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 the centre panel 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 large eye 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 savez: no have eye, no can see; no can see, no savez." us. 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 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, as in almost every other custom, contrary to our own, they reef their sails by reducing the lower part of the sail instead of the upper as with us. 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, confirms 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 managed sailing vessel could pursue. The foreign sailors sometimes try their skill, but make a sorry business of it. The rudder of a junk is very large, compared with that of a ship; it takes the place in great measure of a keel in keeping the vessel to the wind, and is managed by a tiller proportionably large; it is hoisted by a wheel in shallow water. The rudder itself has numerous rhomboidal holes cut in it, from a notion that the eddying of the water through them causes more resistance than a plain board. 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 out-strips 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 Keih-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. A model of a boat used on the canals near Pekin, for the conveyance 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, independent of individual owners. 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 nearly 50,000; they chiefly sail from the southern provinces during the fourth moon, or about June, when the monsoon is favourable, and return empty in the ninth moon, or November. 347. A Chinese port clearance, called "Hung pae,' "the red decla ration," locally called "the Grand Chop." 99 66 This 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 customary 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 following is the law with respect to shipwrecked foreigners, given in the form of an imperial edict, dated the second year of Keënlung, A.D. 1737 :— "Along the whole extent of our coast, it continually happens that foreign ships and people are driven on shore by gales of wind. It is hereby ordered, that the governors and lieutenant-governors of provinces 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 country. This is done to manifest the extremely * The hoppo is the chief custom-house officer, or collector of the port. tender feelings of my imperial mind towards men from remote regions. Take this order and command it to be an everlasting law.-Respect this." 348. A model of the pagoda near Whampoa, of nine stories, and about 170 feet high. 66 The "Tă," 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 Chih kang tǎ." The second-bar pagoda (well known to all who have visited Canton) is called "Sze tsze yang tǎ." "Pa chow tă" 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 connected with religious establishments. The dimensions of the latter at Nankin are nearly 200 feet in height, with an octagonal ground plan. In niches at the sides of the spiral stair-case are placed Buddha images. CASE XV. MODELS OF CHINESE SUMMER HOUSES. 349 & 350. 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 resemblance, in their plan and arrangements, to the remains of Roman habitations discovered at Pompeii. They consist usually of a ground floor,* divided into several apartments within the dead wall that fronts 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 a poem on London, by a Chinese visiter, it is stated "The houses are so lofty that you may pluck the stars." the street, and lighted only by windows looking into the internal courtyard. The principal room next the entrance serves to receive visiters, as well as for eating; and within are the more private apartments, the doorways of which are screened by pendent 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. The central one is only opened for such guests as arrive in sedans, those who come on foot enter the side doors right and left. 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 for 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. A model of a one-story summer house. This 352. A model of a two-story summer house, in the northern provinces, of exquisite workmanship, and completely furnished. 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 ingeniously wrought in bamboo; also birds, flowers, fruit, &c. CASE XVI. A CHINA-WARE SHOP. doon The lower A two-story house as seen in the streets of Canton. part is fitted up as a retail China shop, and affords a very correct representation of a similar establishment in China.& In the front of the counter is a small niche, within which is a shrine to Plutus, and by offering incense to it the tradesman hopes to get rich; very often the names of other divinities are inscribed in the niche along with that of the god of wealth. On a pillar in front of the door, hangs a small tablet, on which is inscribed, "Săng ne, mëen tsin,' "Priests and beggars are not allowed to enter here:" this is frequently placed in a similar position, to prevent the intrusion of persons soliciting charity. For a general description of the streets of Canton, the visiter is referred to the remarks under the view of the city of Canton, No. 1042. CASE XVII. A SILK MERCER'S ESTABLISHMENT. THE PROPRIETOR BEHIND THE COUNTER MAKING CALCULATIONS ON HIS COUNTING-BOARD. CLERK ENTERING GOODS (ON THE LEFT). A PURCHASER IN FRONT OF THE COUNTER. ANOTHER PURCHASER EXAMINING A PIECE OF BLACK SILK. A CHINESE GENTLEMAN SMOKING. A SERVANT PREPARING BREAKFAST. ANOTHER SERVANT LOOKING THROUGH THE SCREEN OR SUMMER door. A BLIND BEGGAR AT THE DOOR ASKING ALMS. WE have here a representation of a silk mercer's shop, as seen in the streets of Canton, completely furnished. 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 anything else in the collection. Two purchasers have been placed |