ever, before a Chinaman snatched his parasol from him, and flew off like a bird. Thank Heaven, Callery is a good runner, and darted off after the thief; but the latter had the start, and disappeared before my friend could come up with him. This comical scene set me off laughing furiously, and I was still so engaged when Callery came back to me. I must mention that he was in a very bad humour, but that could not calm my hilarity. We continued on our road, he cursing, and I laughing. We had not proceeded ten paces before I felt my hat fly off. I turned round suddenly and saw the Chinaman, who was running away with it, take the same road as Callery's robber had done. I did not pursue him; not I! I stood still, so as to laugh at leisure, and admire the blackguard's velocity. In this way we returned to Callery's, he without his parasol, and I without my hat.
After the incident of the handkerchief we at last stopped. Callery gave two or three small coins to his poor devil of a thief to console him for having made a failure, and we entered a shop. While my friend was talking to the proprietor, I stationed myself at the door to watch the interminable procession, which traverses incessantly the streets of Canton, as it filed passed me. The passengers were little citizens, wearing the long blue robe, the violet camail, and the black silk cap; members of the lower classes, dressed in blue nankeen; beggars
