116 
TUNG-CHOWi 
long sleeves hanging up before the doors, and looking like so many 
decapitated Chinese. Many of these dresses had been handsome ; 
the ermine cloaks having sometimes collars of sable, and linings 
of silk richly figured. They were all, however, second-hand, 
and possessed the true Chinese smell. It was impossible to obtain 
their common prices, as the salesmen, through the influence of our 
attendant soldiers, always asked of us more than their real value. 
I gave fourteen Spanish dollars for a deer-skin cloak. 
These furs were formerly chiefly brought from Siberia, in caravans. 
These, according to Mr. Bell*, were allowed by the Emperor’s favour 
to remain in free quarters during their stay at Pekin, and have 
the liberty to dispose of their goods, and buy others, without the 
exaction of any impost. The value of one of them was reck- 
oned to amount to four or five hundred thousand roubles, and 
yielded a return of at least double that sum. The Chinese also 
obtained a large supply of sables from the Tonguese, who inhabit the 
southern branch of the river Amoor. f They still derive them from 
these sources, but also obtain a large supply from North America. X 
Next in number to the fur-shops, were those of the druggists. 
These were remarkable for their superior cleanliness ; and, in the 
arrangement of their various drawers and jars, greatly resembled 
* Journey to Pekin, vol. i, p. 326. 
f The river Amoor is one of the largest rivers in Asia ; it takes its rise in the country 
of the Mongalls near the river Selinga, and running from thence eastward, it makes the 
frontier of these parts between Eastern Siberia, and the Oriental Mongalls; and after a 
course of more than 300 German leagues, it discharges itself into the sea of Japan, in 
long. 144 degrees. — Bell’s Travels. 
J In the season of 1811 and 1812, the Americans imported into Canton, 
Beaver and Land Otter Skins 
- 
- 
29,9.95 
Sea Otter 
- 
- 
- 
6,403 
Seal 
- 
- 
- 
35,002 
Neuter 
- 
- 
- 
142,000 
Minx 
- 
- . 
- 
6,151 
Fox 
- 
- 
- - 
2,532 
222,083 
