[2] Only slave-girls and women of the poorer classes and old women omit this very important part of a Chinese lady’s toilet.
[3] Alluding probably to the shape of the ‘shoe’ or ingot of silver.
[4] Slave-girls do not have their feet compressed.
[5] Wherein resides an old gentleman who ties together with a red cord the feet of those destined to become man and wife. From this bond there is no escape, no matter what distance may separate the affianced pair.
[6] This proceeding is highly improper, but is ‘winked at’ in a large majority of Chinese betrothals.
[7] The usual occupation of poor scholars who are ashamed to go into trade and who have not enterprise enough to start as doctors or fortune-tellers. Besides painting pictures and fans, and illustrating books, these men write fancy scrolls in the various ornamental styles so much prized by the Chinese; they keep accounts for people, and write or read business and private letters for the illiterate masses.
[8] Say about £10.
[9] Alchemy is first mentioned in Chinese history B.C. 133, and was widely cultivated in China during the Han dynasty by priests of the Taoist religion.
[10] Kuan Chung and Pao Shu are the Chinese types of friendship. They were two statesmen of considerable ability who flourished in the seventh century B.C.
[11] These are used, together with a heavy wooden bâton, by the Chinese washerman, the effect being most disastrous to a European wardrobe.