204

THE TRAVELLING TINKER.

him. A basket contains his whole stock in trade, and all his utensils. His enormous spectacles are looped over his ears; and his constant companions, his fan and his pipe, are within his reach.

Yonder is a poulterer, with his bamboo cage of living birds; and a little beyond is a travelling tinker, busily employed; his pincers in his hand, his brazier before him, his irons, hammers, and other implements about him; his broad-brimmed hat near him, while men with pipes, women smoking, and children full of curiosity, surround him. Children, did I say! I could fancy them all little old men. Every one, in my eyes, is a young hun

dred-year-old.

The puppet-show there makes the people all alive; the wooden figures are skilfully managed, and men, women, children, lions, and dogs perform their parts in succession. What a medley of people are before me! A viper-seller, with a list of his reptiles in his hand, has just passed me. Here comes a fruiterer with his melons and grapes: yonder is a vendor of dogs, with his steelyard-like weighing machine; and flower-sellers, hawkers, porters, sailors, sedanchair-men, and beggars, are every direction. Tsong-te, wilt thou ever visit the abode of liberty? wilt thou ever gaze on the chalky cliffs of Albion? Friendly didst thou prove to the "barbarian" in thy native land; and should he meet thee in his, friendly will he prove to thee.

seen in

CHAPTER XXII.

EMBASSIES TO THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE, AND OTHER THINGS.

Patriotism.-Portuguese Embassy.—The Portuguese obtain a Settlement at Macao.-Treatment of Schedel the Dutch Merchant.-Dutch Embassies.-Russian Embassies.-The Ceremony of the Ko-tou performed.-British Embassy under Lord Macartney.—Another Dutch Embassy.—The Ko-tou again performed.-British Embassy under Lord Amherst.-Refusal to perform the Ko-tou.-Deception on the Chinese Authorities.-The Emperor's Displeasure.-Sudden Dismissal of the Embassy.-Eloquent Observations of Rev. Charles Gutzlaff.

FEW people are happier than I am when on my travels; for whether roaming over the fair spots of my native land, or breathing the sunny gale of other climes, I have a habit of looking on all around with a grateful heart, as though everything was given for my express accommodation and enjoy

ment.

The trees in beauty that around me rise ;
The blooming flow'rets of ten thousand dyes;
The sun-the moon-all glorious as they be,
And all the stars of heaven, were made for me!

206

LOVE OF COUNTRY.

If you will take my advice, and encourage the same spirit, you will never repent it. It clothes the earth with a fresher green, and adorns the skies with a brighter blue.

"I

While you and I are grateful that we were born in England, there are those who are equally thankful that they first drew their breath in China. felicitate myself that I was born in China," says Teen-ke-shih, a Chinese author; "I constantly think, what if I had been born beyond the seas, in some remote parts of the earth, where the cold freezes, or the heat scorches! where the people are clothed with the leaves of plants, eat wood, dwell in the wilderness, lie in holes of the earth, are far removed from the converting maxims of the ancient kings, and are ignorant of the domestic relations! Though born into this world, I should not have been different from a beast. But now, happily, I have been born in China; I have a house to live in; have drink and food, and elegant furniture; I have clothing, and caps, and infinite blessings. Truly the highest felicity is mine !"

Nor less the patriot's boast where'er he roam,
His first, best country, ever is at home.

I honour thee, Teen-ke-shih, for thy patriotism, and will try to think the better of the country that gave thee birth.

As the commerce carried on with China has ever