367 



didly fitted \ip» the term being taken with ref<-r- 

 ence to their national ta^te. They consist of 

 two parallel houses connected by porticoes and 

 balconies* the one furthest from the street consti- 

 tuting the private apartments In addition to 

 ornaments peculiarly Chinese, the walls are co- 

 vered with European pictures, mirrors and pier 

 glasses, handsomely framed, and chandeliers, 

 wall shades, are to be seen in profusion* 

 The Jileeping afpartmonts are, however, for the 

 most part, over the front of the quadrangle, and, 

 although principally furnished in the Chinese 

 mode, are handsomely filled up. The targe four 

 post bed is adorned with massive open work and 

 gilt cornices, (for which, when tastefully execut- 

 ed, the Chinese give a prodigal price), and along 

 side of it is placed a smaller or single couch, 

 without curtains, fur repose in the day time. As 

 an instance of the extent to which a wealthy 

 Chinaman will go, in order to gratify his taste, I 

 may mention that, early in December 1833, I 

 saw in the private apartments of a Chmese gen- 

 tleman of Malacca, a splendid black and gold 

 Japanned cabinet, made in China, which cost 260 

 dollars. As access to these private apartments is 

 not easy, this article could not have been kept for 

 shew. 



The houses of the Portuguese present no pecu- 

 liarity, as the descendants of the conquerors of 

 Malacca have, with hardly an exception, sunk 

 into a state of deep poverty and ignorance, nei- 

 ther is there any letnark requisite on the style of 

 building prevalent amongst the other classes, the 

 houses of all being generally wooden, or cadjan, 



