Cuar. VI] “‘ FURNITURE STREET.” 89 
this people are so well known. The process of 
cotton printing in its most simple and original 
form may be seen in most of the streets here, as 
well as in other towns in China. Rope-making is 
carried on extensively in the suburbs near the 
river, and some strong cables and ropes for junks 
are made from the bracts of the palm, formerly 
noticed, and from the bark of the urticaceous plant, 
commonly called hemp by the English in the north 
of China. There are, of course, the usual quantity of 
curiosity shops, containing — — —— 
into all possible forms; sy 
which are said to ‘“‘ preserve flowers and fruit om 
decay for an unusual time,” lacquered ware, and 
other ornaments brought by the junks from Japan, 
many beautifully carved rhinoceros’ horns, bronzes, 
and other articles to which the Chinese attach 
great. importance, purchasing them at exorbitant 
rates, apparently far beyond their value. But what 
struck me as being most unique, was a peculiar kind 
of furniture, made and sold in a street, generally 
called “Furniture Street” by foreigners who visit 
Ning-po. There were beds, chairs, tables, washing- 
stands, cabinets and presses, all peculiarly Chinese 
in their form, and beautifully inlaid with different 
kinds of wood and ivory, representing the people 
and customs of the country, and presenting, in 
fact, a series of pictures of China and the Chinese. 
Every one who saw these things admired them, and, 
what was rather strange, they seem peculiar to 
Ning-po, and are not met with at any of the other 
