China : a history of the laws, manners and customs of the people . John Barrow in his Autobiography informs his readersthat when at Canton with Lord Amherst, he was invited to anentertainment on board one of these flower-boats by the Com-missioner who had escorted Lord Amherst, himself, and othersfrom Pekin to Canton. On his arrival Sir John was formallypresented by the Commissioner to the ladies who had cometo the flower-boat to give their services for the evening. SirJohn was struck with their musical powers, and thinkingdoubtless that they were in all other respects highly accom-plished, in
China : a history of the laws, manners and customs of the people . John Barrow in his Autobiography informs his readersthat when at Canton with Lord Amherst, he was invited to anentertainment on board one of these flower-boats by the Com-missioner who had escorted Lord Amherst, himself, and othersfrom Pekin to Canton. On his arrival Sir John was formallypresented by the Commissioner to the ladies who had cometo the flower-boat to give their services for the evening. SirJohn was struck with their musical powers, and thinkingdoubtless that they were in all other respects highly accom-plished, inquired more particularly about them. He wasassured by his host that they were the wives of the (iovernor-General, the Governor, and tlie Treasurer of the province ofKwangtung. He did not suspect the deceit, for he records itin his Autobiography in language of perfect simplicity. Iremember mentioning this circumstance to some Chinesegentlemen at Canton, and their amusement was great at thecruel hoax practised on the Englishman by their ^*>?s CHAPTEli XX. PAWNSHOPS, Pawnbrokers form a numerous class, and there are a gTeatmany pawnshops. Probably in no country in the world isthe trade of lending money on pledge more universally prac-tised than in China. The people who embark in this businessare divided into three classes, separate and clearly distin-guished. Those of the first class are generally regarded asamongst the most wealthy of the tradesmen. They form com-panies, and their establishments are known by the name ofTai-Tong. Such a company must hold a licence, for which itpays SlOO to the treasurer of the province. A tax of SI2 ofsilver is also paid annually by the firm to the imperial kinds of merchandize, wearing apparel, old silver, orna-ments, and precious stones may be receivetl on pledge. Armsand soldiers clothing, and other articles, the property of theimperial government, cannot be pledged. The rule is, that onall sums of mon
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, bookpublisherlondonmacmillan
