396 Miscellanies. 



Of the canal boat there are Uiree models of different sizes of sucll 

 as are used in conveying the articles of their produce, teas, salt, grain^ 

 and manufactured articles, to and from the distant points of the ex- 

 tensive empire, and in loading and unloading foreign ships. They 

 are remarkable for strength and durability. 



The man-of-war boat.— These tidewaiters' boats, or cutters, are 

 always cruising about with the police officers, to keep order among 

 the numerous residents on the water, and to enforce the revenue laws. 



The san-pans, or family boats, in which it is computed about 

 200,000 persons constantly reside on the waters before the city ^of Can- 

 ton and its suburbs ; they are kept as clean as a milk-pail, and contain 

 entire families, who are born and live to the end of their days on the 

 river. This great city of boats presents a remarkable aspect ; through 

 them it would be difficult to navigate, were it not that the fleet is 

 arranged in streets, and at night lighted up. There are also other 

 boats; each has been made by reducing the dimensions to the proper 

 scale; in every particular, even to the employment of the same de- 

 scriptions of wood, the oars, sculls, rudders, setting poles, cordage, 

 &c., are fac-similes of those in actual use. We are not sure that a 

 Chinese canal boat, of a thousand years ago, might not be advanta- 

 geously transferred to our own recently introduced water ways. 



Bridges. — There are four accurate models of granite bridges, from 

 one to four arches ; the workmanship of the originals is of great 

 beauty and durability, and really in them we discover the perfect 

 arch, the most approved piers of the present day, and yet their bridges 

 are so ancient, that the date of their erection is almost, if not entirely, 

 lost._ Having no carriages, they are merely used for foot passengers, 

 loaded eooleys, and an occasional horse or buffalo. 



Summer houses. — Four models of summer houses exhibit the pe- 

 culiar taste of the Chinese ; some are plain, and others very orna- 

 mental, with their scalloped roof, bells, gilding, painting, &c., and 

 furnished with miniature chairs, tables, &c., models of real things, 

 every part being complete for the luxuries of tea and the pipe. Tea 

 is the universal beverage ; this is sold from eight cents the pound up 

 to many dollars, and is an article on which some of their citizens ex- 

 pend a very large income. The working man carries it in his rude 

 tea-pot to the fields, and drinks it cold to quench his thirst, while the 

 more wealthy sip it on every occasion of ceremony, business, or 

 familiar intercourse. 



Paintings. — The pictures and paintings are very numerous, and 

 probably occupy the greatest surface in the collection. Many of them 

 were presented by distinguished men of China, and many were painted 



