China and the Chinese, the Evil Arising from Opium Trade

;

:

p/.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE: O^^jLSt-sf^ THEIR

RELIGION, CHARACTER, CUSTOMS, AND

MANUFACTURES

THE EVILS ARISING EKOM THE

OPIUM TRADE: WITH A GLANCE AT OUR EELIGIOUS, MOEAL, POLITICAL.

AND COMMEECIAL

INTERCOUESE WITH THE COUNTEY.

BY

HENRY CHARLES

SIRR, M.A.,

OF Lincoln's inn, barrister-at-law.

VOL. L

LONDON: ^M. S.

ORR &

CO.,

AMEN CORNER, AND MDCCCXLIX.

147,

STRAND.

:

s Ir-. s_>

^

^r ,X'^^ z

tOHDOS

fmimO

BT 8TBWAKT AHD MCRRAT, OLD BAILBT.

DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION,

TO THB

HONORABLE HENEY FITZROY,

M.P.,

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL OF THE HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY,

The

following' pag*es are inscribed to the

Henry

Honorable

Fitzroy, with the fervent hope^ that they

him

will induce

to exert his powerful

brilliant talents in the

country, to

Legislative

suppress the

trade

in

energ-ies^

and

Assembty of

his

Opium, and

in

token of respect and esteem,

By

his obliged

and

faithful friend,

THE AUTHOR.

PEEPACE. This

Work was commenced

in

1840^ and about

fifty

of the following- pag-es appeared in a series of papers,

published in the Diihlin University 3fagazine, under

same

the

title

;

and feelings of diffidence might have

prevented us

from launching-

troubled

of public

sea

to be instrumental, in

the

Legislature

of

oui*

opinion,

l)ark

we

did

some measure,

upon the not

hope

in awakening"

Great Britain, to the disgrace

and iniquity of connecting* the name of a Christian country, and powerful nation, with the

Should

the

Iruit

disapprobation of some,

nor disappointed,

all

our

of

we

we

labors

opium trade.

meet with

the

shall neither be surprised,

solicit is

the kind indulg'ence

of our perusers, disclaiming' other motives than an

anxious desire to be useful to our fellow-men, by the diliusion of simple truth,

and

the nefarious traffic in Opium.

dra^A'ing-

attention to

PllEFACE.

Mil

There hateful

mucli in

is

pno-es

these

whioh must prove

trade,

relative distasteful

this

to to

the

British uierchants in China, and, althoug-h Ave have

some valued a duty

we owe

sovereig'n

among-st them,

fi-iends

it

the religion Ave profess, and the

to

A\hoin

to

we consider

have

^^^e

sworn

allegiance, to

we have

declare ])ublicly, the sentiments which

inva-

riably expressed on this topic in ]U'ivate.

To prove

we

that

are not singular in our views,

connected with this nefarious

traffic,

we quote authors

portant and interesting- subjects, of standing- and celebrity.

The

object has been, to

convey as much useful information relative to this ])eculiar country,

time, to render

it

trusted,

may

))e

found

whom, comparatively, knoun, of the

as practicable,

and, at the same

as entertaining- as possible to the

>Some information,

g-eneral reader.

and other im-

beiieticiid little

articles of

it is

to

l)elieved

tlie

trader,

and bv

appears to be g-enerally

commerce adapted

to the

trade ofCliina; and, consequently, consig-ninents are

frequently made, wholly unsuited to the wants of the inhabitiints of the empire.

We

lia\e

endea\ouied to sliow and prove ITo/t^-

PltEFACE.

Kon{i to be an able,

luiliealtli}',

it

pestilential,

barren rock, whilst Chu-san

and salubrious, and, from

would be most

political

eligible

and commercial

for a British colony.

IX

its

is

and unprofit-

both productive

geogTaphical position,

and advantag-eous,

for

our

interests, to obtain the latter

Although

^^e

cannot coincide

with a literary friend of ours, in savino- that " Chu-

san

is

the Great

Britain of China,"

still

manifold

Avould be the advantao'es, A\"hich AAOuld accrue to the

parent country, could

n

British

upon the island of Chu-san.

3, JVe/v

Square, Lincohi\s- Inn

London, March,

\

184:9.

colony be formed

ERRATA TO VOL. Note

Page

to p. 14, line

I.

13,/or "fineness" read " fierceness." " purus" read " puris."

42, line 31, /or 60,

95, 171,

224, 336,

— — —

— —

n,/or "mandarins" rearf" mandarin." 15,/or "

this

year" read " 1847."

16,/o/-" purus naturabilis"re«, and which they constantly do (up to the conuuencement of 1848) at Macao, we should either be oblig-ed to submit to their terms, be they what

in

,

•

they might, or our Colony would experience inevitably the horrors of famine, unless an extraordinary'

amount of })rovisions chanced to be in store. The climate of China is, in no part of the empire, salubrious or adapted to the European constitution,

Hong-Kong is the most and the variability of the seasons and temperature are exceedingly injurious, and test the strength of the most robust constitutions. It would convey an inaderpiate idea of the rainy season, merely

l)ut,

of

all

parts of China,

insalubrious,

to si)oak of the torrents of rain

;

for the flood-o-ates of

heaven ap])ear to open, and pour forth torrents of water, apparently threatening the earth with a second

The rainy season continues throuo-h the months of May, June, and occasionally July, and deluge.

j

INSALUBRITY OF CLIMATE.

7

when

these rains cease^ miasmata arise^ and the most unhealthy season of the year commences. The summer has been admitted^ by all the Ang-lo-Indians^

whom we met

in China, to be far hotter,

fatally injurious

months

the

to

and more

constitution, than

the hot

and we have found continually the thermometer, standing" in the shaded verandah of our in India,

dwelling*, at 100°.

The mortality which has

among- our troops, from the Kong-^

ill

prevailed

landing- in Hong'-

first

1840, up to this time, the end of 1848, ; and, in despite of

will fully bear out the assertion

commodious barracks, and fixll

liospifaJs,

our poor fellows

victims to the pestilential climate of Hong-Kong-,

manner. The winter is exceeding'ly cold and a north-east wind blows, whilst a burning* sun scorches the head, and the transition, in a fearful

and

piercing*,

from the burnino- heat of summer, to the cuttingblast of winter, injures the most robust. The intense heat of an almost vertical sun, whose ra3'S are reflected by an arid rock, must necessarily prove injurious to health

;

but

nig'hts of piercing' cold,

below

freezing* point,

when when

this is combiiied

v»'itli

the thermometer falls

and water freezes in the ewer, upon a European

-placed in a bed-chamber, the effect

constitution in

China

is

must be disastrous. In fact, the winter felt much more severely than in Russia,

where the internal arrano-ements of the are

such as to exclude

all

cold

;

clothing* will sufhce to protect those cise in the

ouen

air,

which

it

dwellino's

in Russin, Avarm

who take

will not

exer-

do in China,

for neither furs nor cloth will exclude

the cuttino-

and seems

to penetrate

north-east wind, which

chills,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

W

the veiy marrow of the hones. Althoug'b^ as before remarked^ the climate of China is in no part saluhi-ious^

yet

north

tlie

is

the most healthy portion of

the empire^ but fever and dysentery prevail throug-h the whole land^ and the sudden chang-es from heat to cold,

produce rheumatic fevers and catarrhs of a

which too frequently prove

se\'ere nature^

fatal. j

The scourge most dreaded in China is the fever termed the Hong-Kong- fever^ which has proved more fatal than cholera morbus^ and at the time we now write, November 1848, so terribly has this fever pre-

'

Aailed among- our troops, and proved so fearfull}- fatal in its

character,that our

moored

sliips,

in the

men were

ordered to live on board

harbour of Victoria,

in the

hope

A

new

of arresting- the prog-ress of this seourg-e.

symptom has developed tliat

of an

itself in this disease,

companying- the fever, and our most

upon

ictim

whom

medical

the harpy, Hong--Kong' fever has

cast a withering- glance. jierate

skilful

are baffled in their endeavours to save the

officers ^

namely,

eruption, resembling* the smallpox, ac-

become

The temperate and intem-

alike the victims of this dreadful fever,

which generally commences with slight head-ache, gradually increasing- until the whole liead is so tender that no part can bear its own weig'ht or pressure on the pillow without agon3\

The eyeballs are in such extreme pain, that light can be ill endured, yet the suffering- produced by the closing- of the eyelids is intolenible

;

tlie

and the patient

frame becomes Meak and enervated, finds himself unable to assume an

erect posture, whilst the fever is rag-ing- to ciedil)le

degree

j

the

an in-

symptoms increase hourly, and

'?

;

THE HONG-KONG FEVER. the

usually

patient

9

sinks under its violence about

Houg'-Kong* fever has these peculiar features^ that the patient will^ apparent^, become much better^ and rally considerably a short the third or

day.

fifth

time before

death

j

curred of the sufferer

from

rising-

manifest

up

sitting-

when suddenly

it^

frequently

;

in

opposed injudiciously hj

a

delirium would become degree^

and

if

force^ the violence of the

he

In other

expires^

apparently

cases^ the patient, after

be seized with

will

rallying',

in bed^ or^ if allowed

violent

patient will increase_, until

from exhaustion.

have constant^ oc-

instances

frig'htful

convulsions,

the features and eyes becoming* distorted, fixed, and rig'id,

and

after

some hours of painful

suffering' (dis-

o-reatest deo-ree tressinoto the medical attenO in the o O dant, because his knowledge is insufficient to alleviate

the agony he witnesses, or save the the stricken beino*

^iH cease

life

of the patient),

If blood be

to breathe.

taken from the arm at the commencement of the fever, the case fearful skill,

is

g'enerally sure to terminate fatally

disease

for

appears to have baffled

medical

treatment which has proved successful in

one case will be ineffectual

and

all

this

',

medical

men admit

service in this

fever.

if

adopted in another

that medicine

of

is

All that can be done

administer aperients, febrifuges, and

appl}'

little is

to

cooling

head ; local bleeding is also adopted, and beneficiall}^, by the application of leeches to the burning temples. The patient should be kept in a light horizontal position, with the head depressed nutriment should be constantly given, the utmost

lotions to the

;

kindness, and most soothing

manner

used,

when

de-

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

10

i

lirium appears little

a medical

;

man can

therefore do but

towards the recovery of his patient, and the is from

only chance of recover}', humanty speaking*,

constant, careful, judicious, and tender nursing*, which

men can

Hong*-Kong*, or China, to the care of servants or male

rarely receive in

being- g-enerally left

friends, unhabituated to act the part of nurses. tlie

we can speak

value of a g'ood nurse

Of

feeling-l}',

having* liad, ourselves, a most fearful attack" of fever,

from whicli, by God's gracious mere}', we recovered, and our restoration to health, under Providence, "vve owe, principally, to the tender and anxious nursing* bestowed ujion us, day and nig'ht, by one of that sex

whose peculiar characteristic "

to

When

II

it is,

pain and sickness wring the brow,"

I

perform the task of ministering* spirits of g-ood, and

who

will cling* to

During-

tlie

nmn when

deserted

b}^ all otliers.

recovery from fever, the p-reat danoer to

be apprehended arises from the extreme debility, and dysentery which invariably follow, in the few cases Avhich have not terminated fixtallyj

and the inroads and ravag-es upon the constitution, which are made s l)y this fever, are terrible, the g-eneral system is shattered, and febrile attacks frequently recur, the limbs fl and joints feel debilitated and unable to support the i

weig-ht of the

and

body;

in fact,

we

conscientiously afhrm,

believe, speaking* fi*oni experience, that the con-

stitution never

regains

its;

pristine vigour

after

an

attack of IIong-Kong* fever.

Hong-Kong is to

is

as insalubrious to the Chinese as

•;

^•

| it

Europeans, although comi)aratively few of the

—

!

CAUSES OF INSALUBRITY. former die

in the Island^ for

approach of

ilhiess^

11

the instant they feel the

But

they quit the phice.

the

an unhealthy peoj^le, as scrofula, ophthalmia, leprosy, and cutaneous diseases are found to be prevalent in their most virulent forms. Chinese^ as a nation, are

To prove

that

of the

report

we

are not singular in our belief and

insalubrity

of

Hong-Kong',

Ave

will

quote from the E-everend George Smith's Exploraon the disadvantage of the tory Visit, page 507 ; climate the author is indisposed to dwell, because to ^'^

comparative salubriousness of the last summer, 1845

has been a happ}' exception to the generality of such Only a more lengthened seasons in Hong-Kong.* experience of the climate can, however, the

mind of serious apprehensions on

full}^

divest

this point,

which

the previous mortality on the Island has

reasonably excited.

Island

the

not un-

The Geological character of the

ohstacles

to

free ventilation

— the

un-

healthy evaporations jjroduced hy the jyowerful heat

of

and the hurning mountain sides

the sun on the saturated soil after the rainSy

glaring heat reflected from the

in the hot season, present ph3'sical causes sufficient to account for the existence of a very insalubrious

climate."

summer (1845) graves used to be dug daily in the morning, to fill them at night— knowing too surel}' they would be occupied at sunset. Of the natural insalubrity of Hong-Kong there can be no better proof than that now (1848) our troops, who are well lodged, and carefully tended, are dying by scores and those who *

In

•without

this

knowing who was

;

escape death are so debilitated

by

disease that they are unfit for duty,

and our Government have chartered vessels for the men to A pleasant position the English in China would be placed Chinese to attack them

live at in,

sea.

were the

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

12

108 (War in China), Malaria, al\va3'S present in marshy and certain jung'ly districts, caused by the decomposition of veg-etable and animal substances, is on the Island of McPliersoii

Avrites^

pag-e

Ci

Hong-Kong"

where no vegetable

to be found,

is to

he

and Avhere no marsh exists. Fevers appear an disease on the const of China, to g-uard ag-ainst which, even the poorest peasant spares no

seen,

epidemic

expense or trouble to make his dwelling' comfortable,

and thus protect him from those frequent and sudden

from heat

transitions climate.

cold,

to

so

Moreover, the natives

frequent in so

reo-ulate

this

their

day they mav be seen habiliments, and in another or what is a more o-eneral

dress, that at one period of the in the thinnest

and coolest

clad in furs and woollens

:

habit, they put on a succession of g*arments as the

cold increases, and ag-ain throw them aside as it becomes warmer. The climate of Hona-Kono- at this period was most variable, the thermometer rag'ing-

frequently 10°, 15°, and at times 20° in the twentyfour hours."

We

deem

it

a duty that

and plainly of the

speak truthfully

China harl

we owe our fellow-men

g-enerallv, but especially

we had but one

insalubrity-

to

of

of IIono-Kono-, for

sincere friend, Avho would have

told us the honest truth concerning- that charnel-house

Hong-Kong-, not

all

the wealth of the

have lured us thither.

much

capital in

Many who

East would have expended

improvements upon the Island, en-

deavour, naturally iiossibly

—but assuredly,

knowino-

what they do of the unhealthiness of the Island, most unfairly, to increase the number of colonists, by viis-

UNHEALTHY LOCALITY OF representations

—hence

the

VICTORIA.

local jn-ess,

13

under their

influence, never record one tithe

of the deaths which \yhen Chief Justice Hulme was seized with Hong-Kong- fever, and not expected to live, a man, since dead, who had expended a larg'e sum of money in purchasing" land and huilding- houses, expressed g-reat alarm to us at the illness of the Chief Justice, occur,

lest a

panic should be produced in the event of his

death from fever, " for," said he, " we cannot keep his

death out of the paper, as it must necessarily be known in Eng-land, and as his daug-hter has just died of the same disease,

it

would

g'ive

the Colony a bad

name, deter others leaving- home to settle here, and ultimate^ would cause the ruin of the Colon3\" In common justice, however, let the truth be told, and afford those who may be lured to reside there by the hope of gaining- a speedy fortune, the opportunity of considering', if they are prepared to sacrifice health,

possibly

then

life,

in the

attempt to

—

if

they are,

they rush to the g-rim spectres, disease and

death, with open eyes. is

g-ain g*old

The Island of Hong'-Kong-

not only the most unhealthy spot in China, sparing-

neither ag*e nor sex, but the site selected for Victoria, the principal town and seat of Government,

is

the

most unhealthy localit}" of the whole Island, situate as it is on the side of an arid rock, which reflects the ra^'s of a tropical burning- sun in a fearful manner. The air of Chuck-Choo, on the opposite side to Victoria, althoug-h by no means salubrious, is not so destructive to health and life, as the atmosphere of The Chinese consider Hong'-Kong* so unVictoria. healthy, that they always hesitate to reside there,

—

CHLXA AXD THE CHINESE.

14

and no temptation

is sufficient!}^

great to induce tliem

and those Avho take up a temporary residence in Hong-Kong-^ as before remarked, on the slig-htest s3'mptoms of sickness, iustantl}' quit the Ishmd, and the g-reatest inconvenience is daily experienced by the sudden departure of serto

bring- their families

;

vants on the slio-htest manifestation of returns to the

Army

illness.

Medical Department

the fearful ravag-es from

disease,

Avill

The show

made amongst our

and is fivefold g'reater, any other pai't of the world. Military men and civilians, who have passed the g-reater part of their lives in India,* have affirmed troops, the mortality has been,

than

lias

tahen

jflcice

in

* Three Years' "Wanderings in the Northern Provinces of China, by Robert Fortune, published last year, Ave read, pages 19 26, "The climate of Hong-Kong is far from being agreeable, and up to the present

—

time has proved very unhealthy, both to Europeans and the native Even in the midst of •\vmter, when the sun shines, it Chinese. .

.

.

walk out without the shelter of an umbrella, and if any one has the hardihood to attempt it, he invariably suffers for his The air is so dry that one can scarcely breathe, and there is no folly.

is

scarcely possible to

shade to break the force of the almost vertical rays of the sun."

Page 26 " And a great deal may also be attributed to exposure to the burning rays of the Hong-Kong sun. All the travellers in the East, with whom I had any conversation on the subject, agreed there Avas a fineness and oppressiveness in the sun's rays here which they never experienced in any other part of the tropics— even under the line. I have no doubt that this is caused by the want of luxuriant vegetation :

fierce

the consequent reflections of the sun's rays. SOIL BEFLECTS

The uare — nABREx kocks

EVEHY RAY THAT STRIKES THEM

bushes to afford shade, or

to

;

there ETC HO trCeS OF

decompose the carbonic acid, and render

it Jit

for the respiralion of many Such an opinion as this, given unbiassed and unsought for, by a scientific character such as ^Ir. Fortune bears, ought to meet with attenThis gentleman went to China, as botanical collector to the Hortition. cultural Society of Loudon, in 184.'J; remained in China three years; and the work now quoted from contains much valuable, and to many novel information.

CLIMATE FATAL TO ANIMALS AND BIRDS. that

the}''

never witnessed^ or lieard of

so

16

much

any part of British India^ as they had and others who had fouo-ht

disease^ in

beheld in Hono'-Kono-

:

hard battles under India's scorching- sun^ and

man}''

who had withstood an Indian

climate for

many

years^

with unimpaired health, have fallen victims, before

our eyes, to the pestilential climate of Hong-Kong', which spares neither the temperate nor intemperate, young' or old, strong* man, youth, or feeble

woman.

Animals as well as human being-s cannot endure the insalubrity of Hong'-Konghorses which are imported there from India, the Cape of Good Hope, or Australia, are frequently ill, and too often die ; and :

the

climate

peculiarly

is

A

English dogs.

fatal

thoroug'h-bred

to

great favourite of ours, of a most

valuable breed, which was brought from England, died in our all

the

house after sufFerino-

heard of

same

o-reat ao-ony,

symptoms of Hong-Kong

many

disease.

otlier

exhibitino-

fever; and

we have

dogs that were carried off by the

The only living creatures which appear

to defy the climate, are

vermin of

all

descriptions

j

these thrive and multiply to the ruin and destruction of every description of property.

The

cheerful note of

a singing' bird, desporting in the regions of air, in the

eniovment of existence, is never heard in Hono-Kong', and their tuneful notes, except as imprisoned

full

pets,

never glad the ear.

To beguile the

make our habitation look as much we attempted to keep some of

possible, tribe

around

digenous

us,

and

to

cultivate a

like

time, Jiome

and as

the feathered

few plants

in-

China; but, notwithstanding that a woman's care and attention were bestowed upon to

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

IG.

both, the birds sickened and died one after the other,

and the phmts drooped and withered away

We

do not den}', or attempt

also.

to overlook,

that

have been made by the local Government to

efforts

render IIong'-Kong- less destructive to

life,

by

causing-

but the most most scientific men, cannot render malaria wholesome, or conducive to health From roads and drainag'e, costly and longevity. orig-inall}-, but rendered doubly so from having' been drains and roads to be constructed;

efficient eng-ineers, or the

constructed on too small a scale, by reason of Avhicli

were demolished by the rapid torrents which mountain sides during- the rainy do\\"n the season much may have been attempted and done

the}'

pour

5

to

render Victoria healthy, but, as already shown

from the

g-eolog-ical

character of the Island, no part

of IIono'-Kono' ever can be salubrious.

And how

and abortive their

is

ineffectual

efforts

have been,

too

lamentably prov'ed by the mortality "which has been,

and

is

still

prevalent in Hong--Kong-.

We

are too

aware that every overland mail bring's men from China who speak in exaggerated and glowingfull}^

terms of

the

increasing'

salubrity

of the

climate,

(which their sickly and cadaverous appearance contradicts) jilthough they will frankly admit that their

own health has been benefited by the passage home. Then ask these men for friend after friend, many are

—

dead

;

otliers

returned to Europe to re-establish their

impaired health

dvsenterv

3

when

some were the

suffering-

from fevers or

steamer quitted IIono--Kono

;

whilst others had gone to the north for change of air, tliereby seekinf>- to

rcii-ain

healtli

without incurring'

—

LOW MORAL CHARACTER OF THE POPULATION.

17

the expense and loss of time attendant upon a voyag'e to Europe.

After receiving- such replies, the question

naturally ensues^

— how

can 3'ou say the climate of

Hong-Kong- has improved

?

— how many more deaths

and shattered constitutions are requisite to prove that Hong--Ivong- is a pest-house^ and equals Sierra Leone for insalubrity? We have before remarked upon the depraved and disreputable class of natives which did, and does, inhabit Hong'-Kong-, and will now show that we are not singular in our assertion, by quotingSmith's Exploratory Visit, pag'e 508: ^^The moral and social character of the Chinese population at Hong--Kong- presents a disadvantage of a very different kind, while in the Northern Cities on the mainland of China, daily intercourse, without restraint, with the more respectable classes of native society, and a foreigner everywhere meets an intelIn Hong-Kong-, on lig-ent and friendly population. the other hand, missionaries may labour for years without being- brought into personal communication with any Chinese, except such as are, generally speaking, of the lowest character^ and unlikely to exert a moral influence on their fellow-countrj^men. The lowest dregs of Kative Society Jiock to the Bintish Although Settlement in the hope of gain or 2)hmder. better class of shopkeepers are beginning the few of a to settle in the colony, the great majority of the

new

comers are of the lowest condition and character. The principal part of the Chinese population in the town, consists of servants, coolees, stone-cutters, and

engaged in temporary works. The Colony has been also for some time the resort of pirates and

"masons,

VOL.

I.

c

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

18

thieves^ so protected

by

secret

compact as

to defy the

ordinary reg'ulatioiis of police for detection or preIn short, there are but faint prospects of vention.

any other than

either

a migratory or a predatory

race being- attracted to Hong-- Kong-, who,

hope of

g-ain or pilfering- vanish,

difficulty

remove

elscAvhere.

when

their

without hesitation or

At Canton

the g-reatest

minds of respectable natives to incur the odium which attaches to any connexion with Hong--Hong-, in such a state of public feeling*, the terrors and restraints of law become a powerful instrument in restraining- respectable natives from immio-ratino- to the foreio-n settleunwilling-ness

A

ment.

exists

in

the

wealthy Chinese coming- to Hong--Kong-,

necessarily leaves the bulk of his property, and

many

members

of his family on the mninland, as pledges and hostages within the reach of the otl'ended authorities so that, w hen residino- in Hono'-Kono- he is under the control of the mandarins almost as much as if he were on the soil of China itself. It may be perceived how, under such a 83'stem of virtual intimidation, we are excluded from all hope of gaining- for Hong-Kong any better class of inhabitants than those with whose presence the mandarins find it ;

convenient to dispense." *

—

* In Fortune's Wanderings in China, page 27, we read " The native population in Victoria consists of shopkeepers, tradesmen, servants, boat and altogether form a most motley group. Unfortunately, jK-'ople, Coolies :

;

there liis

is

no inducement

quarters

there

;

for the respectable Chinese

and until that takes

place,

merchant

we

shall

to take

up

always have

The town swarms with thieves by the strong armed police lately Cstuhliahed. Previous to thi--, scarcely a dark night passed without some one having his house broken into by an armed band, all that was valuable the worst set of people in the country.

and

roblx;rs,

who

are only kept under

DEXTEEITY OF CHINESE EOBBERS.

19

Hono--Kono- to be fully convinced of the rectitude and faithfulness of the above statement^ and the wretched diplomacy It

is

only necessary to

yisit

evinced in selecting- an insalubrious^ piratical island These audacious rascals did not except Government House was robbed and another time they actually stole the arms of the sentries. These bauds, sometimes a hundred strong, disappeared, as they came, in a most marvellous manner. No one seemed to know whence they came, or being carried off or destroyed.

men

the government

;

for one niglit

;

whither they went."

The

temerity and dexterity of Chinese robbers

greatest proficients

Sometimes they

favour

appear to

will

is

proverbial,

Hong-Kong with

and the

their visits.

surround a house, attack and plunder

it,

even

continuing their work of depredation under the fire of our troops, as At other times, they proceed to was the case at White's bungalow. effect their

purpose more cautiously, by throwing lighted balls of socomposed of opium, into the sleeping apartments,

porific matter, chiefly

through the Venetian blinds

man

:

this induces

profound slumber, and a

inhaling the exhalation of soporific drugs sleeps most contentedly

whilst he is being robbed. We have often heard of loaded pistols, placed under a person's bead, being abstracted without the knowledge of the sleeper occasionally the Chinese thieves take off a portion of the roof, ;

drop down noiselessly, like

cats, into

the apartment, take

all

they want,

and decamp in the same manner; frequently they take out or cut through a block of stone, to probe an entrance into the dwelling in short, neither locks, bars, nor stone walls, will keep out robbers in China more especially in Hong-Kong. A ludicrous anecdote is brought to ;

—

our memory, connected with thieves shortly after the termination of the war, when loot, or plunder, was plenty, A. E., a friend of ours, had ;

his full share of the

same

;

and the aforesaid

goodly-sized camphor-wood trunks,

loot Avas deposited in

four

preparatory to being shipped for

E who

was a sharp one, had these four trunks placed one and chained together, and for greater security they were deposited at his bed-side. A Chinaman said, " E. shall not do me ;" and we confess that we thought the Chinaman would have the worst, if he attempted so presumptuous an action. ^Vell, these boxes were to go on on the morrow. E. looks at his beloved plunder l)oard H. M. S. " All safe but I shall be glad before seeking the embraces of Morpheus. when you are safe off; the chains are all right padlocks all secure; and as you four are pretty heavy, no fear that Fo-kie could take you without England.

A.

upon the

other,

,

;

—

c 2

;

!

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

20

for a Colonial possession^

when we Lad

it

power

in our

to have chosen Chu-san^ which^ comparative!}'^ is a

healthy spot^ and

Up

tlie

population wealth}' and orderly.

end of

to the

this year^

many

1848^

acts of i

Home

Government^ from the time that Hong-Kong- was ceded to us^ must appear to the Chinese monarchy to exhibit vacillation and and no satisfactory result can indecision of purpose the Colonial and

;

accrue^ either in our diplomatic, political^ or commercial

intercourse with the Chinese, without the exhibition,

on our part, of the utmost firmness. Yet in our diplomatic relations, and Colonial Government, we are wholly deficient in this essential

characteristic

one instance will illustrate the g*eneral character of the Colonial Government of

Hong-Kong- under Sir John Davis.* An ordinance was passed, enacting' that a o-eneral reo-istrv should be made of the inhaand a poll-tax should be levied on

bitants,

all

those

of Chinese orig-in, and this ordinance was to come

commencement of the ensuing* The whole of the British mercantile com-

into operation at the

month.

munity of the Colony remonstrated ag-ainst this tax, representing- the evils which would inevitably result awaking me."

Yawns— into

bed

—asleep.

"Wakes in the morning

thing looks after the plunder,— a vacant place locks had vaiiijihcd during his slumbers.

;

all

E. swears

— no

use

— the

had ])ccii bitten and a large hole in the wall tells how, and by and E. had been done by a Chinaman— the clever adroit dogs ;

*

Of

the personal character of Sir J. Davis

justice let

it

be

governor, or a

lie

man

less calculated for

when

offered to him.

first

sjieak,

biter

whom

:

but in

but a worse

diplomatic service, could not have

home government.

at Sir J. Davis's door, for accepting

emplo_>Tncnt

we do not

said, that his private character is estimable,

l)ccn selected 1)y the

;

boxes, chains, pad-

The

fault, therefore,

does not

an honourable and lucrative

VACILLATION OF LOCAL GOVERT^MENT.

21

from the canying' into eftect so odious an enactment^ as it naturally would cause the departure of many respectable affair

Chinese

and the termination of

;

this

proved the correctness of their representations.

Meetino-s of the Chinese inhabitants were held,

all

business stopped^ the shops shut^ the hazaars forsaken, threatening- lang'uage in

Avritten

the

was used, and

Chinese

lang-uag-e,

political placards

were exposed.

Government, backed by a Major-General, his stalfl, and a large g-arrison, which could have received assistance from the men of war lying* in the harbour, had it been required, yielded to this demon-

The

local

stration of Chinese resistance,

had refused

to

the very point they

the respectful remonstrance of the

whole mercantile body, and the ordinance was reSuch weakness and vacillation was not pealed !

!

!

calculated to produce in the minds of the subjects of

the Celestial Empire, (whose laws are absolute, and implicit obedience to

them enacted) respect

for the

British nation, her laws, rulers, or Government.

The most

disastrous consequences to trade, and the

prosperity of the island followed this measure

;

many

of the richest shopkeepers not only closed their shops,

had been, and ought to be the object of British merchants to induce respectable and wealthy Chinese traders to form establishments in Hong'-Kong, and occasionally to visit the Colony one of the richest and for the purpose of traffic most respectable native merchants in Canton had

but

left

the island.

