The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-09-21

clhS hanging GOWN Deillnu, ana over
this is worn large cape OF figured
silk or cloth, but usually of furs.
A mantle made from the skin of a
lamb taken from its mother before
birth is very highly priced. Now it
is, that the fan case, watch and purse
are seen to best advantage, and the
blue cap and scarlet button give
that finish to the winter gar
ments, which those of the summer
require for beauty; as none but 60
vernment officers wear hats during
the hot season, except those labor
ers who are exposed to the sun.
The summer habits of the man
darians are beautiful. Frequently
they wear long gown of blue gauzc
drawn at the waist, black satin boots,
and the decorated appendagcs before
mentioned, which make altogether
very striking show; their hats are
then Of white braid, conical in shape,
surmomted with ball indicative of
rank, and adorned with fallen
plume of shining scarlet hair.
During the winter their staterobes
are stiff with gorgeous embroidery.
Those of the highest mandarins are
splendid in the extreme, being work
ed in brilliant hucs on superb
silks Of the finest texture. Their
shoes are ornamented also, one OF
the principal figures being the impc-
rial dragon.
On the back and breast of some
dresses is the figure Of bird inclo-
sed in square, and the necklace OF
one hundred and eight large court
beads Of bright agate, quartz or rare
perlumed wood, always accompanies
state costume. The mandarins's
winter cap is utterly different from
that Of the summer. 1t is usually o,
dark blue velvet, fitting close to the
head, with a broad edge turning up
all around, and instead of the hail
plume, it is furnished with one Of
scarlet silk.
The ball always worn except il
case of mourning, is red, blue, white
chrystal, or gold, according to rank
and these varieties, with some other
insignia, distinguish the nine grade.
of mandarins.
/ The peacock's feather is an honor
granted for signal merit, and it i
worthy Of note that such marks o
favor are seldom or never heStOw cd
the privilege of wearing a state dres
may indeed be purchased for an IN
mense sum, but this conferS no ranl
or honor. The ariStocracy Of talen
and not Of wealth bears sway il
China.
Judging from few specimens o
splcndor to be seen in the city so re
mote from the court as Canton
there must be vast deal of wealt
and magnilicence at the capitol, an
the accounts of old travellers as we
as of the later embaSsiers, speak c
state and pomp worthy of so immens
an empire.
Never was there country i
which tailorS have been so complete
" Subducd as in China. Not one O
the class ventures to originate
fashion, for the costumes Of the ia
ton are regulated at court by boar
of officers from whose decree no on
darcs to dissent.
Tn@ common order Of female
dress much like the men, but the vi
sitor who walks from the foroig
| factories towards the west part
Canton, passing through retire
streets only occupied by the house
| of wealthy Chinese, will often Sc
ladies walking, beautifully attired i
, rich silks. and with children or sci
wants in company.
t Their dress conccals the pcrSo
, entirely ; the long gown or toga fl
, closely around the neck, and la
= loose slcavcs cnveloping the hands
5 Their heads are uncovered, an
, their style of coifl'ure is singular an
! usually thought becoming.
= The front hair Of unmarried f,
C males is oombcd straight back, vii
k the exception Of the small porto
hanging over the forehead; the otI
= er portion of the hair is combed al
c BRAIDED into the tail like the mem
;, but no part of the females head
. shaved.
$ When married, or shortly bcfor
!, the whole hair is combcd up, and
n false piece set on the back of Il
l. head, fastened by clasps and pins
gold, or other less precious meta
n according to the wealth of the f.
10 one. A beautiful ornament is som
ii times worn by rich women, rcpr
senting bird with extended win!
in which, formed of gold or silver fl
\ gree, studded with pearls and su