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ENTRANCE TO THE CHINESE COLLECTION, 
 HYDE PARK CORNER. 
 
A 
 
 **£? 
 
 " TEN THOUSAND CHINESE THINGS." 
 
 A 
 
 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CHINESE COLLECTION, 
 
 NOW EXHIBITING AT 
 
 ST. GEORGE'S PLACE, HYDE PARK CORNER, 
 
 LONDON, 
 
 WITH 
 
 CONBENSED ACCOUNTS OP THE GENIUS, GOVERNMENT, HISTORY, 
 
 LITERATURE, AGRICULTURE, ARTS, TRADE, MANNERS, 
 
 CUSTOMS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE 
 
 OF THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE. 
 
 By WM. B. LANGDON, 
 Curator of the Collection. 
 
 dftn$t ISnglfei) lEtfttt'on. 
 
 LONDON ; 
 
 Printed for the Proprietor, and to ie obtained only at tks Chinese Collection. 
 
 1842. 
 
Upwards of 50,000 Copies of the Catalogue of the Chinese Collection, 
 have already heen disposed of in Philadelphia. The present volume is 'nearly 
 double the size of the original ; in consequence, not only of the increased number 
 of specimens in the Collection, but also of the additional information it contains. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 At no period in the history of the world, has the attention of civilizfed 
 nations been so fully directed towards China, its early history, and 
 modem position, as at the present moment. 
 
 The single fact, that that nation comprises within its limits, a popula- 
 tion* of three hundred and sixty millions of human beings, and that a 
 struggle has for some time past been in progress between Great Britain 
 and the Celestial Empire ; a struggle too, which may involve the mightiest 
 results, both as regards commerce and Christianity, is of itself sufficient 
 to awaken the deepest degree of interest in the mind, as well of the 
 philanthropist, as the philosopher. These " latter days," as they are 
 sometimes called, are in the prophetic view of many, destined to be 
 marked by events of most momentous importance : events calculated no 
 little to facilitate the onward and upward march of civilization, to penetrate 
 with the light of knowledge and science, the darkest portion of the earth, 
 to soften the roughness of the savage, and subdue into something like 
 humanity, the thousands and tens of thousands of human beings, who 
 have yet to experience the beneficent influences of a religion, that has for 
 its handmaidens, Faith, Hope, and Charity. With these views, and the 
 long train of eagle imaginings, that are likely to be kindled. in the san- 
 guine and far-seeing mind, by anticipations of what may be, prompted in 
 some sense by what has already taken place, the aspect and destinies of 
 China are calculated to excite the most attentive and profound con- 
 sideration. It is a wonder, indeed, that a people so multitudinous, and 
 an empire so vast, should for many ages, and amid the numerous vicissi- 
 
 B 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 tudes and conflicts that have prostrated thrones, revolutionized nations, 
 and trodden, as it were, kingdoms into the dust ; have experienced hut 
 little change, comparatively speaking, and existed from century to 
 century, with scarcely a phases observable upon its general and national 
 characteristics and surface. 
 
 But, we think we hear some zealous missionary in the great cause of 
 religious liberty and human happiness, exclaim, that the doors of a new- 
 empire are about to be opened ! A living light is about to flash among 
 the benighted millions, and the symbols and banners of the only true 
 God, are about to be planted in a soil and among a people, who are, in 
 many respects, prepared for the reception of the sublime truths of the 
 gospel. A new morning seems to break upon the religious world — a new 
 triumph is about to be hymned among the cherubs and seraphs in the 
 brighter region above us — another glory is to be added to the crown of 
 Calvary — an empire, vast and wonderful, and hitherto barred from the 
 general diffusion of missionary knowledge, is about to be thrown open to 
 all who are willing to take the bible in their hands, and engage in the 
 delightful work of winning their fellow -creatures to the true source of 
 both temporal and eternal happiness. These to some may appear 
 wild expectations. But all, aye, all, may be fully and speedily 
 realized. In any event, however, the people of China, their 
 Government, morals, manners, habits, customs, tastes and characteristics, 
 are, at the present moment, worthy of especial study. Hitherto, these 
 have been measurably covered as with a veil ; the inner traits of the 
 nation, the minute peculiarities, the fashionable boudoir, the literary 
 cdterie, and the domestic temples of this numerous people, had been 
 hidden from the eyes of European and American curiosity and scrutiny. 
 True, we have had valuable books from such pens as the Abbe du Halde, 
 Lord Macartney, the editor of Lord Amherst's Embassy, Davis, Lord 
 Joycelyn, and other writers. To these, the literary and enquiring world 
 are much indebted. But the authors referred to, have for the most part 
 given the grand features of the empire, the lofty objects, the leading 
 traits ; while it remained for an American gentleman, Mr. Nathan Dunn, 
 
INTRODUCTION. VII 
 
 to enter more minutely into the costume, the manners, habits, sci- 
 ence, arts, trades, agriculture, and genius, of this wonderful people. 
 The author of this hasty introduction, speaks from a personal knowledge 
 of Mr. Dunn, in China, and in the United States. He was intimately ac- 
 quainted with him in both countries, and knew that while he resided in 
 China, for a period of twelve years, his opportunities for collecting every 
 information were indeed extraordinary, and that they were abundantly im- 
 proved by patient research, indefatigable industry, tact, courtesy, and a 
 degree of popularity amongst the Chinese, never surpassed in the history of 
 any foreigner. He was assisted moreover, in his commendable labors, by 
 Houqua, Tingqua, and other Hong merchants of considerable note ; 
 and who in this particular, seemed to rise above the prejudices of their 
 countrymen, and to take delight in imparting correct information. The 
 design at first, was merely to collect a few rare specimens 'for his own 
 gratification ; but the appetite grew with what it fed upon, and thus we 
 may, without exaggeration, describe the result as the " Chinese World in 
 Miniature." We feel satisfied that the expectations of those who may 
 feel a desire to examine this collection, to investigate its wonders, and 
 thus in some sense, analyze the mental and moral qualities of the Chinese, 
 to gather some knowledge of their idols, their temples, their pagodas, 
 their bridges, their arts, their sciences, their manufactures, their 
 tastes, their fancies, their parlours, their drawing rooms, their 
 clothes, their finery, their ornaments, their weapons of war, their vessels, 
 their dwellings, and the thousand et ceteras, which make up their moving 
 and living world, will not be disappointed. One, indeed, is astonished 
 at the vast materials, the thousands of objects, which by years of patient 
 labor and unwearied effort, the enterprizing proprietor of this exhibition 
 has collected. The mere catalogue, as will be seen by the extent of 
 this volume, forms quite a study of itself. And yet, to those who 
 really love to ponder on the results of ages of ingenuity and habit, 
 especially among an exclusive people like the Chinese, this brief 
 outline will afford but an imperfect idea of the mass of materials, 
 the variety of specimens, the beauty, rarity, novelty, and extreme sin- 
 
 b 2 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 gularity, that are combined in this vast magazine of curiosities and 
 wonders. A single article will illustrate whole pages of written de- 
 scription. The visitor appears to have the living Chinese in the images 
 before him, and with a little imagination, to be moving and living 
 among them. An hour passed with such curiosities, will afford even to 
 the youthful and careless of enquiry, a more definite and permanent idea 
 of these Tartar governed millions, than volumes of ordinarv details. The 
 eye and the mind are both enlightened at one and the same moment ; 
 and thus, as it frequently happens, an individual to whom it would be im- 
 possible to convey a notion of a certain machine or piece of fancy work, by 
 a written description, has a full and perfect impression of the entire object 
 at a single glance. As a means of education, this enterprize is invaluable. 
 It teaches by things rather than words. The images are visible and 
 tangible, and, therefore, cannot be easily misunderstood. What immense 
 labor for example, and what intricate details would be necessary to give 
 an individual who had never seen such an invention, a correct idea of a 
 ship in full sail. Yet, present the object to the eye, and a look would at 
 once suffice to elicit admiration, and impart a more complete general 
 knowledge, than page upon page of the most minute and elaborate com- 
 position. So with this collection. Here, we have not one object, but 
 thousands ; not a single discovery, but an empire with all its variety of 
 light and shade, its experience, its mind, and the results of both, for 
 four thousand years. Writers of the highest character have been con- 
 sulted, in preparing this volume. It is designed as a sort of mute guide ; 
 and as the observer passes from scene to scene, the interest may be 
 varied from the eye to the mind, by turning from the object before him, 
 to the history or description of that object. A studious effort has been 
 made to narrate nothing but facts, and thus to impart correct information. 
 All fiction and romance have been carefully avoided ; and what is stated, 
 has in no instance been committed to these pages, unless on competent 
 authority. At Philadelphia, the collection was visited by hundreds of 
 thousands, and in every instance, it is believed, with entire satisfaction. 
 Manv persons passed hoars, nay, whole days in the room, and those who 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 visited the collection most frequently, seemed more delighted with every 
 new return. The proprietor has been induced to transport it to Eng- 
 land, at the suggestion of many of the most influential, scientific, and 
 learned persons of the British metropolis and kingdom. He naturally 
 feels a deep anxiety for the favorable verdict of the intelligent and dis- 
 cerning upon his labors. And although by no means solicitous for 
 notoriety, or that noisy fame which so frequently accompanies mere 
 excitement and clamour, he would be false to himself and to human 
 nature, should he prove indifferent to the kindly expressions of that 
 valuable portion of society, who seek to make their fellow-creatures 
 better, wiser, and happier. He has devoted the flower of his life to this 
 enterprize, and has never hesitated at expense. His effort in England 
 will be, to render, not only the collection, but the saloon in which it is 
 exhibited, worthy of the visits of the respectable of all classes. For this 
 purpose, he has built a spacious edifice, and endeavored to make it as 
 suitable and commodious as possible. But we* must draw our hasty 
 preface to a close. The details which follow, enumerate and furnish out- 
 lines of the leading objects of curiosity, taste, and skill, in the Chinese 
 world. As we remarked at the commencement, this wonderful people 
 have latterly excited more attention, especially among European nations, 
 than at any other period of their national existence. It may be, that a new 
 and a nobler destiny awaits them ; that light, knowledge, and christian 
 civilization, and a more liberal communion with the families of man in 
 other portions of the earth, are about to form an epoch in their career. 
 If so, who may foretel the result ? Who may predict what another 
 century will accomplish ? The imagination pauses at the thought and 
 while we contemplate the wonders of steam, and the many other im- 
 provements, discoveries, and appliances of modern science, we are almost 
 tempted to doubt the impossibility of any change in the progress of 
 nations. But to the details of the collection. We conclude this intro- 
 duction with a few remarks on Chinese history, as an appropriate 
 preliminary to a study of "matters and things" in the Celestial 
 Empire. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 gularity, that are combined in this vast magazine of curiosities and 
 wonders. A single article will illustrate whole pages of written de- 
 scription. The visitor appears to have the living Chinese in the images 
 before him, and with a little imagination, to be moving and living 
 among them. An hour passed with such curiosities, will afford even to 
 the youthful and careless of enquiry, a more definite and permanent idea 
 of these Tartar governed millions, than volumes of ordinarv details. The 
 eye and the mind are both enlightened at one and the same moment ; 
 and thus, as it frequently happens, an individual to whom it would be im- 
 possible to convey a notion of a certain machine or piece of fancy work, by 
 a written description, has a full and perfect impression of the entire object 
 at a single glance. As a means of education, this enterprize is invaluable. 
 It teaches by things rather than words. The images are visible and 
 tangible, and, therefore, cannot be easily misunderstood. What immense 
 labor for example, and what intricate details woidd be necessary to give 
 an individual who had never seen such an invention, a correct idea of a 
 ship in full sail. Yet, present the object to the eye, and a look would at 
 once suffice to elicit admiration, and impart a more complete general 
 knowledge, than page upon page of the most minute and elaborate com- 
 position. So with this collection. Here, we have not one object, but 
 thousands ; not a single discovery, but an empire with all its variety of 
 light and shade, its experience, its mind, and the results of both, for 
 four thousand years. Writers of the highest character have been con- 
 sulted, in preparing this volume. It is designed as a sort of mute guide ; 
 and as the observer passes from scene to scene, the interest may be 
 varied from the eye to the mind, by turning from the object before him, 
 to the history or description of that object. A studious effort has been 
 made to narrate nothing but facts, and thus to impart correct information. 
 All fiction and romance have been carefully avoided ; and what is stated, 
 has in no instance been committed to these pages, unless on competent 
 authority. At Philadelphia, the collection was visited by hundreds of 
 thousands, and in every instance, it is believed, with entire satisfaction. 
 Many persons passed hours, nay. whole days in the room, and those who 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 visited the collection most frequently, seemed more delighted with every 
 new return. The proprietor has been induced to transport it to Eng- 
 land, at the suggestion of many of the most influential, scientific, and 
 learned persons of the British metropolis and kingdom. He naturally 
 feels a deep anxiety for the favorable verdict of the intelligent and dis- 
 cerning upon his labors. And although by no means solicitous for 
 notoriety, or that noisy fame which so frequently accompanies mere 
 excitement and clamour, he would be false to himself and to human 
 nature, should he prove indifferent to the kindly expressions of that 
 valuable portion of society, who seek to make their fellow- creatures 
 better, wiser, and happier. He has devoted the flower of his life to this 
 enterprize, and has never hesitated at expense. His effort in England 
 will be, to render, not only the collection, but the saloon in which it is 
 exhibited, worthy of the visits of the respectable of all classes. For this 
 purpose, he has built a spacious edifice, and endeavored to make it as 
 suitable and commodious as possible. But we* must draw our hasty 
 preface to a close. The details which follow, enumerate and furnish out- 
 lines of the leading objects of curiosity, taste, and skill, in the Chinese 
 world. As we remarked at the commencement, this wonderful people 
 have latterly excited more attention, especially among European nations, 
 than at any other period of their national existence. It may be, that a new 
 and a nobler destiny awaits them ; that light, knowledge, and christian 
 civilization, and a more liberal communion with the families of man in 
 other portions of the earth, are about to form an epoch in their career. 
 If so, who may foretel the result ? Who may predict what another 
 century will accomplish ? The imagination pauses at the thought and 
 while we contemplate the wonders of steam, and the many other im- 
 provements, discoveries, and appliances of modern science, we are almost 
 tempted to doubt the impossibility of any change in the progress of 
 nations. But to the details of the collection. We conclude this intro- 
 duction with a few remarks on Chinese history, as an appropriate 
 preliminary to a study of "matters and things" in the Celestial 
 Empire. 
 
X [INTRODUCTION. 
 
 The Chinese claim a national existence, coeval with the most remote 
 antiquity. Much that is recorded in their annals, however, is admitted 
 even by their own historians, to be doubtful ; while the authors of every 
 other nation who have written upon the subject, pronounce the earliest 
 so-called history of China, as absolutely fabvdous. Good authorities 
 name Fuh-he, who flourished about 2247 years before Christ, as the 
 first Emperor. Ya-o, a virtuous sovereign, some centuries after, reigned 
 102 years. The empire then floated down the stream of time without 
 any extraordinary event or national convulsion, while the morals of the 
 people were greatly improved, by the precepts and writings of their great 
 philosopher, Confucius, who was born 550 years B.C. In the twelfth 
 century of the christian era, the Chinese used a paper currency, founded 
 on Government security, being the earliest record we have of paper 
 money. It has, however, been long discontinued, and its place supplied 
 by metal coin, a description of which will be found in the following pages. 
 A.D. 1246, Marco Polo, a Portuguese, visited China, and shortly after, 
 his brother joined him. They were received with favor by the Imperial 
 Sovereigns. Catholic, and particularly Jesuit missionaries, were after- 
 wards permitted to reside in China for several ages ; but were at length 
 expelled, on the pretext, real or assumed, that they interfered with the 
 Government, In the thirteenth century, China was invaded by Ghengis 
 Khan, who put millions to the sword ; and the nation finally submitted 
 to the Mongul Tartar sovereigns, A.D. 12 SO. In 1368, however, the 
 Tartars were driven out, and a native dynasty continued until 1644. 
 In that year, the Manchoo Tartars invaded the empire, and placed their 
 chief upon the throne, and the present monarch, Taou Kwang, is de- 
 scended from that successful warrior. The Portuguese were the first 
 European traders to China ; and they were soon followed by the British, 
 French, and other nations. 
 
DESCRIPTIVE 
 
 CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTION. 
 
 The Chinese Collection is situated in St. George's Place, Hyde Park 
 Corner. The exterior of the entrance to the building is in the style of 
 Chinese Architecture, taken from a model of a summer residence now 
 in the collection. 
 
 The apartment occupied by the collection is 225 feet in length by 50 
 in width, with lofty ceilings, supported by numerous pillars. On passing 
 through the vestibule, the visitor finds himself, as it were, transported 
 to a new world. It is China in miniature. The view is imposing in the 
 highest degree. The rich screen- work, elaborately carved and gilt, at 
 either end of the saloon, the many-shaped and varied-colored lanterns 
 suspended throughout the entire ceiling ; the native paintings which 
 cover the walls ; the Chinese maxims adorning the columns and entabla- 
 tures ; the embroidered silks, gay with a hundred colours, and tastefully 
 displayed above the cases containing the figures, and the multitude of 
 smaller cases crowded with rare and interesting objects, form a tout 
 ensemble, possessing a beauty entirely its own, and which must be seen 
 by the reader before it can be realised. 
 
 [The visitor is requested to commence with the screen at the entrance, 
 and then take the large wall cases on the right hand in the order in which 
 they are numbered, commencing with the temple. The paintings will be 
 subsequently noticed by themselves.] 
 
 Superb Chinese Screen at the upper end of the Saloon. 
 
 This part of the saloon is almost entirely occupied with a rare and admi- 
 rable specimen of Chinese screen-work. It is of ample dimensions, and is 
 richly and tastefully gilded ; the portion of the wood- work not covered with 
 gold is painted of delicate green ; and the silk inserted in the panels is as 
 gay as it can be rendered by a profusion of exquisitely executed paintings 
 of the most delicate and magnificent of eastern flowers. The whole view is 
 redolent of the spirit and beauty of spring. The drawings and colouring 
 of the flowers are admirable, and show the perfection which has been 
 attained in these branches of their art by Chinese painters. Besides th« 
 floral delineation, there is also a row of silk panels, if we mav be allowed 
 
12 
 
 the expression, exhibiting views of naval architecture, both curious and 
 instructive. The whole is surmounted by a richly carved and gilt fret- 
 work of exquisite beauty and design. 
 
 CHINESE TEMPLE AND IDOLS. 
 
 The three colossal figures in this section of a religious temple are the 
 triad of Buddha — San, Paou Fuh, — " The three precious Buddhas," — 
 "past, present, and to come." At the right hand is seated, Me-lih 
 Fuh — the first of the triad, whose reign is already past. In the centre is 
 Heen-tsue-Fuh — that person of Buddha, who now reigns over the world ; 
 and at the left hand, We-lae-Fuh, whose reign is not yet come. 
 
 The attributes of Buc'dha are infinite, and he is worshipped in many 
 persons ; being sometimes male and sometimes female. 
 
 These figures are eleven feet in height, and are representations of the 
 divinities in the celebrated Honan "Jos-house."* 
 
 The principal religion of China is Buddhism or Boodhism, which also 
 prevails over Birmah, Siam, Ceylon, Japan, and Cochin-China. It is 
 stated by Ward that Boodh, the founder of this religion, is described in 
 Burman books to have been a son of the king of Benares, that he 
 flourished about six hundred years B.C., and that he had, in various ages, 
 ten incarnations. The Boodhists do not believe in a First Cause ; they 
 think matter eternal ; that every portion of animated existence has its own 
 rise, tendency, and destiny, in itself; that the condition of creatures on 
 earth is regulated by works of merit and demerit ; that works of merit 
 raise us to happiness and the world to prosperity ; while those of vice and 
 demerit degenerate the world, until the universe itself is dissolved. They 
 suppose a superior deity, raised to that rank by his merit ; but he is not 
 Covernor of the World. To the present period they assign five deities, 
 four of whom have already appeared, the last being Gandama or Boodh, 
 whose pre-eminence continues 5,000 years, 2,384 of which are gone by. 
 At the end of his 5,000 years, another saint will obtain the supremacy. 
 Six hundred millions of human souls are said to be canonized with each 
 Deity, but Boodh took only 24,000 of his company to heaven with him. 
 The lowest estate is hell — the next, souls in the forms of brutes ; and 
 both these are states of punishment. The state above is probationary— 
 that of man ; and still above degrees of honour and happiness, up to 
 demi-gods and deities, to which man, if found worthy, ascends ; or, on 
 
 * Jos is a Chinese corruption of the Portuguese word " Deox," and is by many 
 persons supposed to be a Chinese word for " God or Spirit." 
 
EL 
 
 CHINESE TEMPLE AND IDOLS. 
 
13 
 
 the contrary, goes into the lower states of punishment. The Boodhists 
 believe there are four superior heavens ; below these, twelve other 
 heavens, with six other inferior heavens. After these comes the Earth ; 
 then the world of snakes ; then thirty-two chief hells, and one hundred 
 and twenty hells of lesser torment. The Buddhists believe that persons 
 who obtain a knowledge of things past, present, and to come, have the 
 power of rendering themselves invisible, and are absorbed into the Deity. 
 Those who perform works of merit become great among men, and are 
 received into some of the heavens, in all of which the enjoyments are 
 sensual. But, those who do evil, go into a hell proportioned to their 
 ciimes. They believe that at the end of a " Kulpu," — a length of time 
 too great for human calculation — the universe will be destroyed. Five 
 commands are delivered to common Buddhists, — not to destroy animal 
 life ; to avoid theft, adultery, falsehood, and the use of spirituous 
 liquors. Other commands, restraining dress, luxury, &c, are given to 
 the higher classes. They all consider then- adoration as paid to a being 
 or beings of exalted merit — not , to a Creator. Priests worship daily in 
 the temples, and are forbidden to marry. Many of the Chinese consider 
 the. Grand Lama, as the highest priest on earth. This pontifex maximus 
 resides in Thibet, and the Tartar population of China pay him homage. 
 
 The God " Fuh," so much revered in China, as the founder of a 
 religion introduced from India into the empire, in the first century of the 
 Christian era, was miraculously born in Cashmere, 1,027, B.C. He was 
 deified at thirty years of age, and his priests are called lamas, senr/, 
 talapoins, or bonzes. He died at the age of 79, declaring to his disciples, 
 '.' Know then, that there is no other principle of all things, but nothing. 
 From nothing all tilings have sprung, and to nothing all must return. 
 There all our hopes must end." Such is the atheistical philosophy and 
 belief of Fuh, whose followers recognise " the three precious ones," as 
 the object of their supreme worship ; the past, the present, and the future ; 
 but the doctrines taught in his name are divided into exoteric and esoteric — 
 the former distinguishing actions into good and evil, with rewards and 
 punishments after death, and recognising the five precepts or commands 
 of Boodh, already noticed; while the latter teach the belief that all things 
 sprang from nothing, and to nothing all things will return ; but in so re- 
 turning will be absorbed into a pure essence, and become a part of the 
 Deity. 
 
 " The principal divinities of this sect," remarks professor Kidd, " are 
 goddesses, one of whom is represented with many arms, indicative of her 
 power to save ; another is the patroness of childless women, and holds 
 an infant before her ; a third superintends children who are ill of the 
 
14 
 
 small-pox ; a fourth is the goddess of mercy, which is in the highest 
 degree popular; together with innumerable other feigned deities pre- 
 siding over individual, local, and national interests." The priests live in 
 monasteries connected with the temples of Fiih, practise celibacy, fast, 
 pray for the souls of the dead, use holy water, worship relics, and pray 
 in a strange tongue. In saying their prayers, or repeating passages from 
 sacred books, they count the " Soo choo," which is the name of the beads 
 worn by these priests, and of which they have 108.* They consider also 
 that the good and bad actions of men are placed to their accounts as in 
 mercantile book-keeping — the good on the credit, and the bad on the 
 debtor side of the page, which is finally balanced, and the persons whose 
 names are inscribed, admitted to happiness or consigned to punishment, 
 according to the merits of their respective accounts current. 
 
 CASE I. 
 
 No. 1. Mandarin of the first class and his Secretary. 
 No. 2. Mandarin of the second class. 
 No. 3. Mandarin of the sixth class. 
 
 Two massive arm-chairs, covered with crimson drapery, 
 richly embroidered. 
 
 sauare table, handsomely carved, with marble top. 
 
 Specimens of crimson drapery, elegantly embroidered, hang- 
 ing IN front of the table. 
 
 Cap stands and various ornamental articles. 
 
 Chinese maxims on the wall. 
 
 The principal figures in this case are three civil Mandarins,! of the 
 first, second and sixth grades, bearing the title "Tajin," (" great and 
 distinguished men,") applicable to persons of the above class. The one 
 highest in rank is seated, with his head uncovered; the others, with their 
 caps still on, are paying the customary respect to their superior, pre- 
 viously to the occupancy of an adjoining chair. The former is upon the 
 left, this being the post of honour among the Chinese. A secretary 
 is in waiting behind the principal, with official documents in his hand. 
 The two dignitaries are attired in their state robes, which arc literally 
 stiff with embroidery, a liberal proportion of which is wrought with gold 
 thread. The greater part of the splendour of their under dresses is 
 hidden from the eye of the visitor by the loose outward garment of black 
 
 * These beads are also an ornament, used by the reigning family, and by the highest 
 mandarins. They seem to have a reference to the 108 ceremonies mentioned in 
 Ward's Hindoo Mythology. Vol. ii. page 260. 
 
 t The word " Mandarin," from the Portuguese, is significant With the Chinese term 
 " Kwan," i. e. an officer of the Government, whether civil or military. 
 
i'"«i»i/um/ ;v u | m j ' / c i 
 
16 
 
 The nobility of China are of two kinds, hereditary and official. The 
 former class is not numerous, nor greatly influential. It consists chiefly 
 of the relations of the emperor, who are styled princes, and are bound to 
 live within the precincts of the imperial palace. The real nobility, or 
 aristocracy of the country, are the mandarins. Of these there are esti- 
 mated to be, on the civil list of the empire, not less than fourteen thousand. 
 The mandarins are divided into nine ranks, or pin, each of which is indi- 
 cated by a double badge — the colour of the globe on the apex of the cap, 
 and the embroidery on the front and back of their official robes. The 
 colours employed are red, blue, crystal, white, and gold ; and these, with 
 certain modifications of shade, serve to distinguish what are denominated 
 " Kew pin," i. e. " the nine ranks," into which all persons possessing any 
 rank in China are divided. The nominal rank, and of course the distinc- 
 tive costume, of any of the official grades, may be purchased of the 
 emperor. The sum demanded for the distinction, is, however, propor- 
 tionately large. Howqua, for instance, the richest of the Hong merchants, 
 whose likeness we have in the collection, purchased his nominal rank at 
 the enormous price of 100,000 dollars. 
 
 Honours obtained by purchase, as in this instance, form a considerable 
 source of revenue to the government during the reign of some emperors. 
 
 Persons are selected for civil office in China, with an almost exclusive 
 reference to their talents and education. Strange as it may seem, there 
 is probably no other country on the globe where cultivated talent exer- 
 cises its legitimate sway to an equal extent. Wealth, titular nobility, 
 and purchased rank, have their influence, no doubt ; but, unless accom- 
 panied by personal merit, and, above all, by education, their power is 
 comparatively limited and feeble. The emperor chooses for his officers 
 none but men of the highest attainments and most commanding abilities. 
 
 It is well-known that the civil institutions of China claim to be framed 
 and fashioned upon the exact model of a wise family government. The 
 emperor is invariably spoken of as the " father of the nation ;" the 
 viceroy of a province arrogates the same title in reference to his satrapy ; 
 a mandarin is regarded as holding a similar relation to the city which he 
 governs ; and even a military commander is the " father" of his soldiers. 
 This idea, with its corresponding sentiments, is sedulously instilled into 
 every subject of the empire, from the earliest dawn of intellect, till its 
 powers are extinguished by death. The Book of Sacred Instructions, 
 whose sixteen discourses are read to the people twice every moon, incul- 
 cates the doctrine again and again. " In our general conduct," it says, 
 " not to be orderly is to fail in filial duty ; in serving our sovereign, not 
 to be faithful is to fail in filial duty ; in acting as a magistrate, not to be 
 careful is to fail in filial duty ; in the intercourse of friends, not to be 
 
at 
 
17 
 
 sincere is to fail in filial duty ; in arms and in war, not to be brave, is to 
 fail in filial duty." 
 
 In fact, obedience to parents, filial piety, and duty to superiors, are 
 placed at the head of all moral excellence. 
 
 Davis says, that fathers have virtually the power of life and death over 
 their children ; for, even if they kill them designedly, they are subject 
 only to the chastisement of the bamboo, and a year's banishment ; if 
 struck by them, to no punishment at all. The penalty for striking parents, 
 or for cursing them, is death, as among the Hebrews, (Exod. xxi.) 
 It does not appear that this absolute power bestowed on fathers, is pro- 
 ductive of evil ; the natural feeling being, on the whole, a sufficient 
 security against its abuse. 
 
 CASE II. 
 
 No. 4. Priest of Fo, or Buddha, in full canonicals. 
 
 5. Priest of the Taou sect, in full dress. 
 
 6. Gentlemen in full mourning apparel. 
 
 7. Servant oi the above, also in mourning dress. 
 
 8. Chinese soldier with matchlock. 
 
 9. Archer of the Imperial Army of the Tartar Tribe. 
 Circular chtnese shield, made of rattan. 
 Various military weapons on the wall. 
 
 The two sects whose ministers are here represented, are, properly 
 speaking, the only religious sects in China. There is, indeed, a third — 
 the Confucian — but its doctrines constitute a system rather of philosophy 
 than of theology. It has no priesthood but the Emperor and his civil 
 mandarins, no temples, and no regular worship. 
 
 Having previously noticed the religion of Buddha, we subjoin the fol- 
 lowing account of the Taou sect, together with the philosophy of Con- 
 fucius. The Taou, or Rational religion, is indigenous in China. 
 
 This religio-philosophic sect is numerous, and consists of the followers 
 of the doctrines of Laou-Keun-tsze, who lived 569 B.C. The founder 
 of this system has been called the Epicurus of China ; and, in some points, 
 there would seem to be a resemblance between the doctrines of the 
 Chinese sage and the Grecian philosopher. 
 
 He inculcated a contempt for riches and honours, and all worldly 
 distinctions, and aimed, like Epicurus, at subduing every passion 
 that could interfere with personal tranquility and self- enjoyment. Ac- 
 cording to Mr. Davis, however, they could not even pretend to despise 
 
IS 
 
 death, and, therefore, studied magic and alchvmy, in the hope of dis- 
 covering some elixir or other means of prolonging life. In this they 
 failed, of course. Some of the leaders of his sect are called " Doctors of 
 Reason," and many of their tenets and traditions are of an extremely 
 fanciful and absurd character. 
 
 Many of the Chinese believe in fatalism ; while ghosts, spells, charms, 
 omens, talismans, and divination, are quite common among them. 
 
 Meanwhile the Confucians, or followers of Confucius, (Rung-foo-tszeJ 
 the Chinese philosopher, who flourished about 500 B.C., teach the prac- 
 tice of every moral virtue, and a deep veneration for God, or the King of 
 Heaven. The worship, and the philosophy rather than the religion of 
 Confucius, is greatly patronised by persons of rank in China. There are 
 1,560 temples dedicated to him, and 62,000 pigs and rabbits annuallv 
 sacrificed to his memory ; though his worship is also practised without 
 temples or priests, or indeed any form of external worship — every one 
 adoring the Supreme Being in the way he likes best. The system of 
 Confucius is the state religion. The Emperor is Pontifex Ivlaximus ; the 
 mandarins form the onlv priesthood, and the whole body of liiemfi are 
 its adherents. 
 
 The doctrines of the Confucians are embodied in nine classical or 
 sacred books, called "The Four Books," and " The Five Canonical 
 Works." These contain a complete body of rules, first, for the govern- 
 ment of one's self, and the regulation of social intercourse ; secondly, for 
 the government of a family, and the education of a community ; and, 
 thirdly, for the government of an empire and the management of its 
 complex machinery. The sententious brevity of style that characterises 
 these celebrated productions, renders the meaning often obscure, and has 
 induced a mass of commentaries of formidable bulk ; but it cannot be 
 doubted that they contain many maxims just in sentiment, wise in policy, 
 and admirably suited to the genius of the people, — maxims which have 
 conferred merited immortality upon the memory of their author, and 
 done more for the stability of the empire than all other causes combined. 
 Confucius, however, avoided, almost entirely, strictly religious subjects. 
 Dr. Morrison says, that he admitted he did not understand much con- 
 cerning the gods ; and he adds, that his most celebrated commentator. 
 Choo-footze, affirmed that sufficient knowledge was not possessed to 
 say positively that they existed. 
 
 Thus, it will be seen, that the religions of China are by no means 
 uniform ; that the worship of Fuh and Buddhism are blended — that a 
 species of Epicurean philosophy prevails, that atheistical doctrines are 
 derived from Fuh, and that their idolatry is accompanied bv the most 
 debasing, absurd, and superstitious bigotry, both in precept and practices 
 
19 
 
 notwithstanding the wholesome restraints and sound ethics inculcated in 
 the writings of Confucius. 
 
 And yet, on the other hand, it is but justice to admit that the Chinese, 
 with all the faults, metaphysical difficulties, contradictions and absurdi- 
 ties of their religions, have entirely divested their worship of the cruelties 
 and other abominations that deform the rites of the gods of Hindostan, 
 and add still deeper dye to the crimes of idolatry. 
 
 No Sabbath is observed by the Chinese, nor is it intimated in their 
 divisions of time. It will, however, be interesting to the Christian world 
 to learn that by some of the Chinese our Saviour is ranked among the 
 number of the gods ; while all the better informed classes consider Him 
 as a just and perfect man. 
 
 The figure in this case, representing a mourner, is habited in coarse 
 sackcloth, the universal mourning apparel in China. The shoes are 
 white ; the hair and beard are permitted to grow unshaven ; and an odd 
 species of head-gear surmounts the cranium. He is attended by a ser- 
 vant, or " heel attendant ;" the word being derived from Kan, " the heel 
 of the foot, which they call the root of the foot. In this person's hand 
 is carried a mourning lamp, and of which the Chinese exhibit an abun- 
 dance in their funeral processions ; and they are distinguished from all 
 others by the presence of the emblematic white. The full period of 
 mourning for a parent is three years, but this is commonly reduced in 
 practice to twenty- seven months ; a shorter period is allotted for other 
 relations. Three years must elapse after the death of a parent before a 
 __child is permitted to marry ; and a similar period is allowed as a cessa- 
 tion from holding office. 
 
 On the death of an emperor, his hundreds of millions of subjects 
 mourn for him exactly as children do for a parent. All officers of govern- 
 ment take the ball and crimson silk from their caps. 
 
 The active principle of filial duty and affection before spoken of, is 
 aptly illustrated in the following idea — " to sleep upon straw, with a 
 sod for the pillow," as the Chinese are taught to do when mourning for 
 their parents. 
 
 The soldier has on a huge pair of coarse blue nankeen trousers, and 
 a red tunic of the same, with white facings. The cap is of quilted nan- 
 keen, with the edge turned up, and a red knot at the top. More com- 
 monly, it is either of rattan or bamboo painted, being in a conical shape, 
 and well suited to ward off a blow. He is armed with a rude matchlock, 
 the only kind of hand fire-arms known among the Chinese. These they 
 consider inferior weapons to the bow and arrow. They may, perhaps, 
 be so, considering their appearance and make. We occasionally, says 
 Mr. Davis, saw specimens of the military who had the word " yoong" — 
 
20 
 
 valour, inscribed on the breast. This might be all very well, — but 
 when the same individuals turned round and displayed the identical word 
 inscribed on their backs, the position seemed particularly unsuitable. 
 There is hung up on the wall a shield, constructed of rattan turned 
 spirally round a centre, very similar in shape and appearance to our 
 circular basket lids. Besides the matchlock and shield, a variety of 
 weapons, offensive and defensive, are in use in China ; such as helmets, 
 bows and arrows, cross-bows, spears, javelins, pikes, halberds, double 
 and single swords, daggers, maces, a species of quilted armour of cloth 
 studded with metal buttons, &c. 
 
 The standing army of the Celestial Empire numbers about 700,000 
 men, of whom 80,000 are Tartars, the rest native Chinese, with about 
 18,000 military mandarins of all grades. The principal officers of con- 
 fidence and trust, are Tartars, of whom a proportion constitute the 
 cavalry. They receive a higher rate of pav for their sen-ices than their 
 Chinese fellow soldiers. In the selection of both, none are chosen but 
 the healthy and robust, and a preference is given to the most sightly. 
 The pay and allowance of the soldiery exceed the usual earnings of 
 common people ; hence it is, that to enlist into the " Army of Heaven," 
 insures to the recruit more of the comforts of life than he would other- 
 wise enjoy. The arms, accoutrements, and the upper garment, are 
 furnished by the emperor to each soldier. The pay of a Chinese horse- 
 man is about three ounces and a third (heavier than European ounces,) 
 of silver, with an allowance of fifteen measures or rations of rice every 
 lunar month. A Tartar horseman receives seven ounces of silver, and 
 twenty measures of rice for the same period. A Chinese foot soldier 
 has one ounce and 6-10 of silver, and ten measures of rice; and a 
 Tartar of the same rank receives two ounces of silver, and ten measures 
 of rice every moon. In addition to the regular pay and allowance thus 
 quoted, they receive donations from the emperor, on particular occa- 
 sions ; viz., when they many, and also at the birth of male children. 
 At the death of their parents, they obtain " a gift of consolation;" as 
 do their families when the soldiers themselves die. 
 
 A singular feature in regard to the military officers of China must 
 not be omitted. They are all subject to corporal punishment, and 
 very often experience it, together with the punishment of the cangue, or 
 moveable pillory, consisting of a heavy frame of wood, sometimes of a 
 hundred pounds in weight, according to the heinousness of the crime, 
 with holes for the head and hands. . This parental allotment of a certain 
 quantum of flagellation and personal exposure, is occasionally the fate 
 of the highest officers, and must certainly be regarded as a very odd way 
 of improving their military character. 
 
21 
 
 The archer represents a Tartar in the imperial army. The bow 
 and arrow appear to have been in use from the earliest period, and 
 are still used as weapons " in the grand army." The bow is made of 
 elastic wood and horn combined, with a string of silk strongly twisted 
 and wrought. The strength of Chinese bows is estimated by the weight 
 required to bend them, varying from about eighty to a hundred pounds. 
 The string in shooting, is held behind an agate or stone ring on the right 
 thumb, the first joint of which is bent forward, and confined by the 
 middle joint of the forefinger being pressed upon it. The head of the 
 arrow is of a spear-like shape ; but others at the soldier's side are of a 
 different construction, having a horn tube at the point, perforated 
 with holes, which, when discharged from the bow, produce a whistling 
 sound as they pass through the air. The visitor will observe at his feet, 
 a cross-bow of ancient make, but simple construction. The arrows used 
 in this are short, and are dropped into the small aperture to receive 
 them, and discharged successively with the greatest rapidity. 
 
 If numbers were the evidence of strength, China, in a military point of 
 view, would be most formidable. Her exclusive system for so many cen- 
 turies, though it has no doubt saved her much blood and treasure, has 
 been the principal cause of her want of discipline and science in modern 
 tactics. Courage and personal bravery are seldom found when these are 
 wanting. Industry and cheerfulness are their characteristics ; good ma- 
 terials for a government. Of artillery they know next to nothing. They 
 have no gun-carriages, their cannon being fixed immoveably in one posi- 
 tion. When the Sylph and Amherst, British men-of-war, sailed up the 
 coast, the Chinese soldiers threw up numerous mounds of earth, which 
 they white-washed, to give them the appearance of tents ! 
 
 The costume of the Chinese, as displayed in the figures of this Col- 
 lection, form an interesting subject of observation. The dress of every 
 grade of society in China is fixed by usage. Persons in the lower 
 classes wear coarse and dark-coloured fabrics ; while those who have 
 been more favoured in the accidents of birth and fortune, seek the grati- 
 fication of their taste in rich and costly silks, satins, furs, broadcloths, 
 and embroidery. There is a great variety in the dresses; yet, "the 
 general model is not departed from, the usual articles being a shirt, 
 drawers, a long gown or pelisse buttoning in front, stockings and 
 shoes." The shoes are singular ; generally of embroidered cloth, 
 sometimes the uppers being of one colour, sometimes another. The 
 lower portion of the soles is leather made of hogs' skins, while the 
 intermediate space, commonly about an inch in thickness, is filled 
 up with bamboo paper, with the edge painted white. They are quite 
 light, notwithstanding their clumsy appearance. The Chinese seem to 
 
22 
 
 have a great partiality for blue in their costume. Frequently the whole 
 garment is of this colour ; and even when such is not the case, the 
 collar, cuffs, and lower edges of the drawers are, for the most part, of 
 the favourite hue. 
 
 The wealthier Chinese are extravagantly fond of showy dresses, and 
 a well-provided wardrobe is an object of great pride. Handsome gar- 
 ments often descend, as an heirloom, from generation to generation, and 
 constitute the chief riches of a family. A deficiency of clean body-linen 
 is not regarded as a calamity by a Chinaman. A fair outside is what he 
 mainly covets, being little heedful of either the quality or condition of 
 what is underneath. The change from a summer to a winter costume, 
 and vice versa, is made simultaneously throughout an entire province, 
 the viceroy setting the example by assuming the cap appropriate to the 
 season. 
 
 There is, therefore, one great fault in Chinese costume, namely, a 
 want of linen or white cotton — little of which is worn. Though their 
 garments of light silk will bear washing, they are not so cleanly as 
 linen. No sheets are used in their beds, and no cloths are spread upon 
 their tables. The skins of animals are used for winter apparel, and 
 some of the Chinese furs are handsome and costly. 
 
 CASE III. 
 
 No. 10. Literary gentleman in summer costume. 
 
 11. DO. 
 
 12. DO. 
 
 13. Servant handing a book. 
 
 14. Mandarin of the fourth class. 
 
 15. Servant. 
 
 A pair of Chinese book-cases. 
 Silk Scrolls on the wall. 
 
