Life and Adventure in the South Pacific

by John D. Jones

The disposal of parental property by will is restricted to the legal heirs. The eldest son has a double portion, or, more correctly speaking, the property may be said to descend to the eldest son in trust for all the younger brothers. Over them he has considerable authority. They generally live together, and club their shares, by which means families in this over-peopled country are more easily supported than they otherwise would be. The constant exhortations in the “Book of Sacred Edicts” point to this usage, and the necessity for it, as they relate to the preservation of union and concord among kindred and their families.

We are informed that the crime of infanticide prevails here to a great extent, especially as regards female infants. They consider it a great tax to bring them up and support them, as they think they receive no particular benefit from so doing. This crime is more common among the poorer classes, who, from their poverty, feel unable to support them. To male children they appear much attached.

We were awakened one morning by the heavy guns of the “Susquehanna,” and at first could not imagine the cause. But on gaining the deck and looking around we saw all our national vessels with their gayest colors flying, and smoke issuing from their sides. We then recollected it was the ever-to-be-remembered 22d of February, the anniversary birthday of our dearly-loved Washington, the best and greatest man that ever lived. With great pride did we reflect that, so far from our own dear land even, his name and memory were revered, not only by his own countrymen, but by the descendants of those who would once have gloried in his defeat and death. The English naval vessels also dressed themselves in gay flags, the ever-beautiful stars and stripes flying at the foremast head, and following our own vessels in a national salute of thirty-one guns. Determined not to be outdone by foreigners, after all the men-of-war in port had ceased firing, the “Emily Morgan” hoisted the stars and stripes at the mizzen peak, and other colors at the fore, main, and mizzen trucks, brought her “six-pounder” to the gangway, and belched forth. This proceeding created great astonishment among the government vessels, who little expected to see a whaler saluting the anniversary-day. But why not? we thought, and fired our thirty-one guns, ending with a hearty “three times three,” which made the old harbor ring again. The band from the “Susquehanna” now struck up “Hail Columbia,” which seemed at once to transport us to the home of our beloved Washington, our own dearly-loved home. The house of the American consul was thrown open to visitors, and we embraced the opportunity of calling and paying our respects. We there met many of our countrymen, who appeared to us like old friends, meeting at such a place and on such an occasion.

While rambling through the city, we called at the rooms of a Chinese artist, and there saw some beautiful paintings, mostly landscapes. The portraits were not as well executed, the majority being mere daubs. They appear greatly defective in painting the human figure, not having correct ideas of proportion, or arrangement of lights and shades. Some of the paintings representing groups looked really ridiculous; but still, if they have a picture to copy, they do it very finely.

Their powers of imitation, it is said, are not excelled by any people, but they seemingly have no inventive faculties. Yet we saw some things that would go to contradict this theory; and there is an anecdote which was told us by a citizen of Hong Kong, who vouched for its accuracy, that tends rather to disprove it, although the idea carried out was not, perhaps, strictly an original one. At the close of the celebrated “opium war,” some manufacturers at Sheffield, England, hearing of the celebrated imitative powers of the Chinese, sent to Hong Kong a quantity of the finest cambric needles, requesting their agent to ascertain if they could be imitated by the Chinese. The agent, accordingly, took some of them to a Chinese cutler, and, telling him what was wanted, left them. In a few days the needles were returned, with another package precisely similar, except that the needles manufactured by the Chinaman all had eyes nicely drilled and finished in the points of them! The Chinaman called the next day after he had sent the package, and requested the Englishman to send his needles to England, and ascertain if they could be imitated. It is needle-ss to say that Johnny Bull never sent John Chinaman any more cambric needles to imitate.

Still, if you wish an article made, they must have a copy, and that copy will be strictly followed. An anecdote illustrating this is related—the truth of which we do not vouch for, however—of an English midshipman, who wished half a dozen pairs of pants made, of blue cloth. Accordingly, he selected his tailor, gave him the order, and left a pair as a pattern. It so happened that this pair had a small patch on the seat, and was minus several buttons; and when the new pants came on board, very neatly made, each had a similar patch, and the same number of buttons missing—the Chinaman charging for the extra sewing. As may be supposed, the middy was in a great rage; but all the satisfaction he could get was that they were made exactly like the pattern left.

The Chinese manufacture a liquor which they call “sam shu,” which is very intoxicating, and of which they drink large quantities. It often happens that they entice our naval seamen to partake of this liquor, and they are as surely robbed as they do partake of it, for it is almost always drugged by them for the purpose, that they may the easier rob poor Jack of his liberty money, or any thing else they can carry off. On awaking, finding himself stripped of every thing by the rascals, there is no resource for him but to return to his ship, which is done. One would think that this treatment once would be sufficient; yet it is practiced upon some many times. Forgetting their former follies, they rush again into the embrace of the soul-destroying, maddening cup.

Having a desire to see something of the domestic life of the Chinese, and possessing a moderate share of what is sometimes termed “impudence,” we, in company with two of our shipmates, invited ourselves to call upon a Chinese family. Selecting a house which had the appearance of having a wealthy owner, we marched to the door, and one of our number rapped. The door was opened by the lady of the house, and in we marched. She immediately motioned us to seats, looking at us, and evidently wondering to what she owed the honor of this visit. The house had a very neat, tidy appearance, as had also the hostess, who, though the mother of eight children, appeared scarcely thirty years of age. They were boys, all but two, and were romping about the room, raising “Ned” at a great rate. It being their dinner-hour, she went about her business, leaving her polite visitors to make observations and amuse themselves as they pleased. She soon returned, and placed on the centre of the floor a large dish of boiled rice, another with vegetables, called the children, and seated them on the floor around the “wittles.” After passing us some tea, she took her station with the children, placed a portion of the rice and vegetables on the plate of each one, gave them their “chop-sticks” and told them, as we supposed, to commence. And commence they did. These chop-sticks are two round, slim pieces of ivory, about eight inches in length, which supply the place of both fork and spoon. With the chop-sticks in the right hand and the dish in the left, with its edge close to the mouth, the velocity with which they “fork” down the rice is certainly surprising. They handle these singular sticks with the greatest ease, picking up whatever they wish, and conveying it to the mouth.

The principal food of the Chinese consists of rice, vegetables, and fruit—eating little or no meat. The tea which our hostess had the kindness to pass us was of a most excellent flavor. They drink no tea but black, that being their favorite. It is very different from any we ever drank in America, having a much better flavor. After thanking the lady for her kindness, we took our leave, strolling into the “Josh house,” or temple of worship.

This building is of one story, but covers a large area of ground. It is very fancifully decorated on the outside; and on each side of the entrance is a large sculptured dragon, about twelve or fifteen feet in height. On coming to the gateway, we found the entrance paved with smoothly-hewn stone, and, ascending a few steps, we entered the building. Near the centre of the first room stands, or rather sits, cross-legged, a great, disagreeable-looking bronze idol. It is from twenty to thirty feet high; is represented as very fat, with an immense belly, and laughing, as if very happy. Before him is suspended a lantern, and in it a dim red light is burning, which is never permitted to go out. On a table-like altar in front Josh-sticks were smoking. In front of this table is a large metallic urn for containing the ashes of the Josh-sticks and offerings. Before the altar, in a line, are three stools, covered with little mats, for the worshipers to kneel upon. Above, near the roof, is a Chinese inscription in gilt letters; and each side of a post, extending from the roof to the floor, is lined with the same kind of characters.