Chap. V. 



FONDNESS FOR ANTIQUE ART. 



83 



general rule they do not appreciate articles of 

 foreign art, unless such articles are useful in daily 

 life. A fine picture, a bronze, or even a porcelain 

 vase of " barbarian " origin, might be accepted as 

 a present, but would rarely be bought by a Chinese 

 collector. 



But while they are indifferent about the ancient 

 works of art of foreign countries, they are pas- 

 sionately fond of their own. And well they may, 

 for not only are many of their ancient vases 

 exquisite specimens of art, but they are also samples 

 of an art which appears to have long since passed 

 from amongst them. Take, for example, their 

 modern porcelain, examples of which may be seen 

 in almost every tea-shop in London. The gro- 

 tesque figuring is there it is true, but nowhere 

 do we find that marvellous colouring which is 

 observed on their ancient vases. I often tried to 

 find out whether as a nation they had lost the art 

 of fixing the most beautiful colours, or whether in 

 these days of cheapness they would not go to the 

 expense. All my inquiries tended to show that 

 the art had been lost, and indeed it must be so, 

 otherwise the high prices which these beautiful 

 things command w^ould be sure, in a country like 

 China, to produce them. 



Without coloured drawings it is difficult to give 

 the general reader a correct idea of what these 

 specimens are which are so much prized by the 

 Chinese ; and although there are some valuable 

 private collections in England, yet our museums, 



G 2 