 This case contains a group of three literati, in summer costume. Their 
 dresses, which are light and free, contrast advantageously with those tight 
 and high-collared garments with which fashion obliges us to encumber 
 ourselves. The dress of the figure on the right hand exposes an 
 embroidered pad or covering for the knee. These appear to have been 
 formerly worn on special occasions only, when having to kneel much at the 
 rites of sacrifice. Similar coverings are now commonly worn by Chinese 
 gentlemen. This figure is represented as reading aloud a translation of 
 .'Esop's Fables. The visitor will observe, in the hand of this 
 
23 
 
 philosopher, what he would naturally take for a smelling-bottle, but what 
 is really a receptacle for snuff. Tobacco in all the forms of its prepara- 
 tion is extensively used ; transmuted into snuff, it is carried, not in boxes, 
 but in small bottles, with stoppers, to which there is attached a little spoon 
 or shovel. With this they take out the pungent dust, and place it upon 
 the back of the left hand, near the lower joint of the thumb, whence it is 
 snuffed up to the olfactories, there to perform its titillating office. To- 
 bacco is said to have been introduced with the Yuen dynasty, A. D. 1300. 
 
 A part of the furniture of this case consists of a pair of Chinese 
 book-cases made of ebony, the panels and other parts of which are beauti- 
 fully carved and highly polished. The books are kept in the lower section, 
 where they are protected from dust by doors in front ; the upper section 
 is an open cabinet, divided into five unequal compartments, set off by 
 divers ornamental articles. The books are placed in a horizontal position, 
 and the titles are put on the end instead of the back, each work of several 
 volumes being preserved in an envelope or case of blue nankeen or silk. 
 
 Between the book cases are suspended on the wall, a pair of silk scrolls 
 bearing the following maxims; — "The Sages taught from things — Letters, 
 morality, fidelity, truth. " — and — " The highest pleasure," is not equal to 
 the study of letters." 
 
 The education and literature of the " Celestial Empire," form, beyond 
 comparison, the most interesting and instructive point of view in which 
 the Chinese can be contemplated. We cannot, indeed, praise the kind of 
 education practised in China. The studies are confined to one unvaried 
 routine, and to deviate in the smallest degree from the prescribed track, 
 would be regarded as something worse than mere eccentricity. Science, 
 properly speaking, is not cultivated at all. There is no advancement, no 
 thirsting after fresh achievements of knowledge, no bold and prying 
 investigations into the mysteries of nature. Chymistry, physiology, 
 astronomy, and natural philosophy, are therefore at a low ebb. The 
 instruction given in their schools is almost wholly of a moral and political 
 complexion, being designed solely to teach the subjects of the empire 
 their duties. Within the allotted circle all are educated, all must be 
 educated. According to Mr. Davis, a statute was in existence two thou- 
 sand years ago, which required that eveiy town and village, down even 
 to a few families, should have a common school ; and one work, of a date 
 anterior to the Christian era, speaks of the " ancient system of instruc- 
 tion." There are annual examinations in the provinces, and triennial 
 examinations at Pekin which are resorted to by throngs of ambitious 
 students. The whole empire is a university, a mighty laboratory of 
 scholars. The happy men who pass successfully through the several 
 necessary ordeals are honored with distinctions. They are feasted 
 
 c 2 
 
24 
 
 at the expense of the nation ; their names and victories are pub- 
 lished throughout the empire ; they are courted and caressed ; and 
 they become, ipso facto, eligible to all the offices within the gift of the 
 sovereign. The most learned are appointed to the highest degree of 
 literary rank, the " Han-lin,"* or membership of the national College. 
 All this means that the emperor may " pluck out the true talent" of the 
 land, and employ it in the administration of his government. The 
 fourteen thousand civil mandarins are, almost without exception, the 
 beaux esprits— the best scholars of the realm. 
 
 The highest literarv graduate is entitled to wear a white stone brought 
 from India, called " Chay hew," on the cap, as a distinguishing mark. 
 The success of a literarv examination is by them termed " plucking a 
 branch of the fragrant olive," denoting the attainment of the rank of 
 " Keu-jin ;" because that flower is in blossom in Autumn, when the 
 examination occurs. Educated talent here enjovs its just consideration. 
 All other titles to respect, all other qualifications for office, are held as 
 naught compared with this. This, undoubtedly, in connexion with the 
 rigid enforcement of the doctrine of responsibilitv, is the true secret of 
 the greatness and prosperity, the stability and repose of the Celestial 
 Empire. For, as Dr. Milne trulv remarks, they are the ambitious who 
 generally overturn governments ; but in China there is a road open to the 
 ambitious, without the dreadful alternative of revolutionizing the country. 
 It is merely required of a man that he should give some proof of the 
 possession of superior abilities ; not an unreasonable requisition certainly. 
 
 The Chinese, are a reading people, and the number of their published 
 works is very considerable. In the departments of morals, history, 
 biography, the drama, poetry, and romance, there is no lack of writings, 
 " such as they are." The Chinese Materia Medica comprises forty 
 volumes. Of statistical works the number is also very large. Their 
 novels are said to be, manv of them, excellent pictures of the national 
 manners. The plot is often complex, the incidents natural and the 
 characters well sustained. China has had, too, her Augustan age of 
 poetry. It is remarkable that this brilliant epoch in Chinese letters was 
 during the eighth century of our era, when almost the whole of Europe 
 was sunk in gross ignorance and barbarism. We subjoin a single 
 specimen of Chinese poetry, in a touching little piece, published in the 
 second volume of the Royal Asiatic Transactions, and written 3000 years 
 ago. Besides the pleasure its intrinsic beauty will afford, it offers a 
 convincing proof of the substantial identity of human feelings in all 
 times and countries. The piece bemoans the fate of a maiden, betrothed 
 
 * The term " Han-lin-} uen"' signifies " the forest of Pencils'' Morrison. 
 
25 
 
 to an humbler rival, but compelled to become the bride of a rich and 
 powerful suitor : — 
 
 l. 
 The nest yon winged artist builds, 
 
 Some robber bird shall tear away ; 
 
 So yields her hopes the affianced maid, 
 
 Some wealthy lord's reluctant prey. 
 
 2. 
 
 The fluttering bird prepares a home, 
 
 In which the spoiler soon shall dwell ; 
 Forth goes the weeping bride, constrained, 
 
 A hundred cars the triumph swell. 
 
 3. 
 
 Mourn for the tiny architect, 
 
 A stronger bird hath ta'en its nest ; 
 Mourn for the hapless, stolen bride., 
 
 How vain the pomp to soothe her hreast ! 
 
 In education, the Chinese glory is the inculcation of social and 
 political duties. Their teaching is chiefly by authority. Hence the 
 great use made of maxims. These are suspended upon the walls of every 
 apartment, where they are constantly seen and read from early childhood 
 to decrepit age. They say, " Good sayings are like pearls strung to- 
 gether : inscribe them on the walls of your dwelling, and regard them 
 night and day as wholesome admonitions." 
 
 The fourth principal figure in this case, is a Mandarin of the fourth 
 class, seated on a portable chair, called by the natives " Ma chap." The 
 costume of this Mandarin is far inferior to those of the two principal 
 figures in Case No. I, his long silk petticoat is fastened round the waist 
 by means of a belt, which is united in front by a clasp. The visitor 
 will notice a variety of accoutrements attached to this belt, rather military 
 in their appearance, but not at all so in reality. In fact, a Chinese never 
 goes armed, as the jealousy of the government has denied the privilege 
 of wearing arms to all except the soldiers on parade. The appendages 
 referred to are, therefore, altogether peaceful, such as a silk fan-sheath, 
 embroidered tobacco-pouches, &c. The cap is cone-shaped, but not 
 turned up at the edge ; having crimson silk, pendant from the crown- 
 ing ball. This is a summer cap. 
 
 This officer is attentively listening to the fable, and is apparently in 
 the full enjoyment of that calm and tranquil state of mind, which the 
 almost universal custom of smoking tobacco is thought to produce. The 
 servant is standing behind his superior, and presenting to him a red- 
 covered official document. He is attired in a gown and spencer of dark 
 nankeen, the common material of the dresses of the lower orders. 
 
2G 
 
 CASE IV. 
 
 No. 16. Chinese lady of hank, with fan. 
 
 17. do. preparing to smoke. 
 
 18. do. with guitar. 
 19 & 20. two female domestics. 
 
 21 & 22. Mother and Boy of the middle class. 
 23. Daughter of the above. 
 
 Chinese table, handsomely carved, gilt, and painted. 
 
 Specimen of citron, or finger fruit. 
 
 The fourth case introduces us to a group of Chinese beauties. We 
 have here three ladies of rank, in full costume. Their hair, which 
 is turned up on the back of the head in bunches, and fastened with two 
 bodkins crosswise, is gaily adorned with wreaths of flowers. There 
 is considerable variety in their dresses, but they are all of the richest 
 materials, and magnificently embroidered. They are exceedingly modest 
 and becoming, concealing entirely the contour of the person. The expo- 
 sure which fashion allows to European and American ladies, would be 
 regarded by the Chinese women as a flagrant offence against true 
 modesty. The " Golden water lilies," — " Kum-leen" as the small feet 
 are called, figure, we cannot say " largely," but interestingly, in these fair 
 ones. Their hands are very delicate ; their eyebrows gracefully arched, 
 their features regular and oval ; their noses too flat for beauty ; but the 
 whole countenance, though rather pretty, and certainly not unamiable, is 
 deficient in strength of expression. Their occupations are characteristic, 
 one of them is fingering a guitar, another is smoking, while the third 
 is amusing herself with a fan. From the waist depends the never absent 
 tobacco-pouch, elegant in material, form, and workmanship. Each has 
 three plain rings, in either ear. The footstools upon which their " golden 
 lilies" rest, are covered with embroidered silk. 
 
 This case also contains two female domestics, Nos. 19 & 20, with feet 
 of the natural size. One of them is bringing tea to her mistress, in a 
 cup with a saucer-like cover. The common mode of making tea in 
 China, is to place a few leaves in each cup, and pour boiling water upon 
 them. The cups are always provided with tops, to preserve the delicate 
 aroma of the tea, and the infusion is drank without admixture of any 
 kind. 
 
 The women of China, as in all other countries not blessed with Chris- 
 tianity, occupy a rank in society far inferior to that of the men. Never- 
 theless, their phice on the social scale is higher, their influence greater. 
 
27 
 
 and their treatment better, than can be predicated of the sex in any other 
 Asiatic nation. Of school education the mass receive none, though there 
 are occasionally shining exceptions ; but Gutzlaff ascribes to them, the 
 possession of a large share of common sense, and says that they make 
 devoted wives and tender mothers. 
 
 The generality of Chinese ladies cannot boast of great beauty. They 
 make a free use of rouge, and this article is always among the presents to 
 a bride on the occasion of her nuptials. The distinguishing marks of 
 personal attractions among the Chinese, in a gentleman are, a large 
 person, inclining to corpulency, a full glossy face, and large pendant ears ; 
 the latter indicating high breeding and fortune. In females it is nearly 
 the reverse, delicate forms are in them highly esteemed, having slender 
 *' willow waists." The eyes are termed " silver seas ;" the eye-brows are 
 frequently removed, and in their stead a delicately curved pencil line is 
 drawn, resembling the leaf of the willow " Lew shoo," a species of palm 
 which is considered beautiful, and used metaphorically for " Pleasure." 
 Hence the saying — "deceived and stupified by willows and flowers;" 
 i. e. by dissolute pleasures. In what circumstances the " golden lilies," 
 the highest of personal attractions, originated, is not known. The dis- 
 tortion is produced by turning the toes under the soles of the feet at birth, 
 and confining them in that position by tight bandages, till their growth is 
 effectually checked. The bandaging is continued for several years, during 
 which the poor child suffers the most excruciating tortures. This is, no 
 doubt, an absurd, cruel, and wicked practice ; but those who dwell in 
 glass houses should not throw stones. It is not a whit worse, nay, we 
 maintain that it is less irrational and injurious, than the abomination of 
 tight lacing. No vital part is here attacked, no vital functions disor- 
 dered; and on the score of taste, if the errors of Nature are to be 
 rectified, and her graceful lines and proportions improved, we see not why 
 the process of amendment may not be as reasonably apphed to the feet as 
 to the waist. Almost every family in China, however poor, has one 
 daughter with the small feet. 
 
 Head-dresses of natural and artificial flowers are always worn. No 
 woman, says Sir George Staunton, is so poor as to neglect, or so aged as 
 to give up adorning herself in this manner. The culture of flowers for 
 this purpose is a regular occupation throughout the country. 
 
 Wives are distinguished from unmarried females, by the latter allowing 
 the hair near the forehead to hang down towards the eye-brows, as in the 
 figure of the young girls in this case, while the former have theirs bound 
 together upon the crown of the head. 
 
 Among the accomplishments of the Chinese ladies, music, painting on 
 silk, and embroidery, hold the chief places. The musical instruments are 
 
28 
 
 various in kind and material, and a supply of them is held to he an indis- 
 pensable part of the furniture of a lady's boudoir. Painting on silk 
 is a very common recreation ; and embroider}' is an almost universal 
 accomplishment . 
 
 CASE V. 
 
 No. 24. Tragedian in splendid costume. 
 
 25 & 26. Two juvenile actors, to perform the part of femalk 
 
 characters. 
 27. Chinese Juggler. 
 
 Parasol used on state occasions. 
 
 Magnificent specimen of embroidered tapestry. 
 
 And numerous specimens of theatrical caps on the wall. 
 
 In the fifth case we have a specimen of Chinese theatricals. There are 
 three figures of actors, — an adult and two children, — a gorgeous state 
 parasol, a number of theatrical caps, and a sample of embroidered 
 tapestry. The costume of the Chinese stage is sufficiently appropriate 
 to the characters represented, and on most occasions extremely splendid. 
 Gay silks and embroidery are lavished on the dresses of the actors, and 
 as most of the serious plays are historical, and for obvious reasons do not 
 touch on events that have occurred since the Tartar conquest, the 
 costume, as in the case of the tragedian here represented, shows the 
 ancient dress of China, which in females, is nearly the same now as ever ; 
 but, as regards men, very different. The splendour of Chinese theatrical 
 wardrobes was remarked by Ysbrandt Ides, the Russian ambassador, as 
 long ago as 1692. The dresses and adornments of the actors here 
 represented, are of rich materials and elegantly wrought with gold 
 thread. 
 
 Theatrical exhibitions are favourite amusements of the Chinese, and 
 as among the ancient Greeks and Romans, they are sometimes connected 
 with religion. The estimation in which they are held may be inferred 
 from a single fact. The money expended upon them in one year at 
 Macao, a place where there are but few wealthy Chinese, amounted to 
 nearly seven thousand dollars. 
 
 It is remarkable that there are no regular theatres. The actors are 
 literally vagabonds, strolling about from city to city, and from province 
 to province. In Canton, for example, the inhabitants of a certain quarter 
 club together and make up a purse, with which a company is engaged. 
 A temporary theatre is erected, and the whole neighbourhood at liberty to 
 
29 
 
 attend. When the quid pro quo has been rendered by the actors, they 
 move off to another quarter, and the same thing is repeated. It is 
 customary to employ actors at private entertainments, which are never 
 considered complete without a theatrical exhibition. Upon such occasions 
 a list of plays is handed to the most distinguished guest, who selects 
 whichever most accords with his fancy. The principal inns and all large 
 pi'ivate establishments have a room expressly for this purpose. Females 
 are not allowed to appear upon the stage. 
 
 Visitors will perceive in the figure of the Juggler, one of a large class 
 of persons, who obtain a precarious livelihood by an exhibition of feats of 
 dexterity and legerdemain. Jugglers are numerous in the streets of 
 Canton, and are as varied in caste as the different feats they perform. The 
 person here represented, ranks high in his profession. On his head is 
 placed a porcelain jar, having a narrow mouth. This jar is so nicely 
 poised in an angular position, that the slightest, movement of the Jug- 
 gler's head, or even the relaxation of a muscle, would cause a fall of the 
 fragile burthen. In the right hand of the artiste, are several pieces of 
 bamboo, each about two feet in length. The main object to be achieved 
 by the juggler, is, while he is standing perfectly still, to throw these 
 pieces of bamboo to a great height with his left hand, in such a direc- 
 tion that they all fall into the jar. This manoeuvre requires immense 
 practice and steadiness, both of the eye and hand. 
 
 The amusements of a people have ever been regarded as indications, 
 to a certain extent of national character, denoting their boldness, 
 simplicity, or frivolity. Thus, the bull-fights of Spain, the boxing 
 matches and prize fights of England, and the juggling and sports of 
 China, are all in harmony with the chief, but widely different traits of 
 those nations where they are adopted as recreations. With this view, 
 we proceed to mention a few other exploits of the most adroit Chinese 
 exhibiters to the wondering crowd. A man produces from a basket the 
 stuffed skin of a rat ; this he exhibits to the multitude, and convinces them 
 that it is exactly what he represents it to be. By placing the throat of 
 the supposed animal between his finger and thumb, and pinching it, the 
 jaws of £b*j rat are forced open, and so exactly will the juggler imitate 
 the squeak of a choking rat, that an observer, particularly if he be a 
 foreigner, will at once suspect that he had been deceived as to the want 
 of vitality in the apparently tortured animal before him. With a sin- 
 gularity and quickness of motion altogether admirable, the exhibiter 
 tosses it about his person, giving it the exact semblance of a rat 
 endeavouring to excape from the fangs of the destroyer ; and at the 
 same time uttering such piercing and natural cries of distress, that the 
 
beholder is at last only convinced of the man's skill in ventriloquism, 
 by an examination of the inanimate skin. 
 
 The following scene occurred in the drawing room of a foreign 
 resident in Canton. Two jugglers were introduced before the company 
 assembled ; after going through a number of surprising feats of skill and 
 agility, one of these men handed to the other a large china basin. 
 This basin, after a few flourishes above his head, and being turned 
 upside down to convince the spectators that it was empty, the exhibiter 
 suddenly allowed it to fall, but caught it before it reached the floor. 
 This movement brought him into a position resting upon his heels, 
 the basin being now hidden from view by the folds of his garments. In 
 that attitude he remained for a few seconds, with hands extended, but in 
 no way touching the basin. With a sudden spring he stood upright, and 
 displayed to the astonished spectators the basin filled to the brim with 
 pure clear water, and two gold fishes swimming in their native element. 
 
 Another feat worthy of record, is one of a more exciting and thrilling 
 nature. To be impressed on the mind with full effect, it should be seen 
 under circumstances similar to those which attended the exhibition of it 
 to the relater. Passing a motley crowd of persons in a public square 
 near the foreign factories, the writer had his attention directed to a man 
 apparently haranguing the bye-standers. Prompted by curiosity, he 
 soon found the performer to be a mean-looking person, who divested 
 himself of his outer clothing as far as the waist. He spread a small mat 
 upon the pavement, and taking a boy from the crowd, who was after- 
 wards discovered to be his confederate ; he placed him in the centre of 
 the rush mat. He then took from his basket a large butcher's knife, 
 which he flourished over the head of the frightened boy, and with 
 dreadful threats sprang upon his victim. The boy was thrown down, 
 and the man knelt on him in such a manner as to secure his hands. 
 While in this position, he forced back the head of the poor child, and 
 with the knife inflicted a severe gash upon his throat, from which the 
 blood instantly gushed in a torrent, flowing down the breast of the 
 murderer, and sprinkling the nearest spectators. The death-throes of 
 the poor sufferer were painful to behold ; frightful and copvulsive in 
 their commencement, but diminishing with the loss of blood. The eye- 
 balls start — the muscles are seen to work — there are twitches of the 
 fingers — desperate efforts to free the confined arms — a change of color 
 in the face to an ashy paleness — a fixed and glassy stare of the eyes — 
 then, a long, last spasmodic heaving and contortion, and all is over ; 
 the body falls a corpse ! 
 
 On witnessing such a strange and revolting scene, the first impulse of 
 the stranger, despite the surrounding crowd, was to seize the murderous 
 
31 
 
 culprit, but from this he was prevented by the deafening shouts of the 
 applauding multitude, testifying their approbation of the dexterity of the 
 performer, by a shower of " cash." It is almost superfluous to add, 
 that the deception consisted in the construction of the blade and handle 
 of the knife ; so contrived, that by making a sawing motion on the 
 throat of the boy, to produce a stream of coloured liquid resembling 
 blood, pumped out of the knife and handle. These and many other rare 
 sights of the kind are daily practised for the amusement of the idle crowd 
 in the streets of Canton. 
 
 But, however, ingenious the deception of some of these persons may 
 appear, the Jugglers from Nankin have a still higher reputation among 
 their own countrymen. Several of their feats of skill and daring are, 
 to the uninitiated, truly astonishing, for instance : — Two men from 
 Nankin, appear in the streets of Canton, the one places his back against 
 a stone wall, or wooden fence ; the upper part of his person is divested 
 of clothing. His associate, armed with a large knife, retires to a dis- 
 tance, say from 100 to 200 feet. At a given signal, the knife is thrown 
 with an unerring aim in the direction of the person opposite, to within 
 a hairs breadth of his neck, immediately below his ear. With such 
 certainty of success is the blow aimed, and so great is the confidence 
 reposed by the one in the skill of the other, that not the slightest 
 uneasiness is discernible in the features of him, whose life is a forfeit to 
 the least deviation on the part of the practitioner. This feat is again and 
 again performed, and with similar success, only varying the direction of 
 the knife to the opposite side of the neck of the exposed person, or to 
 any other point of proximity to the living target, as the spectators may 
 desire. 
 
 Another, and the last feat to be mentioned, is equally exciting. 
 A man is armed with an instrument, resembling a trident, or what is 
 termed by sailors, "grains;" to which formidable weapon is attached a 
 long handle of hard wood. The Juggler, with surprising strength of 
 arm, throws this weapon perpendicularly into the ah to a great height, 
 as it gains the greatest elevation, he measures with a practised eye and 
 wonderful precision, the exact spot on which it will fall. To this point 
 he advances step by step ; in an instant the weapon descends with fear- 
 ful velocity, scraping the edges of some protruding part of his person ; 
 thus giving proof of a singular, daring, and successful effort, which 
 surpasses in skill, even the most celebrated rifle shots of the hunters of 
 Kentucky. 
 
 The large parasol in this case, beautifully emiched with embroidery 
 and gold thread, is one of those earned on state occasions by the attend- 
 ants of the officers of government. Parasols and umbrellas were first 
 
mentioned in books, published about A. D. 300. It is said, that they 
 took their rise from standards and banners waving looselv in the air. 
 
 Some notice of the other national amusements will not be out of place 
 here. The Chinese have fewer holidays than perhaps anv other people ; 
 yet they have a number of festivals, which are enjoyed with a keen relish. 
 The chief of these is the Feast of the New Year, which occurs on the first 
 day of the first moon (about the middle of February), a species of Satur- 
 nalia, when the whole empire abandons itself to a frenzy of merriment. 
 All labour is intermitted for several days ; public business is suspended for 
 forty days, that the prescribed ceremonials may be duly observed with ap- 
 propriate solemnity and etiquette ; servants are dressed out in all the finery 
 at their command ; visits of ceremony and presents are interchanged 
 among friends ; the rites of religion are conducted with unusual pomp ; 
 and, in short, gaiety and pleasure are the reigning divinities. 
 
 On this day persons proceed from the temple with a lighted candle, 
 with the superstitious impression that if they succeed in reaching their 
 homes without extinguishing the light, that they will be prosperous during 
 the year. They are, however, apparently regardless of any inauspicious 
 omen, and will return to the temple, again and again, to relight their 
 candles, and, as it were, to compel the fates to terminate their labours by 
 a more successful attempt. 
 
 The Feast of Lanterns, which occurs soon after this, is a general illu- 
 mination throughout the empire. The object seems to be to afford an 
 occasion for the display of ingenuity and taste in the construction and 
 mechanism of an infinite variety of lanterns. It is computed that, upon 
 this occasion, there are not less than 200,000,000 blazing at the same 
 time in different parts of the empire. The brilliancy of this beautiful 
 festival cannot be adequately conveyed to the mind or fancy of a reader, 
 even by the most glowing powers of description. 
 
 There are several agricultural festivals ; an annual trial of skill in boat- 
 racing ; a festival in honour of the dead ; and a sort of general thanks- 
 giving, a holiday highly enjoyed, which takes place in September, at the 
 commencement of the business year. 
 
 Gaming prevails among the lower orders, but so much infamy attaches 
 to gamblers, that government officers and the more respectable of the 
 people are free from this taint. They have a saying, that " gambling is 
 allied to robbery." Dominoes, cards, dice, and chess, are favourite 
 games. The vendors of fruit often gamble with purchasers in the fol- 
 lowing manner : — A boy wishes a half dozen oranges. The fruit and 
 half the price demanded for it are laid down together. Recourse is then 
 had to the dice-box. If the urchin throws the highest number, he 
 pockets his money again, and gets the fruit for nothing ; if the seller, he 
 

33 
 
 in like manner sweeps the stakes, and the disappointed gamester may 
 whistle for oranges, or try his fortune elsewhere. Quails are trained for 
 fighting, and even a species of cricket. Two of these insects are placed 
 in a bowl together, and irritated till they tear each other in pieces. The 
 gamesters fight them for cakes, but in their slang dialect, each cake is 
 understood to mean a certain sum of money. Fire-works, and the tricks 
 of jugglers, tumblers, rope-dancers, &c, are greatly relished. 
 
 Of out-door games, the most popular is kite-flying. In this the 
 Chinese excel. They show their superiority as well in the curious con- 
 struction of their kites, as in the height to which they make them mount. 
 By means of round holes, supplied with vibrating cords, their kites are 
 made to produce a loud humming noise, like that of a top. The ninth 
 day of the ninth moon is a holiday especially devoted to this national 
 pastime, on which day numbers may be seen repairing to the hills for the 
 purpose of kite-flying. 
 
 It is said, that in ancient times, a kind of foot-ball was introduced into 
 " the army of Heaven," as an exercise for the soldiers. A game at shut- 
 tlecock, in which the feet serve as battledores, is also a favourite " field 
 sport." In Pekin, during the winter, skating, and other amusements 
 on the ice, in which the emperor takes a part, are among the national 
 exercises. 
 
 CASE VI. 
 
 No. 27. Itinerant barber at his avocation, with his whole apparatus. 
 
 28. Itinerant shoemaker, at his work, with work-bench, basket, 
 
 tools, lamp, &c. 
 
 29. Travelling blacksmith, with anvil, furnace, bellows, &c. 
 
 30. Chinese boatwoman, carrying a child on her back in the usual 
 
 MODE. 
 
 31. Another boatwoman, with pipe, mother of the above. 
 
 On the wall several specimens of bamboo hats and rush coats, worn 
 by the lower classes in rainy weather. 
 
 Specimens of ploughs, harrows, axes, hoes, rakes, forks, shovels, 
 spades, flails, mattocks, fyc. 8fc. These implements are, for the 
 most part, simple and rude. They are made chiefly of tvood, and 
 merely shod with iron. On the wall are also displayed two fishing 
 nets, made of a peculiar kind of hemp, also fishing scoops. 
 
 This case presents to the visitor's observation some singular specimens 
 of Chinese life. We have in it an itinerant barber, shoemaker, and black- 
 smith, and two boatwomen, one of whom is carrying an infant on her 
 
34 
 
 back. The barbers in China are a numerous class. Every town is 
 thronged with them. According to their records, the number of the 
 fraternity in Canton in 1834, was no less than 7,300. The reason of 
 this large number is, that, as the head, as well as the face, is shaven, 
 no Chinaman ever shaves himself. The barbers are all ambulatory ; and 
 no one is allowed to discharge the duties of tonsor until he has obtained 
 a license ; each carries his shop on his back, and performs his opera- 
 tions tonsorial in the open street. The usual implements are a stool, 
 provided with a case of drawers, and a kind of tub, with a small char- 
 coal furnace and a basin. We have the apparatus here complete. The 
 operation is generally performed in perfect silence, a fact meriting the 
 attention of our own practitioners in this line. The razor is a clumsy- 
 looking affair, but is said to shave sufficiently well. It is sharpened on 
 iron. No soap is used, the beard being softened by the application of 
 hot water alone. The compensation is left entirely to the employer's 
 generosity ; it is commonly from five to ten cash. 
 
 The ambulatory shoemaker, with his rude tools, and his enormous spec- 
 tacles, is a study for a painter. He carries with him, in a basket, 
 wherever he goes, all his implements, together with his whole stock in 
 trade. A fan and a pipe, without which, it would almost seem, a 
 Chinaman could not exist — complete his equipment. 
 
 The visitor will notice the novel manner in which our shoemakers' 
 spectacles are kept in their place. This is effected by no greater expen- 
 diture of ingenuity than is involved in passing a loop fastened to the 
 ends of the spectacles round each ear. They are sometimes retained in 
 their position by silver cords slung over the ears, to which small weights 
 are attached, to preserve the equilibrium. The glasses, or rather crystals, 
 (for rock crystal, ground with the powder of corundum, supplies the 
 place of glass,) are perfectly circular in shape, and of enormous dimen- 
 sions, which gives the wearer a very sapient appearance. 
 
 By the side of the honest cobbler, we have an itinerant blacksmith, — 
 par nobile fralrum. He also, when inclined to try his fortune in a new 
 place, stows forge, bellows, anvil, tools, &c, into a basket, which he 
 slings over his shoulder, and thus takes up his line of march. This figure, 
 with the implements and appliances that surround it, will attract special 
 notice. The anvil, instead of having a flat surface, is slightly rounded 
 on the top, which causes the iron to extend more readily under the 
 hammer. The bellows is a hollow cylinder, with a piston so contrived, 
 that the blast produced by it is continuous. The Chinese have the 
 art of repairing cast iron vessels when injured, — an ait, so far as we 
 know, not possessed by any other nation. 
 
 The female figures in this case represent a large class in China, viz. 
 
35 
 
 the boatwomen. One of them has an infant on her back, who finds a 
 convenient handle to hold by in her long plaited cue. She carries also 
 a painted block of wood, resembling a gourd, which it is usual to 
 attach to the waist of young children who live in the boats, to prevent 
 them from sinking in case of falling overboard, till help can be 
 afforded. 
 
 The huge bamboo hats suspended on the wall of this case, deserve 
 to be noticed. The bamboo is as useful to the Chinese as the rein- 
 deer is to the Laplander. Of this gigantic grass, or reed, there 
 are numerous varieties, and the uses to which it is applied, are quite 
 as various. Hats, baskets, shields, umbrellas, ornamental furniture, 
 ropes, paper, poles for scaffolding, temporary theatres, &c, are con- 
 structed of bamboo. The young shoots are used for food, being boiled 
 or stewed, hke asparagus ; and sweatmeats are sometimes made of 
 them. The tubes serve as pipe-stems ; and for every purpose wherein 
 strength, combined with lightness is required, they are admirably suited, 
 being formed upon the same principle as the bones of birds. Farmers 
 make great use of the bamboo, many of their implements being formed 
 of it ; and a silicious concretion, found in the joints, is an item in the 
 Chinese materia medica. 
 
 The most cursory account of the Celestial Empire, should include 
 some notice of its agriculture. Of all classes who labour with their 
 hands, the husbandman is there the most honoured, being accounted 
 second only to the literati of the realm. Nothing appears so strongly to 
 have roused the wonder of the early missionaries to China, as the agri- 
 cultural skill of the natives ; and in nothing, perhaps, did they so much 
 indulge in exaggeration, as in their accounts of it. But whatever abate- 
 ments truth may require to be made from their glowing descriptions, 
 there can hardly be a doubt that the Chinese manage to get more out of 
 an acre of ground than any other nation, the English alone excepted. 
 
 The rush cloak upon the wall is made of the leaves of the bamboo, to keep 
 off the rain ; called by the natives " So e," " a garment of leaves." 
 The poor wear a coarse kind ; government couriers use a finer sort, which 
 are compressed into a small compass when not worn. Umbrellas also, 
 made of reeds and bamboo leaves, are used in rainy weather, and as a 
 protection from the sun, by the keepers of stalls for the sale of articles in 
 the open air. 
 
 It is stated on the authority of Amiot, that the cultivated lands of the 
 country amount to about 596,172,500 English acres. This immense 
 territory is divided into patches of a few acres each, generally owned by 
 the occupants. A rigid economy of soil is practised. With the excep- 
 tion of the royal gardens at Pekin, no land in the empire is taken up with 
 
36 
 
 parks and pleasure-grounds. Of meadows there are none ; of pasture- 
 grounds, scarcely any. The few ruminating animals, scattered thinly over 
 the country, gather a scanty subsistance, as best they may, on mountains 
 and marshes, unfit for cultivation. As wheel carriages are seldom used but 
 in the north, the highways are but a few feet wide, and nothing is thrown 
 away there. No fences are allowed to encumber the soil, no hedges to 
 prey upon its strength. Sepulchres are always on hills too barren for culti- 
 vation. A narrow foot-path separates neighbouring farms, and porcelain 
 landmarks define more permanently their respective limits. Even the 
 sterile mountains are terraced into fertility, and glow with ripening 
 harvests, intermingled with the brilliant foliage of clustering fruit 
 trees. 
 
 But their economizing of the soil is not more rigid, than the methods 
 by which they seek to preserve or renovate its strength are new and 
 various. Necessity may here truly be said to have been the mother of 
 invention. Every conceivable substance, possessing anv enriching 
 qualities, is here converted into a manure. Not only lime, ashes, dung 
 of animals, &c, but hair of all kinds, barber's shavings, horns and bones 
 reduced to powder, soot, night soil, the cakes that remain after the 
 expression of their vegetable oil ; plaster of old kitchens and all 
 kinds of vegetable and animal refuse, are among the substances 
 used as manures. These are all carefully collected and husbanded, 
 being frequently kept in cisterns constructed for the purpose, or 
 in earthen tubs sunk in the ground, where, covered with straw to prevent 
 evaporation, and diluted with a sufficient quantity of water, they are left 
 to undergo the putrefactive fermentation, after which they are applied to 
 the land. 
 
 The Chinese understand well the enriching effect of frequent plough- 
 ings.* Horses or oxen are rarely attached to their ploughs ; more 
 commonlv a small species of buffalo ; and oftener still, men and women. 
 Frequently the plough is not used at all, the spade and hoe supplying its 
 place. In the irrigation of their lands, they display great ingenuity and 
 diligence. Their numerous rivers are here of essential utility. 
 
 In no country in the world is agriculture more encouraged, or deemed 
 more honorable than in China. Not only does the emperor himself 
 plough a piece of land once a year, in public in imitation of Shin-nung, 
 " the divine husbandman" — but he is looked up to as peculiarly the 
 Patron and Father of those who cultivate the soil, and upon him 
 devolves a peculiar responsibility in invoking the gods, as will be seen by 
 
 * Sir Joseph Banks expresses his surprise that this principle is not turned to greater 
 account hy the Europeans. Repeated ploughings are almost the only fertilizing process 
 known among the Hindoos. 
 
37 
 
 the following prayer offered up by the present Emperor, Taou-Kwaug, 
 during the dearth of 1832. 
 
 " I, the minister of Heaven, am placed over mankind, and made 
 " responsible for keeping the world in order and tranquilising the people. 
 " Unable as I am to sleep or eat with composure, scorched with grief, 
 " and trembling with anxiety, still no genial and copious showers have 
 " descended. I ask myself whether, in sacrificial services, I have been 
 " remiss ; whether pride and prodigality have had a place in my heart, 
 " springing up there unobserved ; whether from length of time I have 
 " become careless in the affairs of government ; whether I have 
 " uttered irreverent words and deserved reprehension ; whether perfect 
 " equity has been attained in conferring rewards and inflicting punish- 
 " ments ; whether, in raising mausoleums and laying out gardens, I 
 " have distressed the people and wasted property ; whether, in the ap- 
 " pointment of officers, I have failed to obtain fit persons, and thereby 
 " rendered government vexatious to the people ; whether the oppressed 
 " have found no means of appeal ; whether the largesses conferred on 
 " the afflicted Southern Provinces were properly applied, or the people 
 " left to die in the ditches. Prostrate I beg imperial Heaven to pardon 
 " my ignorance and dulness, and to grant me self renovation ; for 
 " myriads of innocent people are involved by me, a single man. My 
 " sins are so numerous, that it is hopeless to escape their consequences." 
 
 " Summer is past, and Autumn arrived — to wait longer is impossible. 
 " — Prostrate, I implore imperial Heaven to grant a gracious deli- 
 " verance." 
 
 Rice is their staple grain. They always get two crops a year out of 
 their land ; sometimes three. When a third is not raised, the soil is 
 nevertheless, again taxed in the production of pulse, greens, potatoes, 
 and other vegetables. Millet is extensively cultivated. Women labour 
 on the farms equally with the men. A stout and healthy wife is there- 
 fore a great desideratum with a Chinaman, and the " working wives of 
 Kiang-see " are said to be held in high estimation throughout the pro- 
 vinces. 
 
 For fm-ther remarks on the culture of rice, we are indebted to 
 J. F. Davis, Esq., from whose able work on China and the Chinese, we 
 extract the following ; — 
 
 " The rice grown by the Chinese is of a much larger grain than that 
 which is common in India, and consists principally of two sorts, the 
 white or fine, and the red, or coarser kinds. They have a great 
 preiudice in favor of their own native produce ; but, when it is scarce, 
 are ready enough to purchase what comes from abroad. The Canton 
 o-overnment encourages the importation of foreign rice by exempting the 
 
 D 
 
38 
 
 sltips which bring it, from port charges ; but this advantage is in a great 
 measure rendered nugatory by the dishonesty and exactions of the lower 
 Mandarins, which have sometimes caused ships to proceed no further than 
 Lintin, where the rice has been sold to coasting junks. At other times, 
 however, this mode of avoiding a portion of the heavy expences of the 
 Canton river has occasioned an importation of from 15,000 to 20,000 
 tons in ships of various nations — a small quantity, after all, for the 
 demands of an enormous population. A considerable quantity of grain 
 is used for fermented liquors and for distillation. The Mandarins are 
 such bad political economists as frequently to prohibit, when there are 
 fears of scarcity, the appropriation of grain to these purposes ; being 
 ignorant that, if really required for food, the price would prevent its 
 conversion to the other purpose ; and, above all, that such a use of it 
 always maintains a surplus supply, which may be resorted to in any case of 
 extremity. The plough used in rice cultivation is of the simplest 
 construction. A sharp coulter, or blade, in front of the share, is found 
 needless, as the ground is of a light loamv description, and they never 
 have to cut through turf. The plough is in some parts of the country, 
 drawn through the soil by human strength ; in others by oxen, asses, 
 and mules, yoked together indiscriminately. The ploughshare terminates 
 at the back in a curve, which serves as a mould board to turn aside the 
 earth. In the Canton province the soil of the rice fields is ploughed 
 by means of a small buffalo, of a dark grev or slate color, called by the 
 Chinese shwuy-new, "water ox," from its propensity for muddy shallow: $, 
 where it wallows in the mire, with habits more allied to some of the 
 pachydermatous than the ruminating tribes. When sufficient rains have 
 fallen in spring to allow the rice fields to be laid under water, they are 
 subjected to the plough in that condition, the buffalo and his driver 
 wading through the wet and slime up to their knees — an operation to 
 which the " water ox" is admirably fitted by nature. After this, a rake 
 or harrow with a single row of teeth, and frequently a man standing on 
 it, is dragged through the soil in order to break the lumps and clear the 
 ground. 
 
 The rice is first of all sown in a small patch duly prepared and flooded 
 with water, and subsequently transplanted to the fields where it is to grow. 
 A short time previously to being sown the seed is immersed in liquid 
 manure, which promotes its future growth, and renders it less obnoxious 
 to worms or insects. In two or three days after being committed to the 
 ground, the young shoots appear, of a beautiful light green color, and 
 when they have reached a proper height, they are removed to the fields 
 which had been prepared for their reception. The process of transplant- 
 ing, exhibits a division of labor that is perfect, one person takes up thj 
 
39 
 
 shoots about six inches in length, and hands them to another, who conveys 
 them to their destination. They are there received by another party of 
 laborers, standing ankle deep in mud and water, some of whom dibble 
 holes, into which they drop the plants by sixes, while others follow to 
 settle the earth about the sorts ; the distances between these tufts being- 
 six or eight inches every way. The field is then kept flooded according 
 to its wants, or to the circumstances of the season ; and any unusual 
 deficiency of water is of course fatal to a grain which, from its nature, 
 the planters of South Carolina call " swamp seed." 
 
 The fields are weeded and otherwise attended to between seed time and 
 harvest ; and when the rice, bv tinning yellow, is known to be nearly ripe, 
 the water is gradually drawn off so that by the end of June or begin- 
 ning of July, when it is time to reap, the fields are nearly dry. 
 
 The tufts of grain are cut singly near the ground, by means of a 
 species of sickle or crooked knife, and then carried off in bundles or 
 sheaves to be thrashed. The floor employed for this purpose is of 
 hardened earth, either with, or without an admixture of lime. The 
 grain has been said to be trodden out by cattle sometimes, but the most 
 usual implement for thrashing is the common European flail. They have 
 a winnowing machine precisely like ours, and this seems to be the best 
 evidence for the fact*, that we borrowed this useful invention from them. 
 To get rid of the tenacious husk of the rice, it is pounded in stone 
 mortars, of which the cone-shaped pestles are worked by horizontal 
 levers attached to them. A. wheel moved by water turns a cylinder, to 
 whose circumference are attached cogs which, meeting the extremities 
 of the levers, strike them down alternately, and thus rise the pestles at 
 the other end. 
 
 For-the 2nd crop of rice the ground is immediately cleared of the old 
 stubble and roots, and laid again under water, fresh plants are inserted 
 as before, and the harvest is gathered in November. When other grains 
 are sown, it is not by broad cast, but by the drill method, with a view to 
 economising the seed. One drill plough was observed by Mr. Barrow, 
 different from the rest. " It consisted of two parallel poles of wood, 
 shod at the lower extremities with iron to open the furrows ; these poles 
 were placed upon wheels ; a small hopper was attached to each pole, to 
 drop the seed into the furrows, which were covered with earth by a 
 transverse piece of wood fixed behind, that first swept the surface of the 
 ground." The third annual crop obtained from the land consists of 
 pulse, greens, and other vegetables, obtained during the dry and cold 
 winter months. At this period the rice fields near Macao produce an 
 
 * A model was carried from China to Holland ; and from Holland the first specimen 
 reached Leith. 
 
40 
 
 abundance of potatoes, peas, and cabbages, for which the Chinese summer 
 in that latitude would be too hot and rainy. In lieu of a spade, they use 
 a large heavy iron hoe, which is a more expeditious but far less efficient 
 instrument, as it barely turns the earth to half the depth of the other. 
 This hoe serves them instead of every variety of tool, for weeding, 
 trenching, digging, or whatever may be the operation required." The 
 Chinese name for rice is " Me." 
 
 Notwithstanding the immensity of labour bestowed on the cultivation of 
 the earth — and the Chinese agriculturists are like ants or bees in respect 
 to both their number and industry — it seems incapable of sustaining the 
 swarming population of the empire. Hence everv harbour, lake, river, 
 and stream of whatever description, are literally thronged and darkened 
 by fisherman, who resort to the most ingenious and novel methods of 
 alluring and entrapping their victims. Nor do they forget or omit to take 
 care that the waters be not, as it were, depopidated, by these ceaseless 
 ravages. They take the utmost pains to collect the spawns of fishes, and 
 to deposit them in convenient places for breeding. 
 
