20 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. I. 
of natives, who, for a few cash or " tseen," can obtain a 
healthy and substantial meal. 
Besides the officers of Government, merchants, shop- 
keepers, and common labourers connected with any of 
these professions, the city contains a large manufacturing 
population. Silk is the staple article of manufacture. 
Du Halde estimates the numbers engaged in this ope- 
ration at sixty thousand. I observed a great number 
employed in the reeling process, and others were busily 
engaged with the beautiful embroidery for which this 
part of China is so famous. 
The people of Hang-chow dress gaily, and are re- 
markable amongst the Chinese for their dand3dsm. 
All except the lowest labourers and coolies strutted 
about in dresses composed of silk, satin, and crape. My 
Chinese servants were one day contrasting the natives 
of Hang-chow in this respect with those of the more 
inland parts from which they came. They said there 
were many rich men in their country, but they all 
dressed plainly and modestly, while the natives of 
Hang-chow, both rich and poor, were never contented 
unless gaily dressed in silks and satins. " Indeed," said 
they, " one can never tell a rich man in Hang-chow, for 
it is just possible that all he possesses in the world is on 
his back." 
When we were about half way through the city the 
chairmen set me down, and informed me that they went 
no farther. I got out and looked round for my servants, 
from whom I expected an explanation, for I had under- 
stood that the chairmen had been paid to take me the 
whole way through. My servants, however, were no- 
