PLEASURE GARDENS OP THE CHINESE. 283 



by an incredible number of beautiful lanterns, of a thousand different 

 shapes, intermixed with lampions, torches, fire-pots, and sky-rockets ; 

 than which a more magnificent sight cannot be seen. Even the 

 Girandola, and illumination of St. Peter's of the Vatican, though far 

 the most splendid exhibitions of that sort in Europe, are trifles, when 

 compared to these of China. 



At the Feast of Lanterns, in particular, all China is illuminated 

 during three days : it seems as if tiie wiiole empire were on fire ; every 

 person lights up a number of painted lanterns, of various beautiful 

 forms ; sometimes of horn, glass, or motiier-of-pearl, but most com- ' 

 monly framed of wood, carved, varnished, and gilt, upon which is 

 strained thin silk, painted with flowers, birds, and human figures, that 

 receive an uncommon brilliancy from the mlmber of lights within : 

 some there are likewise made like our magic lanterns, representing, by 

 coloured shadows, ships sailing, armies marching, horses galloping, 

 and birds flying : others are full of puppets, representing mounte- 

 banks, buffoons, boxers, wrestlers, and dancers, which are moved by 

 imperceptible threads, the actions being accompanied by the voice of 

 the operator, modified in different manners ; all so conformable to the 

 size and gestures of the figures, that they seem really to speak. 



There are likewise lanterns made in the form of tigers, drome- 

 daries, and dragons, of an enormous size, which are painted in transpa- 

 rency, and filled with lights ; these are moved about the streets by men 

 concealed within them, who artfully give to the machine every motion 

 of the animal it represents ; others there are seen floating upon the 

 lakes and rivers, built like boats and vessels of various kinds, or shaped 

 like dolphins, alligators and porpuses, that swim and curvet upon the 

 water ; others, again, that resemble birds fluttering amongst trees, or 

 perched on the summits of the houses, on all parts of their temples, 

 triumphal arches, and public structures of different kinds : in short, 

 there is scarcely any form that can be imagined, which is not given to 

 some of these lanterns, all executed with the greatest taste and neat- 

 ness, often at a very considerable expense, some even to the amount of 

 a thousand tael, or near three hundred and fifty pounds. 



It is likewise upon this festival that the most splendid of their fire- 

 works are exhibited ; it would be tedious to describe them particularly, 

 as they resemble, in many things, our European ones ; but what is 

 related on that head, by one of the missionaries, is curious, and may 

 here be inserted, to give the reader an idea of Chinese skill, in works 

 of this sort. 



" I was extremely surprised," says the father, " at a fire-work which 

 I .saw at Peking, representing an arbour of vines ; it burnt for a consi- 

 derable time, without consuming ; the grapes were red, the leaves 

 green, and the colour of the stem and branches variegated, in imitation 

 of nature; all the forms were represented with the utmost precision, 

 in fires of difi'erent colours; the whole was executed with aniazin"' art, 

 and had the most i)leasing efl'ect imaginable." 



Their rivers are seldom straight, but winding, and broken info many 

 irregular points; sometimes they are narrow, noisy, and rapid; at 

 other times deep, broad, and slow. Their banks are variegated, in 



