90 POLISHED MANNERS. [1844. 



the lid, the canal the spout, and a wooden hook, let in 

 upon the principal of the lewis for lifting stones, forms 

 the handle. This rude vessel was adopted several times 

 for our convenience, and answered its purpose admirably. 

 They appear to indulge constantly in smoking tobacco, 

 and seem as passionately fond of tea as their continental 

 friends the Chinese ; that which they had in use was, 

 however, of a wretched quality, and afforded us the 

 opportunity of gratifying them with some of a superior 

 kind. Sweet wine was also found to be acceptable ; I 

 believe it was given to their wives, for we never observed 

 that they drank it, though I urged it upon them as a 

 medicine. Of the mysteries of the healing art they 

 appear to be profoundly ignorant, trusting almost, if not 

 altogether, to nature, in the progress of their maladies. 



" They appear to be acquainted with the potter's art, 

 as tiles of various shapes and sizes were observed about 

 their villages ; and in the moulding of their large water- 

 jars and cooking utensils, they evidently evince consi- 

 derable ingenuity. Some of their vessels, used for con- 

 taining their ' saki ' or Sam-shoo, assume even a classic 

 elegance of form, as represented in the accompanying 

 figure. 



" Exclusive of the Mandarins, there would appear to 

 be two distinct castes in the island, the one being rich, 

 intelligent, and altogether superior to the people they 

 govern and control, which is expressed by the more 

 intellectual expression of their features, their more erect 

 bearing, and urbane and polished manners. Their mode 

 of salutation is graceful in the extreme, consisting of a 

 low bending of the body and inclination of the head. 



