'28G CHINESE MEN ANJ) WOMEN. 



fifths are occupied by the Eiighsh residents, their 

 Church, cricket-ground, and race-course. During my 

 short stay in this Httle colony, I had the opportunity 

 of eyeing an entire Chinese family, who had come to 

 gratify their curiosity, having pi-eviously obtained my 

 host's permission to look over the house. There was 

 John Chinaman, a rich merchant of parchment com- 

 plexion, black lanky hair, with a tail down to his feet, 

 thin, long moustache, and oblique eyes, accompanied 

 by his five wives and quite a brood of little Celestials, 

 all dressed up for the occasion in their very best,— the 

 ladies in upper and under-dress of rich figured silks, 

 an elaborate frisure, and highly rouged, their feet 

 ensconced in little shoes of barely six inches, beauti- 

 fully embroidered, and thick felt soles. The cramped 

 position, — the whole of the toes being tucked under, — 

 prevents them walking like other human beings, and 

 every lady therefore requires a servant to support her. 

 The children looked very funny, wrapped up in silkeji 

 gowns, and with their shaven crown, just a few jet- 

 black hairs being left over each ear. They all seemed 

 to enjoy their inspection from roof to cellar, and had 

 no end of questions to ask as to the uses of articles they 

 had never seen before. The better class are very fond 

 of their children, and it seems sti-ange that they should 

 countenance in their midst, amongst the lower orders. 



