being rice, wheat, yams, potatoes, turnips, and cabbages. The
dwellings of the peasantry too, are not in villages, as in old
England, but are scattered through the country; and they have no
fences, gates, or anything to guard against wild beasts, or robbers.
The females raise silk-worms, spin cotton, manufacture woollen
stuffs, and are the only weavers in the empire. The art of printing,
though done in what I must confess is rather a clumsy manner, is much
exercised amongst them, and gives employment to many people.

I do not think we should like to dine with a Chinese gentleman, or
Mandarin, as he would treat us to strange dainties, as--a roast dog, a
dish of stewed worms, a rat pie; or, perhaps, a bird's-nest. But the
bird's-nest would be the best of the list, for it is not like the kind
of bird's-nests which you have seen, but is made, I believe, of the
spawn of fish, and looks something like isinglass. It is the nest of a
sort of swallow, is about the size of a goose's egg, and is found in
caverns along the sea shores; so it is not so bad as it seems at
first. And the rats are as large and fat as some of our rabbits, being
fed on fruits and grain, purposely for eating; as also are their dogs,
for eating.

The people of the "Celestial Empire" are celebrated for their fondness
for making beautiful gardens; but their houses and gardens are quite
different from ours.

What a pretty scene! what a delicious cool walk is formed by the grove
of trees leading to the porcelain tower. And those ladies walking
towards the boat,--or hobbling, more likely; for the Chinese ladies
have feet not much larger than your papa's thumb, which is there
considered a great beauty.

[Illustration]

The common women cannot afford to have little feet, as the feet of the
rich girls are bandaged up in iron shoes, when they are two or three
years old, to prevent their growing larger. These small feet are
called "Golden Lilies;" but I am glad no such barbarous custom
prevails in our own dear country. The Chinese ladies, however, are
extremely accomplished, and can play on many musical instruments,
paint, and embroider. The merchants of China are not at all remarkable
for their honesty, though a few of them are very scrupulous. Many of
them amass great fortunes.

The Chinese have sent in embroidered shawls, table-covers, teas,
curious and intricate toys, and specimens of handicraft.

[Illustration]

Why, we have even specimens of Russian