It

j

arranged to do so at this period, but he informed a friend of ours, a British merchant, that he should

abandon the

idea, as

he feared from the introduction

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

22

of such a system of taxation, " that mig-ht be

squeezed out

of him."

all

Sir

his dollars

John Davis,

on most occasions, was at variance with the merchants,

and constant attempts were made to load the infant Colony with taxes, and Hong--Kong' in all probabilit}',

after the

of so man}' thousands of

sacrifice

British lives, and the expenditure of an enormous

amount of British colonial

capital, will not only not

expenses,

according- to

pay the

present prospects,

but eventually will become a burthen upon the motlier

Our merchants will probably abandon it for Macao (where most of them have establishments), which the Portug'uese authorities have at leng'th liad the g'ood sense to make a free port, as Macao will be found a more healthy and ag-reeable place of abode. Much might 3'et be done for the commercial prosperity of Hong-Kong* by judicious countr}-.

g'overnment

j

and althoug"h the colonists expressed

g-reat satisfaction it

at the recall of Sir

remains to be proved

if

John Davis,

the present Governor

is

calculated for the difficult task of dealing* with the

most

A\ary, crafty people

namely, the Chinese

;

upon the

face of the gdobe,

providing- for the

wants of our

infant colon}', and g-overning- the colonists judiciously.

Much the

dissatisfaction

breasts

of a

is

naturally eno-endered in

community by

unfit

men

beino*

and responsible positions, and whose disag-reeable, querulous incapacity for such offices

placed in

are

hig-li

made manifest without

distance from

home

tlie

autliorities.

restraint

when

at

a

wholesome check imposed by the Such a man was the Major-

General who commanded the troops at the time Sir

1.

QUERULOUS CONDUCT OF THE MAJOR-GENERAL. 23 John Davis assumed the reins of government^ and who caused an ordinance to he passed^ which formed the subject of much bitter feeling*^ and no small amusement to many, for a long* period. Robberies and housebreaking's being* of frequent occurrence in China, more especially in Hong-Kong-^ it is necessar}'for

merchants and individuals who have a just apand chattels, to

preciation of the value of their goods

employ watchmen, who, accordingtogether two hollow pieces of

to custom, strike

bamboo

show that

as they

walk

on the alert. round the premises, to During- the temporary absence of the Governor, Avho went to visit the northern ports, the MajorCleneral assumed the reins of government as Lieutenant-Governor,

and caused

the}^ are

an ordinance to

be

passed and promulgated, prohibiting*, under certain pains and penalties, the striking- of the hollow pieces of bamboo, between the hours of eight o'clock in the

evening and

five o'clock in

the morning.

The gallant

was the only person who complained of

officer

this

usage he alone declared that his health was sacrificed, his slumbers disturbed, and he alone had no occaThis sion for a watchman, having a military guard. ;

was universally complained of, as those who employed watchmen had a right to require audible and it was considered too proof of their vigilance good a joke, that because an old soldier, who ought edict

;

have been accustomed to war's alarms, could not sleep, merchants and private individuals were to be suddenly deprived of the protection for which they

to

paid, without the substitution of

despite of the grumbling and

an equivalent.

In

dissatisfaction of the

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

24

Major-General;

who used

mvfti, attended

by the

suppressing-, or

putting-

to perambulate Victoria in

police, in

down

the vain hope of

the

of the

striking-

bamboo, the watchmen of the merchants and others contiimed tattoo, reg-ardless of the ire exhibited by the Lieutenant-Governor many a laug'h was raised, and man}- a scjiiib appeared in the local papers concerning- tlie hamhoo question. It must be presumed that the slumbers of the veteran soldier were of a peculiarly- non-dormant nature forsooth, he could not sleep if a g'oose cackled, and an American trader, who li^ed opposite to him, was requested b}- him to kill or remove all his g-eese, as their cackling- disturbed the ;

j

matinal slumbers of the commander of Majesty's forces in China

Her

Britannic

Such conduct would be

!

ludicrously contemptible, did

it

not bring* discredit

upon the nation who placed such men in office for, as remarked by Sir Georg-e Staunton, in the account of Lord Macartney's Embassy to China, pag-e 309, ;

"The

actions

sent,"

g-reat

men in a public capacity beinglooked upon as the acts of the nation they repre-

home

of

caution

should

be

exercised

by the

authorities in placing- efficient, strong--minded,

and clear-headed men

in responsible positions.*

* The gentleman here alluded to has had the ill fortune (query) to be constantly compelled to report and susjwnd officers under hiin,^nien who

had served under other generals and commanding officers with eclat, f AVe read, in Martin's China, page .'541 "And the respected heads of ^ ordnance, artillery, and commissariat, have in vain i>rotestcd against this :

waste of pulilic money; for this meritorious condxict Colonel Chesney, of llie lioiinl Arlillerij, and Mr. Pett, of the Ordnance, have been disfraced and punished 1)1/ dinvral ly.iguilar." Page 343: ''Colonel Chesney, of tlie

Royal Artillery, an

service, of

officer

of forty years' standing, and distinguished

high intellectual attaiiuucnts and truly Christian principles,

-

'

'

CHARACTER OF MAJOR CAINE. There

who

is

a

member

25

of the Colonial Government,

in the general estimation of the Colonists

is

one

of the few in authority perfectly qualified in every

command, and

respect to govern,

possessing- extreme suavity of

enforce

respect

j

manner, and hospitality

him the uni-

of disposition, which has obtained for

versal esteem of the mercantile bod}^, and of

who

all

Experience

have the pleasure of his acquaintance.

has taught him the true character of the Chinese

;

the

unJUncldng firmness which he invariably exhibits, combined with his just and impartial conduct on the bench, has produced so salutary an effect

minds of the natives of China, that one

him

is sufficient

to secure their respect

on the

word from

and attention.

Those who know China will have anticipated the name of Major William Caine, formerly the chief magistrate of

Hong-Kong,

but

now

the

Colonial

When

our vessel dropped anchor in the harbour of Victoria, the estimation in which this gentleman was held by the Chinese was exhibited j we Secretary.

inquired of some natives to traffic,

^^

Who

is

who came on board the ship man here ?" " Major

the great

Hong-Kong, and endeavoured to check the wasteful is the bounden duty of a servant of the Crown, whether civil or niilitar5\ For thus acting. Colonel Chesney has been shamefully persecuted by those who are interested, personally saw the

inutility of

expenditure of the public money, as

and pecuniarily, in maintaining the delusion. It is to be hoped that and that Colonel Chesney, on his return is not dead in England home, will obtain it at the hands of the Commander-in-Chief and the

justice

;

Master- General of the Ordnance." are pleased to add, that both Colonel Chesney and Mr. Pett are held free from blame, and have been reinstated in their former offices by

We

the

home

called.

authorities

—

w/nYi-^

Major-General D'Jguiiar has been

re-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

20

" Don't know very but Major Caine number one mandarin

Came." he

;

''

Who

the Governor?"

is

:

They knew nothing- of Sir Henry o-reat hui man he." and Pottino-er or Sir John Davis, then Mr. Davis the in resident when occasions^ subsequent on many Colou}'^ we have questioned the Chinese about the Governor, number one mandarin, and the Majorthey knew noGeneral, as number two mandarin thing- of either, whilst the name of Major Caine was the Chinese thus universally known and respected :

;

:

clearly demonstrating- the estimation

in

which they

held an able, Jinn, efficient officer of the public service.

We

will not dismiss the

Government without tice

of Hong'-Kong-.

selection

members of the Colonial

noticing-

A

the

was made by the home

pointing' a law3'er

Mr. Hulme

to

fill

first

Chief Jus-

most judicious and happy authorities, in ap-

of g-reat ability in the so important a post.

person of

In the con-

struction of a court of justice, man}' difficulties must

necessarily arise, as

all

who know

an^'thing* of the

routine of business in leg*al offices will readily admit,

more especialh' in a new Colony and these difficulties all overcome by the unwearied, and wiaidedy ;

were

exertions of the highest judicial officer in the service

Crown. Nothing- could exceed the masterly manner in which Chief Justice Hulme, prepared a of the

code of o-eneral rules and orders for the reo-ulation

and practice of the Supreme Court. The urbanity of manners, the soundness of his judgment, leg-al knowledg-e, and the impartiality of his conduct upon

liis

the bench, secured for him, in a short period,

the

LIBEEALITY OF CHIEF JUSTICE HULME. respect and esteem of

all

upright men.

Nor

27

are these

legal attributes and attainments the only titles for a liberality

the most un-

usual^ the Chief Justice has placed a

most extensive

commendation

'

for with

and valuable law library in the court-house^ for the use of practitioners and suitors.

There is one mournful fjict connected with HongKong' which is a disgrace to a British Colony^ and Avhile disreflects discredit upon the British nation ;

senters of every denomination^

Roman

Catholics^

Ma-

homedans, and Chinese, have their respective places of worship, and some of these buildings are conspicuous for their architectural beauty, according to the notions of each peculiar sect, jet a badly constructed

wooden building, for years, was considered sufficiently good for the service of the Established Church of Eno-land and even this buildino* was constantly closed to undergo repairs. We have learned, however, that a church has been commenced but some length of time must necessarily elapse before it can be com:

;

pleted

;

the British took possession of

in February 1841, and

not a -

fit

in

Hong-Kong

December 1848 there

is

building in the Colony for the KService of the

Church of England. In Smith's Exploratory Visit, page 518, we read, '• While public buildings of almost palace-like structure have been raised at a munificent outlay of expenditure, no signs of a building of a suitable

edifice for the public

worship of God,

accordino- to the forms and ritual of the

Church of

England, meet the eye in any

Hospitals,

forts, batteries,

barracks, a

direction.

jail,

medan Mosque, already stand

and even a Maho-

as speaking

monuments

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

2S

* of the priority^ in the scale of importance^ of secular undertaking's over religious duties."

By

.

f

the commercial treaty entered into with China

opened for British com" The ports of Canton^

in 1842^ five ports were to be

merce.

S

Article

states^

Amoy, Foo-chow-foo, be

thrown open

Britisli

to

Shang'-hae^ to

merchants.

Consular

be appointed to reside at them^ and reg'u-

officers to

late

Nino--po^ and

and adjust

tariffs

of import and export (as well

as inland transits) duties to be established and published."

In addition

to

the opening- of these ports,

Great Britain was put into temporary possession of the islands of Chu-san and Koo-lang--soo, until the

amount of the indemnity for the expenses of the war eng-ag-ed to be defrayed by China was discharg-ed. The Island of Chu-san, or Chow-san, is a o-reat rendezvous of native junks, and

is but a short distance from Ning'-po, the principal emporium of trade for

Chu-san

Che-keong' province. productive

soil

j

its

is

blest with the

most

internal resources are abundant,

the inhabitants orderly and well disposed, the town particularly

Avell-built,

salu])rious in China.

and the climate

How all

the

most

these advantag-es could

have been overlooked by our diplomatists appears enig-matical

;

or

why

the arid, fetid,

broiling-

spot,

Hoiig--Kono-^ should have been fixed

upon (except for its contiguity to Canton) as a British Colony, must remain a riddle to be explained by the negotiators of the treaty. All those whose health become impaired by a residence in IIong--Ivono-j are advised to take a voyag-e for their recovery to Chu-san, from Avhence, after

a short residence, they g-enerally return con-

}

SUPERIORITY OF CHU-SAN FOR A COLONY. valescent, or materially benefited

deplored that our diplomatists

:

it

is

29

deeply to be

neg'lected to secure

this fertile island for the British Cro^vn.

It

is

most

extraordinary that every effort appears studiousty to

have been made to cripple the infant colony of Hong*Kong'^ for by the 13th^ 14th^ and 16th articles of the

That no Supplementary Treaty it is stipulated, Chinese trading- junks shall be allowed to visit HongKong* except from the five ports and that even these must be provided with a passport from the Chinese '"'

;

It

authorities.

agreed

also

is

Hong-Kong*

that

the

British

examine every passport officers at so presented, and forward a monthly account or report to the Chinese Superintendent of Customs at shall

Canton, of the native vessels arriving- at Hong'-Kong-,

name

together with the

of the proprietors, or cap-

tains, the nature of the cargo," &c. &c.

in

his

exploratory^

page 510,

visit,

Mr. Smith, most justly

remarks upon this subject " Even in the absence of other obstacles to the moral and social improvement of the colony^ Hong-Kong- is excluded by the terms :

of the treaty with the Chinese, from the hope of any * considerable amelioration in the class of settlers." *

" In the case of any vessel Hong-Kong-, not thus provided with a passport, the British authorities have bound themselves to arrest the crew and send them for condign punishment to the Chinese authorities on the main land. With such a stipulation as this, and the *

*

*

entering- the port of

natural

Kong,

prejudices it

of the

Chinese

will easily be seen

how

ag-ainst

little

Hong-

hope we are

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

80 permitted to social

entertain of the

moral and

probable

improvement of the colony."

It has invariably been, and no doubt

is,

the policy

of the Chinese rulers to confine our trade as practicable to the port of Canton

twofold;

])olicY is evidently

in

intercourse

with

consequence of

much

political prejudice, to prevent, as all

as

the object of this

:

first,

foreio-ners,

much

as possible,

secondly,

and,

to

preserve the inland transit duties, from which the

China derives a considerable revenue. Tlie policy of Great Britain, on the contrary, is to force the trade into the north, to Shang-hae, the g-reat emporium of teas, silks, and dyes, which last

Emperor

of

are of unrivalled beauty, in order

obtain these

at first cost, without paying- the additional

articles

Shano'-hae

has

Our trade with

and transit duty.

charo-e for transit

increased

materially aug'mented

considerably,

by sound

British energy, supported

be

to

:

it

policy,

it

it

might

our object to

being"

increase our trade Mith, and force

but with

to the north,

it

incumbent upon us to protect the trade there, by estabhshing- a colony as near to Shang-hae as possible; and should it ever be in our power ag'ain to make conditions with the Chinese monarch, the first to be enforced should be, the giving* up of ChuBy the san in perpetuity to the British Crown. is also

possession of

Hong-Kong" we are onty

able to aflbrd

immediate protection to our merchants and traders at Canton Cliu-san liaving" now been given up, the ;

northern ports are British

left fre(|uently

Government

unprotected, as the

cruisers are constantly ordered

HOUSE-RENT IN HONG-KONG.

81

away from them by the commanding" naval officer in With the fastest ships, and the most favourChina. able winds,

it is

from ten to fourteen days'

Hong'-Kong" to Shang*-hae,

sail

from

monsoon, or

ag-ainst the

with foul winds, the voyag'e occupies three weeks or a

month

:

when steamers

ai'e

employed,

naturally takes a shorter period; but

the

voyag-e

what

fearful

and propert}^ of British subjects before assistance could reach them from Hong'-Kong-^ Avhen our merchants are left without the protection of a man of war lying* in the harbours of Amoy, Foo-choo-foo, Ning--po, and destruction mig"ht arise both to

life

Shano"-hae.

To

g"ive

our readers a statement of house rent, and

the price of provisions in

Hong-Kong* we

be our duty, thus aifording- them judging"

how

far

money

full

(that essential to

in this pestilential Island.

House

rent

believe to

opportunity of

is

life)

will g'o

exceeding-ly

1840 we rented a bung-alow for one hundred and fifty dollars Spanish per mensem,* and were favoured in being" allowed to rent it at that rate, as two hundred dollars had been ofi:ered for the same The rag-e for building' was, and is g-reater residence. expensive, in

,

-

probably, than has ever belbre been evinced in a

New

Colony, and althoug-h the speculators may, in a g-reat

measure have outwitted themselves by over building*, yet the rent of a very moderate sized house, without warehouses, is sixty dollars per month, whilst the Commissariat have taken a house on monthly rate of three hundred and

lease, at fifty

the

dollars

* The Spanish dollar varies in value from four shillings and twopence to four shillings and sixpence.

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

32

month

Spanisli per

the

first class^

;

and of

tins building- is extensive

and similar to the premises occupied

by the merchants. Most of the residences occupied b}^ our merchants appertain to them^ as they have purchased the g-round and built upon it j but when it is

necessary to rent a house^ of the

first class,

either at

Canton or Hong'-Kong', the rents demanded and paid are enormous. The expense of living in China is also excessive^ the necessaries of life being- only to be procured at an exor-

especia% at Hong'-Kong' for the benefit of others we will mention what we learned from visitingnamely^ that a rupee g-oes in India^ as far as the East one shilling* does in Eng-land, whilst in China the ratio is doubled^ as the Spanish dollar will only procure^ what Yeg-etables and a shilling- would purchase at home.

bitant price^

;

—

fruit are rather

cheaper than

the}' are

here

;

but

it

would be impossible to g'ive old and ever varying-

and pig's suffice it to say that at Hong'-Kong- and Canton the prices paid are materially It is higher than are paid at the northern ports. true that the market prices are published weekly by prices of poultry'

the chief mao-istrate

;

of Hono'-Kono-

but we were

never able to purchase provisions at the rates quoted nor have we ever encountered, met with, or heard of

any individual that had. servant, whose business it

The compredore, or head is

to procure provisions, in-

variably affirms that the bazaar people will not sell at the

rates fixed, therefore, nolens rolens,

either give

which work.

is

them the

price

demanded

we must

or g'o without,

not a ])leasant alternative after a hard day\s

The

poultry,

pig's,

and small fry are sold

PBICE OF PROVISIONS. by weight

alive

creature comforts

regards the salt

the

—and

who becomes

horribly

thirsty^

and

Mater in copious draughts, then the gentleman is

taken to the bazaar for

with a belly distended, until

The Chinese

drum.

and

unfit for food

that the prevalence

it

is

as tight as a

enormous

fatten their pigs to an

extent, consequent!}' the pork taste,

in-

these

they accomplish this feat as

or lady, as the case ma}' be, sale,

of

g-ravity

specific

administering* copious doses of

pig's^ b}"

pig'gj;

to

swills

and the Chinese exercise their

;

increase

to

g-enuit}'

IJ3

;

it

is

disgusting to

our

stated by medical

men

is

of leprosy in China

food that

eaten

is

b}'

the Chinese.

attribu-

is

unctuous

table to the quantity and quality of the

These ingenious

rogues cram their poultry, before taking them to the bazaar, with pellets of wet sand, and rub it abundantly into their feathers

a duck that

;

we had the

examine

curiosity to

had been purchased by our compredore,

and found half a pound of wet sand plastered under each wing; and when the bird was killed, he found the craw

filled Avith

the nutritive substance.

English bacon varies from a rupee to half a dollar hams from two to three shillings Cheshire

per pound cheese,

;

;

same price as bacon

;

Dutch cheese

(that ser-

vants refuse to eat in our domicile) from one shilling

two shillings per pound. During the may be bought at a considerably lower rate, with the certainty, however, that these comestibles Avill be spoiled in a week's time, becomino- mouldy from the moisture of the atmosphere. Good butter is about two shillings per whilst pound, and very diificult to be obtained and sixpence

to

rainy season, these luxuries

;

VOL.

I.

D

CHINA ANU THE CHINESE.

34

and sixpence to two to be had in the shilling's market ; and beef is nearly the same price that it is but wretched stuff is the beef^ that is soldj at home in Hong-Kong-. At Canton, fine meat can be procured, and we have eaten beef there nearly as g'ood and well fatted Bread is dearer than iu as it is in Eno-land. mutton varies from one

shilling'

per pound, when

is

it

;

and

Eng-landj

rice,

strange to say, iu a rice pro-

ducing- country, fetches a hig'her price than

here

)

this

from

arises

rice

it

does

being* the food of the

Rhenish and French wines we have boug'ht cheaper than we could have done in Eng-land but every other article of European production is fearfully expensive j we know many may exclaim at this statement, and refer to the low prices various European comestibles fetch at auction, but the auctions are in a deg-ree wholesale prices. Iu many instances, the articles thus boug-ht, must be ])urchased at a g-reat risk ; some may prove of ail inferior quality, and some may be damaged ) although

The

million.

hio-her class of

;

this

may

ans^^er very well for a speculator,

it is

nmnner

calculated to benefit the consumer

theless,

though China

reside in, yet there

fortunes

in

abomiimtion

is

is

in

field for realizing-

trade in opium.

with

no

never-

an expensive countr}^

a wide

honest trade, unconnected

— the

:

to

large that

There are many

shops in Victoria, which, with ^ew exceptions, are by Chinese and amongst these are several Avhich

ke})t

attract

;

the

attention

of ladies, where

embroidered

crapes, curiosities, and fancy articles of tions are ex])Osed ibr sale.

AVe never

all

descrip-

liave entered

TYPHOONS ON THE COAST OF CHINA. any of these

sliops

either

in

Victoria

or

oo Ciiiitoii^

(where superior articles are to be obtained) without being- in a state of trepidation, for tlie Chinese are so

fearfully depraved, that they expose publicly in their

shops obscene prints, books, or even

thus at-

fo)js,

tempting- to vitiate the infant mind.

We the

to

cannot conclude this chapter, without alluding" terrific

typhoons which

visit

the

coast

of

China, destructive alike to the sojourners on sea, and the dwellers on land.

It would be impossible to give

an adequate description

ol the fearful scene

during* the prevalence of a tvphoon.

are dismasted, torn

At

presented sea, ships

by the violence of the winds from

and the beach strewed with fragments of goodly vessels, and the lacerated bodies their anchors, wrecked,

of the sailors.

down on

On

land, houses unroofed, or blown

the inmates, whose shrieks

tell

too plainly

agony they are enduring, until the screams of Buffering are hushed by the chill embrace of death. Hong-Kong is frequently visited by this dreadful scourge, and the most terrific which has occurred since it came into our possession, took place on the 31st of August and the 1st of September, 1848, and the accounts of this typhoon are the most heartThe China Mail, after stating the events rending. and the disastrous results says, '^ The barometer was the

then rising, but

fierce blasts

continued at intervals to

apparently in a direction almost vertical, at daybreak the Colony presented a most strike

the water,

melancholy appearance."

These typhoons are attempted to be accounted

for in

various v;ays bv different authors, but the following J) It

a;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

36

appears to us well worthy of quotation " The excitement of these winds seems to arise from causes purel} :

meteoric^ that

is

to sa}^,

from some

g-reat diversities in

the temperature of the air in their immediate vicinity but their wonted movement in a circular manner^ by blending' the centripetal and centrifugal forces tog-ether, is owing- to princii)le

a principle in hydrostatics,

which we see exemplified

—

when two streams

of water meet each other in a canal, and create an eddy by the compulsion which they reciprocally

!

impose upon one another to take an oblique instead The bare and barren of a straiahtforward direction. nature of these insular spots (such as Hong-Kong-)

perhaps connected with these terrible winds, which in the latter part of summer commit such devastation

is

among- the objects that neig'hbourhood.

north and

upon the seas

Heated by the sun,

temperature of the

much above

float

air in their

the}''

in their

raise the

immediate vicinity^ so

the temperature of the reg-ions to the

two currents from those two opposite directions rush towards them wuth g-reat violence, and produce a typhoon or (in Chinese) tae-fung-, which blows from every point of south of them, that

the compass, in succession."*

F

In support of our views as to the insalubrity o Hong--Kong-, and utter worthlessness in every point of view, to Eng-land, we refer our readers to Mr. R. Montgomery Martin's "China, Political, (Commercial, and Social,'' chap. vi. \o\. ii., page 317. This talented gentleman, and excellent

statistical writer, lias evinced

his usu(d Imbits. of observation in the * Lay's " Chinese

work alluded

As They Arc," page

280.

to.

HONG-KONG

A

has been most

letter

written

disposal^

September 1848 that

will

from

it.

"The

;

IN 1848. oblig-ing-ly

87 placed at

our

month of we think there is much in it reader, we subjoin extracts

Hong*-Kong' in the

at

and

as

interest the

November 1847 to April 1848 was a ver}^ mild one. The south-west monsoon set in early; the periodical rains fell late. June came, and with it came fever; but by the men Avho possessed houses, by the Government who had drained Victoria, and erected costly building's, by the merchants who winter from

were sharply turning- bales of opium into

—

solid bars of

by these men it was must be expected. Nevertheless, June went on, and broug'ht with it the end of Jul}^, without any improvement; and it was found that H.M. 95th Eeg'iment had buried 47 men, and had as many as 299 sick out of 450. Then came Aug'ust, and death was still walking' about; and men beg'an to conjecture where it was to end. Aug'ust, however, came to its close, and the 95th reg'iment buried 47 more men, silver,

said that a little sickness

and the corps was put into hired vessels anchored in the harbour of Victoria, to save those

September

set

and broug'ht hope with

in,

hope came, thoug'h been

satisfied,

And now

and

that the

it

will

how

set

far

up

they

it;

had not

continued to

victims.

the}"

month draws is

fall

to its end, the living*

comino- on, and that

Time will prove have reason to cono-ratulate them-

their constitutions. will

selves. ^

The expense

but

Avas false, for death

huo- the idea that the winter it

who remained.*

of putting the corps afloat has been nearly 2000/.

;

nilNA AND THE CHINESE.

38

For men

are

liere

frieiuUesSj

being'

broiig-ht

tol

hy the love of g'ain, or the predisposition to smng-g-le, or by the oblig'ations of duty. Eng-land^ mistress of the world and of the sea, as she is, may have lots of men and of life to throw away, but, looking* to the schedule of her

this desolate spot only

finances in 1848, she can but

ill

spare her wealth

and as with individuals so with nations, the object I'eaped

is ',

to sow, in order that something-

and

it

is

an undeniable

present itself to any

man who

fact,

g'rea

may

be'

which must

has been led to think 1

it, that the settlement on the Eastern coast of China must become a national burden, with no coun-

of

The expenditure of men

terbalancing' advantag'e.

is

looked upon in England as a dr}^ matter of numbers,

and the actual cost is overlooked, or left to those whose business it ma}^ be to estimate for the numbers required to meet the emergencies of the ensuing' j^ear. AVithout calculating' that every soldier as he stands

on

this

accursed

soil costs the

and

that, therefore, the 9'Jth

laid

under

its

fruitless

country about 130A,

Eeoiment alone have

—

and cheerless earth to say humanity about 14,000/.

—

nothing- on the score of

WORTH OF MEN IN THREE MONTHS. The Strongf man and the weak, the sol)er man and the drunkard, the man who never exposed himself to the sun, he

—

who defied it all died alike the healthy man, the woman, and the infant withered under the poison of Hong'-Kong' fever with equal i-apidity. If any man, therefore, have a mind to visit China, from curiosity, let him turn his time and his mone}^ to better acIf any man be allured to it by the love of count. :

— ;

HONG-KONG

IN 1848.

39

him think that health is better than wealth any unfortunate individual in either of her Majesty's services be compelled to come, by duty, just let him have a stout heart and ^ a livety faith in God's mercy/ which latter may spare him to curse g-ain, let

and

if

the place, as

and a

if,

it

after his

has done the writer of these few lines

term of service here, he leaves

more hospitable

it

j

for

shore, after having' escaped fevers

and typhoons, he may say and think to himself, ^ that veril}' Providence has watched over him.'"

Hong-Kong,

Sept. 28, 1848.

—

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

40

CHAPTER

II.

Chinese pirates— Mode of boarding— A Major-General's wrath at pirates Lieutenant-Colonel presuming to attack his son's schooner

—A

—

denuded Melancholy act of piracy Scene on board a hired schooner.

—Inactivity of our men-of-war

and alarming- extent iu recently our naval although and the China seasj force appear to have awakened from their letharg-y, and have occasionally g'one in search of, and captured

Piracy

is

carried to a g-reat

poine of these daring- marauders,

still

sufficient acti-

vity has not been evinced in attempting" to exter-

minate these robbers, who constant]}' capture small vessels,

and frequently

will attack large craft.

and boats are peculiarly conthe crews are numerous, and the vessels are fully armed with g'uns, swivels, matchlocks, spears, boarding-pikes, and other

The

pirate vessels

structed, beinu* remarkably fast

weapons of an of proceeding'

;

offensive description. is

as follows

:

— As

Their usual mode soon as they

g'et

within reach of their victims, they throw on board the

doomed

vessel a larg*e quantity of fire-balls, so pre-

pared as to produce an intolerable and most offensive

odour when explosion

takes

place

kinds are then scattered around.

and confusion thus created

is

;

missiles of all

AVhen the

terror

at its height, the pirates

CHINESE PIRATES. and board the

g-rapple

when^ if resistance on board are butchered

prize^

offered^ too frequently all

a savao'e manner.

41 is

in

Pirates infest the seas between

Hong'-Kong'^ Macao^ and Canton^ inhabiting' the Ladrone islands surrounding Hong-Kongj which seem to be

abandoned

to their sovereignty

age between these

forts is thus

hazardous^ both as regards

life

;

and the pass-

rendered extremely

and property.

Piratical attacks have constantly taken place close to Victoria harbour, within g'un-range of four or five

men-of-war, which Avere lying* snugly and comfortably

moored

a considerable

',

amount of

specie has been

thus repeatedl}' sacrificed, whilst our cruisers and

The

boats remained inactive.

local press, for inex-

plicable reasons, rarely notice or record these attacks

when

allusion

is

made

both as regards loss of

to them, life

Occasionall}^ a pirate

and

much

:

suppressed,

propert}'.

captured,

is

is

when they

are

handed over to the Chinese authorities for punishment; and we will relate the following amusing history, which

show what our men-of-war can do when they the two sons of Majorchoose to exert themselves accompanied by Lieutenant-CoD'Aguilar, General

will

:

-

—

lonel Farquharson, were returning in their schooner

from Macao, when, at break of day, they were aroused from their slumbers by a confused noise. Rushingupon the deck, they found about one hundred armed Chinese climbing up the sides of the vessel, whilst twenty were in possession of the schooner, some of whom were actively engaged in cutting away the rio'P'iiio' the others were makino- prisoners of the The Chinese servant belonging to Captain crew. ;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

42

Charles D'Ag-uilar told him, that having- informed the pirates they

were the sons of the

darin, they assured

him that the

first

militar}'

lives of all

man-

on board

should be spared, provided the robbers were allowed to g-o

on with their work of

pirates then

commenced

pillag'e

undisturbed.

The

their operations, first taking*

the watches and other valuables from the persons of the three g-entlemen, and cautiously possessing* themselves of all the firearms

and defensive weapons which

were on board.

I

The marauders then proceeded into the cabin, and packed up all the g•entlemen^s wearing* apparel, cigars,

^"

^

and every valuable article they could lay their hands upon, not forg-etting- a three - dozen case of

pistols,

Moett's best champag-ne, for a pic-nic

party*

Avhicli

had been intended compass with

bearing- off the

the other ])lunder, and unshipping* the rudder, they left

the unfortunate party to their fate.

Their lucky

planet was in the ascendant, and proved propitious, as,

wind and

tide being* in their favour, the

drifted into Victoria harbour,

same day and saw them. ;

g*reat

schooner

about four, r.M. the

was the astonishment of

all

that ,

Lieutenant-Colonel Farquharson, the companion of the JMajor-General's sons, was compelled to send on shore for clothes to land in, as the pirates had taken an especial fancy to the whole of his attire and it was with g-reat difficulty tliey permitted him to retain ;

Some

folks do assert that the shirt

was and that the g-allant colonel was left by the pirates in jjurvs Datvralibus, and that when he liis

sliirt.

taken

also,

entered the harbour of Victoria,

all

the coverins: he

l

I

INACTIVITY OF OUR MEN-OF-WAR.

