HE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE
CHINESE.
[BY PROFESSOR E. 1. PARSER IN THE
** ASIATIC REVIEW."}}",
+i
The Editor of the Aziatic Review has requested mo to "write a paper on the above subject, and in attempting to do so satisfactorily I think I cannot do better than copy out, word for word, without change in spelling and grammar, an English latter I received in July lust from a Shanghai Chinese whose chanes acquaintance I made in England
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11TH, 1925
rows
SHOPPING IN PEKING.
*: [or antck L MORROW IN "CHAMBER'S JOURNAL
In as other city of the world can be found such a superb shopping centre as in Peking!
ter
Leaving the modern Legation Quar
behind, the ricksha coolies amble steadily down the wide dusty roads which do duty for streets in the Tartar capital, through the Ch'ien Men Gate and Tarta: Wall, into Great Ch'ica Men Street, where the pulse of Chinese life throbs steadily, and China goes indifferent to the foreign devil, though far from in- different to his purse.
A long run by ricksha is out to IN COURSE OF COMPILA FION Tiffany's" owned by a six-foot Chinese, York who 80 delighted the New "Tiffany" by his artistic taste that he allowed him to have his name printed on THE DIRECTORY business cards. And buge Chinese Tiffany WR3 a great favourite at the U.S.A. Legation.
In the Eu-Li-Chiang is the greatest Here many curio district in the world.
treasures of a less expensive order can
bound feet. be unearthed--Peking snuff-bottles, king- fisher feather articles, sets of ivory chop sticks, ladies', shoes for painted fish bowls, enamelled buttons in sets, coolie waterpipes, and mandarin camel-bone, enamelled silver balls, and chains with filigree-beads carved in rank insignia intact.
Opinion over the present matter is Chinese to a man, whatever their in- dividual weaknesses, seem to have a pro- The old type Chinese greatly divided.
found respect for, even-handed, tolerant, are against the strike and the irrespon- and disinterested justice, whether exhibit- sible agitations, and these are the real ed by their own countryman or by the for during the nine Hu-jen (Chinese historical characters for ciguer. There have often been student
or graduate Shanghai men' who have "contributed teenth century, and the Manchu Govern | very largely to Shanghai's prosperity, ment has always been particularly care- fal to nip them in the buil; military men, Among theas it was felt that the Muni-especially, have always been brought cipal Police ordinarily deal very harshly sharply to book for allowing their men with the Chinese; while others (among to show rudeness to students and under whom I find my nei-jea Chinese charac. graduates at the prefectural examina- ters meaning wits holieve that the tiens. I myself was once suddenly attack whole blame for this matter rests with the ed by students, but, as narrated in John students and their instigators, and not Chinman, the ready wit of faithful "boy" saved nic from a drubbing. This ut all with the police. the agitators are
a leading now doing their best, and the native unique servant himself is nearly a quarter of a century ago, when Press publish nothing but of the students psychological feature in my bock. Once Peking. To the right and left stretches fait. Lung-fu-Ssu is held on six days
and their vociferations;-I dare say that he was educating himself at his own ex-tune of our older editors have been press pense abroad without any assistanco ed into so doing against their better whatever from his own countryiner, judgment official, mercuatile, or otherwise at that time he was already a compètent reader of French, and had taken at least one University degree in England, besides qualifying for the Bar. Some years be love the revolution of 1011 ho returned to China, but was only gruffly received at Peking when he applied to certain Manchu and Chinese officials of rank for an interview, with a view to obtaining employment; after this I lost intelligence of him for some time, until he wrote one day to tell me that ho had obtained a
Here the letter ends, so far as the strike is concerned. It will be noticed that the date. June 9th, proves the calm, unpre- judiced, and unpolitical view of what led to the much more serious anti- foreign attacks which were to follow, and is absolutely convincing as to at least ona local man's psychology."
