had no status whatever (H. A. H. L. vol. X. pp. 10, 11, 12). Though, however, they may have no proper authority to arrest a smuggler, yet, if they shoot a mere thief, some consideration will, it appears, be shown (v. case of Chiang Li H. A. H. L. vol. X. p. 20). As regards the carrying of firearms, they are allowed to do so at sundry and special times, subject to the proviso that they are not to use them, unless resisted by large bodies of armed smugglers, and with restriction to arms specially issued to them and registered (H. A. H. L. vol. X. p. 29 v. case of Chiang Li supra).

PART II

RELATIONSHIP

CHAPTER V

RELATIONSHIP

PREFATORY

The subject of relationship, dealt with but shortly herein, offers one of the widest and most interesting fields of research in Chinese Law: China is a country of relationships, whether natural or artificial, and not a few anomalies are traceable to this source. The modes of formation and of dissolution of relationships are sufficiently curious, but the effects of ties are stranger still. Of these points in their order, premising that the subject is not easy of concentration, and will, independently of this chapter, be dealt with as occasion arises under the head of various offences and considerations.

SECTION I

- NATURAL RELATIONSHIPS
OF A CHINESE

THE RELATIONS

GENERAL INFLUENCE

NATURAL RELATIONSHIPS

THE RELATIONS OF A CHINESE

A Chinese has many relations - far more than the average Englishman. So of mothers, a Chinese has not one only but several. Firstly, there is his own mother - not the mother who bore him, but his father's chief wife: then, there are his other mothers his father's other wives: then, there is the mother who bore him: then, the mother who has brought him up: then, the stepmother, if the wife dies and his father supplies her place: then, the wife of the relative to whom he has been assigned as heir: then, the mother-in-law: and so forth. If, then, the consideration merely of mothers is somewhat perplexing, the difficulty of comprehending the more distant relationships will

be seen.

Mourning is worn for four degrees of relations; the kind of mourning, and time for which it is worn, varying with the relationship; and, in law,