Chinese Sketches | Page 8

learn in a very short time both

to touch their caps and wipe their noses on their masters'
pocket-handkerchiefs. Our observations will be confined to members of
that vast body of men who pore day and night over the "Doctrine of the
Mean," and whose lips would scorn to utter the language of birds.
And truly if national greatness may be gauged by the mien and carriage
of its people, China is without doubt entitled to a high place among the
children of men. An official in full costume is a most imposing figure,
and carries himself with great dignity and self-possession, albeit he is
some four or five inches shorter than an average Englishman. In this
respect he owes much to his long dress, which, by the way, we hope in
course of time to see modified; but more to a close and patient study of
an art now almost monopolised in Europe by aspirants to the triumphs
of the stage. There is not a single awkward movement as the Chinese
gentleman bows you into his house, or supplies you from his own hand
with the cup of tea so necessary, as we shall show, to the harmony of
the meeting. Not until his guest is seated will the host venture to take
up his position on the right hand of the former; and even if in the
course of an excited conversation, either should raise himself, however
slightly, from a sitting posture, it will be the bounden duty of the other
to do so too. No gentleman would sit while his equal stood.
Occasionally, where it is not intended to be over-respectful to a visitor,
a servant will bring in the tea, one cup in each hand. Then standing
before his master and guest, he will cross his arms, serving the latter
who is at his right hand with his left hand, his master with the right.
The object of this is to expose the palm--in Chinese, the /heart/--of
either hand to each recipient of tea. It is a token of fidelity and respect.
The tea itself is called "guest tea," and /is not intended for drinking/. It
has a more useful mission than that of allaying thirst. Alas for the
red-haired barbarian who greedily drinks off his cupful before ten
words have been exchanged, and confirms the unfavourable opinion his
host already entertains of the manners and customs of the West! And
yet a little trouble spent in learning the quaint ceremonies of the
Chinese would have gained him much esteem as an enlightened and
tolerant man. For while despising us outwardly, the Chinese know well
enough that inwardly we despise them, and thus it comes to pass that a
voluntary concession on our part to any of their harmless prejudices is

always gratefully acknowledged. To return, "guest tea" is provided to
be used as a signal by either party that the interview is at an end. A
guest no sooner raises the cup to his lips than a dozen voices shout to
his chair-coolies; so, too, when the master of the house is prevented by
other engagements from playing any longer the part of host. Without
previous warning--unusual except among intimate acquaintances--this
tea should never be touched except as a sign of departure.
Strangers meeting may freely ask each other their names, provinces,
and even prospects; it is not so usual as is generally supposed to inquire
a person's age. It is always a compliment to an old man, who is justly
proud of his years, and takes the curious form of "your venerable
teeth?" but middle-aged men do not as a rule care about the question
and their answers can rarely be depended upon. A man may be asked
the number and sex of his children; also if his father and mother are
still "in the hall," i.e., alive. His wife, however, should never be alluded
to even in the most indirect manner. Friends meeting, either or both
being in sedan-chairs, stop their bearers at once, and get out with all
possible expedition; the same rule applies to acquaintances meeting on
horseback. Spectacles must always be removed before addressing even
the humblest individual--sheer ignorance of which most important
custom has often, we imagine, led to rudeness from natives towards
foreigners, where otherwise extreme courtesy would have been shown.
In such cases a foreigner must yield, or take the chances of being
snubbed; and where neither self-respect or national dignity is
compromised, we recommend him by all means to adopt the most
conciliatory course. Chinese etiquette is a wide field for the student,
and one which, we think, would well repay extensive and methodical
exploration.

ETIQUETTE, NO. II
The disadvantages of ignoring alike the language and customs of the
Chinese are daily and hourly exemplified in the