inales and females of the wealthy classes, and it is frequently cut into the form of a sceptre, and carved. Two sceptres are often sent from one mandarin to another of equal rank with himself. When the mandarin who has received this present, pays a visit to the donor, or to another of similar rank, these sceptres are borne before him. Indeed, so highly are they prized, and so much weight is attached to forms and ceremonies by the Chinese, that no mandarins below the rank of first and second class, are allowed to use them. From the description given in the narrative of Lord Macartney's embassy to China, of the sceptre sent by the Emperor to our King, I conclude it was manufactured from jade. It is, in fact, the only substance manufactured into sceptres by the Chinese.

The library in every mansion is fitted up with great care and attention, and is exclusively devoted to the one object. The proprietor even retires to a smaller room adjoining, to read and study. The books, with their gailycoloured bindings of figured silk and satin, and of gold and silver tinsel, glare gorgeously upon the eye. Adjoining this chamber is the hall of ancestors, where the continual perfume of incense ascends before the domestic shrine, which is gaily decorated with artificial flowers. Ranged in regular order around this hall are a series of tablets, detailing the family history and pedigree, interspersed with further selections from their ancient sages. In this hall, and at their tombs, the family burn paper-offerings to the manes of their ancestors, on the anniversary of their deaths. Here also the master of the mansion keeps his coffin, it being the custom for the head of every family to provide himself with his last covering as soon as he becomes a housekeeper. This usage prevails amongst all classes, from the highest to the lowest. The Emperor sets the example on the very day he ascends the throne. The coffins used by the wealthy are very expensive, ornamented, and lacquered over. Some are inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and so great is the variety of prices at which they can be bought, that they vary from one to two thousand dollars. On the coffin is inscribed the title and pedigree of the intended occupant, a blank space being left that the family, after his de

cease, may add his various good and laudable qualities. These coffins are much larger than ours; the lids are of a semi-circular form. Those of the poor are formed by sawing off the exterior of a log of timber, in four equal slabs, which are roughly nailed together.

Before the door of each apartment is a gauze screen, painted in rich colours, together with a silken curtain, which either falls loose, or is fastened back, as the occupant may wish for air or privacy. The bedchambers are small, containing only a bed, and a press for clothes. The bedstead consists of a raised wooden platform, on which is either laid a thin mattress of cotton, in winter, or a rattan-mat in summer. Instead of sheets, they use coverlets of cotton, or of richly-embroidered silk, either wadded or not, as the season requires. The pillows are of an oblong form, covered with cloth, and embroidered at each end with silken or golden flowers, or animals. The curtains are either of thin gauze, to keep out musquitoes in summer, or of silk, for warmth in winter. Some of the bed-curtains are most richly worked in silk and gold. The presses, or wardrobes for clothes, are in general beautifully carved, and are provided with latticed doors, lined with silk, and carved drawers beneath; some of them are of richly-gilt lacquer. These chambers are defiled with obscene paintings. Never having visited one of their female-apartments, I am obliged to a lady, who did, for the following revelations: The sitting-apartment is similar to that which has been already described, with the exception of its having a domestic shrine. The goddess here presiding they call Queen of Heaven. To her the married women pray for children, and make vows -the unmarried supplicate her for husbands. The decorations of their bedrooms were of such a nature as to raise a blush on the cheeks of my informant, and to forbid their recital. The toilet of a Chinese lady has more cosmetics and paints than a Parisian belle. The odours of their chambers, however, are disgusting, occasioned by their filthy habits and their bandaged feet. The dressing-mirror, when they are unprovided with an European one, is manufactured of white metal, most highly polished. On the black surface

of the back are represented all sorts of dragons, and strange animals in relief, which, when the sun shines on it, appear in front. Hence some suppose they are seen through from the back, whereas, in reality, they are imperceptibly traced on the front. The females frequently have on their tables a sort of "multum in parvo" box, measuring about ten by six inches. Within the lid is a looking-glass, with a double hinge, the bottom of which rests on the front of the box. Attached to it are two small drawers, in which they keep cosmetics and paints. The exterior of these boxes is always very prettily ornamented with silver, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and lacquered.

The crippled ladies being unable to walk without the aid of sticks, a great variety of them, very handsomely ornamented, are to be found in their apartments. They hang their dresses on bamboos stretched across the room, and take the utmost pride in exhibiting their wardrobes.

