The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-29

wonderA more on account OF the richness
OF their decorations than for any other
reason. Like everything else in China
however. there is the greatest mixture of
grandeur and tawdriness in every style OF
dwelling. and in addition TO the fine tenn
pie. there are disreputabls looking city
structures. kept IN III repair. where the
idols are made OF pottery and where the
e6iflce consists Of little more than four
walls and a roof. In these temples the
poorer classes worship. offering up little
gifts Of rice and food in small eathenware
dishes to the gods and burning artificial
money and Joss sticks before them.
The social life OF the better classes has
for Il feature the separation Of the sexes
at early age. The girl Ia kept in the
womens apartments from the age Of
years. when the foot-bnding process Is FIRST
instituted. and for the next thirteen years
she is put through a series Of teachings
which are supposed TO TT her for matri-
mony. At 20 she 10 married. the ceremony
being arranged for with elaborate cere-
monies by relatives both Of the bride and
groom. the interested parties to the cere-
mony never seeing each other until the
day OF their wedding. IN many cases. II
may be added that just as deformed feet
are sign Of a high-born woman. so finger
nail. three ard four inches in length are
also a mark of artstocracy. signify!ng that
the person has never done any work. This
poorer classes are not 80 elaborate. the
business being arranged by the simple
process OF bargain aud sale. the woman be-
ing the commodity n the case.
The legal system N China 10 the mos.
corrupt I'm the world. nearly every court
being venal to the last degree and witnesses
to anything under the sun being easily pro-
durable for few cents. No prisoner can
be put to death until he confesses hts fault
md this account the torture Is still I'm
use in all the courts to prevail upon an
unwilling person to confess. Beating the
ankles. stringing up by the thumbs and
twisting the queue are some OF the lighter
forms Of persuasion to induce "A criminal
TO own up.
The execution of a criminal has the merit
of rapidity. his head being struck off with
one sweep of a sword. Death Is the punish
ment for many crimes. and il Is said that
the various Governors who come in contact
with foreign Consuls who are apt to de-
nand the punishment of outrages COM
mitted against their subjects generally
have a few criminals saved up somewhere
who can be executed when there is de-
mand for vengeance. OF course those ex-
ecUted said to be- the culprits wanted.
Suicide prevails to great extent among
the Chinese. superstition being to a great
extent responsible for IL. Often a China
man will xii. himself instead Of an enemy
believing that his spirit will haunt his enc
MY anu ''''S a'ehBc HiHlSfii- Inc 1nlHese
religion does net impose any penalty on
those who commit suicide. SO there is little
wonder that many escape from barren
life to what they think is to be an eternal
rest or something OF the sort.
There is no weekly day of worship and
rest among the Chinese but at New Year
all the Government Offices are closed for a
month. all debts are paid off and there is a
period Of rejoicing with constant celebra-
ton. The three religions of China are Com
fucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. The
first is connected with the teachings of the
great philosopher Confucius. who estab-
ished many years before Christ many Of