The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-17

prices according to it's quality. These
nests are found in or near rocky sea-
coasts, caves in Borneo, Java and Su-
matra, and are builded by species of
swallow, from probably delicate sea-
weed which they find in the surf, and
which, with some secretion of the
crop, they form the nest, which is like
a little rounded shelf, slightly con-
cave, of the appearance of Russian
isinglass, and is affixed by it's own
gluey substance to the face of the
rocks. The best white ones are $40
a catty; the darker ones, soiled with
feathers, etc., less, down to even IS
per catty. These darker ones I saw
soaking in warm water, by which they
fell apart, looking like shreds of wilted
cabbage; from these the long, dirty
nailed Chinese clerks were picking out
the cleanest bits. I bought of clean
nests enough at least for one soup.
The wholesale drug stores were very
low buildings, full of strengthening
bales. At the doors were many Chi
nese, shaving or planning roots into
thin sections and drying leaves on
bamboo frames. The retail drug shops
we're full of strange-shaped packages
and curious Walls, as foreign to me as
if had never been in drug store.
My guide was useless 30 far as helping
me in obtaining any information in
these places.
The pottery stores were disappoint-
ing, inasmuch as the ware now made
seems rough, heavy and without
beauty. Very few old pieces are seen
in the curio shops, which latter are
abundant, and such pieces are not as
fine as commonly seen in the collec-
tions of Europe. Hence it must be
that the ware of the old dynasties is
scarce and has mostly gone abroad.
Jade is the precious stone Of the
Chinese. Every man, woman and
child, even coolies, seem to wear
heavy, round bracelets or amulets OF
this substance. It varies in color from
grayish-pearl of a greasy appearance
to mottled copper-green. Earrings,
finger and thumb-rings, amulets, hair
ornaments, besides buckles and open
work carved ornaments are seen;
these, however, without grace or
beauty. Jade is very hard and the
difficulty Of working it adds to its
cost.
Ornamental silver work, consisting
of jewelry and various vessels, IN both
flgree and repousse, abound, and the
white silver amulets on the brown
skins of the children and women look
appropriate.
Ivory carvings by the Chinese are
familiar to most persons in our own
country. Such show much labor and
detail in deep and underwriting, are
in design crowded, crude and taste
less; for export they follow European
designs.
l noticed that each street at it's end
or where there was a jog in 1t had
strong, wooden gates, which are closed
at night, and special watchman
guarding them.
Besides funeral undertakers there
are numerous wedding undertakers,
who furnish on hire everything, such
as sedans, umbrellas, ornaments,
bridal CROWNS and other requirements.
Furniture of Chinese models, OF
heavy woods, is stained black and con-
siderably carved and often profusely
inlaid with bits of mother-of-pearl.
Little of this is exported, but there is
very large home market for such
among the wealthier classes.
I visited the places where weaving
of Chinese figured silks was done. The
same old primitive hand loom, clum-
sily made and half buried in dirty
floor, with a stout Chinese "cherub"
of about one hundred and fifty pounds