1841.
Reminiscences of Chusan.
been ascertained on the spot. Now by giving an average of ten in- habitants to each dwelling we do not overstep the mark. The whole island counts about 47,000 houses, including every hamlet, accord- ing to a census taken by the magistrate; Chusan, therefore, mast have a population of 470,000.
The wall of Tinghae is very old, and in some places tumbling down. It was repaired in the times of Kanghe, when the Mantchous had obtained firm possession of the island, and remains in the state in which the ancestors of the present race left it. The principal buildings have towards the street a mere bare wall, and consist of a row of houses, the wood of which is beautifully varnished, superior to anything we have ever seen in the southern parts of the empire. The walls of the houses are composed of a kind of gypsum. What at- tracted most attention, were the numerous beautiful carvings of land- scapes, diversified with bamboos, birds, &c. The handsome red lackered bedsteads, with very elegant designs cut in wood, and splendidly gilded, could not easily be exceeded.
Two temples, one dedicated to ancestors, the other to the god of cities, contained many specimens of native art. The colossal figures at the entrance are larger, perhaps, than those at Honam, and the Budha that sits upon the lotus flower might well pass for a giant. Nothing, however, is so remarkable as the Goddess of Mercy, riding on a dolphin in a troubled sea, and exhibiting her power to save. Had such a piece of workmanship been found at Athens, it would have passed for the greatest work of ancient genius ever known; but unfortunately it was in Chusan. There were also to be seen in these temples, images of the disciples of Budha, exhibiting in their coun- tenances the human passions, very exquisitely executed.
J
The pantheon, or too skin meaou, is another very large temple, without a single idol; having in it a kind of pagoda, and a very large' bell. There was a foundling hospital, a great part of whose walfs the barbarians demolished, and moreover, another one for the old and decrepit. Besides these two, there were three buildings used as arsenals, full of flags, balls, guns, arrows, bows, uniforms, &c., of all of which the foreigners took possession. The cannon were almost useless. The plaited soldiers' jackets, so inlaid with iron as to be ball proof, served as excellent winter clothing for the lascars,' who looked very: grotesque, when stalking about the city in this dress. The arrow rockets were curiously constructed, but in such a manner, as to render them entirely harmless. All the military stores were very well arranged. Some of these articles were sold at auction,
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