43

had on was an old piece of canvass^ which was wrapt round his body. Major-General D'Ag-uilar was most irate and indig-nant that pirates should not have respected his sons' schooner, and thundered forth violent anathemas on their heads if ever the}' were caught and caug-ht he protested they should he. To the surprise of ever^^body, the men-of-v>'ar immediately awoke from their and the g-reatest activit}' was displayed slumbers \

;

amono'st them durino- the evenino' after the arrival of the dismasted schooner.

To

so gTeat an extent did they exert themselves,

that our naval force actually succeeded in capturing-

the pirates on the following day,

who were imme-

handed over to the Chinese authorities at Cow-loon for punishment. No portion of the stolen property was at the time recovered, but after the

diately

lapse

of weeks,

a

pair

of

valuable

silver

pistols,

mounted, were restored, by the mandarin of Cowloon.

Many

will inquire, if our

one set of pirates,

why

men-of-war could capture

could they not succeed in

taking-, or at all events seeking- after, others

reason appears obvious

by

pirates are

;

?

The

most of the vessels attacked

merchantmen, or

fast boats, having-

on

board passengers, merchandise, and specie ; and althoug-h the life and property of these parties may be dear to them, these o-ood folks are not the sons of a military man, holding- the rank of major-g-eneral. After the attack on the schoonei-, and capture of

the pirates, the men-of-war again relapsed into their former lethargic state ; their only utility, apparently;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

44

being" to send their crews

their

drunken

frolics,

A very melanchol}^

on shore to annoy, with

the inhabitants of Victoria. act of piracy occurred a short

time previous to the above transaction

:

a serg-eant

and liis part}' were ordered round to Chuk-Choo, from Victoria, liavino- under their charp*e treasure to pay the troops. The party left the harbour earh* in tlie

forenoon, and were never again seen alive

same

boat, the

e\-ening-, being'

liarbour with the

drifted

;

the

back to the

mangled bodies of our poor

soldiers,

mutilated in a most horrible manner, lyino- at the

bottom

;

the serg-eant's hands were

nearl}^

severed

from the wrists, and he had evidently met death,

making a brave resistance. The following* day, a o-un-boat was sent out; but althoug-h the dreadful deed must have been perpetrated at no g-reat distance from

the

harbour,

these

pirates

were never

discovered.

The non-discovery of in China, stantl}^

pirates

is

not wondered at

as man}'- daring- acts of piracy have con-

occurred in the harbour, within g'unshot of

men-of-war, the authors of which have escaped unscathed, thouo'h their crimes were of a most ao-o-ra-

vated nature

\

Avholesale plunders,

and too frequently have been oblig-ed

nmrder having- taken place. We to hire an armed schooner, the master of Avhich thought it necessary for our safety to load the guns before leaving the harbour of Victoria, wlien proceeding' to ]\Iacao.

A

lauo'hable circumstance occurred durino- one of

these voyag'es, which

sequences

:

in

might have

led to serious con-

the dusk of the evening-^ -ue

saw a

SCENE ON BOARD OF A SCHOONER.

down upon

vessel running'

had

us, before the wind,

the appearance of a pirate

all

;

we

45 which

hailed her

as she approached us^ but received no answer: the ladies were sent dow?i into the cabin^ boarding- pikes

and muskets being' ordered 21]) ; g-reat was the alarm and confusion on board our little vessel, the ladies declaring- their intention of jumping* overboard rather

than

fall into

g-uns were

a pirate's clutches.

ready pointed, each

The whole

man

of our

resolving'

perish in fig'hting' to protect those he held dear vessel

still

point of

;

to

the

down on us, and we were on the into her, when the commander of our

bore

firing'

schooner, most fortunately, recognised her as one of the lorchas which run reo'ularlv between Hono'-Kong'

and Macao. sided

;

The alarm we had suffered now subcame up^ and the weapons went

the ladies

down, the whole party congratulating- the other upon continuino- our

course, after meetino- n

friend, in-

stead of beino- oblio-ed to battle with a maraudino-

enem}^ It would be endless were we to attempt to recount the instances which have occurred of the inhabitants leaving' Hong-Kong* and Macao, who have never .after been heard of: in some instances, the bodies have been found, washed on shore, with the throats cut. if

The perpetrators of

these laAvless acts, rarel}',

ever are detected or broug-ht to justice, and, for

ought known to the

contrary',

have never been sought

for.

This most unaccountable conduct of the British navy in China leads to the same result which all our

mistaken line of policy has done, namely, bringing-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

46 into

contempt and derision the name and power of

Great Britain; by allowing- these various acts of piracy to go unpunished, a premium is tacitly offered to lawless deeds, and pirates, in consequence, have been more numerous, and their acts more daring- and atrocious.

For what purpose the several admirals have

al-

lowed our cruisers to remain too frequently inactive in the harbour of Victoria, instead of sweeping- the

and exterminating- these human demons, remains an enig-ma onl}' to be solved by themselves.

seas,

AVith armed steamers at their command, manned by our resolute, daring- tars, it would not be more difficult

these

eradicate

to

assuredly, reflect

pirates,

and

it

would,

more honour on the British

than to undertake an

expedition to

of which Avas burning- a few

flag-^

Borneo, the result

bamboo huts which the

natives had abandoned.

We

cannot conclude

this

chapter

])ressing' surprise that the Peninsular

without

ex-

and Oriental

Steam Company have not sent a steamer to this station, to ply permanentl}' between Victoria, Macao, and Canton the freig-ht of treasure and merchandise :

is

exceeding-ly hig-h, and the traffic considerable for

the ])urposes

of

trade,

money demanded by

consequently,

the fast boats

We are convinced, from

is

the passag-e-

very

hig-h.

concomitant circumstances,

that such a speculation would necessarily prove very

remunerative, and be highly beneficial to

all classes

resident at these ports, as they would then be tolerabl}'

secure from molestation from pirates, more especially if

the steamers were well armed.

A SUGGESTION TO THE

We

P.

&

O.

STEAM COMEATsY.

trust sincerely that this suggestion

heeded by some enterprising* individuals be^

Ave

believe conscientiously

that

j

may

should

47 be it

the proprietors

would realize g-ood interest for the capital laid out, and be the means of preventing* much valuable propert}' from falling- into the hands of the maraudingpirates Avhich infest the China seas.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

48

CHAPTER Visit

—

III.

on board a war-junk A IMandarin proposes to purchase an English Description of war-junk guns and weapons Mode of invoking

lady

—

—

the Deity for fair wind and successful undertakings.

Few

had the g-ood fortune to visit a Chinese war-junk, more especially the feminine porand we tion of her Britannic Maiest3'*s subjects will proceed to give a full, true, and particular acpeople have

;

count of our introduction to one of the fire-avenging: drag-ons, or war-junks, appertaining- to the Emperor

Whilst at Whampoa, we became acquainted with the second mandarin, who was about twent^'-five years of ag'e, and a g-oodlookino' fellow enouo-h, who invited us to o-o on board his ship, and inspect the wonders thereof; we thoug-ht our lucky star in the ascendant, and eagerly If it were not beneath our accepted the invitation. of the Celestial Empire.

manly dig-nity to be pleased at the prospect of going on board a bona ^fide Avar-junk, never before visited by an Englishman, g-uess the delight at the idea; and the impatience

by our womankind

for the time to arrive, manifested

— the

watcli

Mas looked

at

con-

stantly, doubts expressed as to watches being* ahvaA's rio'ht,

iScc.

:

in short,

if

you are a male reader, you

\

OFFER TO PURCHASE A LADY. will

know

-what

3'oiir

wife didj wlien she wished to

persuade you the time had arrived^

you had

40

jjosifiveli/

arrived,

upou to take her to the particular place she wished to go to alwa3^s supposing* you are

that

fixed

—

married

—

have to

sa^^

if 3'ou

are not^ 3'ou oug-ht to he^ that

is all

we

on this subject. The day arrived^ and with

who came on board our ship^ ostensibty we were coming-j but in reality, to offer to purchase our never mind what relation, suffice it to it

the mandarin^

to see if

was an Eng-lishwoman. This proposition nearly determined us to abandon the inspection of the war-junk, as our indig-nation was excited, and we were very wroth indeed with the mandarin. The mode of proceeding* adopted by this pig-tailed gentleman was not a little remarkable, and showed that he was well versed in the art of making* a good bargain as he say, the lady

j

evinced the true spirit of barter, proposing to take the lady at a low price, saying that he did not think

she was W'Orth more, or that we should be able to

a higher price for her from any one

else.

this proposition indignantly rejected, the Ijid

viz.,

Finding mandarin

for her at a gradually increasing rate, until

offered six

the

highest

thousand

price

ever

given

taels, studiously

the same time, that he would

wardrobe nor jewels.

Upon

g'et

for

a

he

wife,

informing us, at

neither

require

learning that

it

her

was not

the custom of British gentlemen to traffic in ladies, the mandarin expressed his deep regret, and offered numberless apologies, entreating, as we would not sell

the lady, that

we would

allow him to purchase h er

watch and chain. AYe were fully convinced that the mandarin did not intend any insult by these proposals, E VOL. I..

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

50

I

as lie was totally unacquainted with Europeans' habits and customs; observing* that her feet were uncrippled,

he concluded that she was a handmaid, and could not reconcile this fact to his mind, that women are not The wife is never sold in China, and sold by us. rarely divorced, but handmaids are sold or exchang-ed as caprice dictates

;

but no disg-race attaches to their

social position, and the purchase of a handmaid is merely a mercantile transaction between two parties. Having' fully satisfied our mind as to the real character of these proposals, we acceded to the mandarin's courteous and pressing* invitation to return his visit, and our new friend rowed off from our

vessel to his junk in a twelve-oared boat.

our friends

who accompanied

declared that

if

One

of

us on this occasion,

the mandarin had offered to purchase

any part of his family, that he would have taken the money, hut not delivered the goods ; and the idea is

When

rich.

our boat came along-side the war-junk,

our friend, who was on deck, made wait

;

us to

sig*ns for

this dela^', it afterwards appeared, arose

the fact that the

first

arrived on board,

whom

sult as to

from

mandarin had in the interim it became necessary to con-

our reception according' with his ideas of

propriety;

after a short time had elapsed, we were ushered on deck, to which we ascencled by a very rudely constructed ladder. "We found an immense

number

of Chinese sailors on board, leadino- us to conelude that this junk was more numerously manned, in

proportion to her

size,

than the ships of our navyj

we were conducted by my friend into we entered by descending- t\\o or

A\liich

the

cabin,

three steps

POLITENESS TO AN ENGLISH LADY,

51

the eiul of this cabin^ comfrom the main deck whole breadth of the stern^ was occupied ;

prising* the

as a joss-house^ in

which was the

deity,

who

Chinese mariners under his especial protection

whom

joss-sticks

;

takes before

were burning-j whilst the shrine

Avas

most g'audily decorated Avitli silken lanterns, streamers, and tinsel ornaments. On either side, there were two smaller cabins, apparentl}^ devoted to the use of the

and second mandarins, from one of which walked forth, Avith majestic g-ravit}', the first mandarin, clad in embroidered silken robes and velvet cape, who was a very fine-looking* man, of commanding- and stately appearance, with a remarkably intellig-ent countefirst

nance, and about thirty-six years of ag-e; but his composure was slig-htly ruffled, as he almost started

amazed

back, apparent^

at

seeing*

our fair com-

of the part}'- stood up mandarin entered, but he motioned us to be re-seated, and would not himself take a seat until we had resumed ours, when he panion.

The g-entlemen

and saluted

as

the

down on one

sat

first

side

of

the

table,

opposite

to

the lady, and directed tea and sweetmeats to be proan order which was instantly complied with. duced,

—

It

is

a

marvel to us, and

appeared then

and

now most extraordinary, that this mandarin, a man of hig'h rank, belong'ing* to a nation holding- females in

absolute

contempt,

should

so

far

deviate

from

prejudice and custom as to rise and present a cup of tea to the lady, leaving* the second mandarin to hand it to us ; and that was done with the same deg*ree of

courtesy with which a similar act would have been

performed in Europe.

There was no door, partition, E 2

52

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

or screen of

aii}'

kind to the large cabin^ "which lay

Finding- that the all on deck. and crew were pressing- forward and

exposed to the view of inferior officers

crowding- the steps leading- to the cabin to stare at us^

mandarin rebuked them in a ver}^ peremptory tone^ ordering- them to stand back^ and which The crew did not order was reluctantly obeyed. discipline that prevails appear to be under the same on board our men-of-war; but possibly they might be so^ according* to Chinese notions, or they might have been startled out of the observance of strict etiquette, by the unwonted apparition of our part}', on the

first

board a war-junk belonging- to his Celestial Majesty. An order being given, two musicians stepped out

from the midst of the crew and seated themselves on the steps, having each a musical instrument resembling a guitar but of different forms, and they

menced a horribly discordant song,

— sounds

coni^.

which

mandarins appeared to enjoy to their hearts' content, laughing- and smiling- most approvingl}^,

the

beating time with their

feet.

Both the mandarins

regarded our party most intenth', apparently with the view of ascertaining from our countenances

if

the

entertainment met with similar approbation from us. During this performance, pipes were prepared, lighted

and handed round, the

mandarin presenting one to the lady, Avhich, of course, was declined, and we gentlemen were handed pipes, which we smoked with them. Suddenly the second mandarin jumped up^ as if a peculiarly bright idea had flashed across his; mind, brought an opium pipe, Avhicli he commenced plenishing and arranging, then talked into his first

AN AWKWARD DILEMMA. cabin,

and commenced

53

arrang-ing* his couch, spread-

an exceeding-ly magnificently embroidered silken coverlet over the bed, and beckoning- to our fair companion, made sig'ns to her to come and recline, whilst she indulo-ed in smokino* the druo\ Great was his surprise, and deep his apparent reg'ret at her refusal, as he had believed the lady had refused

ing*

smoking* tobacco because this

vice,

well

as

indulged

is

by men. gratifying-

inherent

to

of

all

their

preferred

women

b}^

opium, as

China as

in

If ever one of Eve^s daug'hters

repented parcel

she

in

the natural curiosity which

womankind, nature,

and

this

lady

is

forms

part

and

did;

and

her

repentance, for having- indulg-ed her propensity for acquiring- information, in g'oing*

war-junk, was deep and

on board a Chinese

At

heartfelt.

this

moment

her countenance bore the impress of extreme alarm

and

terror, firmly believing-, as she

mischief or evil was contemplated g-reat

;

did,

that some

and she expressed

anxiety to depart as speedily as possible.

As

soon as the second mandarin found that no persuasion of his could induce an Eng-lish lady to

smoke opium, he came out of

lie

down and

his cabin, resuming- his

countenance bore the impress of deep anno3'ance and chag-rin ; and we dare say that he considered us doubly barbarians, as Englishmen did seat, whilst his

Englishwomen smoke opium, no doubt pitying our bad taste all the time. During the time we v»'ere smoking, the first mandarin gazed upon the lady's face and attire with evident astonishment, as one who saw something strange for the first time and singular she was to him, as he had never

not

sell their

;

wives, or

; ;

1

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

54

European lady. The mandarin, after looking- intently for some time in her face, made a courteous movement, and advanced towards her placed the forefing-er of his rig-ht hand upon the lace and flowers under her bonnet, and cautious!}- upon her cheek, as if he wished to discover whether the The former were part and parcel of her person. mandarin then pointed to her brooch and watch, which were alternately handed to him for inspection and having' examined each with much attention, he before seen a

returned them, with courteous gesture of thanks

then placed her hand on his, and taking- each

up consecutivel}', examined her

nails,

and

:

he

fing-er

finding-

them only an ordinary leng-th, shook his head in mute astonishment; as it is usual for a mandarin's wife or daughter to have nails of an extraordinary leno'th, so lono-

that at nio-ht they soften

them

in oil

and twine them round the wrist, this is done to preIn-eaking-. Neither her nails nor feet in a Chinaman's estimation betokened a woman of 2'ood family, and the feet being* uncrippled appeared to vent them

perplex him as ing-

with

much

was evidently much ability

as the nails, neither correspond-

the mandarin's notions of proportion

puzzled, possibly from his

to contemplate or look

wife, or to reconcile to his

upon her as

mind the

to his junior officer,

lie

in-

being- a

idea of the lady

havinw- been refused to be sold for a laroe

money

;

who was

sum

of

recounting- the

story connected ^\ith his extraordinary and mercenary proposition. The conduct and deportment of both mandarins to this lady was a perliect enigma,

•whole

Avhen the prejudices of the Chinese connected with

—

; :

A FIRST CLASS JUNK.

women

is

56

taken into consideration^ as their manner

to-

wards her were respectful and polished in the hig-hest who had passed their lives at court; could have behaved with greater degree, and no European gentlemen

propriety.

After we had finished our pipes, the darin

conducted

us

over his

junk,

first

man-

evincing

the

utmost pride in the display, evidently deeming the arrangements, appointments, and various appendages, unexceptionable in every respect. The mandarin constantly took our hands between his, knocking'

them

against his chest, at the same time bending his body

forward,* retaining our hands between his own, he led us forward,

round and about each gun, pausing

expressions of satisfaction and adand we endeavoured as much as possible, to ; impress him with the idea of our wonder and acknowledgment of his attention. This junk was of the first class, as two mandarins Avere on board her she was a two decker, having thirty g'uns on each deck, which varied in their form, calibre, and construction to a considerable extent some of these guns were of a much more modern construction than others, four of them were evidently very ancient, and appeared to be highly prized by the mandarin two guns were of brass, and were well finished these brass guns, as well as the ancient ones, were regarded by the mandarin with great pride, as he directed our constantly, for

miration

',

:

j

attention towards them.

The guns on both decks corresponded i?i variety and they were all firmly fixed, it never being contem* This

is

the Chinese

feeling, like the

mode of

greeting, or

shaking of hands amongst

an expression of kindly

oiirselves.

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

56

plated, that any occasiou could arise,

when

it

would

be desirable to ehang-e their elevation or position this arrang-ement was in accordance with the Chinese ;

s^-stem fire

of g-unnery, as

it

is

the g'un which happens

to the object to be struck,

their practice to

only to

be pointed nearest

never thinking-

it

essential

upon the same object. variety of national warlike weapons of destruction

to bring- several g'uns to bear

A

were hung' about, such as pikes, two-bladed swords, axes, and spears, issuing- from the centre of a half moon or crescent, on the end of a bamboo handle ten one blow or thrust from this forfeet in leno-th niidable weapon would speedily cut short hy at least a head, a fellow's troubles and torments in this world :

bows, arrows, and smaller oftensive instruments up the spaces left between the larg-er weapons.

filled

The

ci-ew were not in uniform, and were distributed about

the lower deck in messes, eng*ag-ed either in cooking* or eating-

;

the offensive effluvia, noise,

filth,

and

dirt

were most essentially Chinese, our oral and olfactory org-ans rebelled ag'ainst various sights and sounds,

most

vio'orously.

After seeing- everything-, the first mandarin reconducted us to the cabin, where we presented him

some cherry brandy, which was quaffed by our hosts in an inconceivably short space of time, AVe now prepared A\ ith g-reat g-usto and satisfaction. to depart, the first mandarin conducting- us to the side of the vessel, where he took leave of us in a most courteous manner, whilst our friend remained to see with

our boat push off;

it

appeared to us, that the second

mandarin considered the first infinitely his superior, him with the greatest deference, evincing more

treating-

t

OFFERING OF A WHITE COCK. respect towards him^ than a

first

57

lieutenant would to

on board a man-of-war. In a day or two war-junk weig-hed anchor^ and was relieved by another^ which saluted her on her departure with a number of g'uns. In every war-junk^ his captain^

after our visit this

as well as in all other vessels, the Chinese perform a

ceremony morning* and evening*^ by burning* pieces of paper and joss-sticks, accompanied with the beating" of g'ongs and ear-splitting- yells— in AngloChinese this is termed chin-chining' joss ; the larg-er the junk or boat is, the greater is the amount of noise, as the g'ongs are more numerous and of greater size 5 and previously to the sailing* of a ship, this rite is performed with much greater ceremony than on The Chinese mariner then proother occasions. religious

cures a large white cock, without blemish or defect^ the head

is

cut

off,

the

bow

of the vessel besmeared

thrown into the sea, the head being burnt before the idol by this sacrifice, they hope to propitiate the marine deities, and insure a favourable breeze with success attendant on their voyage no Chinaman on sea or land, is more energ'etic and punctilious in these offerings, than the the cocks they pirates which infest the China seas procure being invariably the finest, and their gongs the most sonorous. The cock is a bird used on various religious occasions, a Chinaman's oath being taken, by cutting off the bird's head an act by which the deponent expresses his desire, that if he state a falsehood, his head may be cut off in a similar manner, both in this world and the next also. with blood, whilst the carcass

is

;

j

;

—

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

58

CHAPTER Mandarin of the

—

A'isit to

fifth

class visiting

IV.

Victoria— Account of the procession

Cowloon— The mighty man

at

home

—Description of the

—

town, inhabitants, theatre, and joss-house ^^'arning to curious ladies, being an anecdote connected with a Begum's household.

China do not deem it necessary to wear tlieir civil uniform^ except on state occasions, the Chinese, whenever an opportunity

Although

presents

our

itself,

officials

in

appear publicty

in

Alctoria,

sur-

the accompaniments of their station

rounded by all The mandarin of Cowloon (a and official rank. mainland opposite to Victoria) tlie town on small paid a visit to one of the American missionaries sta-

was not a state visit paid to local authorities, but was merely a friendly call, therefore no oreat state or ceremony w^as obnevertheless, the contrast was great, w'hen served reo-arded in contradistinction, to the manner in Avhich tioned at Victoria

this

:

visit

;

our consular

officers

walk about the streets of Canton,

Hono'-Kono'j and the consular

cities

of China.

The

mandarin crossed over in his boat, manned with twenty oars on each side, the rowers being* attired in a species of uniform, having*

shaped bamboo caps chair,

chair-bearers,

:

in

the

g'aily painted, conical-

boat were his sedan-

nuisicians,

flag'-bearers,

and

:

A MANDARIN OF THE FIFTH CLASS.

VISIT OF

The mandarin was

runners.

59

attired in silken

em-

broidered robes^ and upon landing* at Yietoria; entered

his

bearers

which was borne

sedan-chair^

then off the procession

J

started

b}'

array^ the runners preceding* flourishing* their

boos on each side^ to clear the road from

eig-ht

in battle

all

bam-

who

should presume to attempt to come between the air

and

mandarin's

the

dio-nitv

:

then followed

the

musicians, with wind instruments and g'ongs^ causing*

most unearthly sounds to proceed from these instruments^ which discoursed most loudly and vehemently discordant noises^ and her Majesty's lieg-e subjects were in imminent danger of being" either stunned or

—

deafened for flag'-bearerS;

life.

After the musicians came the

with flags three 3'ards in length; on

which Avere inscribed^ in large g'olden characters^ the name^ title^ and dignities of the mandarin these of poles^ flag's were placed at the summit painted a bright red, which were twelve or thirteen feet in height; a legion of coolees and nondescript attendants broug'ht up the rear of the procession. :

From man,

a desire to visit the residence of this mig'hty

to please ourselves,

and

to g-ratify the insatiable

by one of Eve's most curious daughters, we went over to Cowloon accompanied by some friends, and attended by our servants. Upon landing', we saw a square, low fort, which we were informed was the official residence of the mandarin, and to which we accordingly repaired

thirst for knoAvledge evinced

and, having* been introduced to the mandarin, were

granted

Cowloon.

walk through the city of Upon entering* the fort, we saw a China-

permission

to

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

60

man, bare-shouldered and bare-footed, superintendingand, to our amazement, learned that this was the mandarin whom we had seen surrounded with attendants and state when makino" a mornino- call at Victoria. The mandarin hastily thrust his arms into his jacket, and invited us into the fort, which we went round to inspect; and

the repairs of an old cart-wheel

;

found four g'uns, of the very rudest construction,

and wholly useless; these were the only weapons of warfare to be seen in the Citadel. Our servants having- informed the mandarins who hone3'combed

we were, he

sent two attendants to escort us throug-h

the city.

After walking- throug-h a number of narrow dirty we entered the g-ates of the

thoroug-hfares or alleys,

which are alwa3's closed at night, after sunset each street is also closed by fastening- tog-ether uprig-ht wooden bars at either end and after nightfall no one is allowed to walk about without a lantern. These rules and precautions are adopted throughout the whole Empire of China, to g-uard as much as city

;

possible

enter

ag-ainst

the

fifty in

the depredations of robbers,

street

number),

in fire

g'ang-s

(irequently

Avho

more than

houses, and in the attendant

and carrj- off the wives and children of mandarins and rich men, in order to extort ransom. confusion,

But now

plunder

must perambulate with us the mandarin termed it, of Cowloon; but as we fear this can only be accomplished by a strong- effort of will, we nmst force our description upon our attentive perusers; so let the reader town or

the reader

city, as the

A CHINAMAN^S IDEA OF FEMALE BEAUTY.

01

imag-ine a collection of large pig'-styes^ constructed

mud^ and thatched

of bamboos^ plastered over with

with coarse paddy straw^

the windows of each

in

paddy (which is and fat pork^ some idea may then be formed of the narrow streets through which we passed. At length, wearied with walking through these odoriferous narrow thoroughdomicile^ being- exposed for sale^ rice^

with the husks on)^ tea^ dried

rice

fares,

we appeared

to

fish^

approach the dwellings of the

wealthier inhabitants;

at the door of one of these

houses stood an old man, evidently belonging to the higher classes, who gazed upon the face of our fair

companion with marked astonishment

for

;

be

it

knoAvn that the beauties of Europe do not correspond

with

a

Chinaman's ideas of loveliness in any one

particular.

A

Chinaman's heau ideal of perfection in woman, consists first and foremost in feet, deformed and compressed into a shapeless mass, three inches in leng'th,

(being bandag'ed up from infancy in silken

bindings,

never unwound

till

womanhood

quently the odour from a beauty in China

"Araby graceful

conse-

is

not of

the blest") a fleshless figure, without those undulations,

which we

as essential to female beauty.

plexion

5

(overplastered

with

English consider dingy yellow comwhite cosmetic), high

A

cheek bones, small piggish-looking- eyes, with pencilled

ej^ebrows meeting

over

the nose,

low brow,

oblong ears, coarse black hair, Avhich

is

invariably

anointed with stinking pork

it

stands on

end

;

fat,

until

then the hair must be drawn up from the face,

to the top of the head,

where

it is

dressed in a

hi^-^s

:

CniNA AND THE CHINESE.

(}2

knot^ in which

stuck perpendicularly silver, or jaed

is

stone pins, and

artilicial

flowers

— the

size of a small

cabbag'e.

The abo^e

is

Chinese beauty,

a correct description of a charnjing'

who enslaved

the hearts of

Chinamen that were fortunate enoug-h her, and she was considered the most

all

to

those

behold

beautiful

of

her sex.

Chinaman, as we before remarked, looked in our companion's face, took a minute survey of her dress, which he appeared to admire greatly

The

this

aforesaid old

a circumstance

is

readil}'

accounted

for,

as

it

was the winter season, and the fair dame was clad in what the Chinese value most hig-hly, namely, a purple and in China velvet pelisse, trimmed with sable fur ;

this fur is exceeding-ly prized, being- onl}' permitted to

be Avorn

But

b}''

mandarins of the

to proceed with the old

his curiosity

by

tirst

and second

man

:

classes.

having* g-ratified

he partially which, when he

staring* in the visag'e,

stooped to g'ain a view of her

feet,

marked feeling-s of diso'ust, mino-led Avith surprise, which were depicted in his countenance, was ludicrous in the extreme and we could did obtain, the

;

ImrdW

we naturally concluded that our old friend could not reconcile in his mind what he considered costly habiliments, ladyrefrain from laug-hing* aloud, for

and demeanour, with uncrippled feet, as none but those of the lowest ranks, in China, have

like bearing',

their feet the natural size.

A

i'ew

doors further on, a Chinawoman, apparently

of the same class, appeared at the entrance of the ^nse,

surrounded by her attendants,

ca

idently

drawn

CONSEQUENCES OP FEMALE CURIOSITY.

03

upon the strang-e being* of their own who had come among-st them. The China lady howed her head, and^ beckoning* with her fino-er, thither to g'aze seX;

stood aside to allow the visitor to pass^ endeavouring*

by smiles and signs

to induce our

companion

to enter

the dwellino*.

Female

curiosit}';

g'ain

information

to

combined with a laudable desire connected with

the

domestic

arrangement within^ mig'ht possibly have induced English lady to have accepted the invitation but this we would not consent to^ knowing* full well this

that

we should not be allowed

to

accompany

her^

and

having' the fate of a fair countrj^woman of ours too vividly impressed

upon our memor3^

This lady had

a g'reat desire to inspect the interior economy of a after some preliminary ; and arrangements^ she succeeded in causing* herself to be invited, and fully resolved upon obtaining* a personal and minute inspection of the faces_, forms, and wardrobes of the Begum and her ladies. At the appointed hour, away went our fair friend, in the hio-hest fever of feminine excitement and curiosity, and was received with great state and

Beg'um's residence in India objections

marked kindness by the Begum, who introduced her visitor to the various members of her household.

Upon

entering the ladies' apartment, the visitor to

her horror and amazement, too late discovered that female curiosity was as strongly implanted in the

heads and hearts of the Begum ladies as in her own, and with the advantage of numbers on their side in fact, the inspection was theirs, and not hers ; for they ',

literally

undressed her

5

and not contented with

this

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

64

victory^ pinched lier skin to ascertain if the colour

was natural, and not produced by cosmetics. The poor miserably pulled about visitor, was at length allowed to depart, being- too happy to make her escape with her various furbelows and adornments, not either careful]}^ or becoming'ly arranged as they were when she entered the Begum's abode. a digression from the description of the city

Again

of Cowloon

— pardon

3'ou —

amused

us,

why

has,

if it

if

tiie

anecdote has not

then, thank us

j

at all

events the tale was apropos of Avoman's curiosit}^

Cowloon ; walking towards the centre of the town we passed the theatre, on the walls of which were described in large characters, embellished by pictures of glowing colours, the various performances which were to take place that jN^ow

we return again

evening feats

to

— these consisted of dramatic representations, conjuring, and

of horsemanship,

p3Totechnic

displays.

Near

was the joss-house, or place of worship we saw in the temple what is to be seen in all of them, high lanterns, a huge big-bellied joss, bedaubed A\ith gaudy colours, and l^edecked with to the theatre :

glittering tinsel

;

side

b}' side

two smaller ones, intended

with this

idol,

were

and or table, on and sundry

to represent his wife

son before these diA'inities was an altar, which were displa3'ed offerings of fruit, edibles, between each of these were placed lighted ;

joss-sticks.

—

A short distance from tlieir

devil

— this

these josses

was placed Qui

figure represented a large gTO-

tesque black monster, ])artially of

human

form, with

THE DEMON

QUI.

