.What.the qualities of these troops may. be, if measured by
an European start'dard, I cannot pretend to say ; but those
few which fell under our observation were active and vigorous
young men, not much encumbered with dress, nor was that
dress uniform either in point of shape or of colour ; except
indeed the holiday dress of those who were on guard on the
day of our public reception, whose pasteboard helmets, and
tassels of cow tails dyed scarlet, quilted jackets and petticoats,
were completely Chinese. In general, a handkerchief tied
about the head, somewhat in the shape of a turban, a loose
smock frock, with a pair of drawers, constitute the dress of a
soldier, as in the annexed figure which is an accurate portrait
taken from the life.
The history of this Prince, of which I have here Oriven a
slight'sketch, furnishes a J striking example and an useful
lesson to such as may have fallen through misfortunes into
' similar circumstances ; in shewing how much may be accomplished
by the union of talent, energy,' and courage, properly
directed. An outcast from his country, forcéd to fly
from the hand .of the usurper and assassin, and td suffer the
keenest pangs of adversity, he has not only, been able, in the
course of ten pr twelve years, to recover the whole of his
lawful possessions, “but has.added to them the kingdom of
Tung-quin,, which anciently belonged to. the Kings of Cochin-
china. It is said that he has even demanded from the Emperor
of China the cession of the large island of Hai-nan, not
so much for the sake of enlarging the extent of his dominions,
as of leaving behind him the fame of having restored to
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