2-979-784 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

A Postprandial Scene at Manilla, 1857. Colonial types relaxing. 'Postprandial enjoyment is the true representation of the dolce far niente of fraternal residents in Manilla. You will please to observe in the Illustration that our positions are not studied; likewise, that we combine ease and pleasure-the rocking-chair of America, the noble invention of that inventive brother of ours, and the still more luxurious Chinese bamboo arm-chair, that perfection of human ingenuity in the finding out of a perfect chair. Tell me, after that, the Chinese are not a great people!...Look at the lower part, that pulls out without your having to get up; look at that wondrous elongation of the arm to rest your legs upon! The windows are open-jossstick burns in his boat-coffee is on the table-weeds in our mouths... From "Illustrated London News", 1857.