APPENDIX. 291 



that in the event of their tumbling overhoard they will not sink ; 

 and occasionally an nnruly j'oungster of this age is seen with a 

 string, one end of which is tied around his body and the other 

 fastened to a ring-bolt, or other fixture of the boat, by which he 

 can be hauled in, in case of falling into the water. Thousands 

 of people thus live, and apparently thrive, in a way which to a 

 European is incomprehensible. All these boats have eyes painted 

 upon them near the bow, and further north this custom prevails 

 universally. ^ It is, doubtless, connected with some Chinese super- 

 stition, although I have not been able to ascertain precisely what 

 it is. The story is current of a Chinaman who, being asked the 

 reason for the custom, replied : " Junk no have eye, how can 

 see ? No can see, how can sabe ?" (Understand, or know.) 



The language known as " pigeon English," is also a queer in- 

 stitution. Originally growing out of the attempts of the Chinese 

 to speak English, many imperfect and senseless expressions came to 

 have a given significance and meaning, and to these, additions have 

 gradually been made until now a recognized dialect has been formed, 

 which is composed of all sorts of words, from all sorts of languages, 

 but which is sufficiently perfect for ordinary communication be- 

 tween the natives and foreigners. Two prominent words in the 

 vocabulary are " pigeon " and " catchee." "With a Chinaman all 

 business is " pigeon," and " catchee " signifies get. A Chinaman, 

 desiring to ask you what business you are doing here, ■ says, 

 " What pigeon catchee you ? " If you wish to tell a Chinese waiter 

 to get two bananas and leave them up stairs in your room, you 

 say, " Go catchee banana two piecee and leave my room top side." 

 If he cannot get any, he comes back and reports, " IS.0 can catchee." 

 Or " Bring me a glass of water " may be translated, " Go catchee 

 one glass water, come bring this side." 



The life of Europeans here is very different from that at 

 home. A cup of coffee, with perhaps a little toast and eggs, is 

 served in the morning at seven or eight o'clock, and between 

 twelve and one o'clock the regular breakfast takes place, some- 

 times called " tiffin " or lunch, but which is really a substantial 

 dinner. At 7.30 p.m., dinner is served, which is a heavy meal, 

 not materially differing from tiffin. I have not yet gotten used 

 to the heavy meals so late at night, but it seems to agree with 



