other Oriental nations, within a court, surrounded by a wall, consequently they are not visible to the passers-by; but those of government officers are always known by two red poles which are set up before the gate. The handsomest dwellings are those which consist of a number of separate buildings, or ranges of apartments, all on the ground floor. The principal entrance is threefold-namely, by a large folding-door in the centre, and a smaller one on each side, at which hang two handsome lanterns, inscribed with the name and titles of the master of the house. This entrance. leads to the saloon, where visitors are received, which is usually the first of a suite that may be called the state-apartments, since they are chiefly used for the reception and entertainment of distinguished guests. They are elegantly and commodiously furnished; for the Chinese are not deficient in taste, nor do they spare expense in their interior decorations of their houses, which are often fitted up in a very costly style. The walls of the best rooms are generally adorned in different parts with scrolls of silk or paper-hangings from the ceiling to the floor, on which are written or painted, in large characters, maxims and moral sentences extracted from the works of the ancient sages, which are considered far more ornamental than the finest paintings. Many of these sentences bear some resemblance to the Proverbs of Solomon. Their chairs-which, it may be remarked, are articles of furniture not used by the natives of other parts of Asia, and indicate the more dignified manners of the Chinese as compared with other Asiatics—are rather clumsy and heavy in appearance, but they are made of a beautiful dark brown wood which grows in

China, and is not unlike rosewood. They are all made with arms, and sometimes are furnished with silk or satin cushions and hangings for the back, embroidered by the ladies of the family, who devote a great portion of their time to needlework. Japanned cabinets and tables, with a profusion of porcelain jars and other ornaments, are always seen in a Chinese drawing-room; but none of these are so striking or so characteristic as the lanterns, suspended by silken cords from the ceiling and ornamented with a variety of elegant designs.

In any civilized part of the world we may find Indian cabinets and porcelain vases, but the lanterns are exclusively Chinese, and are very showy specimens of the national taste and ingenuity. They are made in every form that fancy can invent and of all sizes-from the small ones carried by pedestrians at night to those that illumine the halls of the great; the latter being sometimes eight or ten feet in height and three feet in diameter. The most costly are composed of transparent silk, adorned with landscapes, birds, flowers and fanciful devices in colors of dazzling brightness; the framework being richly carved and gilt, and the cords and tassels by which they are suspended made of silk and gold thread. The possession of fine lanterns is a sort of passion among the Chinese, many of whom spend considerable sums in the gratification of this fancy.

The real condition of ladies in China, and the position they hold in society, are not yet very accurately known. They are seldom seen in the streets, it is true, but that is sufficiently accounted for by their inability to walk with ease; and as they do sometimes appear abroad, and are often observed at the windows, without making any

attempt to conceal their faces from the

gaze

of strangers, it is evident they enjoy far more liberty than the Turkish ladies, although it is not the custom for the sexes to mix together in general society. When a mandarin gives a grand entertainment, his wife frequently invites her friends to witness the theatrical performances and various amusing exhibitions that are going forward during the dinner. These they can see, without being seen, from a latticed gallery provided for that purpose; and thus they are not entirely debarred from the enjoyment of the festivities, although they do not mingle with the guests.

But we must consider the sex degraded wherever the system of polygamy prevails, and wherever (as in China and all these Eastern countries) men add to the number of their wives according to their wealth and rank. Another source of humiliation should seem to be the common practice of buying and selling women. All classes of Chinese present some equivalent to the parents or guardians of the women they marry. A family of handsome daughters, particularly if well trained in ceremonials and Chinese accomplishments, are often a source of great profit to their parents.

The dress of a Chinese lady is not different from that worn in ancient times: it consists of a short loose robe, confined round the throat with a narrow collar. The robe is worn over a long, full skirt, and both are frequently made of richly-embroidered silks. The sleeves are wide, and sufficiently long to fall over the hands; and the hair is gathered up in a knot at the top of the head, and is fastened with golden bodkins and adorned with flowers. They all wear trowsers; and their tiny