THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
433 
ftantly employed, during that time, in the fervice of the 
Company, they may fubmit, with the lefs regret, to the re- 
ftraints they are kept under. They very rarely pay any vifits 
within the walls of Canton, except on public occafions. 
Indeed, nothing gave me fo unfavourable an idea of the 
character of the Chinefe, as to find, that, amongft fo many 
perfons of liberal minds, and amiable manners, fome of 
whom have reiided in that country for near fifteen years 
together, they have never formed any friendfhip or focial 
connexion. As foon as the laft fhip quits Wampii, they 
are all obliged to retire to Macao; but, as a proof of the 
excellent police of the country, they leave all the money 
they poffefs in fpecie behind them, which, I was told, fome- 
times amounted to one hundred thoufand pounds fter- 
ling, and for which they had no other fecurity than the 
feals of the merchants of the Hong , the viceroy, and Man¬ 
darins, 
During my flay at Canton, I was carried, by one of the 
Englifh gentlemen, to vifit a perfon of the firfl confequence 
in the place. We were received in a long room or gallery, 
at the upper end of which flood a table, with a large chair 
behind it, and a row of chairs extending from it on each 
fide down the room. Being previoufly inflrudled, that the 
point of civility confifted in remaining as long unfeated as 
poffible, I readily acquitted myfelf of this piece of etiquette ; 
after which we were entertained with tea, and fome pre¬ 
ferred and frefh fruits. Our holt was very fat, with a 
heavy dull countenance, and of great gravity in his deport¬ 
ment. He fpoke a little broken Englifh and Portugueze; 
and, after we had taken our refrefhment, he carried us 
about his houfe and garden ; and having fhewed us all the 
improvements he was making, we took our leave. 
Vo l. III. 
3 K 
W79- 
December. 
i_ 
Having 
