534 
FOURTH BULLETIN OF 
[1846. 
value or beauty, as the European manufacture is at present far superior, and even 
the foreign residents send to Europe for their ware. China ware is sold in sets, 
consisting of a table set of two hundred and seventy pieces, at from twelve to 
seventy-five dollars; a breakfast set of twenty pieces at three dollars, and a 
short tea set of forty-six pieces, at from five to six dollars. They manufacture ar¬ 
ticles to any pattern given. 
Cudbear.—This is a powder used in dyeing violet or crimson. It is procured 
from the lichin tartareous, a plant found in Iceland. Its colors are not durable 
when employed alone, and it is therefore used as a body to other more expensive dyes, 
as indigo, cochineal, &c., making them more lively. It is used by the Chinese 
but little, and the demand is small. 
Preserves.—Large quantities of preserved sweetmeats are exported from Canton, 
the principal of which is ginger, being the tender roots and tops of that plant. 
Also small oranges, and also another kind which is called “ chow-chow,” which 
is a mixture of citron, sea weeds, ginger, &c. These are neatly put up in delf- 
vrarejarsof about half a gallon each, and sell for about six dollars the dozen. 
Considerable quantities are carried to Hamburgh and Singapore, previous to being 
shipped to the United States and Europe. 
Brass-leaf.—This is made in considerable quantities in China for the Indian 
markets. It is worth from forty-five to fifty dollars a box. 
India-ink.—This is the only ink used by the Chinese. It is made of lampblack 
and glue, and formed into cakes and sticks, which are often perfumed and gilded. 
Good ink is of a shining black color and free from all grittiness, which last particu¬ 
lar can be ascertained by rubbing it on the nail a little wet. It was once supposed 
to be made of the black fluid of the cuttle-fish. 
Lacquered-ware.—Formerly this ware was exported in large quantities to Eu¬ 
rope and the United States, but at present the demand is small, owing to the great 
liability to be damaged. The articles now sent to the United States and Europe 
consist of those articles which have always been in demand, as fans, waiters, boxes, 
tea boards, &c. The patterns affect their sale, and the least mark spoils the 
varnish. The best kind of ware comes from Japan. The varnish with which this 
kind of ware is covered has never been successfully imitated in Europe, probably 
because the varnish tree does not grow in the west. 
Mats.—Mats are made by the Chinese very beautifully. Those made of ratan 
are the best, and the demand is yearly increasing. They are very durable and 
handsome. Those made of rush and bamboo are inferior. 
Soy.—This is a condiment made of a species of bean which grows in China and 
Japan. To make it the beans are boiled soft, and then an equal quantity of wheat 
or barley is added ; after this has thoroughly fermented, a quantity of salt and three 
times as much water as the beans were at first are added. The whole compound 
is now left for two or three months and then pressed and strained. Good soy has 
an agreeable taste, and if shaken in a tumbler lines the vessel with a lively yellow 
brown froth. The color of soy in the vessel is nearly black; it improves much by 
age. The soy bean forms the national dish of Japan. Soy is beginning to be 
exported in considerable quantities to Europe and the United States. The price in 
Canton is twenty-five cents per bottle. I have procured seed for an experimental 
trial in the United States. 
Sugar.—This article is made by the Chinese in sufficient quantities to supply 
themselves and to export. They have several varieties of cane, but many have a 
reddish juice, which injures the sale of the sugar. The kind cultivated is the same 
as that of the West Indies. The process of manufacturing is simple and laborious. 
Their machinery is coarse, and the power human strength. They do not appear 
to understand refining, but crystallize it, and in that state send large quantities to 
India, where it is much esteemed. Much is pulverized in mortars, when it forms a 
white sugar. 
Thread.—Gold and silver thread is imported into China from England and Hol¬ 
land. It is used in borders of fine goods, in ornamenting ladies’ dresses and other 
similar objects. The quantity imported is great. The English sells for from 
thirty-six to forty dollars per pecuh 
Cloves.—Considerable quantities of this spice are imported into China. The 
price for Molucca doves is from twenty-eight to thirty dollars a pecul, and for those 