65

open mouthy from which the toiig'iie protruded^ g'og'g'le eyes^ wiiig-s hung- from the shoulders; long- talons were at the fing-ers' ends^ and the feet were cloven altog-ether^ this idol

was

Before Qui was an

ludicrousl}^ hideous.

sumptuously aiTa3-ed with various delicacies, the offerings being' more numerous that had been made to the devil than to joss the Chinese worshipping- Qui more than Joss, believing* altar,

)

that unless the}' propitiate the demon, he will injure

them

in their worldly prosperit}'.

Having' walked through

on

town, we found, situate

tlie

gardens which suppty the markets of Victoria with fruit and veg*etables in each of outskirts,

its

;

these enclosed g-ardens vessel,

which

is

to be seen a large earthen

uncovered and exposed to public view, in accumulated all descriptions of filth, which,

is

although very requisite and proper when used for manure, sends forth an3'thing- save an agreeable odour, and is not peculiarl}' pleasing to the visual org'ans.

Although during our perambulations our party attracted universal attention, men, women, and ,

children, issuing forth from their domiciles to gaze

upon us

as

we passed along

•

in the slightest degree, nor

santly; and though

purchase some our sojourn,

we frequently entered

shops, to

curiosit}' essentially Chinese, during-

we

did not once

applied to us of Fan-qui

we

we were not molested crowded upon unplea-

hear the expression

we met with, considered was partly owing to being* attired as :

the respect

became European gentlemen tume adopted by the English

;

VOL.

I.

since the neglig^ cosin

China

is

not calcu-

p

,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

66

lated to produce^ or

obtain respect from a nation

attaching' importance to external appearances.

Thanking" the might}?" mandarin of Cowloon for his civilit}'^

and remunerating-

attention^

we

his

servants

for

their

returned to Victoria highly pleased and

gratified with our excursion to the main-land.

We

must make one concluding remark before we close this chapter at Cowloon we remarked shops in which every description of article was exposed for sale^ but not one opium smoking-house^ or shop, was to be found in the town whilst at Victoria we regret to say there are many licensed opium shops (and to their shame be it spoken), which are licensed by our ;

;

Christian o-overnment.

^

PICTURESQUE APPEARANCE OF CANTON.

CHAPTER —Description

07

V.

—Hog-lane— —Lantern vendors —Description of lanterns — Ornithological specimens — The beggars' square, and place of execution— Temples — Curious accoimt of a Joss house —Fau-tee

Canton

New

Our jolly

gardens

The

of the river, town, and population

and Old China

streets

and shops

tars.

appearance of the river beyond Whampoa Reacb^ up to Canton^ is of so diversified and pictu-

in g'oing'

resque a character^ that description can but

an idea of the

On

reality.

ill

by the

num-

may

ber of g'arrisoned forts^ where the soldiers descried

convey

the heig*hts appear a

be

assuming* their martial

travellers^

vestments^ on the approach of the " red-bristled barbarians." Near these forts ban-yan trees are g-enerally planted

a

;

practice

said

to

result

from the

by the warriors of the celeswho imag-ine^ that beneath the umbra-

superstitious belief held tial

empire

;

g'eous shelter of this tree^ their persons are musket-

proof.

On

mounted is

other heig-hts^ which are frequently sur-

b}^ pag'odas^ or

places of worship, cultivation

carried to the very summit,

formed

tier

above

tier

up the

by means of

terraces,

side of the hill

:

whilst

the fantasticalty-built cottag'es of the cultivator of

the

soil,

dot the earth, and the water-wheels used in

irrig-ation,

add materially

to the picturesque appear-

ance of the scene.

Boats used

for the rearing* of poultrj^ of all de-

scriptions, but

more particularly ducks, are moored and in these floating* domiciles dwell F 2

along- the banks^

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

08

the proprietorSj with

their families, kith, kin,

and

European ideas, is Chinese, to inculcate obethe by the method adopted dience and discretion into the breasts or brains of" In the morning-^ these feathered bipeds these ducks. are turned out upon the banks to seek their food, and Avander hither and thither, following- the bent of their

Yeiy

g-eneration.

erratic

inclination

curious, to our

3

at sunset the owner,

standing-

with a long" flat-lashed whip in his hand, calls them, uttering" a peculiar whistle, or squall.

This whip

Avill

be used most energeticall}- upon the bod}- of the last strag'gder,

and

dire

experience has

impressed this

unpleasant fact upon the reasoning capabilities of these sapient ducks.

homewards

The

instant the call

is

heard,

hie the ducks at the top of their speed,

and the quacking*, waddling-, scrambling- crew obe}' the summons, tumbling rapidly forwards laudable

m

anxiety to avoid being- the last duck, and receivingthe

modicum

and no scene

of blows allotted to the latest arrival, in

nature can be more ludicrous or

amusing*.

These poultrs' boats are from thirty to forty length, and fitted up as domestic abodes

deck

is

a waggon-shaped roof,

made

of

;

feet in

over the

bamboo

ribs,

and thatched with paddy (rice) straw, under which the rowers sit upon stools, eight inches in height.

The

wife generally stands at the stern, moving a very long oar, Avhich works upon an iron pivot, and both

and propels the boat, with a singularly pecumotion of her body and wrists ; and as she guides the boat, attends to her maternal duties, as frequently an infant is hanging at her back, suspended in a steers

liar

POULTRY BOATS.

69

cotton bandag'e, whilst other children of various ag*es

g-ambol

at

her

feet.

g-audily - painted

The young*er children have

gourds^

attached

to

their

backs^

which serve as life-buoys^ should they tumble overboard and although this precaution is taken for the :

Chinaman would not attempt to rescue another from a watery g'rave^ owing-

safety of their children^ yet a

to the superstition

they entertain^ in

some Scandinavian

tribes^ that a

common with

person rescued from

drowning- will inevitably injure his preserver.

In one compartment of the boat Joss^ or idol^

is their household with incense^ in the form of joss-sticks,

him ; whilst moral maxims, and inscriptions on various coloured papers, with tinsel decorations, hang- about the domestic shrine and .Toss, always portty, looks peculiarly contented and comfortable in his arabesque abode. Nig-ht and morning- they chin-chin Joss (or worship the idol), honouring- him by beating- g'ong-s and burning- paper offering-s, cut into the shapes of animals, fruits, and money. A vegetable garden is frequently suspended over the side of the boat, and attached to it by cords j the frame of this floating garden is composed of bam-

perpetuall}^ burning- before

',

boos,

and covered over with a

la3-er

of earth, and

thus they have culinary herbs alwa3^s at hand

:

the

centre of the boat is provided with a small tank, in which they keep and fatten their fish, and their provision of rice is suspended in mat bags from the roof of the boat, which is made upon the telescope principle,

one portion

sliding-

within the other

•

therefore

draw the roof out to its fullest extent, fastening mats at either extremity, to exclude the air.

at night they

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

70

or inquisitive 63-68, spread their mats on the deck, which forms their bed, and place their lieads on rattan, wooden, or earthenware pillows

j

and court

the drowsy g'od, whilst the poultry are quietly roostino' in their bamboo ca^es, at the further end of the

Advancing- farther up the river, the scene is richly diversified ; here and there may be seen a dilai)idated fort, telling" a sad tale of the late Avar

boat.

whilst a tall pag'oda rears

tance

;

its

fantastic form in the dis-

orang-e groves, bananas, and lei-chee trees,

fill

Mandarin or policeand twenty oars on each side, increase in number, and add to the picturesque effect the rowers wear g-aity-painted bamboo caps, of a conical form j from the masts float long- silken streamers, or flags, stamped in golden characters Avith the name, whilst the stern of the style, and titles of the owner the atmosphere w-ith frag'rance. boats, having' ten

;

boat

is

Va-

decorated with gaudily-painted lanterns.

rious small boats, or san-pans, are sculled to

and

fro,

filled with tlie delicious and luscious fruits of China, the owners endeavouring to induce passers-by to purClumsy, ponderous chase their refreshing stores.

many from Siam, with add to the straiigeness of the holds of these junks are divided into the scene several water-tight compartments, so that a leak may be sprung in one whilst the others remain dry : and

Chinese junks, intermixed with their gaily-painted sterns, ;

these compartments are generally hired b}- diflerent

merchants, so that the goods of

eacli are

kept distinct

On the prow of these vessels is and separate. painted an enormous eye, round as a bull's the reason for which is thus expressed b}' them in Anglo;

FISHING BOATS. Chinese

:

"

No

got eye, how can see

71 ?

— no

can

see,

V

how can walhey Further on are various fishing- boats^ with numerous aquatic birds perched ou their sides, or darting' into the water, diving- after fish, which they are

Eound

trained to catch.

the necks of these

them from swalThen we encounter

birds ring's are fastened, to prevent

lowing the war-junks,

fish

in

they capture.

all

with no better

their

gaudy splendour, provided

than the Siam junks;

sails

many

of

these vessels have a series of cabins, raised over their

poops, one above the other, which present a very

appearance ; their crews reg-ard with no very pleasant expression of countenance, the Euro-

singular

peans who pass.

Gentlemen have sometimes been

we have never than heard of more one instance in which a European lady was permitted to go on board these "^ Aveng-ing- dragons," as the Chinese call their war-junks. allowed to

visit

these war-junks, but

As you approach Canton,

the river, which

is

nearly

half a mile in width, becomes so crowded with boats of all sizes and classes, crossino- and recrossino- each other, that a novice

passage, or

might be

making

his

in despair of forcing a

way through them.

On

moored boats, in which domiciled, whole families are and the fronts of some of these aquatic dwellings are very handsomely carved, and gaily painted in arabesque ; whilst on the decks, or flat roofs, are constructed gardens, where they sit and smoke amidst flowering* shrubs, planted either side of the river are

in painted porcelain flower pots, fantastically g-rouped

around.

The most gaily decorated of

all boats, wliich

j

CHINA ASB THE CHINESE.

72

have carved fronts painted in arabesque, silken lanterns suspended from their roofs^ whilst looking'-glasses, pictures^ and verses of an amator}^ character^ inscribed on party-coloured paper^ decorate their sides, of

sinks

are those

iniquit}^

^^

called

Hower-boats."

The wretched female inmates, bedizened

in

tawdry

appear at the

tottering' on their deformed and on the decks, beckoning- the passers-by, trying to entice them by their allurements to enter. These degraded females are, at an early age, pur chased from their parents, for prices varying from five to one hundred dollars, and are retained in bondage until worn out by disease and profligacy they are tlien turned adrift by their vile owners, with feet,

finer}'-,

doors,

scarcely sufficient covering for their bodies to protect

them from the weather, or answer the purpose of

common

decenc3\

Their career of vice

is

usually

commenced at ten years of age; and they seldom in sliort, the proflilive to number twenty-five years gac}' practised in China, unabashed, by all classes, is :

most

appalling*

and lieart-rending

to

an undepraved

character.

Of

all

the extraordinarv scenes, which can be wit-

nessed, nothing can be more surprising or astounding' to an European, than the appearance of the Canton river

;

for let

him have

travelled

'^

far

and wide/'

nouglit can give an idea of the scene but occular

Myriads of boats

demonstration.

some devoted

to

float

handicraftsmen of

all

on the waters, descriptions

others to retailers of edibles, cooked and uncooked

j

,

boats laden with chests of tea, piled one upon the otlier,

tier

above

tier,

until tlie side of the

boat

is

DENIZENS OF CANTON EIVER. level witli the water's edg'e

their

way

;

73

mandarin boats

forcing-

authoritatively throug-h the crowd

;

war-

junks at anchor, whilst here and there a European

manned by our sailors, who g"ive vent to their excited feeling's by uttering- sundry and divers ejacu-

boat,

lations, not particularly

complimentary to the

g'ood.

seamanship of the natives, or expressive of kindly Flower-boats, and others towards them. vendors of food, pedlars, merbelonging' to artisans,

feeling-s

chants, poultry and san-pans, are wedg'ed tog'ether, as far as the eye can reach, in one solid mass, appa-

impenetrable

rently

3

whilst

the

air

is

filled,

and

your ears stunned, Avitli the deafening' sounds of gong's and wind instruments, discoursing* most unearthly music, accompanied by the yelling-, screeching-, g-abbling-, and clamour of hundreds of thousands of

human

tong'ues, producing- a hodge-2)odge of sounds,

unrivalled and unequalled since the building- of the

Tower of Babel.

As

no part of the world so densel}^ populated as China, so there is no part of China so thickl}'there

is

populated as Canton, the population of the city of Canton and its suburbs being' estimated at above

one million; and the denizens of the river, who habitually reside in their boats, are said to exceed tivo

hindred thousand; althoug'h this account, obtained from statistical returns, may appear to be exag-g-erated to those who have not visited the Celestial Empire, yet those who know Canton, its river and ag*ree that the population is

crowded suburbs, overrated.

The

streets

ceeding'ly narrow,

and in

not

and thoroughfares are ex-

many

places hardly

suffi-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

74 ciently wide

allow

to

them, to pass conveniently carriag-es

used

j

province^ the pedestrian in

in this

Canton,

peramhulatino-

which throng* as there are no wheel

crowds^

tlie

is

constantl}^

jostled,

and

pushed aside by the sedan-bearers of the mandarins, recovered from this shock, he or wealthy merchants resumes his route, but has scarcely* walked twenty :

when a

feet,

coolee, or

porter, bearing*

a burden,

knocks him ag-ainst a dwelling*, or into a shop, the coolee giving- a species of grunt, as an intimation to

way

get out of his

:

"whilst the

again

traveller is

by a second coolee, blow with the burden he is carrying*,

forced into an opposite direction

who

gives

him

a

sending the unfortunate pedestrian into the centre of the thoroughfare.

English eyes, and ears, are the sights, and sounds, which are to be seen in, and which issue from various bamboo cages, wherein live stock is kept, and exposed for sale in the narrow streets ; puppy dogs yelping, kittens mewing, rats Peculiarl}' curious to

fowls chuckling, ducks

squealing,

quacking, geese

which swimming, earthworms,

cackling, and pigs grunting, are the sounds

greet the ear

;

while

fish

slugs, and

gTubs (found at the root of the sugarcane), with sharks' fins, and other creature comforts(?)

and manner to arrest the gaze of and assuredly some of these edibles

are variously displayed in tubs or earthen pans,

exhibited for sale in a

passers-by

:

appear rather extraordinary to our unsophisticated ideas.

An

itinerant barber close

inform perambulators that he

tweezers,

to

pared

beautify their tonsure

to

by twangs

;

while

a

his ii'on is

pre-

brother

ITINERANT BARBERS, ETC.

75

barber operates upon a patient customer seated upon a tripod stool^, platting- his tail^ cleaning- his ears, shaving- his head

and superfluous hair from

and his e3'elashes^ eyebrows^ and nose^ concluding" by administering- sundry thumps on the back and cracking- his joints 3 when all is termiface^ extracting- all long-

nated, the barber receives about five cash (less than

three farthing-s)^ carefully collects the hair in a small tub^ (which he afterwards sells to the

manure

g-a-

and walks to another part of the town^ hoping* his services ma}^ again be speedily called into requisition. Hard b}^ is a vendor of cooked food^ with an enormous reed umbrella^ fixed firml}^ in the g-round^ under the shade of which^ he dispenses to his hung-ry customers in small bowls or basins^ rice^ fat pork^ and stews swimming- in oil and soy^ and these epicures devour the savour}- mess with extreme g-usto , beside this trader^ is seated a brother ithierant who vends samshoo (a spirituous liquor)^ sweetmeats and cakes

therers)^

a

little

farther on^ stands a bookseller and circulating-

librarian^ exposing- his library for sale^ or hire^ in

boxeS; Avhich he carries and

In

to street.

hawks about from

his vicinity are a fortune-teller^

medical man^ the former^ having- received his quarter dollar^ future^ to

doctor^

is

unfolding-

the

string-

of

human

and a fee^

a

mysteries of the

an attentive and anxious dupe

with a

two

street

teeth^

;

while the

suspended

around his neck^ and extending- below his middle^ by way of ornament we presume^ is discoursing- most eloquently upon the efficacy of his drug's, and nos-

trums, which are contained in a box attached to his person.

Then an

ag-ed

woman mhj

be seen, decently

:

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

76

I clad^ with feet three inches long'^ seated

on a rattan

under an umhrella, mending* old clothes^ puttino-

stool^

a patch here^ sewing* a rent up there

by wanting" a button sewed on the sempstress with a lei^rous

beg'gar exhibits

rattles two pieces

cash." his

while a passer-

to his jacket, repairs

to her, avails himself of her services, '•'^

\

and remunerates

Not

far

disgusting-

distant a

sores,

and

of bamboo, to attract attention

jabbering" supplicatory invocations,

j

and appealing* to

the sympathetic g'ood feeling- of his wealthier bre-

Imag-ine the atmosphere replete with noises, and vociferations, of these various itinerant traders, and of the constant^ chang-ing* multitude of human being's, and some slig-ht conception may be formed of Canton before passing- throug-h Hog--Lane. AYalkino- throu^-h this thorouo-hfare, in which there thren. cries,

are

many

spirit

announcements "

Ing-li is

Avith

ere

shops,

much

frequented

to the following- effect

pok;" "Jack

others of a

all

b}^ sailors,

meet the eye

ting" ere

fin will;"

similar orthography, in different

stores.

This street or alley, for Avidth, is

much

in vog-ue

it is

not above

five feet in

with our tars, when on shore

and being- the resort of the very lowest and most depraved of the Chinese population, both male and female. Jack often g-ets robbed, and who, upon this discovery being* made, rides rusty, swears, and uses his fists in right good earnest; when a general scrimviagc takes place between the Eno-lish and Cliinese, and an intolerable hulla-balloo ensues. for a spree,

Kwan-tung, San-ching*, or Canton vince of Kwan-tung, hit. 113° 18' E.,

is

in the pro-

Ion.

23°

7'

N.,

MYTHOLOGICAL ORIGIN OF CANTON.

77

and is the oldest city in this portion of the Celestial Empire^ and Chinese historians affirm^ that four thousand years ago, their renowned monarch Ya-ou bestowed the g-overnment of this splendid capital of the South upon a favourite minister. The ancient name for Canton was Yang-ching, or the city of the five rams Chinese mythology states^ that immediately after the town of Canton had been ;

founded^

five g'enii^ clad in silken

robes magnificently

embroidered; and riding upon

five rams of different demanded admission at the city gates the gates were thrown open^ and the genii proceeded to the principal temple, the chief priest saluted them humbly, wdien the genii desired him to summon his brother priests and the townspeople when a great concourse had assembled, each of the genii presented to the chief j)riest a corn stalk, from which sprang*

colours^

j

:

five ears of

—

^^

May

plenty and prosperity ever be the

who dwell

those ~

wheat, each genii repeating successively in this province,

may

lot of

famine and

misfortune never visit ^^our houses," and immediatel}'the genii vanished in clouds of

fire

built,

and dedicated

to

" the

were duly installed with the roof;

may

^^

all

— whilst the

live

A

temple was

five celestial

rams," w^ho

i^ams were changed into stony ones.

ceremonious honor under

where," writes a native historian,

^^

they

In honesty we must state that neither we, nor any of our numerous friends, have be seen to this day."

been able to find out the domicile, or make the acquaintance of the

five celestial stony rams. These dubious accounts from Chinese mythology

we

wdll leave

to the antiquarian

;

but

it

is

certain^

.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

78

that two centuries preceding- the Christian era, the inhabitants of the South rebelled ag-ainst their emperor,

Che-Kwang* of the Tsin

dynast}',

and a most

bloody conflict took place, near the present city of

Canton

j

rebels,

and

the

imperial

soldiers

were beaten by the

3"ears elapsed, before the natives of the

southern frontier returned to their allegiance. after

the Christian

era,

Shortly

historians affirm that

the

natives of India and inhabitants of Canton held in-

and about a.d. ; 600 we find that Canton "^ became a reg'ular commercial emporium with fixed reg-ulations and a tarifl"." In the ninth century, althoug'h Canton had been flourishing- as a mercantile city for ag-es, and the inhabitants had been hig-hl}- favoured b}^ the Emperor of tercourse for the purposes of trade

China, they again rebelled ag-ainst their Sovereig-n,

and a ]Mahomedan

traveller

who

visited

the termination of that century writes

Canton before " at last the

:

leader of the rebels became master of the city, and put all the inhabitants to the sword. There are per-

sons fuWy acquainted with the affairs of China, assure us, that, besides the Chinese,

who who were massa-

cred upon the occasions, there perished one hundred

and twenty thousand Mahomedans, Jews, Christians, and Parsees, who were there on account of traffic. " The number of these professors of these four religions

who thus

perished

known because the Chinese are extremely nice in the account they keep of them."

An

is

exactly

ancient historian of this period (the ninth cen" at Canfu (one of the names formerly

tury) writes

:

applied to Canton) which

is

the principal

scale

for

SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF CANTON. merchants^ there

a

is

79

Mahomedan appointed judg-e Emperor of China."

over those of his religion by the

The Mahomedans had ship,

which

is still to

their

mosque, or place of wor-

be seen, on the outskirts of the

and which tradition affirms to have been built eleven hundred 3^ears ag*o. " After the city had experienced its full share of tumults, wars, bloodshed, and the other calamities of city of Canton,

a semi-civilized

state,

we

arrive at that important

epoch in the history of commerce, the commencement

when b}^ the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope, the doors were

of the 16tli century,

passage by the thrown open to a more frequent and extended interThe Portuguese course between China and Europe. led the wa}^, and were quickly followed by English, These times of Spanish, and Dutch adventurers. peaceful industr}'-, and prosperous commerce, were

unhappily again disturbed

b}^

the troubles consequent

on the subjugation of the empire by the Mau-chow The people of Canton, faithful to the former

Tartars.

Ming' native dynasty, raised the standard of revolt, and under the leadership of a native prince, tried the The Tartar armies soon reduced the issue of war.

neighbouring provinces to submission, and after defending- itself against the

Canton at

assaults of the besiegers.

last fell, probabl}^

Prefect of the city, querors quietly to

by the treachery of the

who was permitted by the conretain his office. Some native

accounts depict in awful colours the carnage which ensued, and state the

The

old city

number

was reduced

which the present

city of

of the slain at 700^000.

to ashes, from the ruins of Canton has gradually risen,

—

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

80

and has under the Tartar sway enjoyed a course of unmterrupted tranquillity, during- which it has g'radually risen to be the first commercial emporium of the empire, to which, till recently, all foreig'n commerce was restricted by the Tartar jealousy of foreig'n Roving- bands of lawless banditti, called influence.

by the frequent troubles during- the chang-e of dynasties, and b}?- what are called the fortunes of war, even now continue to he the scourge of

into existence

the districtJ as they are also indications of the in-

administration of

effective

character of the

Such

the brief thoug-h imperfect

is

j^olice.

outline of the

changes to which Canton has been subject in the various vicissitudes of

its

Smithes China,

histor3^"

pag-e 15.

Canton

is

any

as well built as

the walls of the

cit}'

extend

five

built.

A wall

cities, in

the

Canton are west, and divides

first is

g-arrison

and Tartar population, whilst

(which

not a third of the

is

size)

and and

city of

extends from east to

new

the old and

miles and a half,

new

within these walls the old and

city in China,

contained the in the latter

dwellaheterog'eneous

multitude apparent!}' g-athered from every province of China. The environs, or suburbs of Canton are ex-

more g*round than the

ceeding-ly extensive, covering*

old

and new

try

is flat,

cities combined the surroundino- counbut laid out in carefully cultivated fields ; whilst to the north-east extend a bold rano-e of hills. ;

The Viceroy of Canton, whose pay is 15,000 taels* per mensem, called the Tsungh-tuh, resides in the new city; the Lieutenant-Governor, or Foo-Yuen, *

A tael

is

six shillings

and fourpcnce.

THE NEW AND OLD

CITIES.

81

and has the control of a small military force, but the body of the troops are under the control of the Tartar General, or Tseano--Keun who also resides in the old city and there are other military, and civil officers of the Crown, who administer the laws, and preserve order. But into these cities, up to this time, December 1848, Europeans have not been allowed to enter \ althougdi the treaty of Nan-kin expressly stipulated, tliat we were to he 'permitted to perambulate the city, and reside therein, free from molestation ; some few have attempted to enter the gates, but have been invariably mnltreated, and compelled to retreat precipitately to lives in the old city,

\

save their lives.*

The European and foreign merchants have their warehouses side the city wall,

in a

reside,

and

very confined space, out-

and by the water

side, called the

Factories, or thirteen Hong-s, to the east of which runs, or rather stagnates, a ditch filled with all descriptions of disg'usting" filth,

and refuse, and

arising-

from this ditch

this

The

effluvia

(or drain to the city of

Canton)

ditch partially surrounds the city walls.

can be better conceived than described, and as malaria prejudicial to health, even in a temperate climate,

is

how much more a tropical sun

?

so

must

it

be under the influence of

Fires are frequent in Canton, and

are usualty caused

by incendiaries, who rob and plun-

der, during- the attendant confusion, * "

with impunity.

The mandarius made one unvarying statement

Consuls,

—that foreigners were •welcome to enter the

city,

the British but they could to

net restrain the populace, or promise au immunity from assaults."— Smith's Exploratory/ Visit, page 19.

VOL.

I.

G

:

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

82

In 1842^ three of the Factories were burnt; and 95,000 Chinese building-s from the nature of building materials used in China, fire spreads with fearful rapidity, and as there is a paucity of water, the destruction of life and property, when a fire occurs, isi :

most

In 1844, a theatre

terrific.

fire

took place, andj

thirty-three adjacent buildings were consumed

and i1 it is stated b}" Ciiinese authorities that 2,300 humai beings fell a sacrifice to the devouring element. Th( punishment inflicted upon the Viceroy by the laws ;

when a fi.re occurs within his province, is most curious if more than ten houses are consumed, of China,

;

he forfeits as many months' salary, if thirty-one houses are destro3'ed, then he loses one year's pay but if three hundred and one houses are burnt, then^ he loses caste, being degraded to the rank below the one he occupies. enforced

if

the

But

fire

all

these penalties are

happens in the

city, as

onb

confla-j

gTations in the suburbs entail no punishment on the

Viceroy.

New

and Old China streets cross the Factoriesj and these, with a few other similar localities, oiitside the city walls, are the only places to which foreigners have free access, and these streets, lanes, or alle3^s wi The shops, in New and Ok will proceed to describe. China streets, present one mass of carved wood-workJ gaudily painted in arabesque, and mag'nificent lanj terns, of all sizes and descriptions, are suspended froi the roof; each shop has desi^'nation,

and

this

its

title

is

own

peculiar

name

emblazoned on a

orj rec

board, on both sides, in golden cliaracters, arrangec These lateral sign-boards are suspendec in columns.

NEW AND OLD CHINA

STEEETS.

88

outside the house^ occupying" nearly the whole front

of the shop^ leaving' a central space for the admission

and these boards acquaint the passeng-er with the names of the proprietors^ and the superior quality of the articles^ which may be purchased within^ and the tout ensemble presents an agreeable coup d'oeil. These streets are very narrow^ being- from six to eig'ht feet wide ; the houses^ built on either side, are one story hig-h, the upper part being' latticed, and painted a brig'ht g'reen the roofs are sloped with ornamental eaves, from Avhicli hang' bells, and g-rotesque monsters, painted in various colours, peculiar to the country; and all these brilof air and

lig'ht^

;

make

liant devices

the houses look extremely g*ay.

These two streets are wholly devoted to merchandize, and here, or in the immediate neig'hbourhood, Europeans may supply their wants, without molestation the proprietors of these shops reside within the city

where they have warehouses to store their more bulky merchandize. The commodities most soug'ht after and sold are, silver filag-ree work, and some of it is most exquisite in delicacy of desig'n and exe-

walls,

cution

j

carved ivory

•

porcelain

silks,

5

cades, crapes, embroidered and plain

lacquered wares of g-rasscloth,

all

kinds

,

embroidered with

;

satins,

bro-

japanned and

birds, insects, trinkets silk

;

in short

every-

useful or curious indig-enous to China,

thing*, either

can be found.

The shops

being" principally

open in

front,

and the

whole of the merchandize being- thus exposed to view, present a most showy alluring" appearance to the spectator, superior to any similar display in London, G 2

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

84

The

Paris^ or Vienna.

interior

of

tliese

shops are

neatl}' fitted

wp, and the g'oods tastefully disposed for

inspection

A\hilst

,

the

of -various co-

intermixture

^Aalls^ and the roof, have an from variegated lanterns pendant extraordhiary and pleashig effect. The inscriptions and notices are generally to the following effect^

loured paper inscriptions hanging- on the

^^

Much

been cheated

man

^ye are

made

money matters

in

plish

'^

talkhig hijures business."

!

what Euro2^ean could accom-

"No

a feat of that description?)

here be given."

^^

All here

being good, praise doors of

tliese

is

Having once

(Cheat a Cliina-

cautious."

is

sold at

its

can

credit

true value, and

needless/^ &c. &c. &c.

At

the

shops, invariably stands a beggar, dirty

and squalid, making most dolorous uneartlty howls, and knocking two pieces of hollow bamboo together The shopkeeper endures this to attract attention. ^A'ith stoical indifference, for some time j till wearied out he bestows a single "cash" on the mendicant: the alms are pocketed, and off he a^ alks to the next door, and enacts the same part ; no sooner has number one made his exit, than beggar number two, equally vociferous and persevering, sujiplies his place, and the same noise, &c. &c. are gone through. We have been tempted to inquire in Cliina, more especially

in

Canton,

if

the

name

of the alms-seekino-

poj)ulation were not legion.

Tea

is

usually offered to a customer, upon entering

the shop, and whilst the tea struck

;

is

but however courteous

be to bis customers of the

European lady enters

sipped, bargains are tlie

shopkeeper

fair sex, tlie

a shop, every door

may

moment

a

and window

LANTERN VENDORS. must be

85

closed; to prevent her being- pelted with

mud

the passers-by^ or crowded upon and insulted beyond endurance even when doors and windows are closed; some of the million rag'amuffins will climb up b}^

:

outside the house^ to stare at her throug-h the lattice-

work; applying' the most opprobious epithets to her^ devil's old woman." calling- her " Fan-qui/' and the '^'

The most showy and

attractive of all the shops are

those of the lantern vendors

here Imng'

;

all varieties

of this article^ from the larg'e silken lanterns three

and four

feet hig'h^ g-org-eously painted

colours^ or embroidered in g*old

and

with variegated

silver^

decorated

with deep fringe of the same material^ which cost from one to two hundred dollars_, and are used by the

mandarins and wealthy^ down

to the

common

small

horn and paper lanterns^ used b}^ the poor coolees^ and which cost one-sixteenth of a dollar. The mode of making* horn lanterns is very ingenious ; the horns of bullocks and goats are cut into remarkably thin sliceS; which by means of heat and pressure are joined round; together^ and formed into various shapes square; hexagoU; octagon, and some are shaped to resemble an hour-glass. These lanterns are variously painted and decorated; and are covered with a coarse ;

description of net-\vork

:

the top

to

folding triangle; which formS; for convenience of carriage;

is

attached a

when closed; a handle and when expanded; a

stand from whose summit hangs the lantern ; these vary in price from five " cash " upwards; according to size

and decoration.

