MR. WILTON.  “Very good, Charles.  Now, my son, try your best memory on the Eastern Sea.”

GEORGE.  “I am glad you have given me that sea to describe, for I have been much amused with the curious names of the islands printed on the map in these waters.  A little group not far from ‘Tchusan’ is called ‘the Bear and Cubs;’ another ‘Lowang,’ or ‘Buffalo’s Nose;’ another ‘Chutta-than,’ or ‘Shovel-nosed Shark.’  Near the Japan Isles there is a little cluster called ‘Asses’ Ears.’  This sea is called by the Chinese Tong-hai; and in it are the large islands Formosa and Loo-choo; but I know nothing of them.”

MRS. WILTON.  “I will aid you there, George, because you have done well to remember all those difficult names.  Formosa is a fine fertile island, belonging to the Chinese, where oxen are used for equestrian purposes for want of horses or asses.  The Loo-choo Islands constitute a little civilized kingdom, tributary to China.  There are thirty-six of them.  The capital is Kinching.  These isles were discovered by the Chinese many hundred years ago.  Their products are sulphur, copper, tin, shells, and mother-of-pearl.  The inhabitants vie with the Japanese in the manufacture of lacquered ware.  Loo-choo itself is one of the most delightful places in the world, with a temperate climate and great fertility.  All animal creation here is of a diminutive size, but all excellent in their kind.  The people are amiable and virtuous, though, unhappily, worshippers of Confucius.”

MR. WILTON.  “The China Sea falls to Dora’s share:  are you prepared, my dear?”

DORA.  “I think so, sir.  It lies south-west of China, and connected with it are the Gulfs of Siam and Tonquin.  In the former are the Islands Hastings and Tantalem:  the latter washes the coast of Cochin China; a coast that suffers more from the encroachment of the sea than any other known:  in five years the sea gained 190 feet from east to west.  The low country is exposed to an uncomfortable degree of heat during part of the year, and the rains are so plentiful, that boats are navigable over the fields and hedges, and the children go out in small barks to fish for the mice which cling to the branches of the trees.”

EMMA.  “Poor little mice!  I dare say they would rather be playthings for children than be drowned.”

CHARLES.  “They need no fishing-tackle for their sport; I suppose they catch them in their hands.  Do you know, Dora?”

DORA.  “I believe they do.—­Now what comes next?  Oh!  Hainan.  It lies in the China Sea; its capital is Kiang-tchou.  In the southern part this island is mountainous, but towards the north it is more level, and productive of rice; in the centre there are mines of gold; and on the shores are found small blue fish, which the Chinese value more than we do those known as gold and silver fish.  The blue fish will not survive long after they are caught, and two days’ confinement to a glass bowl suffices to end their lives.”