John ris
Perhaps, in attempting to deal as re- quested with the general question of Chinese Psychology. I may be allowed to refer back to a book entitled Chinaman and a Few Others," which Mr. John. Murray was good enough to publish for me a quarter of a century ago, but which, after running rapidly through three editions, is, I believe, no longer on the market. This book, though written is. in reality, in light fantastic vein,"
expression
We, somewhat rashly, visited a Chinese month. Leaying our rickshas outside, we jostled in crowded alleys, between stalls piled up with brasses, brantes, household utensils, and potteries of lovely shape and of the rainbow, were for sale; also colour. Tiny birds, painted every colour
black hair. salmon-pink geese, and pigs with long
"
Many Manchu ladies were buying pearls and amber. The Manchus with their
AND CHRONICLE
1926.
FOR CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, INDO- CHINA, STAM, STRAITS SETTLE- MENTS, MALAY STATES, NE- THERLANDS INDIA, PHIILIP.
PINES, BORNEO, ET
SIXTY-FOURTH ANNUAL ]
ISSUE
812
PATCH
Abridged Edition
***
W
Dr
Here is the great shopping centre of a maze of narrow lanes with wory natnes denoting the speciality of the shops therein-Jade Street, Silver Street, Embroidery Street, and Lantera Street, with its shop signs of huge red lanterns.
Furs, too, are in Porcelains and silks can be had in the Great Chien Men. great demand, as Peking is very cold in inter. Sable, minx, chinchilla, otter, ermine, arctic fox, mongolian dog, seals,
attachan, and larger skins like wolf and vividly painted magenta cheeks, tall- bear, can be purchased very cheaply, but boarded, black satin bead-dress, and long must be disinfected before using. Many silk coats, are easily distinguished from this omis- the Chinese women in the wide trousers and short coats, with uncovered sleek
THE DIRECTORY cover the potable a case of smallpex is traced
Embroidery Street! who could imagine black hair.
events, porta and cities of the Far East, from sont
But the dense crowds and the terrible Netherlands. India to Biberis, in which hat behind those little doors in window- less walls are shops containing such gor discases Red and fresh small-pas marks. Europeans reside.
Penetrating through on the surrounding faces make Lung-fu- Not only is the Directory as fall and compiste geous garments? many little courtyards, we found them. Seu, however interesting, unpopular within each case as it can be made, but each Corany Long-coated, black-satin-capped Chinese foreigners. Ragged beggars displayed Port or Settlement is prefaced by DESORIE men unrolled Mandaria coats stiff with loathsome sores; one woman's head wasTION, carefully revised each year, the GUIDES FOR #31 Tounur, giving every detail embroidery and the history of the coat which her scalp was bulging. We soon
etis depends the price demanded. If the coat had seen enough, and begged our guide in connection with the places, their History is faced with "Imperial yellow," much to take us out; but, thoroughly enjoying The Information in these Descriptions, consiste more is asked; and "Feking stitch," himself, he took us through many densely which is like tiny French knota. is crowded alleys before we saw the lasting of hundred interesting articles, packed with facts concisely set out, and containing of Lung-fu-Su.
statistics of the TRADE of sách. Country and valued.
temporary judicial post of immediate im- Chinese psychology almost pure and Kan, one of his chief henchmen, are both gold embroidery. On the quality of the tied with a scarlet handkerchief, over❘ majority of which will sorve nå. an ́accurate
The Unchanged Leiter (in reply to
papers
2
simple; moreover, its contents can absolutely true in point of fact.
17
When
I
In a word, I repeat that the Chinese as a nation have an instinctive and in-
As our rickshas carried us homeward, we locked into the provision shops of Peking rows of terra-cotta varnished ducks for sale, entrails, and dried octo pus, baskets of grains, and bulbs like rotten tulips! Bits. of sugar-canc, lotus
many mysterious things foating in highly- root, and bamboo shoots, bottles of sticky confectionery, sugared melon seeds, and
The Book is printed from New Type specially pert, would alone safics to fill a large volume. reserved for the purpose, and uniformity is very arrangement greatly facilitates reference.