To the houses of the rich a theatre is generally attached. The stage is a separate building, with a small area between it and one side of the house. From one of the lower apartments the performances are witnessed. In the

upper floor there is a lattice-work, constructed exactly like the loge grille of Paris, behind which the ladies sit to enjoy, unseen, the entertainments. On the roofs of the houses, monsters in china and bamboo, of all descriptions, are placed.

The houses of the lower classes are, of course, much inferior, and much less expensively furnished. A single room for them answers the purpose of an eating-apartment, hall of ancestors, and shrine (for in the poorest hut a Joss is to be found, as well as quotations from their sages). In such a house, three or four generations reside, and each generation has its separate apartment fitted up as a dormitory. The beds of each person are divided by mats suspended from the ceiling. They sit and eat in the common room. The houses, as a matter of course, are less commodious and comfortable, in proportion to the poverty of the owner, until they descend to a wretched bamboo-hut, plastered with mud.

Chinese feasts have often been described, but little justice has been done to them. It is true their dishes no

more correspond with our ideas of good living, than our's do with their's. The mode of living in all countries must be national, and vary according to taste and climate. And thus, were we to see a table spread according to the custom of ancient Rome, it would be no more consonant with our habits, than it would be congenial to our tastes. Although bowls are used by the Chinese instead of dishes, yet their tables are spread with as great a regard to order and elegance as our own. The wealthy Chinese live in a most expensive and luxurious manner, and they pay very high wages for good cooks. Their artistes de cuisines are as famous for their chef-d'-auvres, as Ude was for his, and they are consi. dered just as important personages as Monsieur le Chef is at Paris. A Chinese gastronomer is as celebrated for good feeds in his country, as any gourmand of London or Paris is in his own, and invitations are equally acceptable to them. A repast at the house of a wealthy Chinese is by no means despicable. I will attempt the description of a feast at which I was present, according to the impressions produced upon my mind and palate, particularly as the host is celebrated for good taste and admirable arrangements. Some particulars must be premised.

Invitations vary always according to the rank of the guest, or the respect accorded to him. By the comparative value of the material, whether paper, silk, and gold or silver tinsel, and by its length, is to be measured the respect intended to be paid to the guest. This document, pressed into narrow folds, and written, after the Chinese fashion, in columns, which correspond with the folds, is turned over as read, from right to left, enclosed in a fold of silk, and tied round; it is conveyed with great ceremony by the servant of the mandarin, who always expects a present in money.

The Chinese are so punctilious, that their code of etiquette outvies the most ceremonious courts in Europe. As soon as a guest alights from his sedan-chair, he is met by the host, who bows his head, bends his body and knees, joins both hands in frout, and with them knocks his chest: when he wishes to be very polite, he takes his guest's hand within his, and knocks it against his chest. This is their

mode of shaking hands. Now follows a polite contest as to precedence, which after various knockings, bowings, and genuflections, terminates by the host and guest entering the house together. In the sitting apartment another ceremony takes place equally protracted and irksome. The point to be determined is, where each shall sit, and who shall be seated first. Etiquette extends even to a decision on the size of a chair, by which invariably the rank or importance of a guest is determined. The host now motions to a large chair, and attempts to take a smaller one himself. Goodbreeding compels the guest in his turn to refuse this compliment, and after a wearying contest of politeness, the point is amicably adjusted to the satisfaction of the belligerents, either by both parties sitting down simultaneously on the same couch, or upon two chairs of equal dimensions. The fatigue of this courtesy may easily be conceived, as the same routine is performed on the arrival of each guest. As soon as the guests are assembled, tea is handed round in covered cups, which are placed in silver stands in the form of a boat. These are fluted and beautifully chased. The cups, on the occasion to which I refer, were of that antique porcelain so exceedingly valued, which is thin as paper, pure white, perfectly transparent, and ornamented with obscure figures, whose dark outlines are only perceptible when the vessel is filled with tea. The mode of making tea in China is similar to that in which coffee is made in Turkey. The tea is put into the cup, boiling water poured over it, and instantly covered, to prevent the escape of the aroma, with a lid which is used as a spoon to sip the tea. They never use sugar and milk in China with their tea.

