to eradicate the pirates who infest the China seas, which can only be accomplished through our naval force. Surely the expense to the nation would not be greater were our ships to be cruising-doing their duty, than when they are snugly anchored in Victoria harbour, sending their crews on shore to disturb the inhabitants of the town by their frequent riotous and disorderly conduct.

If it be considered injudicious to take the punishment of these marauding pirates into our own hands, would it not be advisable to negotiate with the Chinese government for a system of co-operation, to ensure their extirpation from the Ladrone Islands, which abound near Hong-Kong. This latter course certainly appears the most becoming and consistent, to be adopted towards a nation with whom we have entered into a mercantile treaty; particularly as the Chinese laws are most stringent and severe in the punishment of piracy, their war-junks being constantly employed in searching for and intercepting the pirates. Great Britain would be more honorably employed were she to aid China in enforcing her laws than in permitting British subjects to smuggle opium into China, in direct violation of the laws of nations, honor, honesty, and probity.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE CHINESE. 307

CHAPTER XVII.

Description of the Chinese-Personal appearance-Dress of the men, women, and children.

THE Chinese, as a nation, are not a well-grown or muscular race; the lower orders being under the middle stature, although occasionally, are to be found amongst them well-grown men, whose muscles are well developed. The wealthy classes are generally of a taller stature, and appear to be stronger, possessing physical strength of limb, and stamina; this very probably arises from using nutritious food, for the lower orders of Chinese may, very appropriately, be described as an omnivorous species, eating all kinds of filth and offal, to satisfy the cravings of hunger. Rice is the staple article of nutriment used by the Chinese, but owing to the denseness of the population, and scarcity of money among the millions, this species of food cannot always be obtained by them; and poverty, combined with hunger, oft-times compels the use of food which, under more favourable and prosperous circumstances, would be rejected with disgust and loathing.

The clothing of the lower classes of men consists of very wide, loose trousers, and a species of jacket

which buttons at the side, made of highly glazed calico, of native manufacture; whilst the very poor, and the coolees, wear only trousers, going barefooted; and mendicants may be constantly seen, with an old piece of matting fastened round their middle, scarcely sufficiently large to cover their nakedness. The lower classes wear straw and bamboo hats, the brims of which exceed eighteen inches in depth; these machines are used to protect them from the sun's rays, and present a most extraordinary appearance to unhabituated eyes, as each individual with this affair on his sconce, in our humble opinion, looks like an animated mushroom, or a being, who has chosen to stick his umbrella on his head, instead of holding it over his seat of knowledge. The head-gear is only to be equalled in its strangeness, by the cloaks and trousers worn by the boatmen and coolees during the rainy season; these articles of dress are made of reeds, and individuals thus clad, look most grotesque, resembling some new species of huge porcupine; but however absurd this costume may appear to us red-bristled barbarians, it is one well adapted to the season during which it is worn, as it is impervious to rain, the water running off the points of the reeds as from so many miniature water-spouts.

The clothing of the middle classes differs only in the materials of which the jacket and trousers are made, these articles being composed either of crape, silk, fine long-cloth, or grass-cloth, bleached or unbleached, of native manufacture. The stockings worn by this class are usually made of calico, whilst the shoes have uppers made of black or coloured silk,

DRESS OF THE MEN.

309

During winter, or worn, padded and

embroidered or plain, with soles of white felt, three inches thick, with turned-up toes. cold weather, a black satin cap is embroidered, the form of which is not unlike a skullcap; and a wadded jacket or robe made of silk or crape, reaching below the knees, with one or more shorter ones, according to the temperature or feelings of the wearer; whilst the legs are encased in a species of legging which is worn over their trousers. The Chinese evince much discretion and judgment in their mode of clothing; owing to the variability of the climate of China, one time of the day will be hot, at another period cold, so a Chinaman either puts on, or takes off an extra jacket, as the atmospheric changes take place; and we have "many times and oft" been reminded of the grave-digger in Hamlet, when watching a Chinaman divesting himself of some of his numerous jackets. A witty friend of ours (now, alas ! dead, having fallen a victim to Hong-Kong fever) used to say the Chinese, were like serpents changing. or casting their skins. The mandarins and wealthy classes wear long silken robes reaching to the feet, silk trousers, and black satin boots, with felt soles three inches thick, the toes of which are turned up and pointed.*

The Chinese have not pockets, or receptacles of any kind in their dress, but underneath their jackets, or robes, they wear girdles, of more or less costly materials, according to the wealth of the individual; to

Boots, in China, are considered as demonstrations of wealth and rank; and one of their terse and trite proverbs is," A man in boots will not speak to a man in shoes."

which is usually attached their chop-sticks, a purse, a silk handkerchief, and a watch, frequently two watches, as the Chinese have a great fancy for pairs of every article that is expensive. In winter, these classes wear half a score garments, of various denominations, all being thickly wadded with cotton; robes, spencers, tippets, large and small, some lined with furs, whilst others are padded, are all worn at the time by a China mandarin, or wealthy man. A black satin cap, with a turned-up brim of velvet, three inches in depth, is used at this season; the top of this cap is surmounted by a button, which denotes the wearer's rank, if a mandarin, from beneath this ornament, a species of tassel is pendent; this cap is totally dissimilar, both in form and texture, from that which is worn by the middle classes. When the weather is very severe, a velvet cravat, or stock is worn, about two inches in depth; this is lined with a thick stiff substance, and is clasped at the back of the neck. In summer, thinner robes are worn, made of light silk, or exceedingly fine grass-cloth, which is as fine in texture as the most delicate French cambric; the сар, which is of a conical form, is composed of exceedingly fine, white straw, plaited in a peculiar manner; this is ornamented with a flowing tassel of ruby coloured silk, or the very fine, long, lustrous hair, which is obtained from a species of goat, and which is highly prized; this hair is dyed the colour of, and made in the same form as the silken tassel, being surmounted with a button.

So much importance is attached by the Chinese nation to trivial events, that neither the summer nor