The old system of transportation has not altogether departed, and even if it had, its memory would linger long. Neither the Peking cart, nor the mule litter of Shansi, in which one rides between two tandem mules, is on springs. They are padded so that the passenger, who is not made of rubber, may be somewhat protected. If the conveyances were not padded, only a man dressed up for American football could survive the jolting. These are the vehicles in which dignified (on other occasions) ambassadors have ridden at Peking in all the years since foreigners were granted the legation privileges. VII SHIPPING AND WATER ROUTES IN CHINA The larger steamship lines now supplying the China ports are the following: AMERICAN Pacific Mail--Trans-Pacific. Standard Oil--Trans-Pacific and Suez route. Dollar Steamship Company--Trans-Pacific. Northern Pacific Railway--Trans-Pacific. American and Asiatic--To America via Suez (agency, American; flag, British). Barber Line--To America via Suez (agency, American; flag, British). Shewan, Tomes & Co.--To Philippines. BRITISH Canadian Pacific Railway--Trans-Pacific. Peninsular and Oriental--Suez route to Europe, and coastal. Ben Line--Suez route to Europe. Shire Line--Suez route to Europe. Sassoon Line--To India. Jardine, Matheson & Co.--To India, coastwise and Philippines. Butterfield and Swire--Australia, India, coastwise, etc. Gibb, Livingston & Co.--Australia and Africa. Blue and White Funnel Lines--Europe, trans-Pacific, coastwise. British-India--India, trans-Pacific, etc. JAPANESE Toyo Kisen Kaisha--Trans-Pacific to America and South America. Nippon Yusen Kaisha--Trans-Pacific, Europe, coastwise and riverine. Osaka Shosen Kaisha--Trans-Pacific, coastwise and riverine. Nippon Kisen Kaisha--Coastwise. Mitsui Bussan Kaisha--Coastwise. GERMAN North German Lloyd--Europe, coastwise and probably trans-Pacific. Hamburg-America--Europe, coastwise and probably trans-Pacific. Hansa Steamship Company--Europe. AUSTRIAN Austrian Lloyd--Europe and coastwise. CHINESE China Merchants’ Steamship Company--Coastwise and possibly trans-Pacific. BRITISH AND CHINESE Chinese Engineering and Mining Company--Coastwise and trans-Pacific planned. Peking Syndicate--Coastwise and trans-Pacific planned. FRENCH Messageries Maritimes--Europe, Indo-China and coastwise. RUSSIA Russian Volunteer Fleet--Europe and coastwise. Chinese Eastern Railway Steamers--Coastwise. SPAIN Spanish Royal Mail--Europe via Suez. HOLLAND Shell Transport and Trading--Coastwise and Europe.