Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume IV.djvu/459

CHINA 447 which these deposits took place would appear to have been similar, but the first deposit is much greater than the other. There is rea- son to believe that iron ores are widely dis- tributed in this region. There are two belts where the Chinese now smelt them. One lies S. E. of Ningpo, stretching away into Fokien ; the other is situated in southern Hunan. The latter is likely to prove important. It is to be said of the deposits of coal and iron in S. E. China, that the failure of the Chinese to work them indicates that they do not occur under favorable conditions. Extensive coal fields are found in Shantung, and the gold-bearing quartz of this region may hereafter be a source of wealth. Coal abounds in the mountains which range away from the promontory of Liautung to the northeast ; it is mined in Shingking. Iron ores are abundant, and until the advent of foreigners at Newchwang Mantchooria was self-supplied with this useful metal. The pres- ence of gold is asserted in Chinese works. The existence of coal in Szechuen has been spoken of, but it is doubtful whether it is widely dis- tributed ; Chinese accounts indicate that it is only found in the S. E. part of the province. Iron is mined in different parts of the province, and is cheap and abundant. Silver, copper, tin, and quicksilver are reported by the Chinese. Salt wells exist, which yield largely ; the prov- ince is self-supplied, and was able to supply the markets of the adjoining provinces, E. and S., during the rebellion. Cooper relates that a gas sometimes escapes from these wells which will burn, and he infers that petroleum might be procured from the wells. Marble, porphyry, jasper, granite, and quartz are produced from the quarries of S. China. Lapis lazuli is found in the west. The crystal, ruby, amethyst, sapphire, topaz, turquoise, jade, garnet, opal, agate, jasper, and malachite are found. Sul- phur exists in large deposits in Formosa. Not- withstanding the extensive supply of coal pos- sessed by China, but little comparatively is mined. Difficulties of transportation and the heavy taxation combine to discourage mining operations. Until within a few years 90 per cent, of the coal used in foreign steamers on the coast was brought from foreign coun- tries, notably from England. The people who live on the banks of the Yangtse cut reeds for fuel, while these rich deposits of coal exist not 200 m. away. Of the aborigines of China only a few remnants are found (Miau-tze, or Lo-lo) in the mountains of the southern provinces. The present inhabitants migrated into the country from the north- west. The Chinese, or sons of Han, as they call themselves, are entirely different from the Caucasian race, and stand in near relation to the Mongolian. Their stature varies in dif- ferent districts. At Canton the average height of adult males is estimated by Mr. Williams at 5 ft. 4. in. In the northern provinces it is probably somewhat greater. They are symmet- rically built. The face is round, and the eyes 183 VOL. iv. 29 are small, having an oblique appearance, with bare lids, but thick brows ; cheek bones high ; nose small, and nearly even with the face at the root ; forehead low ; lips thicker than among Europeans, but not at all approaching those of the negro ; hair straight and black ; complexion yellowish brown. In the south they are swarthy, but not as much so as the Portuguese. Altogether their physiognomy is void of expression, and their general appearance not imposing. Stoutness, of rather obesity, is much admired ; so are small feet and long finger nails. The Mantchoos are of a lighter complexion and slightly heavier build than the Chinese, have more beard, and their countenan- ces indicate greater intellectual activity. As to the moral and intellectual characteristics of the Chinese, great injustice has been done to them. It is obvious that the trading popula- tions of the large seaports cannot be consid- ered fair specimens of the national character in general ; and it is from these that travellers have taken their impressions of the people at large. The Chinese, so far as they have come in contact with Europeans and Ameri- cans, are industrious, skilful, polite, and provi- dent. They have less personal courage than Europeans, and also a lower standard of mo- rality. When aroused they are exceedingly cruel, yet they are not quick-tempered or re- vengeful. In the use of food and drink they are remarkably temperate. Their commercial enterprise is very great, and under more favor- able conditions is likely to play a prominent part throughout the world. The Chinese are proud of their country and of their civilization, which was already flourishing at a time when the Christian nations had no existence. This na- tional pride comes at least as natural to them as to those nations whom we are wont to call civ- ilized. Considering that China contains about one third of the population of the globe; that, with the exception of steam engines and electric telegraphs, there is scarcely any great invention of modern times which has not been in use among the Chinese for many cen- turies ; that popular education is more general and the social structure more firmly settled in China than in any other country, their over- bearing demeanor and narrow-mindedness in regard to foreigners may at least appear natu- ral. It is probable that a more intimate in- tercourse with them will be apt to modify in some respects the unfavorable opinion which has prevailed among Christian nations of the character of the Chinese. " Their civilization," says Williams, " has been developed under pe- culiar forms and influences, and must be com- pared to, rather than judged of by that of Eu- ropeans ; the dissimilarity is as wide, perhaps, as can possibly exist between two races of beings having the same common nature and wants. A people by whom some of the most important inventions of modern Europe were anticipated (such as the compass, porcelain, gunpowder, paper, printing), and were known