Chap. V. 



COLLECTION OF ANTIQUITIES. 



81 



which were placed beautiful specimens of ancient 

 china vases. Everything which met the eye told 

 in language not to be mistaken that its owner was 

 not only a man of wealth, but of the most refined 

 taste. 



After a few commonplace civilities passing be- 

 tween us I expressed a wish to inspect his collec- 

 tions. He led me from 

 room to room and point- 

 ed out a collection which 

 was enough to make 

 one's "mouth water.'' 

 In some instances his 

 specimens stood on tables 

 or on the floor, while in 

 others they were taste- 

 fully arranged in cabi- 

 nets made expressly for 

 the purpose of holding 

 them. He showed me 

 many exquisite bits of 

 crackle of various colours 

 — grey, red, turquoise, 

 cream, pale yellow, and 

 indeed of almost every 

 shade. One vase I ad- 

 mired much was about 

 two feet high, of a deep 

 blue colour, and covered 

 with figures and orna- 

 ments in gold ; another of the same height liad 



1 with figures 

 iiul riunts. 



