I 



246 CHINESE CLUBS. 



him with a cup of samchoo, or spirit. Little compa- 

 tivelv as we vet know of -China, one tiling Is notori- 

 ous thnt its people are prone to turbulence, although 

 the cause may originate with the rulers. It would 

 be difficult at the present day to decide whether the 

 atrocious and interminable laws of this heaven-born 

 Empire are the cause, or the result of (he character 

 of the people, 



Sir G. Staunton declares that ii h only the desti, 

 tute or worthless portion of the Chinese who emi- 

 grate ; from which it should seem that oppression 

 does not make them forget nationality. Jn the 

 Choonsin Com/si or club, at this Settlement, the 

 badge is a silver ring. The entrance money is two 

 dollars, and the members are believed to amount to 

 several thousands. The word Choonsin is engraved 

 on the ring. The Yee-sking Congsi is another 

 of note. 



There can be little doubt, that the heads of these 

 congsis settle many disputes and complaints private- 

 ly, and in a summary manner, where both parties 

 belong* to their congsi. It is a voluntary arrange- 

 ment amongst themselves, and when it does not ex- 

 tend to crimes of magnitude, is perhaps a better 

 check on the maimers of the clan than could be 

 obtained, by a scattered police, or appeals to the 

 magistrate with all their accompanying perjuries. " 



But it is not merely the peace, or at least the re-« 

 gularity of the social system, which is interrupted by 

 such associations. They form very powerful engines 

 for defrauding the revenue, and it is no doubt owing 

 to them that the full value o; imposts on opium and 

 arrack cannot be obtained, ami that the Chinese can 

 always defeat the plans of any farmer of these w ho 

 is not a Chinese. 



If all the congsis were unauiojous, there would 



