114 
TUNG-CHOW. 
China. A kind of balance is used by the Chinese in weighing that 
enables them readily to deceive the unsuspicious; and gave us many 
opportunities of witnessing their frauds. It is formed of a long rod 
or beam, of wood or ivory, with a scale at one end and a moveable 
weight at the other. The rod is intended to be suspended in equi- 
librium by a piece of string passing through it. The Chinese, by 
having two strings at some distance from each other, can alter at 
pleasure the length of the lever, proportionably increasing or dimi- 
nishing the weight. Of this construction they never failed to take 
advantage, at our expense, whenever an opportunity presented itself. 
I ought, however, to observe, that the soldiers, who accompanied 
us in our excursions, would have obliged them to act thus, if they 
had not been prompted by their own disposition. These harpies 
followed us in all our rambles, and, entering the shops, desired 
the tradesmen to overcharge us ; and when a bargain was com- 
pleted, received the whole of the extra profit. 
Nothing could better illustrate the contemptible and pusillani- 
mous policy of the Chinese towards the Embassy, than the jealous 
manner in which they watched our visits to some stalls on which 
arms were exposed for sale. They had so great an objection to 
our purchasing any weapon of the country, as to seize a sword, 
bought by a gentleman, at the moment when he was carrying it 
openly into the Ambassador’s quarters. 
European silver coins were much sought after at Tung-Chow, 
but less for their intrinsic value than as curiosities. English 
eighteen-penny and three-shilling pieces were particularly in 
request, and seemed to be as highly prized as the Spanish dollar. 
Indeed, so far did the inhabitants carry their anxiety to possess a coin 
with a perfect device, as to offer me handful after handful of their 
small copper money, called Tchen *, for a few silver Java coin with 
* This coin, the only figured money in China, is of a round form, has a square hole in 
the centre for the convenience of stringing, and has the name of the Emperor in Chinese 
on the face, and two Tartar words on the reverse. This coin is melted, not struck. — 
Vide Mem. concern, les Chinois, tom. iv. p, 30/. 
