Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1900-07-05

Earth" (ti mu mai nai) the correctness
Of the inference is open to serious
question. The word heaven" is, it
is true, often used in the Chinese clas-
sizes in such way as to convey the
idea Of personality and viii. But 1t Is
likewise employed in manner which
suggests very little of either, and
when we read in the commentary that
Heaven is principle" the vagueness
OF the term Is obvious. 70 this am
biguity in classical use corresponds
the looseness of meaning given to it
in everyday life. The Chinaman who
mas been worshipping heaven upon
being pressed to know what ne means
by heaven" will frequently reply
that ii is the blue expanse above. His
worship is, therefore, in harmony with
that of him who worships the powers
Of nature, either individually or col
lectively. His creed may be described
in Emersonian phrase as "one with the
blowing clover and the falling rain"
In other words. he is pantheist.
Chinese Politeness.
Turning now to their social charac-
teristics we find that the one thing
after the possession of the 10 classics
on which the Chinese specially pride
themselves is politeness. And truly, If
national refinement Is to be measured
by the mien and carriage OF its people,
the Chinese are entitled to high place
among the children of men. A Chinese
official in full costume is a most i'm
posing figure and carries himself with
great dignity and self-possession,
albeit he is usually some four or FIVE
inches shorter than the average Amer
lean. In this respect he owes much to
his long dress, but more to the patient
study of an art now almost monopoliz-
ed among Americans by aspirants to
the triumphs of the stage. There is
not a single awkward movement as
the Chinese gentleman bows his visi-
tor into his house or supplies him
from his own hand with the cup of
tea which Is Indispensable to an inter-
view. Not until his guest is seated will
the Chinese host venture to take up his
position on the right hand of the
former; and il, in the course Of an
excited conversation, either should
raise himself, however slightly, from
sitting posture it is the bounden duty
for the other to do so too. No Chinese
gentleman will sit while his equal
stands. Occasionally, where it Is not
intended to be overrespectful to a vlsi-
tor, a servant will bring in the tea
one cup in each hand Then, standing
before his master and the guest. he
will cross his arms, serving the guest,
who is to his right, with the left hand
his master with the right. The object
of this is to expose the palm-in
Chinese the heart-of either hand to
each recipient of tea. 1t is a token OF
fidelity and respect
The tea itself Is called guest tea"
and is not intended for drinking. It
has more useful mission than that of
allaying thirst. Alas for the bar
barian" who drinks off his cupful be-
lore ten words have been exchanged
and confirms the unfavorable opinion
ais Chinese host already entertalns of
the manners and customs of the west!
And yet little trouble spent in learn
ing the quaint ceremonies Of the Chi
nese would have gained him much
esteem as an enlightened and tolerant
man. For, while desp ing western
men outwardly. the Chinese grandees
know well enough that inwardly west
ern men feel themselves superior, and
thus 1t comes TO pass that voluntary
concession on the part of Americans
or Englishmen or Frenchmen to any
Of their points of etiquette is always
most amleably acknowledged.
Etiquette of Guest Tea"
To return to our muttons. guest
tea Is provided in a Chinese inter-
view to be used as a signal by either
party that the interview is at an end.
A guest no sooner raises his cup to his
lips than n dozen voices shout to his
coolies to bring his chair; so, too,
when the master of the house IS pre-
vented by other engagements from
playing any longer the part of host,
ne makes motion as il to drink his
tea. and forthwith the guests chair is
called for, Without previous warning
unusual except among intimate ac-
qualntances-this guest tea is never
to be touched except as signal of de-
parture. Strangers meeting in China
may freely ask each other their names,
their provinces and their business
prospects. II is always considered a
compliment to an old Chinaman. who
is justly proud OF his years. to inquire
his age. and il takes the curious form
Of Your venerable teeth" but middle
aged Celestials do not, as n rule. care
about the question and their answers
can rarely be depended upon. 1t is
also good form in China to ask the
number and sex of a mans children;
also II his father and mother are still
lin the hail. /. e.. alive. His wife.
however, must never be alluded to.
even in the most indirect manner.
Friends meeting either or both in
sedan chairs, stop their bearers at
once and get out with all possible
expedition: the same rule APPLIES 10