New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-15
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SOME LIGHT SKETCHES OF CHINESE
LIFE

cFTafPsEs or CHINA AND CHINESE HOMES,
BY Edward : Morse formerly me- i.i,,. -r,,lio
nustratej from sketches a the Authors J i,iiI
nal octave pI. Nv" 10
Brown a Co.
Professor Morse made some years ago short
,,sit N China he realizes, with the capable
author Of .'Chinese Characteristics" whom he
ono,es on the subject. that even long residence
An the Orient II not necessarily guarantee oi
competence 20 write about II. But he has had
tour years OF experience an Japan, which seems
To have been Of some use 10 Aim ON his chinese
enterprise and his book has the Weri 81 sla'-
ans clearly a number of facts which hafe plainly
been observed with intelligence ana sympathy
TIis text Is abuudautly illustrated with sketches
that n lacking IN artistic value, are al an
events practical and expressive Of what the
drauehtsnsn wants % say. Professor Morse
has beep in Chinese homes both u city and
,ountry and he can tel us something also about
10 theatre or prison. or temple I'm China 10
b. most interesting when he b. throwing light
81 the domestic environment and habits OF an
average Chinamau. some parts Of the house
were closed o. him. I'm a house he describes
an the members of the family gathered auoHi
him. with the exception ~ a seventeenth ear-old
daughter who was. ne says, las much pris-
oner as any felon" He wanted particularly ."
daughter Al home but his host regrettully too
him that il was impossible 10 grant 1he request
~ 4 were allowed even q glimpse Of ms sister
chamber II might be reported by the Servants
and her chance of marriage might Zee mieIile'''
DC further told me that even the lower classes
were particular IN these matters Even the
lllost intimate friend ~ the family would MOI
he allowed 10 60 upstairs In other matters
however. Professor Morse was made 10 fe'l a'
home IN this characteristic interior
He visited A. on a cold and rainy day M Feoru-
ary but there was no visible means ~ warming
the house The apartments were dark, damp
and chilly the floor was wet and cold ana
began 10 stamp my feet To get warm upon
which servant brought me bronze foot-
warmer" throughout his stay he had 10 Keep
on his thick winter ulster. Everyone m me
house wore thiczly quilted garments. his host
adding q fur robe TO his costume. The whole
place was IN the strongest contrast 10 Japan
ese home. m respect of cleanliness II was dirN
~ an extent only paralleled says the author
.'hv an Ainu hut" Remembering the inquisi-
torial ways Of Ii Hung Chang, ne ventured 10
turn the tables and 10 ask some searching CUES
tions He asked, Tor example the price ~
everything his Chinese friend had on a. The
moment He gives the list follows Long
overcoat lined with squirrel skin. 500. short
satin gown. SEQ. waistcoat 81 legglngs, -
sleeves 81: stockings 20 cents hat - cents
wadded gown 81. and few other items brought
she sum 10 Sll010 He further informed me
that a finely dressed Chimes might easily have
on clothing costing Sl.5oo The care shown
nv tbis gentleman in his attire did not extend
40 his kitchen. which was dark, gloomy ana
dirty" bur Professor Morse had 10 face with as
much couposure as possible the prospect Of eat
,np a dinner cooked therein, and ne duly de-
srrihes A. seam ran through the top OF The
,sblo where the two boards Joined. In seating
ruests' H.. adds etiquette requires that The
seam should rum al right angles with The line
drawn between the host ana guest. We were
four in number and the FIRST guest OF honor
sits directly opposite the host the next IN honor
sits al the left OF the host while the third guest
sits directly opposite the second guest, and, Of
course TO the right Of the first guest Women
ave excluded from the table, as I'm Japan" Pro-
fessOr Morse gives a list Of the articles or food
ne had for dinner with the brief comments he
recorded al the time. We quote IL herewith;
Water chestnut Crispy and interesting
Peanuts fried In oil served colo. Delicious
win fry peanuts when get home).
Watermelon seed. Indifferent and one Won
ders what the Chinese ma n interest I'm the
diminutive morsel within.
An uncoolIed goose's egg, four wears old.
CHASTITY
s6lted chicken cold. First rate
Sailed pork. Fairly good.
Delicious
Fish. with rich gravy. Delicious.
sharks nm. n gelatnous mass. Delicious
'l Fermented hean-Curd SOUP Very poor
The notes of which this book IS composed re-
semble the foregoing IN illustrating the orcinaly
phases OF Chinese lie They are put together
IN pleasant chapters. and while pretending 10
no great weight they should, On their modest
way. serve 10 increase the students store ~ M
formation.