 " Such is their toil, and such their busy pains, 
 As exercise the bees in flowery plains, 
 When winter past, and summer scarce begun, 
 Invites them forth to labour in the sun." 
 
 On each side of this recess is suspended a tablet, the one bearing the inscription 
 " If you would be rich, rear the five domestic animals, viz. — pigs, cows, 
 sheep, fowls, dogs." The other reads this, — " Labour induces reflection 
 and reflection virtue." 
 
 CASE VII. 
 
 This case, in depth, is about the average width of the streets in 
 Canton and is nearly filled by a sedan, in which the owner is com- 
 fortably seated, while he is borne gently along by a couple of coolies. A 
 body servant is in attendance, who walks by the side of the lordly chair, 
 having in his right hand a lantern, (Tang-lung,) such as is used when 
 walking out ; on it are inscribed the name and rank of the owner. The 
 interior of the sedan is just large enough for the convenient reception of a 
 single occupant. Instead of panels, the sides are covered with a colored 
 silk for lightness, and there is an additional covering of oil-cloth, to be 
 used in case of rain. Two bearers place the light elastic poles upon their 
 shoulders, and move, sometimes at considerable speed, with measured 
 tread, and a scarcely perceptible motion. The sedan looks like the very 
 
41 
 
 home of comfort and repose. The illustrious Falstaff never took " mine 
 ease in mine inn" more luxuriously than the rich Chinaman in his 
 vaunted sedan. This vehicle is much used by the wealthy, and affords 
 almost the only mode of land-travelling known, the horse being rarely, 
 though sometimes employed. Private gentlemen are allowed only two 
 bearers ; the host of civil officers, four ; viceroys, eight ; while the 
 emperor's dignity requires sixteen. Mandarins are preceded by men 
 bearing pendant banners, with the inscription — " Tseng tow ke," i. e. 
 " Clear the road ;" others carry a hanging tablet, (Tew pai,) setting 
 forth the name and dignity of the mandarin. Gongs are frequently 
 sounded by the servants in attendance, to give notice of the approach of 
 civil officers and others. 
 
 The sedan chair (Kew), has often been a bone of contention between 
 the foreign merchants and the native authorities. The former have, 
 again and again, demanded earnestly the privilege of using it ; the latter 
 have as vigorously resisted the demand, and hitherto with success. 
 
 CASE VIII. 
 The Pavilion. 
 
 This is a large apartment, forming the termination of the saloon, 
 from which it is separated by what may be called a species of carved 
 net- work. The carving penetrates entirely through the wood, (Lauras 
 Camphora, camphor wood, called by the Chinese " cheong muk,")* 
 and represents figures of animals, birds, flowers, fruits, &c. The colours, 
 of this open work are as gay, rich, and even gorgeous, as gilding and 
 paint can make them ; yet so skilfully are they disposed, so well do they 
 blend and harmonize, that then effect is altogether agreeable. The room 
 thus enclosed is a perfect fac-simile of an apartment in a wealthy China- 
 man's dwelling. 
 
 In either opposite corner of the apartment are placed a large square 
 carved table of hard wood, with marble tops, and hangings of embroidered 
 velvet, on which a servant has placed some fruit for the refreshment of the 
 guests. On the right of these stands a long high table, similar to our 
 sideboards, for the reception of ornaments, upon which rests ornamental 
 stands and fruit. On each side of the apartment are chairs of a correspond- 
 ing style andmake, alternately arranged with small tea stands, with a foot- 
 stool for each chair, besides flower-pots, cuspitos, porcelain stools/ em- 
 broidered silk lanterns, &c. &c. while at the extreme end of the apartment 
 * The camphor tree grows to a large size in the province of " Keang se." 
 
42 
 
 is an aperture in the wall of an oval form surrounded with a carved and gilt 
 fretwork, corresponding with the exterior ; through this doorway is seen 
 a perspective view of Chinese scenery. . Doorways of this description are 
 common in China — and are of different devices, some being circular, 
 others oval, while some are in the form of a mulberry leaf, with the 
 stem resting upon the ground. On each side of this entrance is a superb 
 china vase, about seven feet high, including the stand, which is also of 
 hard wood, and richly carved. These are of a size and beauty such as 
 we rarely meet with in this countrv. Thev are covered with a profusion 
 of characteristic figures, among which the imperial dragon holds a 
 distinguished place. In them are placed a variety of their favorite flowers 
 and a large fan of peacocks feathers. 
 
 The Avails are hung with a variety of decorations, chiefly long silken 
 scrolls, with maxims ; and the tables are covered with a profusion of 
 ornamental articles. 
 
 There are six figures in the pavilion, intended to represent the mode 
 of paying and receiving visits. Tea and pipes are always served on these 
 occasions, and frequently sweetmeats or dried fruits. The common 
 mode of salutation is to join the closed hands, and lift them twice or 
 thrice towards the head, saying, Haou — tsing, tsing ; that is, " Are you 
 well? — Hail, hail!" and at other times, the words " Soo yang fang 
 ming," or, " I have heretofore thought with veneration on your fragrant 
 name;" the latter, said to persons of whom they have before heard, on 
 first meeting them. 
 
 The ceremony attending an invitation to dinner is somewhat formal, 
 and may be interesting to many readers. The invitation is conveyed 
 some days before, by a crimson -coloured ticket, on which is inscribed 
 the time appointed, and the guest is entreated to bestow " the illumina- 
 tion of his presence." At other times, the phrase, " / have prepared 
 pure tea and wait for your company to converse." 
 
 The following description of a Chinese dinner, from the pen of Captain 
 Laplace, of the French Navy, although rather a long extract, is given 
 with so much of the characteristic vivacity of his countrymen, and so 
 well conveys the first impression of a scene not often witnessed by Euro- 
 peans, that it is introduced without further apology : — " The first course 
 was laid out in a great number of saucers of painted porcelain, and con- 
 sisted of various relishes in a cold state, as salted earth-worms, prepared 
 and dried, but so cut up, that I fortunately did not know what they 
 were until I swallowed them ; salted or smoked fish, and ham, both of 
 them cut into extremely small slices ; besides which, there was what 
 they called Japan leather, a sort of darkish skin, hard and tough, with 
 a strong, and far from agreeable taste, which seemed to have been 
 
43 
 
 aiacerated in water for some time. All these et caster as, including 
 among the number, a liquor which I recognised to be soy, made from a 
 Japan bean, and long since adopted by the wine-drinkers of Europe, 
 to revive their faded appetites or tastes, were used as seasoning to a 
 great number of stews which were contained in bowls, and succeeded 
 each other uninterruptedly. All the dishes, without exception, swam 
 in soup ; on one side figured pigeons' eggs, cooked in gravy, together 
 with ducks and fowls cut very small, and immersed in a dark-coloured 
 sauce ; on the other, little balls made of sharks' fins, eggs prepared by 
 heat (of which both the smell and taste seemed to us equally repul- 
 sive,) immense grubs, a peculiar kind of sea-fish, crabs, and pounded 
 shrimps." 
 
 " Seated at the right of our excellent Amphitryon, I was the object 
 of his whole attention ; but, nevertheless, found myself considerably at 
 a loss how to use the two little ivory sticks, tipped with silver, which, 
 together with a knife that had a long, narrow, and thin blade, formed 
 the whole of my eating apparatus. I had great difficulty in seizing my 
 prey in the midst of these several bowls filled with gravy ; in vain I 
 tried to hold, in imitation of my host, this substitute for a fork, between 
 the thumb and the two first fingers of the right hand ; for the chop- 
 sticks slipped aside every moment, leaving behind them the unhappy 
 little morsel which I coveted. It is true, that the master of the house 
 came to the relief of my inexperience (by which he was much enter- 
 tained) with his two instruments, the extremities of which, a few 
 moments before had touched a mouth, whence age, and the use of snuff 
 and tobacco, had cruelly chased its good looks. However, I contrived 
 to eat, with tolerable propriety, a soup prepared with the famous birds' 
 nests, in which the Chinese are such epicures. The substance thus 
 served up is reduced into very thin filaments, transparent as isinglass, 
 and resembling vermicelli, with little or no taste. At first I was much 
 puzzled to find out how, with our chop-sticks, we should be able to 
 taste of the various soups which composed the greater part of the dinner, 
 and had already called to mind the fable of the fox and the stork, when 
 our two Chinese entertainers, dipping at once into the bowls with the 
 little saucer placed at the side of each guest, showed us how to get rid 
 of the difficulty." (We confess we were never witness to this slovenly 
 manoeuvre, as the Chinese tables are generally supplied with a species 
 of spoon, of silver or porcelain, sufficiently convenient in shape.) 
 
 " To the younger guests, naturally lively, such a crowd of novelties 
 presented an inexhaustible fund of pleasantry ; and, though unintelligible 
 to the worthy Hong merchant and his brother, the jokes seemed to 
 delight them not at all the less. The wine, in the mean time, circulated 
 
44 
 
 freely, and the toasts followed each other in rapid succession. This 
 liquor, which to my taste was by no means agreeable, is always taken 
 hot ; and in this state it approaches pretty nearly to Madeira in colour, 
 as well as a little in taste ; but it is not easy to get tipsy with it, for, in 
 spite of the necessity of frequently attending to the invitations of my 
 host, this wine did not in the least affect my head. We drank it in 
 little gilt cups, having the shape of an antique vase, with two handles 
 of perfect workmanship, and kept constantly filled bv attendants holding 
 large silver vessels like coffee-pots. 
 
 ' ' After all these good things served one upon the other, of which it 
 gave me pleasure to see the last, succeeded the second course, which 
 was preceded by a little ceremony, of which the object seemed to be a 
 trial of the guests' appetites. Upon the edges of four bowls, arranged 
 in a square, three others were placed filled with stews, and surmounted 
 by an eighth, which thus formed the summit of a pyramid ; and the 
 custom is to touch none of these, although invited bv the host. On the 
 refusal of the party, the whole disappeared, and the table was covered 
 with articles in pasty and sugar ; in the midst of which was a salad 
 composed of the tender shoots of the bamboo, and some watery prepa- 
 rations, that exhaled a most disagreeable odour." 
 
 •' Up to this point, the relishes, of which I first spoke, had been the 
 sole accompaniment of all the successive ragouts ; they still served to 
 season the bowls of plain rice, which the attendants now, for the first 
 time, placed before each of the guests." (It must be remembered that 
 this was a formal dinner ; rice forms a much more integral part of an 
 every-day meal.) 
 
 " I regarded with an air of considerable embarrassment, the two 
 little sticks, with which, notwithstanding the experience acquired since 
 the commencement of the repast, it seemed very doubtful whether I 
 shoidd be able to eat mv rice, grain by grain, according to the belief of 
 Europeans regarding the Chinese custom. I therefore waited until my 
 host should begin, to follow his example, foreseeing that, on this new 
 occasion, some fresh discovery would serve to relieve us from the truly 
 ludicrous embarrassment which we all displayed ; in a word, our two 
 Chinese, cleverly joining the ends of their chop-sticks, plunged them 
 into the bowls of rice, held up to the mouth, which was opened to its 
 full extent, and thus easily shovelled in the rice, not by grains, but by 
 handsfull. Thus instructed, I might have followed their example ; but I 
 preferred making up with the other delicacies for the few attractions, 
 which, to my taste, had been displayed by the first course. The second 
 lasted a much shorter time ; the attendants cleared away every thing. 
 Presently the table was strewed with flowers, which vied with each other 
 
45 
 
 in brilliancy ; pretty baskets, filled with the same, were mixed with 
 plates which contained a vast variety of delicious sweatmeats as well as 
 cakes, of which the forms were as ingenious as they were varied. Nap- 
 kins steeped in warm water, and flavoured with otto of roses, are 
 frequently handed to each guest by the servants in attendance. This 
 display of the productions of nature and of art, was equally agreeable to 
 the eyes and the tastes of the guests. By the side of the yellow plain- 
 tain was seen the litchi, of which the strong, rough, and bright crimson 
 skin defends a stone enveloped in a whitish pulp, which, for its fine 
 aromatic taste, is superior to most of the tropical fruits ; when dried, it 
 forms an excellent provision for the winter. "With these fruits of the 
 warm climates were mingled those of the temperate zone, brought at 
 some expence from the northern provinces ; as walnuts, chesnuts, apples, 
 grapes, and Pekin pears, which last, though their lively colour and 
 pleasant smell attracted the attention, proved to be tasteless, and even 
 retained all the harshness of wild fruits." 
 
 " At length we adjourned to the next room to take tea, — the indis- 
 pensable commencement and close of all visits and ceremonies among 
 the Chinese. According to custom, the servants presented it in porce- 
 lain cups, each of which was covered with a saucer-like top, which 
 confines and prevents the aroma from evaporating. The boiling water 
 had been poured over a few of the leaves, collected at the bottom of the 
 cup ; and the infusion, to which no sugar or cream is ever added in 
 China, exhaled a delicious fragrant odour, of which the best teas carried 
 to Europe, can scarcely give an idea." 
 
 Other visits of ceremony are conducted with much pomp and formality. 
 When a gentleman proceeds in his sedan to pay a visit, his attendants 
 present his ticket at the gate, consisting of his name and titles written 
 down the middle of a folded sheet of vermillion coloured paper, orna- 
 mented with gold leaf ; and sometimes there is enough paper in one of 
 these to extend across a room. According to the rank of the parties, 
 the visitors and his host begin bowing at stated distances ; though 
 among equals, the ordinary mode of salutation is to join closed hands. 
 Only mandarins or official persons, can be carried by four bearers, or 
 accompanied by a train of attendants. Soon after visitors are seated, 
 an attendant brings in porcelain cups with covers, with a small quantity 
 of fine tea leaves in each, on which boiling water has been poured, and 
 the infusion is thus drank without the addition of sugar or milk ; fruits 
 are also brought on beautifully japanned trays. In some Chinese apart- 
 ments there are broad couches, called " kangs," as large as a bed. In 
 the centre of these, small tables are placed, about a foot in height 
 
4G 
 
 intended to rest the arm upon, or place tea-cups. On the conclusion of 
 a visit the host conducts his guest to his sedan. 
 
 Here terminate the cases that contain representations of men and 
 women, except those at the silk mercer's shops at the commencement of 
 the Saloon. The figures are modelled out of a peculiar species of clay, 
 admirably adapted for the purpose. They are highly creditable to the 
 taste and ingenuity of the Chinese, who, though not good sculptors, are 
 excellent modellers, and they afford specimens of a style of art altogether 
 novel to Europeans. The attentive observer will have noticed a re- 
 markable sameness of feature and expression running through the whole 
 collection, though all are accurate likenesses of originals, most of whom 
 are now living. High cheek bones, flat noses, small black eyes, a 
 vellowish complexion, and a rather dull, heavy expression of countenance, 
 are the general characteristics. Chinese physical nature is said to be 
 cast, as it were, in the same mould, throughout the whole empire, not- 
 withstanding its various provinces differ so widely in soil and climate. 
 And this characteristic sameness extends to the mind as well as the body. 
 The phenomenon has been ingeniously explained by the author of " Egypt 
 and Mahommed Ali," who traces it to despotism as its primary cause ; 
 for he reasons, that the multitude, all reduced to the same level, urged 
 by the same wants, engaged in the same pursuits, actuated by the same 
 passions, through a long succession of ages, necessarilv assimilate, both 
 mentally and physically. 
 
 Corpulency, and small, delicate, taper fingers, are much esteemed 
 as indications of gentility. There is a goodly rotundity of person in most 
 of the figures in this collection, but the attentive visitor will be particularly 
 struck with the characteristic smallness and delicacy of the hands. The 
 carefully cultivated and well braided cues, so long in some instances 
 as almost to trail upon the ground, and affording admirable handles to 
 an antagonist in a passion, form a curious subject of observation. The 
 history of this singular appendage affords a remarkable illustration of 
 those revolutions which sometimes occur in national taste and manners. 
 Previously to the conquest of their country by the Tartars, the Chinese 
 permitted the hair to grow over the whole head. Shunche, the first of 
 the Tartar emperors, issued an imperial edict, requiring the conquered 
 people to conform in this particular to the custom of their victors. So 
 stoutly was this decree at first resisted, that many of the nobles preferred 
 death to obedience, and actually perished by command of the conqueror. 
 At the present day, however, the loss of this very badge of servitude is 
 considered one of the greatest of calamities, scarcely less dreaded than 
 death itself. To be deprived of it is one of the most opprobrious brands 
 put upon convicts and criminals. Those to whom nature has been 
 
47 
 
 sparing in respect to the natural covering of the head, supply her de- 
 ficiencies by the artificial introduction and intermingling of other hair 
 with their own, thus seeking to ' ' increase it to a reputably fashioned 
 size." 
 
 The Chinese put faith in the external developments of the skull, and are 
 therefore, to a certain extent, phrenologists. They look for the principal 
 characteristics of a man in his forehead, and of a woman on the back of 
 the cranium. 
 
 CASE IX. 
 
 32 & 33. A pair of small folding screens with numerous marble 
 panels, on some of which are paintings of different subjects, 
 the remainder being adorned with written sentences. 
 34. Curiously shaped root of a tree, on stand. 
 35 & 36. Carved sections of bamboo, used for holding pens. 
 37 & 38. Carved sections of bamboo. 
 39. Small steel-yard for domestic use. 
 
 40 & 41. A full tea-service of lacquered ware, of great beauty, and 
 
 of extreme lightness, forming part of the equipments of a 
 
 Mandarin's outfit when on an expedition. 
 
 The lacquered, or japanned ware of China is well known. All 
 
 substances that are dry and rigid, as woods, metals, and prepared paper, 
 
 admit of being japanned. The fine varnish used for this purpose is 
 
 obtained from a shrub, called Tseih-shoo, a species of tree, from which it 
 
 distils like gum. It is poisonous in a liquid state, and hence great 
 
 caution is used both by those who gather and those who work in it, to 
 
 shield themselves from its noxious qualities. It is capable of receiving 
 
 all colours, though black is the most common. More than fifty coats of 
 
 varnish are sometimes put on. 
 
 42. Lacquered case of singular form, to contain the above tea- 
 
 service. 
 
 43. Beautiful painting on glass, in a stand of carved wood, highly 
 
 polished. 
 
 44. Ancient metallic mirror, used in China prior to the introduction 
 
 of glass. The back is here presented to the visitor, being 
 ornamented with numerous hieroglyphical figures. The oppo- 
 site side is highly polished. In many mirrors of this de- 
 scription is a property that has puzzled the wise, and which is 
 here worthy of notice. Holding the mirror in the hand by a 
 knob in the centre of the back, and reflecting the rays of the 
 
48 
 
 sun from the polished surface, the exact representation of the 
 raised figures on the back of the mirror are distinctly reflected 
 on a wall, or. other level surface. The probable solution to 
 this difficulty is, that the figures seen at the back being of a 
 harder metal than the other plain parts, are inserted into the 
 softer metal ; and hence the figures produced in the rays of 
 light, from the imperceptible union of the two metals to the 
 naked eye. In this way the union of iron and steel, as in 
 Sheffield cutlery, will explain the enigma familiarly. 
 
 45. Another stand of hard wood, supporting a beautiful specimen of 
 
 painted glass of singular execution. 
 
 46. Porcelain incense vessel, on carved stand, with cover and orna- 
 
 mented handle. 
 47 & 48. Lacquered boxes with several compartments. 
 
 49. Mariner's compass, called " The needle pointing to the South." 
 
 50. Two lacquered boxes to contain dried fruits. 
 
 5 1 . Four lacquered boxes for similar purposes. 
 
 52. Long lacquered case, in which rolls of silks are sent to friends and 
 
 newly married acquaintances. 
 
 CASE X. 
 
 53. Two embroidered cloth pillows for winter use. 
 
 54 & 55. Two lacquered boxes of different forms, having separate com- 
 partments for travelling purposes. 
 
 56 & 57. Two Lacquered boxes used for carrying fruit, &c. from market. 
 They are hung in a red net, composed of the fibres of a 
 thistle, and carried suspended from a bamboo thrown across 
 the shoulder. 
 
 58 & 59. A pair of lacquered cases, made from the section of bamboo, 
 with painting of the parent tree in gold, &c. 
 
 60. Superb Cabinet, from Soo-chow in the province of Fokien, 
 famous for its manufactures of lacquered ware. So large a 
 specimen of this beautiful production of art is rarely to be 
 found in Canton, and is highly esteemed by the Chinese, as 
 approaching nearest to the lacquered wares of Japan. 
 
 61 & 62. Two lacquered cases, as Nos. 56 & 57. 
 
 63. A gentleman's travelling wardrobe, of lacquered ware. 
 
 64. Embroidered winter pillow, as No. 53. 
 
 65. A pillow formed of the shavings of bamboo, covered with em- 
 
 bossed leather. 
 
49 
 
 66. A travelling case formed of pigs hide, to contain a Mandarin's 
 
 summer cap. 
 
 67. Metallic cap stand, in form of a tripod. 
 
 68. Bronzed copper hand-furnace, for keeping the fingers warm when 
 
 walking in the streets in cold weather, no gloves being ever 
 worn. The people of the north of China make use of baskets 
 containing embers, called " Ho-lung," for a similar purpose. 
 
 69. Antique bronze tripod, with a monkey, in cornelian, for the 
 
 handle. 
 
 70. Lamp in general use of white copper, commonly attached to the wall. 
 
 71. Ancient bronze vase. 
 
 72. Pewter vessel for holding the tsew-hing or hot wine at dinners and 
 
 marriage entertainments. 
 
 73. Compass and sun- dial combined. The silk cord that supports the 
 
 lid of the box containing the compass, serves for the pen of the 
 the dial. 
 
 The Chinese have no clocks or watches of their own man- 
 ufacture, although both are in use among them ; and they ex- 
 hibit great ingenuity in imitating the European watches that 
 are imported into China in great numbers. Among the 
 Chinese, the day is divided as by the ancient Egyptians, into 
 twelve parts only, consisting each, of two European hours ; 
 the first beginning at eleven at night. 
 
 Those portions of time are measured with tolerable accuracy 
 by means of a lighted taper made from the pith of a particular 
 tree, of which the consumption by ignition is so regular, that 
 divided into twelve equal parts, each continues burning during 
 the twelfth part of the twenty-four hours. 
 
 The gradual motion of sand, and the descent of liquids have 
 been likewise applied to the same purpose. 
 
 The Chinese often employ very awkward and laborious means 
 for effecting the several purposes desirable in society. To 
 announce the hour, even in Pekin, they have no better method 
 than that of striking with a mallet upon a large bell, a number 
 of blows corresponding to that of the hour, by a person who 
 must wait and watch the progress of time, as indicated by 
 some of the methods just described. 
 
 A Chinese gentleman invariably wears a pan of watches of 
 European manufacture, one on each side his girdle, in an em- 
 broidered pocket ; if questioned as to the meaning of this 
 seeming extravagance, his reply is, " Suppose one make sick, 
 the other walkee." 
 
50 
 
 7-1. Curious root of a tree, resembling birds. 
 
 75. A grotesque figure carved from a section of the bamboo. 
 
 76. China incense vessel, in imitation of bronze. 
 
 77. Antique porcelain incense vessel. 
 
 78. Lacquered box for various uses. 
 
 79. Porcelain vessel, of singular device, to contain flowers. 
 
 80. Lacquered box to contain sweetmeats. 
 
 81 . A root having the form of a dog's head, and the feet and tail of a 
 
 bird. 
 82 & 83. Two porcelain plates, on polished stands of hard wood. 
 
 84. A lacquered box, used in gaming. 
 
 85. Lacquered box, as No. 80. 
 
 86. Curious sun-dial and compass. 
 
 87. Box for holding writing pencils. The panels are of white 
 
 marble, bearing moral maxims. 
 
 88. Hand furnace of white copper, described in No. 68. 
 89 & 90. Two grotesque images in clay. 
 
 91. Ccrved section of bamboo, used as pen-holder. 
 92 & 93. Two porcelain figures. 
 
 94. Lacquered box, containing several cakes of ink. 
 95 & 96. Two porcelain figures. 
 
 97. Another in clay. 
 
 98. Curious sun-dial and compass, as No. 86. 
 
 99. Lacquered case, inlaid with pearl shell, to contain cakes of ink. 
 
 100. China plate and stand. 
 
 101. Rack for jhos-stick, which is generally burned in every house day 
 
 and night, the drawers are to hold tobacco and tinder for pipes. 
 
 10*2. A red lacquered vessel, for culinary purposes. 
 
 103 & 104. A small pair of painted marble tablets, on a polished stand 
 of hard wood. 
 
 105. Model of a Chinese coffin. Tire slabs of wood are sometimes of 
 enormous sizes, being, frequently, of some domestic or foreign 
 odoriferous wood, &c. In these huge coffins, the dead are 
 frequently kept raanv years above ground, from superstitious 
 motives, such as the selection of a fortunate spot for burial, a 
 particular season, &c. Cedar is the usual material ; the 
 thickness of the slabs according with the means of the pur- 
 chaser. These plants are selected with great care, and are 
 brought home with music, and feasting during a person's life 
 time. The emperor prepares his coffin on the day of his 
 ascending the throne. The Chinese have an idea that to do 
 so prolongs life. The garments for a corpse are also prepared 
 
51 
 
 in the life-time of the person for whom they are intended. In 
 former days, garments were presented to the friends of a 
 deceased person, intended to clothe the corpse; in more 
 modern usage, money is given instead of clothing. From this 
 practice arises the phrase " Respectful contribution to the 
 coffining," which is written on the envelope of a small present 
 sent to the person who presides at the funeral , a universal 
 practice. Ages ago, it was the custom to secure the lid of 
 the coffin by binding it with cords, when not nailed. The 
 grave is termed " The eternal mansion." The pi'esent law 
 provides that the limits of a grave shall extend seven cubits 
 within which space no other person has a right to bury. 
 
 106. Swan-pan or reckoning board, on which all calculations are made 
 
 in China. 
 
 107, 108 & 109. Three small boxes, beautifully ornamented and 
 
 lacquered, having several compartments in each. They are 
 each of a different shape, one being in the form of a butterfly, 
 another representing an open fan, and the third, that of a 
 mulberry leaf. 
 
 110. Lady's dressing-case, containing rouge, dice, swan-pan, snuff, 
 
 writing materials, looking-glass, &c. &c. 
 
 111. Cameo, in stand of polished hardwood. 
 
 112. Lacquered tea-caddy, with white copper, do. inside. 
 
 113. Four small marble idols. 
 
 114. Swan-pan, as No. 106. 
 
 115. Lacquered tub, for various uses. 
 
 116. Two walking sticks, cut from the Chinese vine. The handle of 
 
 one of these is carved in the form of a bat with outstretched 
 wings. 
 
 117. A square red lacquered box, for various uses. 
 
 118. Lacquered stand for fruit. 
 
 119. A red lacquered box, in the form of a melon. 
 
 120. A richly veined marble tablet, on a stand of polished ebony. 
 
 121. Small case of drawers of iron wood, used by lapidaries. 
 
 122. Gentlemen's dressing case containing every requisite. 
 
 123. Another small lacquered box, in the form of a Chinese gentle- 
 
 man's purse, having several smaller boxes in the interior. 
 
 124. Chinese compass and sun-dial, described in No. 73. 
 
 125. Ancient bronze incense vessel, with carved stand and cover of 
 
 polished wood, and handle of red corah 
 
 126. Another of different form. 
 
 127. A lacquered box containing Chinese water colors. 
 
52 
 
 128. Corresponding with No. 120. 
 
 129. A square lacquered box for various purposes. 
 
 130. Lacquered circular box with handle, used in carrying fruit and 
 
 vegetables. 
 
 131. A box to contain trinkets, of singular form. 
 
 132. A richly ornamented box, to contain dried fruits. 
 
 133. Red lacquered fan case. 
 
 134. A Chinese merchant's sign — suspended at the door post, or the 
 
 interior of his shop. 
 
 135. Another of different form. 
 
 136. A fan case, as before. 
 
 137. A richly ornamented lacquered case of singular form, containing 
 
 smaller boxes for the reception of trinkets. 
 13S. A gentleman's dressing case, and glass. 
 
 139. A pair of scales, very accurately adjusted, with a complete set of 
 
 weights. — All articles in common use in China are sold bv 
 weight, not excepting liquids. 
 
 140. Model of a bridge at Fathon, near Canton, built of granite, and 
 
 of excellent workmanship. Bridges in the vicinity of the city, 
 are constructed as footways, though horses are sometimes 
 taken over. 
 
 141. A pair of cuspitos of white metal. 
 
 142. Lacquered fan case of circular form. 
 
 CASE XL 
 143 to 148. Six specimens of carved bamboo roots. 
 
 This is a kind of ornament highly esteemed by the natives. The more 
 distorted the roots, and the more hideous the figures wrought upon them, 
 the greater is the pleasure they afford. 
 
 " Gorgons, hydras, and chimeras dire — '' 
 
 the wildest forms that nature has revealed, or imagination invented, please 
 best the superstitious fancy of this marvel-loving people. 
 
 149. Metallic vessel to contain the ashes of jhos-stick, (composed of 
 
 powdered sandal-wood) and consumed before idols, called, 
 " Heang-loo." 
 
 150. A pair of candlesticks to accompany the above. 
 
 151. Small clay model of Lob creek pagoda, on the Canton river. 
 
 152. A pair of cuspitos, or spittoons, formed of white metal. 
 
 153 to 155. Three specimens of carved bamboo roots, as described in 
 No?. 143 and 148. 
 
58 
 
 156. Vessel of a peculiar ware, resembling cast iron in its appearance, 
 
 on stand of same material. 
 
 157. The head of an official staff or crozin, called Seih chang, carried 
 
 in the hand by the head of the Buddha sect. 
 
 158. Ancient and beautiful yellow vase, on stand, ornamented with a 
 
 raised green dragon ; a mythological emblem of the great 
 dragon attempting to swallow the moon ; believed, by the 
 Chinese, to be the cause of the eclipse of that nocturnal 
 luminary. From this superstitious notion, whenever an eclipse 
 occurs, a tumult is raised by the natives with gongs, drums, 
 and other noisy instruments, to scare away the imaginary 
 
 monster. 
 
 159. Porcelain pen-holder. 
 
 1 60. Image of a beggar in clay. 
 
 161. Bronzed clay figure. 
 
 162. Two grotesque lions, on stands. 
 
 163. Specimen of china ware, on stand, resembling Wedgwood. 
 
 164. Ancient metallic mirror, on carved stand of hard wood. 
 
 165. Lamp, as 70. 
 
 166. A distorted root of the bamboo, resembling a man, &c. These 
 
 curious specimens are highly valued in China, and afford a 
 good example of the peculiar national tastes. 
 
 167. Two pillows of leather (pig's skin) embossed. 
 
 168. Three idols of Buddha or Fuh. 
 
 169. Ancient bronze vase. 
 
 170. Coloured marble Buddha. 
 
 171. Specimen of sculpture in marble, with ebony stand. 
 
 172. Ancient bronze vase, as No. 169. 
 
 173 & 174. Two figures in papier mache\ representing priests of Fuh. 
 
 175. China plate and stand. 
 
 176. An instrument used by Chinese watchmen, for the purpose of 
 
 giving alarm. It is an excavated block of wood, and when 
 struck by a piece of bamboo, produces a loud noise. On thi3 
 the night patrols repeat the hours. 
 
 177. Specimen of painted marble in stand, placed on tables, as orna- 
 
 ments. 
 1 78. Metallic mirror, as before. 
 
 179. Cameo in stand. 
 
 180. China vessel, with stand and cover, for incense. 
 
 181. Jhos-bell and stand, used in temples, and accompanies No. 183. 
 
 182. Splendid cameo, presented to Mr. Dunn by Houqua, the Hong 
 
 merchant. This cameo is of extraordinary size. It repre- 
 
54 
 
 sents an extended landscape, including earth and sky, and 
 embracing various rural scenes and objects. 
 
 183. Bronzed incense vessel and stand, used in temples. 
 
 184. Ancient porcelain incense vessel, with wooden stand and top. 
 
 185. Singular specimen of sculpture, in coloured marble. 
 
 186. Specimen of painted marble on stand, placed on table as orna- 
 
 ments, as No. 177. 
 
 187. Common pillow of rattan. 
 
 188. Pillows used in summer — the bamboo slats on the top being 
 
 elastic, called " Chin-tow" in China, they are generally hard. 
 
 189. Model of a bridge of one arch, near Canton. 
 
 190. Elastic pillow made of bamboo, and covered with glazed leather. 
 
 191. Wooden bellows, worked with a piston, and so constructed as 
 
 to produce a continuous blast. 
 
 In this horizontal box is placed a moveable door, so nicely fitted, 
 that when it is drawn back, a vacuum is created in the interior, into 
 which, the air rushing through an opening protected bv a valve, pro- 
 duces a blast through an opposite aperture. 
 
 The same is produced when a door is pushed in an opposite direction: 
 the space within it being diminished, and the air compressed, a part of 
 it is forced out through the same aperture. 
 
 CASE XII. 
 
 China-ware. 
 
 192 & 193. Flower-pots of a peculiar ware, resembling cast iron. 
 194 & 195. A pair of porcelain flower-pots. 
 1 96 & 197. Pair of beautiful flower jars. 
 
 198. Square porcelain vase. 
 
 199. Sweetmeat vessel. 
 
 200. Porcelain drums for supporting the arms on couches. 
 
 201. Vases of various forms. 
 
 202. Porcelain flower vase on stand, with sentences of blue and gold 
 
 characters. 
 
 203. Very ancient square jar. 
 
 204 & 205. Two flower jars of different forms. They are of ancient 
 make, and their surface is apparently cracked. This art is. 
 produced in the burning, and is believed by the Chinese to be 
 extinct. 
 
 206 & 207. Two porcelain flower jars. 
 
208. A pair of yellow figured vases. 
 
 209. Porcelain bottle, for travelling purposes. 
 
 210. A beautifully enamelled yellow vase. 
 
 211. Ancient Cbina image, representing a Chinese sage. 
 
 212. Do., representing a mandarin bearing the joo-ee or sceptre. 
 
 213. Ancient figure, emblematical of age and infancy. 
 
 214. Vase from the interior, more than five hundred years old. As 
 
 the Chinese attach great veneration to antiques, its value was 
 
 in proportion. 
 There is a prevalent idea among the Chinese, that antique vases have 
 the property of preserving flowers which are placed in them, fresh and 
 blooming, for a long time. 
 
 215 & 216. A pair of beautifully painted porcelain jars. 
 217 & 218. Flower- vases of recent make. 
 
 219. Large ornamental vase, from Nankin. 
 
 220. Bottle-shaped jar, cracked in the burning. 
 
 221. An ornamented vase on stand. 
 
 222. Ancient vase on stand. 
 
 223 & 224. Pair of porcelain pipe-stands from Nankin : these are 
 used in the houses of the wealthy, and are placed near the 
 doors, from which guests are supplied with pipes. 
 
 225. Flower- vase, with three orifices for one flower each. 
 
 226. Ancient and beautiful vase, ornamented with a lizard. 
 
 227. Beautiful yellow vase, elegantly ornamented with raised figures. 
 
 228. Vase cracked in the burning, of great beauty. 
 
 229. A large and richly ornamented vase, from Nankin. 
 
 230 & 231. A pair of rare and curious vases from Nankin. This style 
 of decoration is peculiarly esteemed by the Chinese. 
 
 232 & 233. A pair of ditto, of modern make. 
 
 234 & 235. Pair of porcelain sugar jars, richly ornamented in blue 
 and gold. 
 
 236 & 237. A pair of vases, as Nos. 232-233. 
 
 238.^ Ancient porcelain jar, discoloured by time. Its age is above three 
 hundred years. 
 
 239. Very elegant porcelain bowl of enormous dimensions. 
 
 240. Four flower pots of a peculiar ware resembling cast iron. 
 
 241 & 242. A pair of octagon flower pots, elegantly painted and gilt. 
 243 to 246. Four vases of different forms. 
 247. Porcelain vessel to contain rice. 
 248 & 249. A pair of china fluted garden pots and stands. 
 250 & 251. A pair of flower pots and stands superbly painted. 
 252 & 253. Ditto of modern style. 
 
 e2 
 
56 
 
 254 & 255. Ditto jars in form of a cabbage. 
 
 256 & 257. Two beautiful china bowls, richlv painted and gilt. 
 
 258 259, & 260. Three ditto of different devices. 
 
 261 . A porcelain figure of a female deity. 
 
 262. Elegant porcelain candlestick. 
 
 263. Ancient porcelain vessel, used to contain fans, feather brushes, 
 
 &c. &c. 
 264 & 265. Porcelain garden seats, richly painted ; called by the 
 
 Chinese, " Shek-koo," or stone drum. 
 266 & 267. Ditto of different form and style. 
 
 CASE XIII. 
 
 268. White porcelain vase. 
 
 269. Porcelain vase on stand. 
 
 270. Ditto to imitate bronze. 
 
 271. Antique porcelain bottle on stand. 
 
 272. A green flower vase. 
 
 273 to 275. Three vases of different forms. 
 
 276. Three ancient idols in white porcelain. 
 
 277. Ancient and beautifully formed vase, ornamented with lizards. 
 
 278. Ancient white porcelain jar, exquisitely figured. 
 
 279. Porcelain jar of a beautiful colour. 
 
 280 & 281. Two Porcelain landmarks, to designate the boundaries of 
 adjoining estates, upon which the four cardinal points and the 
 owner's name are inscribed. 
 
 The lands of separate owners in China, are not divided as with us, by- 
 hedges, walls, or fences, but by a narrow pathway and sometimes by a 
 ditch or drain ; and so great is their economy of cultivated soil, that this 
 custom appears to be universal in every part of China. 
 
 Upon the authority of Mr. Dunn, whose long residence in that countrv 
 afforded him every 7 opportunity of gaining correct information ; the clan- 
 destine, or violent removal of these landmarks, ensures to the perpetrator 
 the most signal punishment. 
 
 It is here especially worthy of remark, that this ancient usage, sanc- 
 tioned and protected bv the laws of a heathen nation, should be so fully 
 confirmed and strengthened by holy writ. We have a corroboration of 
 this custom in Deuteronomy, 19 ch. 14 ver. "Thou shall not remove 
 thy neighbour s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inherit- 
 ance," 8fC, and again in Proverbs, 22 ch. 28 ver. "Remove not the ancient 
 landmarks, which thy fathers have set." 
 
57 
 
 282 & 283. A pair of beautifully painted and gilt jars. 
 
 284. Very ancient and beautiful square jar, on stand, from the in- 
 terior. 
 
 285 & 286. Garden seats. 
 
 287. A section of ornamental porcelain, intended as a coping to walls 
 and bouses. 
 
 288 & 289. A pair of beautifully painted flower pots. 
 
 290 & 291. A pair of blue flower vases. 
 
 292 & 293. Do. vases, very beautiful, on account of the color and the 
 glazing. 
 
 294 & 295. Two white and figured porcelain vases. 
 
 296. A variegated green porcelain flower vase. 
 
 297. Ancient porcelain bottle, ornamented with lizards. 
 
 298. Beautifully painted vase in stand. 
 
 299 & 300. A pair of richly ornamented vases. 
 301. A porcelain cuspito. 
 
 302 & 303. A pair of extremely rich flower vases, ornamented with 
 lizards. 
 
 304. Model of the famous porcelain pagoda at Nankin, formerly the 
 
 capital of the empire, as it originally appeared, being now 
 partially dilapidated by age. The original is merely roofed 
 with porcelain, and not, as might be imagined from the name, 
 constructed of that material. This stately structure is nearly 
 200 feet in height. At the angles of the eaves of each story are 
 suspended brass bells, diminishing in size as they approach the 
 top, and put in motion by the wind. This custom appears to 
 have had some religious sanction, which time has long effaced. 
 Pagodas are generally supposed to have had a religious cha- 
 racter. Sir George Staunton, on the contrary, says, they are 
 dedicated to several uses in China, without specifying what ; 
 but none to religious worship. 
 
 305. Specimen of painting on porcelain, on stand. 
 306 & 307. Pair of very large rich vases from Nankin. 
 
 308. Smaller ditto. 
 
 309. Ornamental ancient vase from Nankin. 
 
 310 & 31 1. A pair of exquisitely painted and gilt sugar jars. 
 
 312&213. A pair of richly painted and gilt vases of beautiful form. 
 
 314. Antique bottle-shaped vase from the northern provinces. The 
 style and painting of this vase is greatly esteemed by the 
 Chinese. Its age is over three hundred years. 
 
 315 & 316. A pair of blue porcelain hexagon garden seats. 
 
 317 & 318. A pair of colored ditto. 
 
r>8 
 
 319 & 320. Beautifully panted and gilt. 
 321 & 322. A pair of hexagon do. do. 
 
 323. A blue and white porcelain vase. 
 
 324. A blue and white square do., from Nankin. 
 
 325. Ancient painted circular flower vase. 
 
 326 & 327- A pair of superb octagon flower stands. 
 22S & 329. A pair of square do. beautifully painted. 
 330 & 331 . A pair of highly painted porcelain cuspitos. 
 
 332. Blue and green flower vase, a beautiful specimen of porcelain from 
 
 Nankin. 
 
 333. Ancient bottle-shaped vase from Nankin, age unknown. 
 334 & 335. A pair of beautifully painted vases of modern make. 
 336. Curious flower-pot, with figures, &c. representing a besieged 
 
 castle, in the interstices of which flowers are planted. 
 337 to 339. Three porcelain garden seats of various forms. 
 
 The porcelain manufacture undoubtedly had its origin in China, and 
 we must, therefore, hold ourselves indebted to the Chinese for all that 
 rich variety of useful and ornamental porcelain articles, which load our 
 tables, and adorn our parlours and cabinets. It was introduced to the 
 knowledge of Europeans by the famous Venetian traveller, Marco Polo. 
 The first furnace on record was in Keang-se, which dates as far back as 
 the commencement of the seventh century of our era. King- till- chin, 
 a place near the Poyang lake, is now the most celebrated for this manu- 
 facture. The factories were commenced there about a. d. 1000, and have 
 increased to the number of several hundred. Staunton savs that the 
 flames which issue from them cause the place to appear at night like a 
 vast city enveloped in a general conflagration. The spectacle is terrific 
 and sublime. The furnaces give employment to the male working por- 
 tion of a population said to amount to a million. The division of labour 
 is earned to its acme. A tea-cup, from the time when it lies embedded 
 in its native quarries, till it comes forth in perfection from the furnace, 
 passes through more than fifty 7 different hands. The painting alone is 
 divided among a half dozen persons, one of whom sketches the outline 
 of a bird, another of a plant, a third of some other figure, while a fourth 
 fills in the colours. The brilliancy of their colouring has never been sur- 
 passed ; but the designing can hardly be commended or admired. The 
 reason probably is, that no higher wages are paid to those who labour in 
 this department of the manufacture, than to those who perform the 
 coarser operations. 
 
