This eBook was produced by David Schwan <davidsch@earthlink.net>.
Seven Maids of Far Cathay
Being English Notes From A Chinese Class Book
Compiled By
Bing Ding
Illustrated By
Ai Lang
The custom of Americanism having been related unto me - "That one bookshall take unto self one dedication" - I have honor to make speeches ofpresentation unto N-B-E, a Grandmother Genius of Geniuses.
Foreword
The English Notes which go to make up this Chinese Class book are theresult of a game which the President of the Woman's Anglo-ChineseCollege of Neuchang, China, induced the seven Chinese girls of thegraduating class to play during the last six months of their Collegecourse. The Notes were read aloud in class, taken down by astenographer, and afterwards arranged alphabetically by the Biographerassisted by the President of the College. At the request of interestedfriends the President has now permitted the publication of these Notesexactly as they were originally produced, without revision, that theunique atmosphere pervading them might not be lost.
Contents
Foreword
Biographer
Correspondent
Diarist
Essayist
Folklorist
Genius
Illustrations
"I Will Therefore Now Make Picture or Our Adorable College"
(Frontispiece)
"It Was He of the Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages"
"All Day Long Very Good Water, Very Much Pleasure"
"I Find Many Idols of Uselessness"
"Gui (Devil) Always Travel in Straight Line, Road Wind Around so Gui No
Can Catch Traveler"
Cliff Near the Monkey Mother's Home
"All is of Great Stillness and Peace"
Biographer
Because I drew the B - I have honor to commence this Class book. For onceEnglish A comes not at the head, for our Artist, (whoever is she?) canat the first do nothing.
It all began thus: The first of last semester in the English class Each,most horribly read. Miss Sterling, (our Adored Teacher), play with ringsand shake head and say, "Girls, why do you all mispronounce that word,B-O-U-G-H-? It is pronounced - Bow - like this." She arise and makegrand Kow-Tow, "Or like this," she shake head until little yellow curlsall up and down dance and say, "Bow-wow! Bow-wow! Bow-wow!" The dooropen and Miss Powers, (our Honored President), come in. She say nothing,but Look! Ging Muoi giggle. Miss Sterling grow all white and pink likeChinese lady. Then Miss Powers speak much dignified:
"We are here to teach these young ladies the art of deportment; can itbe that you were demonstrating a lesson on manners, Miss Sterling?"
Miss Sterling opens lips; no sound come out and her blue eyes with tearsfill up. Most times so timid I cannot tell or act out what I most longto do, but I love Miss' Sterling.
"Miss Powers," I say, afraid forgetting, "May I have speech?"
Miss Powers smile with corners of mouth only and say, "Yes, Bing Ding,proceed."
"You know what kind girls we are, Miss Powers, of such a stupidness thatwe cannot of the English to learn. We only are to blame, not MissSterling," I say, then afraid remember and sit down.
"It is true that our language is very difficult for you," say MissPowers most g