Page:To the Court of the Emperor of China - vol I.djvu/26

Rh They are carried to Holland, where there is a great consumption of them, and where they are in high request. (Fr. Ed.)

A button, placed upon the front of the cap, serves In China to mark all the gradations of power, from the Emperor to the lowest Mandarin. The Emperor alone wears a large pearl as a button. Among the Mandarins, the buttons decrease in value in the following order:

A button of a dark purple stone of a round form, but having six sides or facets.

The same, oblong,

A button of figured coral of a round form, with six sides.

The same, oblong.

A button of plain coral of a round shape, and having six sides.

The same, oblong.

A button of a blue transparent stone of a round form, with six sides.

The same, but of an oblong shape.

A dark blue button of a round form, having six sides.

The same, oblong.

A white transparent button, having six sides, and a round form.

The same, oblong.

An opake white button of a round form, with six sides.

The same, oblong.

A round gilt button.

A round silver button.

The Chinese Castles are fortifications of more or less consequence, intended to defend particular points, and surrounded