It

is

usual for servants; after

sunset; to carry before their masterS; large lanterns

made

either of

horn or highly varnished paper; with

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

86

name^

his

title^

and

dignities, painted in larg-e letters

thereon.

At

the Feast of Lanterns, which takes place at

the early part of the Chinese

new

year, these lan-

tern shops present a very g-ay and di\ersified appear-

ance as

:

it

and their proprietors reap a rich harvest, is customary for j^arents to make presents of

lanterns to their children, hrother to sister, friend to friend, inferior to superior,

and

vice versa

;

and the donor

articles are as expensive as tlie purse of the will

admit of purchasing*.

to the fete of the

In

new year

fact, the feast is similar

in France,

where every-

body, makes ever3'hod3', a present of bon-bons, only the

Empire

inhabitants of the Celestial

lanterns

sweetmeats,

for

and

possibly

substitute

some love-

stricken, yellow-skinned, pig*-tailed inamorata,

hope

may

to kindle a reciprocal flame in the breast of

obdurate

fair one,

Some

tern.

by dropping a spark from

of these lanterns are

birds, beasts,

and

fish,

to represen

whilst others have moveabl

figures, continually turning*

are lighted up, and

made

an

his lan-

round

hung on

:

at nig-ht all these

the exterior of their!

houses, and the illumination, thus created, picturesque, and far superior to

is

mos

any ever witnessed!

any other quarter of the globe. The thoroughfare are crowded, and each individual takes as much prid^

in

in the expensive

hung

outside

and show}^ appearance of the lanterns

liis

house, as the

members

of clubs, o

housekeepers in London do, at the brilliancy and beauty of their

own

peculiar illuminations on birth nights.

The Chinese

exhibit

a

surprising degree

of in-

genuity in the mechanical construction of some of

1

A BEAUTIFUL SPECIMEN OF A LANTERN.

87

which are formed with many fig-ures^ intended to represent the actions of mankind^ or animals ; but of all we have seen of this description, a lantern which was presented to us was the most beautiful and perfect specimen of its kind j this was their lanterns^

of a hexag'on form, about two heig-ht,

and

five feet in

feet

and

spective sides were moving* fig'ures

;

a half in

On

circumference.

the

re-

these severally

Chinaman fishing- with a rod, which moved up and down depicting- angling-, a fish being* hooked at the end of the line by the way, this fish must have belong-ed to a novel g'enus, who have the complaisance to save mankind trouble, as Mr. Fish appeared to be quite done brown, and the form represented nothing in life so much, as an honest cod's head and shoulders John Bull, rayther heery, dancing* represented, a

;

:

most joyously, whilst

in the act of pouring* out the

contents of a bottle of Bass's pale ale into a

g*lass,

which he continually raised to his mouth a tig*er in the act of jumping* upon a man, who evinced from the supplicatory motion of his hands, and averted head from the beast, g*reat terror a san-pan filled with fruit and vegetables, sculled by a boatwoman, whilst she made the motions with her hands and feet, peculiar to the taukau, or boatwomen, when a Chinaman had a bowl full propelling' their boats of savoury mess, and appeared in the act of raising* the food to his lips, using* his chopsticks most dexterously j and lastly, a sportsman taking* aim at a bird which was perpetually fluttering* in the air, :

:

:

whilst T-ar tar horsemen, in their tiger-skin uniforms

with lances and warlike weapons couched, were ever-

j

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

88

round the appurtenances, and lantern. The were accurately portrayed, according- to nature and life. The lamps, within the lantern, were composed lasting-ly charg-ino-

each other at

full g-allop

costumes^ figures^

of several saucers

filled

with

oil,

to feed wicks laid at.

and the fig-ures continued in motion as long*] as the lamps burned. The evolutions of the horsemen were effected by a species of smoke-jack, to which they were attached by long' human hairs, pulled from a Chinaman's head-g-ear 3 and an inner frame-work re-^ volved b}^ the same means, and moved the peg's, which their sides,

i

I

were fastened to the various

fig'ures,

on the sides of

The frame-Avork of this lantern was composed of split bamboo, which was covered with silk, and the bottom was decorated with an em-

the lantern.

broidered silken fring'e nine inches in depth.

was considered by

lantern

all,

who

inspected

This'

a

it,

perfect masterpiece of mechanical skill in

its

and our reg'ret was extreme, that from the

frag'ility

wa}', |

and delicacy of the construction send

it

it

was impossible

to

to Eng-land.

Larg'e quantities of insects, preserved with cam-j

phor in

g'lass cases,

the death's head

men — is Europe

hirg'er

are exposed for sale at Canton

—

;j

moth \\ e know not its Latin cog'noand more perfect, than ever seen inj

the skull and cross bones, being' most perand accurately defined. Ihit the most beautiful moth of all, in our estimation, is what the ladies term " the Emperor of the Celestial Empire ;" tliis mag'uifi5

fectly

cent insect measures more than seven inches from tipj to tip of wing', the leng'tli of the

four inches;

rig'ht reg'ally

is

body

this noble

being- about-

fellow clad,

COFFINMAKERS' SHOPS.

89

composed of stripes of deep mazariu blue^ or and scarlet^ spotted over Ttvith brilliant blacky and white^ and the colours are surpass-

in a robe

brig'ht purple^,

orang-e^

ing'ly fine.

At

one

end of

Curiosity Street

;

New

and Old China

streets,

the shops here are principally

with bijouterie and articles of

vertii, in

is

filled

bronze, carved

and ebony, of all sorts, sizes, and descriptions, both modern and antique as the Cliinese value all that is ancient most hig-hly, and as there are as g-reat virtuosi in the Celestial Empire, as amongst us, very exorbitant figures are demanded, and g-iven for None are so much a g'enuine and fine antique. sought after as old bronzes, which represent reptiles and insects, and a rare and beautiful description of pure white transparent porcelain, thin as an eggin as high repute amongst the shell, which is Chinese, as old Dresden and Sevres are with us. Each trade in Canton is carried on in a particular ivory,

:

street

or quarter, as at Constantinople

5

carpenters

are met with here, tailors there, and shoemakers in

same manner through The coflinmakers' shops have a very g-ay,

another locality trades.

;

and

in the

all

in-

stead of a lugubrious appearance, as the coffins are

usually painted red, or some equally gay colour, and the more expensive ones are decorated profusely with these coffins are placed on shelves one above the other, and the prices vary from one dollar up to gilding-

•

four or five hundred.

A

Chinaman

is

often very

you may smile at the idea, and think that we are demented when we make such an assertion ; but it is usual, in China, for a man whimsical about his

coffin

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

90 to

his coffin

i^ro-^-ide

health and

life,

shops are

filled

and

a\

to

liilst

keep

he

is

in the full vigom- of

in his house

it

with coffins of every

;

so these

size, price,

and

colour, to suit the purses, and inclinations, of every variety of purchaser, from the richest, to the poorest, of those easily satisfied, or most fastidious in their The proprietors of these shops " perform futastes. nerals," upon the same principle as our Eng'hsh un-

dertakers, supplpng- flags, and flag-hearers, lanterns,

and lantern-bearers, sedan-chairs, and their bearers, and every species of decoration and dress required' Funeral attire is for or suitable to such occasions. neither expensive nor difficult to keep, being-

very coarse unbleached cloth, which mournino- worn from the hio-hest lowest cooleej the very shoes are

bleached cloth,

and the same

coloui- hi

China

!

made of

to the

this un-|

AAhite)

should be the

The shops of furnishers

used on marriag-es,

coffinmakers.

the invariable]

mandarm

sort of cord or twist is

unbleached cloth cannot be called of articles

j

Strang-e that ivhitey hron-ii (for

platted into the hair.

mourning*

is

made of

differ little

i

from the

Sedan-chairs, lanterns, and flags, arej

nearly the same

—

for a

marriage and funeral pro-j

are equally noisy, and lengthy; the coffiii and colours, constitute the only distinction of impor-j tance between them. In some of the bird-shops of Canton most curious] ornithological specimens are to be seen, one of which

cession

we deeply from

regret that

obtaininoO

:

circumstances prevented usl

this creature

was about the

size of a]1

full-grown hen, but of a thicker make, with short legs!

and

feet furnished with

long talons, Uke a bird ofj

VALUE OF SINGING BIRDS.

91

The head was not unlike a turkey's, the bill was hooked, and a fleshy substance of a dark red and

prey.

blue

hue,

hung*

down

plumag'e, if plumag'e

it

over the

short throat, the

can properly be

called, g-rew

towards the head like a Friesland hen's, and was of a dark brown, with lighter shades interspersed among*

had the appearance of coarse human hair the bird screamed most unmercifully, and altogether this creature was as hideous and unearthty-looking* a monster as can well be imagined we were told that this bird came from the interior of the mountainous provinces, and was rarety met with, but we could not ascertain the name by which it was known to the natives. The Chinese are passionately fond of singing* bii'dsj the wealthy will pay exceeding^ high prices for those whose notes are tine, and are as gTeat it,

and

it

;

—

connoisseurs in the notes of the lark, as those of the

bullfinch

:

a bird

is

as

we

are in

generally the

companion of a mandarin, as a dog* is of an Englishman. These birds have a silken cord attached to their legs, which is entwined around the finger of their owner; sometimes the httle fellow is perched on the wrist, then off he flies and perches on the shoulder, then he flutters a little liigher, and settles on the mandarin's cap; when, if Mr. Lark attempts to essay his powers in a loftier flight, he receives a salutary check in the form of a pull A^^.th the silken tether, and is made to sit quietty, like a well-educated bii*d, on the fing-ers of his lord and master. Some of these little specimens of creation are taught various tricks,

such as taking* a

drawing*

up water, and

bow and arrow

in their

cla^\'S,

their supply of seed, di'opping*

'

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

92

down as if shot^ standing' up ag'ain at command^ &c. &c. Very rich and g'org-eous in phimng'e more

birds of Cliina^

the

the

word of

are

some of

especiall}' is that

of the

pheasants^ but the phunng-e of the g-oklen pheasant

of

all

is

rather

than ours^ but of a most eleg-ant slender form,

hirg-er

and we had one^ in our from

five feet ten inches

his

The cock

others the most beautiful.

is

the

tail;

2')ossession^ wliich

about

plumag-e

head

the

measured

extremity of

his bill to the

is

brig-ht

the feathers of the neck are long', silken, and

yello^^^,

amber

lustrous, the colours beino- brio-ht

A\ith black,

with a streak of dark g-reen in the middle \ the breast brig-ht crimson ; the ^\ing' brig'ht yello^\-, tipped A\-ith purple

the

j

long*

feathers are of a

tail

brown, with black and are of a flesh colour

remarkably like a

\

A^

is

about the

spots

and the they

eleo'ant, as

thorouo-h-bred

The hen

liite

of these birds

g-ait

is

their feet in -walkino-

lift

racer,

varieg'ated

the slender leg's

;

or

Italian

a'reyhound.

of our own, and Anth similar

size

plumag'e, but has the same slender form and gTaceful g-ait

The

as the cock.

silver

pheasant

is

also seen in

g'reat perfection, the cock's brilliantly white j)lumag'e

creamy white

is

dotted over

it

the appearance of lace work; the head

\\\\\\

spots of

black feathers intermixed; pink, and

bill

yellow

and the form more

;

the tail

])ulky,

of his g'olden relative.

the breast

and

is

less

The hen

colour,

is

white

is

g'i^'ing•

white with

black, leo-s

and

short,

elegant than that is

of an uniform

colour, neither disting-uished for beauty of plumag'e

or form.

The Arg-as, Keeves, and Medal hon phea-

sants are also

exquisitel}- beautiful,

but the Reeves^

i

THE beggars' square. pheasant

is

very

rarel}'

met with

93

China and we on ornithology^ feathers from the

in

have heen told hy a celehrated

^^l•ite^

that he had in his possession,

tail

Eeeves pheasant, which measured three

;

feet six inches

in leng-th.

In the suhurhs of the

city of Canton, about a mile

and a quarter from the Factories, is situate the beg-g'ars' square, which is an open space, extending- about an hundred and twenty 3'ards on either side, on one of which temples are built ; in the centre of tliis space are g-enerally cong-regated disreputable characters of the male sex,

who

are either g'ambhng", or recounting"

their various A'illanous exploits,

either of success or

detection, whilst near them, lying-

down exhausted

from disease and starvation, are to be seen invariahly mendicants, with only an old mat fastened round their bodies

;

many

of these unfortunate creatures die in

this space, as their indigent relations, ^\\\eYi

them

helpless

here, leaving*

from sickness or old

them

too frequently

breathing his

is

they find

them or hunger

ag*e, bring*

to die of disease, cold,

to be seen, a poor emaciated mortal

last,

near the body of a brother in

and poverty, whose spirit has already flo^vn j and it is no uncommon occurrence to see six or more dead bodies lying in the square which are removed durmg the day to be buried, by the orders, and at the expense of the Chinese Government. We quote the followino- from the Reverend Georo-e Smith's* Exdisease

;

was a Church Missionary in China, and did credit to his duty truthfully, meekly, faithfully, and Would, for the benefit of our Pagan brethren in China, and

* This gentleman his sacred calling,

humbly.

— doing

elsewhere, that all missionaries resembled alas,

him

in these essential points

for the Christian religion's sake, too frequently

sionaries the reverse of truthful,

meek, and humble.

do we find mis-

;;

CHINA AND THE CHINJLSE.

94

" Such is the baneful spell such the unhallowed mfluence of every

ploratory Yisit^ pag-e 44

of pag-auism

j

:

even A\ithin si^ht of Buddliist altars close by numerous temples^ dedicated to heathen g-ods under the vertical beams of all the benevolence that false rehg-ion

j

pag-anism can be supposed to diffuse

we behold

;

the

spectacle of death^ and the dying" sinking- hito the

grave; because none

^^'ill

help them^ and most of them

perish from actual starvation and neglect.

The most

corrupt form of Christianit}- knows no anomaly of this khid ; the most feeble measure of Christian influence forbids hung'er^ disease^ and penury, to ling-er witliin sig-ht; without making* an effort to impart relief j but

heathen priests permit the groan of the d^ing* sufferer to ascend to the sky, as a testimou}' to that declaration

of H0I3- AVrit,

'

The darh

jjlcices

of the earth are full

"

of the habitations of cruelty.' short distance from the beg'g-ars' square is the place of public execution, which is a frequented thoroug'hfare of about twenty-eig-ht feet ^^•ide, on one side of ^^•hich is a dead wall, on the other side potteries pans and jars

A

;

are spread to dry on the earth, which has been watered "with the

blood of China's miscreant sons.

The mode of execution usually adopted is beheadthe malefactor kneels upon the ground, the executioner twists his hand in his long* tail, raises ing*

;

and strikes off the head with a frequently, clumsy sword of native manufacture from the want of dexterity or nerve evinced by the headsman, the blow bas to be repeated many times, The severed before the poor wretch is decapitated. head and body are allowed to remain here for some days, unless permission has been granted to the the other hand,

;

MODE OF EXECUTION. friends of the culprit to

remove them

tions are frequent in this part^

behold a row of

it is

95 ;

and as execu-

a g'hastly

sig-lit

to

human

heads under a mat shed^ the bodies lying* near them^ a mat having- been originally carelessly thrown over them^ which has been pushed aside

by the

inquisitive curiosity of the passers.

not unfrequentty happens that a culprit the place of execution^ g'ag-ged^ and

is

It

broug-ht to

when

this does

man has been substituted wealthy delinquent who has boug-ht himself ofF^ by bribing- his mandarin^ and the latter fears that the poor wretch may make the disclosure, should his occur^

it is

because a poor

for a

tong'ue be left at liberty.

It must be in the recollection of our readers, the murder of our four countr3^men this year, who went on shore at a village near Canton poor fellows, their mutilated dead bodies were found days afterwards by their friends, who went to seek them. By dint of energetic appeals to the Chinese authorities, and threats held out by the Governor of Hong-Kong-^ ;

the murderers were found, after much desome miserable wretches, who looked emaciated

unless lay,

and starved, without the phj'sical force that could have enabled them to overcome and murder four Englishmen in the vigour of life, were brought to the

place

gagged, to suffer for the It was reported and believed,

of execution,

murders committed.

that these miserable objects were innocent of that crime, whatever others they might have committed,

and had been taken from the provincial jail, where they had been confined for theft, to suifer death for crimes perpetrated by their wealthier brethren in

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

96

The mandarin cared not who

iniquity.

suffered, all

he wanted was to satisf}' the British authorities, that the murderers had been broug-ht to justice, and keep himself clear of the Emperor's displeasure ; as the governor of each province for

the

g'ood

conduct of the

is

held responsible

people

he

is

placed

over.

In Canton there are one hundred and twenty-three temples,

dedicated

and

consecrated to

the

three

heathen sects, namety, Taou, Buddh, and Ju-kea-su, temples belong-, or Confucius j to these various about two thousand priests, and one thousand nuns, who are maintained out of the funds appertaining to the several places of worship

:

the revenues of which

estates, and money bestowed by the Emand wealthy individuals, for the maintenance The priests and of these temples of sin and vice. nuns are a vile, dissolute, profligate, illiterate set, the former frequently seeking* refuge in a temple, and becoming priests to avoid paying the penalty of theft or murder j whilst others Avill embrace the priestly profession, having no other means of livelihood, and from being too lazy to work. The revenues, set aside for the maintenance of temples, priests, and nuns in Canton, exceeds fifty thousand dollars, or 108,335/. Both nuns and priests have their heads entirely shaven, and wear long loose robes, of a sombre hue, usuall}' black, and are the most sinister, dirty, ill-looking folks, which the Emperor of China calls his subjects. In Doctor McPherson's work on China we read, at page 147, the following interesting and graphic account of a joss-

arise

peror,

from

VAULTS FOR THE DEAD.

97

which he had the opportunity of exploring- during* the hist war in China " On the 29th^ officers and men were to be seen in every direction^ walking- through the deserted streets of Canton j over a large portion of the western or temple^

liouse^

:

suburbs are some extraordinary tombs,

and places of worship of building, close under the

and magone very

nificent joss-houses,

:

extensive line

cit}'

walls,

appears solely devoted to the reception of the dead. These are placed in vaults, in strong, substantial,

japanned

coffins, elevated

on

pillars,

having painted

screens in front, perfumed incense-sticks burning at the head and feet, and variegated lamps

hung from

These

the ceiling.

coffins are of an enormous thickand strength j they are, for the most part, placed two in one vault, and with the exception of a

ness

close,

damp

was no unpleasant sensation Outside of these vaults, evergreens and

smell, there

perceptible.

creepers were tastefully arranged, and over the doors

of

many, bee-hives were

fixed.

In some, the beautiful

warbling of the lark and canary at once attracted attention. The poor little birds, neglected for so

many

days,

now welcomed

the sounds of approaching

footsteps, little fancying that they, too,

come lawful coffins

.

loot.

that were

almost natural

were to be-

The contents of a few of the opened, presented an appearance

the bodies were

embalmed they were dressed in a long, loose upper garment of silk or crape, which crumbled into powder on beingtouched tight breeches of the same material, and embroidered shoes. All those examined were males. In the right hand of each was a fan, and in the left a ;

all

•

•

VOL.

I.

H

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

98

of paper, having* Chinese characters written

piece

thereon.

In the corners and other empty space

in

the coffins were small bag's, containing- a strong*, and

very peculiar smelling* aromatic powder. To an antiquarian there were many things in this village to excite interest."

There are several handsome public buildings in Canton, amongst which the Hall of Confucius, and

academy of

literati,

The

are the finest structures.

number, built to commemorate the actions of deceased Emperors, or Viceroys of the Province, as well as the palaces of the mandarins, are worthy of remark. Canton is provided with six jails, some of which are appropriated to convicted felons, and are commodious buildino-s surrounded by hio-h double walls, and we regret to say, that all these jails are generally crowded vai'ious triumphal arches, thirteen in

w"ith

malefactors of every degree, as the natives

this province,

Kwan-tung, are celebrated

all over the\

world for their lawless propensities, and the manner which they openly defy the laws of China.

The

of,

ii

tower in the citv of Canton, is a loi building, on the top of which a watchman is stationed,

who

fire

strikes the bell or beats a 2*ono* as soon as

cerns the city in

symptoms of a conflagration

China

the purpose

5

government.

is

;

and

he

dig

in evei

a building, or Avatch-tower devoted X(\

maintained, at the expense of the local

In

these towers bells are usually sus

pended, ^hich are struck at the commencement

each watch, the night being

commencing

oi

diA'ided into five watches,]

at seven o'clock at night,

at five o'clock in the morning.

Some

and terminating of these bells are

FAA-TEE GARDENS. A'eiy larg'e

pag*e 450, is

^

'^

and

it

is

stated

by

99

Sir Georg"e Staunton,

that the bell in the A'i'atch-tower at Pekin

said to weig'li one

hundred and twenty thousand

pounds, being' forty feet wide, and

is

said to be the

We

confess that we should like by what means this enormous mass was suspended, and what description of roof, or In walls, could bear so ponderous a mass of metal. are bells the provincial towns of minor importance, not used by the watchmen, but these guardians of repose, awaken drowsy folk by beating* g'ongs, instead

larg*est in the world."

to have been informed

of ringing- a

bell,

should occasion require the slum-

berers to be suddenly awakened.

One of the

lions invariably visited are the Faa-tee,

or "flowery land" g*ardens, which are situated two miles and a half above the city of Canton, and on the opposite side of the river

]

these are in

ftict

nursery-

the Chinese proprietors cultivate flowers

and The head g-ardener drives a lucrative business, by furnishing' seeds to foreigners j but most unfortunately, the seeds sold by this old g'entleman rarely g-ardens,

for sale.

and he has frequently been accused of bakingor boiluig- them to prevent their g-erminating-, possibly with injustice, as Mr. Fortune states, at page 155, " I am quite certain that he does everything- in his power to preserve them, but very likely some may be a year or two old before they are despatched to Europe.

thrive,

Besides, the long- voyag-e

round the Cape, during-

A^hich the seeds have twice to cross the tropics, is very There are ten of prejudici-al to their germination."

none of them large, and the proprietors say they are not very profitable H 2 these Faa-tee or nursery-gardens

j

;

CHIXA AND THE CHINESE.

100

of the tenants of these g'ardens are situate at the entrance throug-h ^Ahich visitors pass: the walks of these g-ardens are narrow^ and the phmts

the dwelling'.s

are hi ornamental jars^ placed on either side. Various patches of g-round serve as stock-beds for the dwarf veg-etation (which

A\ill

be hereafter described in another

work)^ orang-es, roses^ cameUiaS; azaleas, and that curious citron which g-rows in the form of au extended hand; this fruit is much valued by the

part of

tliis

Chinese for to

its

ornament

delicious perfume,

their temples

and

all

is

used by the

dwelling's.

In

g-reat perfection,

these g-ardens are seen to

then ripe with

and

Flora's most exquisite

spring*

they are

g-ifts,

and we

cannot do better than quote the words of her talented disciple and celebrated botanist, Eobert Fortune, pag-e 153, " They are then gay with the tree poeony, azaleaSj camellias, and various other plants.

splendid, and reminded

me

Horticultural Societ^- at exhibitions were on a

o-arden

was

The azaleas are

of the exhibitions of the

Chiswick, but the Faa-tee

much

larg-er scale

and every

one mass of blossom, and the different

colors of red, A\hite,

and purple blended

a most beautiful imi)Osing-

The

effect.

tog-ether,

had

principal kinds

were azalea indica, hidica alba, phoenicea, laterhia, I may varieg-ata, and the yellow azalea sinensis. mention in passing-, that I found the latter plant wild

on the a

]S^ing--po hills, so

'A AND THE CHINESE.

112 seized the

ground.

opium pipe^ and is about to dash it on the The fifth depicts the opium smoker seUing"

who

is

clutches the dollars eag-erly, and

is

an old

his daug'hter to

hag*;

exclude his child's shrieks^ as she to a

j

;

he

hurrying' out of

ahode^ with his hands to his ears^ to

his wretched

home

a procuress

is

taken from her

the old hag' g-rins demoniacally^ as she points

common bamboo opium

pipe^

she drao's her tlirous'h the door.

and to the g-irl^ as In the sixth we see

the devotee^ in the g-reatest distress, beg-ging- a few

cash from a brother beg'g'ar, paltr}' alms, points to a

smoking-

smoker

is g'oing*

in

the

debility, he

stag*e

torted and wan, and he

is

;

opium

depicts the

of mental

a drivelling- idiot

is

as he receives the

wretched shed, Avhere opium

The seventh

on.

last

who

and physical

every feature dis-

placing- the Jinger

of his

dead child in his mouthy mistakinr) the limb in his folly for an opium pipe the wretched wife and mother g-azes at her idiot husband, and dead child, Avith starvation and despair imprinted on her countenance. The wife is Avinding- silk, and a China trader offers her some copper cash, pointing- to the )

skein of silk Avliich

is

half AAOund; the man's

bears the impress of ang-er, as

the Avoman last

Avitli

tardil}'

if

face

he Avere reproachino-

performing- her task.

The

drawing- represents the father and child lying*

dead, the mother dyino- from star\ation, Avith nouMit

save a tattered \s

mat

to

cover

her emaciated body;

hilst throug-h the dilapidated Avail a bridal

procession

oman

turns her

can be seen, on A\hich ])iteous

dying-

a\

as if contrasting- lier present position

g'aze,

with the day

tlie

a\

hen she also

Avas

borne a bride,

full

of

1

BEAUTIES OF LUM-QUA'S DRAWINGS. hope and joy^ to

lier

113

home which had

husband's

proved to her a charnel-house. ^^•TJpon closely examming- these drawing-s^ their mani-

became more and more apparent^ and the opium smoker's prog'ress would not disg-race Hog-arth, fold beauties

either for conception or handlingfull}^

correct

in

all

this series is pain-

;

as those

details^

its

who have

watched the career of an opium devotee can the accuracy and fidelity observed

testify

by Chinese

j

artists

generally^ contrasts strang'ety_, and at times amusing-ly,

with the attempts made by our sent Chinese customs and

own

manners ;

artists^ to

repre-

in representing- a

criminal receiving- the bastinado^ Eng-lish draftsmen

have depicted the

feet of the criminal as being- held

by

two Chinamen attired in long- silken robes^ '\\ith satin boots, and wearing- mandarin caps, with peacocks' feathers dang-ling- from them. Executioners never were honored with such appendag-es to their toilette this cap, robe, and boots, never are, and dare never be worn by any, save mandarins, or their families. *

As

reg-ards the peacock's feather,

it is

a hig-h honour,

onh' conferred by the Emperor upon some especial favourite, or meritorious individual, who has rendered

On some occasions, when some service to his country a mandarin has peculiarly distinguished himself, the individual may have the proud distinction of receivbut ing- three peacocks' feathers from the Emperor .

',

this rarely

happens.

It

is

considered nearly as g-reat

an honor to receive this feather, as to obtain from the Emperor, the gift of some of his personal appendag-es such as a fan and fan-case, vvhich is the highest disVOL.

I.

I

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

114 tinction

known.

Lum-qua pointed out

ordinary discrepancies in an Eng-lish

these extra-

work

sa3dng',

;

" suppose Englis man no plenty know wh}^ for talk lie some datj me tinU he plenty jfo^Zo : Cliinaman no all some foolo^ what see can do^ what no see no can do ;" and in these sentiments we coincide with Lum-qua^ the Sir Thomas Lawrence and Ho-

pig-eon all

g-arth of China.

From Father

Ripa's Narrative of his Residence at

the Court of Pekin^ P^g'^ 54^ we are led to helieve that oil-painting' had been introduced into China by

"a

certain Gerardino" before

Ripa was

in the

em-

pirCj as he was assisted by the Chinese pupils of

Gerardino in painting- landscapes for^ and by, the Father Ripa Avent to China Emperor's command. about 1703^ and quitted the empire about 17J24, and

from the style of his writing* we came to the conclusion, that oil-painting" had onty just been introduced by Gerardino into China, a very short time previous to 1703; so that in little more than 145 years the Chinese artists, of talent, have succeeded in bring'ing* to perfection their painting-s in oils

extraordinary,

when we

;

this is

consider that they have not

the advantag'es enjoyed by Europeans, of being- able to study from various schools

means of

and styles their only from painting-s ;

obtaining- knowledg-e being-

imported into China, which naturally are not of the first class, ing*,

or best school.

from Ripa, pag-e 54

'^ :

The For

following-

is

interest-

their painting-s in oil

they do not employ canvass, but corea paper, with no farther preparation tlian a mere wash of rock alum water.

This paper

is

often sold in sheets as larg-e as

PAINTINGS ON COREA PAPER. a blanket^ and tear

is

so strong* that I

115

was not able

to

it."

To paper

this day^ for inferior pictures this coarse corea is

used; but for the hig-her

class^

canvass

invariably employed.

I

2

is

—

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

116

CHAPTER —

—

YII.

Description of Macao Its churches and public buildings Macao Government of the city Jesuit cathedral The half-caste beauties of Macao Their toilette Camoens' Cave English burial-ground and

— —

—

tombs

The

—Roman Catholic procession of

saints, angels,

view of Macao from the sea

beautiful "v\

— —

hich

piers,

j

is

and

devils.

most exquisitely

the semicircular appearance of the shore,

unencumbered, and unbroken by wharfs or and upon which the surg-e is continually breakis

and receding-

waves of foam, a\ hereon the sun g-litters in thousands of sparkling- beams, presents a scene of incomparable and unsurpassable beauty. Tlie Praya Grande, or g-rand Parade, A\hich is faced vsiX\\ an embankment of stone, fronts the sea, and is fully ing-,

in

half a mile in leng-th

;

a

row of houses of

larg*e

and

imposing- exterior, extend the m hole distance, from one

end

to the other of this delig-htful

promenade

;

some

of these dwelling's are coloured externally, pink, pale yellow, and white.

These houses to the g-round,

arrang-ed in to a

A

isitor,

\\\i\\

their laro-e

windows, extending-

mthout verandahs, and with curtains

tlie

continental fashion, convey the idea

that he has entered a

than Asiatic sea-port; and

European rather

this belief is streng-thened.

