+
Novembor 22, 1902.]
was pleased to see, projecting from a doorway In large letters, the words "Photographer Executed," and across the way the plice of a "Healcutter * wherein the chief was dis- tinguished by a long white; own, of approved nightshirt pattern, his assistant being at ired only in a worn G-string. The executed photo- grapher had left in a showeise a picture of a rooster ou a crossbar as high as tae ordin ry native-house. This perch had been chose to exhibit the tail of the bird, which hung to the ground. We learned that this was a photo- graph taken in the village, and were directed through several lane-like streets to the h nse of the own r. He pointed out this treasure to us, in a cage nailed against the side of the honse, where with the descending sun it had been put away to roost, its precious toil gathered in a roll and fastened in a bag. As darkness had not yet come the owner willingly took the bird, about the size of a Wyandotte, from the cage, and placing it on the gecund, removed the bag, loosened the roll, and let his | pet go clucking about the yard.
When trailing at its full length the tail looked as long as the owner of the bird declared it to be, fifteen feet. There were not more than half a dozea feathers of the extreme length, but quite a bunch trailed a yard or more, all of which, the owner said, would eve itually match the largest. A fringe of soft body feathers clustered around the roots of the tail, but there was no indication in this bird that the body fringe would develop into a skirt, as is said to occur at Tosa, on the island of Shikoku, where the long-tailed fowl was first developed and where specialists yet devote their time to breeding it. In that soction the bird sits all day on a flat, narrow perch, being taken out only once in two days and allowed to walk about for half an hour, a man holding the tail to prevent its becoming torn or siled. When washed, once or twice a month, only wa m water is used, and after that operation the brd is taken to a roof, or some other high place, where a man holds the tail until it dries. In moving one of the birds any long distance, the breed-r places it in a box about six inches square and nearly five feet long, with a grating for air at the body end, and a division to protect the tail, which is twis'ed as little as in y be.
The bird before ns had no such hothouse cire or treatment. Its waer said that he garo it as much outing as an ordinary fowl, taking care only to keep it where other cocks might not molest it. It looked sturdy and active, and in good physical trim. Its age was high and narrow, much after the regulation pattern for such fowls. The bottom rested on the porch of the house. Around the sides was drawn a close cartain, leaving the top open for light and air. A piece of bamboo was stretched a little below the perch for the support of the tail. The affec. tion between owner and bird was thoroughly mutual. Not only would the bird respond at the call of its name, but it bad strong fondness for the house, where it moved about like one of the family, and clucked for notics as though accustomed to petting much of the time and unwilling to let inattention pass without protest.
AME.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
Their absence cost us nothing, however, for a toddler whose head barely reached the top of the foreign table at which we sat, and who had been devouring us in wide-eyed wonder since our arrival, instantly noticed onr ned, and with demeanour as grave and important as if the respou: ibility of the establishment res'ed upon her, took the teapot from us, and presently returned, its extra weight of fluid making hm gait uns endy With all the strength she coum muster in both arms, she tendered the pot to us. Upon our giving her a square of ame, she moved gravely tack from the table, lowered her hands to her knees, uttered a so'emu drigato (thanks) and bowel twice profoundly,
A RAINY DINISH.
Rain surprised the village while we lingered, and as we looked out upon the street the damp- ness had produced a crop of animated mus :« rooms. At least so appeared those caught out side, under the cover of the umbrellas of yellow oiled paper, which kept from view everything except the high clogs and bare 1 gs of their carriors. Our restaurant shop mau brought forward for each of us one of these shields against the downpour, and they not only kept off the wet but so filtered the gathering gloom that we felt on our way to the station, despite our soaking shoes, as though the sun shining.
CANTON,
FROM OUR CORRE.PONDENT.]
were
Cauton. 18th November. The foreiga "onsuls called at the residence of the late Viceroy Tao Mu last Saturday.
H.E. TO MU'S DOCTORS.
All over China the Chines3 refuse to believe in foreign medicines; they say that the climate and their manner of living are so different from those of foreigners that the foreign medicine is too strong and does not suit their weak stomachs; it might do more harm than good. So, as a rule, whenever a foreign doctor is called in to attend to the sick, Chinese medicine is taken instead; the foreign doctor is told that the patient has taken his medicine when it has been thrown away. It is said that while the late Viceroy Tao Mu was under the medical treatment of a foreign doctor he had also, at the instigation of his attendants, three Chinese doctors to attend to him, who in the sb-ence of the foreigu doctor had prescribed for his paticut forty lizard's tails and other rubbish to take-which accolerated his death
H USING OF THE FLOATING POPULATION.
In some places along the riv r-front there are numerous matsheds in which the boat population live for years. The landsmen generally despise, ill-teat, and squeeze them. and if they have no money or friends to protect them, they would not go into the city to live. As the government is looking for more places in which to establish English schools the Acting Prefect Kung has summoned before him the occupints of over two hundred matsheds and required the a to shit to other places. For a mitshed of large siz、the govera- ment proposes to pay the occupant 35 faels, for one of middling size 20 taels, and for smaller 10 taels. The bost people, however. refuse because thy have not sufficient time to look for other places.
EXECUTED BY STRANGULATION.
are,
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In the restaurant shop signs adorned the walls to which the proprietor invited our notice, in token presumably that he was ready fo foreign trade. One of them advertised most On Sunday there was au execution by stran finest French koniak," another dwelt on the gulation on one of the jetties near the I. M.
