. The land of the pigtail : its people and customs : from a boy's point of view . strates, are a poor lot. They are particular enoughin matters of official etiquette or ceremony, but theyshow little vigour and determination in doing their bestfor the welfare of the people. Their places are often positions of great profit, andmany are open to bribery. You may easily tell themif you see them, by reason of their gorgeous robes andchains of office; but as to finding out what good someof them are, that is a rather difficult matter. Great asis their influence, they do not escape punishment, ofwhich
. The land of the pigtail : its people and customs : from a boy's point of view . strates, are a poor lot. They are particular enoughin matters of official etiquette or ceremony, but theyshow little vigour and determination in doing their bestfor the welfare of the people. Their places are often positions of great profit, andmany are open to bribery. You may easily tell themif you see them, by reason of their gorgeous robes andchains of office; but as to finding out what good someof them are, that is a rather difficult matter. Great asis their influence, they do not escape punishment, ofwhich there are many kinds. For the gravest offencesdeath is assigned; and in such cases it is esteemed agreat favour if the Emperor sends the culprit a silkencord wherewith to strangle himself. Before doing so,however, he has to tha,nk his Celestial Majesty for hisgreat kindness; for death by strangulation is so muchless disgraceful than by beheading. 198 THE LAND OF THE PIGTAIL. I have gone on long enough, I am sure; and so tobring my remarks to a close, I must just throw together. A MAXUAKIN. a few facte that occur to me that I have not mentioned. The wages of the lower orders are small, but then SUNDEY OCCUPATIONS. 199 their wants are few, and their living is cheap. Carpentersand masons get from ten-pence to fifteen-pence a day;and clerks from ten to thirty dollars a month, withboard. You would be reminded of our own bricklayers ifyou saw the Chinese at work; and when you read
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