University Southe] Librar ^. ^J^aoNvsoi^ ^/sa3AiNrt3v\v^ ^omm^ -< -^lUBRARY^A, -^UBRARYQc ^OFCAlIFORi^ c-» m ^ /— '» I' § -r c i I Aavaani^ ^^Aavaan# ^iriiiin/m(««. lAp iti/>n»^ ENTRANCE TO THE CHINESE COLLECTION, HYDE PARK CORNER. hh /v ' n " TEN THOUSAND CHINESE THINGS. A - DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE CHINESE COLLECTION, NOW EXHIBITING AT ST. GEORGE'S PLACE, HYDE PARK CORNER,., LONDON, CONDENSED ACCOUNTS OF THE GENIUS, GOVERNMENT, HI9T0BT, LITERATURE, AGRICULTURE, ARTS, TRADE, MANNERS, CUSTOMS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE. * By Wm. B. LANGDON, Curator of the Collection. l^tnti) i£nslt{({) iEUttun. LONDON ; ! • ]^Printed for the Proprietor, and to be obtained only at the Chinese Colleellr>^, 1842. ■ ,'^^° Upwards of 50,000 Copies of the Catalogue of the Chinese Collection, ■wevfc sold in Philadelphia. Thd present volume, of which 10,000 have already been sold at the Collec- tiOL, is nearly double the size of the original ; in consequence, not only of the ii'Creased number of specimens, but also of the additional information it contains. X)5 CONTENTS. Page Introduction 5 Genereil view of the Interior of the Saloon 11 Superb Chinese Screen 12 Chinese Temple and Colossal Idols ib. Case I. — Mandarin of the first class with his Secretary. Mandarin of the second class. Mandarin of the sixth class. Two massive arm-chairs, covered with crimson drapery, richly embroidered. Square table, handsomely carved, with marble top. Specimens of crimson drapery, elegantly em- broidered, hanging in front of the table. Cap stands and various orna- mental articles. Chinese maxims on the wall , 15 Case II. — Priest of Fuh or Buddha, in full Canonicals. Priest of the Taou sect, in full dress. Gentleman in full mourning apparel. Servant of the above, also in moui-ning dress. Chinese soldier with matchlock. Archer of the Imperial Army of the Tartar Tribe. Circular Chinese shield, made of rattan. Various military weapons on the wall 18 Case III. — Literary gentleman in summer costume. Ditto ditto. Ditto ditto Servant handing a book. Mandarin of the fourth class. Servant. A pair of Chinese book-cases. Silk scrolls on the wall 2."* Case IV. — Chinese lady of rank, with fan. Ditto preparing to smoke. Ditto with guitar. Two female domestics. Mother and boy of the middle class. Daughter of the above. Chinese table handsomely carved, gilt, and painted. Specimen of citron, or finger fruit. (Citrus Sacodactylus.) Superbly embroidered siUc screen. Lanterns suspended feom the ceiling. . 27 Case V. — Tragedian in splendid costume. Two juvenile actors, to perform the part of female characters. Chinese juggler. Parasol used on state occa- sions. Magnificent specimen of embroidered tapestry and numerous spe- cimens of theatrical caps on the wall ;. Great wall of China described 141 View of Honan 142 Fa-tee Gardens, view of 143 Taou Kwang, late consort of, portrait ib. Tingqua Ponkeiqua, portrait of ib. Pekin, entrance to the city of, on the West 113 Macao, view of ib. Portrait of a celebrated Chinese beauty 144 Portrait of a well-known money-broker in Canton ib. Hall of Audience at Pekin 145 Annual military review '"• Chinese windows 146 Chinese topographical liistory of the city of Canton ib. General remarks on the Government and People of China 1 50 Foreign intercourse with China , 1 59 INTRODUCTION. At no period in the history of the world, has the attention of civihzed nations been so fully directed towards China, its early history, and modem position, as at the present moment. The single fact, that that nation comprises within its limits, a popu- lation of three hundred and sixhj millions of human beings, and that a struggle has for some time past been in progress between Great Britain and the Celestial Empire ; a struggle too, which may involve the mightiest results, both as regards commerce and Christianity, is of itself sufficient to awaken the deepest degree of interest in the mind, as well of the philanthropist, as the philosopher. These " latter days," as they are sometimes called, are in the prophetic view of many, destined to be marked bv events of most momentous importance : events calculated no little to facihtate the onward and upward march of civilization, to penetrate with the hght of knowledge and science, the darkest portions of the earth, to soften the roughness of the savage, and subdue, into something hke Christianit}-, the millions and tens of miUions of human beings, who have yet to experience the beneficent influences of a religion, that