Besides the usual Alphabetical Tårt of Firms, the Directory gives the CLASSIFIED LISTS of TRADES AndPROFESSIONS at the larger Commercial Centres.
The
herited passion for disinterested justice Here, behind strong iron grilles, were dis medieval watch towers silhouetted darkly ALPHABETICAL LIST of RESIDENTS is..
In Jade Street we found shops with glass windows! Bare in the Far East played many valuables: pearls, carved series, ambers, carved amethysts, and exquisite jewel jade, in many forms and colours.
is expected.
When the sunset died from the sky cur ricksha boys lit their brass lanterns, and ahead loomed the Tartar Wall with its
was now in fall swing. The Chinese love fried panty things, and street cocks roll- against the fading opal of the afterglow. At the street foodstalls the evening trade
ed out bean erkes and mixed dough-nuts, while cauldrons of frying int were smok ing. Hungry, homeless coolies clustered round the stalls. Where the wide souds. which intersect Peking with almost the right angles, what adise, what dust, and regularity of an American city, cross at
yelling as they try to avoid collisions, confusion! Hundreds of ricksha coolies and now and then the brazen "honk. book" of modern autos, adds to the din, But. safely back in our large modern. hotel-replete with every modern con- venience surrounded by the smartest of cosmopolitan society from the Lega-
the Far East contains the names of ovSE
2,000 FOREIGNERS,
aged, with the Initials as well as the Sur names, in strictly Aphabetical Order, so that any fiame can be found instantly.
THE MAPS AND PLANS of the principal ports of the Far East have book engraved by one of the most eminent Firms in Great Britain and are, annually corrected and trought up to date.
The CHRONICLE covers the notable events together with the Tarts of all the most import ant Treaties concluded with the countries of Eastern Asia, the varions Customs Tariffa, Trade Regulations, Chambers of Commerce Scales of Commissions, Consular and Couri Fees, Hongkong, Stamps Duties, Signal
a red lacquered tray. If a second cup is tions, jazzing, and drinking cocktails in Code and Measures and other Com.
"Missie's" wants are supplied with a asked for, pleasure is shows, and smile.
Cizingse Festivals, Tables of Money
true up-to-date luxury, soon we forgot poverty-stricken China and our fatigues mercial Information. from Shopping in Feking."
in Szechwan province I was suddenly jeered at by a noisy gang of students; but when I turned quietly round and said: "When a friend appears from afar, is it not a pleasing matter?" an old gentleman at once stepped forward and remonstrated with the crowd. (These are the opening words of the book so ably translated by Mr. Soothill and usually called 'onfucius Analects:) Professor Soothill and his colleagues of London, and Lambridge in June last gave their views to the press directly after the present row" became serious. I also tried my takea from the hand, heading my letter Solcuntur tabule Roman law, and meaning practically "the contending parties end by shaking hands all round; but my too sanguine views were not found acceptable.
It is curious that Tuan Chi Jui the Chief Executive, and Admiral Tsai Ting religiously inclined at least, from a portance under the republican autho-
literary point of view. Ch June is
but understand that Tuan rities, and had settled down with his wife and children permanently in Shanghai. the Chinese or possibly Manchu general, a Buddhist specialst, whilst Tsai Ting The family is Christian; that is to say, with his 3,000 or 6,000 men army on,bis an appears to be a Taoist admirer. he was once under the strong moral in- way to meet the Russian invaders, were do not know how the latter heard of my single-handed, and then existence, but two or three years ago he
Old embroidered garments come on the fluence of the late Timothy Richards, captured whose memory he greatly revere, though blaffed into ordering the civil authority sent me a presentation copy of his own market through deaths or great poverty revised and clarified edition of Pag-tsz in families. But in some comes the em- he himself does not, so far I can gather, to find immediate lodgment (in his own
philosophy I replied thanking him abroidery has been cut off from worn-out "plump for any particular sect, and yumen) for three British travellers, ser sens rather to favour the idea of China's vants, horses, mules, cart, baggage, te, follows: The Tang dynasty poem runs clothes, and glued or stitched on to new
'I throw down my pen and take to my haring, and being historically entitled he was by no means such a ninny as to to, a Christian Church of her own; his believe that Mr. Bullock (afterwards sword; but here we have a gallant ad material. Modern embroideries are pro- Fakes. are wife, on the other hand, is, he tells me, Professor of Chinese at Oxford) was his miral throwing down his sword and duced in many districts all over the cou a deyout Christian of some non-confor- old friend and adversary the Russian
the Press that the Admiral thinks the designs,and colouring.
