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Traits of Chinese Character,
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thing else, and gets a living in a most extraordinary manner, especi ally in petty trading. The whole stock of some of these pedlers amounts perhaps to 10 cents, and with this capital a man perseveringly traffics day after day, gaining from 2 to 3 cents, and laying out his capital to the best advantage. If his exertions afford him rice, or at least sweet potatoes, he puts up with his lot; and if his gains cannot furnish two meals per day, he manages to do with one.
The sons of Hán are reckless about the means whereby to enrich themselves, and ingenious at devices. Amongst a nation of sharpers, however, it is no easy thing to over-reach another, and the deceivers are often repaid in their own coin. A Chinese is ever mindful of the end he has in view. Reverses do not damp his ardor, nor disappoint. ments paralize his exertions, in pursuit of wealth. After losing again and again, he attempts anew to recruit his finances, and sustains the rude blasts of fortune, or the entire destruction of his darling hopes without despair. This has converted the whole celestial empire into a large house of industry, where the god of riches sits enthroned, and leads the whole household at his will. Industry and a spirit of enter. prise are indeed ornaments to any nation, but when all its energics are absorbed in the acquisition of worldly gear, the nobler feelings are blunted, and man becomes a sordid animal, indifferent about the suf ferings of his fellow creatures, and concentrating all his thoughts upon himself. How much less guilty, however, are the Chinese in following the chief good they know, than other slaves of Manımon who hold his muck-rake so firmly, when higher treasures are offered for their ac- ceptance on high! This extreme selfishness however is counteracted by a large degree of affection for parents, brothers and other relatives: and extends even to members of the same clan. A true Chinese will stand by his own flesh and blood to the last, and sacrifice a great deal in their behalf. He is to his kin a friend in trouble, a devoted adherent to his kinsman, and his condoling protector under sufferings. Palliating his crimes and excusing his misdeeds, he will not allow any stain upon his memory, nor suffer injury to be inflicted upon him with impunity. This feeling divides society into small communities or clans, who often stand in hostile attitude to each other, though they are united amongst themselves.
We meet the extremes of intense feeling and apathetic indifference, of cheerfulness and sullenness amongst the Chinese. If grief takes full possession of his heart, he is inconsolable, he raves like a madman, beats his breast, tears his hair, and utters piercing lamentations; but the causes of such outrageous sorrow must be weighty, and the suffer