Ebony chairs, pearl inlaid tables, finely carved cabinets with expensive ornaments of jade, cloisenné, and crystal, and many other fine articles of furniture, give an air of wealth and luxury to the rooms.
But, notwithstanding the evident display of wealth, to the eye of the foreigner there is always a conspicuous lack of comfort in Chinese palaces. No carpets give warmth or beauty to the brick or marble floors. The straight-back, narrow-seat chairs, with small tables between them, used in serving tea, are arranged with tedious exactness against the walls. The overhanging eaves and closely adjoining buildings shut out sunshine, and the unventilated rooms are permeated with the odor of incense to "lords many, and gods many."
This style of living is common among the wealthy private citizens and high officials.
