2-995-741 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

China - the British Forces in Talien-Wan - Purchasing eggs and fowls of the natives - from a sketch by our special artist in China, 1860. 'Food is scarce...[so] we went ashore in search of fresh provision...at length [we] saw the pretty village at our feet. We...were politely received by the inhabitants. We signified our desire for eggs and fowls, and presently small boys were observed running after the cackling birds, and grown-up men disappeared for a short time, returning with splendid eggs. We communicated with them through the medium of a southern boy belonging to one of the party; and, though they could not understand each other, yet they comprehended the written character perfectly. Their manners were quite comme il faut. We offered them payment; we put the money into their girdles, but they would not accept any recompense, neither would they take their fowls back again, but pressed them upon our acceptance, and placed them in the boat. The rest of our party went to eat oysters on the rocks, while I remained sketching among the people, much to their delight; no small boys being allowed to get into my light or way, and I had to smoke innumerable pipes of strong tobacco. After a while our party returned satiated...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.