282 REMARKS ON THE ARTIFICIAL LAKES IN THE 



sisting of many galleries, cabinets, and spacious halls, built entirely 

 under water ; their walls are decorated with beautiful shells, corals, 

 and sea-plants of all sorts, formed into many singular shapes, and sunk 

 into various irregular recesses ; [in which are placed, in due order, 

 Fung-shang, God of the Winds ; Bonghoy, Monarch of the Sea ; Shu- 

 Kong, King of the Waters; with all the inferior powers of the deep. 

 The pavements are laid in compartments of jasper, agate, and madre- 

 pores of Hay-nang, of the many extraordinary kinds : tlie ceilings are 

 entirely of glass, which admits tlie light tlirough the medium of the 

 water, that rises several feet above the summits of these structures ; 

 the glass is of various bright colours, very strong ; and the different 

 pieces, artfully joined, to resist the pressure of the fluid with wliicii they 

 are loaded. The use of these habitations is the same as that of Miao- 

 ting, before described : they are resorted to, in very liot weather, to 

 feast and enjoy ; and it is singularly entertaining, in the intervals of 

 pleasure, to observe, through the crystal ceilings, the agitation of the 

 Avaters, the passage of vessels, and sports of tiie fowl and fishes, that 

 swim over the spectators' lieads. 



On the borders of their lakes are seen extensive porticoes, and many 

 detached buildings, of different forms and dimensions, accompanied 

 with plantations, sea-ports with fleets of vessels lying before them, 

 forts with flags flying, and batteries of cannon : also thickets of flower- 

 ing shrubs, meadows covered with cattle, corn lands, cotton and sugar 

 plantations, orchards of various fruit trees, and rice grounds, which 

 project into the lakes ; leaving, in the midst of them, passages for 

 boats ; and in some places the borders consist of lofty M'oods, with 

 creeks or rivers for the admission of vessels, whose banks are covered 

 with high grass, reeds, and wild-spreading trees, forming close gloomy 

 arbours, under which the vessels pass. From these arbours are cut 

 many vistas tlirough the woods, to distant prospects of towns, bridges, 

 temples, and various other objects, which successively strike the eye, 

 and fill the mind with expectation ; when suddenly a farther progress 

 is rendered impracticable by rocks, strong branches, and whole trees 

 lying across tiie channel, between which the river is still seen to con- 

 tinue, with many islands ; whereon, and also in the water, appear the 

 remains of ancient structures, monumental inscriptions, and fragments 

 of sculpture ; which serve to give an edge to curiosity, and to render 

 the disappointment more affecting. 



Sometimes, too, instead of being intercepted in your passage, the 

 vessel, together with the whole river, are, by the impetuosity and par- 

 ticular direction of the current, hurried into dark caverns, overhung 

 with woods ; whence, after having been furiously impelled for some 

 time, you are again discharged into daylight, upon lakes encompassed 

 with high hanging woods, rich prospects on mountains, and stately 

 temples, dedicated to Tien-ho and the celestial spirits. 



Upon their lakes the Chinese frequently exhibit sea-fights, proces- 

 sions, and ship-races ; also fire-works and illuminations ; in the two 

 last of which they are more splendid and more expert than the 

 Europeans. On some occasions, too, not only the lakes and rivers, 

 but all the pavilions, and every part of their gardens, are illuminated 



