a model of the celebrated flower-boat, with all its furniture and decorations complete. Nothing of the kind could well be imagined more rich, gay, and showy. The central portion forms what may be called a suite of drawing-rooms, enclosed with the usual carved and gilded screen-work of the country, and provided with elegant miniature furniture. The kitchen is in the hinder part, where are seen models of all the utensils used. The stern is as gay as the gayest trappings can make it, and near the bows there are representations of the flower-pots and flowers, from which the barge receives its name. This boat is much employed for pleasure excursions, particularly in the calm summer evenings; and it is also sometimes used as a dwelling-place by a not very reputable class of females.

In the lower section of this case there is a model of a bridge, with five arches, the original of which is of granite, 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,

nor its use less prevalent. It is used alike by men and women, rich and poor, high and low, old and young, for the soothing, tranquilizing effect it produces upon the mind. The Chinese tobacco is of a mild, agreeable flavour, and in colour is almost white. The stems of the pipes are generally long, slender pieces of bamboo; the mouth-pieces amber, ivory, glass, &c.; and the bowls, of some metallic substance, more or less valuable according to the wealth or taste of the owner, are commonly moderate in their dimensions. Pipes which have been used a long time are usually preferred, "and the age of a pipestem is a pretty certain proof of its value." Opium is also smoked in large quantities, but the pipe used for this drug differs essentially from that employed in tobaccosmoking.

Carved ivory balls have become common, but it is rare to see as fine a specimen as one of those in this case. This is composed of seventeen balls, one within the other, covered with ornamental carving of the most delicate kind. How this can be done is a problem which has puzzled Europe for ages. It was long supposed that there was some deception about it, but it is now ascertained that the whole is carved out of a solid block of ivory, by the slow and patient pains-taking of plodding ingenuity. In the art of carving, as well as in that of embroidering, the Chinese undoubtedly excel all other nations. Witness their tables, screens, ivory balls, and another article less known, but evincing equal ingenuity and skill; we mean the snuff-bottle. These are often of rock crystal, and hollowed into perfect bottles of about two inches in length, through openings in the neck not a quarter of an inch in diameter; and, what is more surprising, the inside is inscribed with minute characters, so as to be read through the transparent substance.

The case on the opposite side of the column is filled with Chinese shoes. The most curious are those for the golden lilies, some of them not more than three inches in length. The others are extremely clumsy, with soles varying from half an inch to three or four inches in thickness.

XIII. Fifth Wall Case.

In the fifth case we have a specimen of Chinese theatricals. There are three figures of actors,-an adult and two children,—a gorgeous state umbrella, a number of theatrical caps, and a sample of embroidered tapestry. The dresses and adornments of the actors are of rich materials, elegantly wrought.

Theatrical exhibitions are favourite amusements of the Chinese, and, as among the ancient Greeks and Romans, they are sometimes connected with religion. The estimation in which they are held may be inferred from a single fact. The money expended upon them in one year at Macao, a place where there are but few wealthy Chinese, amounted to nearly seven thousand dollars.

It is remarkable that there are no regular theatres. The actors are literally vagabonds, strolling about from city to city, and from province to province. In Canton, for example, the inhabitants of a certain quarter club together and make up a purse, with which a company is engaged. A temporary theatre is erected, and the whole neighbourhood is at liberty to attend. When the quid pro quo has been rendered by the actors, they move off to another quarter, and the same thing is repeated. It is customary to employ play-actors at private entertainments, which are never considered complete without a theatrical

exhibition. Upon such occasions a list of plays is handed to the most distinguished guest, who selects whichever best jumps with his fancy. The principal inns and all large private establishments have a room expressly for this purpose. Females are not allowed to appear on the

stage.

Some notice of the other national amusements will not be out of place here. The Chinese have fewer holidays than perhaps any other people; yet they have a number of festivals, which are enjoyed with a keen relish. The chief of these is the Feast of the New Year, a species of Saturnalia, when the whole Empire abandons itself to a phrenzy of merriment. All labour is intermitted for several days; public business is suspended; servants are dressed out in all the finery at their command; visits of ceremony and presents are interchanged among friends; the rites of religion are conducted with unusual pomp; and, in short, gaiety and pleasure are the reigning divinities.

The Feast of Lanterns, which occurs soon after this, is a general illumination throughout the Empire. The object seems to be to afford an occasion for the display of ingenuity and taste in the construction and mechanism of an infinite variety of lanterns. It is computed that, upon this occasion, there are not less than 200,000,000 blazing at the same time in different parts of the Empire.

There are several agricultural festivals; an annual trial of skill in boat-racing; a festival in honour of the dead; and a sort of general thanksgiving, a holiday highly enjoyed, which takes place in September, at the commencement of the business year.

Gaming prevails among the lower orders, but so much infamy attaches to gamblers, that government officers and the more respectable of the people are free from this taint.

Dominoes, cards, dice, and chess, are favourite games. The venders of fruits often gamble with purchasers in the following manner:-A boy wishes a half dozen oranges. The fruit and half the price demanded for it are laid down together. Recourse is then had to the dice-box. If the urchin throws the highest number, he pockets his money again, and gets the fruit for nothing; if the seller, he in like manner sweeps the stakes, and the disappointed gamester may whistle for oranges, or try his fortune elsewhere. Quails are trained for fighting, and even a species of cricket, two of which are placed in a bowl together, and irritated till they tear each other in pieces. Fire-works, and the tricks of jugglers, tumblers, rope-dancers, &c. are greatly relished.

Of out-door games, the most popular is kite-flying. In this the Chinese excel. They show their superiority as well in the curious construction of their kites, as in the height to which they make them mount. By means of round holes, supplied with vibrating cords, their kites are made to produce a loud humming noise, like that of a top. A game at shuttle-cock, in which the feet serve as battledores, is also a favourite "field sport." In Peking, during the winter, skating, and other amusements on the ice, in which the Emperor takes a part, are among the national pastimes.

XIV. Three Cases in the inter-columniations, containing Ornamental Articles.

The contents of these cases will be examined with special interest by the ladies. Each is divided into three horizontal compartments, all filled with articles of virtu and pieces of ornamental furniture, of wood, stone, jade,