1 697-] DRESS AND ETIQUETTE. 251 



The Chincscs live very well, and eat neatly, altlio' without 

 either Napkin or Table-Cloath : They do not take the Meat 

 between their Fingers, but, as it is serv'd up all cut to 

 pieces, they carry it to their Mouths with two gilded Sticks 

 about five or six Inches long. 



They wear long Gowns very light, and for the most part 

 white, with large Breeches that reach even to their Ancles. 

 They make great account of their Hair, which is exceeding 

 long, and which they always suffer to grow. They wreath 

 it in Tresses, and twist it round behind their Heads, fasten- 

 ing it with Bodkins, as I have before uiention'd. I can't 

 remember I've ever seen any fair Hair here ; but it must 

 not be concluded from thence that the People are Tawny, 

 for, if I must repeat it once more, they are generally as fair 

 as we are. 



They have little Beards, and esteem them so that they 

 never shave them. Nay, they have no less value for those of 

 others, for if any Person has a mind to run the risque either 

 of his Beard or his Hair, he may wager it against a con- 

 siderable Sum, and being won, it is kept as a precious 

 Treasure by him that won it ; and, on the contrary, he that 

 lost it becomes so infamous that no body cares to deal with 

 him any more. They carry a great Fan in their Hands 

 which they cover their Heads with from time to time, in- 

 stead of an Umbrella, which the Europeans only make 

 use of. 



When they Salute one another, they present themselves 

 with their Fists clinch'd, and, afterwards embracing each 

 other, toss up one of their Hands as the People do in 

 England. 



They Trade in their Countiy, and particularly bring from 

 thence Tea and Porcelain. Those among them whom I 

 shall call Strangers, that is, who are not as it were Natural- 

 iz'd at Batavia, cannot continue there above six Months. 

 These have their Heads all shav'd after the new mode of 



