The Costume of China / Picturesque Representations of the Dress and Manners of the Chinese

Some millions of Chinese live entirely on the water, in boats and barges of various kinds, some occupied in carrying articles of provisions and merchandize, others in conveying passengers, some in feeding and rearing ducks, and others in fishing. Some of these vessels have masts and sails, others are forced forwards with large sculls or pushed on with poles, some are dragged along by men, and others, but very rarely, by horses. Near the head of each vessel is suspended in some convenient place, one of those noisy instruments well known in this country by the name of gong, which is used to regulate the motions of the trackers, and to give notice to other vessels of the approach and intentions of the one that beats the signal. Where a large fleet is about to come to anchor or make fast for the night, there is a tremendous crash of gongs from all quarters; the meaning of each of which is distinctly understood by the Chinese, from the peculiar mode in which each is struck.