After tea, the host ushered the guests into the room where the repast was prepared. We found the table laid out for six persons, and nothing could be more elegant. On the table was spread a silk cover, whose edges were embroidered with gold and silver. China jars were filled with the choicest flowers, those of the orange, China aster, and camelia japonica, &c. These flowers were so disposed in the jars as to form exact patterns. Interspersed were animals formed of bamboo, and

covered with tuberoses, jessamine, and small coloured flowers, so skilfully arranged, as perfectly to conceal the bamboo. There were also various fruits-pine-apples, lei-chees, bananas, together with dry sweetmeats, in carved ivory and tortoiseshell baskets. The meats were served in bowls, but they were arranged upon the table with the strictest attention to form and order. The largest were placed in the centre, and those around corresponded accurately with each other. The sauces were placed in smaller bowls, or cups, upon silver stands. Sam-shoo, both hot and cold, and an acid wine made in China, were conveniently arranged in highly-chased silver pots, of a slender, upright form, with handles and spouts. Before each person was placed a small embossed silver cup, about two inches high, for drinking Sam-shoo and wine; beside each cup was placed a case containing a knife and chop-sticks. The chopsticks were of ivory; but the handles of the knives and the cases were ornamented, and made either of jade, chased silver, carved ivory, or sandal-wood. Although these chop-sticks were provided for the guests, yet it is customary for the Chinese to carry their own with them. Chairs of equal size were placed round the table, and the whole party sat down together.

The first course was served up in antique white porcelain, which was very beautiful, but not to be compared with the tea-service. This course consisted of salted meats of various descriptions, pounded shrimps moulded into the forms of various animals, and a soup, or stew, which at first I took for turtle, but afterwards discovered to be fresh-water tortoise. The whole of the meats were dressed with various sauces; but the Chinese invariably add a quantity of soy, vinegar, oil, and capers.

It has often been stated that earthworms are to be found at the tables of the wealthy; but this I believe to be unfounded. There were, however, on this occasion, what might easily be mistaken for them-the grubs which are found at the root of the sugarcane. A bowl of rice was placed before each person to be eaten with the various dishes. The food was cut up in small pieces, which were taken up with chop sticks: some persons find

great difficulty in their use, but I experienced none. After each dish, a small quantity of Sam-shoo was taken, and occasionally wine. It must not be forgotten that the fashion of asking persons to take wine, whether national or borrowed, was here observed. One asked another to take Sam-shoo or wine, and the compliment was immediately returned by the party asked, and the cups were reversed and knocked upon the thumb-nail, to show that they had been emptied.

The next course was served up on coloured porcelain, and consisted of variously-dressed poultry of every description, cut into small pieces, in the forms of animals and fishes. With this course appeared the celebrated birds'-nest soup, which is a gelatinous substance, tasting like unflavoured calves'-foot jelly, until the various condiments which they use are added, when it becomes exceedingly piquant and palatable. The soup was ladled out of the bowl in which it was served by means of a cup, and each person sipped it from his bowl with a small

cup.

The succeeding course was served up on white china, ornamented with green dragons, each having four claws; those with five claws are only used by the emperor.

This course was composed of aquatic birds of all kinds, among which was the mandarin-duck, which is fattened to an enormous extent, salted, dried, and smoked. This, like their other food, was cut up into small pieces, and although very rich, it is not unlike a highly-flavoured Westphalia ham in taste. The rice-bird was also here, which is one delicious morsel of fat. The various vegetables on the table were so immersed in oil and soy that I could not partake of them.

Next followed a course of pastry. Some dishes were formed into the shapes of fishes and animals, coloured like nature, and the interiors were filled with sweetmeats, some of which were delicious. This was succeeded by other courses, the numbers and varieties of which were too great for description.

One of the greatest marks of attention, on the part of a host, is to press his friends continually to eat more. Sometimes morsels out of the same bowl are transferred to that of his guest; at others they are put di

rectly into his mouth with the chopsticks. Sam-shoo is most requisite after this rich food, to assist digestion; and the best Sam-shoo is not at all unpalatable. But the wine is wretched. Those whose digestive organs are good, and who are fond of rich living, would enjoy the Chinese style.

The only thing inconsistent with our notions of good breeding, to be witnessed at the tables of the Chinese, is, that during dinner and after dinner, for the purpose of showing how good the food is, and how well they have satisfied their cravings, eructations are emitted to a disgusting extent; and, according to their ideas, a stigma would be cast upon the host were this omitted.

