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Wang. What is your charge for a large jar-and how much

for a small one?

Niu-chau. For large jars, one mace five cash.

Wang. And for small ones?

Niu-chau. Fifty pair of cash.

Wang. To one mace, five and fifty pair of cash, add nine candareens, and a new jar may be had.

Niu-chau. What then will you give?

Wang. I will give one candareen for either size.

Niu-chau. Well, lady, how many cash can I get for this candareen?

Wang. Why if the price be high, you will get eight cash. Niu-chau. And if low?

Wang. You will get but seven cash and a half.

Niu-chau. Oh, you wicked tormenting thing.

(Sings.) Since leaving home this morning, I have met but with a trifler,

Who, in the shape of an old wife, torments, but gives

me no job;

I'll shoulder again my boxes, and continue my walk, Never again will I return to the house of Wang. [Chau moves off slowly. Wang. Jar-mender, return, quickly return, with a loud voice I entreat you, for I have something on which I wish to consult with you.

Chau. What is it, on which you wish to consult me?

Wang. I will give you a hundred cash to mend a large jar.

Chau. And for mending a small one?

Wang. Thirty pairs of cash.

Chau. One hundred and thirty pair!-truly, lady, this is worth consulting about. Lady Wang, where shall I mend them?

Wang. Follow me. [They go towards the door of the house. (Wang sings.) Before walks the Lady Wang

Chau.

And behind comes the pu-hang (or jar-mender).

Wang. Here then is the place

Chau. Lady Wang, permit me to pay my respects. [Bows repeatedly in a ludicrous manner.] I salute you. May you prosper, and your feet become smaller.

Wang. Here is the jar, now set to work and mend it.

Chau (Takes the jar in his hand, turns it about to examine it). This jar has received a severe fracture.

Wang. The more scope for your skill.

Chau. That is self-evident.

Wang. Now I shall retire again to the inner apartment, and after closing the door, shall resume my toilet-my appearance I shall beautify. On the left side of my head, I will comb my hair into a dragon's head tuft; on the right side, I shall arrange it tastefully with flowers. My lips I shall color with blood-red vermilion, and a pin of jaed stone will I place in the dragon's head tuft;-then when my toilet is completed, I will return to the door, and sit down to look at the jar-mender. [Exit. [Chau sits down, straps the jar on his knee, and arranges his tools before him, and as he drills for the clamps, sings,

Every hole drilled requires a pin, and every two holes drilled,

Require pins a pair-so I raise my head and look around.

[At this moment Wang re-enters splendidly dressed, and

sits down by the door.

There sits I see a delicate young lady, before she had the appearance of an old wife; now she is transformed into a handsome young girl; on the left side of her head her hair is combed into a dragon's head tuft, whilst on the right it is

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adorned tastefully with flowers. Her lips are like ripe plums, her mouth is all smiles, her eyes are as brilliant as the phonix's, and she stands on golden lilies, but two inches long. I look again—I must have another look,

[Down drops the jar, and is broken to pieces.]

Yi-yaw! Here's a dreadful smash.

Wang. You must replace my jar with another, and do so quickly.

Chau. For one that was broken, must a good one be given? Had two been broken, then must a pair have been suppliedan old one being smashed, a new one must replace it.

Wang. You have destroyed the jar, and in its place give me words; give me a new one, then you may return home— not before.

Chau (kneeling). Here on my knees, upon the hard ground, I beg Lady Wang, while she sits above, to listen to a few words:-Pardon me for the accident, your beauty has occasioned, and I will at once make you my wife.

Wang. Impudent old man, how dare you presume to think, that I ever can become your wife?

Chau. Yes, it is true, I am somewhat older than Lady Wang, yet I would make her my wife.

Wang. No matter then for the accident, leave this place at once, presuming man.

Chau. Since you have forgiven me, I again shoulder my boxes, and will go elsewhere in search of a wife. And here, before I go, I swear never again to come near the house of Wang. You a great lady, you are but a vile ragged slut, and will yet be glad to take up with a much worse companion.

[Chau turning to go away, suddenly throws off his ragged upper dress, and appears as a handsome young man.

Wang. Henceforth give up your wandering profession; marry me and quit the trade of a jar-mender. I am a rich widow, so with me you shall wed, and we will pass happily the remainder of our years.

[They embrace and exeunt.

The humor of these trivial farces depends completely upon the tact of the actors, who ought to give due point to all the witty allusions. And when the jar-mender is enacted by the Mr. and Mrs. Keeley of China, the theatres resound with peals of laughter.

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CHAPTER VIII.

Religion of the Chinese-Three religious sects-Con-fou-tsze, or State Religion-Priests-Rites and ceremonies-Prayer of the Emperor Kang-he-Extract from the Chu-king, by Confucius-The followers of Lao-kiun, or Taou-Precepts and doctrines―Joss-houses-Decorations and idols-Demon mode of worship-Religious observances and processions-The followers of Foo, or Buddha-Beliefs-DoctrinesPrecepts and commandments-Transmigration of souls-AnecdotesTemples-Mode of worship-Priests and Nuns-Settlement of Jews— Mahomet's followers.

THE Chinese are divided into three religious sects, who are followers of the tenets inculcated by Confou-tsze or Confucius, Lao-kiun or Taou, and Foo or Buddha. The Confucian is the religion of the state (although the Emperor builds and endows temples belonging to the two other sects), and the court pretend to follow the scheme of ethics and politics, laid down by their renowned philosopher. Confucius was born in the province of Shan-tung, about five hundred and forty-nine years before the Christian era, consequently, if this data be correct, Confucius must have been almost contemporary with Pythagoras, Thales, and Socrates, but the principles inculcated by the Chinese philosopher, far outvie those promul

VOL. II.

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