 It is perfectly obvious from an inspection of the articles embraced in 
 this collection, that the excellence of the porcelain manufacture has been 
 on the decline for the last three centuries. The present deterioration, as 
 
59 
 
 well as the high degree of perfection it had once attained, are easily- 
 explained. The emperors who flourished about that period encouraged 
 the manufacture by munificent premiums on the most beautiful specimens, 
 and by large annual orders for the finer wares. A premium of 15,000 
 taels, or more than 20,000 dollars, was bestowed on the manufacturer of the 
 best specimen; 10,000 taels on him who produced the second-best; 
 while third-rate excellence received a reward of 5,000. The emperors 
 no longer bestow any special encouragement, and hence the decline of 
 competition, and consequently of exceUence. 
 
 The origin of the word porcelain, or porcellana, may not be generally 
 known. Marsden, as quoted by Davis, shows that it was applied by the 
 Europeans to the ware of China, from the resemblance of its finely 
 polished surface to that of the univalve shell so named ; while the shell 
 itself derived its appellation from the curved shape of its upper surface, 
 which was thought to resemble the raised back of a porcella, or 
 little hog. 
 
 CASE XIV. 
 
 CHINESE BOATS. 
 
 All the models of boats in this collection have been made by reducing 
 the dimensions to the proper scale ; and in every particular, even to the 
 employment of the same descriptions of wood, the oars, sculls, rudders, 
 setting poles, cordage, &c, are fac-similes of those actually in use. 
 
 340. Canal boat of the smaller size. 
 
 341. Do., of the largest class, capable of carrying several hundred 
 
 tons. These boats are employed in transporting teas and 
 other merchandise on the canals and rivers. 
 
 342. Sanpan, a family boat. Of this description there are estimated 
 
 to be upwards of 40,000 on the Canton river near the city, 
 containing a population of more than 200,000 souls. These 
 boats are regularly licensed by government. The husband 
 finds employment on shore, while the wife has charge of the 
 floating domicile. These women seek a maintenance in car- 
 rying passengers to the neighbouring places. The cleanliness 
 of their boats is remarkable. The late Dr. Morrison, speaking 
 of this tribe of people (Tan-hoo), who, at Canton, live entirely 
 in boats, says — " They were originally fishermen who came 
 from the south to Canton. They seem to have been named 
 from the figure of their boats resembling an egg." These 
 
60 
 
 boats are from fifteen to twenty feet in length. Some of the 
 old accounts of Canton say, that " on the river five many 
 thousand souls, who were never permitted to come on shore," 
 and these " are descendants of Tartars." The people who 
 five in boats originally came from the south, and being a 
 foreign race, were not permitted to dwell on shore : but most of 
 the distinctions between them and the rest of the people were 
 removed by the Emperor Keen-Lung, under the influence of 
 general principles of equity. 
 
 343. Chop-boat, employed as a lighter in transporting cargoes up and 
 
 down the river, to and from foreign vessels at Whampoa. 
 
 344. A private gentleman's family boat. In China, these floating 
 
 domiciles on the rivers, and the sedan chair on land, form their 
 principle means of conveyance. 
 
 345. Mandirin boat, or revenue cutter, for the prevention of smug- 
 
 gling. 
 
 The immense variety of boats that literally crowd the waters of China, 
 may be divided into two classes ; those that have eyes and those without 
 them. To the former class belong the military and trading junks, that 
 navigate the " great sea." There is an exact representation of one 
 of these in a painting on one of the panels of the screen-work, before 
 noticed. They are nearly in the shape of a new moon, and as clumsy 
 a craft as could well be contrived, having sterns at least thirty feet 
 above the water, and bows the third of that height. The emperor not 
 only affords no encouragement to improvement, but actually discourages 
 it, in the exaction of foreign port-duties from junks constructed on 
 improved principles. These vessels have always a great eve painted on 
 each side of the bows. This usage had its origin probably in some 
 superstition. If a Chinese is questioned as to its cause, his reply is, — 
 " Have eye, can see ; can see, can saavez : no have eye, no can see ; 
 no can see, no saavez." 
 
 The variety of craft used upon the inland waters of China is very 
 great. Of most of the different kinds we have models in the case 
 before us. These all appear well contrived for the purposes to which 
 they are applied, and are by no means destitute of beauty. They are 
 provided with bamboo sails, used only occasionally, and the rudders are 
 universally perforated with small holes, which may be set down as a 
 wonder for the wise. They are generally propelled by sculling, a method 
 which is made absolutely necessary by the number of boats always in 
 motion. The skill with which the Chinese perform this operation, con- 
 firms the old proverb, that "practice makes perfect ;" for the boat is 
 made to dart forward at a rapid rate, and in a line as direct as any well- 
 
61 
 
 managed sailing vessel could pursue. The foreign sailors sometimes try 
 their skill, but make a sorry business of it. 
 
 A lively scene presents itself on their rivers, in the trial of strength 
 and skill in boat racing. It occurs annually on the fifth day of the fifth 
 moon. The candidates for victory are numerous, and happy is he who 
 outstrips his competitors. On this day also, an ancient rite is performed 
 upon the surface of the river. A quantity of rice is bound up in a 
 certain leaf with silk cords of various colours, then boiled and thrown 
 into the water as a sacrifice to the manes of Keth-yuen, a minister of 
 state, beloved by the people, who, having been falsely accused, drowned 
 himself about 300 years B.C. The same observance continues to this 
 day, and is annually performed, accompanied by the amusement of 
 dragon-boats, and beating of drums, intended to strike awe into the 
 evil spirits that may lurk about the river. 
 
 346. Model of a boat used on the canals near Pekin, for the con- 
 
 veyance of grain, forming a part of the government revenue 
 derived from a tax on land. 
 
 It is especially appropriated for this purpose ; the Chinese name is 
 " Tsaou-chuen." Of these there are said to be no less than 10,000 
 belonging to the government. 
 
 Their average burthen, Mr. Davis remarks, is about 2,000 peculs, or 
 above a hundred tons ; but being flat-bottomed, and very high out of the 
 water, they have the appearance of a much greater capacity. The total 
 number annually unladen is above 10,000 ; they chiefly sail up from the 
 southern provinces during the fourth moon, or about June, when the 
 monsoon is favourable, and return empty in the ninth moon, or about 
 November. 
 
 347. Chinese port clearance, called " Hung pae," "the red declaration," 
 
 locally called " The Grand Chop." It is an official passport 
 from the Viceroy and Hoppo.* It states the captain's name, 
 the tonnage and cargo of the vessel, and the compliance, on 
 the part of the former, with the cu-tomary port requisitions. 
 It requires the commander of the fort to allow the ship to 
 pass unmolested, and, in case of any accident befalling her 
 anywhere on Chinese waters, it enjoins upon the mandarins 
 to render every aid in their power, free of all charges. This 
 must certainly be regarded as a liberal policy. Before a chop 
 can be obtained, the Hong merchant to whom the vessel has 
 been consigned, must certify to the proper officers that all 
 the necessary conditions have been complied with on the part 
 of her officers, and that no debts remain. 
 
 * The hoppo is the chief custom-house officer, or collector of the port. 
 
m 
 
 The following is the law with respect to shipwrecked foreigners, 
 given in the form of an imperial edict, dated the second year of Keen- 
 lung, A. D. 1737:— 
 
 " Along the whole extent of our coast, it continually happens that 
 foreign ships and people arc driven on shore hy gales of wind. It is 
 hereby ordered, that the Governors and Lieutenant-governors of pro- 
 vinces take the lead, and cause officers to be particularly attentive in 
 affording compassion ; that they employ the public money to bestow 
 food and raiment on the sufferers, and to refit their ships : after which, 
 that they cause their goods to be returned, and see that they are sent 
 home to their own countiy. This is done to manifest the extremely 
 tender feelings of my imperial mind towards men from remote regions. 
 Take this order and command it to be an everlasting law. — Respect 
 this." 
 
 34S. Model of a pagoda near Whampoa, of nine stories, and about 
 170 feet high. The " Ta,". or pagodas, are very common in 
 the interior of China ; they consist of three, five, seven, nine, 
 and even thirteen stories. They are generally placed on some 
 eminence, and often on the tops of high hills. Within they 
 are hollow, have windows in each story, and often a winding 
 staircase leading to the top, contained in the wall of the 
 building. The name of the pagoda represented in this model 
 is " Chili Kang ta." The second-bar pagoda (well known to 
 all who have visited Canton) is called " Sze Tsze yang ta." 
 " Pa chow ta" is a famous pagoda, in the province of Canton, 
 built about A.D. 1600 ; but that at Nankin is at the head of 
 these lasting monuments of ancient architecture. They are of 
 a religious character, and several still remain that are con- 
 nected with religious establishments. The dimensions of the 
 latter at Nankin are nearly 200 feet in height, with an octa- 
 gonal ground plan. In niches at the sides of the spiral stair- 
 case are placed Buddha images. 
 
 CASE XV. 
 
 349 & 3.00. Two models of summer-houses, of two stories each, usual 
 in the gardens of the wealthy, in the southern provinces of 
 China. 
 It is somewhat singular that the dwellings of the Chinese bear a resem- 
 blance, in their plan and arrangements, to the remains of Roman habitations 
 
63 
 
 discovered at Pompeii. They consist usually of a ground floor,* divided 
 into several apartments within the dead wall that fronts the street, and 
 lighted only by windows looking into the internal court yard. The 
 principal room next the entrance serves to receive visitors as well as for 
 eating ; and within are the more private apartments, the doorways of 
 which are screened by pendant curtains of embroidered velvet, silk or 
 cotton. All houses of consequence are entered by a triple gateway, 
 consisting of one large door in the centre, with a smaller one on each side. 
 Just within the gates is the covered court, in which the sedan chairs are 
 placed. Some of the courts are surrounded with verandahs, balconies 
 and colonnades displaying hundreds of pillars. On the grounds attached 
 to the mansions of the wealthy, are artificial ponds or lakes, in which are 
 cultivated their favourite lotus or water lily. In the centre of the sheet 
 of water, is a temporary building, of elegant design and workmanship, 
 supported on piers, and occupied occasionally as a place of refreshment, 
 and these are frequently made use of for the exhibition of private theatrical 
 performances, for the entertainment of the guests. 
 
 351. Model of a one-story ditto. 
 
 352. Model of a two story summer-house, in the northern provinces, 
 
 of exquisite workmanship, and completely furnished. This 
 affords a good specimen of mother-of-pearl windows. The 
 summer-houses often stand in the midst of a sheet of water, 
 and are approached by bridges. 
 
 353. Bridge at Honan, near Canton, built of granite. 
 
 354. A domestic shrine, with three golden images, candlesticks, and 
 
 an incense burner. These are found in every house and boat in 
 China, and are of various sizes and devices, according to the 
 means of the occupants. 
 
 355. Two storied summer-house carved in gypsum. 
 
 On the wall are a pair of tablets, on which are maxims, very ingeni- 
 ously wrought in bamboo ; also birds, flowers, fruit, &c. 
 
 No. XVI. 
 A two story house as seen in the streets of Canton. The lower part 
 is fitted up as a retail China shop, and affords a very correct representa- 
 tion of a similar establishment in China. 
 
 * When the Emperor Keen-lung saw a perspective view of a street in Paris or 
 London, he observed that the territory must be very small whose inhabitants were 
 obliged to pile their houses to the clouds. 
 
 In the poem on London, by a Chinese visitor, it is stated — 
 
 " The houses are so lofty that you may pluck the stars." 
 
64 
 
 A gilt image of Fiih is inserted in the front part of the counter and on 
 the door post, hangs a small tablet, on which is inscribed, Tang ne, 
 meen tsin, " Priests and beggars are not allowed to enter here :*' this is 
 frequently placed in a similar position, to prevent the intrusion of per- 
 sons soliciting charity. 
 
 For a general description of the streets of Canton, the visitor is re- 
 ferred to the remarks under the views of the city of Canton. 
 
 No. XVII. 
 
 A silk mercer's shop as seen in the streets of Canton, completely fur- 
 nished. This house and shop is the same size as the one previously 
 noticed and has been arranged so as to afford an exact idea of a 
 Chinese retail establishment. The scene which it offers to our view, 
 is more life-like than any thing else in the collection. Two purchasers 
 have been placed at the counter, one of whom is scrutinizing a piece 
 of silk that lies before him. The owner, behind the counter, is care- 
 lessly leaning forward, and intent on casting an account on the " calcu- 
 lating dish," while his clerk is busy making entries in the book, in 
 doing which he shows the Chinese mode of holding a pencil, which is 
 placed perpendicularly between the thumb and all the fingers. It is 
 customary with the Chinese shopkeepers to eat their daily meals in their 
 places of business ; in the present instance, a servant is preparing 
 breakfast. The Chinese are early risers ; they have a saying, " who- 
 ever would effect any affair must employ the morning." In the 
 present Viceroy of Canton, may be found a striking instance of this 
 habit ; he may be frequently seen transacting business at four o'clock 
 in the morning. The Emperor also affords a similar example to the 
 court. A circular, eight-legged table, very similar to those used by our 
 great-grandfathers, is spread at the end of the shop. Among its 
 furniture the ivory chop-sticks are the most novel. On the visitor's 
 left hand sits a gentleman with a pipe, apparently a chance comer, 
 "just dropped in" about meal-time ; at the door, a blind beggar stands 
 beating two bamboo sticks against each other, an operation with which 
 he continues to annoy all whom he visits, till he is relieved by some 
 trifling gratuity, usually a single cash. A small covered tub filled with 
 tea, with a few cups near by, stands on the counter, from which cus- 
 tomers are always invited to help themselves. On a small tablet 
 placed upon the sliding door in front of the shelves, are inscribed the 
 characters, " Tih Kae ta Keih," " Whenever opened, great success." 
 
65 
 
 The merchants and shopkeepers of Canton, are prompt, active, 
 obliging, and able. They can do an immense deal of business in a 
 short time, and all without noise, bustle, or disorder. Their goods are 
 arranged in the most perfect manner, and nothing is ever out of its 
 place, These traits assimilate them to the more enterprising of the 
 western nations, and place them in prominent contrast with the rest of 
 the Asiatics. It is confidently asserted, by those who have had the best 
 opportunities of judging, that, as business men, they are in advance of 
 Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese merchants. 
 
 It may not be amiss to remark, in connection with commerce, and 
 business generally in China, that both pawnbroking and banking are 
 common in the large cities. The usual pawnbroking establishments are 
 similar to those of Europe, but governed by very strict laws, to prevent 
 the extortion of illegal and exorbitant interest. The banks are called 
 " Money Shops," and resemble, in some measure, the private banks of 
 England, each " Money shop" being owned by an individual or firm ; 
 for there are no chartered or privileged banking companies allowed in 
 China. Both pawnbrokers and the proprietors of " Money shops" must 
 be licensed, and they are not permitted to receive a higher interest than 
 two per cent, on clothing, and three per cent, a month on other goods, 
 or thirty per cent, a year ; and three years are allowed for the redemption 
 of goods, at the expiration of which period, unredeemed pledges are 
 sold. Collectors of revenue deposit their receipts in the " Money 
 shops," the owners of which pay them to government, after deducting a 
 liberal allowance for waste, (as authorised by law,) in reducing the silver 
 to the quality of Government Sycee (standard.) Private individuals 
 deposit sums in the " Money shops," and draw on them, interest being 
 sometimes agreed upon on either side ; but the Chinese banks issue no 
 notes or money on their own responsibility. 
 
 There is a variety of amusing inscriptions on the scrolls hung up in 
 the interior of some of the shops, which serve at the same time to mark 
 the thrifty habits of the traders. A few specimens are subjoined: — 
 " Gossiping and long sitting injure business." " Former customers have 
 inspired caution — no credit given." " A small stream always flowing." 
 " Goods genuine, prices true." "Trade circling like a wheel," &c. 
 
 The sight of the breakfast table induces naturally a few observations 
 on the articles of food and drink used by this people. The wealthier 
 Chinese are much addicted to gastronomic pleasures, and are as "delicate 
 in their tastes as any other epicures ; but pinching poverty makes the 
 mass as little fastidious as can well be conceived. They make little use 
 of beef or mutton, owing to the scarcity of pasturage. Of animal food, 
 the most universal is pork. Their maxim is, " The scholar forsakes not 
 
6C 
 
 his books, nor the poor man his pig" Immense quantities of fish are 
 consumed. Ducks are reared in large numbers, and wild fowl, of various 
 species, are abundant. The flesh of dogs, cats, rats, and mice, enters 
 into the bill of fare of the Chinese poor. The larva? of the sphinx-moth, 
 and a grub bred in the sugar-cane, are much relished, as also sharks' 
 fins, the flesh of wild horses, the sea-slug, and a soup made of a species 
 of birds' -nests. At an imperial feast, given to the last British embassy, 
 a soup concocted of mares' milk and blood was among the dishes. 
 
 Of vegetables thev have a large variety, not needful to mention. Rice 
 is the most esteemed and the most abundant. This is the chief thing for 
 which they wish and work. Certain sailors once asked Gutzlaff whether 
 the western barbarians used rice, and, as he was rather slow in replving. 
 they exclaimed, " O, the sterile regions of barbarians, which produce not 
 the necessaries of life ; strange that the inhabitants have not long ago 
 died of hunger !" 
 
 The Chinese are not at all addicted to water- drinking. They distil 
 from rice certain liquors resembling our beer, wines, and whiskey. The 
 grape, though abundant, is not used for any such purpose. The uni- 
 versal national beverage is tea. This is drank in unstinted quantities by 
 all classes of the people, from the self-styled " Son of Heaven," to the 
 occupant of the meanest hovel or sanpan. So enormous is the con- 
 sumption of tea by the natives, that M'Cartney is of opinion that, if the 
 whole foreign demand should, by some accident, suddenly cease, the 
 price of the article would not be materially affected. Many of the 
 wealthier natives are exceedingly fastidious in their taste, which they 
 gratify by the use of teas obtained at prices that would startle us by their 
 enormity. It is, however, only the very rich and the very luxurious who 
 indulge habitually in such extravagance. 
 
 CASE XVIII. 
 
 35 G. Model of a boat of the largest size, appropriated to pleasure pai - 
 ties, called " Hwa-chow," i. e. a flower-boat, and frequently 
 occupied bv the wealthy classes in summer evenings. 
 
 357. Pair of swords, to be used by both hands, but having one sheath. 
 
 The object in using this weapon is to hamstring the enemy. 
 
 358. Numerous specimens of tobacco pipes of singular forms and 
 
 devices. 
 
 359. Opium pipes. 
 
 The mode of using opium in China is by smoking. In preparing the 
 drug for use, it is made into a decoction resembling molasses, and is 
 
67 
 
 vended clandestinely by the retailers by weight, in small china vessels. 
 The pipes used are generally of this form, the principle of construction 
 being the same in all. In smoking, the end of a fine wire is dipped into 
 the preparation ; it is then held over a small lamp, and, lastly, in- 
 serted into the small aperture of the bowl of the pipe, which is held 
 in an inverted position. The smoke is inhaled, and retained as long as 
 possible by the person, in a reclining posture. The baneful effects of 
 this deleterious drug is set forth in a late memorial to the emperor from 
 one of the censors, laying open the evil in all its enormity, and showing 
 its prevalence among certain classes. 
 
 " I have learned," says he, " that those who smoke opium, and even- 
 tually become its victims, have a periodical longing for it, which can only 
 be assuaged by the application of the drug at the regular time. If they 
 cannot obtain it when that daily period arrives, their limbs become de- 
 bilitated, a discharge of rheum takes place from the eyes and nose, and 
 they are altogether unequal to any exertion ; but, with a few whiffs, 
 their spirits and strength are immediately restored in a surprising man- 
 ner. This opium becomes, to opium smokers, their very life ; and when 
 they are seized and brought before magistrates, they will sooner suffer a 
 severe chastisement than inform against those who sell it." 
 
 I had the curiosity to visit the opium-smoker in his heaven ; and 
 certainly it is a most fearful sight, although, perhaps, not so degrading 
 to the eye as the drunkard from spirits, lowered to the level of the brute, 
 and wallowing in his filth. The idiot smile and death- like stupor 
 however, of the opium debauchee, has something far more awful to the 
 gaze than the beastiality of the latter. * * * The rooms 
 
 where they sit and smoke are surrounded by wooden couches, with places 
 for the head to rest upon, and generally a side room is devoted to 
 gambling. The pipe is a reed of about an inch in diameter, and the 
 aperture in the bowl for the admission of the opium is not larger than a 
 pin's head. The drug is prepared with some kind of conserve, and a 
 very small portion is sufficient to charge it, one or two whiffs bein.°- the 
 utmost that can be inhaled from a single pipe, and the smoke is taken 
 into the lungs as from the hookah in India. On a beginner, one or two 
 pipes will have an effect, but an old stager will continue smoking for 
 hours. At the head of each couch is placed a small lamp, as fire must 
 be held to the drug during the process of inhaling ; and from the diffi- 
 culty of filling and properly lighting the pipe, there is generally a person 
 who waits upon the smoker to perform the office. A few days of this 
 fearful luxury, when taken to excess, will give a pallid and haggard look 
 to the face ; and a few months, and even weeks, will change the strong 
 and healthy man into little better than an idiot skeleton. The pain thev 
 
OS 
 
 suffer when deprived of the drag, after long habit, no language can 
 explain ; and it is only when, to a certain degree, under its influence, that 
 their faculties are alive. In the houses devoted to their ruin, these 
 infatuated people may be seen, at nine o'clock in the evening, at all the 
 different stages ; some entering half distracted to feed the craving 
 appetite thev had been obliged to subdue during the dav ; others laughing 
 and talking wildlv under the effects of a first pipe, whilst the couches 
 around are filled with their different occupants, who he languid, with an 
 idiot smile upon their countenance, too much under the influence of the 
 drug to care for passing events, and fast merging to the wished-for con- 
 summation. The last scene in this tragic play is generally a room in the 
 rear of the building, a species of dead-house, where lie stretched those 
 who have passed into the state of bliss the opium-smoker madly seeks — 
 an emblem of the long sleep to which he is blindlv hurrying. — Davis, 
 vol. 2, p. 409. 
 
 360. An ivory ball, containing seven concentric spheres, cut from a 
 
 solid block. 
 
 361. Bridge of five arches, at Hwatee, built of granite. 
 
 The solid and substantial manner in which the stone bridges are 
 built, can hardly fad to interest the visitor to this collection ; while the 
 style, buttresses, breakwaters, &c, will remind him of the modern 
 structures of London and of Europe generally. It is remarkable, that 
 the Chinese construct arches without key- stones, as will be seen on 
 reference to these models. The blocks of stone, or rather slabs, 
 which form the level of their bridges, are frequently fourteen feet long 
 by four or five in breadth ; how they manage to place them in their 
 proper positions seems extraordinary, as no machinery for the purpose 
 has been found, and the Chinese assert it is accomplished merely bi- 
 manual labour. 
 
 362. Long duck gun with matchlock. 
 
 363. Air-gun, (wooden barrel.) 
 
 364. Leaden balls for air-gun. 
 
 365. Small iron shot, used by sportsmen as a matter of economy. 
 
 366. Match rope. 
 
 367. Chinese gunpowder, called Ho-yo, "Jire drug." Although the 
 
 proportions of the ingredients in the composition of this article 
 by the Chinese are nearly the same as those used by us, yet it 
 is ascertained that the quality of the former is far inferior to 
 our own ; probablv on account of the imperfect admixture and 
 impurities of the ingredients. Nitre is the natural and daily 
 produce of China, and being one of the chief ingredients in its 
 manufacture, as Sir George Staunton observes. " then, accor- 
 
No. 372. 
 
69 
 
 dingly, the knowledge of gunpowder seems to be coeval with 
 that of the most distant historic events." 
 
 368. Powder (buffalo) horns. 
 
 369. Small priming horn. 
 
 370. Specimens of brick, one of which was taken from the ancient 
 
 pagoda on Lob creek. 
 3/1. Specimens of stones of which the above bridge is built. 
 
 CASE XVIII. A. 
 
 Contains a model of a Chinese war junk, elaborately carved in ivory. 
 This unique specimen affords an admirable illustration of an art, in which 
 the Chinese excel. 
 
 372. Chair of state with footstool, elaborately carved and gilt, corres- 
 ponding with the one on the opposite side. 
 
 The visitor's especial attention is directed to a pair of magnificent 
 lanterns suspended from the ceiling, immediately above the chairs. 
 These lanterns are of exquisite workmanship and beauty, and from their 
 expensive character in China, are seen only in the halls of the most 
 wealthy ; it is believed these are the only pair of the same magnitude 
 and richness ever brought from China. 
 
 CASE XIX. 
 Ornithology. 
 
 374. Phasianus Pictus Penciled Pheasant. 
 
 375. Polyplectron Hardwickii . . Diamond Pheasant. 
 
 376. Do. female. 
 
 377. Euplocomus Nycthemerus, Golden Pheasant. 
 
 378. Do. female. do. 
 
 379. Paradisea Sanguinea .... Sanguine Bird of Paradise. 
 
 380. Paradisea Apodo Greater Bird of Paradise. 
 
 381. Do* Regia King do. 
 
 382. Do. Apodo Greater do. 
 
 383. Ceriopsis. 
 
 CASE XX. 
 This case, with the one on the opposite side of the l'oom correspond- 
 ing with it, is about fifteen feet high, and is covered with an exact fac- 
 simile of a Chinese roof, each corner of which terminates in a golden 
 dragon, from whose fiery mouth depends a bell, such as we see in draw- 
 ls 
 
70 
 
 ings and models of pagodas. The dragon is an imperial emblem in 
 China, and this fact explains the frequency with which we see the figure 
 in their various works of art. It is the badge or coat of arms affixed to 
 the books and standard of the emperor. This case contains, and is nearly 
 filled by a superb lantern, used only upon occasions of state. This lantern 
 is about ten feet in height, and four feet in diameter at the two extremities. 
 The frame is richly carved and gilt, and is covered with crimson and white 
 silk, adorned with the most costly and beautiful embroidery. The tassels 
 and bead work which depend from the bottom, and from a projecting 
 portion of each corner of the upper part, are in keeping with the rest. 
 There are no less than two hundred and fifty-eight crimson silk tassels, 
 pendant from various parts. In short, this national lantern is as magni- 
 ficent as carving, gilding, silks, embroidery, and bead- work can make it. 
 The bottom of the case is covered with numerous specimens of fans, 
 articles in universal use. Gentlemen as well as ladies carry fans, not 
 laying them aside even in cold weather. The construction of this ap- 
 pendage to the dress of every Chinese, differs according to the sex by 
 whom it is used, those of the former being made to fold up as with us, 
 whilst those of the latter are invariably flat and of fanciful shapes. 
 
 CASE XXI. 
 
 3S5. Phasianus Torquatus Ring-neck Pheasant. 
 
 386. Do. do. female. 
 
 387. Aix Galericulata Chinese Teal or " Mandarin Duck." 
 
 This bird deserves especial notice, from the brilliancv of its plumage 
 
 and the singularity of its wings. Its disposition, too, is as remarkable 
 as its beauty. The female never mates a second time. An interesting 
 anecdote, illustrative of this fact, is related by Mr. Davis : — " From a 
 pair of these birds in Mr. Beale's aviary at Macao, the drake happened 
 one night to be stolen. The duck was perfectly inconsolable, like 
 Calypso after the departure of Ulysses. She retired into a comer, 
 neglected her food and person, refused all society, and rejected with 
 disdain the proffer of a second love. In a few days, the purloined duck 
 was recovered and brought back. The mutual demonstrations of joy 
 were excessive ; and, what is more singular, the true husband, as if in- 
 formed by his partner of what had happened in his absence, pounced upon 
 the would-be lover, tore out his eyes, and injured him so much that he 
 soon after died of his wounds." 
 
 388. Oriolus Chinensis Golden Thrush. 
 
 389. Francolinus longirostris . . Long-billed Partridge. 
 
71 
 
 390. Pastor tristes Starling. 
 
 391. Laraus Greater Butcher Bird. 
 
 392. Cuculus Senagalensis .... Senegal Cuckoo. 
 
 393. Alcedo veredis Pied Kingfisher. 
 
 394. Gallinula Large Gallinule. 
 
 395. Coturnix communis Common Quail. 
 
 396. Anas fuligula Tufted Duck. 
 
 397. The Chinese Boa Constrictor and a Cat. 
 
 CASE XXII. 
 
 398. Cryptonix coronata Crowned Cryptonix. 
 
 399. Ditto Female. 
 
 400. Gallus Bankiva Javanese cock. 
 
 401. Do ditto. 
 
 402. Turnix Meiffren White Spotted Turnix. 
 
 403. Sturnus Cineraceus White faced Pastor. 
 
 404. Psittacus Bengalensis .... Blossom-headed Parrakeet. 
 
 405. Pastor Albicollis White-headed Starling. 
 
 406. Merops Honey Eater. 
 
 407. Merops Orientalis Eastern Bee Eater. 
 
 408. Psitticus Alexandri Ring Neck Parrakeet. 
 
 409. Fringilla Nisoria Finch. 
 
 410. Fringilla Javanicus Java Sparrow. 
 
 411. Ditto Ditto female. 
 
 412. Fringilla Cruciger Finch. 
 
 413. Merops Minor Small Indian Bee Eater. 
 
 414. Sturnia Servicea Silky Starling. 
 
 415. Psittacus Green Parrakeet. 
 
 416. Fringilla Maia Cuba Finch. 
 
 417. Purrachinensis Jackana. 
 
 418. Grand Parrot. 
 
 419. Anser Ludicus White Fronted Goose. 
 
 420. Pelicanus Carbo Cormorant. 
 
 421. Manis Javanica Javanese Manis. 
 
 422. Ditto Ditto. 
 
 423. Larus Kissa Kittiwake Gull. 
 
 424. Anas Clypeata Shoveler. 
 
 CASES XXIII.— IV. 
 
 CONCHOLOGY. 
 
 In these cases are numerous specimens of shells from the China seas, 
 which are labelled. 
 
 f 2 
 
72 
 
 CASE XXV. 
 
 429 & 430. A pair of elegantly chased silver tankards to contain hot 
 
 wine. 
 These afford a good specimen of native skill in this particular art. 
 Wine is said to have been introduced in the time of Yu, (the Chinese 
 Noah) who, after partaldng of the luxury, banished the maker, and 
 prohibited its use, remarking, that " in future ages, nations would be 
 ruined by it." 
 431 . A basket beautifully wrought and enamelled, in silver wire, to 
 
 contain flowers. 
 432 & 433. A pair of pearl oyster-shells richly carved, on one of which 
 
 there is a bee, ingeniously wrought out of gold wire, a novel 
 
 and brilliant imitation of that useful insect. 
 
 434. A small antique porcelain vessel, a specimen of this art in its 
 
 earliest age. 
 
 435. Grotesque bronze unicorn on stand, used as an incense. 
 
 436. A small Buddha idol, on stand. 
 
 437. Grotesque lion and whelps, in colored marble, on stand. 
 
 438. Ancient metallic incense vessel. 
 
 439 & 440. A pair of beautifully carved figures from the root of the 
 bamboo, and stands. 
 
 441. A beautiful specimen of sculpture of the lotus (Nymphaea ne- 
 
 lumbo.) 
 
 442. A snuff bottle in lacquered ware, a beautiful specimen from 
 
 Soo-chow. 
 443 & 444. A pair of very beautiful ornamental stands, with marble 
 tops, on which are two flower baskets ingeniously wrought in 
 silver wire. 
 
 445. Antique enamelled vessel to contain hot wine, at feasts, of which 
 
 the Chinese are remarkably fond. 
 
 446. Enamelled bottle shape flower vase. 
 
 447 to 449. Three ancient metallic idols of Buddha or Full. 
 450 & 451. Two marble idols. 
 
 452. A very ancient metallic figure on tortoise, used as an incense 
 
 holder. 
 
 453. A superb set of ivory chess-men, exquisitely carved on a lacquer- 
 
 ed board, the ball at the bottom of each has in it several 
 concentric spheres. 
 
 454. Elegantly lacquered box to contain paper, &c. 
 
 455 & 456. Three lacquered boxes beautifully inlaid with mother-o'-pearl. 
 457, An ivory ball, with seventeen balls within, each one being carved 
 
73 
 
 with a different pattern. The average time consumed in 
 carving each ball is one month. 
 
 CASE XXVI. 
 
 458. A gentleman's pocket mirror, the back of which is of ivory, 
 
 with beautifully carved figures. 
 
 459. Do., with back of sandal wood carved in a similar manner. 
 
 460. Bichlv carved ivory case, to contain a gentleman's snuff bottle. 
 461 & 462. Odoriferous beads covered with silk, usually suspended 
 
 at the neck of the outer coat or jacket of Chinese women when 
 fully dressed. 
 
 463. A pair of embroidered tobacco pouches. 
 
 464. Ornamental stand, with imitations of fruit in silver wire, beauti- 
 
 fully executed. 
 
 465. An ornamental stand, in which is an apparatus in silver, consisting 
 
 of a tongue- scraper, tooth-pick, and ear-pick : these are 
 generally appended to the girdle of the dress, attached by a 
 chain of the same metal. 
 
 466. Beads of odoriferous wood, from the seed vessel of a plant, some- 
 
 times used as buttons. 
 
 467. A bronze buffalo, used as an incense vessel. 
 
 468. Small ornamental stand, with porcelain vessel. 
 
 469. A pair of beautifully painted porcelain jars. 
 
 470 & 471. Ornamental stands, with specimens of carving in ivory, 
 of men, cattle, birds, &c. 
 
 472. Pair of chop-sticks and knife in a case of sandal wood. 
 
 473 to 475 . Cups of pressed glass, in imitation of those cut out of valuable 
 stones. These are used at entertainments for wine, which is 
 always drank warm. The wealthy Chinese use small golden 
 cups, having the shape of an antique vase, with two handles, 
 some being square, and at dinner they are kept constantly 
 filled by attendants holding large silver vessels like coffee pots 
 (see Case XXV. No. 445.) The Chinese mode of pledging is 
 singular, but has at the same time some resemblance to our 
 own. The person who wishes to do this courtesy to one or 
 more guests, gives them notice by an attendant ; then, taking 
 the full cup with both hands, he lifts it to the level of his 
 mouth, and after making a particular motion with his head, he 
 drinks off the contents ; he waits until the other party has 
 done the same, and finally repeats the first nod of the head, 
 
74 
 
 holding the cup downward before him, to show that it is quite 
 empty. It is a compliment in China to tell a man that his 
 ability to drink wine is great. 
 
 476. Bamboo rosary, composed of beads, each of which is carved in 
 
 imitation of a portly priest. 
 
 477. A porcelain snuff bottle. 
 
 478. Ancient marble figure on stand. 
 
 479. Small metallic candlestick. 
 
 480. A beautiful white porcelain vessel on stand. 
 
 481. Carved mother-of-pearl ornament, attached to the neck of the 
 
 outer garment. 
 
 482. A signet or hand seal placed upon official documents, on the top of 
 
 which is a representation of a lion and whelp. The national 
 seal is called " Se," and is made of some precious stone ; 
 bearing the words " the gem of the imperial pencil of ten 
 thousand springs;" others are made of gold, silver, or 
 copper ; some are square, and others oblong, which varieties 
 are intended to mark the difference of rank. The box con- 
 taining the official seal, is generally covered with yellow cloth. 
 Dr. Morrison says, the Chinese phrase " Fung yin," i. e., 
 "to shut up the seal," implies, to desist from the ordinary 
 business of the public courts, in the last month of the year ; and 
 " to open out the seal," implies a re-commencement of public 
 business, after ending the new year's holidays, which continue 
 from about the twentieth of the twelfth moon, to the twen- 
 tieth of the first moon. 
 
 483. Glass-box for containing the red pigment used with seals. 
 
 484. Model of a mandarin's couch, called " Kang," which occasionally 
 
 answers for a bed ; it is made of the wood " Muh wang," and 
 is richly carved. In the north of China, during the cold 
 weather, these couches are warmed by fire underneath. They 
 were introduced by the Tartars. In the centre of the seat is 
 placed a small table, " Kang cho tsze," to receive tea, and 
 other refreshments, whilst two persons sit one on each side of 
 it ; stools for the feet are placed in front. 
 
 485. Metallic incense vessel. 
 
 486 to 488. Three ornamental stands, in which are variegated marbles, 
 covered with sculptured hieroglyphics, and which are held by 
 the Chinese in religious veneration. 
 
 489. Small ornamental stand, with porcelain vessel. 
 
 490. Copper cast of Buddha, worshipped by the religious sect in China, 
 
 on a stand of hard wood. 
 
75 
 
 491 . Beautiful specimen of variegated marble, with rude natural resem- 
 
 blances of birds and animals, in a richly-carved frame. 
 
 492. Specimen of painting on glass, with an astrological device, in richly 
 
 carved frame. 
 
 CASE XXVII. 
 
 493. Three tea-pots and sundry cups. The inside is of porcelain, 
 
 the outside of white copper. 
 These afford a good specimen of a singular application of this metal, 
 being formed in a very puzzling manner over a porcelain vessel of the 
 same shape, which appears as an interior lining. The handles and 
 spouts are of the stone called jade, to which the Chinese give the name 
 ofyw. The outsides of these tea-pots are covered with sentences 
 expressive of the excellencies of good tea. 
 
 494. Porcelain dish in form of a leaf with imitation fruit. 
 
 495. Porcelain snuff bottle, of great beauty, with stopper of red 
 
 cornelian, attached to which is a tortoise-shell spoon. 
 
 496. Perforated porcelain vessel, for sweet-scented flowers. 
 
 497. Brown porcelain tea-pot of singular form. 
 
 498. Another ditto, with maxims. 
 
 499. Veiy curious porcelain box, in form of a crab, with moveable eyes 
 
 and feet. 
 
 500. Singular and ancient tea-pot, having no lid. The tea is put in 
 
 at the bottom, and the orifice is then stopped, the object of 
 which is to prevent the escape of the aroma of the tea. 
 
 501. Very small tea-pot of brown porcelain. This is not a toy, as it 
 
 is sometimes supposed to be ; but is used in making the 
 finest and most expensive kinds of tea ; teas in China being 
 sold at prices varying from a few cents to several dollars per 
 catty.* The most costly kinds are never exported, as they 
 would not bear the exposures of a distant voyage. 
 
 502. Vessel to contain tsew Mng, hot wine, at dinners. 
 
 503. Perforated porcelain vessel, resembling an orange. 
 
 504. Very ancient tea-pot, but similar to the more modern, except in 
 
 the handle ; the outer surface being cracked in the burning. 
 505 & 506. Two porcelain bowls of great beauty. 
 
 507. A small portable furnace, made of a species of fire clay. 
 
 508. A vessel of clay in common use for the purpose of cooking rice. 
 
 509. A figured tile, used for paving court-yards. 
 
 510. A kettle made of clay, for boiling water. This vessel is in gene- 
 
 ral use in China, and is of the least expensive kind, the retail 
 price is about ^d. each. 
 
 * A catty is one pound and one-third. 
 
CASE XXVIII. 
 
 511. Lady's silk embroidered tobacco pouch. 
 
 512. Gentleman's do. do. 
 
 51.3. Ornamental stand, with grotesque sculptured human figure. 
 
 514. Mariner's compass called by the Chinese, "The needle pointing 
 
 to the south." 
 
 515. Gentlemen's embroidered pockets. 
 
 516 & 517. Buttons worn on mandarins' caps to denote their rank. 
 
 5 IS. Ancient Chinese coins of different reigns. The inscriptions on 
 them are in the antique seal character, which is a species of 
 black letter in China. There are few persons who are well 
 versed in it. 
 
 519. Pair of washed metallic rings, put on the arms of females when 
 
 young, and never taken off; also, a washed metallic pin for 
 the hair. 
 
 520. Pair of spectacles of peculiar construction. 
 
 521. Model of a couch, the panels and seat of which are of marble. 
 
 522. Rings of the jade stone, as 519. 
 
 523. Do. hair pins. 
 
 524. Ladies' ear-rings of coloured glass. 
 
 525. Pair of spectacles with tortoise-shell frame, and embroidered case. 
 
 526. Swan-pan or calculating board. 
 
 527. Ornamental stand, with marble top, on which is a plate of wax 
 
 fruit, and several coloured glass snuff bottles. 
 
 528. Specimen of beautifully embossed lacquered ware from Soochow, 
 
 in which are a pair of ear-rings. 
 
 529. Stand with grotesque figure, and antique copper vessel in form 
 
 of a duck, used to contain water for diluting the China ink. 
 
 530. Pallet and cover, for mixing India ink. 
 
 531. Lady's work-basket, ingeniously wrought from bamboo. 
 
 532. Stone medallions, with hieroglyphics, used as amulets or charms. 
 
 533. Pen-holder, made of the bark of a tree. 
 534 & 535. Rosaries of colored beads. 
 
 536. Mandarin's girdle and clasp. 
 
 537. Porcelain plate and wax fruit. 
 
 538. Winnowing machine, used in sifting tea, having two spouts, to 
 
 ascertain the proportion of dust, called "fu/ig-kirei." 
 539 & 540. Gentleman's girdle. The ends are very ingeniously wrought 
 in braid, representing a basket of flowers. 
 
 541. A feather fan of the Chinese goose. 
 
 542. A do. of the argus pheasant. 
 
77 
 
 CASE XXIX. 
 543. Beautifully enamelled vessel, (on copper,) to hold flowers. 
 544 & 545. Porcelain rice dishes. 
 
 546 & 547. A pair of rich porcelain vases, with figures inlaid with 
 gold. 
 
 548. Very ancient porcelain vessel, to hold soy made from a japan bean. ' 
 
 549. Curious small porcelain tea-pot. 
 
 550 & 551. Two finely painted porcelain tea-cups and covers, with 
 written sentences on each. These are of a superior kind, and 
 are designated " egg-shell porcelain." 
 
 552. Porcelain vessel of beautiful texture, for holding rice or soup. 
 
 553. Enamelled tea-cup, cover, and stand ; curious, but rarely used. 
 
 554. Beautifully painted porcelain pencil-holder, on carved stand. 
 
 555. Eight richly painted porcelain cups forming a set. 
 
 556 & 557. A pair of white porcelain jars, on which are paintings of 
 
 some of the highest mandarin's, in their state robes. 
 558. Small porcelain vessel for liqueurs. 
 559 to 561. Three large dishes, being beautiful specimens of enamel 
 
 on copper. These are used at marriage entertainments of the 
 
 wealthy. 
 562 & 563. Two large China ware tea-buckets, used by labourers, &c. 
 
 while engaged at their work. 
 
