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, ditto 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. 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. A gentleman'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.

126. Another of different form.

127. A lacquered box containing Chinese water-colours. 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 placed in 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 looking-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 for foot passengers, though horses are sometimes taken over. Fo Shan is a village situated a few miles to the S. W. of Canton, where most of the manufactories are carried on, and is said to be as populous as Canton itself.

141. A pair of cuspadors of white metal.

142. Lacquered fan case of circular form.

CASE XI.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

143 to 148. Six specimens of carved bamboo roots.

This is a kind of ornament highly esteemed by the Chinese.

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 called, "Heang-loo," to contain the ashes of jossstick (composed of powdered sandal-wood, &c.), and consumed before idols. On the face of this vessel is inscribed the characters "Fuh Show," "happiness and long life."

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 cuspadors, (or spittoons,) formed of white metal. /

153 to 155. Three specimens of carved bamboo roots, as described in Nos. 143 to 148.

156. Vessel of a peculiar ware, resembling cast iron in its appearance, on a stand of the same material.

157. The head of an official staff or crozier, called Seĭh 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 frighten away the imaginary

monster.

159. Porcelain pencil-holder.

160. 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 formed of embossed leather.

168. Three Buddha idols.

169. Ancient bronze vase.

170. Coloured marble Buddha idol. :

171. Specimen of sculpture in marble, with ebony stand.

172. Ancient bronze vase, as No. 169.

173 & 174. Two figures in papier maché, 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 this the night patrols repeat the hours. The whole night is divided

into five watches, commencing at seven o'clock P. M., and are sometimes announced by the gong, or a drum, or else as above described.

177. Specimen of painted marble in frame and stand, placed on tables,

as ornaments.

178. Metallic mirror, as No. 164.

179. Cameo in stand.

180. China vessel, with stand and cover, for incense.

181. Joss-bell and stand, used in temples, and accompanies No. 183. 182. Splendid Cameo, presented to Mr. Dunn by Howqua, the Hong merchant. This cameo is of extraordinary size. It represents

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 cover.

185. Singular specimen in sculpture, in coloured marble.

186. Specimen of painted marble on stand, placed on tables as ornaments, as No. 177.

187. Common pillow of rattan.

188. Pillows used in summer, called "Chin-tow," the bamboo slats on the top are elastic, and the general form of the pillow admits

of a free circulation of air.

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 by a valve, produces 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.

196 & 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 in 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 to 213. Three ancient porcelain figures, emblematical of the three principal felicities so much esteemed by the Chinese, viz. :happiness (official employment or promotion), longevity, and male children.

214. Vase from the interior, more than five hundred years old. As the Chinese attach great veneration to antiques, its cost 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 ornamented 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 these stands guests are supplied with pipes.

225. Flower-vase, with three orifices for one flower each.

226. Ancient and beautiful vase, ornamented with a lizard.