Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1853 edition. Excerpt: ...a small portion of their time; but the most beautiful specimens of work are done by men; the women are astonishingly deficient in the use of the needle, and as to being able to read their own language, probably not one in a hundred, even of the better class, receive any instruction from native teachers. "Parents sometimes destroy their female offspring soon after birth, and in cases of want, some of both sexes are left to starvation in the streets. All this seems to be done without compunction of conscience. Many are maimed, to be made beggars; their eyes are put out; a foot perhaps amputated; sometimes children are exhibited in the streets, apparantly covered with small-pox, to excite pity, and extort money. You examine DAUGHTERS. 127 the child and it is all a deception; something is put upon the face that appears like the disease, by which the passer-by is deceived. It is well known that the Chinese place little or no value upon their daughters; and if questioned as to how many children they have, they answer according to the number of their sons, omitting to bring their daughters into the account. I once asked a tailor, "Why do your people always rejoice at the birth of a son, and not at the birth of a daughter?" "Because the girls are so much trouble and expense, they cannot work and get money." Again I asked an officer of government, "Why do you not teach your daughters as well as your sons to read?" He replied, "It is of no use." I said, "Will you send your little daughter to me to be taught?" His answer in broken English was, "No can do;" meaning that it would be of no use. f The higher classes there are not yet accessible, but " to the poor the gospel is...