made by cutting out and stitching on, de-coloured syrups. mist sect, and I believe the three or four General Pu; but being, like most Chinese taking to his pen." I Dow notice from try tach district having its own special
signs from European ribbens. children, boys and girls, are being edu- and Manchu military men in these days present row" could easily be settled over a cup of tea, and I agree with him. cated in both the Chinese way and the (1570), totally unable to read an official European way, the wife meanwhile being document, and his educated secretary in native circles a zealous public pro- being unable to deny that "our friend moter of "women's rights."
I say all Prince Kung," whose name headed the 1 genuine this, not because I have ever asked him, formidable passport, was or he has ever been at pains to inform exalted Manchu, ancle of the then Boy and right, preached by both Lao-tsa and me, about his intimate affairs, but to Emperor, the gallant man, who had never Confucius. Their highest cfficials I have his always found susceptible to just impulses illustrate the psychology of one definite heard of passports, had to invent
Among the Chinese shopkeepers much individual Chinese family when left ab quandary some presentable means of when good-humouredly appealed to, and solutely free to develop itself in its own saving face" in full view of his rowdy my experiences with half a dozen Viceroys Fay under the combined influences of soldiers, who were crowding round the and Governors not to say one subsecourtesy and quaint humour are found. European life, preceded by missionary tent and eagerly watching the startling quent Emperor illustrate this view in They waste much time in bargaining persuasion of some undeåned kind, but proceedings of the distinguished "Rus the pages of John Chinaman. I append but if the buyer shows a real apprecia- inner shrine is opened and rare treasures at all events under the auspices of the xian generals Chwang (Parker), Fu unaltered extracts from a letter received tion and love of good work, then the
Sir twenty-five years ago from Sir Robert universally respected British missionary (Bullock), and Kia (Gardner), above named. The rest of the letter des Thomas (then plain. Mr.) Wade did not Hart, who was himself then smarting are displayed, for which a very high price Bargaining concluded, tea is always cribes a new Kanush province.
the Boxor mob. at all relish the proceeding whon narrat- under cruel and ungrateful attacks by ed to him, especially as General Chang,
PEKING, 11th December, 1900 offered, and it would be discourteous to zefuse. Clad in black satin trousers in bidding us good-bye, had announced
MY DEAR PARKER,I have just read under her short coat, a woman enters his intention to call and ses Sir Thomas nt the British Russian Legation when with mach interest your excellent paper with fragile handleless cups of fragrant he should return with his victoricus anti- in the October number of the tatic" flower tea, which she hands round on and i have noted that you point to, the Rassian army through or to Peking.
