Chap. XIX. 
SUBURBS OP TIEN-TSIN. 
311 
ance of a busy and thriving place such as is seen 
only in extensive emporiums of trade. The river 
and Grand Canal are lined with junks, cargo-boats, 
and small craft of every description, all engaged in 
active business. In short, many indications stamp 
Tien-tsin as an important commercial station well 
worth the attention of the merchants of foreign 
countries. 
The main street of the suburbs which extends 
along the banks of the Pei-ho and Grand Canal is 
a most curious and bustling place. Here are all 
the best shops. All day long men are going along 
this thoroughfare with huge wheelbarrows loaded 
with all kinds of produce and merchandise. The 
noise these fellows make is absolutely appalling ; 
they actually bawl at the passengers to get out of 
their way, and every one makes way for them. 
The loads which these men wheel along are gene- 
rally very heavy, and the slightest obstruction or 
contact is a very serious matter. This is under- 
stood and universally acknowledged by the people, 
and every one gets out of the way of the wheel- 
barrows. Old curiosity shops for the sale of orna- 
ments in jade-stone, rock crystal, porcelain, bronzes, 
&c., are numerous and well stocked. Clay figures, 
representing the people of the country, and illus- 
trating all ranks, from the highest mandarin down 
to the public executioner, are here met with, and 
are remarkably well modelled. In the autumn 
and winter skins and furs are plentiful; and as 
there is a great demand for these owing to the 
