In this dilemma I determined to apply
again to the shopkeeper from whom I bought the tea. I found him in
rather low spirits, his shirt-sleeves were soiled, and his hair was
out of curl. On my inquiring how he got on, he informed me that he
intended speedily to leave, having received little or no
encouragement, the people, in their Gothic ignorance, preferring to
deal with an old-fashioned shopkeeper over the way, who, so far
from possessing any acquaintance with the polity and institutions
of the Chinese, did not, he believed, know that tea came from
China. 'You are come for some more, I suppose?' said he. On
receiving an answer in the negative he looked somewhat blank, but
when I added that I came to consult with him as to the means which
I must take in order to acquire the Chinese language he brightened
up. 'You must get a grammar,' said he, rubbing his hands. 'Have
you not one?' said I. 'No,' he replied, 'but any bookseller can
procure you one.' As I was taking my departure, he told me that as
he was about to leave the neighbourhood, the bowl at the window,
which bore the inscription, besides some other pieces of porcelain
of a similar description, were at my service, provided I chose to
purchase them. I consented, and two or three days afterwards took
from off his hands all the china in his possession which bore the
inscriptions, paying what he demanded.
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