As soon as the repast was over, tea was handed round as before, and the entertainment was concluded with theatrical representations and fireworks. The ancient costume is that which is adopted on the stage, but it differs little from that of the present day. The parts of women are performed by boys, and each character, coming on the stage, describes what he is about to perform.

A singer, dressed in female attire, excited much applause, while twanging on a three-stringed guitar. A buffoon caused much laughter, and a proces sion perpetually walked across the stage, making its exit and reappearing on the other side. I did not understand the various good things which were uttered, but concluded they must have been excellent, from the shrill laughter and applause heard from the lattice above, where the ladies were sitting, and from the evident delight of the numerous friends who were invited to witness the performances. This entertainment, in Anglo-Chinese, is termed a Sing-Song.

The Chinese are certainly masters of the pyrotechnic art. Five dragons ascend into the air, and are metamorphosed into fire-vomiting lions. One large lantern succeeds this spectacle in a mass of fire, from which numerous smaller lanterns issue, which, in their turn, send forth various and innumerable forms. Some of the fire-works on the present occasion, were in the form of fishes and animals of all sorts, both real and imaginary. On the top of some were seated huge mandarins, from whose enormous corporations in

numerable streams of fire issued forth, causing the greatest mirth amongst the spectators. The last was by far the most beautiful. It represented a mandarin's house, with all the external ornaments, and animals on its roof. After a short time this changed into a mandarin seated in a sedan-chair, with his train of attendants, and the usual appurtenances, lanterns, silken flags, and gongs.

It is customary, after an entertainment, to send presents to the host. It is also usual to give, as an equivalent, three or four dollars amongst the servants of the person who sends these presents.

The system of presents is universal in China. If a quantity of tea is purchased, a present of tea is given to the purchaser, and silk and other articles in like manner.

WOMEN-INFANTICIDE.

WOMAN is in a more degraded position in China than in any other part of the globe, and her humiliation is rendered more conspicuous by the extent to which civilization and education have been carried in the empire. In no rank is she regarded as the companion of man, but is treated solely as the slave of his caprice and passions. Even amongst the females of the highest ranks, few are found who can read or write; their education is confined to the art of embroidery, playing on a horrid three-stringed guitar, and singing; but the obligation of obedience to man is early inculcated, and the greater portion of their time is spent in smoking and playing at cards. The women of the poorer classes have no education, and can be considered but little better than beasts of burden. A man of that rank will walk deliberately by his wife's side, while she totters under a heavy load, and frequently may she be seen yoked to a plough, while her husband guides it! Those of the lower classes who are good-looking, according to Chinese ideas of beauty, are purchased by the rich at about twelve or fourteen years, for concubines, and are then instructed according to their master's ideas. The Chinese cannot at all comprehend the European mode of treating ladies with respect and deference, and being naturally superstitious, attribute to devilish arts, practised by the fair sex, the just appreciation we entertain of their value; in short, they consider European ladies have an influence somewhat similar to that ascribed to an evil eye by Italian superstition. Chinese domestics have a very great objection to reside in a European family, over which a lady presides:

OF WOMEN IN CHINA-MAROF THE CHINESE CONCERNING

and an old tradition of theirs curiously coincides with their superstition about our females-" That China should never be conquered until a woman reigned in the far- West." Some say that this prophecy was never heard of, until they were conquered by the army of Queen Victoria. Be this as it may, they all contend that it is to be found in some of their oldest works.

Many traditions are extant in China relative to women; and amongst other legends, the horrible practice of deforming the female foot is thus said to have commenced:-the wife of one of their ancient emperors was found by her lord and master near the apart ment of one of the great officers of the court, who had the reputation of being very handsome. Receiving from the emperor a torrent of abuse for her misconduct, she pleaded, in her defence, that it was not her fault, but that of her feet, which were so very large, they took her to the spot sorely against her will. The emperor immediately ordered the forepart of her feet to be amputated. Such is the origin of the crippled foot, which from this time became the fashion. The appearance of these distorted extremities, which are mere tapering stumps, is most disgusting to an European eye. Immediately after the birth of a female, her toes are doubled down, the big toe is made to overlap, and bandages are then applied with an incredible amount of pressure; as age advances, the whole becomes one mass of filth and abhorrent humours. A surgeon, who had unbound and examined the foot of a Chinese lady, assured me that the effluvia arising from it was more offensive, and the