has for its handmaidens. Faith, Hope, and Charity. With these views, and the long train of eagle imaginings that are hkely to be kindled in the san- guine and far-seeing mind, by anticipations of what may be, prompted in some sense by what has already taken place, the aspect and destinies of China are calculated to excite the most attentive and profoimd con- sideration. It is a wonder, indeed, that a people so multitudinous, and an empire so vast, should for many ages, and amid the numerous vicissi- VI INTRODUCTION. tudes and conflicts that have prostrated thrones, revolutionized nations, and trodden, as it were, kingdoms into the dust ; have experienced but little change, comparatively speaking, and existed from century to centuiy, with scarcely a phases observable upon its general and national characteristics and surface. But, we think we hear some devoted missionary to the great cause of religious liberty and human happiness, exclaim, that the doors of a new empire are about to be opened ! A hving light is about to flash among the benighted millions, and the symbols and banners of the only true God, are about to be planted in a soil and among a people, who are, in many respects, prepared for the reception of the sublime truths of the gospel. A new morning seems to break upon the rehgious world — a new triumph is about to be hymned among the cherubs and seraphs in the brighter region above us — another victory is to be atchieved by the cross of Calvary — an empire, vast and wonderful, and hitherto barred from the general diffusion of missionary knowledge, is about to be thrown open to aU who are vdUing to take the bible in their hands, and engage in the delightful work of winning their fellow-creatures to the true source of both temporal and eternal happiness. These to some may appear wild expectations. But all, aye, all, may be fully and speedily realized. In any event, however, the people of China, their Government, morals, manners, habits, customs, tastes and characteristics, are, at the present moment, worthy of especial study. Hitherto, these have been measurably covered as with a veil; the inner ti'aits of the nation, the minute pecuharities, the fashionable boudoir, the Hterary cuterie, and the do- mestic temples of this numerous people, have been hidden from the eyes of European and American curiosity and scrutiny. Time, we haA-e had valuable books from such pens as the Abbe du Halde, Lord Macartney, the editor of Lord Amherst's Embassy, Davis, MoiTison, Bridgman, Gutzlaff, and many other writers. To these, the literary and enquiring world are much indebted. But the authors referred to, have for the most part given the grand features of the empire, the lofty objects, the leading traits ; while it remained for an American gentleman, Mr. Nathan Dimn, INTRODUCTION. Vll of Philadelphia, to enter more minutely into the costume, the manners, habits, science, arts, trades, agriculture, and genius, of this wonderful people. The author of this hasty introduction, speaks from many years personal knowledge of Mr. Dunn, in China, and in the United States. He was intimately acquainted with him in both countries, as an extensive and successful merchant, and knew that while he resided in China, for a period of twelve years, his opportunities for collecting every information were indeed extraordinary, and that thev were abundantly improved by patient research, indefatigable industry, tact, courtesy, and a degree of popularity amongst the Chinese, never surpassed in the history of any foreigner. He was assisted moreover, in his commendable labors, by Houqua, Tingqua, and other Hong merchants of considerable note ; and who in this particular, seemed to rise above the prejucUces of their countr\'men, and to take delight in imparting coiTect information. The design at first, was merely to collect a few rare specimens for his own gratification ; but the appetite grew with what it fed upon, and thus we may, without exaggeration, describe the result as the " Chinese World in Miniature." We feel satisfied that the expectations of those who may feel a desire to examine this collection, to investigate its wonders, and thus in some sense, analyze the mental and moral qualities of the Chinese, to gather some knowledge of their idols, their temples, their pagodas, their bridges, their arts, their sciences, their manufactiu-es, their tastes, their fancies, their parlours, their drawing rooms, their clothes, their finery, their ornaments, their weapons of war, their vessels, their dwellings, and