A MANDARIN’S TRAVELLING BOAT.
M a n d a r i n s , wh o are em p lo y ed in trave lling from place to place on the
p u b lic service, keep barges for th a t p u rp o se , as carriages are k e p t in
E n g lan d .
T h e y are g en e ra lly orn amen ted b y p a in tin g an d v a rn ish in g th e pan-
nels a n d m o u ld in g s w ith v a rio u s devices, k c . A t n ig h t, o r d u rin g ra in ,
the p a rt occupied b y the M a n d a rin is inclosed b y shutters, an d th e lig h t
is th e n received tliro u g h lattices, covered w ith lam in * o f oyster sh ells.
T h e g unwa le o f these barges (as w ith mo st C h in e se vessels) is suffic
ie n tly broad for th e w a te rmen, k c . to pass from stem to s te rn , w ith o u t
inconvenience to passengers in the p rin c ip a l ap a rtm en ts.
T h e M a n d a rin is seen attended b y soldie rs a n d servants, w h o are
b rin g in g h is d in n e r ; the do u b le um b re lla , o r e n sig n o f h is a u th o rity , is
co n sp icu o u sly plac ed to d em an d re sp e c t; the flag an d b o a rd at the stern ,
w ith Ch in e se characters o n th em , exhibit h is ra n k a n d em p lo ym e n t;
these in s ig n ia o f p owe r also serve as a signal fo r o th e r vessels to make
cle a r passage fo r h im , in consequence o f w h ic h , su ch boats are seldom
obstructed in th e ir progress th ro u g h the immense n um b e r o f vessels co n s
ta n tly em p lo y ed o n th e c a n als. T h e master o f a n y vessel who, by
mismanagement, o r even ac cident, sh o u ld impede these officers in the
exercise o f th e ir d u ty , w o u ld most lik e ly receive the in s ta n t p u n ishm e n t
o f a c e rtain n um b e r o f blows from th e bamboo, a t th e d iscre tio n o f the
M a n d a rin .
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