Chinese Pawnbrokers

Chinese Pawnbrokers.

  A license is issued to those seeking to commence business as Pawnbrokers for a term of sixty years; at the end of that period it must be renewed, but by another person, not the one who originally took out the license.  A certain tax is paid by the man first commencing the business, and also by those who wish to continue it after the term of sixty years has expired. The pawnbrokers are obligated to accept a loan from the provincial Treasurer, for which they pay at the rate of 12 percent annum.  Should a firm of pawnbrokers fail, the other establishments of the same nature must refund to the Government the loss it has sustained by the failure.  There are 100 first-class pawnshops in Canton. People who deposit goods at these pawntowers must pay at the rate of 36 Per cent per annum; but this percentage can be lowered at the will of the pawnbroker for a large transaction. The Government requires that they should lower their rate of percentage to all who redeem their goods in the tenth month of the year, as by this means those who have pawned their winter's clothing, blankets, etc. can more easily redeem them when they are needed. These pawn-towers are most strongly built and strictly guarded.  When we arrived on the flat roof I saw large stones placed there to throw on the heads of assailants, for sometimes these towers are attacked by bands of robbers.   

   The English language is wonderful for its aptness of expression. When a number of men and women get together and look at each other from the sides of the room, that's called a  socialable. When a hungry crowd calls upon a poor minister and eats him out of house and home, that's called a "donation party".