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-these are for amusement only. 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.

Archery has always, from very remote times, been held in high estimation, and much cultivated by the Chinese. It is now, however, looked upon rather as an elegant accomplishment for gentlemen and military men, like fencing among some Europeans, than as a measure of defence or offence in actual warfare, when recourse is had to fire arms and swords. The bow is used in the army, on board ship, and in gymnastic exercises. Practising archery on horseback is regarded as a high attainment, and is described with care in Chinese books treating of tactics.

If numbers were the evidence of strength, China, in a military point of view, would be most formidable. Her exclusive system for so many centuries, 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 materials for a government. Of artillery they know next to nothing. They have no gun-carriages, their cannon being fixed immoveably in one position. When the Sylph and Amherst, 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 Collection, 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 gratification 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 an under vest, 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 have no covering for the hands like gloves; the hands being protected by the length of the sleeves, which terminate in a form well adapted for this purpose. The Chinese seem to 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 garments often descend, as an heirloom, from generation to generation, and constitute the chief riches of a family. A deficiency of clean body-linen

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, particularly lamb skins from Tartary, some of which are of a very extravagant price, and many of the Chinese furs are extremely handsome.

Their

This case contains a group of three literati in summer costume. 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 being always compelled to kneel in the presence of the officers of government. This figure is represented as reading aloud a translation of Esop's Fables. The visitor will observe, in the hand of this 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 preparation 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. Tobacco 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 beautifully 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