother are called by the children
grandfather and grandmother. and
that her brothers and sisters are uncles
ald aunts In China the wifes relations
do not count.
The relations between the sexes are
incomprehensible. The young
women speak to the young men, and
~ speak to several young men at the
same time. The young men and women
walk together in the streets, sit togeth-
er in shady corners, and even dance to-
gether with their arms around each
other" which shocks the Chinaman
who stays in his own country.
In Europe a man must not smoke
when talking to lady unless he asks
permission. In China ladies smoke just
like the gentlemen.
The master of the house always
walks forward to meet his guests, who
shake hands with him and thank him
for the invitation. In China, however.
The host shakes his own hands, and
when he invites people to dinner he
Just looks round to see that all is ready
and shuts himself up in his room.
We western people do not pay enough
attention to funeral ceremonies and
forms. In the celestial empire the
;hoice of a burial place and finding of
wood for coffin occupy the
eisure thoughts of the people for years
They think good deal of our thea
5ers, and admire the ballets; the or
and cleanliness of our pub |
ic baths also excite their admiration. |
On the other hand, they are filled |
With indignation at the way we treat |
newspapers when we have read them.
The celestials have great regard for |
printed paper, and burn it in furnaces |
destined for that purpose, the ashes |!
being dropped into the sea or deposited |
1t the bottom of the river There are |
wen special societies for the collection
IF waste printed paper. and to see that |
t is properly disposed of.-Boston
Globe.