Page:The costume of China, illustrated in forty-eight coloured engravings.pdf/65

 PORTRAIT OF A TRADING SHIP.

THESE ships venture as far as Manilla, Japan, and even Batavia, which is the most distant port they visit: and many of them are from eight hundred to a thousand tons burthen. In these voyages the mariners take the moderate season of the year, and though well acquainted with the use of the compass, generally keep near the coast.

No alteration has been made in the naval architecture of China for many centuries past. The Chinese are so averse to innovation, and so attached to ancient prejudices, that although Canton is annually frequented by the ships of various European nations, whose superiority of construction they must acknowledge, yet they reject any improvement in their vessels.

The stern of this ship falls in with an angle; other vessels are formed with a cavity, in which the rudder is defended from the violence of the sea; yet this contrivance certainly subjects the ship to much hazard, when running before the wind in high seas.

On each bow is painted an eye, with the pupil turned forwards; perhaps with the idea of keeping up some resemblance to a fish: or from a superstitious notion, that the ship may thus see before her, and avoid danger.

The ports often serve as windows, not many of them being furnished with ordnance.