priests, and of which they have 108.* They consider also that the good and bad actions of men are placed to their accounts as in mercantile book-keeping-the good on the credit, and the bad on the debtor side of the page, which is finally balanced, and the persons whose names are inscribed, admitted to happiness or consigned to punishment, according to the merits of their respective accounts current.

CASE 1.

No. 1. MANDARIN OF THE FIRST CLASS AND HIS SECRETARY.

No. 2. MANDARIN OF THE SECOND CLASS.

No. 3.

ANOTHER MANDARIN OF THE SIXTH CLASS.

Two MASSIVE ARM-CHAIRS, COVERED WITH CRIMSON DRAPERY,

RICHLY EMBROIDERED.

SQUARE TABLE, HANDSOMELY CARVED, WITH MARBLE top.

SPECIMENS OF CRIMSON DRAPERY, ELEGANTLY EMBROIDERED, HANG

ING IN FRONT OF THE TABLE.

CAP STANDS AND VARIOUS ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES.

CHINESE MAXIMS ON THE WALL.

THE principal figures in this case are three civil Mandarins,† of the first, second and sixth grades, bearing the title "Ta jin," (" great and distinguished men,") applicable to persons of the above class. The one highest in rank is seated, with his head uncovered; the others, with their caps still on, are paying the customary respect to their superior, previously to the occupancy of an adjoining chair. The former is upon the left, this being the post of honour among the Chinese. A secretary is in waiting behind the principal, with official documents in his hand.

* These beads are also an ornament, used by the reigning family, and by the highest mandarins. They seem to have a reference to the 108 ceremonies mentioned in Ward's Hindoo Mythology. Vol. ii. page 260.

The word " Mandarin," from the Portuguese, is significant with the Chinese term "Kwan," i. e, an officer of the Government, whether civil or military

C

The two dignitaries are attired in their state robes, which are literally stiff with embroidery, a liberal proportion of which is wrought with gold thread. The greater part of the splendour of their under dresses is hidden from the eye of the visitor by the loose outward garment of dark purple satin, called by the Chinese "Paou-kwa," to divest these figures of which, would give the visitor an incorrect representation of these personages as they invariably appear upon state occasions. Each has an enormous bead necklace, extending below the waist in front, with a string of "chaouchoo," or "court beads" attached to it at the hinder part of the neck, which reaches down to the middle of the back. The caps are dome-shaped, with the lower portion turned up, and forming a broad rim, which is faced with black velvet. The top of the cap is surmounted by a globular button, or ball,* from which there depends a sufficient quantity of crimson silk to cover the whole of the upper portion. The material and colour of the crowning sphere indicates the rank of the wearer. The cap is the most ceremonial appendage among the Chinese, with the ball on its conical top; as before remarked, it is a distinctive mark of titular rank. As on most other occasions, their customs as to covering the head are the very reverse of our own. We consider it a mark of respect to uncover the head; with them it would be a great v:olation of decorum, unless among intimates, and with leave previously asked. In hot weather, when friends interchange visits, and it is more agreeable to be uncovered, the host says to his guest," Shing Kwán!"-raise, or put off the cap,— after which the scruple no longer exists. Besides the distinctive button, the removal of which by the emperor, would be to degrade the person from all rank in the state, each grade of mandarins has a characteristic badge, worn both upon the breast and the back. This is a square piece of purple silk, covered with various embroidery. Its centre is occupied with the figure of a bird, a dragon, or a tiger. The rank of the officer is designated by the kind and colour of the central figure. In the badges of the two mandarins (Nos. 1 and 2) for example, the figure in each is a bird; but in one it is white, and in the other blue. The dress of a military officer is adorned with the figure of a tiger. It may be as well here to remark, that at the imperial court, and on all state occasions of

* Called "Maou-ting."

pomp and ceremony, the figure of a dragon denotes the emperor, and that of a tiger, his ministers. The articles of furniture in this case are such as are usually seen in the houses of the higher classes. The wood of which the chairs and table are made, is of a hard grain resembling rosewood. It is called by the Chinese "Muh-wang," or "King of woods," and is esteemed beyond all other trees.

It is deserving of remark that with the exception of the Chinese, chairs are not used by eastern nations.

On the wall are suspended a pair of silk scrolls, bearing the following appropriate maxims:_“A nation depends on faithful Ministers for its tranquillity." 'Mens' sons should rest on filial piety as their particular duty."

The nobility of China are of two kinds, hereditary and official. The former class is not numerous, nor greatly influential. It consists chiefly of the relations of the emperor, who are styled princes, and are bound to live within the precincts of the imperial palace. The real nobility, or aristocracy of the country, are the mandarins. Of these there are estimated to be, on the civil list of the empire, not less than fourteen thousand. The mandarins are divided into nine ranks, or pin, each of which is indicated by a double badge-the colour of the globe on the apex of the cap, and the embroidery on the front and back of their official robes. The colours employed are red, blue, crystal, white, and gold; and these, with certain modifications of shade, serve to distinguish what are denominated "Kew pin," i. e. "the nine ranks," into which all persons possessing any rank in China are divided. The nominal rank, and of course the distinctive costume, of any of the official grades, may be purchased of the emperor. The sum demanded for the distinction, is, however, proportionately large. Houqua, for instance, the richest of the Hong merchants, whose likeness we have in the collection, purchased his nominal rank at the enormous price of 100,000 dollars, or £20,000 sterling.

The present dynasty has frequently sold commissions both in the civil service and in the army, in order to supply its pecuniary wants; which circumstance gives much dissatisfaction to those who depend on their