98 CHINA. 



have all such a regard to privacy, that no windows are made towards 

 the streets, but in shops and places of public business, nor do any of 

 their windows look towards those of their neighbours. The shops of 

 those that deal in silk are very neat, make a fine show, and are all in 

 one place ; for tradesmen or dealers in one kind of goods herd together 

 in the same street It is computed that there are in this city, and its- 

 suburbs, 1,200,000 people ; and there are often 5000 trading vessels- 

 lying before the city. 



Public roads. ...The security of travellers, and an easy mode of 

 conveyance for passengers and merchandise of every kind, are ob- 

 jects to which particular attention seems to have been paid by admin- 

 istration in China. The manner in which the public roads are man- 

 aged greatly contributes to the former. 



These roads are paved in all the southern provinces, and some of 

 the northern. Vallies have been filled up, and passages have been 

 cut through rocks and mountains, in order to make commodious 

 highways, and to preserve them as nearly as possible on a level. 

 They are generally bordered with very lofty trees ; and sometimes 

 with walls eight or ten feet in height, to prevent travellers from 

 entering into the fields. Openings are left in them at certain inter- 

 vals, which give a passage into cross roads that conduct to different 

 villages. On all the great roads, covered seats are erected at proper 

 distances, where the traveller may shelter himself from the incle- 

 mency of the winter, or the excessive heats of the summer. 



There is no want of inns on the principal highways, and even on- 

 the cross roads. The former are very spacious, but they are badly 

 supplied with provisions. People are even obliged to carry beds with 

 them, or to sleep on a plain mat. Government requires of those who 

 inhabit them, to give lodging only to those who ask and pay for it. 



We met with many turrets (says Mr. Bell) called post-houses> 

 ei-ected at certain distances one from another, with a flag-staff, on which 

 is hoisted the imperial pendant. These places are guarded by sol- 

 diers, who run from one post to another with great speed, carrying 

 letters which concern the emperor. The turrets are in sight of one 

 another, and by signals they can convey intelligence of any remarkable 

 event. By these means the court is informed in the speediest manner 

 of whatever disturbance may happen in the most remote parts of the 

 empire. 



Manufactures, coMMERCE....China is so happily situated, and 

 produces such a variety of materials for manufacturers, that it may 

 be said to be the native land of industry ; but i£ is an industry with- 

 out taste or elegance, though carried on with great art and neatness; 

 They make paper with the bark of bamboo and other trees, as well ~ 

 as of cotton, but not comparable, for records or printing, to the Eu- 

 ropean. Their ink for the use of drawing is well known in England, 

 and is said to be made of oil and lampblack. The manufacture of 

 that earlhen-ware generally known by the name of China, was long a 

 secret in Europe, and brought immense sums to that country. 

 Though the Chinese affect to keep that manufacture still a secret, 

 yet it is well known that the principal material is a prepared pulve- 

 rised earth, and that several European countries far exceed the Chi- 

 nese in manufacturing this commodity.* The Chinese silks are ge- 



* The English, in particular, have carried this branch to a high degree of per* 

 %t!cn, as appears from the commissions which have been received of late from- 



