SHANGHAI KACES. 397 



absolutely buried, but from which he often contrives to 

 make his exit upon any playful caprice of his steed. 



Imagine, then, some dozen shaggy ponies, of every shape, 

 colour, and size, and resembling bears or other wild beasts 

 far more than any specimens of the equine genus, mounted 

 by Chinese jockeys of the most ludicrous appearance and 

 costume, their long tails projecting far behind, and swinging 

 about at every motion of their steed, and their persons 

 almost entirely hidden by the multiplicity of their garments 

 and the size of their housings. Upon the start being effected, 

 several of them are sure to lose their seats in the first instance, 

 and roll over in the dust, their ponies leaving them to their 

 fate, and following the others. Those who are sufficiently 

 fortunate to keep their seats continue to gallop until some 

 accident occurs, which is generally the case with most of them, 

 and rarely more than two or three accomplish the distance 

 in safety. These, however, can never be persuaded to stop 

 but think it essential to continue their career until the pony 

 himself considers it quite necessary to put a stop to such a 

 tax upon his endurance^ and the one who lasts out the longest 

 at this peculiar description of racing gains the prize. 



Balls and dinner-parties of the most sumptuous description 

 generally terminate the racing festivities. The tables of the 

 European merchants in China will bear comparison with 

 almost any in the world. A Chinaman, with a little instruc- 

 tion from a French cuisinier, soon attains all the knowledge 

 and perfection of his master, and becomes a great proficient 

 in all the light and ornamental parts of the art. Nature 

 has supplied almost every European delicacy, and many 

 that are not found in Europe. Meat of all kinds is good 

 and plentiful ; poultry abundant, and in great variety ; 

 the markets furnish a wonderful quantity of sea and fresh- 

 water fish, many of them of delicious flavour, and game of 

 different kinds is to be had in and out of the season. Yege- 



