6 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



to writing what he wished to say the 

 Cantonese could read and understand it as 

 could the Pekinese any written answer. 



No one will suppose that it is necessary 

 to speak Chinese, or employ an interpreter 

 who can, in order to shoot more accurately 

 a pheasant or a bamboo-partridge, but when 

 the weather is unfavorable and the shooter 

 has to remain on board his houseboat the 

 opportunity offers to inform himself about 

 many interesting customs. If the houseboat 

 be anchored near a village or town he can 

 easily have a few of the leading residents at 

 tea, and through a competent interpreter, 

 thus acquire a knowledge of such customs, 

 the observance of which will insure a 

 pleasant sojourn and successful shooting. 

 It is the minor customs that throw light on 

 the larger life of the people, for the true 

 history of China is the history of the family. 



While the language and dialects really 

 appear to have been framed to debar all 

 intercourse between China and other na- 

 tions, and it is said that neither enters any 

 longer into the law and commerce of the 

 world, yet, in view of the possibilities of 

 Asiatic development, they never enjoyed a 



