70 
CHINESE DRESS. 
button. Chang was a civil and Yin a military Mandarin. They had 
intelligent countenances and easy engaging manners. But Chang was 
graver than Yin, who had already ingratiated himself by his smiles. 
They gave me no very exalted notions of Chinese magnificence ; 
being both very plainly dressed, and attended by a train of very 
shabby looking fellows. Yin was accompanied by several soldiers, 
who did not add to the dignity of his cortege. Indeed the appear- 
ance of the whole party was strikingly contrasted with the very taste- 
ful and imposing splendour which surrounded them on board the 
Alceste. Her clear and ample decks, her well arranged rigging, 
her formidable artillery, her men prompt and orderly, and her officers 
in full uniform, formed a picture of propriety and order, of magnifi- 
cence and power. 
When Chang and Yin entered the Ambassador’s presence, their 
attendants who attempted to follow them were detained in an anti- 
room. They expressed the greatest curiosity to obtain a sight of His 
Excellency, often attempting to open the door of his cabin, and 
looking much displeased at being prevented. The persons of these 
men threw off a most disagreeable odour, arising in some measure 
from their use of garlic and assafoetida, but more from their want of 
cleanliness. It was some time before I could bear this repulsive 
atmosphere with sufficient composure to examine the various parts of 
their dress, which had much in novelty at least to attract my attention. 
Each man wore by his side a variety of accoutrements, which on a 
first glance seemed to be intended for warlike purposes, but on a close 
examination dwindled into very peaceful appendages. A worked 
silk sheath, in shape like the blade of a dagger, enclosed a harmless 
fan. A small leather bag, studded with brass, and resembling a 
cartouche box, supplied flint and steel for lighting their pipes. 
These hung sometimes from their girdles by the side of their chop- 
sticks, but were frequently in their mouths, pouring forth volumes of 
smoke, and giving rise to a flow of saliva which was discharged 
without any attention to place. 
Both mandarins and attendants wore girdles fastened with clasps 
