The "Protectorate" of Annam.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4564, 21 August 1883, Page 2

The "Protectorate" of Annam.

(?EOM OUE OWN COEEEBPONDEKT)

Paeis, June 14,

France disclaims all intention to annex China, and since the Marquis Tseng has spoken, with a bluntness learned in. the school of that outside barbarian Bismarck, she commences to feel even Annam cannot be Tunisised. The Marquis claims for his Emperor .the sovereignty over Annam, and means that there shall be no mistake on the point; but beyond chastising the natives for disregard of treaty rights, and that France can do so at her risks and perils, she will not be allowed to go. No Protectorate will be permitted, and M. Challomel Lacour insists such shall be.

The French commence to see as through. a glass darkly, that John Chinaman is not to be despised : that " young China " has been initiated into the modern war tactics of old Europe, understands about privateers and the value of bidding for allies. In accordance with her national character, the impulse of the moment has decided France to " protect " Annam ; if the play prove not to be worth the candle, another impulse will in due time influence her to back oufc. In their present mood, to tell the French they are marching with sevenleague boots into a hornet's nest, would lay you open to reproach of being Prussian or English, terms which have now become synonymous. • In looking into my Wahlen the other day, I findj.that the Annanf states recognised the sovereignty of China since the ."first century of the Christian era," and that the Kernays, the aboriginal negro race, belong to the same family as the natives of Madagascar, whom France also intends to " protect." An-am signifies " southern repose," and Tonkin " the external country." For the Annamites the Chinese are the salt of the earth, and from whom they differ in not having oblique eyes. The men are small but wiry ; twelve hairs constitute a whisker, and those of a moustache can be counted. The French need not import razors, as the Spaniards rompelled the Spanish Indians, who had no beards, to purchase in exchange for gold. Many of the women are as white as sisters of Southern Europe. Their features are round, and the more they resemble a full moon, the more they are appreciated.

Buddhism is the religion of the masses, but the Upper Ten follow the doctrines of Confucius.. The former is more simple, and less charged with mysteries than that practised in China. Each commune has its local deity or genii; the sky, earth, forest, wind, water and mountains are worshipped. The Bonzerses are not so numerous as in other parts of Asia, and are less respected. The form of Government is the same as in China. Torture is recognised, but the bamboo is the knout, the nerve of the Oriental civilization. For adultery, the culprit is tied hands and feet, and thrown into an arena to an elephant. Theanimal tosses him in the air, receites him on its tusks, wipes him off same, and then tramples him to death. Bad acting, for a play requires several days like some of Wagner's operas, to be represented, entails 50 of the bamboo for Romeo, and 20 for Juliet, The oourt official and ministers are eunuchs. The police have a good reputation.' Military service is obligatory at 18 years, in times of peace durin r. 8 months, but when la patrie est en danger, for 5 to 7 years. The cavalry horses are small but dexterous ; the infantry are fair, and their uniforms red, blue, and green, look pretiy. The helmet is of varnished wicker work and gilt. The soldiers are chiefly paid in rice and a little money, and every haversac has a chessboard and pieces, with a small bottle of perfumed oil.

The climate has much in its favor; fruit and flowers abound. Kioe yields two crops—July and November—^yearly. The tea has neither the taste nor perfume of that from China. There are no sheep or asses; but there are squirrels with enormous tails, and monkies very large and bold, that range in bands of 2 to 3,000, and clear away vegetation like grasshoppers. In 1744 no less than three kings were successirely decapitated for hreaking faith with, their laying subjects. In 178? France engaged to " protect" Annam., and to send twenty war ships, serea regiments, and one millions of piastres. The expedition never got beyond Bondicherry; hut a score of French officers worked thei? way to Has* the capital, three of whom were mandarins for Haussmaunising the city aud fortifying it after the principles of Yauhan.

The people aro more civilised than ordinary Asiatics, They are gay and lying; cunning—and have profitable thieves —but not murderers. Dress consists cf a series of colored chemises, the number being regulated by the season. Both sexes wear pantaloons, chiefly In silk, with

c >ltxm lor a elJ!»!'ije. ihe itiruan wtnchis in crape, black for men, blue for women, and white, the color of mourning, for all. The latter, according to Laplace, are mannes's covime dcs friaudises top coats consist of palm leaves stitched together, and the " umbrella hat" a brim or flap, that throws bff the rain and enables men to work eveu when the win- /

dows of heaven are open. Short hair is a sign of infamy; women either allow their tresses to fall down to their slippers, or coil it up chignon fashion. Women are kept virtuous by the elephant cure. Passes, in blue or embroidered silk, are worn on the left shoulder, and contain betel or baccy; in the case of the rich, the servants carry the bag, like Judas.

The staple food is nice; bacon and eggs form a favorite dish, as also roast game and jellies. Eggs are never eaten fresh; those putrid fetch 30 per cent, higher price : they are perfect when they contain a chick. Swallows' nests are only employed to size soups. On solemn occasions sacred elephant's flesh ia distributed; it is leather, and consequently prunello. Tea and rice beer are common beverages; water drinkers abound, and these hydropaths distil their own liquor. The chief amusements are tiger baiting with elephants; in this case the tigers' claws are clipped, and his mouth sewed up. Cock and quail fighting dispute the palm with chess. Small boys amuse themselves with grass-hopper fights instead of marbles ; in fisticuffs they " kick with their heels:" in the orthodox Joare francaise the French kick with their toea. N.B.—Doctors are only paid fees when they cure patients.