C O C H I N C H I N A. 32T
and by various other modes ; all of which, though taking the
name of Inventions, have been in common use among the
Chinese for more than two thousand years.
The annexed print will convey a tolerably good idea of
such Cochinchinese craft as frequented that branch of the
rivet Fai-foo which fell into Turon. bay.-
Although the present King of this country has to a certain
degree broken the fetters of custom, as far as regards the
construction of ships of war, yet, in doing this-,_ he has not
been unmindful of popular prejudice which, in Asiatic
countries in particular where they are wholly guided by
opinion, is stamped with a character too sacred to be torn
up at once by the roots.- (Tut of deference to this prejudice,
he caused that part only of the hull or .body of
the vessel to be altered which is immersed in the water;
all the upper works, the masts, sails and rigging, remaining
Cochinchinese. Indeed it may be questioned if the
pliant bamboo, which forms so material a part of the upper
works of their vessels, could be displaced with any advantage
by solid- timber, than which- it is- more light and equally
strong. I t is impossible not to admire the good sense of this
wise and aetive Prince who, in steering this middle path, obtained
areal-advantagewithout introducing any visible change.
Of tenacity to ancient custom a curious instance appeared
on the p art of the Emperor of Japan, when the Dutch
carried to this Sovereign from Batavia, a few years ago,
among other presents,, the model- of a ship of war. The Am-
T- T. '