Professor Soothill (now the late Pro extra-territoriality principle which runs fessor Bullock's present successor at Ox through the various treaties as the one ford) was the protagonist, in 1884, of a thing which must be changed if there is other Joha Chinaman angedote; this was to be anything like cordially friendly re- lations between China and the West. This during the excitement of the French war. Within four hours of his hasty arrival, is my belief also; and I see that, in hatless, deress the Wênchow river, at the articles published under the names of British Consulate, every single foreignor Ross, Taw Sein Ho, and Younghusband, from the city and the island except my I am not singular in my view that the self was in the large consular gig near Chinese do not like us, and that sooner the embouchure of the river, on the lock-or later they will become too powerful to out for a rescuing steamer, and the re- be trifled with. That composition of mine. sidences of overy foreigner (including the which appeared in the November Fort- foreign-managed Chinese custom-house) nightly was pencilled during the last had also been burnt to the ground. The days of the siege. It is a somewhat florid military and civil authorities crossed affair, but as it was written during over with their troops at midnight and period of intense excitement, it not un found me and my boy" sitting and naturally took some of the colouring of outside. The General explained that he than myself if my forecast proves to have standing quietly at a tea table placed the day. Nobody will be better pleased had been told I was with the others in been wrong, but I still think that the "China for the Chinese" feeling will Some years ago Shanghai saw the the boat, but that he had come to save beginning of the so-called street the Consalate building from being burnt grow, and that in a few decades the tuan- unions, which so far had existed only down; the city magistrate came an hour fien, or volunteer system ordained by the with a few min-tang (popular party] no- later. Befors two o'clock in the morning Empress Dowager to be started in every thing-to-do's for the purpose of making it was arranged between us that all the district, and which I style "the Boxer agitations appear in the name of a body; civil at day and apologize; after which develop into something very formidable
and military officials should come movement" for simplicity's sake, will corporate; .., welcoming the big gun," or echoing his views, or paying respect duly done, I undertook to "square" the more-especially for defensive purposes; to his memory These, with the needy five Great Powers involved (England, and with such a possibility in the future intellectuals, the min-tang journalists, France, Germany, Italy, and America) I strongly advocate reasonableness in the students, the professional intriguers if they the Chinese would correspond our dealings with China, and not an at- form the nuclei of labour unions. The ingly guarantee to do the same with the tempt at terrorizing. Unless these things aim and object, so far as I can see, is Viceroy at Foochow and the Governor of aze looked at with the eyes of the other to get a big party of such people here Hangchow. They were delighted; a party they will never be seen as that and weld them together. Some weeks ago treaty was signed; everyone (includ-party sees them, and they will for ever there was a strike at Nagai cotton will, ing the customs staff) got full compen- and ever be offensive, distasteful, and in the course of which a labourer Ausation, and (there being then no telegraph trouble-breeding. I am quite sure that Chinese character] was killed by the south of Shanghai) the affair blew there is a way of harmonizing discord. Japanese this gave the wric-pullers a sub-over" so quickly that I believe even the and that the Chinese preference for peace, jeet to work upon; hence, for some days Shanghai. newspapers neither mentioned love of right, and subordination to rea in the last week of May, there were nor knew anything of the details. It was sorableness, have only to be handled pro- students going about, in groups of some months before the "Powers," in perly to make the future all we could several, haranguing and distributing eluding President Arthur and Prince desire.
When my houses were burnt down I lost pamphlets denouncing Japanese mills, 'un- Bismarck, had finished approving," and equal treaties, imperialiam,' 'capitalists, Bir E. Malet (who had been my guest everything-official archives and private and the new proposed bye-laws to be when Acting Consul at Kewkiang, in papers and it just makes me wild to passed at an extraordinary ratepayers' 1873) wrote privately from Berlia, where think of it! But it is not a time for meeting; namely, bye-laws on registration he then was Ambassador: The more rage, and revenge is a poor satisfaction. of printing presses and increase of rows you" are in the better for you, so for the past and a sowing of bad crops for the future. China behaved as foolish. wharfage dues.
long as you don't eroste them yourself."
