CHINESE CUSTOMS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 1, Issue 14, 16 May 1868, Page 3

CHINESE CUSTOMS.

We are indebted to Mr. Blewitt, Chinese Interpreter, whose long personal observations of the Chinese character, and their manners and customs, render the following sketch of the treatment the women soceive as perfectly reliable :—: —

It is a noted fact that in any nation whero the personal qualifications of the female sex are the only objects of consideration, tyranny, family discord, and oppression are sure to prevail ; but in all nations where the moral and intellectual powers of a woman are held in high estimation, such customs being prevalent, the happiness of that nation will surely be promoted: The Chinese, not satisfied with depriving their women of the use of their limbs to a great extent, have actually contrived to make it a moral crime for a woman to be seen going abroad. Should they have occasion to go visiting, they have to be carried backwards and foiwards in a low chair encompassed with curtains, thus intending no doubt to prohibit passers-bye from viewing their features. For females to walk is considered the height of vulgarity amongst them. Any person reading this would fancy that such customs prevailing amongst them, the females were free fr mi hard labor; but not so. Resembling other Asiatic nations in many respects, the Chinese impose on

their women a vast deal of drudgery and hard work, which should be performed by the men, and from which females of all civilised nations are exempt ; and when such slavery is introduced, it naturally follows that a great de;il of animosity must prevail against the husbands, the enforcers of this tyranny, who have actually been known to loiter away their timo in gambling or standing idle in the streets, or spending their (what would be) working hours in smoking-cspium, whilst the women are engaged in toiling hard iiil day to obtain for themselves and their lords a. daily livelihood.