 CASE XXX. 
 
 The different specimens of silks and other manufactures exhibited in 
 this case, and also in No. 31, are made expressly for native use, the 
 style and quality being peculiarly their own, and are not exported as 
 merchandise. 
 
 564. Coloured figured crapes, for spring and autumn wear. 
 
 565. Specimens of coloured satins, made near Canton. 
 
 566. Figured satin, used for lining, &c. 
 
 567. Reels of raw silk. 
 
 568. Light coloured silks, for summer wear. 
 
 569. Beautiful specimen of silk manufacture — a piece of coloured satin, 
 
 having two faces, the one crimson, and the other green. 
 
 570. Coloured silks, for linings. 
 
 571. Figured silk, for winter wear. 
 
 572. Figured silk, for edgings of garments. 
 
 573. Damask silk, for winter wear. 
 
 574. Figured summer silks. 
 
 575. Coloured do. do. 
 
7$ 
 CASE XXXI. 
 
 576. Specimens of silks, used principally for linings of winter dresses, 
 
 and sometimes forming part of the summer costume of the 
 wealthy. 
 
 577. Specimens of grass-cloth, made of a species of hemp, much used 
 
 in China ; the coarser kind for the poorer orders, the finer for 
 the rich. This is a cooler article than the French cambric. 
 
 578. Cotton check, in extensive use in China, which, it will be seen, 
 
 bears a strong resemblance to our own manufacture. 
 
 579. Specimens of linen and cotton goods, used for bed covers. 
 
 580. Crimson cotton for lining. 
 
 581. Black silk velvet, used for facing winter felt caps. 
 582 & 583. Silks as 576. 
 
 584. Dyed grass -cloths. 
 
 585. Common brown cotton, resembling American manufacture — 
 
 about sixteen inches wide, and costs from four to five cents 
 per yard. 
 
 586. Cotton musquito netting. 
 
 587. Coarsest kind of grass-cloth, used by the poorest classes, and 
 
 sometimes by the rich for mourning. 
 
 588. Striped buglapoore, used for gentlemen's summer dresses in 
 
 China. 
 
 589. Dyed cottons for linings. 
 
 590. Damasked striped silk, for edges of gentlemen's dresses. 
 
 CASE XXXII. 
 Musical Instruments. 
 
 591. Chinese flute, called seaou. 
 
 592. Guitar, called san-heen. 
 
 593. Musical instrument, called Men-kin, strongly resembling the 
 
 harmonicon ; the tones being remarkably clear and melodious. 
 The small slips of bamboo are used to strike the strings. 
 
 594. Guitar of ebony ; the ball is covered with part of a snake's skin: 
 
 the name in Chinese is woo-pa. 
 
 595. A wind instrument, called sang. The tones emitted by this 
 
 instrument are very similar to the music of the Scotch bag- 
 pipes. 
 
 596. Guitar, called yuc-kin, or " moon-lyre," in allusion to its circular 
 
 form. 
 
79 
 
 597. A kind of musical pipe. 
 
 598. Musical cups, a part of every Chinese band of music. 
 
 599. Musical instrument, cut out of a solid block and hollow, giving a 
 
 peculiar sound when beaten with a stick. It is struck to 
 mark the intervals of the religious services in temples, &c, 
 and to beat time in music, 
 
 600. Violin denominated ye-yin. 
 
 601. Guitar, called yeih-pa, an instrument in very common use. 
 
 602. A species of harp, called tchung. 
 
 603. Small gong, called lo-tseik. 
 
 604. Plates of hard wood on which time is beaten. They are also 
 
 used by beggars to produce a loud noise at shop doors, and 
 thus compel the inmates to bestow a small sum of money on 
 them in charity. The Chinese name is tcha-pan. 
 605 & 606. Brass trumpets. 
 
 607. Trumpets. 
 
 608. A framework of metallic plates, each producing a different sound 
 
 and struck with the small bamboo sticks. 
 
 609. Small cymbals. 
 
 610. Musical pipe, as 597. 
 
 611. Brass horns that draw out as a telescope. 
 
 612. Kind of drum, called hwuy-koo. 
 
 The Chinese do not employ catgut in stringing their instru- 
 ments, but substitute silk and wire. Sounding-boards are not 
 used. According to Mr. Huttner, one of the attaches of Lord 
 Macartney's embassy, the gamut of the Chinese is very 
 imperfect. They have no knowledge of semi-tones, counter- 
 point, or parts in music. Harmonies are never attempted. 
 Whatever the number of performers, there is always one 
 melody. 
 
 In the manufacture of musical instruments, they make use 
 of a wood called woo-tung. This tree is very remarkable. It 
 is said to be so exceedingly regular in casting its leaves, that 
 the natural fall of one is a certain indication of autumn. 
 
 CASE XXXIII. 
 
 The two upper sections of this case contain many mineralogical 
 specimens, which are labelled. 
 613. Chinese Gong, a musical instrument used in temples, and at the 
 
80 
 
 private theatrical entertainments, &c. &c, called " Tung-lo." 
 The highly sonorous nature of this instrument is attributed to 
 a large proportion of tin in combination with copper. 
 
 614. Another gong, smaller than the above,but of louder sound. 
 
 615. Cymbals, called seaou-po. 
 
 616. A kind of kettle drum, made of pig's hide, on a stand. 
 
 617. Musical instrument used in temples, having the sound of a bell. 
 
 CASE XXXIV. 
 
 618. Specimens of wrought iron nails, spikes, &c. 
 
 619. Three padlocks of curious construction. 
 
 620. A carpenter's marking line, called " Mich-tow-seen," in the use 
 
 of which a black line is made instead of white, as with us. 
 
 621. A complete set of tools for working in ivory. 
 
 622. Small hand saw, in the use of which a contrary motion is made 
 
 to our own, the teeth being reversed the saw is drawn to- 
 wards the workman. 
 In the middle and lower sections of this case is a complete set of car- 
 penters' and joiners' tools, from the rough jack-plane to the smallest tools 
 for the execution of the finest carving. In China the building of a house 
 and the beautiful embellishments are both executed by the same work- 
 man. 
 
 CASES XXXV & XXXVI. 
 
 These cases contain numerous specimens in natural history ; ser- 
 pents, lizards, toads, and fishes, some of which are exceedingly small. 
 
 CASES XXXVII & XXXVIII. 
 
 These cases also contain numerous specimens in natural history 
 from the Chinese waters. 
 
 CASE XXXIX. 
 Cutlery, Castings, &c. 
 
 623. Implements used in splitting wood. 
 
 624. Cleavers used bv butchers. 
 
81 
 
 625 & o26. Tailor's scissors the blades of which are hollowed on the 
 inside. 
 
 627. A set of caponizing instruments. 
 
 628. Portable anvil carried by itinerant blacksmiths. 
 
 629. Sickles for rice, in which are teeth like a saw. 
 
 630. Knives for cutting leather. 
 
 631. Iron skewers for stringing fish. 
 632 & 634. Meat knives. 
 
 633. Reaping hook. 
 
 635. A wood chopper. 
 
 636. Sickles for rice. 
 
 637 & 638. Wire baskets to which are attached handles. These are 
 
 used to contain live coals to diy any particular article. 
 639 & 640. Large fish knives. 
 
 641. Steel rat trap, similar to the European. 
 
 642. Pestle and mortar. 
 
 643. Bricklayer's trowel. 
 
 644. An iron shoe attached to hoes. 
 
 645 . Cast iron vessels for cooking rice, very thin. 
 
 646. Vessel of cast iron, for various uses. 
 
 647. Rat trap of common but rude construction. 
 
 645. Stonecutter's hammer. 
 
 CASE XL. 
 Chinese Books. 
 
 649. Specimens of Chinese books, with the titles on the ends, showing 
 
 the mode of binding with the envelope. 
 
 650. Printing block of wood, resembling in its use our stereotype 
 
 plates. All printing in China is executed from blocks of this 
 kind, in the following manner ; — The printer holds in his 
 hand what may be termed a double brush, having one handle, 
 that below his hand is charged with ink, with which he sup- 
 plies the face of the engraved characters on the block before 
 him ; the paper, which is very thin, and somewhat resembles 
 what is termed by us silver paper, is next placed on the block, 
 and the dry brush is run over the surface, thereby completing 
 the impression. The operation is very quick, and from 2,000 
 to 3,000 may be taken off in a day by a single workman. 
 From the paper being so thin and transparent, it is printed 
 
82 
 
 on one side only, and each printed sheet, consisting of two 
 pages, is folded back at a dividing line, given in the printing, 
 bringing the imprinted or blank pages together. The fold is 
 therefore on the outer edge of the volume, contrary to our 
 mode, being stitched at the opposite margin. Many of the 
 books in this case have covers of Muh-wang wood. 
 
 651. Very small book, used as an amulet. Another of the same kind 
 
 is exhibited below, open. 
 
 652. Buddhist book, filled with plates, representing their future 
 
 punishments. Drawings of their punishments are frequently 
 seen in this and other countries, and are erroneously supposed 
 to represent those actually inflicted upon criminals by the 
 Chinese laws. 
 
 653. Book of manuscripts. 
 
 654 & 655. The book of ceremonies. 
 
 656. Imperial temple dictionary. 
 
 657. Book of ancient seal characters. 
 
 658. Representations of the religious ceremonies of the Buddhists. 
 
 659. Book of architectural drawings, with silk margin, and wooden 
 
 covers. 
 
 CASE XLI. 
 This case is also filled with Chinese books. 
 
 CASE XLII. 
 
 660. Black satin cap, worn by the Buddhist priests. 
 661 & 662. Summer caps, worn by private gentlemen. 
 
 663. Gentleman's satin winter cap. 
 
 664. Embroidered canonical head dress. 
 
 665. Winter caps, made of crape. 
 
 666. A gentleman's cap, made of a sort of felt, and worn in winter, 
 
 called " Maou-chen." 
 667 & 668. Children's embroidered caps. 
 669. A gentleman's winter cap, made of crape and velvet. 
 670 & 671. A pair of gentleman's long leather boots, for wet weather. 
 672 & 673. Ladies' small leather boots for wet weather. 
 674. Ladies' small leather shoes, with wooden soles. 
 
83 
 
 675. Lady's leather boots of a small size. 
 
 676. Women's leather shoes with wooden soles. 
 
 CASE XLIII. 
 
 677. Shoes for ladies having large feet, of which a great variety is 
 
 exhibited in this case. The lower part of the soles is formed 
 of dressed pig's skin, the rest of compressed paper. 
 
 678. Shoes for ladies having small feet, called by the Chinese " kum- 
 
 leen" " Golden lilies." 
 
 679. Shoes for ladies, same as No. 677. 
 680 & 681. Childrens' summer shoes. 
 682. Do. do. the upper parts made of grass. 
 
 683 & 684. Pair of lady's small shoes, the upper parts made of grass. 
 
 685. Gentlemen's shoes of various patterns. 
 
 686. Gentlemen's shoes for wet weather, the upper part being of satin, 
 
 the lower of wood. 
 
 CASE XLIV. 
 
 687. A porcelain night lamp. 
 
 688. Do. medicinal vessel, 
 
 689. A small porcelain flower pot. 
 
 690 & 691. Two porcelain lamps in common use. 
 
 692. An ancient porcelain tea-pot. 
 
 693 to 695. Porcelain spoons and stands in general use. 
 
 696. A small porcelain medicinal vessel. 
 
 697. A porcelain tea-pot for boat use, suspended by wires from eyes 
 
 in the upper part. 
 
 698. Several brown porcelain tea-pots, to which the Chinese are very 
 
 partial. 
 
 699. A porcelain medicinal vessel. 
 
 700 & 701. Two porcelain dishes divided into compartments for sweet- 
 meats. 
 
 702. Beautifully painted rice dish. 
 
 703 & 704. Two small white porcelain sweetmeat dishes. 
 
 705. A porcelain rice jar. 
 
 706 & 707. Two very richly painted hand basins. 
 
 708. A large flower-pot with raised figures of a peculiar ware resem- 
 bling bronze. 
 
84 
 CASE XLV. 
 
 709 & 710. Two very beautiful porcelain plates, on the former of 
 
 of which are written sentences, with various painted figures. 
 711. A small porcelain vessel, on which is painted a grotesque figure 
 
 of a " kwei." 
 712 & 713. Two beautifully painted cups with covers and stands of 
 
 egg shell china. 
 714 & 715. Two do. do. of a different pattern. 
 716 & 717. Two small porcelain tea-pots, on which are painted several 
 
 figures and different maxims. 
 718 & 719. Two elegantly painted plates, and various cups of the 
 
 finest porcelain. 
 720. A small and very ancient porcelain tea pot. 
 721 & 722. Two small porcelain plates exquisitely painted. 
 723 & 724. A pair of beautifully painted flower jars. 
 725 & 726. A pair of flower pots painted and gilt. 
 727 & 728. A pair of smaller ditto. 
 
 729 & 730. A pair of porcelain tea cups with stands and covers, the 
 workmanship of which is of the most gorgeous des- 
 cription. 
 
 731. A porcelain flower jar. 
 
 732. Do. vase, a style of ware highly esteemed by the Chinese. 
 The lower section of this case is entirely filled with porcelain ware of 
 
 the richest description. 
 
 CASE XL VI. 
 
 733 & 734. Two silk girdles to confine the dress, which every gentle- 
 man in China wears. 
 
 735. A porcelain bowl with painting of the jungle fowl. 
 
 736. Very singular root of the bamboo, representing an old man 
 
 wrapt in his mantle. 
 737 & 738. Two small incense vessels in glass. 
 
 739. Singular carving of a horse with a scroll on his back. 
 
 740. Carved ivory stamp or seal, having several concentric spheres in 
 
 the handle. 
 
 74 1 . Singular stone, having the appearance of a Chinese apple. 
 
 742. Wine cups of pressed glass in imitation of stone. These are 
 
 formed of various shapes, frequently square, and are used at 
 feasts and marriage entertainments. 
 
85 
 
 743. Ornamental stand with bronze Buddha idol. 
 
 744. Ancient porcelain incense vessel on stand. 
 
 745. Small ebony boxes, inlaid with pearl shell, and containing flint, 
 
 steel, and punk. 
 
 746. Curious stone in form of a mango. 
 
 747. Several pairs of ivory " chop sticks," gafai, made use of by the 
 
 Chinese in the place of a knife and fork as with us. 
 
 748. A brown figured porcelain pen-holder. 
 
 749. A vessel to contain water used with indian ink, cut out of a stone 
 
 in form of fruit. 
 
 750. Ornamental stand and vessel. 
 
 751. A small metallic mirror, on carved stand. 
 
 752. Curious porcelain vessel. 
 
 753. A beautiful small incense vessel, on stand. 
 
 754. Metallic mirror, as 751. 
 
 755. Antique porcelain vessel or cage, on stand, for containing sweet 
 
 scented flowers, emitting an agreeable perfume. 
 
 756. A beautiful sculptured marble vase, having for its handle a 
 
 representation of a lion drinking from the vessel. 
 
 757. Gentleman's embroidered watch pocket. 
 
 758 & 759. Gentlemen's embroidered knee-pans, for protecting the 
 
 knee in case of falling. 
 760. Miniature painting of a Chinese lady on ivory. 
 761 & 762. A pair of beautifully painted jars. 
 
 763. Ornamental rose- wood stand, with amulets on the top. Here 
 
 will also be noticed several " Charm-books," very small in 
 size, and containing virtuous sentences, which are supposed to 
 keep off evil spirits. These are carried about the person. 
 The Chinese inscribe words and sentences on their girdles, and 
 paste them on the lintels and posts of their doors, not only as 
 moral sayings worthy to be remembered and practically 
 observed, but from the impression that they shall thereby 
 be protected from noxious diseases and calamities often in- 
 flicted by invisible beings. 
 
 764. Beautiful fan for ladies' use, made in part of peacocks' feathers' 
 
 and in part of elegantly embroidered work. 
 765 & 766. A pair of gentleman's tobacco pouches. 
 767 to 769. Specimens of carving from the bamboo tree. 
 770. A lady's fan, elegantly painted on silk, with ivory handle. 
 771 & 772. Gentleman's shirts, worn next the skin in warm weather, 
 
 made of the twig of the bamboo tree. 
 773. Gentlemen's embroidered sash, with a pair of purses carried at the 
 
 G 
 
86 
 
 girdle of the wearer, for holding areca nuts, &c. Purses, says Sir 
 Geo. Staunton, " are the ribands of the Chinese Monarch, which 
 he distributes as rewards of merit among his subjects ; but his 
 own purse, (alluding to a similar present made to a page of the 
 British Ambassador) was deemed a mark of personal favour, 
 according to the ideas of eastern nations, among whom any- 
 thing worn by the person of the sovereign, is prized beyond 
 all other gifts." The Imperial purse is of plain yellow silk, 
 with the figure of the five-clawed dragon, and some Tartar 
 characters worked in it. 
 
 774. A gentleman's fan, with embroidered case, and two crimson silk 
 sashes, as 773 
 
 775 & 776. A pair of sandals, worn by coolies, the soles are made of 
 strips of loose leather, placed crossways. 
 
 777. A pair of sandals, being a piece of flat leather, with a loop for the 
 
 great toe, and strings for the heel. 
 
 778. A pair of sandals, made from rice straw. 
 
 CASE XLVII. 
 
 779. Ornamental stand with gilt Buddha. 
 
 780. Small metallic vase, inlaid with silver. 
 
 781. Small copper box, of peculiar shape, to contain the lime which is 
 
 used for chewing with the nut of the areca palm, areca catechu, 
 and the betel leaf, piper betel, used as a masticatory so uni- 
 versally throughout the East. The habit of chewing this pre- 
 paration has extended from the islands, where the plant is 
 found, to the continent of Asia, and is now used from the Red 
 Sea to the Pacific Ocean. Most of that imported into China 
 comes from Java, Malacca, and Penang. The areca nut is the 
 fruit of a slender palm, not over six inches in diameter, and 
 thirty feet high. The nut resembles a nutmeg in shape, 
 colour, and internal structure, but is a little harder and larger. 
 The betel pepper is the vine from which the leaf is obtained, 
 and for which alone it is cultivated. The flavour of the leaf is 
 very peculiar, being between an herbaceous and an aromatic 
 taste, and is a little pungent. This vine requires a rich soil, 
 and an abundance of water. The tree on which it is supported, 
 it is affirmed, affects the quality and quantity of the produce. 
 The preparation of the betel nut for use is very simple. The 
 nut is cut into slices, and wrapped in the raw leaves, together 
 
87 
 
 with a quantity of quick-lime, enough to give it a flavour ; to 
 the latter is added a mixture of a red colour. All- classes of 
 people, male and female, are in the habit of chewing it. "It 
 sweetens the breath," so say those who use it, " it rectifies and 
 strengthens the stomach, and preserves the teeth ;" it gives 
 the teeth, lips, and gums, a dark red colour, which is esteemed 
 a mark of beauty in proportion to its deeper shade. Persons 
 of rank carry it prepared for use in splendid cases, suspended 
 from their girdles. A present of one of these cases is esteemed 
 a mark of high favour and friendship, and is valued accord- 
 ingly. Poor people are contented with cases of simple con- 
 struction, provided they contain the substance itself. In the 
 streets and thoroughfares of Canton, temporary stalls are 
 erected for the sale of this luxury, and the wayfarer may be 
 refreshed, in the outlay of a single cash, by a modicum of this 
 preparation. 
 
 782. A grotesque lion (on a stand) of white porcelain. This kind of 
 
 porcelain is held in higher esteem by the Chinese than any 
 other. As a proof of this, it may be stated that the value of 
 this small lion in China was about four pounds. 
 
 783. Vessel of white porcelain, for holding sweet scented flowers, 
 
 representing a grotesque animal, the head of which is so formed 
 that it can be taken off. The flowers are placed in the body, 
 and the odour is exhaled through the mouth. 
 
 784. Figure of a camel, in white porcelain, with a dog on his back. 
 
 785. Paper weight, of hard stone, sculptured. 
 
 786. Metallic pipe, from the province of Fo-keen ; the lower part of 
 
 which is filled with water, and smoked on the principle of the 
 hookah of Bengal, &c. ; tobacco being used cut into veiy fine 
 shreds, and the pipe filled at every inhalation by a servant, who 
 stands behind the smoker. 
 787 & 788. Two curiously carved roots. 
 
 789. Specimen of beautifully embossed lacquered ware, from Soochow. 
 
 790. A grotesque porcelain dog. 
 
 791. Broad rings worn upon the thumb by archers, in using the 
 
 bow, to prevent chafing. 
 
 792. Combs with maxims. 
 
 793. Small cases of coloured horse-hair, intended to hold sweet scented 
 
 flowers, and carried in the hand. 
 
 794. Brush used by printers to apply the ink to the wooden blocks, on 
 
 which is a smaller brash, made of vegetable fibres, and used 
 for various purposes. 
 
 g2 
 
795. Small boxes of stained wood, opening with a spring, and covered 
 
 with coloured straw, made at Fuh-choiv, the capital oiFuh-keen 
 province. 
 
 796. Brushes used by house painters, with the hair inserted deep into 
 
 the handles. When worn down, the wood is cut away to 
 expose the bristles, and the operation is repeated until the 
 brush is worn out. 
 
 797. Small pillows, used by the Chinese when reclining on any hard 
 
 substance. 
 
 798. Pair of spectacles, of curious construction. 
 
 799. Tobacco-pipe, as described in 786. 
 
 800. Writing pencils. The better kinds are protected by a brass case, 
 
 it being essential to have a fine point in writing. 
 
 801. A grotesque porcelain unicorn. 
 
 802. Elaborate piece of carving from the root of the bamboo, of very 
 
 extravagant device. 
 
 803. Small marble vase, formed from the cup of the flower of the lotus. 
 
 804. Embroidered pocket, worn by gentlemen. 
 
 805. Silk bags, having- a maxim embroidered on the side ; for tobacco, 
 
 and attached to the pipe. 
 
 806. A tea service of novel construction used by Government Officers, 
 
 and forming part of their travelling apparatus. The cups and 
 saucers are of hard wood, lined and edged with white copper. 
 
 807. Chinese puzzle in ivory. 
 
 808. Chinese Gaming Cards. They are of various sorts ; the most 
 
 ancient and most elegant are called "Teen-tsze-pae," dotted 
 cards. The dots have a reference to the stars. They were 
 introduced by the Emperor Seuen-ho ; and were originally 
 called " Ya pae," " Bone or ivory tickets." 
 
 809. A Chinese printed book of maxims. 
 
 810. Beautiful beads, turned from fragments of the malachite, or 
 
 green copper ore, from near Nankin ; they are used in neck- 
 laces for mandarins. 
 
 811. Rosary made of the seed vessels of a plant. 
 
 812. An article made of copper, and used for the same purpose as our 
 
 flat-irons. The smooth surface is here exhibited ; the body is 
 hollow, and receives the ignited coals. 
 
 813. Gentlemen's embroidered memorandum case. 
 
 814. do. do. pockets. 
 
 815. Embroidered spectacle case. 
 
 816. Leather purses used by the lower classes. 
 
 817. Leather (dog's skin) tobacco pouch. 
 
89 
 
 818. Painting brush, composed of dyed horse-hair. 
 
 819. A basket ingeniously worked in bamboo. 
 
 820. Ornamental stand witb odoriferous matches, which are burned in 
 
 the houses of the Chinese day and night, and in sacrificing to 
 their divinities. 
 
 821. A brown porcelain incense vessel. 
 
 822. Model of a machine for pounding rice, sugar, &c. It is put in 
 
 operation by a cooley standing on the frame, and moving the 
 lever with one foot. 
 823 & 824. Earthern vessel in frame work of bamboo, used as hand- 
 furnaces in the northern part of China, during cold weather, 
 called " Ho-lung." 
 
 825. Model of a hand mill for grindine: rice, &c. 
 
 826. A porcelain drum, used as a rest for the arm. 
 
 827. Musquito brushes. 
 
 CASE XLVIII. 
 
 828. Coral bead necklace, worn by mandarins and gentlemen of rank. 
 
 829. Beautiful carved ornamental stand of hard wood, with a marble 
 
 image of Buddha in the centre, inlaid metallic tripod on the 
 right, and a dormant lion on the left. 
 
 830. Curiously distorted root, which, by the assistance of a little art, 
 
 has the appearance of a bird. 
 
 831. Curious piece of sculpture, representing a bird attacked by a 
 
 monster of the lizard species. 
 
 832. Marble figure and stand. 
 
 833. Marble pencil rests. 
 
 834 & 835. A pair of ornamental barrel-shaped stands, the left hand 
 one supporting a metallic censer ; that on the right a vessel 
 with shovel, &c, for arranging the ashes of the odoriferous 
 matches. 
 
 836. An ornamental stand, on which is a superb carving, from the root 
 
 of a bamboo tree, representing a grotesque figure feeding a frog. 
 
 837. A small root of a tree on a stand, resembling a deer. 
 
 838. A travelling apparatus, containing a knife, and pair of chopsticks, 
 
 with which every gentleman is provided. 
 
 839. Carved wooden figure and stand. 
 
 840. A very ancient white porcelain bottle-shaped vase, ornamented 
 
 with a lizard, water lillies, and foliage, on a small stand of 
 carved polished wood. 
 
 841. Ancient metallic idol. 
 
90 
 
 842. Curiously sculptured stone pen rests. 
 
 843. An ornamental stand, with bronze idols. This specimen is sup- 
 
 posed to be a thousand years old. It has been elsewhere re- 
 marked that Buddhism was introduced into Cbina from India, 
 about the first century of the Christian era; and the idols here 
 exhibited are thought to have been of a very early importation 
 into that country. 
 
 844. Joo-ee, a sort of staff or sceptre. It is thus described by Mr. 
 
 Davis : — this ornament, which has sometimes, for want of a 
 better name, been called a sceptre, is, in fact, an emblem of 
 amity and good will, of a shape less bent than the letter S, about 
 eighteen inches in length, and cut from the jade or yu stone. 
 It is called joo-ee, " as you wish," or as the phrase is, " Sze 
 Sze, joo-ee," i. e. " Every thing according to (your) wish, an 
 expression of good feeling towards a person, and is simply 
 exchanged as a costly mark of friendship ; but that it had a 
 religious origin seems indicated by the sacred flower of the 
 lotus (Nymphaea nelumbo) being generally carved on the 
 superior end." Dr. Morrison also remarks that joo-ees were 
 carried in the hands by ancient governors or princes of state, 
 as the signal of authority ; the emperor gave them as the 
 badge or seal of his appointment. They are frequently of 
 great value. 
 845 & 846. Ornamental stands, on which are carvings from the root of 
 the bamboo. 
 
 847. Ornamental stand, with ancient bronze lion. 
 
 848. Curious root on stand, exhibiting a bird. 
 
 849. Very ancient sculptured dog. 
 
 850. Polished cornelian in carved frame, intended to support a cake of 
 
 ink. 
 851 to 855. Five beautiful carvings on stands. 
 856 & 857. Two carved and polished barrel-shaped stands, on which 
 
 are very ancient and grotesque bronze lions. 
 858. Metallic figure, representing a female divinity on a recumbent 
 
 elephant. 
 859 & 860. A pair of very beautiful ornamental stands, with marble 
 
 tops, on which are grotesque sculptured figures, and elegantly 
 
 wrought baskets of bamboo. 
 861 . Ornamental stand, with variegated marble top, on which is placed 
 
 a stone in a frame formed from the root of a tree. This is 
 
 covered with sculptured hieroglyphics, and is held by the 
 
 Chinese in religious veneration. 
 
91 
 
 CASES XLIX & L. 
 
 These cases, with the opposite, (23 and 24), are filled with numerous 
 specimens of conchology, which are labelled. 
 
 CASE LI. 
 
 ORNITHOLOGY, &C. 
 
 862. Perdix Picta Painted Partridge. 
 
 863. Ditto Ditto. 
 
 864. Querquedula Falcaria Falcated duck. 
 
 865. Manis Javanese Manis. 
 
 866. Coturnix Chinensis Chinese Quail. 
 
 867. Lanius Shrike. 
 
 868. Turdus Thrush. 
 
 869. Loxia Sinensis Chinese Grossbeak. 
 
 870. FringiEa Rutilans Redbacked Sparrow. 
 
 871. Ditto Ditto female. 
 
 872. Psittacus Blue Crowned Parrot. 
 
 873. Ditto Ditto female. 
 
 874. Emberiza Bunting. 
 
 875. Loxia Sinensis Chinese Grossbeak, female. 
 
 876. Sturnus Unicolor One coloured Starling. 
 
 877. Fulica Chloropus Common Gallinule. 
 
 878. Gallinula Phonicura "White bellied Gallinule. 
 
 879. Ana9 Acuta Pintail Duck. 
 
 880. Red-breasted Pigeon. 
 
 881. Hystrix Cristata Porcupine. 
 
 882. Paradoxuras Carvatus Masked Paradoxure. 
 
 883. Viverra Indica Pallida Indian Civette or Rasse. 
 
 This animal yields the Dedes a scent, much esteemed by the Malays 
 
 CASE LII. 
 Ornithology, &c. 
 
 884. Anas Baikal Chinese Duck. 
 
 885. Coturnix Common Quail. 
 
 886. Anthus Lark. 
 
92 
 
 887. Herodius Garzetta Little Egret. 
 
 888. Oriolus Chinensis Golden Thrush. 
 
 889. Strix Brachiotus Short-eared Owl. 
 
 890. Alcedo Saera Kingfisher. 
 
 89 1 . Cossiphus Ganlaris Pied Thrush. 
 
 892. Fringilla Kawarahiba Finch. 
 
 893. Emberiza Lathami Lathams Bunting. 
 
 894. Gallinula Phcenicura Gallinule. 
 
 895. Leiothorx Furcatus Chinese Robin. 
 
 896. Jynx Torquilla Wryneck. 
 
 897. Anas Penelope Wigeon, 
 
 898. Querquedula Crecca Common Teal. 
 
 899. Viverra Zibetha Chinese Zibeth. 
 
 This animal yields the scent called Zibeth. 
 
 900. Helictes Mosehata Musk Martin. 
 
 901. Paradoxuras Larvatus Masked Paradoxure. 
 
 CASE LIII. 
 902 & 903. Artificial candles, decorated with flowers made from the 
 pith of a plant, known in this country, by the term " rice- 
 paper." These candles are used in temples in front of their 
 idols, in the houses of the wealthy, and in the celebration of the 
 new year, a moveable feast, which occurs on the second new 
 moon after the winter solstice. The body or stem of the candle 
 is of wood, and at the top, instead of wick, is inserted a small 
 brass receptacle for oil, as being more economical. 
 
 904. A military officer's saddle, bridle, &c. It is one of the most 
 
 expensive kind, and such as are but seldom seen. Those used 
 by inferior officers are generally of leather and nankeen. 
 
 905. A large porcelain dish on a stand, containing two specimens of 
 
 enamel, in imitation of the Pekin peaches. 
 
 906. Lamp carried on the shoulders of a bearer in marriage proces- 
 
 sions. 
 
 907. Lamp pole for the above. 
 
 908 & 909. Splendid specimens of embroidery, worked by men, as is 
 often the case in China. The Chinese excel all other nations 
 in the art of embroidery. 
 
 910 & 911. Two ornamental stands, and plates of fruit, modelled in 
 clay. 
 
 912 & 913. Candles, as described in Nos. 902 & 903. 
 
CHINESE LANTERN. 
 
93 
 
 914 & 915. Ingeniously worked silk tassels, attached to bed hangings. 
 916. On the bottom of this case is spread a Chinese carpet, being a 
 
 specimen of their few woollen manufactures. The pattern is 
 
 printed similar to our druggets. 
 From the ceding of this case is suspended a state lantern, richly em- 
 broidered and decorated. 
 
 CASE LIV. 
 
 917. Argus Pavoninus Argus Pheasant. 
 
 918. Columba Turtur Spotted-necked Turtle Dove. 
 
 919. Pastor Starling. 
 
 920. Columba Turtur Spotted-necked Turtle Dove. 
 
 921. Argus Pavoninus Argus Pheasant, female. 
 
 922. Paloor Malaccensis Malacca Ring Parrakeet. 
 
 State chair, as described in No. 372. 
 
 No. LVI. 
 Contains a model of a pagoda, seven stories high, beautifully carved 
 from gypsum. On the floor of each story is placed a gilt Buddha idol. 
 
 CASE LVII. 
 Contains numerons specimens of insects. 
 
 CASES LVIII & LXIX. 
 Butterflies. 
 
 CASE LX. 
 Specimens of fish from the waters of China. 
 
 CHINESE LANTERNS. 
 
 These depend from the ceiling in all parts of the saloon, and are of 
 almost every imaginable form and size. In scarcely any thing do the 
 taste and ingenuity of the Chinese appear to better advantage than in 
 the manufacture of these curious and characteristic articles. They are 
 made of horn, silk, glass, paper, and sometimes of a netting of fine 
 thread overspread with a thick coating of varnish. The frame work is 
 often carved in the richest manner ; the silk which covers it is elegantly 
 embroidered or painted with landscapes representing nature in her gayest 
 moods, and the various decorations lavished upon them are in a corres- 
 
94 
 
 ponding style. As a national ornament peculiar to the Chinese, the 
 lantern does not give place to anything found in any other country. 
 
 The fondness of the Chinese for lamps and lanterns, and the universal 
 use of them, constitutes one of the marked peculiarities in the customs 
 of the race. A late writer remarks, that a Chinaman and his lantern 
 seem wedded together, and the former is rarely found without the latter. 
 They are placed in the streets, temples, boats, &c, and are always to 
 be seen in the hands of pedestrians after dark. The same writer relates 
 the following amusing anecdote, as affording a striking and original 
 exemplification of both the power and habit of the national peculiarity 
 above referred to : — When Captain Maxwell passed the Bogue in the 
 Alceste frigate, as he came up with the battery of the A-nung-hoy, the fort 
 appeared well lighted, and a brisk cannonade was commenced upon the 
 ship. However, after the first broadside had been fired upon the for- 
 tress, and when the vessel was scarcely a half musket-shot from it, the 
 whole place was deserted, and the embrasures were quickly as dark as 
 before. The Chinese were thoroughly frightened, and ran off with a 
 most edifying precipitation. At the same time, instead of concealing 
 their flight in the darkness of the night, each man seized his lantern, as 
 he had done a hundred times before, and clambered with it up the steep 
 side of the hill immediately behind the fort. The sight of so many bald- 
 pated soldiers, with their long cues dangling at their back, each with 
 a great painted balloon in his hand, was extremely ludicrous, and took 
 away any slight inclination the marines might have had to get a shot 
 with their muskets at such excellent marks. 
 
 The lamp oil in common use is extracted from the ground-nut, which 
 grows luxuriantly in China. The same kind is used for culinary purposes, 
 and supplies almost entirely the place of butter. It is said to be of a 
 very good quality, burning freely, and with but little smoke. 
 
 MAXIMS ON THE ENTABLATURE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE SALOON. 
 
 " Inscribe them on the walls of your dwelling, and regard them night and 
 day as wholesome admonitions." — (Chinese maxim.) 
 
 The " excellent sayings" of the Chinese philosophers are held in the 
 highest veneration. In allusion to the precepts of Confucius, they speak 
 of them as " The glory of ancient and modern times." — He is termed, 
 " The instructor of ten thousand ages," and is styled by his followers, 
 " The perfect Sage," — " Most Holy." 
 
 Mencius, a disciple of Confucius, who figures largely in Chinese his- 
 tory, was the writer of that portion of " The Four Books," which goes 
 by his name, B.C. 350, contemporary with Xenophon, Herodotus, and 
 Socrates. 
 
95 
 
 These maxims (Tuy-leen) are written on silk or paper, or carved on 
 wood, and are hung in pairs, on the walls or pillars of dwellings and 
 temples as ornaments. In ancient times, before the invention of paper, 
 documents were written on slips of bamboo, on which characters were 
 inscribed with a pointed instrument ; a practice in use prior to the 
 invention of pencils and ink. 
 
 The visitor will observe that over the capital of each pillar is a piece 
 of carving of circular form, gilt and painted vermillion and green alter- 
 nately. There are ten of these on each side of the saloon. Each has 
 a Chinese character carved in the centre. The characters on the right 
 to a person entering, form the following maxim: — Kwa teen puh na le : 
 le hia puh ching kwan. The interpretation of which is, "Ina field of 
 melons, do not pull up your shoe : under a plum tree, do not adjust your 
 cap : i. e., be careful of your actions under circumstances of suspicion." 
 
 The characters on the opposite side of the room, commencing from 
 the lower end, form the following maxim : — Loo yaou che ma leih : jin 
 kew keen jin sin. The interpretation of which is, " By a long journey we 
 know a horse's strength ; so length of days shows a man's heart.*" 
 
 Between these circular carvings are maxims placed horizontally, and 
 extending around the whole entablature. As is customary in China, 
 the maxims here placed opposite each other, are embellished exactly 
 alike, though the maxims themselves are not the same. It is unneces- 
 sary to give the interpretation of all these, as there are so many. A 
 few are subjoined as specimens . — 
 
 " As the scream of the eagle is heard when she has passed over, 
 so a man's name remains after his death." 
 
 " Though a tree be a thousand changf in height, its leaves must fall 
 down, and return to its root." 
 
 " Following virtue is like ascending an eminence, pursuing vice is like 
 rushing down a precipice." 
 
 " Man perishes in the pursuit of wealth, as a bird meets with destruc- 
 tion in search of its food." 
 
 " The cure of ignorance is study, as meat is that of hunger." 
 
 " Unsullied poverty is always happy ; while impure wealth brings with 
 it many sorrows." 
 
 " Petty distinctions are injurious to rectitude; quibbling words violate 
 right reason." 
 
 " Those who respect themselves will be honourable ; but he who 
 thinks lightly of himself, will be held cheap by the world." 
 
 * The Chinese call the heart, the " well in the centre." 
 
 t A chang is ten Chinese cubits, each fourteen and a half inches. 
 
96 
 
 "Virtue is the surest road to longevity; but vice meets with an 
 early doom." 
 
 The brief, sententious sayings of gifted men in all ages and nations, 
 have excited a powerful influence over the public mind ; while it must 
 be admitted, that in general, they contribute largely to promote social 
 comfort, propriety, morality, and correct judgment. Such are the pro- 
 verbs of King Solomon, which will endure through all time. Such too, the 
 fine old proverbs of England, Spain, and France, as well as thousands of 
 maxims of the people of Asia. — Indeed, the aphorisms of a country 
 may be quoted, as indicating, in some measure, the genius, sense, and 
 mental characteristics of its inhabitants ; and we know of no nobler 
 monuments of ancient literature, than the proverbs which have been 
 transmitted to us. How common — how almost necessary, both in 
 speaking and writing — is the introduction of some maxim by way of 
 enforcing an argument or promoting a principle ! And many of the best 
 passages in the essays and other compositions of modern authors, will 
 often be found, on a careful investigation, to contain the condensed 
 sentiments of an old proverb, though, perhaps, somewhat elaborated, 
 and clothed in the costume of novel phraseology. The Chinese are 
 celebrated, even more than the Persians, Arabs, and Hindoos, for their 
 aphorisms and maxims. 
 
 We have elsewhere noticed the striking similarity that exists between 
 many ancient maxims of the Chinese, and the precepts found in Holy 
 Writ. We subjoin a few of the moral aphorisms that adorn their tem- 
 ples and dwellings ; and which will be foimd to harmonize with many 
 passages of Scripture : — 
 
 CHINESE MAXIMS. PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. 
 
 "Virtue is the surest road to "The fear of the Lord prolongeth 
 longevity ; bat vice meets with an days : but the years of the wicked 
 earlv doom." shall be shortened." — Chap. x.v. 27. 
 
 "Unsullied poverty is always " Treasures of wickedness profit 
 happy ; while impure wealth brings nothing; but righteousness deli- 
 with it many sorrows." verelh from death." — Chap. x. v. 2. 
 
 " The heart is the fountain of " Out of the heart are the is- 
 life." sues of life." — Chap. iv. 23. 
 
 " Wine and good dinners make " Many will entreat the favour 
 
 abundance of friends : but, in the of the Prince ; and every man is a 
 
 time of adversity, not one is to be friend to him that giveth gifts." — 
 
 found." Chap. xix. v. 6. 
 
97 
 
 " Honours come by diligence 
 riches spring from economy." 
 
 " If a man be not enlightened 
 from within, what lamp shall he 
 light ? — If his intentions are not 
 upright, what prayers shall he re- 
 peat ? 
 
 " The hand of the diligent shall 
 bear rule : but the slothful shall be 
 under tribute." — Chap. xii. v. 24. 
 
 " The sacrifice of the wicked is 
 abomination : how much more 
 when he bringeth it with a wicked 
 mind." — Chap.xxi. v. 27. 
 
 " If you love your son, give him "He that spareth his.rodhateth 
 
 plenty of the cudgel : if you hate his son : but he that loveth him 
 
 your son, cram him with dain- chasteneth him betimes." — Chap. 
 
 ties." xiii. v. 24. 
 
 " The slow horse is fated to re- 
 ceive the lash : the worthless man 
 will ultimately get his deserts." 
 
 " A virtuous woman is a source 
 of honour to her husband : a vi- 
 cious one causes him disgrace !" 
 
 " When mandarins are pure, the 
 people are happy." 
 
 " Every blade of grass has its 
 share of the dews of heaven ; and 
 though the birds of the forest have 
 no garners, the wide world is all 
 before them." 
 
 " Wisdom, and virtue, and be- 
 nevolence, and rectitude, without 
 politeness, are imperfect." 
 
 " That which touches vermillion 
 is reddened." 
 
 " A whip for the horse, a bridle 
 for the ass, and a rod for the fool's 
 back." — Chap. xxvi. v. 3. 
 
 " A virtuous woman is a crown 
 to her husband : but she that 
 maketh ashamed is as rottenness 
 in his bones." — Chap. xii. v. 4. 
 
 " When the righteous are in 
 authority, the people rejoice : but 
 when the wicked beareth rule, the 
 people mourn." — Chap. xxix. 2. 
 
 " Behold the fowls of the air ; 
 for they sow not, neither do they 
 reap, nor gather into barns ; yet 
 your heavenly Father feedeth 
 them !" (Christ's sermon on the 
 mount.) — Matt. vi. v. 26. 
 
 " But the fruit of the Spirit is 
 love, joy, peace, long-suffering, 
 gentleness, goodness, faith," &c. — 
 Paul to the Gal. chap. v. v. 22. 
 
 " Evil communications corrupt 
 good manners." — Paul to the Cor. 
 chap. xv. v. 33. 
 
PAINTINGS. 
 
