k"--cat-meat!

One is struck with astonishment at the vast crowds which always throng
the streets, each unit of which seems intent on some most important
business, and looks as though its accomplishment absorbed his whole
being. Perhaps it is only a few ounces of fish which he carries
suspended from his ringer by a cord; but if it were the emperor's
diamonds he could not conduct himself with more importance.

The ordinary means of conveyance in China is by the sedan chair, a sort
of box of cane-work supported on poles for the convenience of the
bearers, of whom there are generally two, but frequently as many as six.
The riding is comfortable enough, and the springy motion imparted by the
rider's weight is one of the pleasantest sensations I know of. Of course
our tars, immediately they come on shore and see something new, want to
find out all about it: hence sedan chairs are all the go, and a bad time
the poor coolies have of it, too; for "Jack" is all motion, especially
if he be in that semi-apathetic state known as "east half south," as it
not unfrequently happens that he is. He compels his bearers to tax their
powers of endurance to the utmost, urging them by all the endearing
epithets in the nautical vocabulary to unheard-of exertions, regardless
of the luckless pedestrians in the way.

Whilst we are on the return voyage through Queen's road, I must just say
a word or two about the people's costume, which, as we observe, is
nearly the same for both sexes; for if there be any difference, it is
but slight in detail. Their dress is the most unbecoming and ungraceful
it is possible to conceive, and yet, we are bound to admit, most
refined. Had the women the redeeming quality of beauty, or the charm of
a pretty face, possibly even this dress might appear to better
advantage. A coarse-looking black or blue blouse, of that material known
to us as "nankeen," a tiny apron confined to the waist by a slender
scarlet cord--their only bit of bright color--short wide trousers,
almost as broad at the bottoms as they are long, bare legs and
feet--such is a vision of the Chinese woman of the working classes. The
dress of a lady differs from this only in the nature of the material of
which the garments are made--in their case, silk as a rule--stockinged
feet, and silk shoes with thick while, though extremely light, soles.
Nations, like individuals, have their fopperies; the celestials display
this quality, particularly in the cover