Chap. IV. 



CIVILITY OF NATIVES. 



69 



questioned as to the truth of this by the Chinese, 

 who think it passing strange, if it be really true. 



Before taking his leave he gave me a pressing 

 invitation to pay him a visit at his house in the 

 city on the following day, or on any day it might 

 be convenient for me. I promised to do so, and 

 got my servant to take down his address, in order 

 that we might not have any difficulty in finding 

 his house. The door of the boat was now thrown 

 open, and I handed him out to the banks of the 

 canal. Here we made most polite adieus in the 

 most approved Chinese style, in the midst of a 

 dense crowd, who had been attracted by the rank 

 of my visitor, and partly perhaps by the reports 

 which had been spread about myself. 



The crowd which had now collected was of a 

 mixed character ; but owing, I suppose, to the 

 number of wealthy and respectable people in the 

 city, the individuals were generally well-dressed and 

 clean, and perfectly respectful and civil in their de- 

 meanour. Applications were made to me on all 

 sides for permission to enter the boat and inspect 

 my collections. This being entirely out of the 

 question, I had a portion of the cover removed in 

 order that their curiosity might be satisfied from 

 the banks of the canal. Entering the boat myself, 

 I opened box after box, and spread out my collec- 

 tions before them. My table, bed, the floor of the 

 boat, and every inch of space was completely 

 covered with examples of the natural history of 

 the place. " Can all these things have been col- 



