The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-05-18
Little Chinese Taught in the
Home Language.
Is TAKEN AFTER ENGLISH
Visit to One of the Summarizes
Teacher and PupiIs-Confu-
cius-Singing is Heard.

Down in the heart of the Honolulu
Chinatown, right in the middle of a
square teeming with life, is a select
Chinese school. The teacher is an old
man who wears great round, glass
trimmed spectacles. He is supposed to
be very learned. The Chinese declare
he is fully versed in all the wisdom of
the olden times of the F'lowery King
dom. The school is popular, or at least
is well patronized. The pupils number
a couple of hundred and range in age
from half dozen years to youths and
maidens of 16 or II. The gathering is
a picturesque one and to the person
familiar only with the white mans
methods of instruction, the proceed
ings are unique and striking.
The books are all from China and
are clearly printed and we'll bound.
Each pupil has several text books. The
course in the school seems to include
reading and writing and singing and
the philosophy of Confucius. This lat
ter is given in the shape of lectures by
the aged and serious instructor. The
work in writing is laborious and try
ing. The pupils are taught with infin-
ite trouble to make a couple of the
queer characters. After the symbols
are made the little ones are given the
names of them and memOriZe these in
sing-song, buzzing tones, all working
at once and making a regular drone of
sleepy chorus. The faculty was asked
about his lectures. He said that there
was h inc piD9l ahOnt tharn hIlt
that he sought to be earnest and i'm
preSsive in repeating or presenting the
teachings of the Great Scholar of the
Nation 1T was what is good and
right and the best for all that Con-
fucius has handed down." said the in
structOr. IF the scholars accept what
l read to them from the greatest teach
er, they will be happy amongst them
serves, will be honest to all others and
Will be loved and successful
The scholars sang for a party of Wis
itorS. This was the blow that almost
Frustrated the veteran in the ranks of
the explorers. The Chinese are Ia
mentally weak in vocalism, though it
is the testimony of the famous Pade-
rewski that their instrumental music
is Of high order. In getting all in
readiness for the singing the old pro-
feSsOr had more trouble than start
er at a race track with field of
score of green horses. He shouted and
scolded just a little. Then he smiled
and called attention to the fact that
visitors were present. The singing to
put it very mildly, was simply a yelling
contest. Each participant went into it
at the top Of his voice and with all the
speed that his lung capacity would al
low. The effect was something worse
than a combination of ''come-aI-yez"
and an Indian serenade. But it was
applauded and teacher and pupils were
happy.
This Chinese institution is supple
mental in its way to the public schools
of the land. The same scholars are in
various schools about the city till 2
o'clock in the afternoon. Then they
have a couple of hours in the Chinese
seminary. Most Of the weather. Chin
csc send their children back to the |
home land TO learn the reading and |
writing and teachings of Confucius In |
the public schools here the Chinese pu-
pills are bright and industrious. but |
woefully tiresOme in pronunciation.