386 MOTIVES FOR RETURNING THEM. Chap. XIX. 



acconnts, books, journals, and all that I valued 

 most, had been returned to me. Many things, 

 such as knives, pencils, &c., which are highly 

 valued by the Chinese, were left untouched ; and 

 even the very padlock of the trunk had been put 

 carefully inside. It was the same with my clothes. 

 Coats, waistcoats, trousers, and even the necktie 

 which I had thrown on the table when I went to 

 bed — everything was returned except the dollars. 



This proceeding on the part of the robbers sur- 

 prised me greatly, and although I regretted the 

 loss of the money I was truly thankful that I 

 had come off so well. What an extraordinary 

 people the Chinese are, and how difficult to under- 

 stand ! The thieves of any other nation would 

 never have thought of bringing back what they 

 did not want ; if they do not appropriate the 

 whole of their booty they either destroy it or 

 throw it away. Chinese thieves are much more 

 considerate and civilized ; they return what does 

 not suit their purpose to keep ! 



It is not difficult for a person acquainted with 

 the manners and government of the Chinese to see 

 the propriety and convenience of such a proceed- 

 ing. In China almost every man is responsible in 

 some way or another for the acts of his neighbour. 

 If a disturbance takes place in a shop or private 

 dwelling the owner of the place is liable to be 

 called upon for an account of it by the authorities ; 

 if a fight occurs in the public street the people in 

 the neighbourhood are held responsible ; and in 