John Chinaman contains a number of ly and as wickedly as her worst fees Now you can see that the big gun
really at back of the studente, other anecdotes which from first to last could wish, and though it can all be ez- party, are who have really got nothing to do with are illustratively prychological; and per plained, it cannot in any way be excused, any of these matters save the death of haps tend in anm and for all rank to and she must take the consequences; but that striker:
r; and the so-called unequal put this side of the Chinese character the consequences are a something to be treaties, etc., were really imported from in a clearer light. Two very distinguish shaped and dictated by civilized and cd gentlemen, neither of whom was at Christian Powers, and I hope and pray Busia ni Canton
On Saturday the 20th May) some of the time, or has been since, in the faintest that the opportunity to be reasonable, to those students were arrested for distri- degree acquainted with me personally, be magnanimous, to be Christian, will buting pamphlets and addressing people frankly expressed their opinions over not be lost. I am just as angry as any. in the street: some of them committed twenty years ago. Mr. (now the Right body; but if I am blinded by anything nssaults on some foreign police. From Hon. I. P. O'Connor devoted several it is by the desire to be charitable, and this point I refer you to the North China pages of T. Pa Feckly to a review of to try what kindness will do. I'll be Daily News, which seems to be fairly what (I think) he called the Book of sixty-six in a few weeks more, and have correct. Curiously enough, on the same the Week"; and Mr. James Gelkie, him- not much time ahead of me either for Saturday at 11 am. some Fengtien [Marself a post, wrote to me privately to ex- work in China or for connections with churia military commissioners, who had prcas his pleasure at the unlocked-for earth's doings, and I should be sorry for been sont down from High Quarters to tenderness of Chinco poetry. The con- ever and for ever elsewhere were I now to investigate into the aquabbles between the querors of 2,000 years ago, after weigh act a wrong idea agoing or keep back a Jocal Ku-kin [Chinese characters from ing the merits, of Taoism And Con right one, Natural evolution will shape the Book of Udes meaning military. fucianism, decided that the latter of the boundaries1-over opium profits, were shot two was the better politico-moral guide at and wounded by some officer, who in a for humanity; neither Buddhism nor panic tried to Bee by jumping down from Christianity seems to have done much to this general conviction. The an upstairs room, and met his end
purely geographical question). Your letter arrived some days ago, hen those regrettable incidents ocenrred here of which you must have read in the We are now 3th June living in the midst of a strike, with idle strikers --not so many these days-and volun- teers, marines, et patrolling the streets, The matter had a very simple origin for its immediate cause; but now I can see quite a number of causes, all contribut ing to this general outburst. The big four party found its footing at Canton insecure, notwithstanding the meral and intellectual support received from Red Iussia: the most active part of that party is certainly as red as can be: they wanted another place for propaganda, and otherwise Shanghai is the place for them. Their programme is first and fore- most fo befriend or bring over the needy intellectuala, and through them the rither side of twenty, and then the rif. stapid students, most of whom are on
raft of factories.
7
+ shake
tho plan, with time and circumstance for warp, and woofe
Wishing you a happy new year.
ROBERT HART Yours very truly,
On leaving one shop, customers are ac ensted by all the neighbouring merchants with argent invitations to enter theirs. "Will Missie act come? Lookgeel. No Bat, of course, once in need buy"
Missie" always does buy someth, and, dress, is never safe from invasion the if rash enough to leave her name and ad privacy of her bedroom. A knock cổng to her door, and without waiting for
A Chinese merchant followed by an assistant with a bundle reply, in walks which he at once proceeds to unroll. If discovered in selling a "fake" he will a genuine article. It is up to" the buyer to know the difference always give back the money, or substitute
MARTIN'S
APIOL & STEEL
Sure and certain for all Female complaints.Every lady should keep a box in the house.
Chemists and Stores sell them throughout the world. Proprietari MAXTON, Chemic, Synikampton, England):
The beauty of electrical appliances makes them warmly appreciated pre- sents.
The greater ease and pleasure that their daily use confers, constantly renews the happiness and gratitude that came with giving
THE CHINA LIGHT & POWER CO. (1918), LTD.
SHOWROOM-62, Nathan Road, KOWLOON. Telephone No. K. 677.
4
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