EUROPEAN WAYS AS SEEN BY THE EYES OF A CHINAMAN.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 362, 24 April 1889, Page 3

EUROPEAN WAYS AS SEEN BY THE EYES OF A CHINAMAN.

A travelled Chinaman has published in China some desultory notes on \Vesb6rn customs. ' Husband and wife,-' says' he, • will walk arm-in-arm along the street and nobody smiles !' To his astonishment, men in politeness yield tho path Lo females, and wait till they are seated first at table ; after a meal is over men must either leave the room co smoke or wait until the ladies have left. ' Men who do not smoke and do nob drink,' according to Ah Sing, • are universally respected for their transcendent virtue. Very many women drink, but exceedingly few smoke. . . . Men and women alike when they gooutwearhandsheaths (gloves) ; white are considered the most distinguished, and are worn at an audience with the Queen, and by an actor when he mounts the boards. Women set ptore by a large bu&t and slender Avaist, but while the waist can be compressed, the bust cannot be naturally enlarged, so that the majority have a wicker contrivance made, which is concealed under the the bodice on either &ide, and is considered an adornment.' The author makes several allusions to low dresses. 'Women,' he thinks, ' when going to Court regard a bare skin as a mark of respect.' He can find no words to express ' kissing.' The most respectful form of this courtesy consists in presenting lips to the lower part of the chin, and making a sound. When young people visit their seniors they must apply their mouths to the left and right lips (hie) of the older with a smacking noise. 'There are,' he says also, 'invitations to skip and posture (dances), when the host decides what man is to be the partner of what woman. Then with boMi arms grasping each other they leave their places in pairs, and leap, skip, posture and prance, tor their mutual gratification. A man and a woman previously unknown to one another may take part in it !' The ' North China Daily News ' playfully chides the author for describing familiar habits with a naive air of discovery.

While on our way to Newburgh Lhe other day we saw a fellow fishing. LJpon inquiring if he had caught any, we received the following reply :—": — " Caught any ? No, you fool, I've not been at it only about four hours yet." Husband (reading the paper) : " What asses some men will make of themselves ! " Wife: "Now, John, what have you done this time?" Soldiers must be fearfully dishonest, as it seems to be a nightly occourence for a sentry to be relieved of his watch. What animal has the greatest quantity of brains ? — The hog, of course ; because he has a hogshead full. " Brown, what did you clear by that speculation ?" "My pockets, " said Brown. Join the bright side of life. The fools ■ are on the other side.