45 o Voyage of the Novara. 



signs of their residences, and the exquisite refinement and 

 comfort of their internal arrangements, as well as in the 

 scrupulous attention paid to the cellar and the " cuisine." 



On the ground-floors are the counting-house and stores, on 

 the first floor the drawing-room, the dining-room, and the 

 sleeping apartments. All these various chambers are de- 

 corated with as much attention to comfort as good taste, and 

 almost every single article bears on it the solid, unmistakeable 

 impress of its English origin. Even into the most minute 

 details all the genuine comfort of an English drawing-room 

 is introduced, increased even, if that be possible, by the 

 adoption of a few customs peculiar to the peoples of Asia, 

 such as mats of fragrant materials placed before the doors 

 and windows, Punkahs, which, kejit in motion by Chinese 

 servants, keej) up a constant current of fresh air, wliile 

 through the verandah, or the open glass casement, where the 

 family sit swinging to and fro in an American rocking-chair, 

 a delicious cool breeze blows in the mornings and evenings. 

 A well-appointed numerous household is constantly hovering 

 around, eagerly intent to anticipate the slightest wish of 

 their employers. Probably in no part of the world are there 

 more intelligent or punctual servants than the Chinese. 

 They get through the utmost variety of work with consum- 

 mate tact, method, and facility. Everything is done rapidly 

 and noiselessly, and one is served with the utmost regularity, 

 without being pestered with too much attention. 



The members of the Novara Expedition experienced in 



