Chap. ]V. 



VISIT TO A MANDAIUN. 



71 



were sitting on the banks of the canal waiting my 

 arrival, in order to dispose of some insects which 

 they had been lucky enough to capture during the 

 day. And so I went on from day to day, gra- 

 dually increasing my collections, with the help of 

 hundreds of little boys, who were delighted to 

 earn a few " cash" so easily. The effect produced 

 upon the villagers was also most marked, and I 

 was welcomed wherever I went^ and everywhere 

 invited to ''come in, sit down, and drink tea." 

 This picture is not very like many which have 

 been given of China and the Chinese, but it is true 

 to nature nevertheless. I trust it may give a 

 higher idea of the civilisation of this people than 

 we are accustomed to form from the writings of 

 those whose principal knowledge was derived from 

 views at the great southern seaports of the 

 empire. 



The day after that on which I had been ho- 

 noured with a call from the mandarin, I dressed 

 with more than ordinary care, sent for a sedan- 

 chair, and set out to return his visit. When I 

 arrived at his house I found that he was expecting 

 me. He was dressed in a long gown, bound 

 round the waist with a belt which had a fine clasp 

 made of gold and jade-stone, and on his head was 

 a round hat and blue button. He received me 

 with many low bows in the Chinese manner, 

 which I returned in the same way. He then led 

 me into a large hall, and invited me to take tlie 

 seat of honour. In all the houses of the wealthy 



