mented with leaf gold; 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 any other addition; fruits are also brought on beautifully japanned trays. In some Chinese apartments 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 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 shop, 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 considerable sameness of feature 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 yellowish 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, notwithstanding 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, necessarily assimilate, both mentally and physically.

Corpulency in men, and small, delicate, taper fingers in women, 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. Shun Che, 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 calamities, scarcely less dreaded than death itself. To be deprived of their cue, is one of the most opprobrious brands put upon convicts and criminals. Those to whom nature has been sparing in respect to the natural covering of the head, supply her deficiencies 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.

LACQUERED WARE.

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.

37 & 38.

Carved sections of bamboo, used for holding pencils.

Carved sections of bamboo.

39. Small steel-yard for domestic purposes. All articles in common use in China are sold by weight, not excepting liquids, timber, fruit, live stock, &c.

40 & 41. A full tea-service of lacquered ware, of great beauty, and of extreme lightness, forming part of the equipment 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, (rhus vernix) 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.

43.

Lacquered case of singular form, to contain the above tea

service.

Beautiful painting on glass, in a stand of carved wood, highly polished.

44. Ancient metallic mirror, or speculum, used in China prior to the

introduction of glass.

The back is here presented to the visitor, being ornamented with numerous hieroglyphical figures. The opposite 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 is distinctly reflected on a wall, or other level surface. The probable solution to this difficulty is, that the figures on the back being of a harder metal than the face are inserted through the softer metal; and hence the figures produced in the rays of light, which are 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 a section of bamboo, with painting of the parent tree in gold, &c.

60. Superb Cabinet, from Soo-chow in the province of Keang-nan, 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.

66. A travelling case formed of pig's 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.