36 TEA DISTRICTS OF CHINA. Chap. II. 



ing Buddhist temples ; but although these buildings 

 have a certain degree of interest about them, and 

 many of them are certainly curious, yet as works of 

 art they are not to be compared with the buildings of 

 the same class which one meets with at home. 



The shops in the main streets have their fronts 

 entirely removed by day, so that the passenger may 

 have an opportunity of seeing and of forming a good 

 idea of the wares which are for sale. I observed 

 many shops where gold and silver ornaments and 

 valuable Jade stone were exposed for sale. Old 

 curiosity shops were numerous, and contained articles 

 of great value amongst the Chinese, such as ancient 

 porcelain jars, bronzes, carved bamboo, jars cut out 

 of the beautiful Jade stone, and a variety of other 

 things of like description. I observed some large 

 silk-shops as I passed along, and, judging from the 

 number of people in the town who wear silk dresses, 

 they must have a thriving trade. Everything, indeed, 

 which met the eye, stamped Hang-chow-foo as a place 

 of wealth and luxury. As usual in all the Chinese 

 towns which I have visited, there were a vast number 

 of tea and eating houses for the middle classes and 

 the poor. They did not seem to lack customers, for 

 they were all crowded with hundreds of natives, who, 

 for a few cash or " tseen," can obtain a healthy and 

 substantial meal. 



Besides the officers of Government, merchants, 

 shopkeepers, and common labourers connected with 

 any of these professions, the city contains a large 

 manufacturing population. Silk is the staple article 



