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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 1905)
42 1 TAJ.J.M 77aeX CjOST Sl&Cft Or TT&ZFZ CANTON, Nov. 2. (Special Correspond ence of The Sunday Oregonlan.) The Chinese arc the world's best expo nents of Industry, economy and persever ance. They are Ideal examples of pa tience, contentment and cheerfulness. Possessing these cardinal virtues, why Is i I that they do not dominate the earth and rise above all other races? Why Is it that the Celestial who can beat the Jew in a trade, who can live on less than n white man wastes, and who can outdo the ox for sheer strength and staying powers, fails to hold a high place anions the children of men? The explanation seems I to He in the fact that he has faults which counteract his Rood qualities. Ignorance and superstition are doubtless the greatest barriers to the progress of the Chinese as a nation. They are look ing backward rather than forward. They venerate the wrltton word of the past, and will ha-e nothing to do with Ideas wuich arc new and strange. The glamour of tradition is the shackle which binds thorn to medievalism. The Chinese have not only refused to adopt new Ideas, but they have forgotten or discarded much that was good In their own civilization. During the last few hundred years their course has been one of steady retrogres sion. Backsliders In Medicine. This is lamentably true in regard to the science of medicine.- The first medical book ever written was the work of a CJilnese Emperor. This progressive man was an expert pharmacist nnd won the onfldence of the people by testing the ac ilons and uses of the different drugs on l is own person. The early Chinese also knew the use of anesthetics, they used mercury for tho cure of syphilis, and were the flrst to Inoculate for the cure of smallpox. Although they have been able to produce smallpox In a minor form for nearly 2000 years, they have never adopted, vaccination, still following their old practice of blowing pulverized scabs Into the nostrils of the patient. The retrogression of medicine has re sulted from the selfishness of tho great physicians who. Instead of leaving their knowledge to posterity, took it with them to their graves. There are no medical schools nnd the ambitious student can gain little experience from apprenticeship, because each master Jealously retains his own learning. Consequently, the average Chinese doctor Is merely the owner of a drugstore and professes an understanding of medicine in order to dispose of. his goods. Quackery and superstition have proceeded to such a jwss that millions of Ignorant dupes believe implicitly In the tttie of such ridiculous and disgusting nostrums as powdered spiders, dried cock roaches, human urine, dog testicles, pul erlzed deer barns and dragon bones. Chinese doctors make a specialty, of feeling the pulse. There Is a book en titled "The Kighty-One Difficulties." which deals exclusively with the subject. Vnless the doctor feels of the patient's pulse for several hours, the latter con siders that his adviser Is slighting the case, I was told of an old practitioner who fell asleep while holding the wrist of an Invalid. When the doctor awoke tho patient was dead. A favorite treatment for throat disease, as well as driving off devils In cases of high fever, is to draw a diagram explaining tho trouble, which Is afterward burned and drunk with a cup of tea. In China the doctor charges his patient as long as he is well, but payment stops when there is illness. A Nation of Suspects. The Inordinate love of money is onoof tV.e principal evils of Chinese life. Greed Is surh a universal trait among the In babitants of the empire that it. has de stroyed all confidence and public spirit. Chin lias a wall around it. and every city ! protected In the same manner. Every man Is afraid of his neighbor. The Chi nese should never resent suspicion from thi- foreigner because they are so dis trustful of oacli other. The waiter in the mbllc Inn shouts the amount each cus tomer pays hiuu so tlint the proprietor and the patron may both hear, thus pre- entlng any attempt to squeeze either ( ptrty. The scholars in the schools study .iloud. so the teacher may know that they tire devoting their attention to their les sens. The country people are so sufpI- rlous of strangers that they will not feed nor lodge any one with whom they are j unacquainted. There Is an old Chinese saying to the effect that when one is walking through an orchard it Is not well o adjust one's cap: also that while pass ing through r melon patch It Is not the time to lace one's shoes. One writer who had lived long in tuna cites the following instance to show to what