CLANSHIP. COIN IN LEW CHEW. 227 



the first approach of the squadron, their size, color, and position on the hill-sides caused them, 

 at a distance, to be mistaken for dwellings. 



A sort of clanship seems to obtain in each district, and the people of one village seldom 

 marry with the inhabitants of another. The agriculturists, and indeed the common people 

 generally, appear to know but few physical wants. They have sweet potatoes in abundance, 

 and these, with a miserable hut to sleep in, seem to bound their very limited desires. Many of 

 the poor are fishermen, but the larger number is composed of mechanics, emjjloyed chiefly in 

 turning wooden implements and covering them with lacquer. The women commonly perform 

 this latter branch, except as to the painting ; this is done by men. The shops are few, and the 

 articles sold are chiefly paper, rice, tea, sweetmeats, and clothing. The Lew Chewans always 

 insisted that they had no current coin, and that their trade was always in a barter of specific 

 objects. This may be in the main correct, as they appear to have but little metallic currency, 

 and the Commodore endeavored in vain to procure from the authorities some of their coin in 

 exchange for ours. They solemnly assured him they had no national currency; and, though 

 they are very much in the habit, from motives of supposed policy, of exaggerating their poverty^ 

 this statement is probably true. They know, however, very well the value of the Chinese coin, 

 and received it from our pursers in the settlement of accounts. 



The vegetable and animal productions of Lew Chew are abundant enough. The sugar-cane 

 thrives, and they have a rude mode of making sugar. 



They export of this, as well as of saki, an intoxicating liquor distilled from rice, and very 

 strong ; they make also tobacco in considerable quantities, and smoking is a universal habit. 

 Some cotton is also grown, and indigo is raised in the island. They also make salt by evapora- 

 tion ; and, were the island in other hands, its agricultural productions would support a large 

 population, and furnish a surplus for exportation. Fowls, ducks, geese, pigs, goats, and a 

 small species of black ox, are all very abundant. There is a small but active and tough breed 

 of horses, and the wild boar is found in the forests. The general impression left on the minds 

 of the gentlemen of the expedition was, that Lew Chew was a beautiful island, abundantly sup- 

 plied, and needed but a good government to form, so far as bodily comfort is concerned, as 

 pleasant a residence as could be desired. 



Tombs in Lew Chew. 



