The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1894-09-06

replace it by mechanical forces. In the
arts OF metallurgy, they have attained
only to mediocrity; in alloying metals,
in chased and carved work in gold and
silver they excel. Their carved work in
ivory, wood and horn, is exauisitely
delicate. In the manufacture of glass.
though but recently introduced, they are
making good progress. Their porcelain
was a century z unexcelled; but the
quality, styles and finish are below the
standard OF ware now produced in
Europe, and their patterns have never.
compared with those OF the classic ages
OF Europe. The manufacture OF silk is
original with Chinese, and in some direc-
tons Europeans or Americans have not
yet equnlled their product. A durable
cotton cloth (nankeen) is made in the
central provinces. Having few animals
they make no leather, or only a poor
quality. The only woolen fabi les of the
Chinese are felt for soles and hats and "a
kind OF rug.
Chinese mechanics OF different trades
form associations with certain rules and
regulations, but these are freely submit
ted to, no restraint being imposed by the
sta,e on the liberty OF trade. Handicraits-
men OF every trade wander through the
streets OF cities and villages carrying
their implements ready to do every Job
on the spot. The Chinese are e%miuently
II trading people; their merchants are
acute, sagaciuus and enterprising, not
over scrupulous as to mercantile honesty
in small transactions, but in large deal
Jugs exhibit that regard for character in
the tullillment OF theirobligations which
extensive commercial operations usually
produce. The inland commerce OF China
is immense. 1t has been asserted that
there Is Il greater mount OF tonnage
belonging to China thar to all other
nations combined. The principal arti-
Giles of export are tea, silk and silk
goods, straw goods, mats, porcelain and
~lacqucred ware, fire crackers, fans, sweet
meats, rattan, grass cloth, vegetable tall
low, pictures and Others which may be
called tritles or notions in trade, but
their value is considerable.
The principal articles OF import are
opium, domestics and sheeting, ginseng,
lin, lead, iron in the form OF bars, rods,
and hoops, wooden goods and petroleum.
Gold and silver thread is largely impor-
ted for embroidery. Fine iurs are chiefly
brought from Mantchooria and Siberia.
Among the most salable articles of for
eign manufacture are, umbrellas, nee
dies, clocks and watches, cheap jewelry,
telescopes, cutlery, snuff, corks, glass
ware, lamps and chandeliers. Steam and
sailing vessels belonging to foreigners
are permitted to the coasting trade and
up the Iangtsc river, but are allowed to
visit only ports named in the treaties.
Foreigners can acquire land and houses
at the seaPorts, and may travel in the
interior Tor trade or pleasure, but must
use the conveyances OF the country.
Shanghai is considered by its residents a
"model settlement" Has n considerable
police force TO maintain order among it's
5000 foreign and 100, 600 native residents.
1t has many OF the attributes of Il free
city.
The first line OF telegraph was quilt in
1850 II length OF 80 miles. They now have
two lines completed to Shanghai one via
India and Singapore, the other via Sibe-
ria and Japan. There are no chartered
banks IN China. Private banks are num-
crous. Lonn Offices and pawnbrokcrs
abound. The legal interest on small
loans is 3 per cent a month but in BUSH
ness 10 to 10 per cent: per annum is the
usual rate. The monetary system is
arranged on the principe OF weight. They
use the tael, mace, candareen, and cash,
and Mexican dollars are employed in
commercial transactions. All weights
and measures are on the decimal system.
Emigration to foreign countries by way
OF the sea has been opened within 10
years. The greatest flow has been across
tine Pacific to California, next to that, to
Australia. The timid character OF the
Chinese will prevent them IRON ever
coming III very great numbers.
AS a iaborer the Chinamun though
lacking in vigor, is constant, and brings
to his labor Intelligence which augment
the result Printed books are cheaper
in China than anywhere else, notwith-
standing the clumsiness Of their print
in apparatus. biographical knowledge
is mainly limited to their own country.
a school known as the University OF
Picking was established in 1868 to instruct
Chinese youth in various branches OF
western knowledge. The professors are
foreigners. In the fine arts, the aesthe-
teal feeling OF the Chinese has been
d veloped in Il manner so peculiar as to
nafN all nnIn Tuf iS.n ,,itb fFt,rf,t Ina, .",
While their skiliul sculpture, paintings
n architecture may Justly be admired,
the designs are to us grotesque and incon-
gruous, though they are able to copy
European works admirably. In land
scnpe gardening they excel, but their
singular prediction for dwarfsh and
stunted forms, mars the effect of their
designs.
Their music is painfully discordant to
cultivated ears. They have many wind
and string Instruments but OF melody,
rhythm or harmony, they have no con
ception, The gong is Chinese music.
Dancing is set down rs Il part OF the IRA
matte art, and they prefer to hire some
one to do that Tor them. -
ihuIlelcnct W TellplOH IL u prominent
national trait OF character. They have
not even a general term corresponding
with the word religion.
buddhism in China is decried by the
learned, laughed at by the pronigate, yet
followed by all"
China has no public debt. Decapita-
ton and strangling are the legal modes
OF executing criminals. The more cruel
modes are discarded. China owes her
advance in numbers, industry and wealth,
mainly to her peaceful character and poll
icy. OF late years the government has
shown a disposition to adopt the weap-
ons and military methods OF western
nations. The want OF courage has been
proverbial, but il is not without honora-
BILE exceptions. The Chinese wall 1850
miles long, is one OF the greatest works
ever undertaken by man. Their history
dates back 5000 years.