CHINESE MODES OF LIVING. 380 



The Chinese, on the contrary, has a good sub- 

 stantial mud or brick house, generally thatched, 

 but not unfrequently tiled. Within are seen chairs, 

 stools, and tables, a moveable bedstead formed of 

 planking and bamboo, besides bedding. His shelves 

 are well stored with cups, saucers, tea-pots, jugs, 

 basins and jars ; and his culinary vessels consist of 

 iron and earthen pots, pans, and kettles. Nor are 

 his shelves altogether devoid of books. At his 

 meals he is seated in his chair or on a bench at 

 table, and uses two neatly turned little sticks of 

 lacquered- ware or bone, which he places between his 

 fingers, and uses with the same dexterity and effi- 

 ciency as the European his fork or spoon. He has 

 his little spoon, also, but made generally of glazed 

 earthenware, for soup or soy. And his frugal re- 

 past, though it consists mainly, like that of the 

 Hindoo, of rice in the south, or some form of wheat 

 in the northern provinces, yet two or three little 

 dishes, neatly served and agreeably cooked, consist- 

 ing of fresh or dried fish, dried water-fowl or other 

 dried meats, a little fat pork, and some vegetables, 

 complete the bill of fare. And, like a highly 

 polished people, to whom the Chinese have been 

 compared by very experienced judges, he closes 

 each meal, of which there are three in the course of 

 the day, not very dissimilar, with his petit verre, or 

 small cup of samshew or spirit, but taken before 

 his tea instead of after coffee. In this manner live 



the boatmen, the coolies or porters, the packers of 



z 2 



