Extracts from Travels in China. 



simple infusion of this herb "was thought by the host, if not 

 by the guests, preferable to its mixture with cream and 

 sugar. 



The fields in this part of the country exhibited a high 

 state of cultivation, and were covered with the holcus 

 sorghum, or tallest of the vegetables producing esculent 

 grain, commonly called Barbadoes millet. It grows ten or 

 twelve feet high, and the lowest calculation of its increase 

 was one hundred fold. 



The weather being very warm, several of the troops 

 carrying fans with their military arms : fans are worn in 

 China equally by both sexes and by all ranks, and this use 

 of them at the parade, will appear less surprising to those 

 who have observed sometimes officers in other parts of the 

 East, exercising their battalions with umbrellas over their 

 heads. 



Amongst other instances of attention from the Viceroy, 

 a temporary theatre was erected opposite to his Excellency's 

 yachts. The outside was adorned with a variety of brilliant 

 and lively colours, and an attempt by strong contrasts to 

 encrease their effect; the inside was managed in a gay and 

 pleasing style of ornaments; and the actors exhibited, during 

 the day, several pantomimes and historical playsi 



The Chinese have no Sunday nor even such a division 

 as the week ; the temples are however open every day for 

 the visits of devotees. Persons of that description have 

 from time to time made grants though to no great amount, 

 for the maintenance of their Clergy, but none of the lands 

 are subject to ecclesiastical tythes. A land tax to govern- 

 ment has been substituted in the last reign, to a poll tax, as 

 better proportioned to the faculties of individuals ; a transil 



