Interview with an eminent Chinese Gentleman. 447 



morials to as many exemplary and philanthropic ladies. The 

 majority of these were married, and some had attained a 

 very great age, one having died at 104 years, and another at 

 115 years of age ! * 



In the house of Wuong, who stands in high repute among 

 the Europeans as a merchant and ship-o\vner, we were re- 

 ceived with the most gratifying hospitality. As soon as we 

 entered the house, an attendant immediately presented tea 

 in small cups, which, in conformity with the usages of the 

 country, had to be swallowed in all its native bitterness with- 

 out admixture of sugar or milk. Immediately after an old 

 nurse made her appearance, and struck up with our excellent 

 conductor, Mr. Syles, who seemed to be everywhere welcomed 

 by the Chinese, and was well acquainted with the family, a 

 long conversation upon the most diverse subjects. At length 

 the master of the house himself made his appearance, a dig- 

 nified, stately man, arrayed in a light elegant grey silk frock, 

 but in deportment and externals not differing in the very 

 least from his Chinese attendants, and himself conducted us 

 round the house. He seemed to feel pleasure in the oppor- 

 tunity of baring to the view of a stranger the very penetralia 



* In every part of this extensive empire, travellers encounter these national tributes 

 to the memory of distinguished women, and Dr. Medhurst, as also Fortune and other 

 authorities upon China, relate numerous instances of these remarkable memorials. 

 One of these, an archway of stone, is spoken of by Medhurst as of singular beauty. 

 It is half a mile from the city of Kwang-Tib, and was erected by the community of 

 that region, with the approval of the Emperor, in honour of a lady of that city, of 

 singular piety and benevolence. Over the portico arc inscribed the words " Kin-siu- 

 tsae-tschung " (a golden and perfect heart precisely in the middle). 



