similar to those at Man-chow; they are architectural monuments intended to perpetuate the memory of persons of either sex, whose virtues have deserved the homage, or grateful recollections of the public. The emperor, on his part, by way of exciting emulation, takes care to preserve whatever may perpetuate in the minds of posterity, a remembrance of the glory of such celebrated characters; while inscriptions on these triumphal tributes to civic virtue, indicate the names and qualities of the distinguished individuals who have acquired this renown.

There are five classes in favour of whom this usage has been adopted. First, persons who have lived a century; the Chinese thinking that without a sober and virtuous life, it is impossible to attain so great an age. Secondly, children who have given proofs of great filial affection. Thirdly, women remarkable for their chastity. Fourthly, mandarins who have governed in the district subject to their authority, with fidelity and justice, so as to gain the love and esteem of the people. Lastly, the sons who have distinguished themselves by rendering signal services to the state, or who have invented or made any thing remarkably contributive to the public welfare: this, it must be observed, is the account they give themselves of these singular

structures.

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In the latter part of our journey, we passed through a very extensive burying-ground, covered with graves in regular rows, which at a distance had a curious appearance, the earth over

intense is, that by this principle, worth is estimated to its extent and due appreciation, without regard to distinction of rank, age, or sex!

Again, it would be matter worthy of inquiry to ascertain where else arc, or have been, monuments of such ostensible show and distinction raised to female chastity? The ingenious author of an article in the Quarterly Review, on the state of female society in ancient Greece, may probably find a parallel, or make a translation, in his own way, to touch this admirable fact, in the history of a people so removed from the manners of both former and present times.

It is equally worthy of regard, that these triumphal monuments to moral character, are maintained in constant repair at the expense of the imperial treasury; a measure influenced undoubtedly as much by the feelings of humane and paternal consideration for the emperor of China, as the representative of Heaven is by repute the Father of his people, as he is by the controlling influence of a court of Mandarins, who are invested by ancient use with the title of the court of Lisson, or of ceremonies;' which like courts of law in countries regulated by just legislation, cannot be violated in its decrees except by intrigue or despotism.

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To remark further on this interesting passage would be doing injustice to the writer, whose indefatigable and accurate examination of these curious facts, can only be equalled by the extreme modesty of his narrative. With regard, however, to the leading points of character as they occur, further notice shall be taken, as they may stand corroborated by more advantageous experience.

the grave being thrown up in a conical form; the size and height of these, they told us, denote the rank of the deceased: the greater dimension conveying the idea of comparative superiority. There is a tombstone placed perpendicularly, with an inscription, probably an epitaph, on the east side, a little distance from each spot of interment.

In the course of the day we forded two small rivers, the waters of which were extremely cold; and crossed several bridges of stone and wood: passed also three towns of considerable size, and twelve villages. At sunset we arrived at the city of Thûngûng, having walked about 33 miles, and were, according to custom, conducted to a miao, there to pass the night with their gods and goddesses.

The walls of Thûng-ûng are in good repair, not very high; the town seems much larger than any of those hitherto on our route: the streets are pretty regular, and uniformly, as the others, paved; this circumstance may perhaps arise from the general flatness of the surface, and is the more remarkable, as no wheeled carriage has come under our observation. This town may contain about 10 or 12,000 houses, which are built nearly after the Chinese manner: the markets are abundantly supplied with all sorts of provisions. Indeed, ever since our departure from Manchow, we found many taverns, or eating-houses, in every town and village, and the like even all along the public road; these people realizing in their practice of alimentary economy, an essential rule of health in these parts, viz. to eat often and well, and of the best; a thing which is so much in the compass of every one, that a person with a little money need never be at a loss in travelling through this country; but in this respect, I stand pledged for the assertion only so far as concerned my observation regarding persons in our circumstances.

There are also horses, palanquins, and wheel-barrows, always to be hired for a mere trifle; but, alas! a man without cash is badly off in any part of the world, let the conveniencies of life be ever so cheap or tangible.

We found the roads this day somewhat better, but by no means regular, or calculated for any thing like heavy carriages; the wheel-barrow, above-mentioned, goes at the rate of about two miles and a-half per hour, and is driven by one man: it has a convenient platform of boards, about four feet by two, on which the traveller sits and places his baggage. In the front are boards fixed in an angular position, against which he bears his back, and lolls, bien a son aise.

During our stay at this place, we found ourselves even more than hitherto annoyed by the inhabitants, who following us by

hundreds, nay thousands, stared at us and examined the rags we wore with the greatest manifestation of curiosity and amazement. Had we fallen from the moon, they could scarcely evidence a stronger surprise; even the little terrier was as much an object of wonder as we ourselves, so much so, that they stole him two or three different times; but whenever this happened, we always informed the governor, that unless the dog were produced we would not on any account proceed, and this method had always the desired effect. They admired our double guns very much, and frequently offered to purchase them, but had no idea of giving more than two or three dollars for each.

6th.-Moderate breezes from the N. W. and clear pleasant weather throughout. At half-past five, we were sent for by the governor, who ordered each of us to be paid 30 sapekas, which we were informed was to last for three days. During the time our names were calling over, the governor's wives came into what is called the audience-hall, and there remained without any restraint whatever, in order to gratify their curiosity: they were fine women, very fair, and richly dressed; and all in the prime of life.

