They also make the most elaborately carved ornaments, in wood and ivory; their toys and lanterns are celebrated for their ingenuity and workmanship. Their fireworks are superior to all those of other nations; and they excel in tricks and amusing entertainments. The cultivation of tea is universal, and agriculture--which, you know is the art of tilling the earth--is held in high esteem; the principal products being rice, wheat, yams, potatoes, turnips, and cabbages. The dwellings of the peasantry too, are not in villages, as in old England, but are scattered through the country; and they have no fences, gates, or anything to guard against wild beasts, or robbers. The females raise silk-worms, spin cotton, manufacture woollen stuffs, and are the only weavers in the empire. The art of printing, though done in what I must confess is rather a clumsy manner, is much exercised amongst them, and gives employment to many people. I do not think we should like to dine with a Chinese gentleman, or Mandarin, as he would treat us to strange dainties, as--a roast dog, a dish of stewed worms, a rat pie; or, perhaps, a bird's-nest. But the bird's-nest would be the best of the list, for it is not like the kind of bird's-nests which you have seen, but is made, I believe, of the spawn of fish, and looks something like isinglass. It is the nest of a sort of swallow, is about the size of a goose's egg, and is found in caverns along the sea shores; so it is not so bad as it seems at first. And the rats are as large and fat as some of our rabbits, being fed on fruits and grain, purposely for eating; as also are their dogs, for eating. The people of the "Celestial Empire" are celebrated for their fondness for making beautiful gardens; but their houses and gardens are quite different from ours. What a pretty scene! what a delicious cool walk is formed by the grove of trees leading to the porcelain tower. And those ladies walking towards the boat,--or hobbling, more likely; for the Chinese ladies have feet not much larger than your papa's thumb, which is there considered a great beauty. [Illustration] The common women cannot afford to have little feet, as the feet of the rich girls are bandaged up in iron shoes, when they are two or three years old, to prevent their growing larger. These small feet are called "Golden Lilies;" but I am glad no such barbarous custom prevails in our own dear country. The Chinese ladies, however, are extremely accomplished, and can play on many musical instruments, paint, and embroider. The merchants of China are not at all remarkable for their honesty, though a few of them are very scrupulous. Many of them amass great fortunes. The Chinese have sent in embroidered shawls, table-covers, teas, curious and intricate toys, and specimens of handicraft. [Illustration]