extent mutual suspicion I be trained across the roadway. If the exists A elderly man had a well-to- people want to keep out of dangor let do neighbor with whom he was former- them go around ly associated in one of the secret sects! If a farmer has occasion to unload so common in China. On asking him I nls m the roadway, he thinks about his nelgnbor. whose house was j nothing of the Inconvenience he may at a little distance from his own, it be putting travelers to by obstructing t urned out that the two men who had liU passage. The city streets arc also grown up together, and hnd passed common property nnd are choked by more than CO years In proximity, had lnc tools and appliances of the buteh nothing to do with each other. "And cr. tilo barber, the carpenter and othor why -was thlsT "Because the other man I classes of tradesmon. It is cheaper t is getting old and does not go out j -work In the street than o pay ront mu-h. "Why tnen do you not some- ah traces of a srvrv n on ni.in- times go and see him and talk over old i times? Are you not on good terms?" Tne person addressed smiled and shook I. Is head. "Yes," he said, "we are on good tents enough, but he Is well oft and I am poor, and if I were to go there it would make talk. Folks would what is he going there for?" Every Fellow for Himself. Another instance of commercial sus picion was afforded by the death of a member of the municipal government In a certain town. There were 32 men on tne board, and they kept the money and papers of the municipality in a big saffl which wus locked with 12 pad locks. Each member of the board hold a itey to one ot the locks so that the safe could not be opened unless all 12 CHILIS (W'JMA 7 7yAfv tI I --er?r7ZL ssF. (sK " - H l' W The Gods Arc Buncoed. of them were present. The affairs of the municipality were demoralized when one of the board dlud 'suddenly, because Ills key could not be found. Even If it had been located, no man would take his place, unloss properly elected for -fear the deceased would be Jealous. The lack of public spirit Is Illus trated by the fact that no public money can pass through official hands with out a certain shrinkage. This Is true even of funds raised to alleviate suf fering caused by accident or famine. Official dlshoncjsty Is expected, be cause the salaries paid arc quite in significant In comparison to the ex penses which must be maintained. In many of the Chinese clttos the hack drivers arc given no salaries at jOL They arc expected to squeeze their liv ing out of the company's customers and they never fall to do It. It Ik al most Impossible .to complete any kind of public improvements in the empire on account of ofliclul misappropriation of funds. The Public Be Dammed. The private citizen will wot tttrn his hand to Improve public proportj". nor raise his voice In protest if it is itl done officially. There is' no right ef way In China, the roads run whorovor the course of travel takos Its way. When tho public begins to travorse a farmer's land ho tries to discourage the trespassers by digging ditches and obstructing the way, but his protest goes no farther. If he foils a tree across the path he wastes his energy and his lumbor, because th'c stream of travel merely sweeps a'round It. When Chinese troops engage In artil lery practice. It makes no difference to them if their cannons happen to crated on account of the stakes or boundary stonos being carried off by whoever happens to get the first chance to steal them. Brick pavements will disappear in the same way unless vig ilantly guarded. Hands on Your Pocketbook. The official contrives to squeeze those with whom he comes in contact, and the coolie never misses an opportunity to take advantage of any situation that will warrant the practice of petty extortion. For Instance, an American girl who pat ronized two chair coolies regularly, al ways had to pay them double when h went to church. Once she resisted their demands end they followed her into the building, interrupting the .service by their clamor for a few additional coppers. Tht THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAX. PORTA"D. DECEMBER 3, 1905. . shrew.l rogues knew that she would rather pay them a few cents extra than to go through such an experience again, so they invariably put the price up when they took her to church. A certain class of beggars Infest the highways. "They dig a rut across the road and as each traveler approaches the hole they have made "the' throw la a shovelfull of dirt to convey the Impres rien that they arc rendering public ser vice, then they bold out their hands for a fee. If the tip Is denied a villainous Concerning BRAISING is a particularly good meth od of cooking tough