388 SPORTING IX BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



yards, and which threw everything I had witnessed of this 

 kind before completely into the shade. The fisherman, a very 

 strong and muscular man, and nearly naked, gathers up the 

 net into a great number of folds, and stooping low, by an 

 apparently great effort throws it in one volume far over his 

 head. It expands whilst in the air, and falls some distance 

 behind him, covering a very large space in a perfect circle. 



The fresh water fish of these rivers and canals, with the 

 exception of eels, which are, I believe, common to the whole 

 world, are of kinds unknown in Europe, and of many curious 

 shapes and colours. 



After several days spent in shooting, and observing the 

 manners and customs of the inhabitants, from whom we did 

 not receive the slightest obstruction or annoyance of any 

 kind, and passing many populous towns and villages, where 

 fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, and provisions of all kinds 

 were abundant, cheap, and easily attainable, and where upon 

 appearing on shore we excited much curiosity, we arrived 

 near the great walled city of Sou-Cheou-Fou, one of the 

 largest in China, and said to contain a million of inhabitants. 

 It is surnamed by the Chinese " the paradise of the earth," 

 from the number of sensual luxuries it is reported to contain, 

 and the merchants are said to derive immense profits from 

 the manufacture and sale of the most beautiful silks. 



Here rich Chinamen indulge in every species of sensual 

 debauchery in private, not daring to exhibit their wealth in 

 public, owing to the rapacity of the mandarins, who would be 

 sure to squeeze them, as it is termed, on the first opportu- 

 nity; and the women are celebrated for their beauty and 

 accomplishments, or such accomplishments as Chinese women 

 possess, which are chiefly directed to administer to the worst 

 passions of the opposite sex. Few, if any, Europeans have 

 been able to penetrate within the walls of this city, of which 

 the Chinese Imperialists were at this time exceedingly 



