Drawing by william alexander, draughtsman of the macartney embassy to china in 1793. Temporary building of mats in tien-sin (tianjin) on the banks of the un-leang, which was erected for the reception of the british ambassador lord macartney, who was on his way to canton, by order of the chief city mandarin, 13th october 1793. The landing place is decorated with mats, fancifully painted; the chief magistrate of the district sits in a chair, while the inferior mandarins stay in a rank on each side of the staircase to honor lord macartney. Alexander noted that the british embassy was entertained with multiple refreshments: a profusion of poultry, confectionery, fresh fruits, preserves, jars of wine, which were distributed among the various junks of the embassy distinguished by the yellow flags. Image taken from the costume of china, illustrated in forty-eight coloured engravings, published in london in 1805. Date: circa 1800.
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