The Voice Of Freedom

PECULIARITIES OF THE CHINESE. The stature of the Chinese is about the same on an average as that of the French ; their complexion approaches a copper color much like the half-breed American Indian: but some of the ladies have the most purely white or delicate complexion in the world, but which soon changes on exposure to the sun. Their eyes and hair are almost uniformly black, and their eyelids are not opened as wide as those of Europeans. The men shave the hair off their heads except a small tuft at the top, which is braided or plaited and extends down their backs. There is no change of Fashion as with other nations, but the same fashion and costumes continue for ages in all parts of the empire. They have hats without brims, and coats and shirts without collars, and trousers without buttons Their stockings are long and tied below the knee. The feet of the ladies are cramped by small shoes, which incommodes them in walking Their houses are generally built of brick and of one story high and without windows, and their furniture consists of a small low table, and a few simple seats, and a few images or household gods.

Their principal and favorite diet is pork, but they occasionally eat beef, mutton, dogs, and even rats, and a variety of vegetables. One of their principal sacrifices to their gods is a whole roasted hog, which they are careful to eat themselves, after presenting it to their idol. They have no large tables, but as many small tables as their families and guests require, seating four at each table, with one of their idols under each. They use no knives or forks at the table ; but the food is cut into small pieces before it comes to the table, and then they use a couple of round straight sticks about the size of a quill and four or five inches long ; these they hold in the right hand and their bowl in the left and by a dexterous management of these sticks, they feed themselves from the bowl. These " chop-sticks" as they are called, are rather difficult to manoeuvre by strangers. They generally travel on foot, but some of the most genteel,—perhaps one in 500,—travel in a sedan chair, borne upon the shoulders of two servants and one in ten thousand may be seen on horseback. Nearly every family has servants either bought or hired. Most of the bought servants or slaves are females and concubines, but treated as menials. Their amusements are principally gambling with cards and dice attending theatres, making processions, &c. But few of them have much time for anything but making money, which is the one grand subject with all classes. The obstacles to the introduction of Christianity among them appears to consist in the prevalent apathy, rather than decided opposition to the subject. Should the missionaries proceed with such energy as to produce an excitement of curiosity, and consequent attraction, the true gospel might be greatly extended in that country.