Pliny's Account of China 251 



"Seres mites quidem, sed et ipsis feris persimiles, costus 

 reliquorum mortalium fugiunt, commercia expectant. 



"Agunt ipsi quietius Seres, armorum semper et prceliorum 

 expertes, utque hominibus sedatis et placidis otium est volupta- 

 bile, nuUi finitimorum molesti. 



" Cceli apud eos jocunda, salubrisque temperies, aeris facies 

 muiida, leniumque ventorum commodissimus flatus : et abunde 

 silvse sublucidae, a quibus arborum fetus aquarum asperginibus 

 crebris velut quasdam vellera molientes, ex lanugine et liquore 

 mixtam subilitatem tenerrimam pectunt, nentesque subtemina 

 conficiunt sericum, ad usus antehac nobilium, nunc etiam infi- 

 morum sine uUa discretione proficiens. 



" Nee minus celebres tenuissimis lanis, quas ex arboribus suae 

 regiones coUectas, conficiendis pretiosis vestibus in omnes terrsE 

 partes mittere solebant." 



" The Chinese, though of mild disposition, yet having some- 

 thing of the brute nature, avoid intercourse with other mortals, 

 but yet are ready to trade and barter. 



" The Chinese live quietly, always keeping clear of arms and 

 warfare, and as peaceful and quiet men are fond of repose, they 

 cause their neighbours no trouble. 



" They have a pleasant, healthy climate ; a clear atmosphere ; 

 gentle, favourable winds ; in very many places dusky woods (of 

 mulberry- trees), from which, working the fleecy produce of the 

 trees with frequent sprinklings of water, they comb off a very 

 delicate and fine substance — a mixture of the down and moisture 

 — and sprinkling the thread of it they make silk, which was 

 formerly only used by the nobles, but now by the lowest classes 

 without any distinction. 



" Nor are they less celebrated for a most delicate wool 

 (cotton), which they collect from the trees in their own country, 

 and send to all parts of the world to be made into costly 

 garments." 



Excepting in the account of the manufacture of silk, about 

 which the ancients held very hazy notions, it is remarkable 

 to find them in possession of so much accurate knowledge of 