meat, as well as tender meat, and is less frequent ly practiced than It deserves to be. In meat properly braised you should have the succulence of the best stews, to gether with .the appetizing brownness -and crlepness of a .roast. Regular braizing pans are provided with a 'sunk or hol lowed lid for the purpose of applying heat above as well as below by means of hot cinders or charcoal. The ordinary cook, however, seldom possesses such a pan. and a common Iron stewpan or plain earthen casserole with a tight-fitting cov er will give good results. A rather- small piece of meat Is best. It should be compact and not much smaller than the pan (about two Inches space all round is all that is necessary) although chops and slices of meat can also be cooked satisfactorily In this way. The meat is often (though not invariably), lightly browned in a little hot fat before braising. It Is then placed on a layer of mixed vegetables (carrot, onion, celery, turnip) which have been cleaned and cut in small cubes. A sprig of parsley or thyme and a bit of bay leaf are good also; and a very little whole spice (pepper corns, alsplce. clove of mace) .may bo added according to personal taste and the kind of meat used. Be careful not to use too much sirfce. however: the merest suggestion of spicy flavor is enough. Stock or water is add edJust enough to touch the bottom of the meat; mow vegetables may be placed above the meat, and the whole covered first with buttered paper to keep in the steam, and then with the lid. Now' let simmer gently not boll until done. Vegetable Seasoning. The time will depend upon the size and shape of the meat; 30 to 50 minutes per pound will pot be too great an allow ance. -Little care is necessary after once starling the braise. Occasional basting and possibly the addition of more liquor may be needed. The meat should be. tender, rich, of fine flavor and not In the least stringy or ragged. Sometimes the nrsat is browned in the oven Just before serving (particularly If it has been larded with strips of pork or bacon) or a glaze (made hi' boiling down some of the gravy) Is poured over the surface. Great variety SDVSDINfc rain of curses -Is showered upon the head of the wayfarer, who soon 1 earns that If he wifhes to proceed without molestation It is best to part with a. few coppers whenever they arc demanded. There Is one long mountain road In China which is so narrow that carts cannot pass. The manner of handling traffic ever this road is to allow carts to go In one direction in the forenoon, and the other in the afternoon. The nfanl nnnrnaeh to rellrinn In China is an absurd form of ancestor i the Making of an Ordinary Cook: of flavor can be obtained by varying the proportion and kind of vegetables and seasonings. Mushrooms arc a valuable addition, and wine Is often Uvd. The vegetables arc seldom, served with the hieat. but may be If . liked. The cooking can bo done on the simmer of a gas range (use an asbestos mat) or In the oven, or at the beck of the stove of a wood or coal range. With proper management no more fuel need be used than for a fried dish, but more brains and fore thought may be necessary. Steaming Is easy and economical, es pecially where gas fs used, since several dishes can be cooked- over one burner. It is perhaps better adapted to fish and fowl than to pieces of beef, mutton or pork. Tongue, meat loaves, savory rolls and home-made sausages of various kinds. as well as meat puddings or pies (where the meat in small pieces Is placed In a bowl and covered with a suet or biscuit crust) can all be most satisfactorily cooked in steam. Several excellent stcam-J cookers arc on the market, but the dishes mentioned above can be raised above the water and steamed In any large pan or Ikettle. provided It has a tight-fitting ltd. The Important point is to keep the water boiling all the time. Add already boiling water if it needs replenishing. Names of Cuts, Price and Use.. Here Is a list of cuts of beef with cur rent prices (quoted from several Portland markets) and suggestions for the use of each cut: Name of cut. uses and price: Per pound. Ir'orr Qartr C-nt-Neck: lUmbarcer.-oup . .. . 4 ff. C Cres rib: Stew, pot roait. tm- rd Vie. aciall steak 10 12 Soup bone: Soup .". -. S Nevrt: Boil. tew. roll and brait 6 Q S Briffcrt: Bell. tev. rail and brmlw S &10 FUak: Boll. atew. roll and bralte 6 O.X Prime liba: Roin 15 IS Short rib: Stew. boll. roll, par belt and brawn tn oven. JO Pet roast: Pet roast, it ex. bef ta 10 Skirt: Stew, beef olive, steamed pte 10 Mlad QB&rtrr . ' Small T t cV : Broil, roast (If not cut a (terns ) IS Portrrhocre ateak: Bran. roau.lS GSO Tenderloin tak: BrotL tra!. . IS Flat bone tak: Broil. 