LABORING CLASSES. DOMESTIC SERVANTS. 



295 



selves of the opportunity to gossip and visit eacli other, which they do on hoard of their 

 stranded harks. 



In regard to the lower or lahoring classes of China, of whom the Commodore had an oppor- 

 tunity of forming some judgment, as he was brought in contact with them from the necessity of 

 availing himself of their services, he was agreeably disappointed, as he found them, practically, 

 not so bad after all. It is true honesty is only a conventional virtue with the Chinese; but it 

 can be obtained for money, like anything else among that nation of shopkeepers; and if a 

 Chinese laborer stipulates to be honest for a consideration, he may, in ordinary cases, be 

 depended upon, especially if he furnishes security for the fulfilment of his contract. If, how- 

 ever, honesty has not been made expressly a part of the bargain, a Chinaman thinks he retains 

 the right of lying, cheating, and thieving, to the full extent of his opportunity and the utmost 

 bent of his inclinations. In engaging servants, it is customary to require of them to produce 

 securities who will hold themselves accountable for their honesty and good conduct. Without 

 an endorsement, no foreign merchant would think of taking a Chinese domestic into his house- 

 hold any more than he would receive across the desk of his counting-room an equivocal note 

 without the security of a good house or name. 



..^^^j^^^ 

 -^ .^^- 





Chinese Fruit Seller — Macao. 



It is difficult to form any just estimate of the higher classes in China without an opportunity, 

 which few can possess, of mixing in intimate social intercourse with them. The foreign 

 merchants, whose relations with the country are entirely commercial, have but little occasion of 

 knowing any others than those engaged in trade. The missionaries have an opportunity, 

 undoubtedly, of extending their observations over a wider range, but their experience is 

 generally confined to the outskirts of society. 



There was no very complete account of the social habits and characteristics of the Chinese 



