ASIATIC NATIONS. 17^ merous crew to navigate them. An European merchantman is well navigated with hands in the proportion of four to each hundred tons, but these require near forty, or in the proportion of ten to one. Of one of the largest size, it often takes fifty men to manage the helm alone. The size of the junks usually depends on the nature of the ports to which they are accustomed to sail. As these are shallow^ or deep, they are small or large, from two hundied to the enormous and unwieldy size of twelve hundred tons. Some of those trad- ing between Batavia and Amoy are of this last size. Imperfect as the construction of the Chinese ves- sels is, it appears, at present, impossible to con- template improvement, for to alter what has exist- ed from time immemorial, is contrary to the man- ners, or, which is the same thing, to the laws of China, and an infringement of the laws, however venial to appearance, is treason in that country. An attempt to improve the form of the Chinese junk is said to have been made, some years ago, on the model of European vessels, but met with such severe reprehension, that it was found discreet to desist from it. The officers of a Chinese junk consist of the com- mander, whose business it is to look after the crew, — of a pilot who attends to the navigation, — and of quarter-masters who attend to the steerage. Or- der and subordination are well preserved, but this
