82 



FONDNESS FOR ANTIQUE ART. 



Chap. V. 



white ground with figures and trees in black, 

 yellow, and green — rare and bright colours lost 

 now to Chinese art, and never known in any 

 other part of the world. 



In one of the rooms I observed some handsome 

 specimens of red lacquer most elaborately and 

 deeply carved, and also fine pieces of gold japan. 

 There were also numerous bronzes and enamels on 

 copper, which my friend informed me were from 

 800 to 1000 years of age. His collections of jades 

 and agates was also extensive and valuable. 

 ' Taking the collection as a whole, it was the 

 finest I had ever seen, and was a real treat to me. 

 On going round the different rooms I observed 

 more than one specimen I had been in treaty 

 for myself, and I thought I could detect a good- 

 humoured smile upon my friend's countenance, as 

 the same idea was passing through his mind which 

 was passing through my own. 



On returning to the reception-room I found one 

 of the tables covered with all sorts of good things 

 for luncheon, which I was now asked to partake of. 

 It was, however, getting late in the afternoon, and 

 near my own dinner-hour, so I begged myself off 

 with the best grace possible, and with many low 

 bows and thanks took my leave much gratified 

 with what I had seen. 



It is well known that the Chinese value ancient 

 works of art, but they differ from western nations 

 in this, that the appreciation of such articles is 

 confined to those of their own country. As a 