 [The enumeration of pictures in the collection commences with No. 
 1 000, which the visiter will find on the left hand of the screen fronting 
 the entrance to the saloon. 
 
 It may be proper here to remark, that all paintings and drawings in 
 this collection are by Chinese artists exclusively.] 
 
 The fine arts in China are undoubtedly far from having reached the 
 perfection that belongs to them in the enlightened nations of Christen- 
 dom ; yet an examination of the paintings in this collection, will satisfy 
 every candid mind that great injustice has been done to Chinese artists, 
 in the notions hitherto entertained respecting their want of ability and 
 skill. They paint insects, birds, fishes, fruits, flowers, and the like, with 
 great correctness and beauty; and the brilliancy and variety of their 
 colours cannot be surpassed. They group with considerable taste and 
 effect ; and their perspective, a department of the art in which they have 
 been thought totally deficient, is often very good. Light and shade they 
 do not well understand, and they positively object to the introduction of 
 shadows in pictures. But in paintings for foreigners, they endeavour to 
 meet the ideas of their employers, by the introduction of light and shadow. 
 Barrow, as quoted by Davis, says, that " when several portraits by the 
 best European artists, intended as presents for the emperor, were 
 exposed to view, the mandarins, observing the variety of tints occasioned 
 by the light and shade, asked whether the originals had the two sides of 
 different colours. They considered the shadow of the nose as a great 
 imperfection in the figure, and some supposed it to have been placed 
 there by accident." 
 
 1G22 & 1023. The first of a series of coloured drawings, (twenty-four 
 in number,) representing the several stages of the black tea 
 process, from the picking of the leaves to its final tranportation, 
 as practiced in Fokien, lying between the 27 and 28 degs., 
 North latitude on the south east declivities of a range of hills, 
 dividing that province from Keang-se. 
 1024 to 1027 Four interior views of Ponkeiqua's grounds at Honan. 
 1028 to 1030. These three drawings, with those on the opposite pillar 
 (Nos. 1333, 4 & 5) represent the rearing of the silk worm as 
 practised at Nankin, from the hatching of the silk worm egg 
 to the final weaving of the silk, together with the culture of 
 the mulberry tree. 
 
 Mr. Barrow, who observed the management of the trees and silk 
 
99 
 
 worms in Che-Keang, confirms the usual Chinese accounts, by saying, 
 that " the houses in which they are reared are placed generally in the 
 centre of each plantation, in order that they may be removed as far 
 as possible from every kind of noise : experience having taught them 
 that a sudden shout, or bark of a dog, is destructive of the young 
 worms. A whole brood has sometimes perished by a thunder storm." 
 The chambers are so contrived as to admit the use of artificial heat when 
 necessary. Great care is taken of the sheets of paper on which the 
 multitudes of eggs have been laid by the silk- worm moths ; and the 
 hatching of their eggs is either retarded or advanced, by the application of 
 cold or heat, according to circumstances, so as to time the simultaneous 
 exit of the young worms, exactly to the period when the tender spring 
 leaves of the mulberry are most fit for their nourishment. 
 
 They proportion the food very exactly to the young worms, by weigh- 
 ing the leaves, which, in the first instance, are cut into small pieces, but 
 afterwards, as the insects become larger, are given to them whole. 
 The greatest precautions are observed in regulating the temperature of 
 the apartments, and in keeping them clean, quiet, and free from smells. 
 The worms are fed upon a species of small hurdles of basket work, 
 strewed with leaves, which are constantly shifted for the sake of clean- 
 liness, the insects readily moving off to a fresh hurdle, with new leaves, 
 as the scent attracts them. In proportion to their growth, room is 
 afforded them by increasing the number of these hurdles, the worms of 
 one being shifted to three, then to six, and so on, until they reach the 
 greatest size. 
 
 When the worms have cast their several skins, reached their greatest 
 size, and assumed a transparent yellowish colour, they are removed 
 into places divided into compartments, preparatory to their spin 
 ning. 
 
 In the course of a week after the commencement of spinning, the 
 silken cocoons are complete, and it now becomes necessary to take 
 them in hand, before the pupae turn into moths, which would imme- 
 diately bore their way out, and spoil the cocoons. When a certain 
 number, therefore, have been laid aside for the sake of future eggs, the 
 pupae in the bulk of the cocoons are killed, by being placed in jars, 
 under layers of salt and leaves, with a complete exclusion of air. 
 They are subsequently placed in moderately warm water, which dis- 
 solves the glutinous substance that binds the silk together, and the 
 filament is wound off upon reels. This is put up in bundles of a certain 
 size and weight, and either becomes an article of merchandise, under 
 the name of "raw silk," or is subjected to the loom, and manufac- 
 tured into various stuffs, for home or foreign consumption. Notwith- 
 
100 
 
 standing the apparent simplicity of their looms, they will imitate exactly 
 the newest and most delicate pattern from England or France. The 
 Chinese particularly excel in the production of damasks and flow- 
 ered satins. Their crape has never yet been perfectly imitated ; and 
 they make a species of washing silk, called at Canton pongee, which 
 becomes more soft as it is longer used. 
 
 The two pursuits or professions, namely, husbandry and the silk 
 manufacture, the chief sources of food and clothing, form the subject of 
 the sixteen discourses to the people, which are elsewhere noticed. It is 
 there observed, that " from ancient times the Son of Heaven himself 
 directed the plough; the Empress planted the mulberry tree. Thus 
 have these exalted personages, not above the practice of labour and 
 exertion, set an example to all under heaven, with a view to leading 
 millions of their subjects to attend to their essential interests." 
 
 In the work, published by imperial authority, called " Illustrations of 
 Husbandry and Weaving," under the latter head is detailed all the opera- 
 tions connected with planting the mulberry, and gathering the leaves, 
 up to the final weaving of the silk. Besides the common mulberry of 
 China, which differs somewhat from that of Europe, they occasionally, 
 in feeding the worms, have recourse to a wild specimen of the moms 
 tribe, as well as to the leaves of another tree, supposed to be a variety 
 of ash. The principal object, in the cultivation of the mulberry for 
 feeding silkworms, is to produce the greatest quantity of young and 
 healthy leaves, without fruit. For this reason, the trees are not allowed 
 to exceed a certain age and height. They are planted at a convenient 
 distance from each other, on the plan of a quincunx, and are said to be 
 in perfection in about three years. The mulberry tree for silk-worms 
 is chiefly cultivated in Che-keang, which province, together with the 
 only three others that produce fine silk, namely, Keang-nan, Hoo-pih, 
 and Sze-chuen, is crossed by the thirtieth parallel of latitude. Che- 
 keang is a highly alluvial country, intersected by numerous rivers and 
 canals, with a climate that corresponds pretty nearly to the same 
 latitude in the United States of America. The soil is manured with 
 mud, which is dug from the rivers, assisted with ashes or dung ; and the 
 spaces between the trees are generally filled with millet, pulse, or other 
 articles of food. The time for pruning the young trees, so as to 
 produce fine leafy shoots, is at the commencement of the year. About 
 four eyes are left on every shoot, and care is taken that the branches 
 are properly thinned, with a view to giving plenty of light and air to 
 the leaves. In gathering these, they make use of steps, or a ladder, 
 with a prop, as the young trees cannot support a ladder, and would, 
 besides be injured in their branches by the use of one. The trees, with 
 
101 
 
 their foliage, are carefully watched, and the mischiefs of insects pre- 
 vented by the use of various applications, among which are some 
 essential oils. 
 
 The young trees, of course, suffer by being stripped of their leaves, 
 which are the lungs of the plants, and this is an additional reason for 
 renewing them, after a certain time. They endeavour, in part, to coun- 
 teract the evil effect, by pruning and lopping the tree, so as to diminish 
 the wood when the leaves have been stripped, and, it is probable, that a 
 few leaves are left on. It is surprising, however, to observe how soon a 
 tree in those climates will recover its leaves in the summer or autumn, 
 after having been entirely stripped of them by a typhoon or hurricane. 
 Fresh plants are procured by cuttings or layers, or, sometimes, from 
 seed. When the trees grow too old for the production of the finest 
 leaves, and show a greater tendency to fruiting, they are either removed 
 altogether, or cut and managed so as to produce fresh and young 
 branches. They generally contrive to obtain three crops of young leaves 
 during the season. 
 
 1032. Portrait of the Tae Ho-shang, (" harmony and elevation,") the 
 
 abbot or superior of the temple Hae-chwang sze, at Honan. 
 
 The rank of this distinguished Buddhist is indicated by the presence of 
 the Seih chang, a kind of official staff or crozier carried in the hand by 
 the head of the priests of this sect. 
 
 This truly amiable prelate was the personal friend of Mr. Dunn, and 
 contributed to the formation of this collection by his influence and exer- 
 tion in procuring various specimens of vertu from the interior of the 
 empire, into which, it is well known, the peculiar policy of the govern- 
 ment of China forbids all foreigners to enter. 
 
 1033. View of the Grand Canal, where it is divided by an embankment 
 
 from the lake Po-yang. The imperial canal was principally 
 constructed by Koblai-khan and his immediate successors of 
 the Yuen race, and extends from Tien-fsin, near Pekin, to 
 Hangchow-foo in Chekeang, being about 600 geographical 
 miles, and is called by the Chinese, " Yun-ho," " The river 
 for the transportation of grain." 
 
 1034. Stands, with fruit, flowers, &c, on rice paper. 
 
 1035. Six boats, on rice paper. 
 
 1036. Landscape with summer-houses. 
 
 1037 & 1038. Two drawings of the interior of gentlemen's summer 
 
 residences in China. 
 1039. Twelve varieties in Chinese ornithology, beautifully painted on 
 rice paper. The pithy substance known in England by the term rice 
 paper, having the appearance of white velvet, is obtained from a legumi- 
 
 H 
 
102 
 
 nous plant, growing- in marshes similar to the rush. In the preparation 
 for use, the stem of the plant is cut into small pieces in a circular man- 
 ner, and the cylinder rolled out and flattened into squares. The chief 
 use to which it is applied, is in making artificial flowers ; pillows are made 
 of it, and of the cuttings, soles of shoes on account of its lightness. 
 1040 & 1044. Furniture and stands, &c. 
 10 41 Native map of China. 
 1042. View of the city of Canton. 
 
 A glance at this production will correct a prevalent error respecting 
 the inability of Chinese painters to produce perspective. Though light 
 and shade are certainly a good deal neglected here, and the perspective 
 is not perfect, yet the picture is by no means deficient in this respect ; 
 and the drawings of individual objects are extremely accurate. The 
 point from which the view has been taken is the bank of the river 
 opposite Canton, directly in front of the foreign factories, which occupy 
 about one-half the canvass. The scene, particularly upon the surface of 
 the intervening river, is altogether novel, and highlv characteristic. The 
 national boats, of which there is a verv great varietv, have all their 
 representatives here, from the gaudy flower barge, in which large parties 
 are borne gailv over the waters, to the tiny sanpan, whose contracted 
 dimensions will admit only a single navigator. This part of the view is 
 peculiarly animated and interesting, The foreign factories occupy the 
 centre of the picture, and the English, French, and American ensigns 
 float above them. On each side of these is a view of a small portion 
 of Canton bordering upon the river ; but as the city is built upon low 
 and flat ground, almost the whole of it is invisible from our present 
 point of observation. 
 
 Canton stands upon the north bank of the Chookeang or Pearl 
 river, about sixty miles inland from the " great sea." It is one of the 
 oldest cities in the southern provinces, and second in importance to no 
 other in the empire, except Pekin, where the emperor holds his court. 
 It is the great commercial emporium of China, and the only port where 
 foreign trade is permitted. It is not verv large in extent, the whole 
 circuit of the walls not exceeding probably six miles ; but it is densely 
 peopled, and the suburbs, including the river population, contain as 
 many inhabitants as the city proper. 
 
 The streets of Canton are verv numerous, being more than six hundred. 
 Their names sound oddly to us, and have rather an ambitious air. 
 " Dragon-street," Flying-dragon-street," "Martial-dragon-street," 
 " Flower-street," " Golden-street," " Golden-flower-street." &c. are 
 high-sounding enough ; but some of them, it is said, have names which 
 would hardly bear to be translated for " ears polite." The Rev. Mr. 
 
103 
 
 Bridgman states that they vary in width from two to sixteen feet, and 
 gives it as his opinion that the general average is from six to eight feet. 
 Mr. Dunn thinks this an over estimate by one or two feet. They are 
 all paved with large flag stones, chiefly granite. Wheel carriages are 
 never used. Those who can afford to ride are borne in sedan chairs on 
 the shoulders of coolies, and all heavy burdens are carried by porters. 
 The streets are generally crowded, and present a busy, bustling, 
 animated appearance. Thev all have gates at each end, which are 
 closed at night, and guarded by a sentinel » 
 
 The houses are but one story high. A few of them are of wood or 
 stone ; many, belonging to the poorer classes, of mud, and with but a 
 single apartment ; but the largest portion of bricks. The dwellings of 
 those in easy circumstances contain various well-furnished apartments, 
 the walls of which are generally ornamented with carving, pictures, and 
 various scrolls, inscribed with moral maxims from Confucius and other 
 sages. The houses of the wealthy are often furnished in a stylo 
 of great magnificence, and the occupants indulge in the most luxurious 
 habits. Official personages, however, for the most part set a concu 
 mendable example of simplicity and economy in their manner of 
 living. The doors have no plates to tell who the occupant of the man^ 
 sion is, but cylindrical lanterns are hung up by the sides of the gates of 
 all houses of consequence, with the names and titles of the owners 
 inscribed, so as to be read either by day or at night, when the lanterns 
 are lighted. 
 
 Canton is a large manufacturing as well as commercial town. Mr. 
 Bridgman informs us that there are no less than 17,000 persons 
 engaged in weaving silk, and 50,000 in manufacturing cloth of 
 all kinds ; that there are 4,200 shoemakers ; and what will startle and 
 astound every one, that there is an army of barbers amounting to 
 7,300 ! The important office of tonsor can be held only by license of 
 government. Why the number is so great, has already been explained. 
 The manufacture of books is extensively carried on in this city, but we 
 are not in possession of the exact statistic. " Those likewise/' says 
 Bridgman, " who work in wood, brass, iron, stone, and various other 
 materials, are numerous; and they who engage in each of these 
 respective occupations, form, to a certain degree, a separate community, 
 and have each their own laws and rules for the regulation of their 
 business." 
 
 But operatives and tradesmen are very much in the habit of herding 
 together. Entire streets are devoted to the same kind of business. 
 There is even a street occupied almost exclusively by professors of the 
 healing art, and is thence called by the Fan^kweis, " Doctor- street/* 
 
 n2 
 
104 
 
 The signs, gaily painted and lettered on each side, and hung out like 
 tavern signs among us, give the business streets a lively and brilliant 
 appearance. 
 
 The population of Canton is a difficult subject. No certain data exists 
 for an accurate estimate. The author above quoted enters into con- 
 jectures and calculations, which give him a result of nearlv a million and 
 a quarter, including the suburbs and river. It seems probable that this 
 estimate is considerably beyond the maik. The river population is an 
 interesting subject, to which we have already alluded. Besides Canton, 
 there are two other arge cities in China, namelv, Pekin the capital, and 
 Nankin (the ancient capital.) The population of the forpier is variouslv 
 estimated, at from l,CO0,000 to 2,000,000 ; and the latter is no where 
 stated to contain less than 1,000,000 of inhabitants. 
 
 The police of Canton is, on the whole, vigilant and efficient. Besides 
 those who act in the capacitv of constables, thief- takers, and so forth, 
 and constitute the regular police, there are many neighbourhoods, as 
 well as private individuals, that make arrangements for a constant 
 nocturnal watch. During the night, almost all the streets of the citv are 
 shut up bv gates at each end ; near one of which there is usuallv 
 a guard-house. The night-watches are distinguished bv bells, or some 
 similar instruments, kept by the watchmen. In the winter months, 
 when there is great danger from fire as well as thieves, watch-towers are 
 built on bamboo poles, high above the roofs of the houses — thus con- 
 stituting a double watch. When thieves are discovered, or when a fire 
 breaks out in any part of the city, the alarm, by means of the watchmen, 
 spreads quicklv from one extremity of the city to the other. When 
 riotous assemblies collect in the streets, they are, in most cases, speedily 
 dissolved by a vigorous application of the bamboo or whip. Manv, 
 doubtless, " shove by justice," and to the day of their death go un- 
 punished ; vet the number who are arrested and brought to trial, 
 annually, is very great. So summary is the mode in which the objects 
 of the police are effected, that it is no light matter to be once in their 
 hands. The Chinese emphatically express their sense of this unfortunate 
 condition, by the popular phrase, " The meat is on the chopping block." 
 Not unfrequentlv, in minor cases, a man receives the punishment and again 
 goes free, the same hour in which he commits the crime. The forms of 
 trial are simple. There is no jury, no pleading. The criminal kneels 
 before the magistrate . who hears the witnesses and passes sentence ; he 
 is then remanded to prison, or sent to the place of execution. Seldom 
 is he acquitted When witnesses are wanting, he is sometimes tortured 
 until he gives m evidence against himself. There are four jails in 
 Canton, which together contain several hundred prisoners. The jail is 
 commonly called te-yo, Hell, or literally, " earth's prison." All capital 
 
105 
 
 offenders suffer without the southern gates, near the river. Hundreds 
 die there annually. When brought to the fatal spot, they kneel with 
 their faces towards to the emperor's court, and bending forward in the 
 attitude of submission and reverence, suddenly expire beneath the bloody 
 sword of the executioner. 
 1043. Flowers, on rice paper, 
 
 1045. Representation of the Feast of Lanterns, by moonlight. This 
 
 truly brilliant spectacle is annually observed on the 15th day 
 of the first moon, throughout the whole extent of " The 
 Great and Pure Empire" and is intended to propitiate the 
 auspicious opening of the New Year. It is a grand display of 
 an infinite variety of lanterns of every conceivable shape and 
 construction ; they are made of silk, paper, mica, horn, glass, 
 and pearl shell ; some with very curious moving figures re- 
 volving round the faint light that burns within them. Upon 
 this occasion, the houses,, roofs, and boats, are illuminated, 
 and many thousands of singular devices, are seen floating 
 upon the surface of the water, giving the appearance of a 
 river on fire. High poles are erected, from the tops of which 
 are suspended strings of lanterns of variegated colours. Each 
 person has a lantern in his hand, and the whole scene is 
 accompanied with the sounding of gongs, and the discharge of 
 crackers and other fireworks, for the manufacture of which 
 the Chinese are so famous. 
 
 1046. Flowers. 
 
 1047. Six 'paintings of boats, on rice paper. 
 
 1048. Portrait of Taou-Kwang, the reigning emperor of China, in 
 state costume ; on the opposite side is a corresponding portrait of his late 
 consort. The emperor Taou-Kwang, is a son of the late emperor 
 Kea-King : born on the 10th of the 8th moon, 1781 ; and succeded his 
 Father on the 24th August, 1821, in the 39th year of his age. 
 
 Taou-Kwang (" Reason's Glory."} is the Kwohaou, or title of the 
 reigning emperor, assumed by him on ascending the throne of China, in 
 compliance with an ancient custom of selecting an imperial title corres- 
 ponding with the prominent sentiments of his mind, and characteristic 
 of his future reign ; hence the above designation intimates that during his 
 government the principles of reason and rectitude should be pre-eminently 
 illustrious. 
 
 In figure Taou-Kwang is said to be tall, thin, and of a dark com- 
 plexion. He is of a generous disposition, diligent, attentive to gover- 
 nment, and economical in his expenditure. He has also avoided, through 
 life, the vices to which his father and younger brothers were ad- 
 dicted. 
 
106 
 
 1049. Portrait of Houqua, principal of the Co-Hong. 
 
 The word Hong (mandarin dialect, Hang) in Chinese, denotes a large 
 factory or mercantile building ; and Hong merchant, in common use in 
 the interior, means much the same as " wholesale merchant," in contra- 
 distinction from those " merchants," as the Scotch call them, who keep 
 shops only. But the Hong merchants here referred to, are a licensed 
 company of wholesale merchants, authorised to deal exclusively with the 
 foreigners of Europe and America, and from the ports of Asia ; or the 
 foreigners who come from *' beyond seas" to the port of Canton ; and 
 hence the proper appellation, Yang-hang-shang ; i. e. " sea or ocean 
 wholesale merchants." 
 
 1050. Mandarin on horseback, bearing despatches from the emperor. 
 
 The tardy movement of the officer here represented, contrasts 
 strongly with the pompous title of the imperial edicts, which 
 are said to be " luminous and swift as the rays of light." In 
 China there is no post for the conveyance of letters. The 
 envelope containing the official document is of the imperial 
 yellow. 
 " Colours in China," a late writer remarks, " are emblematical of rank, 
 authority, virtues and vices, joys and sorrows. Yellow is the imperial 
 colour, assumed only by his majesty and his sons, or the lineal descend- 
 ants of his family, who. may wear a golden yellow sash and a yellow 
 bridle. Purple is prescribed, by the laws of the Board of Rites, for 
 grandsons. Green or blue for the chairs of the princesses. Green is 
 the colour of the painted board carried before a criminal going to 
 execution, on which the authority for his punishment is inscribed. Blue 
 indicates official rank of the third or fourth degree. Red is a symbol of 
 virtue, especially of truth and sincerity ; hence, to say a person has a red 
 heart, means that he is without guile ; this is also the colour of the first 
 degree of official rank. The emperor writes his special edicts in 
 vermilion. Proclamations offering rewards for the apprehension of 
 offenders, are designated " the red flower," because voluntary services 
 are sometimes rewarded by decorating the head with a flower of this 
 colour. Black denotes guilt and vice ; hence, to say that a man " has a 
 black heart," is a contumelious expression for depravity. White, as 
 among the ancient Hebrews, is used in mourning, and to denote moral 
 purity ; it also indicates official rank of a lower degree*" 
 1051 & 1352. Flowers. 
 1053 & 1054. Baskets of flowers beautifully painted. 
 
 1055. Portrait of Shonshing, an eminent merchant of Canton. 
 
 1056. View of Golden Island in the Yang-tsse Keang. This is the 
 
 largest river in China, and runs a course of 3,290 miles. It* 
 
107 
 
 name denotes the " Son of the Sea." It bears about the samfe 
 proportion to the Thames, that the territory of China bears to 
 that of England and Scotland. The next great Chinese river 
 in magnitude, is the " Hwang-ho," which is S040 miles in 
 length. 
 
 1057. Lady of rank, with small feet. 
 
 1058. Lady in walking dress, with small feet. 
 
 1059. Lady's boudoir and bedroom. 
 
 1060. Ladies at play. 
 
 1061 to 1064. Beautiful specimens of painting on glass. 
 
 1065 & 1066. Two river views. 
 
 1067 & 1068. Mandarins and ladies superbly dressed, painted on rice 
 
 paper. 
 1069 & 1070. Two drawings of the interior of gentlemen's residences 
 
 in China. 
 10/4. Variety of birds, &c. on rice paper. 
 1072 & 107a. Baskets of flowers. 
 
 1074. Imperial chair of state, with screen, &c. The emperor's throne 
 
 is called "the dragon's seat," and on state occasions in the 
 hall of audience is always placed facing the South. 
 
 1075. Two mandarins and ladies. 
 
 1076. Mandarin of the first class-, and wife, in full costume. 
 
 1077. Interior of temple. 
 
 1078. Outbuilding of Buddha temple at Honan, in which domestic 
 
 animals are kept ; as pigs, fowls, ducks, and geese, agreeably 
 to the leading doctrines of the sect, — that no animal should 
 be deprived of life. The devout send these animals to the 
 temple, where they make or pay vows, to obtain favours from 
 superior beings, or return thanks for those received. 
 
 lOTg. Furniture. 
 
 1080 & 108-1. Flowers. 
 
 1062. Furniture. 
 
 1083. Four drawings on rice paper, representing mandarins and their 
 
 ladies. 
 
 1084. Tartar warrior and lady, richly dressed in winter costume. In 
 
 the latter person will be observed the absence of' small feet, 
 which, in a Chinese lady of the same high rank, would have 
 been an indispensable accompaniment. The sharp pointed 
 boots of the officer denote him to be a military man ; the 
 luxury of square toes, as elsewhere remarked, are denied to 
 the soldier. 
 
 1085 & 1086. Stands with ornaments, flowers, fruits, &c. 
 
 1087. A river scene and bridge. 
 
10S 
 
 10SS. River view, with fort in the distance. 
 
 1089. Mandarins and ladies. 
 
 1090. View of Whampoa Reach and Village. 
 
 The point from which this view is taken,, is French island, a small 
 portion of which appears in the foreground. Supposing the visitor 
 to occupy this position, immediately before him is Whampoa Reach, in 
 which several foreign vessels are riding ,at anchor, and Whampoa 
 island, with its walled town, plantations of rice, sugar-canes, &c, its 
 orange groves, and picturesque and lofty pagoda crowning a distant 
 eminence. Beyond appear the winding channel called Junk River, the 
 level coast, and the far-off mountains, that swell out, in undulating out- 
 line, to the northward of Canton. The view represented in this picture 
 is extensive and beautiful, and the execution of the painting is creditable 
 to the skill of the artist. In the small town before us, the visitor will 
 perceive one or more square buildings, higher than the surrounding 
 dwellings. These are government storehouses for the reception of their 
 staple commodity, rice. The government of China, with a liberal policy 
 and benevolent feeling for its millions of subjects, provides for any 
 sudden or accidental failing of the crops, by the establishment of 
 public granaries in each province, under the controul of certain officers, 
 whose duty it is, during a time of plenty, to purchase at the government 
 cost, large supplies of rice, to be distributed to the poor at such prices as 
 circumstances may require. If the grain of the following year should 
 amount to an average crop, the stock on hand is sold at a price a little 
 lower than the first cost ; if the supply should be considerably short of 
 the demand, it is then sold to the poor at reduced prices ; but if the 
 famine should be severe, it is then supplied to the sufferers gratuitously. 
 All persons are strictly prohibited by the government from hoarding 
 grain. Whampoa Reach, the southern channel, is the anchorage of all 
 foreign shipping. It is twelve miles from Canton. The cargoes 
 imported are here unladen, and taken up to the factories in a kind of 
 lighter, called chops ; and whatever is to be exported is brought down 
 in the same wav. 
 
 1091. River view, with "chop-house," for the examination of chops 
 
 or passports. 
 
 1092. Water view, with bridge. 
 
 1093. Furniture and maxims. 
 
 1094 & 1095. Ornamental stands, flowers, &c. 
 
 1096. Couch, fruit stand, &c. 
 
 1097. Two mandarins, with ladies. 
 
 1098. Tartar bearing the joo-ee. Mandarin and lady in state chairs, with 
 
 beautiful screens. 
 1099 & 1100. Two interior views of temples. 
 
109 
 
 1101. Furniture. 
 
 1 1 02 & 1 1 03. Baskets of flowers. 
 
 1104. Furniture. 
 
 1105. Mandarins and their wives in splendid costumes. 
 
 1106. Tartar warrior, fully equipped, with a lady richly dressed. The 
 
 latter is sitting on a rock-like stool, cross-legged, a customary 
 mode with the Tartars. 
 
 1 107. Stands, with ornaments. 
 
 1108. Stands with ornaments and fruits. 
 1109 & 1110. Two river scene. 
 
 1111 & 1113. Two winter views in the north of China. 
 
 1112. View on Lob creek, near Whampoa. 
 
 1114. Representation of an inundation of rice grounds. 
 
 The frequent inundations that occur in the low grounds of China, 
 may be attributed in part to the imperfect mode in which the banks 
 of many of their canals are constructed ; being nothing more sub- 
 stantial than an embankment of soft mud, intermixed with layers of 
 rushes. 
 
 The following interesting account of the Chinese deluge, which oc- 
 curred in the reign of the ancient Emperor Yaou, is translated from the 
 Shoo-king, and is here introduced from Professor Kidd's late work 
 on China. According to the Chinese system of chronology, it happened 
 in the vear of the world seventeen hundred and thirteen, which is only 
 fifty-seven years later than the generally received date of the deluge of 
 Moses. 
 
 " The Emperor Yaou said — ' Vast and destructive are the accumulat- 
 ing waters, which have overflowed their banks, rise so high as to cover 
 the hills and overtop the loftiest mountains, while they are co-exten- 
 sive with the spacious concave of heaven. Alas ! for the mass of the 
 people ; who shall relieve them from their calamities ? 
 
 "All replied, 'Behold, Kwan ! 'Ah, no; it cannot be ; answered 
 his majesty ; ' he opposes the commands of his superiors, and subverts 
 the nine classes of kindred.' It was remarked by the ministers, ' That 
 is doubtful, try him ; perhaps he may succeed.' The emperor said, 
 ' Let him go then ; but be cautious' ! He was engaged nine years with- 
 out accomplishing his task, and eventually atoned for the failure by his 
 death. Yu, his son, was next employed, who perfected the great work 
 of removing the flood, and restoring order to the empire.. 
 
 The following dialogue on the subject of his labours, occurred between 
 Yu and his sovereign. The Emperor says, ' Approach the imperial 
 presence, you have abundant communications to make.' Yu worshipped, 
 and said, ' May it please your majesty, how can I speak ?' My thoughts 
 were unweariedly and incessantly employed day by day. The deluge 
 
110 
 
 rose high, and spread wide as the spacious vault of heaven ; buried the 
 hills and covered the mountains with its waters, into which the common 
 people, astonished to stupefaction, sunk. I travelled on dry land in a 
 chariot, on water in a boat, in miry places on a sledge, and climbed 
 the sides of hills by means of spikes in my shoes. I went from moun- 
 tain to mountain felling trees ; fed the people with raw food ; formed 
 a passage for the waters to the sea on every part of the empire, by 
 cutting nine distinct beds and preparing channels to conduct them to the 
 rivers. The waters having subsided, I taught the people to plough and 
 sow, who, while the devastating effects of the flood continued, were con- 
 strained to eat uncooked food. I urged them to barter such things as 
 they could spare, for others, of which they stood in need. In this way 
 the people were fed, and ten thousand provinces restored to order and 
 prosperity." 
 
 1115. Chinese pleasure grounds. 
 
 1116 to 1119. Four views, representing a funeral procession. The 
 visitor will observe that the bier is carried in the rear, con- 
 trary to the practice with us. The cemetery, which will be 
 found in the distance, is invariably on the south side of a hill, 
 too barren for cultivation. 
 Mr. Davis remarks — " When a parent or elder relation among the 
 Chinese dies, the event is formally announced to all the branches of 
 the family ; each side of the doors is distinguished by labels, in 
 white, which is the mourning colour. The lineal descendants of the 
 deceased, clothed in coarse white cloth, with bandages of the same round 
 their heads, sit weeping round the corpse on the ground, the women 
 keeping up a dismal howl, after the manner of the Irish. In the mean- 
 time the friends of the deceased appear with white coverlets of linen or 
 silk, which are placed on the body ; the eldest sou, or next lineal male 
 -descendant, supported on each side by relations, and bearing in his 
 hands a porcelain bowl, containing two copper coins, now proceeds to 
 the river, or the nearest well, or the wet ditch of the city, to " buy 
 water," as it is termed. The ceremony must be performed by the 
 eldest sons son, in preference to the second son, and entitles him to a 
 double share of the property, which, in other respects, is divided 
 equally amongst the sons. The form of washing the face and body with 
 this water being completed, the deceased is dressed as in life, and laid 
 in a coffin, of which the planks are from four to six inches in thickness, 
 and the bottom strewed with quick-lime. On being closed, it is made 
 • air-tight by cement, being, besides, varnished on the inside and outside. 
 A tablet is then placed on it, bearing the name and titles of the de- 
 ceased, as they are afterwards to be cut on the tomb. 
 
 "On the expiration of " thrice seven," or twenty-one days, the funeral 
 
Ill 
 
 procession takes place, the tablet being conveyed in a gilded sedan or 
 pavilion, with incense and offerings before it. It is accompanied by 
 music, closely resembling the Scottish bagpipe-, with the continual 
 repetition of three successive strokes on the drum. The children and 
 relations of both sexes follow in white, without much order or regu- 
 larity, and, upon reaching the grave, the ceremonies and oblations com- 
 mence. It being a part of their superstition, that money and garments 
 must be burnt, for the use of the deceased in the world of spirits, these 
 are, with a wise economy, represented by paper. Presents are made 
 by the friends of the family, to defray the expenses incurred in the 
 burial. On the envelope is written these words — ' Respectful contri- 
 bution to the coffining :' which are sent to the person who presides at 
 the funeral. This appears to be an universal practice. 
 
 " The form of the tombs, whether large or small, is exactly that of a 
 Greek fl, which, if taken in the sense of " the end," is an odd acci«- 
 dental coincidence. Those of the rich and great are sometimes very 
 large, and contain a considerable quantity of masonry, with figures of 
 animals, in stone. The whole detail of sepulchral rites, with the sen- 
 timents of the Chinese concerning the dead, is contained in the drama 
 of ' An Heir in Old Age.' 
 
 " After the interment, the tablet of the deceased is brought back in 
 procession, and, if the family be rich, it is placed in the ' Hall of 
 ancestors ;' if poor, in some part of the house, with incense before it* 
 Two periods in every year (the spring and autumn), are fixed for per- 
 forming the rites to the dead, but the first is the principal period, and 
 the only one commonly attended to. Unlike the generality of Chinese 
 festivals, which are -regulated by the moon, (and, therefore, moveable,) 
 this is determined by the sun, and occurs annually 1 05 days after the 
 solstice, i. e. the 5th of April. About that time, (for a day or two, 
 before or after, does not signify to them,) the whole population of the 
 town is seen trooping out, in parties, to the hills, to repair and sweep 
 the tombs, and make offerings, leaving behind them, on their return 
 home, long streamers of red and white paper, to mark the fulfilment of 
 •their rites. Whole ranges of hills, sprinkled with tombs, may, at that 
 season, be seen, covered with these testimonials of attention to the 
 departed, fluttering in the wind and sunshine. Small mounds of earth 
 "may be observed behind a grave, with a tablet having " How-too-shin,'* 
 inscribed upon it. This -means a divinity, who is considered as a guardian 
 of the tomb," 
 
112 
 PRAYER, 
 
 OFFERED AT AN ANCESTOR'S TOMB. 
 
 The following is the translation of a Sacrificial Prayer or TSE- WAN, 
 read at the Tomb of an Ancestor. 
 " This thirteenth year of the reign of Taou-kwang, (1833,) the year 
 being Kwei-sze, (the 30th year of the cycle,) in the 2nd month of the 
 spring, after the new moon, the 1 6th day, at the happy Tsing-ming- 
 term — propriety requires that the spring sacrifice should be offered, the 
 grass mowed down, and the brambles cut away. 
 
 " Reverently have we prepared pigs, sheep, fowls, and fresh hams, 
 seasonable vegetables, fruits, incense, rich wines, gold, silver, and 
 precious things ; ft. e. tinsel papers ;) and venture to announce the same 
 to the soul of our great Progenitor, the venerated Prince. 
 
 " Behold ! man has Progenitors and Parents, as water has springs, and 
 trees have roots. When the roots strike deep, the branches are abun- 
 dant ; the foliage rich, and forests are formed. When springs of water 
 are large, and flow far, they enrich the soil, and diffuse fragrance. We 
 look wishfullv, and pray the souls in Hades to shelter and assist us, their 
 descendants ; that we mav be prosperous ; may age after age be decked 
 w'ith badges of honour ; may long enjoy riches and rank ; mav, like the 
 melon creeper and the cotton fibre, be continually happy, and never 
 extinct ; may, for myriads of ages, be illustrious spirits. Prostrate, we 
 pray you to come to enjoy and view these sacrifices. With sincerity 
 these prayers are offered up." 
 
 1120 to 1130. A series of drawings, in water colours, upon the leaves 
 of a tree resembling the mulberry. In the preparations of the 
 leaf for the artist, even* part is carefully removed but the fibre, 
 which has the appearance of gauze. In this state figures are 
 painted on them resembling some of their demi-gods. The 
 leaves are called poo-te-sha. 
 1131 & 1132. Stands, fruits, &c. 
 
 1133. Furniture, &c. 
 
 1134. Two mandarins and ladies superbly dressed. 
 
 1 135. Mandarin of the highest class,and lady, splendidly attired. These, 
 
 with the couple, (1084 & 1098) are Tartars also. From the 
 neck of the female is suspended a long kind of scarf or hand- 
 kerchief, customary with the Tartar ladies. Gentlemen have 
 a similar appendage at their girdle. 
 
 1136. Painting on glass. 
 
 1137 & 1138. Exterior views of temples. 
 
 1139. Furniture, maxims, &c. 
 
 1140. Basket of flowers, the most prominent being the Mowtan, 
 
 called by the Chinese Hwa-icang, " King of fiowers." 
 
113 
 
 1141. Basket of flowers. 
 
 1142. Chinese furniture. 
 
 1143. Mandarins and ladies on rice paper. 
 
 1144. Mandarin bearing the imperial dispatches, and lady. 
 
 1145. Paintings on glass. 
 
 1146 & 1147. Ornamental stands, vases, fruits, &c 
 1148 & 1149. Two river scenes. 
 
 1150. The Ficus Religiosa, or Banian Tree, which sends down roots 
 
 from, its branches, called by the Chinese " Puh sze miih," or 
 " The immortal tree." 
 
 1151. Winter piece. 
 
 1152. Chinese landscape. 
 
 1153. Gentlemen's summer retreat. 
 1 154 to 1157. Female pastimes. 
 
 1158 to 1161. Specimens of Chinese fish, beautifully painted. 
 1162. View of the interior of the Consoo House, with the court in 
 session, for the final decision of the charge of piracy committed 
 by the crew of a Chinese junk, on a French captain and sailors, 
 at a short distance from Macao. 
 The French ship Navigateur, put into Cochin-China in distress. Having 
 disposed of her to the government, the captain, with his crew, took 
 passage for Macao, in a Chinese junk, belonging to the province of 
 Fokien. Part of their valuables consisted of about 100,000 dollars in 
 specie. Four Chinese passengers bound for Macao, and one for Fiih-keen, 
 were also on board. This last apprised the Frenchman, in the best way 
 he could, that the crew of the junk had entered into a conspiracy to take 
 their lives, and seize their treasure. He urged that an armed watch 
 should be kept. On making the Ladrone islands, the four Macao pas- 
 sengers left the junk. Here the Frenchmen believed themselves out of 
 danger, and, exhausted by sickness and long watching, yielded to a fatal 
 repose. They were all massacred but one, a youth of about nineteen 
 years of age, who escaped by leaping into the sea, after receiving several 
 wounds. A fishing boat picked him up, and landed him at Macao, 
 where information was given to the officers of government ; and the 
 crew of the junk, with their ill-gotten gains, were seized on arriving at 
 their port of destination at Fuh-keen. Having been found guilty by the 
 court in their own district, they were sent down to Canton by order of 
 the emperor, to the gan cha, sze, (criminal judge,) to be confronted with 
 the young French sailor. This trial is represented in the painting. The 
 prisoners were taken out of their cages, as seen in the foreground. The 
 Frenchman recognised seventeen out of the twenty-four, but when the 
 passenger who had been his friend was brought in, the two eagerly em- 
 braced each other, which scene is also portrayed in the painting. An 
 
114 
 
 explanation of this extraordinary act was made to the judge, and the man 
 forthwith set at liberty. A purse was made up for him by the Chinese 
 and foreigners, and he was soon on his wav homeward. The seventeen 
 were decapitated in a few days, in the presence of the foreigners ; the 
 captain was put to a " lingering death," the punishment of traitors ; and 
 the stolen treasures were restored. 
 1163 & 1164. Ornamental stands, vases, flowers, &c. 
 
 1165. Couch, fruit stand, &c. 
 
 1166. Fruit, flowers, &c. (tea plant.) 
 
 1 167. Military officer and lady. A Chinese soldier wears his sword on 
 
 the left side, but he draws it with the right hand turned be- 
 hind him. 
 1 16S. Portrait of a Chinese lady on glass. 
 
 1169 & 1170. Views of various buildings, in one of which are dwarf 
 trees, for which the Chinese are so celebrated. 
 Almost every garden in China abounds in flower-pots containing 
 stunted stems with full-grown fruit. Mr. Davis gives the following 
 mode as practised by them : — " The thick branch of a fruit tree is 
 deprived of a ring of bark, and the place covered round with a lump of 
 rich loam. This is kept moist, and when the radicles have pushed into 
 the loam, the whole is taken off and placed in a shallow pot. The 
 branches most loaded with blossoms are selected, and the abscission 
 taking place when the fruit is nearly ripe, they are in that state sold in 
 flower-pots. When the dwarfing process is intended to be in imitation 
 of old forest trees, the branch which has pushed radicles into the sur- 
 rounded loam is separated from the tree, and planted in a shallow 
 earthenware flower-pot, of an oblong shape. The pot is then "filled with 
 small lumps of alluvial clay, sufficient to supply a scanty nourishment to 
 the plant, and water is added in a regulated quantity. The branches are 
 repressed by cutting and burning, and bent into shapes resembling those 
 of an old forest tree in miniature. Roughness is produced in the bark 
 by smearing it with sweet substances that attract ants ; and the plant in 
 time acquires the desired smallness of leaf, and general stunted appear- 
 ance. The elm is most frequently used for this purpose : nor do the 
 dwarfs require any further attention, when once fashioned, than to have, 
 the young shoots kept down by clipping." 
 1171 & 1172. Baskets of flowers, exquisitely coloured. 
 
 1173. Furniture and stands, &c. 
 
 1 174. Drawings of fruit and flowers. 
 
 1175. Nobleman and his wife in winter costume, the latter with a 
 
 hand furnace used in the north of China. 
 
 1176. Flowers and insects, on white velvet. 
 
 1177 & 1178. Views of the exteriors of Buddha temples. 
 
1179 & 1 1 80. Paintings on " rice paper" representing the twelve stages 
 
 of the silk process, from the egg to the weaving of the silk. 
 1181. View of an apartment in Mouqua's country seat. 
 1112. Flowers. 
 
 1183. Table, Chinese candles, screen, &c. 
 
 1184. Exterior views of temples. 
 
 1185. An outbuilding attached to the temple at Honan. 
 
 1 186. View of an apartment in Mouqua's country seat, at Honan. 
 
 1187. Flowers. 
 
 1188. Lady of rank in sedan, carried by bearers. 
 
 1189. Mandarin in splendid costume. 
 
 1190. Lady of rank in rich dress. 
 
 1191. Interior of temple at Honan, with Buddha priests at wor- 
 
 ship. 
 
