Child life in Chinese homes . eets at a time. But the householders begin to build again amongthe smoking ashes, setting up stalls close by the ruins, and attemptingto carry on their business as best they can under the circumstances. Most Chinese cities are surrounded by strong walls, with gateswhich are well defended; frequently they are closed at sunset, and noexit or entrance is permitted tiU daylight. A small guard of soldiers isoften posted at the gates for their defence. Chinese soldiers arestrangely destitute of that air of briskness and general vigour which isso characteristic of our mi
Child life in Chinese homes . eets at a time. But the householders begin to build again amongthe smoking ashes, setting up stalls close by the ruins, and attemptingto carry on their business as best they can under the circumstances. Most Chinese cities are surrounded by strong walls, with gateswhich are well defended; frequently they are closed at sunset, and noexit or entrance is permitted tiU daylight. A small guard of soldiers isoften posted at the gates for their defence. Chinese soldiers arestrangely destitute of that air of briskness and general vigour which isso characteristic of our mihtary men. Their uniform is usually of bluecotton, loose in shape, and occasionally they have a jacket or vest ofscarlet. This garment is adorned with a white disc, bearing characterswhich describe the regiment to which they belong. Turning back from the gate into the street, we shall find it dampwith the drippings from the water-buckets which the cooHes havebeen carrying fi:om the river since early morning. A pretty vista of. 32 CHILD LIFE IN CHINESE HOMES. bright colouring raeets our eyes, formed by the signboards, which arenot placed over the doors only, as in England, but hang downperpendicularly from the projecting eaves. Many of them are eightor ten feet long, and are nicely varnished and inscribed with somehigh-flown epithet, which has been chosen by the owner instead ofhis name. And so we meet with a furriers shop bearing the title Virtuous and Abundant, and a cloth store called CelestialAdvantage. An undertaker has chosen the title of United andProsperous, and a coal merchant calls his premises by the high-sounding name of Heavenly Adornment. In summer-time thestreets are shaded with matting, to protect the passers-by from thefierce rays of the sun. No carts or carriages are seen in Chinese streets, and only anoccasional horseman, riding in some mandarins procession. Sedanchairs are in constant use, varying in size and appearance from theofficials roomy and elaborately
Size: 1369px × 1825px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectchildren, bookyear188