15 Ptn bone leaV: Brail IS Sirloin atealu BraSI ' Bump atrak: StuS and roll. worship. Host of the gods of these peo ple are dead men. although a large por tion of the population indulge in nature worship. Once each year, on the occa sion of tho sun's birthday, the villagers go out toward the cast to met' him. and in the evening they, travel a short dis tance toward the west to escort him on his way. Th belief exists that divinities reside in trees. A tree located In front of a countryman's hut will not be touched, even if the family are freezing, for fear of offending the spirit residing In it. On bralae. broil If tender 10 Allrh bo Be ateak: Boll, beef tea. roat If leader S Rotind steak: Braise, pot raast. . atew. loaf or eaenetott-.. 10 f'12b Ileel pleee: Stew, broth, brals'e. 10 HoWnK Hank: Roll a ad bolt 12 Vi Flank ateak: Bran. atew. ;. 12ft Hind abln: Marrow toast., aeep. atew ' 3 Fillet: Brail, lard and roast or braise - CO 673 Other Part of Beef ' Tonjroe: Boll or braW (aorsed or fresh 1 12i Tail: Soap stew 3 610 Heart: PtaC and bra Is r. parboil and roast 10 20 Urer. 'Broil, fry. atew. steamed loaf 3 CUO Kidneys: Saute. ?tew. broil, soup. pi- wllh ateak) 10 Tripe: BratU atew. try (In batter) . . 10 Brains: Parboil, stew, scallop. croquettes Suet: Frying fat. shertenJnjr for puddlnirs. stmcnit ana piain pastry 10 Each. SoTt tiling Tough Meats. There is really no reason for the cry for "a new animal" that one hears from many inexperienced housekeepers. Be sides, the variety afforded by different methods of cooking, there Is practically no limit to the different effects that can be produced by the Judicious use of vege tables and seasonings; by changing the form of the meat and the manner of serving, and by the use of various sauces'. The use of wine In the cooking of meat Is objected to by many, either on prin ciple or for economic reasons. Temper ance women (like myself) may perhaps satisfy their consciences In reflecting that all the alcohol present Is usually driven off by the heat, only the flavoring matter and slight add remaining. The benefit of a little acid In softening the connec tive tissue of meat Is appreciated by most cooks. A slice of ' sour apple, a litle lemon Juice, a few green gooseberries or a small piece of rhubarb can often be used to good advantage in stewing or braising In place of the wine that some recipes call for. . Tough steaks can be softened to a cer tain extent by treatment with vinegar and salad oil for a few hours before, cook ing The inegar softens the tissue and the oil protects the meat from the air. Beating or pounding steak. Is not to be recommended: It simply gives more chances for the loss of the Juices and the resulting leatheripess of the meat. It Is often a good plan, where a particularly &?0J' 0- certains days of tho month Chinese merchantsand scholars may be seen wor shiping such animals as the fox. the weasel, the" hedgehog, the snake and the rat. all of whom are known, as "Their Excellencies." and are supposed to exert a powerful Influence oyer the affairs o human beings. In case of a. flood the water serpent Is supposed to be angry and the Inhabitants unite In trying to ap pease its wrath. The Insincerity of the Chinese is shown in their worship. At times they are sup Choosing and Using Meats, by Miss Lilian E. Tingle, Director Portland School of Domestic Science. good steak Is wanted, to select the meat In advance and get the butcher to hang it (at just thj proper temperature) until It is tender and In perfect condition for broiling. With very tough meat there Is always a convenient last resort In the.mlnclng ma chine. Good hamburger, especially when home-made. Is more inviting and more di gestible than a plain fried steak that de fies both knife and teeth, and there are so many good dishes (Scotch collops, curry, cannelons, pies and patties, tlm bates. etc.) that can he made with fresh minced meat. For dealing with steaks it is well to remember that a sharp steel knife Js a very important factor. A man naturally argues that what is cut with difficulty will be chewed with difficulty, and he will grumble accordingly. Housekeepers who are beginning their career by buying for two. have their own peculiar trials. They should known that rib-steak is good for a small family (enough for two costs 13 cents): that top round steak Is often tender and inexpen sive; small top sirloin Is also a good cut to ask for In some restaurants "small steaks are cut from the shoulder piece a very useful and Inexpensive cut. RISING BREAST No woman who uses ''Mother's Frieid" need fear the suffering and danger incident to birth; for it robs the ordeal of its horror and insures safety to life of mother and child, and leaves her in