DESCRIPTION OF MACAO.

by the continual

ring-ing-

passmg- and repassing- of

of the

Eoman

117

church

bells^

the

Catholic priests clad

in cassocks and three-cornered hats^ and occasionally

a procession in honour of some of the manifold saints the Romish calendar^ pass along- the Pray a Grande. But the pleasing- illusion is speedily dispelled^ that belonging- to

the traveller the

sea_,

is in

Europe^ as the eye turning- towards

beholds the numerous san-pans and matsail

boats which

fill

the harbour^ or, glancing- shoreward,

upon figures clad in the Chinese costume. Macao stands upon a promontory belonging- to the island of Sheang'-shin, a narrow isthmus separatingthem j at one period the Chinese had a fort, most rests

carefully guarded, at this spot, to prevent foreigners

from visiting- the interior. The town is built upon two hills, which meet at right ang-les and the houses and dwellino's of the Portu^-uese and Chinese inhaj

bitants, with the places for public worship, belonging-

two nations, are curiously intermingled in the town, forming- a most heterog-eneous mass. At the rear of the town is an inner harbour, where there is very secure anchorage for small vessels but as this harbour is fast filling- up with sand, vessels of greater to the

;

tonnage are compelled to anchor in the roadstead, at In the sixa considerable distance from the shore. teenth century, Macao was given up to the Portuguese by the Emperor of China, as a reward for

by them, when they joined their with those of the Chinese, ag-ainst some daring-

services performed

forces

pirates, islands.

who

then, as now, infested the neighbouring-

:

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

118

For a leng-thened a most extensive empire^

but this

period^ the Portug-uese carried

and trade

prosperous

on

with the

trade

has g'radually diminished,

until at the present period, little business is transacted

Macao. Until the termination of the war, Macao was the only place at which the families of the British merchants were permitted to reside, as the Chinese authorities would not allow a lady to live at Canton they tolerated the merchants for a short period, during* the business season as it was termed , immediately this was terminated, or from caprice, a chop or notice would be issued by the mandarin, ordering* all foreio-ners to leave Canton within a certain number of hours y this mandate used to be quietty obeyed by our merchants, the China boatmen reaping* an abundant harvest by the larg*e sums paid for the fast boats as they are termed, which were eng*ag*ed by the Britishmerchants to transport them to Macao. The tyrannical sway exercised by the Chinese over the Portug'uese inhabitants of Macao, for man}^ years, was intolerable, for although Macao was g*overned nominally by a Portug'uese g'overnor appointed by the king* of Portug*al, bishops and judg*es, assisted by a senate, the power which the local Chinese authoritiesj If a Chinaman felt ag'-f usurped was unbearable. at

grieved he immediately laid his complahit before the

summary punishment upon a Portug*uese subject, or to make somel msolent demand if any resistance was made to his

mandarin, Avho never scrupled to

inflict

;

will,

he immediately cut off the supplies from thej issued an order, directing* all Chinese

mahi land, and servants to

leave

their

barbarian masters

:

prompt

ARBITRARY EDICTS OF THE CHINESE.

119

compliance with the hitter edict, used to cause the

most serious inconvenience to the Portug-uese and other European inhabitants of Macao ; and constantly, delicately -nurtured women, who had followed their husband in then' search after wealth, were compelled to perform the most menial offices in their households the local mandarin used not to revoke these arbitrary edicts,

The

his demands had been complied with. government of Macao, it must be presumed,

until

local

originally submitted to these t^Tannical proceeding-s,

and to the interference on the part of the Chinese authorities, in the vain hope that this pusillanimous conduct on then- part would secure to theu* nation an exclusive This mistaken trade with, and settlement in China. both betrayed weakness,

line of conduct, or policy,

and evinced ignorance of the Chinese character, as the national foible is to tyrannize, and extort, the

more to

j

their exactions are complied Avith, or submitted

but the Chinese will become suppliants, and subwhen met with a firm,

missi^ely, servilely subservient, unflinchino" resistance.

Amaral, the present Governor of Macao (unless recalled Awhile this is passing- through the Senhor

press), has

Chinese

determined to

native boatmen,

who

resist the interference of the

and

authorities,

severely

punished

some

attacked Portug-uese soldiers

:

in

the skirmish several Chinese were killed, and the local mandarin demanded redress for the lives lost in the fray,

and an apolog-y

for presuming- to punish the

Empke.

Senhor Amaral

declared that the g-overnment of

Macao was indewas a settlement

subjects

of the

Celestial

pendent of that of China,

as

it

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

120

Kino- of

beloiio-ino- to the

Poi'tii2-al;

wlio

had vested

life and death over all the that if the Cliinese chose and inhabitants of to reside there, they must abide by the laws of Portuo-al that beino- Governor of Macao he would not

in

him the poA\er of

Macao

)

;

permit the Chinese, more than any other power, to interfere

Avitli

foreig-n

This

his actions or conduct.

decided and firm course subdued the Chinese authori-

who parted amicably from the Governor of Macao and should this g-entleman persist in, or be

ties,

;

permitted by his g-overnment to follow up, this most judicious line of conduct, Macao ma}- ag-ain rise like a phoenix from the ^^reck of former g-randeur.

commencement of

this

jear we

^^'ere

At

the

informed that

the supplies had been cut off for a short period by the Chinese, but our informant did not particularize, or state the result.

The

climate of Macao, althoug-h in the same latiis comparatively healthy, and and provisions are materially lower in

tude as Hong--Kong", house-rent price.

The population of Macao

is

variously estimated,

unfortunately the statistical returns cannot be relied

upon, but we believe the most correct estimate is, that the Portug'uese inhabitants are under seven thousand, Avhilst the Chinese nearly double that number.

Among'st were not Europe.

The

tlie

two

whole Portug'uese

hundred

military force

tliat

population

had

Ijeen

there

born

in

weak, and

inefficient, as the Portug'uese g*arrison consists only of four hundred

soldiers

and

is

eig-hteen officers, tlie pa}-, both of officers

EOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

121

and men^ being- extremely small as the exchequer of the PortugTiese g'overnment was frequently at a very low ebb^ the g'overnment were frequently arrears :

m

^^dtli

their employes.

The revenue

of

Macao was formerly

raised^

by the

duties levied on imj^orts

but as the trade o-radually ) declined^ as a natural consequence the local funds failed also

the g'overnment most judiciously in 1846

:

made Macao a free port^ and le\ded an income-tax upon the inhabitants of Macao to proWde funds for the local expenditure^ and this measure' appeared to g-ive universal satisfaction to the Portug'uese; who

on imports^ may induce merchants to settle there^ and that Macao may ag'ain become one of the chief commercial cities trust that

the

of the East

:

abolition of duties

must elapse before

^^ears

can take place^ nevertheless the

first

this reaction

step has been

taken towards re-establishing' the trade of Macao stated that formerly

is

Portug'uese used to

it

commerce.

being- enofao-ed in

The Roman

visit

:

more than tAventy thousand Macao^ the principal portion churches

Catholic

in

this

city

are

numerous^ and some are magnificent specimens of architecture; the finest edifice among' them was the Jesuits'

church or cathedral^ which was destroj'ed

by

some

fire,

fcAV

the destruction

by

Chinese

vered

:

the

of this

some estimate may

building*

many

believino-

that

was caused

who remained

undisco-

be formed of the pristine

from the front portion^ and uninjured; this part richly carved and ornamented

building'^

entire is

;

noble building'

incendiaries^

beauty of this which remains of

years ao-o

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

122

^\ith statues of various saints as larg-e as life^ wliilst

in the

numerous

niches^ are placed smaller statues of

the founder of the order of Jesuits^ and most cele-

brated superiors of their monasteries

summit of a broad and noble

llig-ht

;

situated at the

of steps^

it

presents

the melancholy aspect of departed magnificence and

gTandeur^ most painful to dwell upon ; would that we could add^ that superstition and bigotry were also

manner with

decaying', in like

of ecclesiastical architecture;

this splendid

we

for

specimen

dej^lore to be

compelled to confess, that in no part of the world, has the Church of a stronghold for in

Rome more

completely obtahied

abuses, and superstitions than

its

Macao. Besides numerous churches, there are three monas-

teries,

a convent, a college for the instruction of the

Portuguese, or proselytes from the Chinese nation,

who

profess to have embraced the

Roman

Catholic

religion.

There are several charitable

institutions in the city

among the most useful of these, will be found a grammar, and other schools, a female orphan asylum, and hospitals for both sexes ; these are suj)ported by and voluntary contributions from the Por-

bequests,

tug-uese inhabitants.

The

city of IMacao

is

defended by several well-con-

structed forts and batteries, one of the latter protects

the

Pray a Granda,

wliilst

on the

neiii'hbourino- hills

are various forts, which A\ould prove inefficient were

the Chinese to attack the inhabitants of greatest

enemy

to

would be famine,

be iu

Macao

;

the

dreaded by the Portuguese the event of a

war

y^ith.

the

PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF MACAO. Chinese

;

for as the principal supplies

123

come from the

mainland^ naturally the Chinese, in laying-

sieg-e

to

Macao, would cut them off. The public building-s of Macao are of no despicable character j the senate-house being- a remarkably fine building', the roof of which is supported by pillars, or columns, on some of \^'hich is inscribed, both in the Chinese and Portug'uese lang'uag'es, the Emperor of Cliina's g-rant of Macao, to the crown of Portug-al. The Custom-house, which faces the inner harbour, is

a fine extensive buildino*

being'

;

the internal arrano-ement

most convenient and adapted for carrying' on which was formerly^

business on an extensive scale

the case, but

now

'•^

has been made a free port,

by

larg'e,''

measure will, doubtless^ an increase of trade, and

the wealthy inhabitants

^^ill,

considerably aug-mented,

by an

^^'ith

too

judiciously,

tliis

causing*

American merchants,

is all

As Macao, most

being- nearly useless.

benefit the to^^i

j

this fine building-

in

all

probability,

be

and

influx of British

their establishments, should

they be driven from Hong'-Kong-, either by the insalubrit}' of climate, or by injudicious enactments of the local o'overnment.

The annoyances formerly experienced at the customhouse of Macao, deterred many from visiting- the port, as the oflicers used to perform their duty in a

most

offensive

opening*

every

manner,

insisting-

upon

article,

even of

lad^"^s

was charg-ed upon the most

trifling-

inspecthig-,

apparel

j

and duty

necessary, such as

a few ounces of tea, the surjilus of sea stores j frequent complaints were also made of various tliing-s,

which were constantly abstracted

fi'om

lug-g'ag'e

or

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

124

and it was too frequently proved^ to be but time and labour expended, when redress was sought to be obtained at the hands of the authorities belong-ino* to the Portuo-uese Government. Althoug-h the public buildings of Macao are handg-oods^

some, the houses capacious, and the prhicipal thoroughfares and streets wide j yet on all sides, and at every A\inding, the symptoms of decay and departingprosperity are too visildy apparent 5 here is a noble

mansion unrepaired, there another falling into ruin, o-rass oTOA\-s unchecked between the interstices of the pavement, in the most frequented streets, and even on Amongst the the steps which lead to their churches. but too were inactivitv Portua'uese, indolence and evident, A\'hilst the Chinese were occupied in their

employments and shops, with the perse verhig* industrv habituallv seen in a Chinaman. The majority of the lower orders of the Portuguese inhabitants, are natives of Goa, Avhose European blood has become almost extinct, from the hitermarriages of several

many generations,

with the natives, or half-castes of Ja-

pan, China, and INIalacca

;

the extreme ugliness of these

degenerate representatives of the Portuguese nation, scarcely admits of description

are generally of low

j

both

men and

stature, thick-set

^\

and broad,

omen witli

enormously large hands and splay feet; they have dingy black skin,

coarse, curly, coolly ]jlack hair, larg-e

goggle

])lack eyes, eyelids red Avitli

ophthalmia,

(which seem to l^lush for the absence of eyelashes, for

no

visible

sym})toms of a lash

is

brow,

flat noses,

low bushy eye-

discernible),

scowling' brow, ornamented m ith a tliick

half the width of their faces, wide

THE HALF CASTE BEAUTIES OF MACAO. mouthy and enormously

men

as the

we

are,

blubber

tliick

Hideous

lij^s.

we must be

fear,

125

ung-allant

and say, the women are

enoug'li to speak the truth,

ten times worse, or as a French officer said to us ^^

Yraiment,

The

elles sont laides

fair sex,

a

fait

peur."

by courtesy, among'st

this class, attire

their beauteous persons in exceeding-ly g-audy, coloured,

larg'e-patterned cotton dresses

shoulders they throw a

which

is

also

made

5

over their heads, and

Spanish mantilla or scarf,

of hig'hly-g-lazed cotton, the colours

being- equally brilliant, with those of the

thoug'h the pattern

and

g'lazing",

totally dissimilar

is

both of mantilla and

;

g'own, al-

the desig'ns

g'Own,

remind

looker-on, forcibly, of an old-fashioned Eng-lish

the

bed-curtain, of at least a century old.

These lovely

creatures cross and recross their mantillas over their

exuberant black

any way,

roll

bystanders

busts,

in short,

5

which

about their

by

eyes, and og'le the

and demeanand graces of the Portu-

their gestures

our, try to imitate the airs g'uese beauty,

unsupported in

are

g*og"g'le

and the caricature

is

ludicrous in the

extreme.

The men of this adopted by

all in

class dress in the

European fashion

the East, namely, jackets and trousers.

There are some Portugaiese families of hig-h respecMacao 5 and the upper classes, as

tability resident at

in Portugal,

adopt the Parisian style of dress

personal appearance of in

Europe,

many

being', as it

;

the

frequently

disting-uished for beauty both of

is

form and

feature.

Some of the Chinese have intermixed with the beforenamed mongrels ; and the principal difference observ-

I

i

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

126

able between these half castes^

the China half caste being-

more

in the complexion,

is

yelloAV,

and

less black,

than the Portug'uese hybrid. Many of the shops and bazaars of Macao belong- to the Chinese inhabitants

and

ino'lv wealthy,

Avho frequently are exceed-

;

avail themselves of the necessities

of the Portug'uese to lend

money

made over forfeited,

as security

as the

;

an enormous rate

at

houses and land

of interest, the title-deeds of

Ijeing*

which too frequently become

Crown of

Portuo-al has not

more

extravagant, or dissolute subjects, than those which inhabit Macao.

Two

Chinese joss-houses, and a monastery are

tuated on the outside of the toAvn also

some

si-

^here there are

hio-hlv cultivated nursery-o-ardens, belono--

ing to Cliinamen, who

same care which is

;

upon these grounds the

bestoA\'

is visible in all their Avorks,

and which

characteristic of their nation.

The great

lion of

Macao was a Bird

of Paradise, of

great beauty, which had li^ed in confinement for more than ten years; many ornithologists assert that this bird was the only one of this peculiar species, which

had

lived for

any time

this

splendid

specimen of nature's exquisite handi-

in

captivity.

Unfortunately

works died at the commencement of 1845 the aviary, which formerly belonged to Mr. Beale, who took great ;

interest

in

Natural

History,

is

now comparatively

neglected, the l)irds drooping and dying* one alter the

other; by this time, in

all

ju'obability, the

whole of

the birds are dead, as last year but few specimens of

the feathered tribe were alive.

The most

interesting object

now

to be seen at

Ma-

THE CAVE OF CAMOENS. cao^

127

the Cave of CamoenS; the author of the Lusiad

is

;

Camoens wrote this exquisite poem at Macao^ where he had been banished for some political offence^ it is asserted by cotemporaneous authors. The cave,* which folks say the poet wrote the Lusiad, is situated at the summit of a rock, over which is erected a very eleg-antly tasteful temple, in which is placed a fine bust of Camoens j on the walls are inscribed some of his choicest lines in the orio-inal, to which is also added, a Chinese translation some of

in

:

these lines are descriptive of the boundless sea

beneath

lying'

:

and we were at a

loss

now

whether most

to admire the truthfulness of the description, or the

sublimity of the prospect.

The

ground is like all receptacles for the dead in Asia, crowded to repletion with subjects of Great Britain ; whose tombs fill the space around with mournful reflections. Oh, g'old and fame how life and health, are sacrificed in the search after each of thee As we g-azed upon the sepulEng'lish burial

!

!

* This cave

situated within the pleasure-grounds attached to the

is

residence of a Portuguese gentleman,

through

in conducting us

his

who was most

courteously polite,

beautifully-arranged garden and groves,

where flourish in perfection the finest trees, of several rare species. We have seen in print ill natured remarks, accusing this gentleman of ostentation and rudeness, but we must say, that we believe this accusation to be perfectly groundless for when we extolled his grounds, the taste and care with which they were laid out, and the beautiful prospects seen from the ;

gentleman appeared disposed to depreciate everything, and to attribute our commendations to good breeding it is more than probable, that the person who wrote, or dictated, the remarks alluded to, may be the same individual who was handed over to the police for impertinent intrusion, and insults offered to the ladies, of this gentleman's family. The owner of the groimds in which Comoens' Cave is situated is noted throughout Macao, for his politeness and hospitality. poet's cave, this

:

—

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

128

many names

familiar to us met our eye and we looked upon one which broug-ht back to our mind melancholy recollections of b}'o'one days ; as we recalled the many happy^ pleasant, social hours that we had passed tog-ether. The monument we allude to is a noble one, befitting* chres,

;

among'st others

the hio-h rank and A\'orth of him to

we

allude to

whom

erected

it is

Lord John Spencer Churchill, whose

numerous, manly, honest virtues, is enshrined deeply and affectionately in the hearts of all those masonic brethren, ^\ho had the

memory, owing-

g-ratification

At

the

to the

to his

and honor of

his acquaintance.

commencement of

Roman

this chapter,

we

alluded

Catholic processions, which are con-

tinually seen in the streets of

Macao, and most painful

is it to a Protestant to witness, in the midst of a heathen land, this fearful idolatry and mockery of

relig'ion, g-ot

up by those who bear the name of Chris-

tians.

The

superstitious procession

we now

allude to,

was

honor of the fete of a Roman Catholic saint, who awaited at a church which bore his name, the visit of

in

hio-h a brother saint from a neio-hbourino- church mass having been celebrated, and a pompous, leng-thy oration delivered in honour of the feted saint, before a crowded cong-reg-ation, Avhich consisted of all ranks :

of the Portug'uese inhalntants, proselytes, the

order

procession

a\

ith

formed

some few Chinese in

the

folloA\ in--

:

First

gTul)by

came des enfans de Avhite

their lung's

surplices,

most

clioeur, dressed in

chanting-

lustily,

energ-etically, swing-ing- to

very

exerting*

and fro

ROMAN CATHOLIC PROCESSION. incense burners

lig"lited

couples^

attired

in

then followed

j

black

129

tlie priests^

and these

robes^

in

g-entry

were chanting*^ as vehemently as the bo3's in fact, each^ appeared desirous of outbawling- the other. ]N^ow ',

came

forth the saint^ borne on the shoulders of four

upon which he stood was very

priests; the platform being*

g-ay^

bedizened

coloured calico tinsel leaves

which the support

;

with a profusion of g'audy-

flowers,

which were encircled

a large white bird stood by his side, on

:

hand of the fio-ure seemed to rest for whether the bu*d was intended to represent rio-ht

a stork, crane, ostrich, or swan, tain

y

we could not

ascer-

do we believe that the most learned

neither

ornithologist,

what

^vitli

would have been able

to

determine to

particular species, this feathered biped

apper-

tained.

The

was followed by little girls, from three to five years of ag'e, who were most absurdly and ludicrously dressed more especially when Ave remember these little animals were intended to repreThese minute specimens of humanity sent ang-els. were attired in white muslin frocks, worn o^er an fig'ure,

or idol,

;

amber-coloured calico under-dress, these apparel being' stuck out by hoops, which

breadth of the heigiit

j

little

articles

made

of the

mortals more than double their

the frocks were exceedingiy short, in order to

exhibit the mao-nificence of their shoes

and

stockino-s.

The bottoms of their dresses were ornamented with calico flowers, and tinsel leaves, to match those wliich adorned the g'raven imag"e

;

on

their little leg's

were

scarlet silk stocking-s with g-reen cloaks, whilst their

tiny feet "were encased

VOL.

I.

in

brig'ht

blue

satin

K

shoes

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

130 large

-wing-s

of g-olden tissue

and around bon,

"\\itli

Some

their bodies

waved from

their shoulders

were broad sashes of pink

rib-

streamino' ends reachino- to their heels.

of their heads were encircled wdth wreaths of

brig-ht-coloured calico flowers, others were decorated

with towering' plumes of manv-coloured ostrich feathers;

and

and

last

least of

about three years of

them

ag*e,

brazen helmet on her

ivee

all,

came a

little

mortal,

with a shining-, resi)lendent, head, from the top of

^^

Inch

issued a

snowy plume which

this tin}^

sample of

her

head to and fro as she strutted on, with conand her assumed dignity was ludicrous ;

little

human

fluttered in tlie wind, as

nature, and vanity, tossed

scious pride

in the extreme.

The

hair of these children

was tortured

into the

tight round curls of an English coachman's bob-wig

and the little creatiu*es seemed delighted at the praises and encomiums, lavished by the bystanders upon their toilettes

tomed

;

evincing great satisfaction at their unaccus-j

and overloaded heads. Following' these children, were men who wen doing penance, dressed as devils and demons bearing hideous marks on their faces, horns on their heads, and lono- ])lack serg-e robes tied round their middles^ b}' a thick hempen rope; to their feet were attached chains, which dragged after them on the ground as they walked ; their hands were also manacled, and they continmillv clanked their chains too-ether. These finery

;

miscalled penitents were continually passing' jokes with

the bystanders, and friends, who chanced to be near them, seeming highly amused at their own grotesque appearance and absurd characters represented by them ;

MOCKERY OF CHRISTIANITY. the rear of the procession was brought

131

up by a vast

concourse of spectators.

We felt

grieved and horror-stricken at this terrible

mockery of in the

religion

name

j

this

awful

mummery^ performed

of Christianity before

assembled heathen ; as

it

blance to the visit paid

the

eyes of the

bore far too close a resem-

by one heathen deity

to the

temple of another.

What must

be the estimate of Christianity^ in the minds of the Chinese^ who continually witness such scenes as the one described 5 they may well inquire in

what

mark of difference^ ceremonies ordered^ by pag-an^ and

consists the

apparent in the

papal idolaters

distinctive

?

k2

— 132

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

CHAPTER

YIIL

I Amoy— Fortifications — Grandiloc[uence of the Chinese — Taking of Amoy —Town— Arsenal— Trade of Amoy— Opium traffic—Joss-houses at White Stag Hill—Roman Catholic village—First traders of Amoy

—Koo-lung-soo— Sickness of troops—Burial-ground— Old tombstones —Extraordinary rocks—Traditions —IMandarin's house and grounds Barbarian ghosts.

He-E-mun,

or

Amoy,

is

an Island

in tlie

Province of

Foo-keen, and the city is of a third class, situate in Lat. 24° 82' Nor., Lon. 118° C East, and has a remarkably fine harbour and bay, capable of affording- safe anchorao'e to one hundred is

throug'h a narrow

The population

of

sail,

the entrance to

Amoy

which

on either

passag-e, fortified

side.

exceeds 200,000, the g-reater

portion of whom are occupied in the coasting- trade, and like the inhabitants of all sea-ports in China, are

a turbulent difficulty to

race,

which the mandarins have

keep in order. The

eio'ht miles in

cit}'

of

Amoy

g-reat

about

is

circumference, includino- the outer town

or city, and north-eastern environs

;

the outer

town

with on the summit, a paved pass to a covered g*ateway, and is skirted by the outer harbour ;" whilst the city is

separated from the city by a chain of rocks,

^^

bounded by the inner harbour. Eug-g-ed hills rather more than five hundred feet in heig'ht skirt the city,

is

FORTIFICATIONS OF AMOY.

133

and the dwellings^ and warehouses of the inhabitants are built in the valle}'.

Amoy

is

well fortified^ as the citadel^ which

is

more

than a mile in circumference commands the inner town^ and is surrounded by a turreted wall; which varies in heig-ht from eighteen to thirtj'-three feet;

an inner rampart^ which extends the whole of the way round the town. When our troops took AmoY; they found in the citadel larg-e g-ranaries well filled; arsenals which contained warlike weapons

there

of

is

also

all outlandisli descriptions^

such as

g'ing-alls;

spearS;

bamboo handles ten huge matchlocks; wall pieces; bows and arrowS; two handed swordS; bamboo shields; at least

in the form of a crescent; Avith feet

long-;

seven feet in circumference; with

militar}'- stores

of

all

The powder magazines were also found to be replete with combustibles; and materials for making* them whilst in the foundry Avere found guns in a various stageS; and the moulds for casting* them very great quantity of timber and naval stores were

kinds.

;

:

discovered; Avith several war-junks; not

3^et

completed;

on their stocks but a two decker; canying thirty guns was fully equipped and ready for sea. 5

The

folloAving anecdotC; connected Avith

illustrate the

Chinese on

occasions

manned by twenty

;

when

the

harbour of

on which a

fiery

Wellesley

Amoy,

man-

a mandarin

roAverS; Avith silken streamers

flying; stern decorated Avith lanterns; flag;

Avill

absurd grandiloquence adopted by the

all

of-Avar entered the inner

boat;

Amoy;

dragon

and Aoluminous

Avas depicted in the act

of devouring some nondescript; but Avhether biped or

quadruped deponent saith not; put

off

from shore^

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

134

The mandarin stated, flag- of truce. had been sent by the first mandarin to place in the hands of the commanding- officer a " chop f the purport of which was, a demand, on the part of the first mandarin, to know what our ships wanted in the harbour of Amoy, and " ordering- the showing' a white

that he

Hung--Maou, or

red-bristled barbarians to

for the outer waters

with

all

make

sail

despatch, ere the celestial

wrath should be kindled ag-ainst us, and before the g-uns from the batteries should vomit forth their deathdealing- fire, which would exterminate us, and our posterity to the Jifih generation.''^ The rejoinder was a summons from us red-bristled barbarians to require the surrender of

Amoy,

to

Her

Britannic Majest3r's

and as Fo-kee Avould not surrender, the redbristled barbarians vomited forth the death-dealinofu*e of their g'uns, and in less than eighteen hours from the time our ships entered the harbour of Amoy, our troops were in possession of the cit}^, " where theii* forces

\

-

m

'

mag'azines were bloAMi up, and their arsenals with their contents utterly destroyed

;

their best war-junks

upwards of five hundred and their fortifications experienced much the same fate."* Althoug'h war may be a political expedient necessary and dockyards were burned

;

g-uns were rendered unserviceable,

for the well- doing- of states,

trous effects produced

by

it

we cannot view the upon

disas-

individuals, without

shuddering-; the outrag-es committed

by our

troops,

both British and Indian, and the massacre attendant

upon the

taking- of

retrospectivel}'

Amo}^, are terrible to contemplate

—the more *

McPbcrsou's

especially Cbiiia,

when

page 209.

the last

war

I

CAPTURE OF AMOY. was, in plain Eng-lish, The

Opmm

135

War.

The pride

of the Chinese received a g-reat and severe blow,

Amoy

was captured, as

when

was considered impreg-nable by the Chinese, from the strength, and magnitude of the sea batteries, and citadel. The following* g-raphic description by McPherson, who was with the expedition^ is valuable from being- the account of an eyewitness before the sea batteries and fortifications were demolished by us " Sir Hug'h Goug*h proceeded to reconnoitre the These appeared to be of defences in the Plilegethon. every spot from whence vast extent and strength guns could bear upon the harbour was occupied, and it

:

:

strongly armed.

From

the point of entrance into the

inner harbour, the great sea lines of defence extended in one continued battery of granite

upwards of a mile.

This battery was faced with turf and in thickness, so that at a distance fortification

could be traced.

mud

several feet

no appearance of a

The embrasures were

and the slabs thickly covered with turf, so as men while working their guns. For four hours did the ships pepper at these enormous It never for batteries, without a moment's cessation. a moment appeared to slacken. The Blenheim and Wellesley alone each fired upwards of twelve thousand rounds, and yet the works were as perfect wdien they From twenty to thirty left off as when they began. people were all that were killed by this enormous expenditure of powder and shot." * roofed,

to protect the

As

soon as our troops landed commenced the

ble slaughter,

^^

killing

more men

terri-

in ten minutes than

* McPherson's China, page 203.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

136

the ships of war did the whole day;" some militaiy

mandarins

cutting* their throats or drowning-

them-

selveS; in presence of our troops^ to avoid the disg-race

of being*

made

Gladly do we turn

prisoners of war.

from this scene of bloodshed and devastation to the statements connected with peace and commerce j depraved must be the mind which can dwell with satisfaction

The

upon the concomitant misery of battle.

Tau-tai^ or Intendant^

and has under

Amoy

is

the chief mandarin^

is

his jurisdiction

three cities

the principal one, his

residence

but, as

j

is

there,

occasionally visiting* the others, as necessity or incli-

nation

His salary

1,400/.

per

more

The authority who ranks

after

than treble that sum. the Tau-tai,

is

about

perquisites arising* from the office

dictates.

annum, but the

is

the Hai-fong*, or magistrate, under

whose control the police are placed and his salary solel}' on fees, or rather hrihes ; and so lucra;

depends tive

is

the post considered, that

it is

invariably hovghty

the hig-hest bidder obtaining- the appointment, and as

much

as 1.5,000 dollars has been paid for it. The Hai-kean, or superintendent of customs, ranks next, and as the post is an honorary one (the work being* done by subordinates who remain permanently in office),

the Hai-kean, or military mandarin, for usually an old soldier

is

appointed,

is

removed every

six

months.

The military, consisting- of five thousand men, are under the command of tlie Cham-foo, or Colonel, whose pay is 120 dollars per mensem. The naval force of Amoy under the control of an admiral, or mandarin first rank, namel}-, the lied Button, who has usually' five-and-twenty junks under his command,

is

of the

THE TRADE OF AMOY.

137

which mount from six to twenty g'uns each. This is no sinecure^ and leaves little leisure for repose, for both life and limb are continually perilled^ the post

war-junks being- constantly in pursuit

of^

or eng-ag-ed

with^ the numberless pirates which infest these seas

the residence of this mandarin

handsome structure this building'^ that

Avithin the city

when our

a

is j

so

capacious and

commodious is

troops took

Amoy

the

whole staif and 18th reg'iment were quartered in without beino' crowded.

