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 description 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 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, formed by 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 ornamented 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.

51.

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.

LACQUERED WARE AND ARTICLES OF VERTÛ.

53. Two embroidered cloth pillows for winter use.

54 & 55. Two lacquered boxes of different forms, having separate compartments for travelling purposes.

56 & 57. Two Lacquered boxes used for carrying presents, &c. 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 embossed leather.

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 as well as those of Canton make use of baskets containing embers, called "Holung," 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 hand or gnomon of the dial.

The Chinese have no clocks or watches of their own manufacture, although both are in use among them; and they exhibit 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 pair of watches of European manufacture, one on each side his girdle, in an embroidered pocket; if questioned as to the meaning of this seeming extravagance, his reply is, "Suppose one make sick, the other walkee."

74.

Curious root of a tree, resembling birds.

75. A grotesque figure carved from a section of the bamboo. China incense vessel, in imitation of bronze.

76.

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. Carved section of bamboo, used as pencil-holder.

92 & 93. Two porcelain figures.

94. Lacquered box, containing several cakes of ink.

95 & 96. Two porcelain figures.

97.

98.

Another in clay.

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.

102. 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.

The 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 many 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 purchaser. These planks 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 in the lifetime 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 present 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, in universal use among the Chinese,

It consists of an oblong frame of wood, with a bar running lengthwise, forming two compartments; through this bar, at right angles, are usually placed seventeen (but sometimes more) small pins, having on each seven balls; five on one side, and two on the other side of the bar. Any ball in the larger compartment, being placed against the bar, is called unity; and on the left of this they increase, and on the right they decrease by tens, hundredths, &c.; the corresponding balls, in the smaller compartment, increase or decrease by fifths, fiftieths, &c. By these means, all numbers in the common transactions of business, integral or decimal, are computed with much ease and rapidity. 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 writing-case, containing rouge, dice, swan-pan, snuff, writing materials, looking-glass, &c. &c.

111. Cameo, in a stand of polished hard wood.

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. The bat is the Chinese emblem of happiness.

117. A square red lacquered box, for various uses.

118. Lacquered stand for fruit.

119.

120.

122.

A red lacquered box, in the form of a melon.

A richly veined marble tablet, on a stand of polished ebony. 121. Small case of drawers of iron wood, used by lapidaries. Gentlemen's dressing case containing every requisite. 123. Another small lacquered box, in the form of a Chinese gentleman'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 coral.

127. A lacquered box containing Chinese water colors.

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.

137. A richly ornamented lacquered case of singular form, containing smaller boxes for the reception of trinkets.

138. A gentleman's dressing case, and glass.

139. A pair of scales, very accurately adjusted, with a complete set of weights. These are used in weighing specie.

140. Model of a bridge at Fo Shan, 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. Fo Shan is a village situated a few