A CHINESE PORTER, OR CARRIER.
^Vhen the wind is favourable, an d whe re th e level face o f th e c o u n try
w ill adm it, the Ch in e se sometimes h o ist this simple k in d o f sail to lessen
th e exertion o f the d r iv e r ; w h e n th e w in d is adverse, the sail is laid aside,
and an o th e r lab o u re r em p lo y ed to assist in p u llin g the m a c h in e , b y
m ean s o f a rope placed across h is shoulders.
T h e ca rriage conta ins, among o th e r a rtic le s, some vegetables, a basket
o f fru it, a box o f tea, loose bamboos, an d a j a r o f w in e , the stopper o f
w h ich is covered w ith c la y , to p re v en t th e a ir in ju rin g the l iq u o r ; on th e
side are placed h is h a t, an d some im p lem en ts fo r keeping th e m a c h in e
in ord e r.
T h is contrivance is th u s described b y M ilto n , in Id s P a ra d ise Lost,
Book I I I . lin e 437, k c .
“ But in h is w a y lig h ts , on th e ba rren p la in s
O f S ericana, whe re Chineses d riv e ,
“ W i t h sails an d w in d , th e ir c a n y waggons l ig h t.”