11314/12532
[ stop the slideshow ]

A Soldier of Infantry

A Soldier of Infantry.jpg A Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of RiceA Soldier with his MatchlockThumbnailsA Seller of Rice

The annexed figure, either from the striped dress, or the furious looking head painted on the shield, has been called a tiger of war; but he is not so fierce as he appears to be, or as the name would imply; indeed the Chinese admit that the monstrous face, on the basket-work shield, is intended to frighten the enemy, and make him run away; like another Gorgon’s head to petrify those who look upon it. This corps of infantry, in its exercise, assumes all kinds of whimsical attitudes, jumping about and tumbling over each other, like so many mountebanks.