84 
FEAST. 
A crowd of servants immediately entered, bringing trays containing 
part of the feast, which they placed on the tables. Four courses 
were served : the first consisting of soup, said to be composed of 
mares’ milk and blood ; the second, of sixteen dishes of fruits and 
dried meats ; the third, of eight basins of stewed sharks’ fins, birds’ 
nests, harts’ sinews, and other viands used by the Chinese for their 
supposed aphrodisial virtues ; and the fourth, of twelve bowls of dif- 
ferent kinds of meat cut into small pieces, and floating in gravy. In 
addition to the usual Chinese table apparatus of chop-sticks and por- 
celain spoons, we were supplied with four pronged silver forks, curved 
like a scymetar. The wine, made from rice, was contained in small 
earthen kettles, from which it was poured into porcelain cups, by 
servants bending on one knee, and was drunk warm. 
During the feast, a play was performed ; and, at its close, feats of 
tumbling were exhibited. The dresses of the performers were very 
gorgeous, and were said to resemble those worn by the Chinese 
before the Tartar conquest. Confusion and noise were the only cir- 
cumstances of the performance which impressed themselves upon 
me, for I could understand no part of the story. The tumbling was 
more expressive of strength and agility. After continuing at table 
about an hour, we rose, and the performance ceased. The back part 
of the theatre was then thrown open, and disclosed a long passage of 
painted matting, terminated by a rude drawing of a large dragon. 
Having returned to our boats in the same order in which we had 
left them, we received presents of silk, cotton, and the remains of the 
feast. Each gentleman was presented with four pieces of coloured 
silk ; and each of the servants, guard and band, with four of coloured 
cotton. His Excellency, Sir George Staunton, and Mr. Ellis, re- 
ceived separate presents. 
At day-light the next morning we left our anchorage, and again 
proceeded on our route up the Pei-ho. My companions were some 
way a-head when I discovered that my boat was still at anchor, and 
on going out to enquire the reason, found that my trackers had ab- 
sconded and that others had not yet been provided. Whilst waiting 