Customs. The culprit, of about 26 of
years virtues of ame, a translucent paste so unlike the usual native confection that the foreign who had confessed to the crime of attacking and palate is at once attracted to the choicer varie-robbing a rica-shop in Tak Hing Street, and ties of it. It is to be met in many forms, from wounding two baves, was carried in a basket the consistency of syrup to that of jujube. A to the place of execution among a large crowd Japanese hostess presses upon her caller at part of people, and there put in one of the upright ing a dainty package of it, wrapped in decoratep wooden cages invented by the late Li Hung- rics paper and tied with bright ribbons. The chang. H was strangled with thin ropes of kiud here placarded itself as specially beneficial about the size of the small finger and killed in a to "patients of lung and indigestion, the effect few seconds, his boly being left there for two much excellent; visitors should take some home or three days. as one of Japanese present of sweet," us to try it on the spot, and the atte.dants A Shanghai native paper states that the con- served it on trays carved with scenes in thedition of the surrounding districts of Chentu templed island from which we had come. Even a dish so choice as ame may not be eaten with out the accompaniment of tea; and since the appetite for that beverage grows like the toper's, we had occasion to refill the pot once when none of the grown attendants chanced to be near.
It suited
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has become improved as the Boxers have mide themselves less obnoxious to the people. St arson and murder are committed, although not so numerous; in consequence Viceroy Chon has ordered that the Militia system be instituted at places where Boxers are present.
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SWATOW.
[FROM OUR COR .ESPONDENT.]
401
Swatow, 18th Novembar.
'HE OPIUM TROUBLE.
A letter signed by twenty-fou- Chinese hongs was sent to Mr. Richardson, head of Messrs. Bradley & Co., thanking him for the trouble taken on their behalf with regard to the abolitiod of the Kwong Hing Co.'s opiam tax. Since the office of the latter company is still peo, the opium merchants have also petitioned Mr. Richardson to get the Taotai to issue a proclamation to the effect thit opium will in future not be subject to any more tax s and that the Chinese may resume the importation of the drug themselves.
NAVAL MOVEMENTS.
H.M.S. Algerine arrived here a few days ago from Amoy. Speculatious as to her intentions in com ng here were very rife. Her arrival seem, with some reason, to be connected with the opium diffi ulty. An att mpt is still made to lery the tax at Chiayangchow, a large Hakka district.
AN ENTERTAINMENT.
་
A well-arranged smoking concert was given by the shipping fraternity and H.M.8 Algerins in the Kialat Club on Saturday last at 9 p.m. The Club's premises were nicely decorated for the occasion, and no pains or trouble were spared do make the evening a success, which, in the end, it proved to be, to the great satisfaction of all concerned. In answer to the iuvilations issued dearly all Swatow turned out, The concert commenced at about 9 o'clock, and, thanks to the pendid m nagement of the chairman, Capt Roland Nugent, IN, of II.M.S. Algerike, it went through without the slightest hitch. Judging by the great merriment that prevailed everyone present must have enjoyed bim-elf immensely. The recitation of a "Band of Hope Meling' by Mr. Watson-Paul, author of Longshore Romane 8, provoked great aghter. Everyone was encored, particularly Messrs. Drake aud The King, who were recalled several times. sword dance by Capt. W. Young, to the great regret of many. nufortunately did not come off. The string band of H.M.S. Algerine was in attendance. Mr. Lewis greatly pleased the company by his violin solos. In the course of the evening a presentation of a pretty pewter mug, engraved H.M.S. Algerine," was made behalf of the mercantile by Mr. King, on marine, to Commander Roland Nugent, Mr. King, who, by the by, is a son of Eria, made a few humorous remarks in presenting the mug to Commander Nugent, who made an equally witty reply. The company dispersed long after the midnight bells had chimed.
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FOOCHOW.
The following items are from the Foochow Echo of the 8th inst.:-
H. M. cruiser Algerine arrived at Pagoda Anchorage on the 3rd instant and will probaby atay until the 11th instant.
the
Monday, the 3rd inst., baing the anniversary of the bir.hday of the Emperor of Japan, was given over to rejoicing by His Imperial Majes ty's loyal subjects in Foochow as elsewhere. During the morning of that day the Chinese offici s were hospitably entertain d ́ at Japanese Consulate. The honse and grounds were tastefully decor.ted and daylight fireworks were exbicited. A reception was held ly Mr. aud Mrs. Teshima at 9 o'clock which was very largely attended, those assembled including the various Consuls, te captain of H.M.S. Algerine and the ciptain and officers of H.IJ.M.'s Chihaya, who came up to Foochow after celebrating the o o sion with due honours on board the cruiser at Pagoda. The Consulate grounds were bright with effective adornments of multicoloured lanterns. A brilliant display of fireworks entertain d the gu sts; a special feature remarked was the crest of the Mikado in vivid and rapidly varying colourings Tho band, lent for the occasion by H E. the Viceroy, played selections and performed for the dance programme. Refreshments were provided on a lavish scale, a sumptuous supper was served in three rooms soon after eleven, and while it was in progress the guests were enlivened by the strains of the varions national anthems,
rendered by the Chinese band. The