the thousand et ce/er«5, which make up their moying and living world, will not be disappointed. One, indeed, is astonished at the vast materials, the thousands of objects, which bv years of patient labor and unwearied effort, the enterprizing proprietor of this exhibition has collected. The mere catalogue, as will be seen by the extent of this volume, forms quite a study of itself. And yet, to those who really love to ponder on the results of ages of ingenuity and habit, especially among an exclusive people like the Chinese, this brief outline will afford but an imperfect idea of the mass of materials. INTRODUCTION. the variety of specimens, the beauty, rarity, novelty, and extreme sin- gularity, that are combined in this vast magazine of curiosities and wonders. A single article will illustrate, whole pages of written descrip- tion. The visitor appears to have the living Chinese in the images before him, and with a httle imagination, to be moving and hving among them. An hour passed with such curiosities, will afford even to the youthful and careless of enquiiy, a more definite and permanent idea of these Tartar governed millions, than volumes of ordinaiy details. The eye and the mind are both enhghtened at one and the same moment ; and thus, as it frequently happens, an individual to whom it would be im- possible to convey a notion of a certain machine or piece of fancy work, by a written description, has a full and perfect impression of the entire object at a single glance. As a means of education, this enterprize is invaluable. It teaches by things rather than words. Tlie images are visible and tangible, and, therefore, cannot be easUy misunderstood. What immense labor for example, and what intricate details would be necessaiy to give an individual who had never seen such an invention, a coiTect idea of a ship in full sail. Yet, present the object to the eye, and a look would at once suffice to ehcit admiration, and impart a more complete general knowledge, than page upon page of the most minute and elaborate com- position. So with tliis collection. Here, we have not one object, but thousands ; not a single production, but an empire with all its variety' of light and shade, its experience, its mind, and the results of both, for four thousand vears. Writers of the highest character have been con- sulted, in pi-eparing this volume. It is designed as a sort of mute guide ; and as the obsei-ver passes from scene to scene, the interest may be vai"ied from the eve to the mind, bv turning from the object before him, to the history or description of that object. A studious effort has been made to narrate nothing hvA facts, and thus to impart correct information. All fiction and romance have been cai-efully avoided ; and what is stated, has in no instance been committed to these pages, unless on competent authoritv. At Philadelphia, the collection was visited by hundreds of thousand!?, and in everv instance, it is believed, with entire satisfaction. INTRODUCTIOX, Many persons passed hours, nay, whole days in the room, and those who visited the collection most frequently, seemed more delighted with every new return. The proprietor has been induced to transport it to Eng- land, at the suggestion of many of the most influential, scientific, and learned persons of the British metropolis and kingdom. He naturally feels a deep anxiety for the favorable verdict of the intelligent and dis- cerning upon his labors. And although by no means sohcitous for notoriety, or that noisy fame which so frequently accompanies mere excitement and clamour, he would be false to himself and to human nature, should he prove indifferent to the kindly expressions of that valuable portion of society, who seek to make their fellow-creatures better, wiser, and happier. He has devoted the flower of his life to this collection, and has never hesitated at expense. His effort in England has been, to render, not only the collection, but the saloon in which it is exhibited, worthy of the visits of the respectable of all classes. For this purpose, he has built a spacious edifice, and endeavored to make it as suitable and commodious as possible. But we must draw our ha.sty preface to a close. The details which follow, enumerate and furnish out- lines of the leading objects of curiositv, taste and skill in the Chinese world. As we remarked at the commencement, this wonderful people have latterly excited more attention, especially among European nations, than at any other period of their national existence. It may