A FEW CHINESE CONTRASTS.
By Estella Hamilton
LOOKING at the map of the world, we find China to be upon the other side of the earth from our own country, and, as we sometimes say, under our feet. Perhaps, now that we find them opposite to ourselves in location, we will be able to learn that they are opposite to us in many other respects. If we were to speak of a Chinaman, we would probably say John Chinaman, but at home he is called Chinaman John. When he goes to school, he sits with his back to his teacher, and studies aloud. The master has a stick called a ferule, which he uses when any fail to study loud enough. "What a noisy school!" I hear some of you say. Until within the last few years, they did not think it worth while to educate the girls; but now missionaries have gone there, and, through their influence, some schools for girls have been established. When writing or reading, they begin at the bottom of the page and read upwards. The Chinaman shaves his eyebrows and his head, except a small place at the crown, which he braids and lets hang down his back. This is called a queue, and without it in China he would not be respected. He whitens his shoes, and takes them off instead of his hat when entering the house. When he meets a friend, he shakes his own hand, and leaves his friend to do likewise. Chinamen are fond of fireworks, but usually display them in daylight. The men play marbles and fly kites. If a Chinaman gets offended at his neighbor, he does not try to kill him, but he kills himself upon the other's doorstep. He thinks that by doing this, his spirit will follow his enemy and do him harm.