Beijing dialect old

Author: Weng Ouhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Older people often recall memories of their childhood and youth triggered by a small object. I was reminded of three unforgettable events in my life, all related to the seemingly insignificant "foreign picture cards": one was my cousin Yunrong, who had a deep bond with me but passed away at a young age; another was how I learned about novels and opera during my childhood; and the last was how I became familiar with bird species and urban life as a child. All three events are connected to "foreign picture cards."
Excerpt:
As Peking Opera took shape in Beijing, Peking Opera actors were also influenced to some extent by the local customs of Beijing people. Three hundred years ago, Beijingers widely enjoyed snuff, which was simple and clean, leading to many actors becoming fond of it. The composition of snuff involved drying tobacco leaves, grinding them into fine powder, and then aging them with jasmine, osmanthus, and other fragrant flowers to infuse them with aroma. Lightly picking and applying a small amount, its scent was refreshing and pleasant, bringing a sense of tranquility. It was not advisable to inhale too deeply, and it was strictly forbidden to smoke excessively. The most prized snuff was known as "Dalu Hua" and "Xiao Jin Hua." It was said that a merchant ship from a European country, fully loaded with tobacco leaves, sank in a harbor. Years later, when the wreckage was salvaged, the leaves had turned into fine powder. However, through natural chemical filtration, they emitted five distinct odors—sour, sweet, burnt, bean-like, and pungent. The flavor was weak and watery, yet it was cherished by those who smelled it, and some even sought to purchase it.