Ch. I.] CHINESE BOATWOMEN. 19 



any), are no less strong and active than their lords ; and, 

 moreover, they are not unfrequently burdened in a manner 

 which would at first sight seem to hamper their movements 

 very considerably. Strapped upon their backs, it is a com- 

 mon sight to see an infant, his little bare feet peeping out 

 on either side, and the unsupported head tumbling from side 

 to side with every movement of the mother, who, in the act 

 of rowing, places herself in postmres by no means always 

 suitable to the child's comfort ; but it seldom complains, and 

 seems to become accustomed to the strange rockiag motion. 

 Often the mother hands the infant over to the back of a 

 child, girl or boy alike, of nine or ten years old, who moves 

 about the boat apparently with little reference to his burthen. 

 Children of an age to toddle about, but stiU so young as to 

 require attention, are often tethered by a string to the 

 middle of the boat, or ornamented by sundry gourds fastened 

 to their bodies, so that in case they fall overboard, as I have 

 seen them do, they may float until picked up. 



The numerous cargo boats plying in the harbour add to 

 the liveliness of the scene. They are mostly rowed by men, 

 who stand up and push the oar before them. A strange 

 sight it is in wet weather to see these men, who, under these 

 circumstances, wear cloaks made of grass, — the raw material 

 sewn together, — which, crowned by the broad and pointed 

 bamboo hat, give them an aspect of savagery which can 

 scarcely be surpassed. 



