TIIE CHINESE.
We have already spoken of the gradual transformation of the bodily type of the people of Farther India into the Chinese (p. 236). When the Chinese emigrated from the West to their present home they drove out of that locality many of the tribes already settled there, among them the Thibetan people; others were absorbed by the immigrants, and many rem nants of tribes remained unmolested. Both the latter facts are explained by the close relationship of the new and old inhabitants. The different dis tricts of the kingdom are now divided by physical and linguistic dissim ilarity, as might be expected from its great increase in size and from the independent development of its separate parts.
Physical Characteristics.- Stature and people of the north are whiter and larger than those of the south, where the complexion is often dark brown, while in the north, and particularly in the case of those not exposed (such as women), the complexion is almost European in whiteness. The bodily build is good, of middle size and over, and larger than with the Indo-Chinese. The peculiar arrest in the growth of the feet (generally small) which the Chinese accomplish by artificial means is well known (/5/. 1, fig. 5).
prominent cheek-bones, and consequently almost lozenge-shaped faces, small noses, prominent, small, often oblique eyes, always dark and mostly black, and thick lips, are characteristic features of the Chinese; yet the northerners and southerners (the latter being on the whole the more handsome) differ widely from each other (comp. pl. 57, figs. 2, 5, with figs. 8, to, Gamier).
hair is black, straight, often long (pl. 57, fig. 2), the beard generally scant (pl. 57, fig. i; pl. 6o, fig. 6; pl. 61, fig. i, etc.), yet also sometimes rather heavy; that is, in the south (pl. 57, fig. Io, and partic ularly fig. 8), also in the far east, on the Lin-Kin Islands (pt. 6o, fig. 4i,. whose almost independent populace is a mixed one of Chinese and Japan ese. The hair of the head is worn (especially by girls) either freely flow ing, or short shorn except a tuft on the crown remaining free (pl. 6o, fig. 6), or bound into a knot (pl. 57, figs. 6, 7).
Cosiztmc.—The costume consists of a shirt, wide trousers, and over all a long caftan, with wide sleeves, bound in at the waist (pt. 6o, figs. 4, 6). The fan is always present; it hangs from the belt like the tobacco-box (pt. 6o, fig. 6). Costume of course differs according to rank. Our illus
trations (A/. 57) of the different grades from the emperor (figs. I, 7) to the night-watchman 6) give a clear idea of this. The well-known Chinese hat likewise takes several forms (pl. 57, figs. I, 5, 7, S, to; 6o, figs. 2, 4); and the shoes are often of the most exquisite workmanship. Colors have their meaning also: white is the color for mourning (pt. 6o, fig. 2); yellow, the holy one; blue and violet, peculiar to man's apparel.
house and city architecture of the Chinese is well known; as an example of the comfortable and even luxurious elegance of the richer classes compare Plate 59 (figs. i, 2). Figure 3 shows the sleep ing apartment of a noble Manchoo family.
Food and matters of the table also the most unbounded luxury often prevails, but the great majority of the people live principally upon rice, with the addition of cabbage, pork, and fish. They cat from flat plates with chopsticks, articles used for thousands of years. The main stimulants are tobacco and opium.
Agriculture. —With the immense over-population of the kingdom agriculture is most carefully pursued, but the Chinese have also a great love for floriculture. Tea, rice, and silk are the principal and original products of the country.
shall not speak of the trades and arts, which mostly stand on a high level, nor of the abundant literature of the Chinese: let us only mention that besides the dialects of the people there exists a com mon speech of the learned. There are also two forms of the written Ian g-nage—the ancient highly-condensed and strict form, and a free modern one. In the former the ancient sacred books are written, as well as modern works on morals, science, history, etc. ; and in the latter the numerous romances and dramas which form the daily literature. Poetry has a pecu liar form of expression. Dramas, both light and serious, compose the favorite recreations of the people, but the actors are much bound to cus tom, which seems to require an unnatural overacting in tragic roles. The dress of the actors is overdone and often grotesque (pl. 57, Jig . 4). In literature the earnest, sober, and entirely practical spirit of the Chinese is seen. They have clear minds, but no imagination, the lack of which directs their thoughts only to the practical and useful.