Cuap. VI.] TEMPERATURE IN THE NORTH OF CHINA. 87 
the lid grated to allow the charcoal to burn and 
the heat to escape; this they place upon their 
tables or on the floor, for the purpose of warm- 
ing the hands and feet. Nurses also carry these 
little stoves in their hands under the feet of the 
children. Such, however, is the thickness and 
warmth of their dresses, that it is only in the 
coldest weather they require them. Little children 
in winter are so covered up, that they look like 
bundles of clothes, nearly as broad as they are long, 
and when the padding is removed in warm weather, 
it is difficult to imagine that you see before you 
the same individuals. 
I never felt so cold in England as I did during 
this winter in the north of China, and yet, as may 
be seen from the chapter on temperature, the 
thermometer did not indicate a very low degree. 
The house in which I lived was so open, that the 
wind rushed in at every crevice; the windows 
were large, not glazed, as with us, but papered, and 
in many places perfectly open. During the day I 
got on very well, as I was always out and moving 
about from morning until dark. But the long 
evenings, with the wind whistling through the 
windows, and blowing upon my candle, were dreary 
and cold enough. 
To vary the monotony of the scene, as well as to 
warm myself, I used frequently to take a stroll 
down the main street. The Chinese, as a nation, 
are great gamblers; even the poorest of them cannot 
resist the temptation, and in this street after night- 
G4 
