CHINA. 1751. 297 



run off, and eating the fwelled rice quite 

 warm. The people in the boats feat them- 

 felves about the pot, each has a large tea difh 

 of coarfe porcellane, into which they put the 

 rice with a fpoon. They hold the tea difli to 

 their mouths with the left hand ; and between 

 the two firll fingers of the right hand, they 

 hold two {lender flicks, almoft a foot long, with 

 which they cram one di(h full after another 

 into their mouths.. Between this they eat a 

 bit of filh, bacon, or a reddiih fruit like figs, 

 but longer, and almoft every where equally 

 thick, called Ay-qua or Kca by the Chinefe ; 

 befides this they alfo make ufe of a fort of 

 greens, which they eat out of another faucer 

 along with the rice. The workmen in the 

 factories feat themfelvesin the yard in a circle, 

 after each has filled his pot out of a great tub, 

 which (lands by and is full of frefli boiled 

 rice : this is eaten in the fame manner one 

 pot full after another, along with the other 

 vi&uals. Thofe who are fomewhat higher in 

 quality make ufe of tables and chairs ; but 

 have neither table-cloth, knife, fork, or 

 napkins ; but handkerchiefs fupply the place 

 of the latter. Knives are unnecefTary at ta- 

 ble, fince they eat no bread. Fifh, bacon, 

 3cc. are cut into little pieces, and put upon 



the 



