The Chinese: A General Description of the Empire of China and Its Inhabitants, Volume 2

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C. Knight & Company, 1836 - China
 

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Page 180 - By and by we hear news of shipwreck in the same place, and then we are to blame if we accept it not for a rock. Upon the back of that comes out a hideous monster with fire and smoke, and then the miserable beholders are bound to take it for a cave. While in the mean time two armies fly in, represented with four swords and bucklers, and then what hard heart will not receive it for a pitched field?
Page 180 - On this unworthy scaffold to bring forth So great an object: can this cockpit hold The vasty fields of France? or may we cram Within this wooden O the very casques That did affright the air at Agincourt?
Page 179 - Now you shall have three ladies walk to gather flowers, and then we must believe the stage to be a garden. By and by we hear news of a shipwreck in the same place, and then we are to blame if we accept it not for a rock.
Page 198 - The two banks of the river lie to the north and south ; Three bridges interrupt the stream, and form a communication : Vessels of every kind pass between the arches, While men and horses pace among the clouds (fogs) : A thousand masses of stone rise one above the other, And the river flows...
Page 263 - Which stories of all times report ? Is it not ominous in all countries, When crows and ravens croak upon trees? The Roman senate, when within The city walls an owl was seen, 710 Did cause their clergy, with lustrations, (Our Synod calls Humiliations) The round-fac'd prodigy t' avert From doing town or country hurt.
Page 72 - Prostrate I beg imperial Heaven (Hwang Tien) to pardon my ignorance and stupidity, and to grant me self-renovation; for myriads of innocent people are involved by me, a single man.
Page 356 - Throughout this province there is found a sort of black stone, which they dig out of the mountains, where it runs in veins. When lighted, it burns like charcoal, and retains the fire much better than wood; insomuch that it may be preserved during the night, and in the morning be found still burning. These stones do not flame, excepting a little when first lighted, but during their ignition give out a considerable heat.
Page 417 - The coinage of this paper money is authenticated with as much form and ceremony as if it were actually of pure gold or silver; for to each note a number of officers, specially appointed, not only subscribe their names, but affix their seals also.
Page 442 - As it could not be fairly produced in any large quantities, the call for it on the part of the Americans was answered by cutting up and sifting other green tea through sieves of a certain size ; and, as the company's inspectors detected the imposture, it formed no portion of their London importations.
Page 192 - Dragoni, the frontier of the Tartar territories and those of China. This southern shore is the Emperor's — on the northern side commences our Tartar dominion. " Princess — (to the Khan.) Great King, I take a cup of wine, and pour a libation towards the south — my last farewell to the Emperor. (Pours the libation.) Sovereign of Han, this life is finished : I await thee in the next!" With these words she throws herself into the river, and perishes ; and here the tragedy might properly end.

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