Ten Thousand Chinese Things

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1842 edition. Excerpt: ... CASE I. No. 1. Mandarin Of The First Class And His Secretary. No. 2. Mandarin Of The Second Class. No. 3. Mandarin Of The Sixth Class. Two Massive Arm-chairs, Covered With Crimson Drapery, Richly Embroidered. Sftuare Table, Handsomely Carved, With Marble Top. Specimens Of Crimson Drapery, Elegantly Embroidered, Hang-Ing IN FRONT OF THE TABLE. Cap Stands And Various Ornamental Articles. Chinese Maxims On The Wall. The principal figures in this case are three civil Mandarins, of the first, second and sixth grades, hearing the title "Ta jin," (" great and distinguished men,") applicable to persons of the above class. The one highest in rank is seated, with his head uncovered; the others, with their caps still on, are paying the customary respect to their superior, previously to the occupancy of an adjoining chair. The former is upon the left, this being the post of honour among the Chinese. A secretary is in waiting behind the principal, with official documents in his hand. The two dignitaries are attired in their state robes, which are literally stiff with embroidery, a liberal proportion of which is wrought with gold thread. The greater part of the splendour of their under dresses is hidden from the eye of the visitor by the loose outward garment of dark purple satin, called by the Chinese " Pow-kwa," to divest these figures of which, would give the visitor an incorrect representation of these personages as they invariably appear upon state occasions. Each has an enormous bead necklace, extending below the waist in front, with a string of " chaouchoo," or "court beads" attached to it at the hinder part of the neck, which reaches down to the middle of the back. The caps are dome-shaped, with the lower portion turned up, and forming a broad...