be, that a new and a nobler destiny awaits them ; that light, knowledge, and christian civilization, and a more hberal communion with the families of man in other portions of the earth, are about to form an epoch in their career. If so, who may foretel the result ? \\lio may predict what another century will accomplish ? The imagination pauses at the thought and while we contemplate the wonders of steam, and the many other im- provements, discoveries, and apphances of modem science, we are almost tempted to doubt the impossibility of any change in the progress of nations. But to the details of the collection. We conclude this intro- duction with a few remarks on Chinese histoiy, as an appropriate preli- minary to a study of " matters and things " in the Celestial Empire. X INTRODUCTION. The Chinese claim a national existence, coeval with the most remote antiquity. Much that is recorded in their annals, however, is admitted even by their own historians, to be doubtful ; while the authors of every other nation who have written upon the subject, pronounce the earhest so-called history of China, as absolutely fabulous. Good authorities name Fuh-he, who flourished about 2247 years before Christ, as the first Emperor. Ya-o, a virtuous sovereign, some centuries after, reigned 102 years. The empire then floated down the stream of time without any extraordinary event or national convulsion, while the morals of the people were greatly improved, by the precepts and writings of their great philosopher, Confucius, who was born 550 years B.C. In the twelfth century of the christian era, the Chinese used a paper currency, founded on Government security, being the earhest record we have of paper money. It has, however, been long discontinued, and its place supphed by the present metal coin, previously to which however, the shell of the trotoise and pearl oyster were used as a circulating medium in exchange for commodities, till about 200 years B.C., when the tseen above alluded to, was introduced, a description of which ^vilI be found in the following pages. A.D. 1 246, Marco Polo, a Portuguese, visited China, and shortly after, his brother joinedhim. They were received with favor by the Imperial Sovereigns. Cathohc, and particularly Jesuit missionaries, were after- wards permitted to reside in China for several ages ; but were at length expelled, on the pretext, real or assumed, that they interfered with the Government. In the thirteenth century, China was invaded by Ghengis Khan, who put millions to the sword ; and the nation finally submitted to the Mongul Tartar sovereigns, A.D. 1280. In 1368, however, the Tartars were driven out, and a native dynasty continued until 1 644 . In that year, the Manchoo Tartars invaded the empire, and placed their chief upon the throne, and the present monarch, Taou Kwang, is de- scended from that successful warrior. The Portuguese were the first European traders to China ; and they were soon followed by the British, French, American and other nations. DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTION. GENERAL VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF THE SALOON. The Chinese Collection is situated in St. George's Place, Hyde Park Comer. The exterior of the entrance to the building is in the style of Chinese Architecture, taken from a model of a summer house now in the collection. The apartment occupied by the collection is 225 feet in length by 50 in width, with lofty ceilings, supported by numerous piUars. On passing through the vestibule, the visitor finds himself, as it were, transported to a new world. It is China in miniature. The view is imposing in the highest degree. The rich screen- work, elaborately carved and gilt, at either end of the saloon, the many-shaped and varied-colored lanterns suspended throughout the entire ceihng ; the native paintings which cover the walls ; the Cliinese maxims adorning the columns and entabla- tures ; the embroidered silks, gay with a hundred colours, and tastefullv displaj^ed above the cases containing the figures, and the multitude of smaller cases crowded with rare and uiteresting objects, form a tout ensemble, possessing a beauty entirely its own, and which must be seen before it can be realised. Note. — The visitor is requested to commence with the screen at the entrance, and then take the large wall cases on the right hand in the order in which they are num- bered, commencing with the temple. The paintings will be subsequently noticed by themselves. 