 A description of this celebrated temple may prove interesting to the 
 reader. The exterior of this temple, as much venerated by the Chinese, 
 as that of Minerva was by the Athenians, or the edifice dedicated to 
 Jupiter Tonans by the people of Rome — is by no means remarkable in 
 appearance. It is spacious and lofty, and constructed after the manner 
 of other large Chinese buildings, with outer and inner courts, porticos 
 and passages, which conduct the followers of Buddha into the sacred pre- 
 sence of their gods, " San Faou Fuh," " the three precious Buddhas,' 1 — - 
 the " Past, Present, and To Come." These are represented by colossal 
 gilt statues, in a sitting posture, nearly twenty feet in height, formed of 
 clav and entirely covered with burnished gold. 
 
 The principal haU in which these are placed, is very large, and sup- 
 ported by vermilion-coloured pillars, between which are suspended 
 numerous lanterns — and on the shafts of two columns are inscriptions — 
 one denoting " the golden-coloured region f* the other, " the three pre- 
 cious Buddhas." 
 
 This temple is guarded from the intrusion of strangers, in the same 
 exclusive spirit that prompts the followers of the Prophet to deny 
 Christians admission into the mosques of St. Sophia and Omar. It is 
 with difficulty that foreigners can enter within these hallowed walls. 
 The privileged few who have succeeded in so doing, have described the 
 sudden impression made upon their minds by the giant idols, as partaking 
 of the sentiment of awe — until the eye becoming accustomed to their 
 presence, they are very properly reduced by mental operation to their 
 true character — mere clay, false gods, and the absurd objects of an 
 absurd pagan worship. This is by no means a long process of the mind, 
 as the countenance of each idol is serene, mild, and benevolent, there- 
 being nothing to excite either terror or disgust. On looking round the 
 hall, the appearance of great numbers of Chinese priests- standing at 
 
116 
 
 equal distances from each other, attired in pontifical rohes, and with 
 their hands clasped, in silent prayer and adoration, or chaunting 
 evening- service, together with the soft and tender — or rather the " dim, 
 religious light " of repose which fills the temple — are at once solemn 
 and impressive. 
 
 Of this " Jos-house," or Temple of the Buddha sect, the following is 
 the legend : — 
 
 " The Hae-Chung-sze," or Honan Jos-house, was originally a garden, 
 helonging to Kok-ka, the family of K6. A priest, named Che-Yuet, com- 
 menced a small temple to Buddha, some sav ahout 800 years ago, under 
 the appellation Tsee?i-Tsew-Sze, " The temple of a thousand autumns." 
 
 It remained an obscure place till the close of the late dynasty, about 
 the year A. D. 1600, when a priest of eminent devotion raised its 
 character ; and his pupil, or disciple Oh-tsze, by his superior talents and 
 sanctity, together with a concurrence of extraordinary circumstances, 
 raised the temple to its present magnificence and extent. 
 
 During the reign of Kang-he, the second of the reigning Tartar 
 dynasty, A. D. 1700, Canton province was not fully subjugated ; and a 
 son-in-law of the emperor's, entitled Ping-nan-wang, " king subjugator 
 of the South," reduced the whole to his father's sway, and took up his 
 head quarters, in the Honan temple, according to Tartar and Chinese 
 u^age. There were thirteen villages on the island which he had orders 
 to exterminate for their opposition to the imperial forces. 
 
 Just before carrying into effect this command, the king, a blood- 
 thirsty man, cast his eyes on Oh-tsze, a fat happy priest, and remarked, 
 that if he lived on vegetable diet, he could not be so fat — he must be a 
 hypocrite, and should be punished with death. He drew his sword to 
 execute, with his own arm, the sentence, but his arm suddenly stiffened, 
 and he was stopped from his purpose. That night a divine person ap- 
 peared to him in a dream, and assured him that Oh-tsze was a holy man, 
 adding, " you must not unjustly kill him." 
 
 Next morning the king presented himself before Oh-tsze, confessed 
 his crime, and his arm was immediately restored. He then did obeisance 
 to the priest, and took him for his preceptor and guide, and morning 
 and evening the king waited on the priest as his servant. 
 
 The thirteen villages now heard of this miracle, and solicited the 
 priest to intercede in their behalf, that they might be rescued from the 
 sentence of extermination. The priest interceded, and the king listened 
 to him, answering thus — " I have received an imperial order to exter- 
 minate these rebels ; but since you, my master, say they now submit, 
 be it so ; however, I must send the troops round the country before I 
 can write to the emperor. I will do so, and then beg that they may be 
 spared." This proceeding took place, and Honan villages were saved. 
 
117 
 
 Their gratitude to the priest was unbounded ; and estates, and in- 
 cense, and money, were poured in upon him. The king also persuaded 
 his officers to make donations to the temple, and it became affluent from 
 that day. 
 
 At that time there was no " Hall of the celestial Kings ;" and at the 
 outer gate was a pond belonging to a rich man who refused to sell it, 
 although Oh-tsze offered him a large compensation. One day the king 
 was conversing with the priest, and said, " this temple still is deficient, 
 in having no hall for the celestial kings." The priest said, " A terrestial 
 king, please your majesty, is the proper person to rear a pavilion to the 
 celestial kings." The king took the hint, and immediately seized upon 
 the rich man's pond, who was now very glad to present it without any 
 compensation at all. The king commanded that the pavilion should be 
 finished in fifteen days : however, at the priest's intercession, the work- 
 men were allowed one month to complete it ; and by working night and 
 day finished it in that time. 
 
 The queen, being the emperor's daughter, hoped she would be allowed 
 to build a palace, covered with green tiles ; however, her father would 
 not permit her, and the tiles she had prepared were given to the Jos- 
 house, to cover one of its pavilions ; and hence it is sometimes called 
 " the green-tiled temple." 
 
 It was in this temple or monastery, that Lord Amherst's embassy 
 lodged during his lordship's stay at Canton ; and as Honan faces 
 Canton, on the opposite bank of the river, many Chinese gentlemen and 
 merchants retire thither to their country villas, after the business of the 
 day is over. 
 1192. Various sea shells, found on the coast of China, showing their 
 
 molluscous inhabitants. 
 1 1 9 3 & 1 1 94 . Interior of temples. 
 
 1195. Furniture and maxims. 
 
 1196. Flowers and fruit. In the left hand lower division of this frame 
 
 is a drawing of a species of citron, called by the Chinese, Fo-show, 
 the hand (of the god). Fuh. The formation of this fruit is a cu- 
 rious result of horticultural ingenuity practised by the Chinese. 
 Mr. Davis remarks, that " so entirely is this strange produc- 
 tion the result of art operating on nature, that it does not 
 appear a second time after the plant has been purchased." 
 
 1197. Mandarin in chair, with eight bearers and other attendants. 
 
 1198. Warrior in full dress, with bow, quiver, &c. 
 
 1199. Mandarin of the imperial household. 
 
 1200. Exterior of a Buddha temple at Honan. 
 
 1201. Painting on glass. 
 
 I 
 
118 
 
 1202 & 1203. Ext^-ior views of temples. 
 
 1204. Furniture, lamps, &c. 
 
 1205. Flowers and fruit. 
 
 1206. Lady of rank in palanquin, and bearers, &c. 
 
 1207. Mandarin of the first class in fur dress. 
 
 1208. Lady in walking habit. 
 
 1209. Second gate to the temple at Honan. 
 
 1210. Portrait of a lady on glass. 
 
 1211 & 1212. Exterior views of various buildings, showing the plans 
 and arrangements of the outer or fore court. 
 
 1213. Cabinet, table, &c. 
 
 1214. The first of a series of twelve coloured drawings, representing the 
 tea culture in the district of Keang-nan, situated at the north-west 
 extremity of a range of hills dividing that province from Che-keang, 
 between the 30th and 31st parallel of north latitude. This is a view of 
 the preparation of the ground for planting. For the information of the 
 reader upon the subject of tea, we cannot give a better description than 
 that contained in a work by John F. Davis, Esq., F.R.S., &c, late Chief 
 of the British Factory at Canton, upon China and the Chinese, the most 
 comprehensive and accurate account that has appeared in modern days. 
 — " The fineness and deamess of tea are determined by the tenderness 
 and smallness of the leaf when picked. The various descriptions of the 
 black diminish in quality and value as they are gathered later in the 
 season, until they reach the lowest kind, called by us Bohea, and by the 
 Chinese (Ta-cha) " large tea," on account of the maturity and size of 
 the leaves. The early leaf buds in spring, being covered with a white 
 silky down, are gathered to make Pekoe, which is a corruption of the 
 Canton name, " Pak-hoo," " white down." A few days' longer growth 
 produce what is here styled, " black-leaved Pekoe." The more fleshy 
 and matured leaves constitute Souchong ; as they grow larger and 
 coarser they form Congou ; and the last and latest picking is Bohea. 
 The tea fanners, who are small proprietors or cultivators, give the tea a 
 rough preparation, and then take it to the contractors, whose business it 
 is to adapt its further preparation to the existing nature of the demand. 
 The different kinds of tea may be considered in the ascending scale of 
 their value. 
 
 1st. Bohea, which in England is the name of a quality, has been 
 already stated to be, in China, the name of a district where various 
 kinds of black tea are produced. The coarse leaf brought under that 
 name to this country, is distinguished by containing a larger proportion 
 of the woody fibre than any other teas ; its infusion is of a darker colour, 
 and, a3 it has been more subjected to the action of fire, it keeps a longer 
 
119 
 
 time without becoming musty, than the finer sorts. Two kinds of Bohea 
 are brought from China : the lowest of these is manufactured on the 
 spot, and therefore called '•■ Canton Bohea," being a mixture of refuse 
 Congou with a coarse tea called Woping, the growth of the province. 
 The better kind of Bohea comes from the district of that name in Fokien; 
 and, having been of late esteemed equally with the lower Congou teas, 
 has been packed in the same square chests, while the old Bohea package 
 is of an oblong shape. 
 
 2nd. Congou, the next higher kind, is named from a corruption of 
 the Chinese Kung-foo, " labour or assiduity." It formed for many 
 years the bulk of the East India Company's cargoes ; but the quality 
 gradually fell off, in consequence of the partial abandonment of the old 
 system of annual contracts, by which the Chinese merchants were assured 
 of a remunerating price for the better sorts. The consumption of Bohea 
 in this country has of late years increased, to the diminution of Congou, 
 and the standard of the latter has been considerably lowered. A parti- 
 cular variety, called Campoi, is so styled from a corruption of the original 
 name, Keen-peiy, " selection — choice ;" but it has ceased to be prized 
 in this country, from the absence of strength— a characteristic which is 
 stated to be generally esteemed beyond delicacy or flavour. 
 
 3rd. Souchong (Seaou-chung), " small or scarce sort," is of the 
 finest of the stronger black teas, with a leaf that is generally entire and 
 curly, but younger than in the coarser kinds. What is called " Paou- 
 chung," is packed in separate paper bundles, of about half a pound 
 each, and is so fine as to be used almost exclusively for presents. The 
 probability is, that its use in that way by the Catholic missionaries, first 
 gave rise to that name. The finest kinds of Souchong are sometimes 
 scented with the flowers of the Cloranthus inconspicuus and Gardenia 
 florida ; and they cannot be obtained even among the Chinese, except 
 at dear prices. A highly crisped and curled leaf, called Souchi, has 
 lately grown into disrepute, and been much disused, in consequence 
 of being often found to contain a ferruginous dust, which was probably 
 not intended as a fraud, but arose from the nature of the ground where 
 the tea had been carelessly and dirtily packed. 
 
 4th. Pekoe being composed mainly of the young spring buds, the 
 gathering of these must, of course, be injurious in some degree to the 
 future produce of the shrub ; and this description of tea is accord- 
 ingly both dear and small in quantity. "With a view to preserve the 
 fineness of flavour, the application of heat is very limited in drying the 
 leaves ; and hence it is, that Pekoe is more liable to injury from keep- 
 ing than any other sort of tea. There is a species of Pekoe made in 
 the green tea countiy from the young buds, in like manner with the 
 
 i2 
 
120 
 
 black kind ; but it is so little fired that the least damp spoils it ; and for 
 this reason, as well as on account of its scarcity and high price, the 
 Hyson-pekoe, as some call it, has never been brought to England. The 
 mandarins send it in very small canisters to each other, or to their 
 friends, as presents, under the name of Lungtsing, which is probably 
 the name of the district where the tea is made. 
 
 Green teas may generally be divided into five denominations, which 
 are, 1, Twankay ; 2, Hyson-skin; 3, Hyson; 4, Gunpowder; 5, 
 Young Hyson. Twankay tea has always formed the bulk of the green 
 teas imported into this country, being used by the retailers to mix with 
 the fine kinds. The leaf is older, and not so much twisted or rolled as 
 in the dearer descriptions : there is altogether less care and trouble 
 bestowed on its preparation. It is, in fact, the Bohea of green teas ; 
 and the quantity of it brought to England has fully equalled three-fourths 
 of the whole importation of green. Hyson- skin is so named from the 
 original Chinese term, in which connection the skin means the refuse, or 
 inferior portion of any thing ; in allusion, perhaps, to the hide of an 
 animal, or the rind of fruit. In preparing the fine tea called Hyson, all 
 those leaves that are of a coarser, yellower, and less twisted or rolled 
 appearance, are set apart and sold as the refuse or " skin tea," at a 
 much inferior price. The whole quantity, therefore, depends on, and 
 bears a proportion to, the whole quantity of Hyson manufactured, but 
 seldom exceeds two or three thousand chests in all. The word Hyson 
 is corrupted from the Chinese name, which signifies " flourishing 
 spring : this fine sort of tea being of course gathered in the early part 
 of the season. Every separate leaf is twisted and rolled by hand, and it 
 is on account of the extreme care and labour required in its preparation, 
 that the best Hyson tea is so difficult to procure, and so expensive. 
 By way of keeping up its quality, the East India Company used to give 
 a premium for the two best lots annually presented to them for selec- 
 tion ; and the tea merchants were stimulated to exertion, as much by 
 the credit of the thing, as by the actual gain in price. Gunpowder, 
 as it is called, is nothing but a more carefully picked Hyson, consisting 
 of the best rolled and roundest leaves, which give it that granular 
 appearance whence it derives its name. For a similar reason the 
 Chinese call it Choo-cha, " pearl tea." Young Hyson, until it was 
 spoiled by the large demands of late years, was a genuine, delicate, 
 young leaf, called in the original language Yu-tseen, " before the 
 rains," because gathered in the early spring. As it could not be 
 fairly produced in any large quantities, the call for a further supply was 
 answered by cutting up and sifting other green tea through sieves of a 
 certain size ; and, as the Company's inspectors detected the imposture, 
 
121 
 
 it formed no part of their London importations. But the above became 
 still worse of late, for the coarsest black tea leaves have been cut up, 
 and then coloured with a preparation resembling the hue of green teas. 
 Nothing could be more ill-founded than the vulgar notion, once 
 prevalent in this country, that the colour of green tea was derived from 
 its being dried on plates of copper. Admitting that copper was the 
 metal on which they were placed, it does not at all follow that they 
 should assume such an appearance from the operation ; but the pans 
 really used on these occasions are of cast-iron, of a round or spherical 
 shape. Each of these pans is bricked in, over a small furnace. A 
 quantity of fresh leaves are placed in the pan, after it has been suffi- 
 ciently heated, and stirred rapidly round by the hand, to expose them 
 equally to the action of the heat, and, at the same time, prevent their 
 burning. After being a little curled bv this drying operation, they are 
 taken out and twisted or rolled by hand to assist the natural tendency ; 
 and the process of curling is continued for a longer or shorter time, 
 according to the nature and quality of the tea. The hand seems to 
 have most to do in the case of green teas, and the fire in that of the 
 black. In the preparation of the finer teas, much care and attention is 
 bestowed on the selection of the best leaves subsequent to drying ; 
 as in the separation of the Hyson from its skin, or refuse — a business 
 which falls to the lot of women and children. The tea, when prepared, 
 is first of all put up in baskets, and subsequently packed by the con- 
 tractors in chests and canisters. The black teas are trodden down with 
 the feet, to make them pack closer : but the green tea leaves would be 
 crushed and broken by so rude a process ; they are accordingly only 
 shaken into chests." 
 
 1215. Second view of the above tea process, representing labourers 
 
 sowing the seed. 
 
 1216. The Tsung-tuh, or Viceroy of Canton, in sedan, with eight 
 
 bearers and retinue. As before observed, the number of 
 bearers to each sedan is restricted to the rank of the person. 
 Only mandarins, or official persons, can be carried by four 
 bearers, or accompanied by a train of attendants. These are 
 marshalled in two files before the chair. One pair of these 
 myrmidons, cany gongs, on which they strike at regular 
 intervals ; another pair utter, likewise, at intervals, a long- 
 drawn shout, or rather yell, to denote the approach of the 
 great man; a third pair cany chains, (as in No. 1206,) 
 which they jingle in concert, being, in fact, jailers or execu- 
 tioners, with high caps of iron wire, in which is stuck a grey 
 feather. Then come two fellows with the usual Bamboo, or 
 
122 
 
 bastinado ; and the cortege is made up by the servants and 
 other followers, some of whom carry red umbrellas of dignity, 
 others large red boards, on which are inscribed, in gilt 
 characters, the officer's titles ; and, generally, the motto 
 addressed to the multitude, ' Be still and retire back.' 
 The populace, who meet such a procession, are not to denote 
 their respect in any other way than by standing aside, with 
 their arms hanging close to their sides, and their eyes on the 
 ground. It is only when called or taken before a tribunal 
 that they are obliged to kneel ; and these are occasions which 
 most Chinese are not very willing to seek. 
 
 1217. Furniture and maxims. 
 
 1218. Mandarin in splendid costume. 
 
 1219. Lady in splendid costume, with large feet. 
 
 1220. First gateway to the temple at Honan. 
 
 1221. Painting on glass. 
 
 1222. View of a small Buddha temple. 
 
 1223. Exterior of a gentleman's private dwelling. 
 
 1224. Furniture, &c. 
 
 1225. Third view of the Keang-nan tea process, representing the irri- 
 
 gation of the trees. 
 
 1226. Fourth view : women picking the leaves. 
 
 1227. Lady of rank in sedan, and bearers. 
 
 1228. Mandarin saluting . 
 
 1229. A tartar lady in summer dress. 
 
 1230. Vessel in a typhoon, " ta fung," or "great wind." Violent 
 
 storms are of frequent occurrence during a particular season 
 of the year, on the southern coast of China, and occasion a 
 dreadful loss of life, besides injury to the boats of the many 
 thousand families who reside upon the neighbouring waters of 
 Canton. Chinese writers particularly mention a sea storm that 
 blows from every point of the compass on the coast of Canton. 
 It occurs during the fifth and sixth moons of the year, and is 
 preceded by a coloured ring-like appearance, at first small, 
 but gradually increasing. This whirlwind is said to be 
 entirely unknown in the north of China. During the con- 
 tinuance of these devastating storms, thunder is considered a 
 symptom of the mitigation of their fury. In the significant 
 phraseology of the Chinese, lightning is called " the thunderer's 
 whip." The superstitious notions of the Chinese have been 
 elsewhere spoken of. If a person in China has been killed by 
 lightning, he is denied the rites of burial, which he would 
 
123 
 
 otherwise have received. They consider it as a marked dis- 
 pleasure of God. Confucius always rose and dressed himself 
 when severe thunder storms occurred at night, in order to pay 
 respect to Teen-noo, " the wrath of heaven." 
 
 1231. River view. 
 
 1232. Ditto with official building for the examination of passports. 
 1233 to 1238. Six frames, containing numerous drawings of Chinese 
 
 fishes, taken from nature. 
 1239. Painting of a marriage procession. 
 
 In the gay scene here represented, the bride is carried in a richly 
 carved and gilded sedan appropriated to such occasions, and called 
 " Hwa-Keaou," i. e. " flowered chair." The supporters, in this case, 
 (four in number,) are regulated according to the rank of the parties. 
 The common people have only two allowed them. The bride is preceded 
 by a lengthened train of attendants, clad in garments of various colours. 
 There are not less than a dozen sedan chairs in the procession filled with 
 presents to the bride. These constitute her whole marriage dowry. The 
 persons composing the train are hired for the occasion. There are large 
 establishments in China, provided with men, chairs, and dresses, to be 
 hired out for escorts of this kind. The dresses and sedans range through 
 all the degrees of costliness and elegance. Articles of this kind, more or 
 less expensive, and a more or less numerous train of attendants, are em- 
 ployed, according to the rank and wealth of the parties to be united. 
 Houqua, the rich Hong merchant, expended above 50,000 dollars on a 
 daughter's wedding, including the bridal presents. Live geese are always 
 among the presents, and they are earned in the procession, being consi- 
 dered, apparently without any good foundation, patterns of concord and 
 fidelity in the married state. The beautiful mandarin duck, already 
 described, would be a fitter emblem. When the bride reaches the resi- 
 dence of her lord, she is lifted by matrons over a pan of charcoal, — a 
 usage, the exact import of which is not understood. Various ceremo- 
 nies follow, which end in the husband unveiling his bride, whom he 
 now sees for the first time, and drinking with her the cup of alliance. 
 Marriage is termed " the excellent ceremony," and is promoted by every 
 consideration that can act upon the human mind. The national maxim 
 is, that " there are three great acts of disregard to parents, and to die 
 without progeny is the chief." The barrenness of a wife is therefore 
 regarded as a great calamity, and is one of the seven grounds of a divorce 
 allowed to a Chinese husband, notwithstanding there would seem to be 
 an all-sufficient remedy in legal concubinage. The other causes of 
 separation are, adultery, talkativeness, thieving, ill-temper, and inve- 
 terate infirmities. 
 
124 
 
 A lucky day for the marriage rites is considered important. On this 
 point, recourse is had to astrology, and the horoscopes of the parties are 
 diligently compared. Sometimes the ceremony is postponed for months, 
 because the stars are not propitious. They have a saying, that "mar- 
 riages are made (fixed) in a previous state of existence." 
 
 Such superstitious notions and observances belong exclusively to no 
 particular age or country. In the Iphigenia of Euripides, Clytemnestra 
 asks Agamemnon when their daughter shall wed ? He replies, " When 
 the orb of a fortunate moon shall arrive." The spring in China is gene- 
 rally preferred for wedding, w-hen the peach-tree is in blossom. This 
 circumstance is alluded to in a little poem in the " Book of Odes," thus 
 elegantly paraphrased by the accomplished Sir William Jones : — 
 
 Sweet child of spring, the garden's queen, 
 
 Yon peach-tree charms the roving sight ; 
 Its fragrant leaves how richly green, 
 Its blossoms how divinely bright ! 
 
 So softly shines the beauteous bride, 
 
 By love and conscious virtue led, 
 O'er her new mansion to preside, 
 
 And placid joys around her shed. 
 
 The presents already noticed, are sent to the bride in the evening, at 
 which time the ceremony takes place ; hence a bride is compared to the 
 moon; "When the sun sets, the moon appears." Another phrase, in 
 confirmation of this custom, is, " When the pale moon goes forth, how 
 fine the appearance of a beautiful woman ! (bride.)" The desire for 
 male children is esteemed a virtue, and is incorporated in many of their 
 daily salutations ; thus, " May you have an union, and abundance of the 
 three blessings," i. e. " Happiness, long life, and male children." To ob- 
 tain the latter, and to promote lineal descent, polygamy is often resorted 
 to, but Chinese moralists do not allow a concubine to be taken till after 
 the age of forty, and when there is no hope of having male issue bv the 
 wife. The former is less esteemed than the latter, and in the Anglo- 
 Chinese of the natives, is considered as " number two wife," that is, 
 inferior. At the marriage of a son, the ceremony of capping is observed. 
 (Kea-Kwan.) In ancient times a bonnet made of cloth was first placed 
 upon his head ; next one of leather, and lastly a nobleman's cap. The 
 chief parts of this ceremony are yet continued. 
 
 Dr. Morrison says, in some provinces in China a public notice is 
 issued by wealthy parents, to obtain a husband for their daughter ; this 
 is done by the affluent, who are unwilling to part with their child, and 
 who, therefore, bring the son-in-law into their own family, instead of 
 the usual practice of sending the daughter from home. 
 
 When women prove childless, says Mr. Davis, they pay adoration to 
 
125 
 
 the goddess Kwan-yin, a principal image in Buddhist temples, whose 
 name means " heedful of prayers," (ter vocata audit,) and whose func- 
 tions seem compounded of those of Venus genetrix and Lucina. There 
 is, however, the widest difference in their estimation, between male and 
 female offspring ; the former are as eagerly desired as the latter are, 
 generally, deprecated. Sons are considered in this country, where the 
 power over them is so absolute through life, as a sure support, as well 
 as a probable source of wealth or dignities, should they succeed in 
 learning ; but the grand object is the perpetuation of the race, to 
 sacrifice at the family tombs. Without sons, a man lives without honour 
 or satisfaction, and dies unhappy ; and, as the only remedy, he is per- 
 mitted to adopt the sons of the younger brothers. Sometimes, how- 
 ever, the extreme desire of male offspring leads parents to suborn the 
 midwives to purchase a boy of some poor person, and substitute it for a 
 girl just born. This is termed low lung hwan foong, — " stealing a 
 dragon in exchange for a phoenix." 
 
 In the event of the death of a young woman, under nineteen years of 
 age, a paper effigy is made by the parents, and the intended husband 
 receives the effigy home to his house, with the bridal rites ; he then 
 burns the effigy, and erects a tablet to her memory. This appears to 
 be the object of the parents of the deceased. 
 
 1240. View of Honan from the river. 
 
 1241. Rural scenery on the Canton river. 
 
 1242. View of the exterior of a temple. 
 
 1243. A gentleman's residence. 
 
 1244. Furniture. 
 
 1 245 . Fifth view of the Keang-nan tea process ; females twisting the 
 
 leaves, preparatory to firing. 
 
 1246. Sixth view as above. Females sorting leaves. 
 
 1247. Government officer in a chair, carried by eight bearers, 
 
 1248. Furniture, maxims, &c. 
 
 1249. Mandarin in summer dress. 
 
 1250. Lady with small feet, in summer dress. 
 
 1251. View of Pinkoo, near Canton. 
 1252 & 1253. Exterior views of temples. 
 
 1254. Furniture. 
 
 1255. Seventh view of the Keang-nan tea process : coolies bringing in 
 
 the leaves from the trees. 
 
 1256. Eighth view, as above : sifting and sorting the leaves. 
 
 1257. Mandarin in winter dress, with bearers, &c. 
 
 1258. Mandarin bearing imperial despatches in a yellow silk envelope, 
 
 at his back. 
 
126 
 
 1259. Lady of rank, with small feet. 
 
 1260. Bridge near Canton. 
 
 1261 . A musical party. 
 
 1262. Flowers from nature. 
 
 1263. Birds from life. 
 
 1264. Picture of the Bocca Tigris. The Bocca Tigris, called by the 
 
 Chinese " The Tiger's Gate," or Tiger's Mouth," is the 
 entrance of the Canton river, and is so called from the 
 appearance of one of the islands in front of it. It is, as 
 described by Weddel, the first Englishman who approached 
 it, " a goodly inlet," flanked on each side by mountains and 
 fortresses. The latter appear formidable, but owing to an 
 entire want, on the part of the Chinese, of a knowledge of 
 gunnery, and to other causes, they are without any real 
 efficiency. They have been repeatedly passed, without diffi- 
 culty, by English men-of-war. Vessels must show their 
 permits here, before entering ; and are, therefore, required to 
 anchor outside, if they reach the Bogue during the night. 
 
 1265. Flowers and fruit. 
 
 1 266. Variety of birds on rice paper. 
 
 1267. Be venue cutters in pursuit of smugglers. 
 
 1268. View of an engagement by moonlight, between revenue officers 
 
 and smugglers. 
 
 1269. Mandarin and lady. 
 
 1270. Mandarin and lady superbly dressed. 
 
 1271. Chinese bedstead, furniture, &c. 
 
 Specimens of Chinese furniture are abundantly displayed in the col- 
 lection ; the beds of the Chinese, in general, are composed of mats, 
 placed on two or three boards, laid on forms or benches, and covered 
 with a canopy, supported by bamboo sticks, of silk gauze or cotton cur- 
 tains, and a musquito net in the summer. Various kinds of bamboo 
 pillows are also exhibited. 
 
 1272. Ninth view of the Keang-nan tea process : — preparation of 
 
 samples. 
 
 1273. Tenth view as above : — drying the leaves on plates of iron, and 
 
 not of copper, as is erroneously supposed. 
 
 1274. A lady of rank in sedan, with bearers, &c. 
 
 1275. Furniture. 
 
 1276. Mandarin of the first class, splendidly attired, wearing the feather 
 
 with " three eyes." The lordly appearance of this figure is ex- 
 pressed by the Chinese in the phrase " Walks like a dragon, and 
 paces like a tiger," indicative of a stately manner and bearing. 
 
127 
 
 1277. Lady superbly dressed. 
 
 1278. Scene near the second bar on the Canton river, with pagoda in 
 
 the distance. 
 
 1279. Warrior, with quiver, &c, and lady, seated on portable chairs. 
 
 1280. Mandarin and wife in summer dresses. 
 
 1281. Imperial chair of state, with screen, &c. The Empress's chair, 
 
 it will be observed, is equally splendid as that described in 
 No. 1074, but is ornamented with carved peacocks, while 
 the former representing the Emperor's throne, has the im- 
 perial dragon. 
 
 1282. Eleventh new of the Keang-nan tea process : arrival of the " Cha 
 
 Kih" (tea merchant) in the hill country for the purchase of teas 
 for foreign markets. 
 
 1283. Twelfth view as above : interior of a Hong merchant's establish- 
 
 ment at Canton, with coolies packing, weighing, and despatch- 
 ing teas by lighters, for the foreign shipping at Whampoa. 
 
 1284. The lady of the " Tseang-keun," a Tartar general, (described in 
 
 No. 1306,) with military attendants, &c. 
 
 1285. "Warrior in winter dress, with despatches or chop in his hand. 
 
 1286. Lady in summer costume, smoking. 
 
 1287. River view, with fort in the distance. 
 
 1288. River scenery with fishing boats, &c. 
 
 1289 to 1292. Four frames containing numerous drawings of Chinese 
 lanterns, of various patterns and devices. 
 
 1293. River views, with a boat in a brisk gale. 
 
 1294. Rural scenery. 
 
 1295 & 1296. Two frames with drawings on rice paper of Mandarins 
 and their ladies, superbly attired. 
 
 1297 & 1298. Four views in water-colours, representing the interior of 
 gentlemen's country seats, in one of which (1298) is represented 
 a specimen of their private theatrical entertainments. 
 
 1299. Beautiful specimen of embroidery, on satin. The art of em- 
 broidery, in which the Chinese excel, perhaps, all others, is 
 performed principally by men. 
 
 1300 & 1301. Two Indian-ink drawings, representing a military review 
 by the emperor. 
 
 1 302 . Imperial mandarin. 
 
 1303. Lady superbly dressed. 
 
 1304. Portrait of Tingqua, merchant of Canton. 
 
 1305. Section of the Great Wall of China. 
 
 This vast barrier, separating China from Tartary, was built by Tsin, 
 the first universal monarch of China, about 200 years B.C., or rather 
 
128 
 
 more than 2,000 from the present time. It is called by the Chinese, 
 " the City Wall, a thousand le in length." It bounds the whole north 
 of China, along the frontiers of three provinces, extending from the 
 shore of the gulf of Pechele, 3^ deg, east of Pekin, to Sening, 15 deg, 
 west of that capital. The emperors of the Ming dynasty built an 
 additional inner wall, near to Pekin, on the west, which may be perceived 
 on the map, enclosing a portion of the province between itself and the 
 old wall. From the eastern extremity of the Great Wall there is an 
 extensive stockade of wooden piles, enclosing the country of Mongden , 
 and this has, in some European maps, been erroneously represented as 
 a continuation of the solid barrier. (See native map of China, in this 
 collection, No. 1041.) A particular examination of its structure was 
 made by the gentlemen of Lord Macartney's embassy, who had the good 
 fortune to pass into Tartary by one of the most entire portions of the wall. 
 On its first approach, it is described as resembling a prominent vein or 
 ridge of quartz, standing out from mountains of gneiss or granite. The 
 continuance of this fine over the mountain-tops arrested the attention, 
 and the form of a wall with battlements was soon distinctly discerned. 
 It was earned over the ridges of the highest hills, descended into the 
 deepest valleys, crossed upon arches over rivers, and was doubled in 
 important passes, being moreover supplied with massy towers or bastions 
 at distances of about one hundred yards. One of the most elevated 
 ridges crossed by the wall was 5,000 feet above the level of the sea. It 
 far surpasses, in short, the sum total of all other works of the kind, and 
 proved a useful barrier until the power of Ghenghis Khan overthrew the 
 empire of the Chinese. 
 
 1306. A Tartar general, " Tseang-keun" and suite, having the command 
 of the garrison of a city ; its defence being his particular depart- 
 ment. He is independent of generals outside the walls of the city 
 which he defends. He has two adjutants attached to his com- 
 mand, as seen in the drawing, called "Too-tunff," who are 
 distinguished by right and left, from their taking the com- 
 mand of the left and right wings of the army. The high 
 official standing of the Tseang-keun is denoted by the figure of 
 a tiger's head embroidered on the breast of his outward dress, 
 and the presence of the peacock's feather with three eyes. He 
 has eight bearers to his sedan, when used, and the same number 
 of attendants follow in his train when on duty, as here repre- 
 sented. 
 1307 & 1308. Tartar noble and wife, in full costume. In the cap of the 
 former is placed a peacock's feather. This badge of dig- 
 nity is granted by the Emperor, as a mark of distinction ; 
 
129 
 
 it hangs pendant from the cap over the shoulders. The rank 
 of the wearer is known by having one, two, or three eyes on 
 the feather, and by a difference of colour ; the usage was 
 never known in China till the present dynasty. 
 
 1309. View of Honan, a village on the south side of Pearl river, over 
 
 against Canton. This village is chiefly celebrated for its 
 extensive and magnificent temple of Buddha, the richest religi- 
 ous establishment in this part of the empire. No part of the 
 splendid structure is visible in the painting, which is mainly 
 interesting as affording the best view of river life in the col- 
 lection. This is a mode of existence peculiar to the Chinese. 
 The people of other nations resort to the water for purposes 
 of gain, warfare, health, or pleasure, for a season, but they 
 never cease to regard the land as their natural and permanent 
 dwelling-place. They would be miserable if they believed 
 themselves confined for life to floating habitations, whatever 
 temporary attractions these might possess. But millions 
 on millions of people in China are bom, vegetate, and die, 
 upon the bosom of its numerous streams. They occasionally 
 make a " cruise on shore," but they return to the water as 
 their natural home and element. It is computed that there are 
 not less than 40,000 dwelling boats within the immediate 
 neighbourhood of Canton. These are arranged in regular 
 streets, which are lighted up at night. Besides the boats used 
 as habitations, the river is covered with innumerable craft 
 in perpetual motion ; yet such is the skill with which they are 
 managed, and the peaceableness of the boatmen, that jostlings 
 rarely occur, and quarrels are almost unknown. 
 
 1310. Drawings of birds. 
 
 1311. View of the landing and entrance to the Hwa-tee flower gardens, 
 
 situated a short distance above Canton, on the bank of the 
 river. They are principally owned by the Hong merchants of 
 Canton, and foreigners are allowed to visit them on certain 
 days in each month. These gardens are beautifully laid out, 
 and afford much gratification and relief to persons confined to 
 the narrow limits to which all foreigners are restricted at 
 Canton. From these gardens the greater number of those 
 beautiful dwarf shrubs are procured, so much esteemed by us. 
 
 1312. Portrait of the late consort of Taou Kwang, Emperor of China. 
 
 1313. Portrait of Tingqua Ponkeiqua, a Hong merchant. 
 
 1314. Entrance to the city of Pekin on the West. 
 
 Pekin has been the capital of the empire since the reign of Yung-16 , 
 
130 
 
 A. D. 1423, in the centre of which stands the imperial city, five miles in 
 circumference, enclosing within it the sacred city, which occupies a third 
 of its dimensions. The capital has nine gates, the number to correspond 
 perhaps to the nine divisions of the Chinese territory after the Deluge, 
 as before alluded to. 
 
 1315. Empress of China in a car, drawn by two horses, and attended 
 
 by female musicians. 
 
 1316. Flowers. 
 
 1317. Six boats, &c, on rice paper. 
 
 1318. View of the great wall dividing China from Tartary. See 1305. 
 1319 to 1322. Four views of Chinese summer-houses, grounds, &c. 
 
 The Chinese have a great partiality to fish ponds and artificial 
 lakes attached to their country houses and grounds. These are 
 rendered agreeable to the eye by the cultivation and growth 
 of the water-lily. 
 1323. Picture of Macao. This is by the same artist, and of the same 
 dimensions as the picture of Canton, already described. It is 
 a view of Macao, as it appears from the harbour. The name 
 of this port signifies "The entrance to the bay." It is 
 situated in 22 deg. 11^ sec. No. lat. and 13J deg. 13 sec. 
 E. long. The town is handsomely situated on a steep decli- 
 vity, and protected, as it were, in the rear by the mountain 
 wall. One of the neighbouring summits is crowned with 
 a Portuguese church, which shows like a fortress in the dis- 
 tance. The effect is imposing in approaching by sea, as 
 nearly the whole city is visible, and of a prepossessing ap- 
 pearance. Macao is a place of some importance ; and in- 
 teresting on several accounts. It belongs nominally to the 
 Portuguese, to whom the privilege of building a town there 
 was granted about two hunched and fifty years ago, in conside- 
 ration of services rendered in clearing the Chinese waters of a 
 desperate gang of pirates ; but the government is really in the 
 hands of the viceroy at Canton, and there are regular Chinese 
 officers of justice, government, and the customs. The Portu- 
 guese, however, are governed by their own laws, to enforce 
 which, they are allowed to employ their own officers. Here 
 all foreign merchantmen, bound to Canton, have to procure a 
 chop, or permit to pass the forts, and take on board an inside 
 pilot. This is the utmost limit to which European or American 
 ladies are ever permitted to intrude into the Celestial Empire. 
 Most of the foreign merchants resident at Canton, rusticate at 
 Macao during the summer months. — Lintin, that paradise 
 
131 
 
 of smugglers, lies to the left of the view contained in this 
 picture. 
 
 1324. View of a gentleman's summer residence and gardens. 
 
 1325 & 1326. Two drawingsofthe interior of gentlemens' summer resi- 
 dences in China. 
 
 1327. Stands with fruit, flowers, &c, on rice paper. 
 
 1328. Six boats, on rice paper. 
 
 1329. Portrait of a celebrated Chinese beauty. 
 
 1330. Portrait of a well known money broker in Canton. This 
 
 description of men are exceedingly numerous, and are of 
 various standing in their line of business. The smaller 
 dealers confine themselves principally to the purchase and 
 sale of their copper coin, called by Europeans cash, by natives 
 tseen, which is the only coin of the Chinese. They are thin 
 and circular, and nearly an inch in diameter, having a square 
 hole in the centre for the convenience of tying them together, 
 with a raised edge both around the outside and the hole. 
 Those now in use have the name of the emperor in whose 
 reign they were cast, stamped upon them, with the words 
 tung paou, " precious circulating medium." Notwithstand- 
 ing their trifling value, they are much adulterated with 
 spelter ; yet, on account of their convenience in paying small 
 sums and for common use, they generally bear a premium, 
 and are the thousandth part of a tael.* The use of the silver 
 coin, however, appears to be increasing among the Chinese, 
 as by recent accounts we learn that silver dollars have been 
 made in Fuh-keen and other places, contrary to the laws of 
 the empire. In his journal, Mr. Lindsay says, " At Fuh- 
 chow dollars are not defaced by stamping as at Canton. 
 The ingots are of quite a different description from those in 
 use in Canton, but of excellent quality." Lord Jocelyn 
 remarks, " "When the dollar first comes into the possession 
 of a Chinese, he gives it a stamp, or chop, thus extracting a 
 small portion of the metal ; receiving the same usage from 
 each hand it passes through, it is reduced from its coinage- 
 value to that of merely its weight. The possessor of this 
 clipped money, finding the bulk inconvenient, melts it down 
 into the form of Sycee silver, a species more easy to stow 
 than if it was in the former coin, in which 1,000 drilled 
 dollars might not exceed the value of 200. The Sycee 
 silver is more valuable than any other, on account of 
 * A tael is about a dollar and a third. 
 
132 
 
 its containing portions of gold dust. It is generally in 
 the form of a canoe, with a stamp in the centre." In 
 ancient times the shells of the tortoise and pearl oyster, 
 were used as a circulating medium in the exchange for com- 
 modities, till about 200 years B.C., when the " cash" noticed 
 above was introduced. Under the Sung dynasty, in the 
 reign of Shaou-hing (A.D. 1170,) a kind of paper money or 
 bank note was issued of various amounts. Offices were 
 appointed by the government every where to receive and issue 
 them. They were to be renewed within seven years, and 
 about one and a half per cent, was deducted by the govern- 
 ment for the expences of their issue. A scarcity of copper 
 coin is assigned as one reason ; and another is, the want of 
 money to pay the array, which led to this scheme to entice the 
 merchant with the convenience of it. The terms, " Flower 
 edged money," " Foreign faced money," and " Devil's head 
 money," all express the Spanish dollar. 
 
 1331. The exterior view of the Imperial Hall of Audience, at Pekin. 
 
 Yellow tiles are an imperial emblem, and are used only on the 
 emperor's palaces, and the temples of Confucius. 
 
 1332. Emperor of China borne by sixteen officers. 
 
 1333 to 1335. These drawings are the continuation of the rearing of 
 the silk worm and culture of the mulbery tree, as practised at 
 Nankin, and correspond with the Nos. 1028-9-30 placed on 
 the face of the opposite pillar. 
 
 1336 to 1339. Four paintings in oil, representing the annual military re- 
 view which takes place about the new year, near the " Teen-how 
 shan," or Queen of Heaven's Hill" in the vicinity of Canton. 
 " In the almost total absence of actual warfare," says Mr. 
 Davis, " the Chinese soldiers are periodically exercised by their 
 commanders. Their field-days consist in tumultuous and disor- 
 derly marches in the train of their mandarins, or in sham fights, 
 which are conducted (like their theatrical performances) with the 
 din of gongs and other noisy instruments. To this is joined 
 some practice in drawing the bow, and in the use of the sword. 
 Their reviews consist partly in the examination of their match- 
 locks, their swords, and arrows ; and, when they have any, 
 of their helmets or padded armour. As far as our experience 
 went in the embassy, their offensive amis were always in a 
 wretched condition. The greater number of soldiers are at 
 liberty to follow some trade or occupation, as they are, in fact, 
 a mere militia periodically called out. Exceptions occur only 
 among the Tartar troops, and those Chinese who are em- 
 ployed as a standing police or guard. So far from there being 
 
133 
 
 any necessity to enrol soldiers by compulsion, or by[_bounty 
 money, the profession is eagerly sought after as a favor, and 
 as an addition to the person's means of livelihood. The 
 only occupation of the Chinese army, with very few excep- 
 tions, since the Tartar conquest, has been to over-awe 
 popular revolts, and keep the people in order. The board at 
 Pekin, called the Ping -poo, or " military tribunal," has con- 
 troul chiefly over the armed police of the empire ; that is, the 
 Chinese, as distinguished from the Tartar troops. It has 
 couriers always ready to be dispatched to the provinces, and 
 to convey its secret orders. Banditti and malefactors of every 
 kind are traced out with almost unerring certitude, and all 
 experience bears testimony to the extreme efficacy of the police 
 of the country." 
 