At six P. M. we took leave of his excellency, and marched through the town with drum and fife, which attracted such crowds of people, that it was with difficulty we could force our way along the streets, which were completely filled with persons of all ages and sexes. At a little before seven, we arrived at a river, where we embarked in boats, made sail, and steered N. W. by N. and N. W. 40. This river is neither broad nor deep, its greatest breadth not exceeding half-a-mile: during the night we frequently grounded in the boat. The banks are sandy, but the country on both sides is in the highest state of cultivation, and divided into regular fields by hedges and ditches exactly as in England or Ireland.

7th.-Winds and weather as yesterday: at day-light we landed from the boats, and shortly after had a view of the walls and towers of Hush-e-on, which at a distance exhibited a handsome, if not a grand appearance. We travelled a few miles N. W. by W., and at seven A. M. entered the above-mentioned place by the southern gate.

This is a larger town than any we had as yet seen: it is surrounded by a wall forty feet high, built of brick and stone, in good repair; the ramparts are thirty feet thick, and the parapet four feet high. The embrasures seem so very small and close, that, I imagine, they were never intended for the use of cannon: we saw, however, several guns, both of brass and iron, mounted on carriages, which as well as the guns were of a rude and clumsy

make. The gates are very lofty and handsomely arched, having watch-towers, two stories high, over each. The streets are conveniently broad and flagged in most places.

A. M. we were

Provisions are here cheap and abundant. conducted to a joss-house, there to remain until farther orders. This miao is of considerable size, surrounded by a wall 15 feet high, and forming a square of about 150 feet in dimension each way, including a garden and small house for the use of the padres (priests) a class of people that always treated us with kindness and attention, frequently sharing with us the offerings made to the idols by the people of rank, consisting chiefly of all sorts of fruit and ready-dressed meat, which is sure to be the best that can be procured, and which always becomes the perty of the priest, as soon as the prayers and ceremony of burning paper is over. The place allotted for our abode was a sort of cock-loft, which we were obliged to enter by a small window, with the assistance of a ladder. Thus far the journey had proved, to me at least, extremely painful and disagreeable, from no other cause, however, but that of indisposition.

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8th.-Pleasant breezes and clear weather throughout these 24 hours. A. M. strolled round the ramparts of this city, which we found as usual afforded a very pleasant and agreeable promenade, commanding not only an extensive and complete view of the town itself, but also of the surrounding country, which, in regard to cultivation, appeared almost a perfect garden, swarmed with inhabitants. With the assistance of a good glass, we could count 11 towns and villages together with the city of Howi-how to the northward, not far distant; and in the same quarter we had, for the first time, a prospect of old Neptune's watery plains. We observed here also, as in the other large towns, a considerable piece of ground within the walls, appropriated to the cultivation of vegetables, which in this place are in great abundance and perfection, consisting of almost all the different kinds known in Europe. There are, besides, fishponds and tanks for watering their gardens, supplying the baths, and various other purposes.

Winds and weather as yesterday. This morning we received 10 sapekas each, and at noon were sent for by the governor of Hush-e-on, who asked us many questions relative to the loss of the Friendship, and the number of men that were drowned in landing. We gave him a true and correct statement of the business, notwithstanding the governor of Manchow's injunctions to us to assert the ship was lost at sea, and that we had saved ourselves in the boats. That, doubtless, was done from interested motives, for the morning we went to take leave of him, we saw the ship's knees, timbers, beams, and plank, even down

supe

to the garboard streak, piled up in one corner of his garden. By making it appear that she had foundered far from land, he would, of course, be called to no account whatever by his riors, the responsibility being, by our declaration to that effect, completely done away. We had besides been informed by the people of Manchow, that immediately after our arrival there, he sent down a number of soldiers to take possession of the wreck, but these met with a stout resistance from the fishermen to whom we had given her over the morning we left the beach; and that he had found it necessary to send an additional force to effect his purpose.

After being all mustered, the governor informed us we would be provided with a chop to cross the channel in the course of three or four days. This was to me most agreeable and pleasing news, as my present state of health would render it impossible for me to proceed farther, at least for some time; indeed even the last two or three journeys were performed with the greatest difficulty and exertion; so much so, that I often thought I should be obliged to remain behind on the road.

During, our interview the ladies as usual came out into the hall of audience, sans mauvaise honte, in order to gratify a curiosity so peculiar to this people, and particularly to the fair sex: they continued making their private remarks all the time our names were called over, but of this his excellency took no notice. He was pretty far advanced in the vale of years, and the females appeared much more fair than any we had seen to the southward, and were all in the prime vigour of life, but doomed, one would say, alas! to drag out a monotonous existence in seclusion and privations. Thrice happy daughters of Albion! did ye but know your own happiness, born, as ye peculiarly are, amidst blessings and privileges unknown to this and all the

nations of Asia.

The houses of the governors, as we have yet seen, are built nearly on the same plan, and after the same manner, some being, however, larger than others. They consist of numerous buildings enclosed by a wall between 12 and 15 feet high, forming generally a square of considerable extent. The portal or entrance is lofty, and arched with brick or stone; with strong double gates or wickets. In each wing is an extensive range of houses for the officers, guards, and musicians, and, in short, servants of every description. In the centre stands the governor's residence, which is composed of several houses close together, erected one immediately behind the other, all communicating by means of large folding-doors. The innermost building is appropriated to the women; and in the rear of all, are gardens, bathing-places, and fish-ponds.