domestic life. My friend, E. H. Parker, Esq., of H.M. Consular Service, one of the most indefatigable students of out-of-the-way matters relating to Chinese customs and folk-lore, thus writes of the people living in the province of Kwang-tung, and more especially in the prefecture of Kwang-chou:—"Every Cantonese husband is provided on the day of his marriage with a small piece of immaculate white cloth, with which in his bosom he approaches the nuptial couch. Deflorata jam nupta, mantelium, hwa sé [lit. flower-colour, cf. "flowers" in our own language in this connection, H.F.] vaginali craore imbutum laeteficus parentibus exhibit maritus. Porro, triumphans, porcos assatos nuptae parentibus offert. Si tamen infauste laesa illi advenerit virginitas, tunc, comperto fraude, nuptam parentibus ignominiose dimittit." We were informed of a case in the city of Canton the other day, in which an unfortunate and possibly innocent girl was thus sent back. She was scolded and abused by her disappointed and disgraced parents to such an extent that she died in a few weeks." Something similar is alleged to have been the practice among the Arabs, Turks, Copts, and Persians. The foregoing extract first appeared in the China Mail (Hongkong) in the form of "Chinese Notes." It was reprinted in the China Review, and the article afterwards published separately under the title "Comparative Chinese Family Law." The pamphlet deserves the special attention of all who are interested in the subject.
Deathbed Superstition.—My mother-in-law having been sick unto death for some weeks I have been earnestly entreated to move her bed "as it must be under a cross beam or she would have passed away long ago, and then she will quickly pass away."
Children's Rhyme in Bucks (Buckingham) and Oxon (Banbury):—
"Some say the devil's dead
And buried in Cold Harbour;
Others say he's come again
And 'prenticed to a barber."
This dates back at least sixty years and is still in use. Cf. Folk-Lore Record, iv. 176.
