40O C0CHII3CHINA, 



lots, who condud them in. Thefe pUof5^ 

 who are of the rank of mandarins, have 

 orders to . be always in readinefs to afford 

 this afliftance to ftrangers. When they 

 have come to anchor, the captain, with 

 fome bf his officers, goes on fhore, and re- 

 pairs to court with a general lift of his 

 goods, and luch prefents as are intended 

 for the king. It may be proper here to ob- 

 ferve, that bufinefs and contrads of every 

 kind begin and terminate with prefents j 

 and it is of great importance to' bring fuch as 

 may be agreeable to the fovereign ; becaufc, 

 if he is fatisfied, he exempts the velTei fiom 

 paying the duties of anchorage, which are 

 confiderable, and which are higher or lower 

 according to tlie nature of the merchandife 

 with which it is loaded. The Chinefe pay 

 ten per cent, agreeable to an ancient tarif, 

 which determines the price of all commo- 

 dities imported. On his return from court, 



the 