A house-tax and

is

levied

it,

upon the inhabitants of Amoy,

their houses are classified for the purpose

;

the

and a half per annum, the two second one and a half, and the third one dollar. These are g'athered by the Tee-poo, or head man of each district, the city being- divided into eighteen, and by him is handed over to the Hai-fong* j but the several local authorities derive a larg-e revenue by extortion, or bribes, to allow opium and g-ambling-houses to carry on their sinful trades, and by the g-ranting- of licenses to junks to trade abroad. The trade carried on at Amoy is very considerable, rice, camphor, and both in imports and exports in considerable Formosa from sug-ar are imported alum from Foo-chow-foo j cotton and quantities first class paj^s

dollars

:

:

silk,

—

—

—

both raw and manufactured,

fi'om Shang--hai-

pulse, oil-cake, a coarse calico of native manufacture,

more northern parts. The foreign imports comprise Bombay and Beng-al cotton, English cotton, and printed goods of and

g-rains of all kinds,

come

fi'om the

ever}- description, betel-nut, areka-nut, lead, steel, iron,

liquid indigo, rice, pepper, shark's fins, b^che-de-mer.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

138

and deer horns. The native exports Formosa sug'ar^ A\'liich is broug-ht from

grains^ buffalo consist of

thence and carefully repacked in

alum^

tubsj

larg-e

camphor^ sugar-candy^ eartheu\\'are^ umbrellas, tinsel paper, joss-sticks, and a variety of other articles used

by the natives of Foo-chow-foo, Ting-hae, Keang--min, and various towns in Mancho"\\' Tai'tary, ^^here the vessels take in j)eas and drugs ; no less than forty large junks annually frequent Baidiah, the capital of

The junks which

Siam.

and the Soo-loo

Many

Islands,

g'o

Borneo, Bata^ia,

to

are of the

largest

class.

of these vessels annually stop at Sing-apore to

procure opium, and British manufactures.*

The ated,

is

which

district in

this flourishing-

the most barren in

In

of Hong-Kong-.

all

town

situ-

is

China, with the exception

spite of these disadvantag-es,

spot in the empire, numbers so

no

many wealthy and

merchants as Am 03' from ^\"hence they have spread themselves all along the coast of Cliina, and have established commercial houses in many parts of the Eastern Archipelago. enterprising-

;

The junks of

Amoy

being- painted a bright

inhabitants

guish them

ha^ e this peculiarit}', namely,

green

call theii* vessels

from

the

coloui* at the

bow

;

the

green heads, to distin-

Canton junks,

A\hich

being*

painted a brilliant red, are termed red heads.

The contraband trade China's curse,

is

carried on at

Amoy in

^ery considerable, balls of

sold pubhcly, in the shops

j

it

opium, being

we have been informed

that the mandarins received each one mace, or about

fourpence three farthings (as a bribe to close their * "Ml. Lindsey's Report, pages 13, 14.

MOKALS OF THE POPULATION. eyes) for eveiy ball of

Amoy.

To the

opium

tliey

139

allowed to enter

of our Government be it that althoug'h the clippers were ordered out of the harbour of Amoy, they are permitted to ride at disg-race

said^

anchor outside the bay

;

and boats devoted wholly

to

carrying- the poisonous drug-, ply openly for hire.

Amoy may

prove a port of considerable importance

to the British merchant,

who

will confine

in trade to honest lawful traffic, as

it

is

dealing's

liis

distant but

sixteen days' joiu-ney from the principal Cong-ou tea chstrict:

and as the natives of

prising-, speculative race,

Every

carried on.

Amoy,

current in ditto,

Amoy

are an enter-

a thriving- trade mig-ht be

description of silver coin passes

hy weight, Spanish dollars, Mexican

Indian rupees, Dutch guilders, Eng-lish

shilling's

and sixpences, are taken by the natives mth equal a\idity. Gold the Cliinese do not estimate as a circulating* medium, and those parties who msh to pay for merchandise in doubloons or sovereig-ns, lose by the low rate g-iven for

these

coins

theless, g-old is occasionally

medium, as

lating-

b}"

the

Cliinese

never-

:

used in China as a

ing-ots, or

bars of

g'old,

cii'cu-

of a very

pure description, ^eig'hing- several ounces, are g-iven by the natives of Amoy for g-oods purchased of our traders.

The morals of the people of Amoy are most depraved, murder and robbery are constantly occurrmg*, and arise

being-

wliich

quarrelsome people, frequent disputes

a

end in bloodshed.

selling- g-irls for

on to a

g-irl

or rather is

carried

the ordinary price demanded for from twehe to fourteen years of ag-e,

g-reat extent

a healthy

Slavery,

the purposes of prostitution, ;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

140

varies from fifty to one

hundred and

All

fiftv dollars.

writers ag-ree in stating* that in no part of China

is

an extent as it is at remembered^ it is only female inftints

infanticide carried to so g-reat

Amoy

but be

:

it

that are murdered^, as bo3-s can perpetuate the

name^ and are reg-arded as an honour g-irls

AA-liilst

are considered a burden.

was taken, numberless

fathei-'s

to their parents,

AVhen

Amoy

bodies of female infants were

found in a stag-nant ])ond, overgro^ni with weeds;

Amoy

yet in

a well-built

reception of children,

The most lence

relig-ion

j

the

was supported by the Emperor.

comi)licated system of morality or benevo-

of

is

foundling- house for

little

avail,

to prove this,

temples in the

beg-g-ars'

when unaccompanied by true we remind our readers of the square at Canton, with starving-

mendicants prostrated by disease dying- at their pornow Ave see a foundhng- house on one spot, a

tals:

stag-nant g-reen pond, filled with the bodies of

mur-

dered female children, on the other is this in accordance with the precepts of benevolence inculcated by the Buddhist priest, or Confucius, the philosopher? •

We

read in Smith, pag-e 489, '^Female infanticide openly confessed and divested of disg-race by its fre-

quency the scarcity of females leading- as a consequence to a variety of crimes habitually staining- the )

domestic hearth g-ence,

;

the alarming- extent of opium indulthe productiAeness, and natural

destroyhig-

resources

of the people;

the

universal

practice

of

and suspicions of dishonesty between man and man,— the unblushing- lewdness of vouno- and old, the full unchecked torrent of human depravity, prove

lying-,

the existence of a kind and a deg-ree of moral degra-

TEMPLES OR JOSS-HOUSES.

141

dation among' the people^ of which an excessive statement can scarcely be made^ and of which an adequate conception can rarely be formed. Such is the moral and social condition of a population among- whom the banner of the Gospel has at leng'th been unfurled^ and to whom its life-giving* truths are now in humble faith

prochiimed."

The heathen temples and handsome

about a mile from the

Amoy

or joss-houses at

curious

more

structures^ cit}^^

upon "White

are

especially Stag* Hill

j

several of these heathen places of worship are built

on a most picturesque spot^ at the summit of rocks, and appear to be overhanging- the cityj groves of ban3"an trees surround the temples, under whose luxuriant umbrageous foliage the priests idle away the greater part of the

On

da}'.

the walls of these

joss-houses various moral inscriptions are to be found such as " Live well and die happy." '^ An un-

—

dutiful son diso-races himself."

disobedient child."

—

^^

All must shun

— " The chief aim of '^

the practice of virtue."

If

life

man would

a

should be supplicate

devoutly the ruler of Heaven, then will ensue longlife,

riches, dutiful sons,

house at the foot of the

One

and happiness."

hills

joss-

on the south beach, and

near the fortifications, was exposed to the

fire of our men-of-war during the storming* of Amoy, the shot an perforating the walls, causing* much damage old priest related the terrors he and his comrades experienced, when a cannon-ball dashed through the )

wall, killing priests

and demolishing

idols

j

but that

as soon as he, the cannon-ball, found out the sanctity

of the building he was

damaging

— and became aware

— :

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

142 that

number one Joss

or Biicldh^

was

he^

Mr. Cannon-ball^

the

idol^

remaining- motionless^ as

for

the

mischief committed

man shows

in this temple

rolled harmlessly to the feet of if

the

;

imploring- pardon superstitious

old

this cannon-ball as a corroborative of the

The temple

truth of his story, literal^. or the g'od of war^

is

in the outer city

;

of Kwan-te^ this idol has

a piece of glass placed upon the abdomen^ intended as a representation of the immortal soul j on either side of Kwan-te are two monstrous idols^ whose hideous visag-es are

most unpleasant

to look upon^ these idols

are considered as servitors or henchmen of the bloodthirsty g-od Kwan-te, Close by is another joss-house

dedicated to Buddh's mother havingthis

eig-hteen

number

who

represented as consequently the idol has

hands^

is

spring-ing- in various directions

ui)per part of her person

:

the female

considered as attendants upon

idols^

Buddh's mother are

placed near the man3--handed imag-e,

and tawdry

from the which are

bedizened in

Another temple was consecrated to the first disciples of Buddh^ eig-hteen in number, and this temple was considered of peculiar tinsel

finer}'.

sanctity, as the priests protested, that all

who made

a liberal offering- to this temple had their dearest wishes fulfilled in this world. The cunninf>- doo-s they understood human nature thoroughl}-, consequently promised a speedy return for the capital invested.

In a

villag-e

about forty-three miles from Amoy, is about five hundred) pro-

the population (which fess Christianity, a

Spanish

Boman

Catholic priest,

resides among- them, performing- openly the relio-ious

FIRST BRITISH FACTORY AT AMOY. ordinances

Romish Church.

of the

143

Monsieur Le

Grene^ the French ambassador^ and suite visited this and afterwards said "That his heart was

villag"e

kindled with the

of relig-ious enthusiasm, as he

fire

beheld the joyous spectacle of the inhabitants coming

with crosses and medals

forth

As

bosoms."

hano-ino-

on their

a chapel was being- built at that period,

Monsieur Le Grene contributed a larg-e sum of money towards defraying- the expense the chapel was to cost two thousand dollars in building-, to be composed of brick, and to be one hundred feet long- and fortyThe mandarins of the district knew of eio'ht wide. the priest residing- among- the Chinese, and did not attempt to interfere with him or his pursuits, and it ;

is

Roman

Catholics are

neig-hbouring-

mainland of

rather a sing'ular fact that

very numerous

Amoy

tliis

;

in

the

can only be accounted

for,

by the sup-

position that the Jesuit missionaries visited this neigh-

bourhood at an early period. In 1676 a vessel was sent from Great Britain to

Amoy,

there,

gave

with instructions to establish a factory and open a trade; the chieftain Koxing-a

his

was soon obliged civil

and

consent,

wars which

to

trade

commenced, which

be relinquished owing- to the

raged

in

China.

In 1680 the Amoy, and

Tartars compelled the Chinese to quit

with a wanton factory.

spirit

During

of destruction set

fire

to the

1684 the Tartar military mandarin,

granted permission for the rebuilding- of the factory but in the succeeding year, the gentlemen who acted for

the

Honourable East

officially in their

report to

Company, stated the directors, " That havIndia

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

144 ing*

liad

five

months' experience of the nature and

them men's shapes, and to

quality of these people^ they could characterize

no otherwise than as devils in remain exposed to the rapaciousness of the avaricious governors was considered as more detrimental than Milhurn^s Oriental the trade would be beneficial." Commerce, published in London A. D. 1813. Notwithstanding- this remonstrance, the factory remained at Amoy, and trade was carried on until the imperial edict was issued, which ordered the Company's ag'ents to withdraw, as all foreign trade was in future to be This edict was obe3^ed, and the confined to Canton. port was closed against us, until the treaty after the

war stipulated that it should be thrown open. The town of Amoy is filthily dirty, and the thoroug-h-

last

fares, or streets,

are vei-y narrow, the houses being*

mean

which is accounted for by the wealthy inhabitants residing* on the mainland, in or near the cities of Chang-chew, and Chwan-chew^, A\hich are more healthy than Amoy, and ^\here the luxurious and sensual can obtain all the enjoyments generally of a

class,

which money can procure, or vitiated appetites desire ) consequently, Amoy is only inhabited by such individuals of wealth or station, as those local authorities

who

are compelled to live within the city w^alls,

and by the money-seekhig, trading community of an inferior grade.

an island opposite to Amoy, and commands the entrance to the harbour for this reason, it was taken possession of by our troops at the commencement of the war, and retained by us until 1845 ^^hen the island was given up, in accordance Ivoo-lung-soo

is

j

j

INSALUBRITY OF KOO-LUNG-SOO. with the articles of the

145

Our troops suffered we occupied Koo-luno--soo^

treat}'.

severely during* the period

the sickness which prevailed was terrible^ and death

thinned their ranks rapidly lung-soo

is

;

^ye believe that

Koo-

second only to Hong'-Kong- in insalubrity,

the g-eolog'ical structure of both islands being* of a similar character

;

but Koo-lung'-soo has

this

gTeat

advantag-e over Hong-Kong-^ namely, that g-ood pure

water can be obtained a few feet below the surface of the earth.

The eastern and north-eastern

parts of the

island are considered the most unhealthy at all periods

but especially so during* the prevalence of the southwest monsoon, when fever and d^'sentery rag-e to a fearful extent.

A terrible record

is left

of the insa-

lubrity of Koo-lung'-soo, in the crowded burial-place

by the here may be seen a stone erected by

situated on the eastern side of the island, close landino--place

a brother

',

officer to

the

memory

of his friend, possibly

a few short Aveeks after this act of friendship, his own body was borne to his last resting'-place on earth, on

men

some surviving brother in arms performed the same sad office which the last departed victim had recently done for his friend, by

the shoulders of his

placing' a tablet to his

',

whilst

memory

over his g*rave.

Then

we g'aze on the long* narrow mound, underneath which moulder the remains of soldiers it is not one, or one hundred, but numberless are the g-raves of all ranks and ages, who crowd the burial-place of Koo-lung'-soo. Alas what benefit can, or will Great Britain reap from her intercourse with China, commensurate with the awful sacrifice of human life, occasioned by the :

!

insalubrity of the climate of China

VOL.

I.

!

We

enable the

^

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

146

own

Chinese to work their

and body, by pears to

opium

trading- in

follow in

destruction^ both of soi )

and punishment

our path, proportionate

On

mag-nitude of our offence.

tliis

island

may

to

aj

the

be seen

tombstones with English names inscribed upon them, bearing- dates in the years 1G98 and 1700, whilst a

monument to a Roman Catholic bishop, and a tablet to the memory of a Spaniard, are found in another part of Koo-lung--soo

j

more than a century and a

for

half have these sad memorials stood, undefaced b}* the Chinese, who invariably evince great veneration for the memor}- of the dead

:

the inscriptions were nearly

by the hand of time, Avhen a countr^mian of our own took chisel in hand to restore the characters, enacthig- the part of Old Mortality, which was the nickname bestowed upon him b}' his comrades. The island of Koo-lung-soo is of an irregular form, and is about one mile and three quarters long, and nearly the same width, it abounds in scenery of a peculiar and picturesque description rugged rocks of bold and fantastic forms overhang the various valleys and glens, where the rose, olea, and chrysanthemum blossom, whilst in the cre^ ices of the rocks grow a obliterated

•

most beautiful little creeper, the flower of which is remarkable for beauty, form, and colour. The most extraordinary phenomena at Koo-lung-soo, are the granite, which rest on the tops of and are objects of peculiar interest to the there is one mass of these lovers of nature's wonders rocks especially, which attracts and arrests attention, and would almost induce the belief that some mighty arm had uplifted the ponderous rock to the summit of

huge masses of the

hills,

:

DESCRIPTION OF KOO-LUNG-SOO. the to

hill^

after

and

left

ag-es

tliere^ as

it

the

g-ianfs

monument

a

power.

An

147 to record

enormous

rock of an extraordinary form stands near the entrance of the harbour^ to which the following- tradition is

"That when

attached.

that rock beg-an to

decay^ the island should be taken the far west

;

that

by an enemy from

when the rock falls^ the people of The rock beg-an to decay

China shall become slaves." before

we took

Amoy

natives have propped

it

and Koo-lung'-soo^ and the up with masonry so far the :

tradition has proved correct^ but time alone can verify

the remaining" portion.

The

island contains but two villages, one of these

opposite to

of

it;

Amoy,

the other

lies

is

on the northern part

the hill-sides are cultivated, being- laid out in

paddy grounds, agriculture being* carried high as possible, until some chasm, or rocky

g-ardens and

up

as

fragment, renders the ticable.

Enormous

attempt to proceed imprac-

pieces of rock, of a pointed form,

seem to tremble from the action of the atmosphere, as gro^^es of banyan trees are they rest on the hills dispersed all over this picturesque spot, and along the level part of the beach, paddy and wheat are culTowards the centre of the island the ground tivated. rises gradually, excepting* in spots, where rocks in a conical form raise their majesticall}" fantastic peaks towards the azure sky. From the elevation at the extreme southern point, a most beautiful view can be obtained of the outer harbour and six islands, with the boundless blue ocean beyond. The house of the principal mandarin is situate in the environs of the town on the side of a rocky L 2 ;

1

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

148 hill

;

this officer

is^

or rather was^ peculiarly civil to

them to his house^ but we regTet man was a confirmed opium smoker,

the English^ inviting-

add this and addicted to

to

all

the vices which disg'race the de-

votees of this poison.

The

back of the house, and

is

old

ficent

formino' a

g'arden

is

situate at the

tastefully laid out; mag-ni-j

banyan trees overshadowing- the walks, most ao-reeable and refreshinof shelter from

the sun's burning- rays, whilst g"ay-coloured flowers of

various hues are arrang-ed fantastically in beds, repre-

monsters

senting- g-rotesque

3

rug-g-ed

masses of rock,

over which creepers are trained, form cool g-rottos and retreats

;

whilst from beneath a g-rey time-worn rock

at the hill's side, g-ushes forth a stream of delicious, sparkling-, pellucid

or g'old,

oil

or wine,

water is

]

more precious than

silver

a stream of pure water in an

eastern clime, whereat the

weary can slake

their thirst,

or bathe their burning- temples.

As soon inhabitants

as our troops quitted Ivoo-lung--soo, the

commenced

pulling"

down and

destroying-

which they had occupied barracks, and forts, were all demolished doors being- wrenched ofl* their hing-es, and Venetian blinds were burnt in a A\anton spirit of« destruction. All the roads which we had constructed were destro3ed ; and daily, their deities A^ ere supe^er}' building-

',

dwelling--houses, flag'-staffs, ;

plicated to take Koo-lung--soo ag-ain under their pro-

Idols of peculiar sanctity were broug-ht over from Amoy, and placed in a temporary building-, or

tection.

shed, the priests invoking- their aid and assistance, in staying- the

mortality and

at Koo-lung--soo,

sickness which prevailed

and which the natives asserted was

MODE OF APPEASING BARBABIAN GHOSTS.

149

by the barbarians having* resided on the the g'ods having- taken this method of evincing*

solely caused island;

their displeasure

5

the priests affirmed that the spirits

of the red-bristled barbarians were seen^ after midnig'htj

performing'

mystic

g*ambols

on

the

hills^

"talking- English most fearfully^ and uttering* loud cries of

agony;" and that these barbarian ghosts never aid of their gods

could be appeased without the therefore the

priests levied

contributions

upon the must

inhabitants^ under the pretence that their idols

have offerings made^ to induce them again to take a place which had been so defiled^ under their protection.

—

—

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

150

CHAPTER

IX.

— Gastronomes — Mode of sending an invitation for a grand —Reception of a guest — Code of etiquette Tea—The arrangement and accessories of the dinner-table— Courses Birds'-nest soup — How made— Edibles of various kiads — Theatrical entertainment — PjTotechnic display Cumshaws, or presents.

Chinese cooks feast or

entertainment

Chinese feasts have but we believe that them

;

it is

by many, justice has been done to mode of cookery, and the

ofttimes been described little

true, that their

arrang-ement of their dishes, do not correspond with

our ideas of nicety and g-ood the

European mode of

living-,

but neither does

living* ag-ree

with the Asiatic

idea of comfort or luxury

;

the style of eating-^ and

preparing- food, must be national, varying* accordinov to custom, taste,

and climate.

We all

speak and write

of the luxurious habits, and delicious cooker^'- of the

ancient Romans, but

we

opine, that were the present

g-eneration to see a dinner-table spread,

and the viands

prepared, according- to the customs in vog-ue duringthe palmy days of Rome, both the arrangement of the dinner-table, and the preparation of the food,

would

be dissonant to our habits, and uncong-enial to our tastes. Althoug-h the food is placed by the Chinese] in bowls, instead of dishes, as with us, yet the table

is j

spread and arrang-ed with a due and proper reg-ard to

CHINESE COOKS.

151

order and eleg-ance^ and the upper classes of the Chinese live in a most expensive and luxurious manner, ps^jiMg'

very hig'h wag-es for good cooks. These artistes de cuisine are great

men in their way, having pupils and assistants to aid them in the performance of their duties, and to benefit by their instruction, the

former paying- handsomely for initiation into

the culinary

art.

Some

of the first-rate cooks are as

Ude was

celebrated for their chef cVoeuvres as

in his

day, and, in a ^^-ell-regulated establishment, are considered as important functionaries as monsieur

le

chef

Hocher de VCacole when Paris, was Paris, under the ancien regime^ before it was the restingplace of the mighty unwashed mob. Chinese g-astronome and hon vivant is as celebrated for g'ood feeds, among' his countrymen, as any gourmand or gourmet of Paris or London is, among' his own ; and invitations to a good feed or dinner are as eag'erly sought, and as readily accepted. A repast

was

at the

A

at the house of a wealthy Chinese

cook

is

by no means

who has

to be despised, or

a first-rate

thought of with

contempt therefore we will give the description of a which we had the good luck to assist as our host was renowned for his good taste, good cook, and 5

—

feast at

—

good arrangements and the impression produced on our mind and palate by the same but as we must begin at the beginning, some few particulars must be ;

premised. Invitations,

and the mode of sending them, vary

according to the rank of the guest, or the respect intended to be paid to him ; by the comparative value of the material on which the invite

is

written, being-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

152

either inscribed

and by the

on paper^

leng-th^

is

silk^

to be

g-old or silver tinsel

j

measured the respect

intended to be paid^ and accorded to the g'uest. This missive is borne bv one, or more servants, where o-reat

and

respect

ceremony

—

paid and observed the domestics invariably expecting- and receiving- a douis

ceur.

The document all

the

official

containing- the invitation sets forth

posts and dignities held by^ and apper-

taining- unto^ the individual invited^

into

narrow

folds

j

and

is

compressed

the Chinese style of writing- being-

columns^ which correspond with the folds, the paper or silk being- turned over, as read, from rig'ht in

to

Upon whatever

left.

written,

material the invitation

is

always enclosed in a silken wrapper or cover, tied round with cord of the same material. The Chinese code of etiquette is most punctilious, and would outvie the usag-es of the most ceremonious it

is

court of Europe (which we believe to be Mecklenburg-Schwerin), the politeness of a well-bred Chinaman being- overpowering-

and irksome in the extreme. The a g-uest alights from his sedan chair, the host steps forth into the verandah to salute the visitor;

moment

this is

done b}- complimentary speeches, bowing- the head, until the chin rests upon the chest, bending- the body and knees, joining- the hands in front of the person, and with them knocking- the chest: when the master of tlie liouse intends to honour a g'uest most especially,

own,

lie

g-ently

takes the tapping-, or

^•isitor's

striking-

breast, this being- the Chinese

Now

liands between his

mode

them

ag-ainst his

of shaking- hands.

follows a civil contest, as to precedence, neither

ETIQUETTE ON KECEPTION OF A GUEST.

153

party choosing' to enter the dwelling' before the other. After various and divers bowing-s^ bending-s^ knoclving-s,

and genuflexions^

this

g'uest entering- the

house tog-ether.

Upon entering- the

point

ceded by host and

is

reception room, another ceremony

ensues equally protracted and irksome to be determined

is,

where each

the point

;

shall

now

and who

sit,

shall be seated first, as the code of polite etiquette

extends to a decision on the

a chair, by which

size of

invariably the rank or importance of a g-uest

The host now waves requesting' the

honoured

is

known.

hand

to a larg-e arm-chair,

g'uest to

be seated, attempting-

his

to take a small chair without arms, for himself 3 g-ood

breeding- compels the g-uest in his turn to refuse this

compliment, and after a wearying- contest of politeness, the dispute

is

amicably adjusted to the satisfaction of

the bellig-erents, either by both parties

sitting'

down

simultaneously, on the same couch or on two chairs of

The

equal dimensions, and similar forms. all this

overstrained courtesy

may

fatigue of

easily be conceived,

as the same routine is observed with each visitor, as it would be considered bad taste to ask a guest to meet his inferior in station

;

therefore equals are only invited

to a feast or ceremonious entertainment.

As soon as the

whole of the guests are assembled tea*

handed round

in small covered cups,

shaped

ornamented occasion lain *

a

like

which

The mode

devoted to that

which are placed on

is

silver stands,

boat, and are beautifulty chased, or

Avith filagree

now

is

work.

The

cups, on the

referred to, were of that antique porce-

valued most exceedingly for

of preparing tea in China topic.

is

its

rarity

fully described in the chapter

:

CHINA A]ND THE CHINESE.

154

this china is as thin as tissue paper^ of a pure white,

perfectly transparent, and

ornamented with

figures,

the delicate tracery and painting* being* only percep-

when

tible

the vessel

is filled

with liquid.*

After the tea had been imbibed, and a

little

talk

indulg^ed in, a tribe of ser^'ants, clad in long- white

grass cloth robes, entered the i*oom, drawing- back the silken

room

5

curtams of the doorway leadmg- into the eating* the host then arose, beg-g-ing- the g-uests to

enter the room, where a humble repast had been prepared, which he hoped they would

Now

of.

beg-an another battle

budg-e from the

room

he would not hear

this

by the host

deig-ii

to partake

not a g-uest would

j

them j was decided

until the host preceded

so the contest

of,

between two of the invited,

being- placed

the remaining- three preceding-

them

ment where the repast was prepared.

into the apart-

We

found the

table laid out for six persons, aiid nothing- could have

been in better taste, or more eleg-antly arrang-ed, than this festive

pire

',

board of a mandarin of the Celestial

chairs of equal size

the table, and the A\hole party acknowledg-ed

by taking* the table was of

equalit}'

Em-

and form were placed round theii'

same moment shape, and on it was

then* seats at the

a

cii'cular

spread a silken cover, the edg-es being* bordered with

an embroidery of exquisite form and

g*old

and

sihei-

brilliant colors,

;

porcelain jars, of

a\

ere filled with the

choicest flowers of the orang*e, citron, lemon, camellia

japonica, and China aster

;

these flowers being* so dis-

posed in the jars as to form various patterns. Interspersed between these ornaments, were repre*

See chapter on porcelain for description.

DINIVER TABLE DECORATIONS.

155

seiitations of animals^ the frame-work made of split bamboo^ and covered with tube-roses, jessamme, and

other small flowers, so as completely to conceal the

frame

j

the eye

was

g-ratified

with these unique table

decorations, whilst the nostrils were reg'aled with the delicious

perfume of the

many

odoriferous blossoms.

Various descriptions of dried spices, preserved fruit, and sweetmeats, ^ere tastefrilly arrang-ed in carved ivory and tortoiseshell baskets, whilst pine apples,

pum-

belowSjg'uavas, mandarin orang-es,leichees, and bananas,

were placed in bowls and saucers, about the table with due regard to effect j it would be impossible to describe the exquisite appearance of tliis dinner-table, loaded with the most exquisite flowers, and the luscious fruits of China, the variety and arrang-ement of the colors, producing- a pleasing'ly novel effect upon a

European. All the viands are cut into small square pieces, and served

up

in a rich g'ravy, the food being- placed in

bowls, instead of dishes, but these bowls are arranged on the dinner-table with due attention to order and effect, the largest being placed in the centre

;

the

surroundmg

m

size, bowls corresponding with each other accurately pattern, and shape. The sauces, such as oil, soy, vinegar,

and capers, were placed in small bowls which stood upon silver trays, very fiiiel}- embossed; sam-shoo,* both hot and cold, and the native wine of Chuia (\^lnch resembles in flavour weak and acid Madeu*a), were put into liighly chased silver pots, of a slender upright

form, with handles and spouts, which were dispersed about the table at equal distances. Before each per*

Sam-shoo

is

a spirituous liquor wliich

is

extracted from rice.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

156

son was placed a small embossed silver cup, about two inches hig-h, to drink the sam-shoo and wine from,

and by the

of each of these eleg-antly minute

side

tankards, was an embroidered silken case, containinga knife and chop-sticks

;

the latter were of ivory, but

handles of the knifes were richly carved, and

the

composed

either of jaed-stone, ivory, sandal

The

chased silver.*

boiled rice, and an

course was served up on

first

antique white porcelain;

wood, or

a smaller bowl containing-

empty bowl,

each g'uest to eat his food from

;

being- placed before this course consisted

of salted and hig'hly seasoned meats, of -various descriptions,

pounded

shrimps,,

and other

fish,

moulded

into

the shapes of various animals, there Avas a stew of

and beche de mer, and a kind of soup, which we mistook for turtle, but afterwards learned that it was made from the fresh water tortoise ; the sharks'-fins

Chinese eat rice with these rich condiments as ])read

and veg-etables, and which

we do

in a slig-ht deg-ree cor-

The natives of China have an immense liking- for all g-elatinous substances, and rich sauces, and althoug-h the meats are always rects the lusciousness of the food.

floating in rich riably adds

oil,

g-ravies,

a Chinese

bo?i

vivant inva-

frequently- soy, -vineg-ar, or capers.

It has often been asserted that earth-woi'ms are to be found at the tables of the luxurious ; this statement _

we

believe to be incorrect, but

what mig-ht

tliis

occasion

easily be mistaken for the creeping- tliino-s,

namely, the g-rubs *

we saw on

a\

hich are found at the root of the

Although chop-sticks and knives are occasionally provided for the it is customary for all ranks in China, to have a case containing

guests,

these articles, attached to their girdle.

BIRDS -NEST SOUP. sug'ar-cane,

157

and which are considered a

dehcious

morsel by the Chinese epicure. The food^ as before was cut into small square pieces before

stated^

coming* to table^ and a portion having- been put into

each g'uesf s bowl, was eaten up ^nth the chop-sticks ; the knife being- only used to divide the meat^ when a piece

is

too larg-e to enter the

some folks experience g-reat chop-sticks^

mouth conveniently

:

difficulty in using- the

confess that we found we had been a Chinaman,

but we must

none^ but used them as

if

"to the manner born and bred." a small quantity of

After each dish

warm sam-shoo was

occasionally the wine

taken, and

We

was imbibed.

must not

omit to mention, that the Chinese custom of taking* wine is synonjmious with the European ; the host rises

from his chair, challenges a

g-uest,

who

in his

turn rises also, accepts the challenge, the parties bow lowly and empty the cups, reversing them, and tapping-

with them on the thumb

nail, to

show they have

been completely emptied. The next course was served up on colored porcelain, and consisted of variously dressed poultry of every description,

animals

cut into small pieces, in the

and birds: with

this

course

celebrated birds'-nest soup, which

is

forms of

appeared the

made from

the

gelatinous lining of the swallows' nest, and tastes like Tinflavored calves' feet jelly, until the various sauces

which are used, are added, when the soup becomes exceedingly piquant and palatable. The succeeding course was served up on white porcelain, with a green dragon portrayed on the milky ground these beasts had but four claws, as dragons having five claws are ;

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

158

only allou'ed to be used by the Emperor.