a condition more favorable to also healthy, strong and good natured. Our book "Motherhood," is worth its weierht in gold to every woman, and -will be sent free envelope by addressing application to BrodfaM Regulate- Ce. Atlanta, ba. posed to burn money to propitiate cer tain gods, but they never use good specie for this purpose. A wealthy citizen who desires to gain the good will of a. certain god does not hesitate to bribe the prle3t to mark him up on the list of donors at double what he really gave. Whenever It becomes necessary to repair the temple pieces of paper are pasted over the eyes of the Images therein, so that they may not witness the confusion In overhauling the place. The kitchen god of the Chinese house hold is supposed to ascend to heaven once each year In order to make a re port on the conduct of the family. The Hps of this god are smeared with honey to bribe It not to tell the bad things it has- observed. Another common attempt to fool the gods Is to call a boy by a glrl3 name so as to divert the evil spirits who work harm to young males. Still another cheat that Is worked upon the gods Is the make-believe ottering of a man's head. In order to convey the idea that some devoted subject has allowed his head to bo cut off as a sacrifice, a man crawls under a table and puts his head through a round hole made for that purpose. Chinese gods must be very simple If they are taken In by all the hocus-pocus that Is practiced on them. It Is strange that the Chinese with- all their shrewdness cling- to so many absurd customs and outlandish beliefs. They won't have pockejs In their clothes, and will not forsake their pith or paper soled shoes. A rainstorm will disperse an army because the fighters do not want to spoil their shoes. The modern drill master has trouble with his recruits when he refuses to allow them to use fans on dress parade, or prohibits senti nels from carrying lanterns while on duty at night. When the, Peklir" Gazette an nounces that the Emperor has put on his Winter hat. every man in China follows suit, no matter how hot the weather may be. On that day every chair cushion in the Empire is changed so as to expose its "Winter side." The delusion that a mythical dragon Is about to swallow the sun has been kept up for thousands of years, this dreadful catastrophe being prevented only by a ceaseless tom-tomlng of temple gongs which stretches from one year's end to another. Add to ignorance, superstition, dis honesty, lack of public spirit. Inordinate grocd. and prejudice against reform, tho dreadful evils of gambling and opium smoking and disrespect for women, and we have the principal reasons why China lags bchlnds as the rest of the world moves onward. The old Empire Is heavy wlth the rank atmosphere of the, dark ages. The wisest students of Its history claim that it Is so steeped in Its vices that It lacks the power to accomplish its own resuscitation. It is like a drunkard with appetite beyond control, or a person ill unto helplessness. Now that the light of peace and progress Is clearing- the dark ness of Asia. It remains to be seen whether China, the old granny of tho family of nations, can learn new tricks and stay In the game, or whether she will be content to ossify and at last succumb to the ravages of time. FREDERIC J. HA3KIN. Enough lamb chops for two can be ob tained for 10 cents when cut from tho shoulder, while a corresponding quantity from loin or rib would cost 15 cents, and French chops would be 20 to 25 cents. A crown roast (unseparated French chops of Iamb, mutton or pork, bent into a cir cle), makes a handsome dish and gives a. chance for a tasteful arrangement of vegetables. The "flap" Is sometimes cut away and sometimes simply rolled back. If cut away. It can be advantageously used In other dishes. Cold meats In Jelly (usually boiled), are not hard to prepare, and are usually both popular and economical. I have not men tioned the use of the heads of veal, mut ton and pork, but many dishes, both sightly and palatable, can be prepared from these at a very low price. They were much appreciated by our forefath ers. Judging from an old cookbook (dated 1TS3), which Is one of my treasures and which, gives numerous and careful 'In structions as to "How to Pot a Cow's Head." "To Turtle a Calf's Head." "To Make Brtin Cakes." etc. I have found these dishes 'well worth the considera tion of a modern housewife. LILIAN E. TINGLE. And many other painful and serious ailments from which, most mothers suffer, can be avoided by the use of MltMrs Fni, This great remedy is a God-send to women, carrying them through their most critical ordeal with safety and no pain. speedy recovery, ine enna is MOTHER'S in plain FRIEND