THE MONGOLIAN RACE. 



49 



advantages on a coral bottom. The figure of an eye in front, about 

 which much has been said in ridicule, occurs likewise on Indian and 

 Arab vessels, and even in some instances, on those of the Mediter- 

 ranean. The small Chinese boats, short and triangular, impelled by 

 a man standing and pushing the two oars, were again a novelty in the 

 way of navigation. 



In the Chinese quarter of the city were several opium shops, or 

 rather cells, for they contained merely lounging space for the votaries 

 of this enervating and destructive species of intoxication. In addition 

 to this vice, the Chinese make use of ardent spirits, tobacco, and betel. 



At the Cape of Good Hope, I observed a few scattered Chinese; 

 who however did not give rise to any particular remark, other than 

 that they had lost their nationality, and had arrived in European ves- 

 sels. A Chinese was also seen at St. Helena. 



On my second Voyage, however, I found Chinese around the bor- 

 ders of the Arabian seas, who had not been assisted in their wander- 

 ings by Europeans. Most of these were established at Bombay ; where 

 I met with a dozen or more. A Chinese was residinfj at Zanzibar; 

 and I remarked that he had adopted the Arab costume, but I did not 

 learn his history. 



Many years since, "a Chinese came to Mocha, turned Muslim, and 

 married an Arab woman." His son, ' Ali Cheena,' retained strong 

 marks of his paternal origin, and seemed hardly at home amid the 

 surrounding population. He was observed to be fond of frequenting 

 the bazaar; but was annoyed by the Arabs sometimes suggesting, 

 that " he had better return to his father's country and put on a hat." 

 He served us during our stay in the capacity of cook, and he was the 

 third native of the place, who could speak some words of English; 

 the only European language knowa at Mocha. During the few days 

 spent at Muscat, I did not fall in with any Chinese. 



I have already referred to the superior powers of endurance of the 

 aboriginal American; while iti perseverance, patient industry and 

 frugaHty, the Chinese will, I think, be admitted to excel other nations. 

 These are qualifications that promise to have an important bearing 

 on the future prospects of the Mongolian race. 



In regard to antiquities, there are probably few nations so rich in 

 monumental history as the Chinese: especially in their paintings, 

 preserved for many centuries by such an indestructible material as 

 porcelain. 



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