Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 11, No. 23, February, 1873Various
Science
Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 11, No. 23, February, 1873
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- Periodicals
his mistress in attire; and, although not perfect, yet affords a
refreshing change from our Milesian tyrants of the roast and wash-tub.
But when you catch this Celestial domestic treasure, be sure that the
first culinary operations performed for his instruction are correctly
manipulated, for his imitativeness is of a cast-iron rigidity. Once
in the mould, it can only with great difficulty be altered. Burn your
toast or your pudding, and he is apt to regard the accident as the
rule.
The young Chinese, especially in San Francisco, are anxious to acquire
an English education. They may not attend the public schools. A few
years since certain Chinese mission-schools were established by the
joint efforts of several religious denominations. Young ladies and
gentlemen volunteered their services on Sunday to teach these Chinese
children to read. They make eager, apt and docile pupils. Great is
their pride on mastering a few lines of English text. They become much
attached to their teachers, and it is possible, if the vote of the
latter were taken, it would evidence more liking for their yellow,
long-cued pupils than for any class of white children. But while so
assiduous to learn, it is rather doubtful whether much real religious
impression is made upon them. It is possible that their home-training
negatives that.
We have spoken entirely of the Chinaman. What of the Chinawoman in
America? In California the word "Chinawoman" is synonymous with what
is most vile and disgusting. Few, very few, of a respectable class
are in the State. The slums of London and New York are as respectable
thoroughfares compared with the rows of "China alleys" in the heart of
San Francisco. These can hardly be termed "abandoned women." They
have had no sense of virtue, propriety or decency to abandon. They are
ignorant of the disgrace of their calling: if the term may be allowed,
they pursue it innocently. Many are scarcely more than children. They
are mere commodities, being by their own countrymen bought in China,
shipped and consigned to factors in California, and there sold for a
term of years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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