 In these paintings will be observed numerous shields, in the 
 hands of the soldiery, of hideous devices, similarly to those 
 lately taken from the Chinese, and now placed in the Royal 
 Arsenal at Woolwich. The design is evidently to strike their 
 opponents with terror and affright. 
 
 1340. A theatrical representation by moonlight. For information on 
 
 this subject the visitor is referred to the remarks made in p. 28. 
 
 1341 . Specimens of Chinese windows. 
 
 CHINESE TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE CITY OF CANTON. 
 
 The Chinese Topographical annalists, say, that 2230 years antecedent 
 to the Christian era, the region now called Kwang-tung, (Canton) was 
 noticed in ancient records, under the names Kaou-che ; Nan-kaou ; 
 Nan-ee ; Paa-yue ; and Yue. 
 
 Tsin-che, the first universal Chinese monarch, about two centuries 
 before our era, pushed his conquests to the south of the Mei-ling 
 mountain, that bounds Canton on the north, through which a pass was 
 subsequently cut in the eighth century. 
 
 This military conqueror (Tsin-che-hwang) i.e. Tsin, the first emperor, 
 put Pih, " Shining white, or Resplendent," on the top of the character 
 Wong, " a king," in order to make a new title for himself, meaning the 
 glorious king, and which, in the poverty of European phrase, is translated 
 Emperor ; and who, to prove his title to the designation Che, " the first'' 
 — the " Beginning," burnt all the ancient records he could find, and 
 buried alive the readers of books. This conqueror called Canton, Nan- 
 hae, " the Southern-Sea," a name which is yet retained for the principal 
 JJeen, or district, in the province. From that period till the Sung dy- 
 nasty, about A.D. 1000, Canton underwent many revolutions, and was 
 variously designated. 
 
 K 
 
134 
 
 Tsin-che-hwang' s successor, Urh-hwangteshe, sent to it 15,000 unmarried 
 women ; and nearly four hundred years afterwards it was called Kwei- 
 lum-tseong-kwan, " the region of cassia forests, and elephants." At the 
 time above mentioned, (A.D. 1000,) whilst the court resided at Kan- 
 king, (or in the provincial dialect Nam-king) Canton, or Ling- nan, (as it 
 was then called) was considered one of the worst places of banishment 
 for refractor\ r statesmen. To go " South of the mountain," as Ling- 
 nan signified, was deemed certain death. 
 
 The present name of Canton, viz., Kwang-tung, was not adopted till 
 the Mwan-chow, or Tartar dynasty, founded by the grandson of Genghis- 
 Khan. Even till the Ming-chaow, which expelled the Tartars, and was in 
 its turn expelled by those Tartars who now fill the throne of China. 
 Canton was not called a Sang, or province, but a Tow or Loo, a " way 
 or road." And then, first, about A. D. 1397, the metropolis was called 
 by its present name, Kwang-choiv-foo : previously to that time it was 
 called Kwang -chow-loo. Under the emperor Koic-tei, of the Hoan 
 dynasty, a self-made king, who beld Ins court at Poon-yu, the modern 
 "Whampoa district, called Canton region by a name he thought applicable 
 to himself — Nan-mow, "The southern warrior." 
 
 The emperor Kow-tei confirmed his title, and the king Yap-kung 
 " offered tribute" to his liege lord. Under the same dynasty, a king of 
 Man-yuet, as Fokien was then called, made war upon Canton, and lost 
 his life. By the interference of the Emperor, peace was restored ; but 
 he soon afterwards sent his own troops to subject Nan-man, "The 
 southern barbarians," as the people of Canton were called by bim. 
 
 A.D. 415, the pirate Loo-swie attacked and took possession of Can- 
 ton after a hundred days fighting. 
 
 In 419, the people of Canton sent, as tribute to Woo-te, "The 
 Martial Monarch," a piece of fine cloth. But the hardy warrior was so 
 displeased at its luxurious softness, that he rejected it, and issued a 
 mandate, forbidding the people of the south ever to make any more 
 such fine cloth. 
 
 In 654, King-chow (or the Island of Hainan,) was first occupied by 
 the order of the second Emperor of the Tang dynasty. 
 
 About 703, She-pak, "trading vessels," began to introduce "rare 
 commodities," extraordinary or curious manufactures. 
 
 The ensuing year was remarkable for the governor, Sung-Ying, "first 
 teaching the people to burn earthenware." 
 
 And in 705, a statesman, called Chung -koic -ling, cut the famous pass 
 through the Move-ling mountain, to facilitate intercourse between 
 Canton and the northern parts of the empire. 
 
 It is further remarked, to the credit of this statesman, that when, on 
 
135 
 
 the emperor Yuen Tsung's Tseen Tsew, " thousand autumns," i.e. his birth 
 day, all the courtiers were presenting " ornamented mirrors ;" Chung - 
 how-ling offered a book, in five volumes, which he had composed to show 
 " the causes of the rise and fall of former dynasties ;" and this work he 
 called, "a golden birth-day mirror." 
 
 In 795, a general, who commanded in Canton, wrote to court, stating that 
 the trading vessels had all deserted Canton and repaired to^w-raam,Cochin- 
 China ; and he added, that he wished to send a sort of consul thither. 
 
 Some of the ministers were in favour of the measure, but the imperial 
 will was determined in opposition to it, by the opinion of one who 
 argued to this effect: — "Multitudes of trading vessels have hereto- 
 fore flocked to Canton ; if they have all at once deserted it, and repaired 
 to Cochin-China, it must have either been from extortions being insup- 
 portable, or from some failure in affording proper inducements. When 
 a gem spoils in its case, who is to blame but the keeper of it ? If the 
 pearl be fled to other regions, how is it to be propelled back again ?" The 
 Shoo-king classic says, " Do not prize too much strange commodities, 
 and persons will come from remote parts." 
 
 The spirit engendered by this sentiment is in unison with the general 
 temper of the Chinese, inclining to the idea of affecting indifference in 
 obtainingwhat they most desire. The Chinese studiously repress curiosity. 
 
 This same year those in power were forbidden, by imperial autho- 
 rity, to take, by force, the sons and daughters of peaceable subjects, to 
 make slaves of them ; which prohibition implies the previous existence 
 of the unjust and cruel slave trade. 
 
 In 897, the Cochin- Chinese made war upon Canton by land ; and a 
 public spirited man obtained great credit for building large vessels to 
 bring grain from Fuh-Jceen province. 
 
 After the fall of the Tang dynasty, (in allusion to which the Chinese 
 of the present day call themselves Tang Yin, " a man of Tong,") there 
 were five short dynasties of from ten to twenty years' duration each ; 
 in Chinese history called the Woo-tae, " five generations." To the 
 first of these, in 904, Canton sent tribute of gold, silver, rhinoceros' 
 horns, ivory, and other valuable commodities, to the amount of five 
 millions of taels. The principal person concerned, viz. Lowheen, was, in 
 consequence, created King of Canton, under the title Nan-hae-wang, 
 " King of the southern sea." 
 
 The Court of Canton is represented, at this time, as cruel and extra- 
 vagant in an extreme degree ; — criminals were boiled, roasted, and 
 flayed, and thrown on spikes, and forced to fight with tigers and ele- 
 phants ! The horrid tale shocked the founder of the most learned Chi- 
 nese dynasty, viz. that of Sung, (A.D. 964) and he exclaimed, " It is 
 
 k 2 
 
]36 
 
 my duty to deliver the people of this region." A prodigy was seen by 
 the people of Canton, "all the slars flowed to the north," and the 
 ensuing year they obtained peace and tranquility. 
 
 At this period Canton appears to have been in a very barbarous state ; 
 and, in the estimation of the government, was excessively addicted to 
 sorcery and superstition. Hence (A.D. 980) government "prohibited 
 the superstitious practises on the south of the mountain," and threw down 
 their " superstitious temples." Yin (superstitious) usuallv denotes 
 " lewd," — whether lewdness formed a part of their rites is not certain. 
 
 Another prohibition was,— not to "kill men to sacrifice to demons." 
 Thus it appears, that not more than 800 years ago, human sacrifices 
 were offered in China ; and report says, that even to the present day, 
 the makers of porcelain purchase a child which they devote to be burnt 
 in a new made furnace. At the period now referred to, witches and 
 wizards were prohibited ; and dispensaries of medicine were established 
 to relieve the sufferers from the noxious damp diseases, much spoken of 
 in the history of that period. The Sung dynasty, at its commencement, 
 appears to have studied much the welfare of Canton. It forbade expe- 
 ditions against Cochin- China, reprobating the idea of distressing the 
 people from a mere covetous desire of useless territory. It caused the 
 city of Canton to be walled in ; and when the Cochin-Chinese pillaged 
 the western side of the province, they did not venture to lay siege to 
 Canton. 
 
 It was subsequently harassed by internal rebellions, and by attacks 
 from contending dynasties. In tl e first Tartar conquest it suffered 
 much ; and books dare not yet tell what it suffered in the conquest made 
 by the reigning family. Tradition says, that two-thirds of the inha- 
 bitants perished. 
 
 About 1397, Ho-tsoug, "burning funeral rites" were prohibited ; 
 i. e. burning the corpse instead of interring it. This is, however, the 
 present practice of the Buddha priests in China. The same authority 
 also forbade the use of the terms created by the preceding Tartar 
 dynasty, viz. " Gods of the west, east, and north seas" — retaining 
 only the " God of the southern sea." 
 
 About A.D. 1500, the pirates of Canton joined with the Japanese 
 pirates, and committed depredations on the coast ; and frequent insur- 
 rections are recorded, some of which lasted for ten years at a time, 
 which, together with banditti of robbers, must have greatly distressed 
 the peaceable inhabitants. It was in these troublesome times, during 
 the reign of Kea-tsing, who ascended the throne in 1520, that Europeans 
 first visited China by sea. 
 
 Chinese annalists close by saying, that during the last years of the 
 
137 
 
 Ming dynasty, when anarchy generally prevailed, the sufferings of the 
 people were inexpressible ; but the temporary blaze of an expiring flame 
 naturally precedes its eternal extinction ; and the flame of discord blazed 
 awhile, till the rising Tartar family that now reigns, extinguished it for 
 ever, and introduced a never-ending tranquillity ! 
 
 General Remarks on the Government and people of China. 
 
 The Chinese government is, nominally at least, patriarchal. The 
 authority of a parent over his children is the type of the imperial rule. 
 The emperor claims to be the father of his subjects, exercising an influ- 
 ence over the minds of his people in the promotion of virtue and 
 the encouragement of talent. The Chinese have a saying, — " A prince 
 is like a vessel, the people like water ; the water is moulded by the shape of 
 the vessel." 
 
 As such, he exercises supreme, absolute, unchecked power over more 
 than one-third of the human race. He has but to sign the decree, and 
 any one of three hundred and fifty millions of human beings is nstantly 
 deprived of rank, possessions, liberty, or life itself. This is a stupendous 
 system, a phenomenon unmatched in the annals of time, and worthy to 
 engage the profound attention of statesmen and philosophers. The 
 subjects of the Macedonian were but as a handful compared with the 
 teeming millions of Eastern Asia ; the Roman Empire when at its widest 
 extent, numbered not more than one third of the present population of 
 China ; and the throne of the Ceesars was, in the power it conferred upon 
 its occupant, but as a child's elevation in comparison with that on which 
 the Tartar sits. Even the British empire, vast as it is, and extending into 
 all regions of the globe, does not contain more than 1 SI, 000,000. of 
 souls. We can but glance at a few of the details of this system, and the 
 causes which have given it stability. 
 
 At the head of the system stands, of course, the Emperor. His titles 
 are, the " Son of Heaven," and the " Ten Thousand Years." In an 
 official document received by the governor general of Bengal from the 
 general of the Chinese forces, the emperor is styled, " The flower of the 
 
 IMPERIAL RACE, THE SUN OF THE FIRMAMENT OF HONOR, THE RESPLEN- 
 DENT GEM IN THE CROWN AND THRONE OF THE CHINESE TERRITORIES." 
 
 Of this august personage it was said, by a Tartar, over-powered by the 
 glories of the emperor; — (A. D. 1060.) "The sovereign of China is a 
 
 MANIFESTATION OF THE SUN IN THE HEAVENS." 
 
 Ubiquity is considered as among his attributes ; temples are erected to 
 him in every part of the empire : and he is worshipped as a god. Ye 
 he sometimes styles himself " the imperfect man," and his ordinary dres 
 
138 
 
 is far from splendid. While the grand mandarins that compose his court, 
 glitter in gold and diamonds, he appears in a plain and simple garb. 
 Nevertheless, no means are omitted to keep up the prestige of his majesty. 
 The outer gate of the imperial palace cannot be passed by any person 
 whatsoever, in a carriage or on horseback. There is a road between 
 Pekin and the emperor's summer residence in Tartary, wide, smooth, 
 level, and always cleanly swept, on which no one but himself is permitted 
 to travel. At the palace, a paved walk leads to the principal hall of 
 audience, which is never pressed but by imperial feet. Despatches from 
 the emperor are received in the provinces with prostrations and the burn- 
 ing of incense. Sir George Staunton records an instance of the 
 august dread with which the Chinese regard their sovereign in the 
 following anecdote ; — " In the beginning of this journey," says he 
 " one of the ambassador's guards died of a surfeit, as was supposed, of 
 fruit. His death happened in one of the emperor's palaces ; but such 
 is the extraordinary delicacy of the people in everything relating to 
 their dread Sovereign, that it was contrary to rule to have allowed 
 any person to breathe his last within the imperial precincts. The 
 conductors, therefore, of the ambassador, directed the corpse, of this 
 European to be carried from thence in a palanquin, as if still alive ; and 
 his death was announced at some distance upon the road." The suc- 
 cession is at the absolute disposal of the emperor. Instances have 
 occurred, though they are rare, in which persons not connected with the 
 imperial family have been named. The immediate assistants of the 
 emperor are — 
 
 I. The Nuy-ko. This is the great council of state. The chief 
 counsellors are four, two Tartars and two Chinese. Besides these, 
 there are several others, of inferior rank, who in conjunction with them, 
 constitute the council. Almost all the members of the Nuy-ko are 
 selected from the imperial college of the Hanlin. 
 
 II. The Keun-ke-ta-chin. This is a body of privy councillors. 
 
 III. The Liih-poo, or six boards for conducting the details of public 
 business. They are, — 
 
 1 . The Board of Appointments, having cognizance of the conduct 
 
 of all civil officers. — 
 
 2. The Board of Revenue, whose duties extend to all fiscal matters. 
 
 3. The Board of Rites and Ceremonies, which keeps watch and 
 ward over the public morals, and has controul over the fashions 
 in China. 
 
 4. The Military Board, charged with the affairs of the army and 
 
 navy. 
 
 5. The supreme Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. 
 
139 
 
 6. The board of Public Works. 
 
 IV. The Lefan-yuen, or Office for foreign affairs. Its duties embrace 
 all the external relations of the empire. The members of the Lefan- 
 yuen are always Mongol or Manchow Tartars. 
 
 V. The Too-cha-yuen. This is a body of censors, forty or fifty in 
 number. They are sent into different parts of the empire as imperial 
 inspectors, which means spies. By an ancient custom, they are at 
 liberty to give any advice to their master without the hazard of losing 
 their life ; but blunt honesty is not often relished by the great from any 
 quarter, and unpalatable remonstrances have sometimes cost their authors 
 the favour in which they had before basked. 
 
 The provinces are governed each by a chief magistrate, entitled foo- 
 yuen, or two together are under the government of a tsung-tiih, who 
 has foo-yuens under him. Canton and Kwang-se are subject to a 
 tsung-tiih, called by Europeans, the viceroy of Canton. The governors of 
 the provinces have, subordinate to them, an army of civil magistrates 
 amounting to fourteen thousand. No individual is permitted to hold 
 office in the province where he was born ; and public functionaries 
 interchange places periodically, to prevent the formation of too intimate 
 connexion with the people under their government. A quarterly pub- 
 lication is made, by authority, of the name, birth-place, &c, of every 
 official person in the empire ; and once in three years, a report is sent up 
 to the board of official appointments, by the foo-yuen of each province, 
 containing the names of all the officers in his government, and a full 
 statement concerning their conduct and character, received from the 
 immediate superiors of each. Every officer is held to a strict responsibi- 
 lity for the good behaviour and fidelity of all who are under him. Letters 
 are held in higher esteem than arms, and the civil officers of course 
 outrank the military. This may be set down to their credit, as it is 
 certainly a mark of social advancement. 
 
 No man in China inherits office, nor does hereditary rank enjoy much 
 consideration or influence. This fact is placed in a strong light by the 
 following anecdote, related by Sir George Staunton, secretary to Lord 
 Macartney's embassy. Among the presents for the emperor was a volume 
 of portraits of the British nobility. That the inspection of them might 
 be more satisfactoiy to his majesty, a mandarin was employed to mark, 
 in Chinese characters, on the margin, the names and rank of the persons 
 represented. When he came to the print of an English duke, from a 
 portrait taken in childhood, and was told that the original was a ta-jin, 
 or " great man," of very high rank, he had so little conception of a child's 
 being qualified, by hereditary right, to be possessed of such a'dignity, that 
 he gave a look of surprise, and laying down his pencil, exclaimed, that he 
 
140 
 
 could not venture to describe him in that manner, for the emperor knew 
 very well how to distinguish a great man from a boy. 
 
 The penal code of China is an interesting subject. If we go upon the 
 principle of judging the tree by its fruits, and look at this code in con- 
 nexion with its results, we shall be compelled to allow that it is wisely 
 framed and efficiently administered. It is lucidly arranged under six 
 principal divisions, corresponding to the six boards above described. It 
 is not needful to enumerate the several heads of chapters embraced in 
 these divisions. The principal defects of the code, in the opinion of Mr. 
 Davis, are, — 
 
 ' 1 . A constant meddling with those relative duties which had better 
 be left to other sanctions than positive laws. — 
 
 2. A minute attention to trifles, contrary to the European maxim, 
 
 de minimis non curat lex ; 
 
 3. An occasional indulgence in those vague generalities, by which 
 
 the benefits of a written code are in a great measure annulled. 
 "A prominent feature of the Chinese criminal laws is the marked and unre- 
 lenting severity with which it punishes treason, not only in the person of the 
 traitor, but in those of his unoffending offspring, even the suckling at the 
 breast. The whole are cut off at one fell blow ! It is impossible to read 
 the recital of some of these punishments, so abhorrent to humanity and 
 justice, without a sentiment of indignation as well as of sympathy. 
 
 " The most common instrument of punishment is the bamboo, the dimen- 
 sions of which are exactly defined. The number of blows, attached gradatim 
 with such precision to every individual offence, answers the purpose of a 
 scale or measurement of the degrees of crime ; and this punishment 
 being often commutable for fine or otherwise, the apparent quantity of 
 flagellation is of course greater than the real. The next punishment is 
 the kea, or cangue, which has been called the wooden collar, being a 
 species of walking pillory, in which the prisoner is paraded, with his 
 offence inscribed. It is sometimes worn for a month together, and as the 
 hand cannot be put to the mouth, the wearer must be fed by others." 
 After this comes banishment to some place in China, and then exile beyond 
 the Chinese frontier, either for a term of years or for life. There are 
 three kinds of capital punishment, — strangulation, decollation, and for 
 treason, ling che, " a disgraceful and lingering death," styled by Euro- 
 peans, cutting into ten thousand pieces. The punishment of this latter 
 offence against the state is extended to the whole members of the traitors 
 family, hence arises the phrase, — " To grub up the roots of trees," said 
 in reference and in defence of the custom of executing the whole of the 
 family of the traitor, so that none are left. 
 
 A debtor who does not discharge the claims of his creditors, after the 
 
141 
 
 expiration of a certain specified period, becomes liable to the bamboo. 
 A man mav sell himself in China, says Sir George Staunton, in certain 
 cases, such as to discharge a debt to the crown, or to assist a father in 
 distress, or if a father be dead to bury him in due form. 
 
 If his conduct in servitude should be unimpeachable, he is entitled to 
 his liberty at the end of twenty years. If otherwise, he continues a 
 slave for life, as do his children, if he had included them in the original 
 agreement. The emperor's debtors, if fraudulently such, are strangled ; 
 if merely by misfortunes, their wives and children and property of every 
 kind, are sold ; and they are sent themselves to the new settlement in 
 Tartary. The interests of the emperor are always made the first object. 
 No property can be secure against his claims. 
 
 We will close this very brief notice of the Chinese criminal law, 
 with the following testimony of an able writer in the Edinburgh Review. 
 He says : — " The most remarkable thing in this code is its great rea- 
 sonableness, clearness, and consistency ; the business-like brevity and 
 directness of the various provisions, and the plainness and moderation of 
 the language in which they are expressed. It is a clear, concise, and distinct 
 series of enactments, savouring throughout of practical judgment and 
 European good sense. When we turn from the ravings of the Zendavesta, 
 or the Puranas, to the tone of sense and of business of this Chinese 
 code, we seem to be passing from darkness to fight — from the dri- 
 velfings of dotage, to the exercise of an improved understanding : and, 
 redundant and minute as these laws are in many particulars, we scarcely 
 know any European code that is at once so copious and so consistent, 
 or that is nearly so free from intricacy, bigotry, and fiction." 
 
 It is generally supposed that the Chinese claim to have authentic 
 annals extending back to a date anterior to the period usually assigned to 
 the creation of the world. This however, is an erroneous supposition. 
 It is true that they have a fabulous history which pretends to relate events 
 occuring we know not how many thousand ages ago ; but intelligent 
 Chinese scholars consider and admit this to be a pure invention. They 
 claim, indeed, a high antiquity, and there can be no doubt that the claim 
 is well founded. 
 
 In speaking of their national institutions, they allude to their antiquity, 
 as of " ages numerous as the small particles of dust of which the world 
 is made." 
 
 It is probable, that Alexander might have spared his tears, and saved 
 himself the perpetration of an egregious folly, had he known that, far 
 beyond the Ganges, there lay an empire vaster and mightier than 
 any with whose power he had grappled ; — an empire flourishing in 
 the arts of civilized life, and destined to survive, in a green and vigorous 
 
142 
 
 old age, long after the last vestiges of his ill-gotten power had disap- 
 peared from the earth. 
 
 A full development of the causes which have given strength and 
 stability to the Chinese empire, which have matured and perpetuated its 
 institutions, would be an interesting and instructive labour. We cannot 
 pretend to attempt it, but may, in passing, throw out a few hints upon 
 the subject. There can be no doubt, that the sea and the mountain 
 barriers by which China is surrounded, the unwarlike character of her 
 neighbours, her almost total isolation from the rest of the world, her 
 vigilant police, the eligibility of all classes to the trusts and dignities of 
 office, and the rigid system of responsibility enforced upon her officers 
 have all had their share in the result. But these causes are insufficient to 
 explain the phenomenon. The most powerful agent beyond all question, 
 is the education of her people. We speak here not so much of the edu- 
 cation received in schools, as of that which consists in an early, constant, 
 vigorous, and efficient training of the disposition, manners, judgment, 
 and habits both of thought and conduct. This most efficient department 
 of education is almost wholly overlooked and neglected by us ; but it 
 seems to be well understood and faithfully attended to by the Chinese. 
 With us, instruction is the chief part of education, with them training ; 
 let the wise judge between the wisdom of the two methods. The senti- 
 ments held to be appropiiate to man in society, are imbibed with the milk 
 of infancy, and iterated and reiterated through the whole of subsequent 
 life ; the manners considered becoming in adults, are sedulously imparted 
 in childhood ; the habits regarded as conducive to individual advancement, 
 social happiness, national repose and prosperity, are cultivated with 
 the utmost diligence ; and, in short, the whole channel of thought and 
 feeling for each generation, is scooped out by that which preceded it, and 
 the stream always fills but rarely overflows its embankments. The greatest 
 pains are taken to acquaint the people with their personal and political 
 duties, wherein they again set us an example worthy of imitation. " Our 
 rights," is a phrase in everybody's mouth, but our duties engage but a 
 comparatively small share of our thoughts. Volumes are written on the 
 former where pages are on the latter. The sixteen discourses of the 
 emperor Youn-tching, on the sixteen sacred institutes of Kang-hy, the 
 most accomplished and virtuous of Chinese sovereigns, are read twice 
 every moon to the whole empire. On the 1st and 15th of every moon, 
 or the new and full moon, the principal officers of the province assemble 
 in a hall, and listen to a preacher mounted on a table, who rehearses 
 memoriter, a section of the Shing-yu, first in Chinese, and next in the Tartar 
 language for the benefit of the soldiers who attend. We subjoin the 
 
143 
 
 texts of these discourses as curious, and at the same time higldy illustra- 
 tive of Chinese character. 
 
 1 . "Be strenuous in filial piety and fraternal respect, that you may 
 thus duly perform the social duties. — 2. Be firmly attached to your 
 kindred and parentage, that your union and concord may be conspicuous. 
 — 3. Agree with your countrymen and neighbours, in order that dis- 
 putes and litigation may be prevented. — 4. Attend to your farms and 
 mulberry trees, that you may have sufficient food and clothing. — 5. 
 Observe moderation and economy, that your property may not be 
 wasted. — 6. Extend your schools of instruction, that learning may be 
 duly cultivated. — 7. Reject all false doctrines, in order that you may 
 duly honour true learning. — 8. Declare the laws and their penalties, for 
 a warning to the foolish and ignorant. — 9. Let humility and propriety of 
 behaviour be duly manifested, for the preservation of good habits and 
 laudable customs. — 10. Attend each to your proper employments, that 
 the people may be fixed in their purposes. — 11. Attend to the education 
 of youth, in order to guard them from doing evil. — 12. Abstain from 
 false accusing, that the good and honest may be in safety. — 13. Dissuade 
 from the concealment of deserters, that others be not involved in their 
 guilt. — 14. Duly pay your taxes and customs, to spare the necessity of 
 enforcing them. — 15. Let the tithings and hundreds unite, for the sup- 
 pression of thieves and robbers.— 16. Reconcile animosities, that your 
 lives be not lightly hazarded." 
 
 The discourses founded on these excellent maxims are clear, direct, 
 and simple in their style, and are characterized by vigorous thought and 
 practical sense. They might be adopted as a model for didactic com- 
 positions. The imperial pen deals summarily and rather cavalierly 
 with the ministers of the Buddhist and Taou sects. We offer a few 
 specimens from the " Book of Sacred Instructions." The curious will 
 find them interesting^ — 
 
 " This filial piety is a doctrine from Heaven, the consummation of 
 earthly justice, to grand principle of action among mankind. The man 
 who knows not piety to parents, can surely not have considered the 
 affectionate hearts of parents towards their children. "When still infants 
 in arms, hungry, they could not feed themselves ; cold, they could not 
 clothe themselves ; but they had then parents who watched the sounds 
 of their voice, and studied the traits of their countenance ; who were 
 joyful when they smiled ; afflicted when they wept ; who followed 
 them, step by step, when they moved ; who, when they were sick or in 
 pain, refused food and sleep on their account. Thus were they nursed 
 and educated until they grew up to manhood." — " Formerly, in the 
 family of Chang-kung-tze, nine generations lived together under the 
 
144 
 
 same roof. In the family of Chang-she of Kang-chou seven hundred 
 partook of the same daily repast. Thus ought all those who are of the 
 same name to bear in remembrance their common ancestry and pa- 
 rentage." — "Economy should, therefore, he held in estimation. A 
 store is like a stream of water, and moderation and economy are like 
 the dams which confine it. If the course of the water is not stopped 
 by the dam, the water will be constantly running out, and the channel 
 at length will be dry. If the use of the store is not restricted by 
 moderation and economy, it will be consumed without stint, and at 
 length will be wholly exhausted." — " Wisdom should precede, and 
 letters follow." — " He who 'pretends to profound learning, without 
 regarding first himself, and his own duties ; fame indeed he may acquire, 
 but when he is examined, he will be found to possess no solidity." — 
 "These wandering and mendicant sectaries* are glad to disguise their 
 views, because of the corruption of their practises. Their chief pursuit 
 is to diffuse false auguries, and omens of good and bad fortune ; and 
 they thus make a livelihood by the sale of their idle tales and vain 
 predictions. At first they go no farther than to delude the people out 
 of their money, to enrich themselves, but, by degrees, they lead the 
 people of both sexes to meet indecorously together ;f and burning 
 incense, they initiate them into their sect. — Husbandmen and artisans 
 desert their respective callings, and flock after these vain and deceitful 
 talkers." 
 
 Such, then, is the spirit of the constitution, laws, and education of 
 China. The conclusion of the whole matter, the grand results secured, 
 are a stable throne, a country enjoying an extraordinary degree of 
 internal quiet, a population, mild, peaceful, obedient, cheerful, and in- 
 dustrious, and a perpetuity of national existence unequalled in the 
 world's history. 
 
 The population of China has been variously estimated. Lord Ma- 
 cartney states the number of inhabitants at 333,000,000 ; Dr. Mor- 
 rison's son at 360,000,000. It is well known that the learned doctor's 
 own estimate was only 150,000,000, but he stated to Mr. Dunn, two 
 years before his death, that he was then convinced that the highest 
 number ever given did not exceed the true one. Wherever the truth 
 may he, it is certain that every part of the empire teems with life. The 
 whole policy of the government, and all the tendencies of the empire, 
 that can at all bear upon the matter are in favour of multiplication. 
 
 * The Taou and Buddhist priests. 
 
 f In many temples may be seen a tablet, placed in a conspicuous situation, with- 
 the following injunction : — " Men and women pray separate. 7 ' 
 
145 
 
 Children are obliged to provide for the old age of their parents ; and 
 the want of offspring, who may pay the customary honours at the family 
 tombs and in the " Hall of ancestors," is considered the most grievous of 
 calamities. These considerations are vigorous stimulants to marriage, 
 and, coming in aid of the natural instincts of the race, leave fewer 
 bachelors and maids in China than in any other country on the globe. 
 The owners of slaves, who do not procure husbands for their females, 
 are liable to prosecution. Three generations, and more, often live under 
 the same roof, and eat at the same board ; a system of clubbing, which 
 by diminishing the expense of living, tends strongly to an increase of 
 population. Again, the laws of the empire, and all the prejudices and 
 sentiments of the people, are against emigration, which prevents that 
 drainage by means of which other civilized and trading nations are 
 relieved of their surplus inhabitants. 
 
 The government of so extensive an empire, swarming with its hun- 
 dreds of millions, must be an expensive affair. Du Halde, apparently 
 however without the means of exact accuracy, sets down the total 
 expenses of the imperial government in the round sum of 200,000,000 
 taels, or considerably over £50,000,000 of which only 10 millions, 
 reach Pekin, the balance being expended in the provinces. The sources 
 whence these monies come, are, a land tax, for which the land-owners, 
 not the tenants, are responsible ; a tax on salt, which is a government 
 monopoly ; certain revenues derived from tea and alum, which are also 
 monopolies to a limited extent ; taxes on the transit of goods within the 
 empire : and customs on imports and exports. The government at this 
 moment appears to be hard pressed for means ; and the difficulty of 
 fixing upon modes of increasing the revenue, is a pretty clear indication 
 that there are practical checks to the exercise of imperial authority, 
 which it is not thought prudent to disregard. 
 
 In whatever else a difference of opinion may exist respecting the 
 Chinese, all must agree that they are an oiiginal people. Their marked 
 peculiarities in manners and customs, the frame- work and administration 
 of their government, the idiosyncrasy of their education and educational 
 institutions, and their modes and implements of agricultural and mecha- 
 nical labour, — all proclaim their originality beyond doubt or cavil. 
 Whoever attentively examines this collection of Chinese curiosities, 
 which this volume but briefly describes, will need no further proof of the 
 ingenuity of the Chinese in arts and manufactures. In several branches 
 of labour, both agricultural and mechanical, which evidently originated 
 with themselves, they have never been surpassed ; and in some, they are 
 unequalled by any other people. Without any claims to be considered a 
 scientific nation, the various contrivances by which they economize labour, 
 
146 
 
 and force nature to become their handmaid, are many of them equally 
 simple, ingenious, and efficient. 
 
 The three inventions and discoveries which, in their results, have 
 (previously to the invention of steam) contributed more powerfully than 
 all other causes combined to give to modern society its peculiar form and 
 fashioning, and which are destined, instrumentally, to carry forward in 
 connection with steam power — to its utmost limit of perfection, the civi- 
 lization of the human race, first started into being in the Celestial 
 Empire ; and, whatever mortification the statement may inflict upon our 
 vanity, there is much reason to suppose that those who, throughout 
 Christendom, are generally considered as the inventors of the art of 
 printing, the composition of gunpowder, and the magnetic needle and 
 mariner's compass, received their first promptings, and had their genius 
 quickened into activity, by information flowing, through different chan- 
 nels, from the springs of Eastern Asia. 
 
 Foreign intercourse with China. 
 
 The ancients may be said to have had no knowledge of China ; for, 
 though a few scattered gleams appear to have reached them from that 
 remote region, and one or two feeble efforts were made to obtain infor- 
 mation concerning its inhabitants, they were not sufficient to produce any 
 practical results. Yet, when Rome was still an infant, and the Grecian 
 philosophy among the things to be, China had produced a sage, second 
 only, in the long catalogue of heathen philosophers, to the illustrious 
 and pure minded Socrates. 
 
 Some Nestorians appear to have introduced Christianity into China, in 
 the year 635, but the world is indebted to them for no account of the 
 country, either in its physical or moral aspect. Two Arabians, in the 
 ninth century, visited and described it with considerable fullness. Much 
 contained in their itineraries is applicable to the Chinese of the present 
 day. Commercial relations of some importance existed then, and 
 subsequently, between China and Arabia. The Chinese appear to have 
 sought, in those early ages, commercial liaisons with several of the neigh- 
 bouring nations. Carpini, the first Catholic missionary to China, was 
 sent thither in 1246. He was kindly received, and sent back with a 
 friendly letter. Another missionary was sent in 1253, who met with a 
 like reception. About the same time the two Polos, Nicholas and 
 Matthew, reached the court of the Mongol conqueror, Coblai-Khan, by 
 whom they were most graciously received, and at their departure, invited 
 
147 
 
 to return. They accordingly, in 1274, went back, taking young Marco 
 with them. This young man became a great favourite with the Khan, 
 and resided at his court seventeen years. He was the first European who 
 gave the world an account of China. His book was long considered 
 little more than a pleasant romance, but has since been proved to be 
 remarkably faithful and accurate. Its glowing pictures kindled the 
 imagination of the young Columbus, and fed for years his soaring 
 hopes. 
 
 The next Catholic missionary to China was Corvino. He went to 
 Pekin, was kindly received by the emperor, built a church by imperial 
 permission, and baptized several thousand converts. The missions 
 continued to flourish, and the missionaries were unmolested in their 
 labours, till they began to meddle with the government, and thus became 
 politically obnoxious. 
 
 The Portuguese were the first Europeans who traded to China, They 
 made their appearance there early in the sixteenth century; and were 
 followed by the Spaniards, Dutch, French, &c. The Russians have an 
 over-land commerce with China, but are not allowed to use ships. Their 
 dealings are restricted to the frontier station at Kiackta, in Tartary. 
 ITie earliest attempt made by the English to establish a trade with China, 
 was under Elizabeth, in 1596. The three ships, fitted out for this pur- 
 pose, were all wrecked on their outward voyage. About forty years 
 later, a somewhat more successful effort was made by a fleet under the 
 command of Capt. Weddel ; but the main object was defeated through 
 the jealousy and misrepresentations of the " Portingals." Numerous 
 attempts followed, with various success ; but it was not until the begin- 
 ning of the last century that permission was obtained for establishing a 
 factory, and the trade fixed upon a permanent basis. 
 
 The first American vessel that went on a trading voyage to China, 
 sailed from New York, in 1784; but so rapidly did the trade thus 
 opened increase, that in 1789, there were fifteen American vessels at 
 Canton ; a larger number than from any other country, except Great 
 Britain. During twenty-eight years, between 1805 and 1833 inclusive, 
 the whole number of arrivals of American vessels at the port of Canton, 
 was 896, giving an annual average of 32. The total estimated mea- 
 surement tonnage of these vessels was 500,000, averaging, therefore, 
 17,857 per annum. The entire value of the China trade, during the 
 above-mentioned period, may be stated, in round numbers, at 1 50,000,000, 
 dollars or over five millions and a quarter sterling yearly, rather more than 
 a hundred millions of this sum have been paid in dollars and bills of 
 exchange. The bulk of the trade is in teas. Of these, twelve kinds are 
 
148 
 
 known to the foreign commerce, six of black, and as many of green. A 
 great variety of other articles enter into the trade, but they form a 
 comparatively unimportant part of it. Opium is the chief import into 
 China. 
 
 Mr. Bridgman, in his " Description of Canton," estimates the whole 
 number of vessels employed in the China trade, belonging to all the 
 different nations, at 140. " But the trade," he adds, " has alwavs been 
 earned on under circumstances peculiar to itself. It is secured bv no 
 commercial treaties ; it is regulated by no stipulated rules. Mandates 
 and edicts not a few there are on record ; but they all emanate from one 
 party : still the trade lives, and, by that imperial favour which extends 
 to the four seas,' flourishes and enjovs no small degree of protection." 
 
 The foreign commerce with China, the land trade carried on by the 
 Russians alone excepted, is restricted to the port of Canton, and is 
 conducted, so far as the Chinese themselves are concerned, by a body of 
 licensed traders, called " Hong merchants." This body is called the 
 Co-hong, and its members pay roundly for the privilege of entering it. It 
 is not a joint stock company ; each Hong enjoys his individual gains, yet 
 the whole Co-hong is made responsible for the debts of every member, 
 so far as they consist of government dues and obligations to foreigners, 
 These merchants generally amass large fortunes, and live like princes. 
 Houqua, the present head of the Co-hong, is supposed to be one of the 
 richest commoners in the world. His annual expenses exceed one 
 hundred thousand pounds. 
 
 The factories, as the warehouse and residences of the foreign merchants 
 are called, are built on a plot of ground, in part reclaimed from the river, 
 having not more than 660 feet of frontage, with about 1000 feet of 
 depth. Within these narrow limits is conducted the whole foreign trade of 
 the Celestial Empire, amounting to from 30,000,000 to 40,000,000, 
 dollars, annually. The factories are all of granite or brick, and 
 present a handsome and substantial front. The ground on which they 
 stand, as also most of the buildings themselves, are owned by the Hong 
 merchants. 
 
 The Chinese have been, repeatedly, denounced in terms savouring 
 little of Christian forbearance and charity. In their business transac- 
 tions, they have been presented to our imagination as a nation of cheats; 
 in their bearing towards foreigners, as scornful and repulsive to the last 
 degree of supercilious self-complacency ; and in their own social rela- 
 tions, as bereft of even* noble sentiment and generous sympathy. The 
 policy, especially of excluding foreign traders from all but a single port 
 of the empire, has been made the subject of the most acrimonious denun- 
 ciations. Far be it from us to enter the lists in defence of this policy ; 
 
149 
 
 nor will we take up the proffered gauntlet on the general question of 
 Chinese respectability and worth. But Truth and Justice are suitors at 
 the bar, and demand a few words in explanation of one or two points, 
 which seem not to be generally understood. We have already seen that 
 this people, at an early day, sought commercial connexions with various 
 of the neighbouring nations ; that the Arabians traded freely with them 
 wherever they pleased ; that the earliest European visitors were received 
 with marked kindness, and treated with extraordinary hospitality ; and 
 that the Catholic missionaries had free admission to all parts, and made 
 and baptized converts without let or hindrance. These zealous and able 
 sectaries, were frequently promoted to the highest dignities of the 
 empire. They founded churches at their will ; and hundreds of thousands 
 of Chinese were, nominally at least, through their exertions, converted 
 to the Christian faith. They continued in favour till they indiscreetly 
 began to tamper with government affairs, and attempted to undermine 
 the ancient institutions of the realm. No restrictions of place were 
 imposed upon those western merchants who first frequented the shores of 
 China. Every port was open to their enterprise, and they were not 
 required to confine their dealings to any defined spot or particular class 
 of merchants. But the burning jealousies and fierce wranglings perpet- 
 ually kept up between the subjects of the different European govern- 
 ments that sought to share in the rich gains of the China trade, roused 
 the suspicions of the Chinese, and inspired no very favourable opinion of 
 their character. The abominable arts to which the foreigners in former 
 times, under the temptations of a base cupidity, resorted to injure each 
 other, would seem almost to justify the epithet Fan-kweis, or " foreign 
 demons/ 5 applied to them by the natives. These circumstances, together 
 with various positive abuses of the liberties of trade at first freely 
 granted, caused the government to commence at length the work of 
 abridging the privileges of foreigners, and the result appears in the rigid 
 system of restrictions now in force. 
 
 If European and American traders may fairly blame the iUiberality of 
 the Chinese, these have certainly just ground of complaint against them 
 in the illegal practices to which their cupidity tempts them. Fif- 
 teen to twenty millions worth of opium has been for years, in defiance 
 of the laws and known wishes of the government annually emptied upon 
 the shores of China by Christian merchants ! 
 
 Alas for missionary effort, so long as the grasping avarice of the 
 countries whence the missionaries come, sets at naught every Christian 
 obligation before the very eyes of the people whom it is sought to 
 convert ! Most devoutly do we long for the auspicious day, when the 
 
 L 
 
150 
 
 pure religion of Jesus, shall shed its sacred influences on every human 
 being ; but we believe it will not come, till the principles of that religion 
 shall take a firmer hold upon the affections of those who profess to receive 
 it, and rear a mightier embankment around their sordid and stormy 
 passions. When the missionary shall find an auxiliary in the stain- 
 less life of every compatriot who visits the scene of his labours for 
 purposes of pleasure or of gain, — when he can point not only to the 
 pure maxims and sublime doctrines proclaimed by the Founder of his 
 faith, but to the clustering graces that adorn its professors, — then indeed 
 will tbe day dawn, and the day-star of the millennium arise upon the 
 wonld ! 
 
 l-RINTED BY G. M'KEWAN, 9, GREAT WINCHESTER STREET, CITY. 
 

 
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