12 SUPERB CHINESE SCREEN AT THE UPPER END OF THE SALOON. This part of the saloon is almost entirely occupied with a rare and admi- rable specimen of Chinese screen-work. It is of ample dimensions, and is richly and tastefully gUded ; the portion of the wood-work not covered with gold is painted of delicate green ; and the silk inserted in the panels is as gay as it can be rendered by a profusion of exquisitely executed paintings of the most dehcate and magnificent of eastern flowers. The whole view is redolent of the spirit and beauty of spring. The drawings and colouring of the flowers are admirable, and show the perfection which has been attained in these branches of their art by Chinese painters. Besides the floral delineation, there is also a row of silk panels, if we may be allowed the expression, exhibiting views of naval architecture, both curious and instructive. The whole is surmounted by a richly carved and gilt fret- work of exquisite beauty and design. CHINESE TEMPLE AND IDOLS. The three colossal figures in this section of a religious temple are the triad of Buddha — San, Paou, Fiih, — "The three precious Buddlias," — "past, present, and to come." At the right hand is seated, JSle-lih Pufi — the first of the triad, whose reign is akeady past. In the centre is Heen-tsae-Fuh — that person of Buddha, who now reigns over the world ; and at the left hand, We-lae-Fuh, whose reign is not yet come. These figures are eleven feet in height, and are representations of the divinities in the celebrated Honan "Jos-house."* The attributes of Buddha are infinite, and he is worshipped in many persons ; being sometimes male and sometimes female. The principal religion of China is Buddhism or Boodhism, which also prevails over Birmah, Siam, Ceylon, Japan, and Cochin-China. It is stated by Ward that Boodh, the founder of this rehgion, is described in Burmese books to have been a son of the king of Benares, that he flourished about 600 years B. C, and that he had, in various ages, ten inccU'nations. The Boodliists do not beheve in a Fu'st Cause ; they * Jos is a Chinese corruption of the Portuguese word "Z>eos,'' and is by many persons supposed to be a Chinese word for " God or Spirit." CHINESE TEMPLE AND IDOLS. 13 think matter eternal ; that every portion of animated existence has its own rise, tendency, and destiny, in itself; that the condition of creatures on earth is regulated by works of merit and demerit ; that works of merit raise us to happiness and the world to prosperity ; while those of \ace and demerit degenerate the world, until the universe itself is dissolved. They suppose a superior deity, raised to that rank by his merit ; but he is not Governor of the World. To the present period they assign five deities, four of whom have aheady appeared, the last being Gandama or Boodh, whose pre-eminence continues 5000 years, 2384 of which are gone by. At the end of his 5000 years, another saint will obtain the supremacy. Six hundi'ed mUhons of human souls are said to be canonized with each Deity, but Boodh took only 24,000 of his company to heaven with him. The lowest estate is hell — -the next, souls in the forms of brutes ; and both these are states of punishment. The state above is probationary — that of MAN ; and still above degrees of honour and happiness, up to deities, and demi-gods to which man, if found worthy, ascends ; or, on the contrai-y, goes into the lower states of punishment. The Boodhists believe there are four superior heavens ; below these, twelve other heavens, with six other inferior heavens. After these comes the Earth ; then the world of snakes ; then thirty-two chief hells, and one hundred and twenty hells of lesser torment. Tlie Buddhists believe that persons who obtain a knowledge of things past, present, and to come, have the power of rendering themselves invisible, and are absorbed into the Deity. Those who perform works of merit become great among men, and are received into some of the heavens, in all of which the enjoyments are sensual. But, those who do evU, go into a hell proportioned to their crimes. They beheve that at the end of a " Kulpu," — a length of time too great for hmnan calculation — tbe universe will be destroyed. Five commands are deUvered to common Buddhists, — not to destroy animal hfe ; to avoid theft, adultery, falsehood, and the use of spirituous liquors. Other commands, restraining dress, luxury, &c., are given to the higher classes. They all consider their adoration as paid to a being or beings of exalted merit — not to a Creator. Priests worship daily in the