4^3 A VOYAGE TO 



DcStr. waxen idol > in a cafe of gilt leather, before which flood a 



* , ■ pot containing lighted tapers made of dry chips, or matches, 



and gum. The hire of this boat was a Spanifh dollar. 



I reached Canton a little after it was dark, and landed at 

 the Englifh factory, where, though my arrival was very un- 

 expected, I was received with every mark of attention and 

 civility. The Select Committee, at this time, confided of 

 Mr. Fitzhugh the Prcfident, Mr. Bevan and Mr. Rapier. 

 They immediately gave me an account of fuch ftores as the 

 India mips were able to afford us; and though I have not 

 the fmallelt doubt, that the Commanders were defirous 

 of affitting us with every thing they could fpare, confid- 

 ently with a regard to their own fafety, and the intereft of 

 their employers, yet it was a great difappointment to me to 

 find in their lift fcarcely any articles of cordage or canvafs, 

 of both which we flood principally in need. It was, how- 

 ever, fome confolation to underftand, that the ftores were 

 in readinefs for fhipping, and that the provifions we re- 

 quired might be had at a day's notice. Wifhing therefore 

 to make my flay here as fhort as poflible, I requeftcd the 

 gentlemen to procure junks or boats for me the next day, 

 with an intention of leaving Canton the following one ; but 

 I wasfoon informed, that abufinefs of that kind was not to 

 be tranfaeted fo rapidly in this country ; that leave muft be 

 firft procured from the Viceroy ; that the Hopfo, or principal 

 officer of the cufloms mud be applied to for chops, or per- 

 mits ; and that thefe favours were not granted without ma- 

 ture deliberation ; in fhort, that patience was an indifpcnfable 

 virtue in China ; and that they hoped to have the plcafurc 

 of making the factory agreeable to me, for a few days 

 longer than I feemed willing to favour them with my 

 company. 



Though 



