CONTENTS OF THE STALLS. 
225 
of which those on the shelves were only samples. They 
evidently expected us to purchase largely, thinking pro- 
bably that we came as much on a speculating voyage as 
any thing else. Of the remaining two sides, one was 
vacant, while the other was divided into one large and 
two small apartments, — the former of which was neatly 
covered with cushion-like matting and given to us as a 
lounging-plaee, while the two latter were appropriated 
by the Government-officials who had charge of the 
affair as an office and spy-room. It is needless to say 
that the spy-room joined the gate: they saw every thing. 
As we passed leisurely from one stall to another, we 
remarked a great sameness in their general appearance. 
There was but one which differed materially from the 
others, and there the difference consisted in its being 
filled with china instead of lacquer-ware. But such 
china as it was ! — superior by far to the most delicate 
French porcelain, and infinitely more cheap, in spite 
of the depreciation of our money. 
The other stalls were just like so many “old-curiosity 
shops,” — a little of every thing Japanese being to be found 
on their shelves, from the purchase of which the least 
possible amount of use was ever to flow. Like the 
porcelain, the lacquer-ware was of the most beautiful 
description, and exceeded that of China as greatly as did 
said porcelain the most ordinary stone crockery. One 
piece I remember in particular, the gorgeousness of 
whose colouring attracted the admiration of every one as 
he passed it. It was a most happy and truthful imitation 
of an ordinary “red-fish” (such as are caught in the Gulf 
of Mexico) of some eighteen inches in length ; and, upon 
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