temples, and are forbidden to marr^^ Many of the Chinese consider the Grand Lama, as the highest priest on earth. This pontifex maximns resides in Thibet, and the Tartar population of China pay him homage. Buddhism, though sometimes patronised by the Emperor of China, and supported by large and numerous monasteries, is nevertheless but little esteemed by men of letters. The God •' Fuh," so much revered in China, as the fovmder of a religion introduced from India into the empire, in the first century of the Christian era, was miraculouslv born in Cashmere, 1027 B.C. He was 14 deified at thirty years of age, and his priests are called lamas; seng, ialapoins, or bonzes. He died at the age of 79, declaring to his disciples, •' Know then, that there is no other principle of all things, but nothing. From nothing all things have sprung, and to nothing all must return. There all our hopes must end." Such is the atheistical philosophy and belief of Fuh, whose followers recognise " the three precious ones," as the object of their supreme worship ; the past, the present, and the future ; but the doctrines taught in his name are divided into exoteric and esoteric — the former distinguishing actions into good and evil, with rewards and punishments after death, and recognising the five precepts or commands of Boodh, already noticed ; while the latter teach the behef that all things sprang from nothing, and to nothing all things will return ; but in so re- turning will be absorbed into a pure essence, and become a part of the Deity. The next principal divinity to the triad before alluded to is Chin-te, a goddess represented with numerous arms, indicative of her power to save. The third, Kwan-yin, a merciful goddess, much spoken of, and fre- quently represented. The fourth, T'heen-hwa Shin-mooj the sacred mother who superintends children afflicted with the small pox. The fifth, Hwiiy-fiih Foo-jin, the patroness of childless women, and worshipped by them. Always represented with a child in her arms. The sixth, Tae-shin, the god of wealth, together with other feigned deities, presiding over individual, local, and national interests to the number of many thousands. The priests live in monasteries connected with the temples of Fiih, practise celibacy, fast, pray for the souls of the dead, use holy water, worship rehcs, and pray in a strange tongue. In saying their prayers, or repeating passages from sacred books, they count the " Soo choo," which is the name of the beads worn by these priests, and of which they have 108.* They consider also that the good and bad actions of men are placed to their accounts as in mer- cantile book-keeping — the good on the credit, and the bad on the debtor side of the page, which is finally balanced, and the persons whose names are inscribed, admitted to happiness or consigned to punishment, accord- ing to the merits of their respective accounts current. * These beads are also an ornament, us.d by the reigning family, and by the highest mandarins. They seem to have a reference to the 108 ceremonies mentioned in Ward's Hindoo Mythology. Vol. ii. page "^00. 15 CASE I. No. 1. Manuarin of the first class and his Secretary. No. 2. Mandarin of the second class. No. 3. Mandarin of the sixth class. Two massive arm-chairs, covered with crimson drapery, RICHLY embroidered. SauARE table, handsomely carved, with marble top. Specimens of crimson drapery, elegantly embroidered, hang- ing IN FRONT OF THE TABLE. Cap STANDS and various ORNAMENTAL ARTICLES. Chinese maxims on the wall. The principal figures in this case are three civil Mandarins,* of the first, second and sixth grades, bearing the title " Ta jin," (" great and distinguished men,") appUcable to persons of the above class. The one highest in rank is seated, with his head uncovered ; the others, with their caps stiU on, are paying the customary respect to their superior, pre- viously to the occupancy of an adjoining chair. The former is upon the left, this being the post of honour among the Chinese. A secretary is in waiting behind the principal, with official documents in his hand. The two dignitaries are attired in their state robes, which are literally stiff with embroidery, a liberal proportion of which is wrought with gold thread. The greater part of the splendour of their under dresses is hidden from the eye of the visitor by the loose outward garment of dark purple satin, called by the Chinese " Pow-kwa," to divest these figures of which, would give the visitor an incorrect representation of these personages as