The signboards of Cantonese shops are not only the pride of their owners, but they are a delight to students of Chinese. In the high-flown classical, or poetical phrases by which public attention is drawn to the various shops, one fails to see in most instances the faintest reference to the contents of the establishment. Thus, a tradesman who sells swallows' nests for making soup, has on his board simply characters signifying Yun-Ki, sign of the Eternal. But here is a list :
Kien Ki Hao — the sign of the symbol Kien (Heaven) Hwei- chow, ink, pencils and writing materials. This is indeed a very high compliment to literature.
Chang Tsi Tang (Chang of the family branch designated Tsi). Wax-cased pills of select manufacture, Chang is evidently proud of his family connection and probably offers it as a sufficient guarantee for the quality of his pills.
Tien Yih (Celestial advantage). Table-covers, cushions for chairs and divans for sale. Now what "Celestial advantage" can a customer be supposed to derive from table-covers or cushions, unless, indeed, one supposes that the downy ease conferred by the use of these cushions is almost beyond the sphere of terrestial enjoyment. There must be some notion of this sort associated with upholsterers' shops, as we have here another sign embodying a high-flown phrase flavoured with a little common sense.
Tien Yih Shen (Celestial advantage combined with attention). Shop for the sale of cushions and ratan mats.
Yung Ki (sign of the Eternal). Swallows' nests. Money-schroffing taught here.
K'ing Wen T'a'ng (the hall of delight in scholarship). Seals artisticly engraved.
Notwithstanding the narrowness of the streets of Canton, they
