THE prefents for the Emperor and our private baggage being all landed, the packages repaired, and every article minutely noted down by the officers of government, the porters were directed to fix their bamboo bearing pcles to each package, that no impediment might prevent our fetting out at an early hour in the morning. In doing this, as well as in landing the articles from the veffels, the Chinefe porters fhewed fuch expedition, frength, and activity, as could not, I believe, be paralleled or procured in fo fhort a time, in any other country. Every thing here, in fact, feems to be at the inftant command of the ftate; and the moft laborious tafks are undertaken and executed with a readinefs, and even a chearfulnefs, which one could fcarcely expect to meet with in fo defpotic a government.

According to the arrangement, on the 21 ft of Auguft, about three o'clock in the morning, we were prepared to fet out, but could fcarcely be faid to be fairly in motion till five, and before we had cleared the city of Tong-tchoo, it was paft fix o'clock. From this city to the capital, I may venture to fay, the road never before exhibited fo motley a groupe. In front marched about three thoufand porters, carrying fix hundred packages; fome of which were fo large and heavy, as to require thirty-two bearers: with thefe were mixed a proportionate number of inferior officers, each having the charge and fuperintendence of a divifion.