they invariably appear upon state occasions. Each has an enormous bead necklace, extending below the waist in front, with a siring of " chaou- choo," or " court beads" attached to it at the hinder part of the neck, which reaches down to the middle of the back. The caps are dome-shaped, with the lower portion turned up, and forming a broad rim, which is faced with black velvet. The top of the cap is surmounted by a globular but- ton, or ball,f from which there depends a sufficient quantity of crimson silk to cover the whole of the upper portion. The material and colour of the crowning sphere indicates the rank of the wearer, lire cap is the most ceremonial appendage among the Chinese, wilh the ball on * The word " Maiidaiin," from the Portuguese, is significant «ith the Cliinese term " Kwan," i. e. an officer of the Government, whether civil or military, t Called " Maou-teiiir." 16 its conical top, as elsewhere remarked, it is a distinctive mark of titular rank. As on most other occasions, their cus\ ims as to covering the head are the very reverse of our own. We consider it a mark of respect to uncover the head ; with them it would be a great violation of decorum, unless among intimates, and with leave previously asked. In hot weather, when friends interchange visits, and it is more agreeable to be uncovered, the host says to liis guest, " Shing Kwdn !" — raise, or put off the cap, — after which the scruple no longer exists. Besides this cUstinctive button, the removal of which by the emperor, would be to degrade the person from all rank in the state, each grade of mandarins has a characteristic badge, worn both upon the breast and the back. This is a square piece of purple silk, covered with various embroidery. Its centre is occupied with the figure of a bird, a dragon, or a tiger. The rank of the officer is designated by the kind and colour of the central figure. In the badges of the two mandarins (Nos. I and 2) for example, the figure in each is a bird ; but in one it is white, and in the other blue. The dress of a military officer is adorned with the figure of a tiger. It may be as weU here to remark, that at the imperial court, and on all state occasions of pomp and ceremony, the figure of a dragon denotes the emperor, and that of a tiger, his ministers. The articles of furniture in this case are such as are usually seen in the houses of the higher classes. The wood of which the chairs and table are made, is of a hard grain resembhng rose- wood. It is called by the Chinese " Midi-wang," or " King of woods," and is esteemed beyond all other trees. It is deserving of remark that with the exception of the Chinese, chairs are not used by eastern nations. On the wall are suspended a pair of silk scrolls, bearing the following appropriate maxims : — "A nation depends on faithful Ministers for its tran- quillity." " Mens' sons should rest on filial jnety as their particular duty." The nobihty of China are of two kinds, hereditary and official. The former class is not numerous, nor greatly influential. It consists chiefly of the relations of the emperor, who are styled princes, and are boimd to live within the precincts of the imperial palace. The real nobility, or aristocracy of the country, are the mandarins. Of these there are esti- . mated to be, on the civil list of the empire, riot less than fourteen thousand. The mandarins are divided into nine ranks, or pin, each of which is indi- cated by a double badge — the colour of the globe on the apex of the cap, and the embroideiy on the front and back of their official robes. The colours employed are red, blue, ciystal, w-hite, and gold ; and these, with certain modifications of shade, sers'e to distinguish what ai"e denominated " Kew pin," i. e. " the nine ranks," into which all persons possessing any rank in China nre divided. The nominal rank, and of course the distinc- 17 tive costume, of any of the official grades, may be purchased of the emperor. The sum demanded for the distinction, is, however, propor- tionately large. How qua, for instance, the richest of the Hong merchants, whose hkeness we have in the collection, purchased his nominal rank at the enormous price of 100,000 dollars. Honours obtained by purchase, as in this instance, form a considerable source of revenue to the government during the reign of some emperors. Persons are selected for civil office in China, with an almost exclusive reference to their talents and education. Strange as it may seem, there is probably no other country on the globe where