1842.
Traits of Chinese Character-
481
the practice is proportionately rare, the number of females in many districts is said to be greater than that of the males. Public opinion among the people revolts however at this sacrifice of life, and found- ling-houses have been erected in cities and large towns, in which the unfortunate children are received after their birth, and maintained until they are twelve or fourteen years old. In a small city like Ting- hái, there is a commodious house of this description, and our infor- mant stated that more than 1000 children had been received into the institution since its erection, which was by the subscription of the citizens. Admitting, however, the validity of these palliative remarks, the indifference with which this detestable custom is regarded is a deep stain upon the national character.
As soon as the infant comes to understand instruction, he is ini- tiated into the code of etiquette, both in regard to men as well as towards the gods. He is taught to bow, to fold his hands, and to kneel and prostrate himself in company with his parents; and hardly a festival is kept, where the lad does not accompany his parents to the temples and perform the ceremonies. The girls meanwhile learn female duties; they are also taught lessons of politeness and go through the whole process, unseen by strangers.
The forms thus early taught are of course not forgotten in old age, and a Chinese remains polite in his peculiar way to the last of his days. Two extremes, however, often meet in the character of an individual; he can be exceedingly complaisant, and then excessively rude; and the greater the polish of the man, the more glaring is the opposite extreme of his rudeness. When one sees a village clown in his ordinary walks of life, he can hardly suppose him capable of a compliment; but behold the same man on a holiday, dressed up in all imaginable finery, his head adorned with a court cap, and you will at once perceive that he has totally changed his nature; and now exhibits nothing but gentleness, courtesy, bows and compli ments without end. We have seen a party of clodpoles of the villages assembled at a wedding, and sitting down to their meals like gentle- folk, perforining all the ceremony that a grandee would observe, and behaving as if they had all their lives studied the art of pleasing. The next day, you see them again following their occupations in fil- thy raiment and utter disregard of the decencies of life. On new- year's day especially, the whole nation is absorbed in etiquette, the most expressive and fulsome compliments are mutually paid; none are rude, or forgetful of their places; none are backward in apparent humility and high estimation of others. The higher the rank in socie-
VOL. XI. NO. IX.
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