CLOTH.
Cloth forms the second article of exportation which Russia exports to China.
| The coarse sort is manufactured inRussia; the finer sort is foreign, chiefly English, Prussian, andFrench. | |
| An arshire of foreign cloth fetches, according toits fineness, from | 2 to 4 roubles. |
| Camlets. | |
| Calimancoes. | |
| Druggets. | |
| White flannels, both Russian and foreign. | |
| The remaining articles are, | |
| Rich stuffs. | |
| Velvets. | |
| Coarse linen, chiefly manufactured in Russia. | |
| Russia leather. | |
| Tanned hides. | |
| Glass ware and looking glasses. | |
| Hardware, namely, knives, scissars, locks, &c. | |
| Tin. | |
| Russian talk. | |
| Cattle, chiefly camels, horses, and horned cattle. | |
| The Chinese also pay very dear forhounds, greyhounds, barbets, and dogs for hunting wild boars. | |
| Provisions[108]. | |
| Meal.—The Chinese no longerimport such large quantities of meal as formerly, since they haveemployed the Mongols to cultivate the lands lying nearthe river Orchon[109], &c. &c. | |
Imports.
List of the most valuable commodities procured from China.
RAW AND MANUFACTURED SILK.
The exportation of raw silk is prohibited in China under pain of death: large quantities however are smuggled every year into Kiachta, but not sufficient to answer the demands of the Russian merchants.
| A pood | of the best sort is estimated at | 150 roubles; |
| of the worst sort at | 75 |
The manufactured silks are of various sorts, fashions, and prices, viz. sattins, taffaties, damasks, and gauzes, scanes of silk died of all colours, ribbands, &c. &c.