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that as, according to the Chinese proverb, "a man's conversation is the mirror of his thoughts, so the maxims of a people may be considered as a medium which reflects with tolerable accuracy the existing state of their manners and ways of thinking." In the work of Mr. D. there is both a literal and a free translation. In the few specimens subjoined, we shall take the former in preference, as affording some insight into the grammatical structure of their language, as well as their modes of thinking :"Mulberry slip accords with its youthful bent." "Emperor offending against the laws, with people's the same crime is." "Loving your child, much give the cudgel; hating your child, much give to eat." "In learning, no aged nor youthful; learned who is, is the first." "High talking and big expressions not have one speck of true action." "Not to attend to small actions ultimately involves great virtue."

XII. Fourth Wall Case, with the two opposite.

The fourth case introduces us to a group of Chinese beauties. We have here three young ladies of rank, in full costume. Their hair, which is done up on the back of the head in bunches, and fastened with two bodkins stuck in crosswise, is gaily adorned with wreaths of flowers. There is considerable variety in their dresses, but they are all of the richest materials, and magnificently embroidered. They are exceedingly modest and becoming, concealing entirely the contour of the person. The exposure which fashion allows to European and American ladies, would be looked upon by Chinese women as a flagrant offence against true modesty. The "golden lilies," as the small feet are called, figure, we cannot say "largely," but

interestingly, in these fair ones. Their hands are very delicate; their eyebrows gracefully arched; their features regular and oval; their noses too flat for beauty; and the whole countenance, though rather pretty, and certainly not unamiable, is deficient in strength of expression. Their occupations are characteristic; one of them is fingering a guitar, another is smoking, while the third is amusing herself with a fan. From the waist depends the never absent tobacco-pouch, elegant in material, form, and workmanship. Each has three plain rings in either ear. The footstools upon which their "golden lilies" rest, are covered with embroidered silk.

This case also contains two female domestics, with feet of the natural size, as it is only parents of the wealthier sort who can afford to their daughters the luxury of small feet. One of them is bringing tea to her mistress, in a cup with a saucer-like cover. The common mode of making tea in China, is to place a few leaves in each cup, and pour boiling water upon them. The cups are always provided with tops, to preserve the delicate aroma of the tea, and the infusion is drunk without admixture of any kind.

The women of China, as in all other countries not blessed with Christianity, occupy a rank in society far inferior to that of the men. Nevertheless, their place on the social scale is higher, their influence greater, and their treatment better, than can be predicated of the sex in any other Asiatic nation. Of school education the mass receive none, though there are occasionally shining exceptions; but Gutzlaff ascribes to them the possession of a large share of common sense, and says that they make devoted wives and tender mothers.

The generality of Chinese ladies cannot boast of great beauty. They make a free use of rouge, and this article

is always among the presents to a bride on the occasion. of her nuptials. In what circumstances the "golden lilies," the highest of personal attractions, originated, is not known. The distortion is produced by turning the toes under the soles of the feet at birth, and confining them in that position by tight bandages, till their growth is effectually checked. The bandaging is continued for several years, during which the poor child suffers the most excruciating tortures. This is, no doubt, an absurd, cruel, and wicked practice; but those who dwell in glass houses should not throw stones. It is not a whit worse, nay, we maintain that it is less irrational and injurious, than the abomination of tight lacing. No vital part is here attacked, no vital functions disordered; and, on the score of taste, if the errors of nature are to be rectified, and her graceful lines and proportions improved, we see not why the process of amendment may not be as reasonably applied to the feet as to the waist. Almost every family in China, however poor, has one daughter with the small feet.

Head-dresses of natural and artificial flowers are always worn. No woman, says Sir George Staunton, is so poor as to neglect, or so aged as to give up, adorning herself in this manner. The culture of flowers for this purpose is a regular occupation throughout the country.

Among the accomplishments of the Chinese ladies, music, painting on silk, and embroidery, hold the chief places. The musical instruments are various in kind and material, and a supply of them is held to be an indispensable part of the furniture of a lady's boudoir. Painting on silk is a very common recreation; and embroidery is an almost universal accomplishment.

Of the two cases opposite, one contains a variety of highly interesting curiosities. The most beautiful is

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a model of the celebrated flower-boat, with all its fu niture and decorations complete. Nothing of the kin could well be imagined more rich, gay, and show The central portion forms what may be called a suite drawing rooms, enclosed with the usual carved and gilde screen-work of the country, and provided with elega miniature furniture. The kitchen is in the hinder par where are seen models of all the utensils used. The ster is as gay as the gayest trappings can make it, and nea the bows there are representations of the flower-pots an flowers, from which the barge receives its name. Thi boat is much employed for pleasure excursions, particu larly in the calm summer evenings; and it is also some times used as a dwelling-place by a not very reputabl class of females.

In the lower section of this case there is a model of bridge, with five arches, the original of which is of gra nite, and must be a handsome structure. The arches are formed on strictly scientific principles, though the bridge is several hundred years old.

Besides these large articles, there are, in the case we are describing, an air-gun with wooden barrel; a duckgun with matchlock; a curious double sword, capable of being used as one, and having but one sheath; specimens of Chinese bullets, shot, powder, powder-horns, and match-ropes; numerous specimens of tobacco and opium pipes; samples of divers kinds of fruits; two carved ivory balls; and several small wooden stands, of beautiful patterns and elegant workmanship, made for ornamental lisplay on parlour tables, book cases, &c.

The national taste for tobacco is well represented by the large collection of pipes. The fondness of the Chinese for this exotic weed is not less strong than for the most celebrated indigenous plant of their own country,

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