CHINA AND THE CHINESE:

THEIR

RELIGION, CHARACTER, CUSTOMS,

AND

MANUFACTURES:

THE EVILS ARISING FROM THE

OPIUM TRADE:

WITH A GLANCE AT OUR

RELIGIOUS, MORAL, POLITICAL, AND COMMERCIAL
INTERCOURSE WITH THE COUNTRY.

BY

HENRY CHARLES SIRR, M.A.,

OF LINCOLN'S INN, BARRISTER-AT-LAW.

VOL. II.

LONDON:

WM. S. ORR & CO., AMEN CORNER, AND 147, STRAND.

MDCCCXLIX.

PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY,

CONTENTS TO VOL. II.

CHAPTER I.

Paper-Made eighteen hundred years ago-Tradition of the Mandarin

who made the discovery-Paper made from various substances—

Ancient Chinese author-Ink, when first used and how made-Chinese

receipt for the preparation of ink-Pens, and mode of writing —

Printing Mode of cutting characters Bookbindings Chinese

literary works

page 1

Antiquity of Chinese Music-Musical instruments-Music of the Chinese

-Chinese airs

CHAPTER III.

14

New Year Observances on the last day of the Old Year-New Year's

Day-Decorative inscriptions-King of the beggars-Koo-tow on New

Year's Day to the Yellow Screen-Complimentary calls and visits—

Suspension of business during the holidays-Feast of lanterns

Description of the same at Pekin in the seventeenth century

CHAPTER IV.

-

27

Woman-Her social and moral position in China-Want of education—

Traditions of the subjugation of China-Maimed feet-Personal ap-

pearance-Length of nails-Women's apartments-Toilet-tables-

Smoking Marriage - Wives-Empress of China-Handmaids-

Children of wives and concubines-Authority of parents over children

-Infanticide Foundling hospitals-Extracts from an ancient Chinese

philosopher upon the manner of governing the house, and the women's

apartments

35

826298

4

3

CHAPTER V.

-

Written characters used by the Chinese-Number of them-Various

styles of writing Language The four different dialects; the

Kou-ou-en, Ou-en-te-hang, Kou-ha-na, and the Hi-an-tang, or

patois

CHAPTER VI.

59

Knowledge of the Healing Art-Strange ideas of the human frame-The

pulse-Anatomical plates-Circulation of the blood-Internal struc-

ture Surgery-Dislocation of the spine-Broken ribs-Father Ripa's

account-Scarification - Acupuncture, when first known to Euro-

peans-Application of caustics-The Moxa-Venesection-Midwives

-Drugs-Extraordinary cataplasm-Styptics-Fees of medical men

-Medical works-Diseases prevalent in China-Specimen of Chinese

semeiology
65

CHAPTER VII.

Literature of the Chinese-Examination of aspirants for literary honors

-Writing of Confucius-Treatise on Filial Duty, or the Seaou-kin—

Honors bestowed on the family of the Sage-Period of his death—

Number of descendants-A Chinese Novel, entitled Chow-an-se, or

the Widower turned Philosopher-Specimen of the Moral Tales of the

Chinese-Original Tale, translated expressly for this work-Poetical

Writings-Specimens-Dramatic Writings-Tragedy and Farce. 82

CHAPTER VIII.

Religion of the Chinese-Three religious sects-Con-fou-tsze, or State

Religion-Priests - Rites and ceremonies-Prayer of the Emperor

Kang-he-Extract from the Chu-king, by Confucius-The followers of

Lao-kiun, or Taou-Precepts and doctrines-Joss-houses-Decora-

tions and idols-Demon mode of worship-Religious observances and

processions-The followers of Foo, or Buddha-Beliefs-Doctrines-

Precepts and commandments-Transmigration of souls-Anecdotes--

Temples-Mode of worship-Priests and Nuns-Settlement of Jews—

Mahomet's followers
145

CHAPTER IX.

Worshipping at the Tombs -Tombs and sepulchres-Extraordinary

tomb at Sung-kiang-foo-Coffins-Funeral ceremonies-Rites in the

Hall of Ancestors-Time of mourning fixed by the laws of the Empire

-Tradition of Ven-kong-Mourning colour-Funeral of Ta-yang-ze,

the Emperor's eldest brother

174

Christianity when introduced into China-Ancient monument, bearing

date 781-Inscription-Nestorians-Bishops or Patriarchs-Progress

of Christianity-Emissaries from the Pope sent in 1246-Build a

church-Monte Corvino translates a portion of the Scriptures into the

Mongolian tongue-1565, many Jesuits in China-Ricci converts the

Mandarin Seu and his daughter-Build churches at Nan-kin and

Foo-chow-foo-Ricci received at the Court of Pekin-1611, Ricci dies

at Pekin—His character-Edict promulgated in 1627-Death of Seu

-1645, Schaal commanded by the Emperor to correct the Calendar—

Schaal appointed tutor to the young Emperor, Kang-he-Assassinated

in 1669-Verbeist taken into favour by Kang-he-Honors paid to him

-1669, French Jesuits arrive in China-Epistle from Louis the Four-

teenth to the Emperor Kang-he-1692, Edict of Toleration-Romish

Church built at Pekin-Worship performed there in 1702 -De

Tournon sent as Legate to China by Pope Clement in 1704-Religious

differences among the various fraternities of Roman Catholics-1710,

De Tournon made a Cardinal-His death-1715, Mezzabarba sent as

Legate by the Pope-Missionary conduct in China-Ripa's account-

1721, the Emperor's resolve-1724, Edict of the Emperor Yung-ching

-1732, Father Kagler appointed President of the Astronomical board

-1736, Persecution commenced under Keen-lung-1747, Bishop

Sanz and others put to death-1784, Priests seized at Huk-wang—

1811, Chinese priest apprehended-Missionaries put to death-None

allowed at the Court of Pekin-1820, Sir A. Ljungstedt's account of the

number of Roman Catholics-Account given by L'Annales de la Foi

-Bishoprics and Apostolic vicariates-Missionaries of the present day

-Colonial chaplain-Bishop of Hong-Kong-Members of missionary

societies in China-Edict issued in March 1846, granting privileges to

the Roman Catholics - Secret societies of China-Local ordinance-

Chinese document found at Macao-Their origin and progress up to

this period-Our compredore-The tendency of the conduct of pro-

fessing Christians, upon the Chinese, religiously and morally 186

CHAPTER XI.

Our Commercial intercourse with China from 1596 up to the present

period-Bond given by our Merchants to cease trading in or intro-

ducing Opium into the Celestial Empire-The pledge violated

Official reasons for commencing the War with China-Imperial Edicts

The Treaty of Nankin

236