316 RAMBLES OP A NATUEALIST. [Ch. XIX. 



homely, but more moderately priced article to which I had 

 been accustomed. 



During the days following the new year I was at Whampoa, 

 and also at Canton. In aU places the same observances 

 were visible ; the boats were aU decorated vdth pieces of 

 gilt-paper hanging over the stern, while inside were small 

 pictures of idols ; and there was none that had not its little 

 shrine fitted up, with a taper burning, and sweetmeats 

 placed before it. Everywhere the shops were closed, and 

 the people were parading in their best dresses ; everywhere 

 crackers exploded at intervals, and pleasure superseded 

 business. At Canton for several days large house-boats, gay 

 with flags, and freighted with be-rouged ladies and long- 

 nailed gentlemen, floated into town along the " Pearl " river, 

 mid beating of gongs and firing of guns, on their return from 

 a holiday excursion in honour of the New- Year. Inside 

 the city but few shops were opened until a week after new- 

 year's day, but the narrow streets were alive with people in 

 holiday costume. In some parts' the toy-makers were doing 

 a thriving trade, for, as with us, the hearts of the juvenile 

 population are at this time made glad with presents of sur- 

 prising playthings, often assuming the form of a lantern ; 

 but which a stranger would never suspect of being intended 

 for that purpose. It might be a large globular fish with gay 

 colours and expansive fins, or a gigantic frog, or a crab with 

 moveable claws and goggle eyes, or some other nondescript 

 animal, which is carried aloft at the end of a long stick, or 

 suspended with a candle burning inside. Every possible 

 variety of dolls, and of ingenious toys of the gaudiest and 

 cheapest description, in some places almost blocked up the 

 narrow pathway allotted to passengers. Boys paraded the 

 streets with a flexible paper dragon, borne upon poles, the 



