OBTRUSIVE CURIOSITY. 
135 
and texture of our clothes were made the subject of 
endless observations. Our gilt buttons were greatly 
admired, and to all appearance ardently coveted. 
Even the contents of our pockets were turned out, 
passed from hand to hand, and freely criticised, 
but, be it said to their credit, always honestly 
restored to their legitimate owners. 
When we were many years ago among the gentle 
and inoffensive Loo Chooans, we were often sur- 
rounded by a crowd of eager gazers, all gaping 
upon us with looks of concentrated curiosity i but 
among that peaceful race the Book of Kites is 
respected, and the ‘‘ hundred families, as the 
Chinese term the people, looked upon us at a 
respectful distance : the children placed in the 
front ranks, the next rank kneeling, and the tali 
ones standing in the rear ; but we experienced no 
treatment like that to which we were subjected here, 
where we were made the butt of the rabble, who 
never seemed to weary of the amusement which 
they derived from the inspection of our peculiarities, 
national and personal. AVliile we were surrounded 
