And yet we are accustomed to speak of the Chinese as centuries behind us in civilisation and humanity.
I went to two opium-poisoning cases in Tali, both being cases of attempted suicide.

The first was that of an old man living not _at_ the South Gate as the messenger assured us, who feared to discourage us if he told the truth, but more than a mile beyond it.

On our way we bought in the street some sulphate of copper, and a large dose made the old man so sick that he said he would never take opium again, and, if he did, he would not send for the foreign gentleman.
The other was that of a young bride, a girl of unusual personal attraction, only ten days married, who thus early had become weary of the pock-marked husband her parents had sold her to.

She was dressed still in her bridal attire, which had not been removed since marriage; she was dressed in red--the colour of happiness.

"She was dressed in her best, all ready for the journey," and was determined to die, because dead she could repay fourfold the injuries which she had received while living.