CHINES TRADE. 467 



can copy every pattern indircriminately 

 which is fent to them from foreign nations. 

 There are fome really Lmpradicable in 

 China; though, at the fame time, the Clii- 

 nefe can execute fome furprifing works, 

 which we, in our turn, confider as impof- 

 fible. 



Several people imagine, that porcelain ac- 

 quires a fuperior degree of perfection when 

 it has been buried in the earth. Thi.% how- 

 ever, is a falfe klca» which the Chinefe ridi- 

 cule. The iMilory of Kinte-ching, fpeak- 

 ing of the beautiful porcelain of old times, 

 informs us, that it was in fo much requefV, 

 that fcarcely were the furnaces opened when 

 the merchants difputed who ihould have it, 

 which certainly does not imply that it was 

 buried in the earth. It is very true, that in 

 <ligg*t^g ruins, or in clearing old neg. 

 Ie<fted wellsi fome very beautiful pieces of 

 porcelain are now and then found, which 

 H h 2 have 



