Page:To the Court of the Emperor of China - vol I.djvu/31

xxxii sonorous, has the sound of a small or large bell, according as it is of greater or smaller size.

The word Gongom is not Chinese; for it is used in Africa to signify a large drum, which is also called Tamtam in other African countries.

The Chinese word for Gongom Is Lo. In the Mémoires Chinois, vol. ii. of the quarto edition, is a very curious description of the manner of making it, given by the learned M. Amiot, who says that it is composed of a mixture of copper, tin, and bismuth, in the proportion of ten parts of copper, three of tin, and one of bismuth. (Fr. Ed.)

Is the principal officer of the customs, and receiver-general of the taxes. It is merely an office, and not a distinct rank among the Mandarins; for a Mandarin with a white button, and even with a clear blue button, may be equally appointed Hou-pou.

A Chinese generical word, signifying Idol.

See

As often as the word league occurs in this work, it must be understood as a league of 25 to the degree, and equal to 2,282 toises.

It must also be observed that the distances, mentioned in those parts of the journey performed by water, are those actually travelled, in following the course of the rivers and canals and not the positive distance from one place to another.

These are little islands, or rather small and barren rocks fifteen or sixteen in number, situated at about five leagues distance from the river of Canton.