Chinese Proper Names

Chinese suruamas, vvhieharebut limited n number, are, as a rule, composed of jut ono character. Nnuiet are generaHy nade up of two, and characters having a 'ulicitous meauing are always sclected' Che surname always always precedes the lames. Forexample, supposing a man's name to be Kung, " Palace," and his names Pao Yeng, " Precious Recómanse," his card would indícate him as ïung Paoyeng. " Palace Preoious Recompense." Another man's surname muy _e Wang, "King," and his name Ta Leïn, " Great Six," probably ïrom hi beuig a sixthchild or son, He would be sty led Wang Taleuh. In 8ome provinces it is common among intimates to add tho familiar prefix ol Ah to the second character of the name; as, for example, the two persons just nanied would be severally called Ahyung and Ahlauh. And this will account for tho number of Aht'oos, Ahchows, Ahlums, etc. , to be met with among the nativos of Cantón. It is the usual practice with Chinese servants, espocially those belonging to that proviuce, wben engaging thewselves to foreigners, to givo meroly their names with this familiar prefix, and many wealthy brokers and compradores in the trade are thus known and dasignated among foreigners. But tho ha'bit has its rise in the oonlonipt which the Cantónese affect to have for foreigners, and it would uot bo toleratcd among themselves either between inaster and servant or in business relations. Many and many a time I have experienoed the greatest difficulty in inducing Chinese who have come before me to havo agree ments with British subjocts attrsted, t discover their proper surnames and mimes there being such a rooted aversión il their minds to commit themselves b; name to any arrangement entered int with a foreigr.er. "Woiucn's names aro mostly selectec from among names of genis, flowors vir tuos, and such like, and are consequent! quite in keeping with the characteristic of the sex. On marrjing a woman take the surnamo of her husband, as with ns but, with the usunl contrariety of the Chinese character, the affix whiclt niiirks th( name of the married womin is placed aftrr tho surname. The wifo of Mr. "Paluce" would for exampln, be dnsigutited Kung She, or "Palace Madam."