Page:Inside Canton.djvu/89

88 —they are chiefly intended to convey travellers and merchandise; these heavy-laden waters relieve man from fatigue, and are straightened into canals rather for utility than for ornament. You may see the chief of these conduits; it is close to the factories, and enters the new city near the gate of Tai-pin-Moun, by a passage which is closed every night, but opened during the day by a ksapèque. This artificial river terminates in a basin before the palace of Wan-chou-Keoun, which—roofing, doors, and ornaments—is entirely yellow, because it belongs to the emperor. There is a tablet there, on which is inscribed the name of our great sovereign, the son of heaven. On every grand fête, all the functionaries come to pay homage to this glorious name, which they contemplate, for a certain time, in a more respectful attitude than they would assume before their master himself. No one has a right to sit down on any article of furniture in this palace. The highest dignitaries have cushions brought, on which they crouch on the floor cross-legged."

Pan-se-Chen interrupted himself, smiling, a moment; then added:

"I have given you a description of the city, which ought to satisfy the most eager curiosity; but I know that Europeans are self-willed, and I fear I have not succeeded in making you abandon your project."