cultivated talent, exer- cises its legitimate sway to an equal extent. Wealth, titular nobUit\', and purchased rank, have their influence, no doubt ; but, unless accom- panied by personal merit, and, above all, by education, then" power is comparatively hmited and feeble. The emperor chooses for his officers none but men of the highest attainments and most commanding abiUties. It is well-known that the civil institutions of China claim to be framed and fashioned upon the exact model of a wise family government. The emperor is invariably spoken of as the " father of the nation ;" the viceroy of a pro\'ince arrogates the same title in reference to his satrapy ; a mandarin is regarded as holding a similar relation to the city which he governs ; and even a militaiy commander is the " father" of his soldiers. This idea, with its corresponding sentiments, is sedulously instilled into every subject of the empire, from the earUest dawn of intellect, till its powers are extinguished by death. The Book of Sacred Instructions, whose sixteen discourses are read to the people t^Nace eveiy moon, incul- cates the doctrine again and again. " In our general conduct," it says, " not to be orderly is to fail in fihal duty ; in serving our sovereign, not to be faitliful, is to fail in filial duty ; in acting as a magistrate, not to be careful, is to fail in fihal duty ; in the intercourse of fi-iends, not to be sincere, is to fail in filial duty ; in anns and in war, not to be brave, is to fail in filial dut\'." In fact, obedience to parents, fihal piety, and duty to superiors, are placed at the head of all moral excellence. Mr. Davis observes, that fathers have virtually the power of life and death over their children ; for, even if they kill them designedly, they are subject only to the chastisement of the bamboo, and a year's banish- ment ; if struck by them, to no punishment at all. Tlie penalty for striking parents, or for cursing them, is death, as among the Hebrews, (Exod. xxi.) It does not appear that this absolute power bestowed on fathers, is productive of evil ; the natural feehng being, on the whole, a sufficient security against its abuse. 18 CASE II. No. 4. Priest of FiXu, or Buddha, in pull canonicals. 5. Priest of the Taou sect, in full dress. 6. Gentlemen in complete mourning apparel. 7. Servant of the above, also in mourning dress. 8. Chinese soldier with matchlock. 9. Archer of the imperial army of the tartar tribe. Circular Chinese shield, made of rattan. Various military weapons on the wall. The two sects whose ministers are here represented, are, properly speaking, the only religious sects in China. There is, indeed, a third — the Confucian — but its doctrines constitute a system rather of philosophy than of theology. It has no priesthood but the emperor and his civil mandarins, no modern temples, and no regular worship. Having previously noticed the religion of Buddha, we subjoin the fol- lowing account of the Taou sect, together with the philosophy of Con- fucius. Tlie Taou, or Rational religion, is indigenous in China. This rehgio-philosophic sect is numerous, and consists of the followers of the doctrines of Laou-Keun-tsze, who lived 569 B.C. The founder of this system has been called the Epicurus of China ; and, in some points, there would seem to be a resemblance between the doctrines of the Chinese sage and the Grecian philosopher. He inculcated a contempt for riches and honours, and all worldly distinctions, and aimed, like Epicurus, at subduing every passion that could interfere with personal tranquillity and self- enjoyment. Ac- cording to Mr. Davis, however, they could not even pretend to despise death, and, therefore, studied magic and alchymy, in the hope of dis- covering some ehxir or other means of prolonging life. In this they failed, of course. Some of the leaders of his sect are called " Doctors of Reason," and many of their tenets and traditions are of an extremely fanciful and absurd character. Many of the Chinese beheve in fatalism ; while ghosts, spells, charms, omens, tahsmans, and divination, are quite common among them, besides many other branches of the occult sciences are practised, as geomancy, chu-omancy, fortune-telling, &c., by persons who exercise great influ- ence over their credulous counti^vmen. Meanwhile the Confucians, or followers of Confucius, (Kung-foo-tsze,J the Chinese philosopher, who flourished about 500 B.C., teach the prac- tice of every moral virtue, and a deep veneration for God, or the King of M!' w^n . *"''!I"Vmi«' ^ 'fJisWWftlH