This course

was

consisted principally of Avater-fowlj among- which

the mandarin duck^ fattened to an enormous extent^

and smoked

salted, dried,

;

it

is

pieces^ stewed in a rich g"ravy^

by the Chinese

delicacy

luscious, this dish

is

to our taste^ althoug-h

;

hig"hly-smoked Westphalia

was

also

The

g'reat

most

pleasant, the flavor resembling* a

fine

morsel of

then cut into small

and esteemed a

which

on

table^

fat,

of a (jamey flavor.

is

ham

j

the rice

bird

one delicate delicious

veg'etables are dressed with a quantity of oil

and soy, or stewed in g'ravy, and but few are used by the wealthy ; the water chestnut^ (which is the bulb of a rush indig-enous to China) the stem of the water the

lily,

of

root

potato or yam,

the

are

arrow-wort

and

the

sweet

among- the wealthy

in vog'ue

but the Chinese mode of preparing- these articles of nutriment, renders them most unpalatable to Europeans, and

we

did

not venture upon any at this

Next followed a course of pastry and sweet-

feast.

meats,

all being-

placed in bowls

;

the contents of these

basins were formed into the shapes of animals, lurds,

and flowers, colored to represent nature

beasts, fishes,

in a ^ery correct

manner

)

the interior of these nice

creatures were filled to repletion, with s^^eetmeats

and the

internals

of

a nice or delicate one, these pastry animals, were very

pleasant and delicious. b}' others,

the

This

numbers and

course was succeeded

varieties of which,

only weary in description; and ha\ e that

j

altlioug-h the idea is not

g-i\

is

en a

full, true,

we beheve

would

that

and particular account of

necessary to be known, as each course

is

we all

served

DUEATION OF FEASTS OF CEREMONY. in the

same manner as the preceding- one^ the contents bowls varyino- each time the table

of the

At

plenished.

been

159

a feast of ceremony such as

is

re-

we have

describing*^ it is usual for the guests to continue

the masticatory process for four or five hours.

The

greatest

mark of

attention on the part of a

host is to press his friends continually to eat more, sometimes m.orsels out of the bowl^ from which he is eating-^ are transferred to that

times^

tit

bits

of the guest^ at other

are put direct into the favored one's

mouthy with the chop-sticks. Small quantities of sam-shoo are constantly taken^ which is most requisite after partaking of this rich food^ as digestion is assisted by the warm spirit ; the sam-shoo^ which is old^ and of the best description is not at all unpleasant rather the reverse j but the wine is the most abominably filthy^ wretched, compound that can be conceived. As we have shewn, the Chinese style of living- and cooking is luxurious and luscious, but those whose digestive organs are good, and have an attachment to rich cookery, and high living-, would

—

enjoy the Chinese miisine.

The only circumstance,

inconsistent with our notions

of good breeding, to be witnessed at a Chinese dinner table,

is

that during and after the meal, eructations

are heard around, to a disgusting extent is

indulged

the food

is,

in, for

and how

cravings of hunger

;

this practice

the purpose of evincing

;

fully the guests

have

how good

satisfied the

for according to Chinese ideas, a

stigma would be cast upon the host and entertain-

ment were

these unmusical sounds omitted.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

160

As

soon as the leng-thy repast was over^ tea was

handed round as

before^ the host ushering* his visitors

to the theatre to witness dramatic

representations,

and pyrtechnie display-. The costumes of the actors were rich, (being- that of the ancient Chinese, which is invariably used upon the stage, althoug'h it differs httle from that of the present day) both for the male and characters;

female

youths, as

Each

women

the

whom

being-

performed by

rarely, if ever appear on the stage.

character,

upon coming on the

stage, ad-

and informed the audience he represented, and Avhat he was about to per-

vanced to the front of form.

latter

it,

A singer dressed in female

attire excited

much

applause, by uttering- to our ears, most inharmonious and unmusical sounds whilst twano-ino- an abominable accompaniment on a three-stringed instrument, resembling- a e"uitar. A Ijuffoon caused much lauo-hter and O merriment by his clever repartee and witty speeches j a distressed damsel appealed to the softer feelings,

DO

whilst a tyrannical father excited the bitterer portion

of our nature.

Processions of soldiers appeared con-

tinually on the stage, apparently to us, for the ex-

press purpose of walking off again ; as these gentry were perpetually walking across the stage making* their exit on one side, to reappear at the other. AVe could not enter fully into the -various smart things that were uttered by the respective characters, but conclude they must ha^e been most excellent, fi'om the evident delight of the numerous friends, that had been invited to witness the performances; and from the shrill laughter and ai)plause, heard from the lat-

SPLENDID FIRE-WORKS. tice aboYej

where the

161 were seated

hidies of the fixmily

unseen^ to behold the representation.*

The Chinese are proficients in the pyrotechnic art^ and the fireworks which were exhibited at the end of this

entertainment were chef d'oeuvre of

skill

— the four

elements having' been called into requisition to furnish animals^ birds^ fishes^ and reptiles^ both real and ima-

from whose bodies issued streams of flame. Fire drag-ons ascended into the air^ and were meta-

g'inary

;

morphised into fire-vomiting- lions

some unknown

;

a hug-e bird of

species^ fluttered in the air in a sheet

of flame, presently a hug'e serpent crawled from out of

the beak of the bird, and was lost to view in

many tinted

one larg'e lantern ascended, in a mass of fire, ; from which smaller lanterns issued, which in their turn On the sent forth various and innumerable forms.

flames

back of an enormous darin,

was seated a portly man-

fish

from whose aldermanic corporation burst forth, fire, which appeared to cause intense deand excite the g-reatest merriment among-st the

streams of lig'ht,

spectators.

and

beautiful details

whole

The

last firework

far the

most

perfect, being- completely artistic in its

this represented a

;

was by

mandarin\s house with the

of the adjacent building-s belonging- to the re-

sidence, the roofs fig-ures

;

being-

ornamented with

bells

and

this burned for some short time, and then

chano-ed into a mandarin seated in his sedan-chair,

with the usual train of attendants, bearing-

flag's,

beat-

and carrying- lanterns j the effect of this mass of many-coloured flames, defining- the outline of ing* g'ong's,

* This species of entertainment

is

termed in Anglo- Chinese, a Sing-

song.

VOL.

I.

M

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

162

the various forms baffles description

sparks died

away^ we

is

last

and asked for more.

follow Oliver Twist's example^

It

and as the

;

could have been tempted to

the custom of the country^ after an entertain-

ment, to send presents to the host, which usually consist of a chest of tea, a pecul of sug-ar candy, fi'uits,

and

edibles of a less expensive nature

the party

;

who I

receives the presents, invariably g-ives the servants of

who bring- the g'ifts, a cum sham of some few which the domestics divide equally among-st

the donor, dollars,

the head servants of the establishment

they profess to do

at all

j

e'^-ents,

so.

This abominable

system of presents

universal

is

thi'oughout the Chinese empire, and must materially

enhance the price of various commodities, as the donor

must add the

-salue of the

intended and looked-for

to the price of the article sold

of tea

;

thus

when

gift,

a quantity

purchased or shipped, the purchaser, and

is

captain of the ship, receive as presents a chest, or chests of tea

chandise those,

5

silk,

being'

who

satins,

considered

crapes, in short, all meras

lawful

transact business for others

have the satisfaction of paying*

;

perquisites

who

to

doubtless

for these gifts.

CITY OF FOO-CHOW-FOO.

CHAPTER Foo-cliow-foo

—Bohea

Majesty's steamer

Tea

Foo-chow-foo

X.

—

—

British Consulate— Anecdote Her Foo-chow-foo Mr. Fortime's discovery Foo-chow-foo Opium traffic and smuggling. district

—Trade

of Tea Farms close to

163

is

at

the

—

capital

—

of

Foo-keen,

and

stands on the banks of the river Min^ about thirtyeig-ht miles from the sea^ and is situate in 26° 7' north lat. and 119° 15' east longitude; seven miles to the westward is Pag'oda Island^ on which stands a lofty building'j or pag-oda^ from which the island derives its name, where the river Min again unites with a branch from which it had been separated a few miles above Mountains from fifteen the city of Foo-chow-foo. eight hundred feet in height hundred to two thousand form a semicircle, five miles distant from the city;

the plains, at the base of these mountains, are planted in

paddy

the

cit}^

fields,

orchards, and groves.

The

walls of

enclose a space exceeding eig-ht miles and a

half; they are turreted,

and the gates have watch-

towers of the same description as seen at there are also some good fortifications on a

occupies.

hill in

commands both city and suburbs extending* over as much ground as the city The city of Foo-chow-foo ranks among the

the city, which the latter

Amoy:

hill

M

2

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

164

China^ having- wide thoroug'hfares^ larg-e shops, spacious public building-s, the population of

finest

in

most dense, and is rated as varying- from half a million to seven hundred thouWhen this port was opened sang-uine exsand. pectations were formed as to Foo-chow-foo proving- a the city and suburbs

is

port of considerable trade, as

it

is

in the neig'hbour- f

liood of the Bohea tea hills, equidistant from Canton and Chusan. Foo-keen is the principal black tea district of China, the renowned hills of Bohea are distant one hundred and fifty-two miles from Foo-chow-foo, consequently teas could be broug-ht from thence by

water, in four days, to

if

the Chinese could be induced

adopt this method, instead of sending- them to

hundred and AVe believe that the Chinese mio-ht be induced to abandon their old method, were British merchants to settle at Foo-

Canton overland, which

fifty miles, to

is

distant six

be there shipped.

chow-foo; for althoug'h the Chinese, as a nation, are devoted to old customs, they are equall}' attached to ffain

;

and

it

would be a

o-reat savino*

were teas to be

shipped at Foo-chow-foo, without incurring- the ex-

pense of the overland transit to Canton.

The residence of her Britannic Majesty's consul

is

two miles and a half from the and fine views of the cit}-, suburbs, and river, city The consulate was formerl}- a are here obtained. joss-house, and is rented from the priests by the local mandarin, for a few hundred dollars paid annually. situated on a hill about ;

Like

all

placed in

the Chinese temples, the one alhided to a

picturesque

spot,

is

the g-rounds around

BRITISH CONSULATE.

wooded and

being* well

cultivated^

J6o

and the various

ancestral temples in the neighbourhood add a peculiar this

to

beaut}'-

who were

secluded

spot.

attached to the temple^

The various priests now her Britannic

Majesty^s consulate^ appear to view the loss of their building* with

perfect

equanimit}^^

and busy them-

selves about the consulate^ receiving* mone}^ for their

services

j

in shorty the abbot

had become head

g*ar-

dener to the consul, and might be seen constantly giving* orderS;

tions

and

and attending*

to the requisite altera-

This g-entleman used to carry on

repairs.

a lucrative trade in

supplying* those,

who

required

them, with pheasants, wild ducks, and game of all descriptions, with which Foo-chow-foo abounds. The

name

of the

consulate

hill

on which

is

situate

the

British

called Woo- Shik- Shan j or Black Stone

is

on the summit of which is a staff, from which hano* the colours so dear to an Eno-lishman's heart Hill,

—

" Tlie

The

flag,

that lias braved a thousand years,

battle,

and the breeze."

And which

doubly gladdens eye and heart, when seen at a distance from our hearths and countrv.

The

buildino'

that was

orio*iiially

o*iven

by the

mandarin, as a residence for her Britannic Majesty's consul, was a wretched place, built upon piles, in the river suburb b}^

j

at high water,

it

was positive^ stated

the late consul, Mr. Lay, that the river used to

dash under his door, and inundate his room the stench arising from the

mud and

the river retreated, was intolerable.

refuse

By

left,

;

and after

dint of firm

energetic demands, for a proper dAvelling to be ap-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

166

propriated as a consular

but which had to be

office^

persisted in for a lengthened period^ (and at last the

mandarins only 3-ielded to threats^) the present d^^•elling- was hired from the jiriests^ and placed at the service of the British consul at roo-cho\\'-foo.

Reader, elongate your imaginative believe that

steamer,

30U

and

powers,

are on board her Britannic Majestj^'s

commanded by Captain

,

(never

mmd

the name) as jolly, honest-hearted a sailor as ever

stepped a quarter-deck, only a a

taut

hand over

his

leetle inclined

to

keep

midshipmen, and you hear,

through mesmeric influence of course, the folloAving conversation, in the year 1844, as the vessel lays too, oft' Foo-chow-foo, for the consul, Mr. Lay, to take his departure for

liis

situated

illeligibly

residence.

A

China mandarin of low rank has come on board to see what the Jire-slup wanted, and upon receiving the information that the British consul of Foo-chow-foo

was

there,

and desired

to be informed

be his future abode, the reply

was,

which was

to

"The Hong

which has been appropriated as the resting-place of is there," pointing to a wooden house perched on the top of piles, " by the magnanimity of the Emperor, the foreigner is permitted to live in the midst of the flowing river." "Well," said Captain " I don't think that your berth looks too , comfortable. Lay, or too dr}' come, 3'ou are consul,

the foreigner

— ;

give

me the

orders, or express a wish, and I will blow China shop out of the midst of the Jioiving waters; a good broadside might have the eftect of airing your domicile as well, ha, ha, ha!" laughed this

the captain.

—"All

I know, captain,

is,

that I

am

ANECDOTE OF CAPTAIN not

stand

g'oiug' to

living- in

damp

that

167

.

hole;

we must

see about g-etting- a better place soon from these

Chinamen.

— g'ood-bye."

Thank j^ou^ captain^ for j^our attention, ^^ Good - bye, Lay 3" and the captain

turned on his heel, sa3ing' to the

first

lieutenant,

'^

I

Lay for an aquatic creature of some strang-e species, perhaps call him a wild g'oose, as they have given him so strang'e-lookingChinese must take

think the

and damp an abode why the first hig-h tide would wash him away, would it not?" "Yes, sir, most ;

— an excellent ha, —" It may be a very

certainly your idea is one, ha, ha, ha I" laughs the first lieutenant. good idea," mutters a middy, within earshot of the skipper, '^^but it would have been better, if he had said, that they had ijrovided a wet nest for Lay to How dare you make remarks on your roost i?i" :

—

'^'

superior's conversation, sir?" said the captain

up

to the mast-head, until

you

;

"go

find 3'our manners."

Midd}^, muttering as he prepared to obey orders, " at all

events,

all

I know

ni}' is

feathers are to be ruffled for

that I

am

my

lark

:

not the biggest goose on

board this ship." Here was practically illustrated, " what in the captain is a ?vitty word, in the mid-

shipman

is

rank impertinence."

We

have altered

the quotation to suit ourselves; pardon us, philan-

thropic reader, and

amused with

we hope you have been as much as we were with the in-

this recital,

cident.

We

will

now

describe the river Min, the banks and

scenery, with the celebrated bridge of Foo-chow-foo,

and which Du Halde afiirms, in his time, " had more than one hundred arches;" certainly this number of

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

108

arches^ or openings does not exist now^ nor do

we

China in seventeenth the century^ day^ drew Halde's Du larg-ely on their own powers of fiction^ and g-ullibility of their readers. One of the passag-es at the entrance of the river Min is called Woo-hoo-mun^ or the five believe that they ever did; but writers on

on?

derives its coo-nomen from a rock, o five irreg'ularl}^ shaped cones. This

tio'er 2'ate, wliich

divided

into

rocky island

is

veneration, as

'

regarded by the Chinese with peculiar it is

dedicated to the five g'ods of the

ocean, and the sailors invariably olFer oblations to this rock before

they return winds,

;

when

commencing- a voyage, and when

in the first instance to supplicate for fair

the offering

is

a cock, whose head they

cut off, sprinkling the blood over the rock, and throwing the carcase into the waters in the last, fruit and flowers are scattered over the rock, as thanksgivings for having been preserved from the dangers of the deep. The Min, at its widest part, is more than a mile across, but is considerably' narrower as the stream approaches Foo-chow-foo, more especially where the mountains are close to the water's edge. Great care has been taken by the Chinese to fortify the various places which command the entrance to the river, b}^ erecting forts and batteries on these hills and the picturesque town of Min-gan, with its miniature fort, is built on a liill, which slopes towards tlie banks of the Min, and is unrivalled in China for natural beauty. The scenery on the banks ;

:

of the

Min

is

romantically beautiful; villages, islands,

temples, mountains and small hills laid out in terraces,

where sweet potatoes, padd}-, and earth nuts are

SCENERY AROUND FOO-CHOW-FOO. plantedj meet the

1G9

eye in quick succession.

Hug-e

rocks of g'ranite^ majestic in their barrenness^ have

cascades of crystal water gushing-

down

their sides^

which^ intercepted at the base of the mountain^

g'lide

smoothly along- some wooded valley or

until

g"len^

the waters flow into the river.

Some

of the mountains^ two thousand six hundred

above the level of the

feet

sea^ are cultivated^ being-

laid out in terraces, to the very

summit, whilst

quently at their base are temples in shady

fre-

g-lens,

where the ban3^an tree flourishes in luxuriant pride. The banks of the river, for about a mile and a half from the city, are lined with boats which serve as residences for the owners,

who deck them

porcelain flower-jars most g'aily

of Foo-chow-foo, for

who

;

out with

and the boat women

are ratiier a g'ood-looking* race,

Chinawomen, adopt a peculiar

sort of head-dress,

of artificial flowers, which has a very g-ood effect;

and particular Blue, white, and red flowers appear in their attire. to be most in favour, and the country women who man these boats bring' poultr}", veg-etables, fruit and altog-ether these ladies are rather neat,

water for Swiss

sale,

g-irl's

with a coiffure as well arranged as a

on a

fete day.

The neiofhbourhood of the river Min and Foo-chowfoo is often termed by Europeans the Switzerland of China, from

its bold,

beautiful scenery.

war the Chinese caused the

During- the

river to be blocked up, a

few miles below the city old junks, stones, and all descriptions of rubbish, were j^laced nearty tlie whole :

way

across

the river, and vessels of any size

obliged to anchor

off"

Pagoda

Island.

are

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

170

Twenty-two miles from the mouth of tlie river Min, the city and suburbs of Foo-chow-foo are built, between hills, and the river runs through the suburbs, over which is constructed the celebrated bridge Wanshow-kean, or the bridge of ten thousand ages. This bridge is more than two thousand feet in length, and is composed of the most solid materials, which have for centuries; it connects

hand of time

resisted the

the suburbs of Foo-chow-foo, and consists of fiftyone arches or o^jenings, the northern sides having forty-one arches, whilst the southern has ten ; these openings, for arches correctly speaking they cannot be called, are composed of strong stone piers, across

which are

enormous granite

laid

iron clamps.

A

and numerous shops, with for sale,

connected by

slabs,

portion of this bridge

are exposed

to

all

the

is

built upon,

descriptions of articles

passers-by upon this

bridge of ten thousand 3^ears; vessels of small ton-

nage can pass under the bridge

at high water

;

but

during the rainy season the waters dash through the openings with impetuous rapidity and power, apparently threatening destruction to the solid

masonry

of this gigantic bridge, which appears as sound as

when

the

first

lengthy street

stone or

was

suburb,

laid.

An

narrow,

exceedingly almost

dirty,

as noisy as Canton, reaches from the bridge to the

southern gate, a distance of nearly two miles

;

in this

and handicraft men of every grade, commencing from the jeweller, silk and embroidery merchant, and descending in the scale until we find One portion of the pawnbroker and spirit vender. Foo-chow-foo is inhabited by the Manchow Tartars, dwell traders

SULPHUREATE SPRINGS. and near

this

district

is

the

Hot Bath

Chinese, Tang'-mun, which derives

its

171 Gate, in

cognomen from

the sulphureate spring-s, which some assert possess the same medicinal qualities as those of Aix-la-Cha-

but

pelle;

it is

certain that the inhabitants of Foo-

chow-foo, suffer less from cutaneous diseases, than the natives of any other part of China.

The temperature

but we cannot g'ive the exact we had not a thermometer with water when put into a glass was quite

of the spring's

is hig'h,

heat, as unfortunately us, but the

hot

:

the price of a bath

is

three cash,

and these

places of ablution are equally nasty as cheap,

men

for

crowded into a steaming* bath 3 some of these fellows may be covered with sores, and you see them stepping- out of the bath i?i jjurns natU' rahilis, and deliberately commence plastering* the running* wounds. One well is devoted exclusivel}- to the water-drinkers, and here no bathing* is jDermitted; the price of as many bowls of water as the drinker fifteen

will be

chooses to imbibe

The is

officer,

is

one cash.

mandarin, of the highest rank,

or

the viceroy, or Tsung*-tuhj under his control or

jurisdiction

are the

two provinces of Foo-keen and^

Che-heang*, and several subordinate mandarins, both civil

and military,

The

assist

him

in the local government.

natives of Foo-chow-foo are a disorderly, tur-

bulent people, evincing* a fixed and rooted dislike to

Europeans, and constant acts of aggression and insult are heaped upon an Englishman, when he appears in the streets.

Our consul has been many times obliged

to remonstrate with the

authorities concerning the

conduct of the populace, for not unfrequently they

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

172

have proceeded from words to blows these complaints at first were treated with contempt, no attempt being" made to discover the offenders, but latterly an :

occasional

who

show

made

is

to find out the ao-o-ressors, oo

escape W'ith a reprimand, imprisoment for a few

hours, or slight flogg-ing-, with a ver^' minute rattan

j

but more frequently they escape scot free, as the When mandarin says he cannot discover them. General D'Ag-uilar landed at Foo-chow-foo, he w^as mobbed, and insulted most grossly, the Chinese spitting- upon him, and calling- him, Fan-

reg'ularl}'

yaung-,

which

a

is

most opprobious epithet, and gentleman out of his sedan-

almost drag-g-ed the old

As

chair.

the Chinese

more or

less respect official

rank, and they were aware that the General was a hig-h

military mandarin,

it

need only be

left to

the

reader to judge by comparison, Avhat the conduct of the inhabitants of Foo-chow-foo

ropeans

whom

in society.

must be

to those

Eu-

they regard as being of a loA^er g-rade

Naval

officers

have frequently had their

epaulets torn off by the Foo-choA\'-foo folks

gentlemen most wisely took the law

;

but these

into their o^\ii

hands, and gave the offending thief a sound thrashing,

how

when

the}^

futile

complaints to the consul Avere, as redress could

could catch him; knowing

full

well

rarely be obtained from the Chinese authorities.

The inhabitants of Foo-choAV-foo do not

confine their

lawless acts to Europeans, as they are the most deter-

mhied pirates who

infest the seas.

Mr. Alcock, the

consul, says, '^That ever}- junk meeting- another weaker

than

itself

becomes

Foo-choA\'-foo

a

must be

pirate."

The

natiAC trade of

considerable, as

more than one

MANUFACTUEES OF FOO-CHOW-FOO.

173

thousand junks are employed in it ; tlie timber trade carried on is very great, as hundreds of junks from Amoy, Ning'-po, Cha-poo, and Shang-tung- are freio-hted

houses,

with

and

This timber

it.

a species of the

is

is

used in buildino-

common

pine

j

the

most curious, as they attach large logs to the sides of the vessel, placing tier upon thus making the vessel more than four times tier

lading of these junks

is

•

its original width.

Near Foo-chow-foo,

porcelain

larg-e quantities for exportation,

is

and

manufactured in it

stated

is

by

the Chinese, that more than five hundred furnaces, or

baking houses, are in constant

requisition,

and

full

em-

Although we believe this statement to be an exaggeration, we can affirm, that about three hundred and twenty ovens are kept fully occupied some of this Chinaware is remarkable for the brilliant beauty

plo3mient.

•

of the green colouring sist

;

but the principal exports con-

of earthenware of a coarse description.

A brisk

on with the neighbouring province of trade Medicinal herbs and Keang-se in native produce. drugs are imported fi'om Teen-sing* and Shang-tung whilst from Shan-se furs are brought for home use. Foo-chow-foo is as renowned for its manufactory of is

carried

blue cotton, as

it

of Chinaware

the

Foo-chow-foo,

;

is

is

celebrated for the manufacture

blue

famous

all

cotton wdiich

over China, for

of the colour, and durability of texture.

dyed at the beauty

is

A native

of

this place invariably rejects coloured cotton of Euro-

pean manufacture, stating that although the native manufacture is dearer originally, owing to the Chinese not using machinery,

still it is

eventually far cheaper,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

174 as

will

it

wear

for a

much

long-er period

than any

Eng-lish-made cotton.* Tribute

is

annually paid to the Emperor of China

by the inhabitants of the Loo-choo islands^ and their junks also import annually Japanese g-old in bars or ing-ots, to the value of eleven thousand dollars^ copper of very fine quality^ birds's-nests^ sharks' fish^

beche

le

fins^

dried

mer^ and sweetmeats are also broug'ht by

these vessels.

We

have already mentioned the Bohea tea

district,

which is situate at the north-west part of the province, from Avhence also comes tea-oil, which is used medicinally, bamboo roots, carved or distorted (and which highly valued

are

by the Chinese) sweet- smelling* and dressed hides. In the neig'h-

woods, dried herbs, bourhood of Chin-chow, towards the southern extremity of the province, there is a trade carried on in ginseng", sug*ar, cottons, pepper pods, calicos, and

In

Foo-chow-foo is a place of conand imports j and we that were British merchants to settle are convinced

quicksilver.

short,

siderable trade, both in exports

there, letting* the Chinese feel the advantag-e of having*

British capital set afloat among- them, able to obtain the

Bohea

tea at

first

we should be hand, Avithout

ha^dng- the overland-transit and transit-dues added to

Mr. Fortune states, at pag-es 377 its original cost. and 378 of "Wandering's in China," that within a few miles of Foo-chow-foo he has discovered the teafarms, and " among- these mountains, and at a heig-ht of three or four thousand feet above the level of the *

We

arc convinced that the British trade

exportation of inferior, or

damaged

articles,

is

injured very

which

is

much by

the

too frequently done.

PROMISSAKY NOTES. sea^

175

I found the black-tea

to see,

district; which I was anxious and the existence of which had been denied by

my affectionate ment be

friends the mandarins."

which doubtless

If this state-

becomes most desirable that every lawful exertion should be made to true,

it

is, it

obtain free access to the neig-hbourhood of Foo-chow-

Last year (1847) there was but one British merchant at Foo-chow-foo, and we have g-ood authority foo.

for stating that

up

to this period no other

European

trader has permanently settled at this port.

The

inhabitants of Foo-chow-foo are wealthy as a

body, and our manufactures

among' them with

g-reat

many native mercantile

mig-ht

success.

be introduced

At Foo-chow-foo

firms issue promissary notes for

sums

varying" from five hundred cash, about

ling's

and two-pence,

notes bear the

name

to

two

one thousand dollars

;

shil-

these

of the firm which issues them,

and the party who receives or pays away these notes places his name under that of the original issuer. When these notes are new, they have a very g-ay and brilliant appearance with their brig'ht but after colors of red and blue relieved with black they have been in circulation a very short time, all their pristine beauty vanishes, and they absolutely with the date

j

;

—

A

triflingno smell unpleasantly strong* of dirt. charge is made by the firms who issue these promissary notes, and as bankruptcy rarely happens this paper currency is highly valued, being more convenient

to transport, or to transmit than sycee silver, dollars,

or copper cash.

The Chinese

state, that this species of

banking system is carried to a greater extent in Foochow-foo than in any other city in China and the ;

176

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

principles of

commerce are more

could be credited, were in their

The port

is

monetary

it

fully developed

not that we see

it

than

exemplified

transactions.

traffic (althoug-h

considerable, and

contraband) in opium at this

computed that from

it is

five

to nine chests are retailed daily in the city, while to

the

diso'race

opium

Great Britain, armed

and shame of

clippers are allowed

the river Min.

It

is

to lie at the

a half dollars worth of opium into Foo-chow-foo,

the interior.

mouth of

stated that two millions is

from whence

The Chinese

and

annually imported

it

finds its

way

into

assert that the inland trade

has materially decreased, owing- to the constant call for sycee silver to pay for the drug", which is smug'g'led

hundred and where a larg-e fleet

along- the coast as far as Chin-chew, one

sixty miles south of Foo-chow-foo

of smug'o'ling' opium clippers

lies,

;

belong'ing'

we

reg'ret

some of the oldest and wealthiest firms in China. In the city of Foo-chow-foo alone, more than one hundred houses are devoted to the smoking- of the drug, whilst as many more retail the accursed to say to

poison in small quantities.

Would

it

not be better,

even in a commercial point of view, for our merchants to minister to the lawful wants of the people in China,

than to pander to their vices, as trade must stag'nate when energy and industry subside, which invariably is

the case,

when man becomes an opium

devotee.

CHINESE JUGGLERS.

177

CHAPTER XL —The Emperor of Necromancers — The basin of water and the —The growth of a shrub —The production of edibles from a plate of unboiled —The murder and resuscitation of a child—Analogjr the gymnastics between the Chinese and Indian Jugglers — Glance

Jugglers fish

rice

at

of the Chinese.

The

extraordinary and astonishing* performances of

Indian

jug"g*lers

have not only been described by

various authors^ and travellers^ but the British public

have had a few opportunities afforded them of judging-

some of their extramust be borne in mind that

of their abilities^ in executing-

ordinary feats

J

but

it

very inferior artists have visited this country^ with the exception, possibly, of recollection of

many

Ramee Samee, who

in the

of the present g*eneration, per-

formed numerous wonderful exploits, of eating- balls of fire, swallowing- swords, and various other mag-ical deeds or

;

which might be attributed deceptions.

ocular

We

will

to

leg-erdemain,

proceed to

g-ive

a

description of the jug-glers of the Celestial Empire,

and we believe the account, bestowed

in

the

perusal

will well

of

the

repay the time,

same

',

as

their

by no means of a despicable or ordinary standard, their dexterity, sleight of hand, conjuring-, or

talents are

whatever other denomination their art VOL.

I.

may

correctly

N

CHINA A^D THE CHINESE.

178

appertain unto,

we

most astounding'

is

:

we

confess that

are puzzled^ to find a proper definition^

to

fit

apply

to^ or describe the performance of the Chinese jug-g-ler. All that we can call it is^ the occult science j this term

must be

correct^ for hidden the

means emplo3'ed

are

from us ordinary mortals nevertheless^ althoug-h we cannot unravel how these m3'steries are broug-ht about^ the same are deserving- of attention and record. Some of the performances of the eastern jug'g'lers^ ',

appear so incredible^ even to those who have had the advantao'e of ocular demonstration, that the accounts

must seem

to those

7vJio

have not had the same oppor-

tunity afforded them, as the tales, or long- bows of eastern travellers.

For our own

part,

we must

con-

that we should have rano-ed ourselves amonsf the ranks of unbelievers and sceptics, had we not had the

fess,

opportunit}^ of judging' as eye-witnesses of the truth

of the facts which selves,

seeing

we

freel}"^

are about to describe

;

for our-

admit that we not only believe

is believing^

we have seen

all

we

(for

even in these matter-of-fact times)

ourselves, but

much more

marvellous

wonders, which have been described to us; and we

have deliberately come to the conclusion, that there is no sleig'ht of hand, foreig-n aid of trap doors, false bottoms, assistants concealed under tables, or such like

accompaniments as are well known

attendants upon

"The Great Wizard

Robert Houdin, or such the

skill,

like

gentlemen

science, or art, has been

to be

the

of the North," ;

handed

but that do^\Ti,

or

inherited from their forefathers, or predecessors, and is

of a similar nature to that wliicli was possessed

the mag'ii

by of ancient Egypt, and of the truth of whose

SUEPKISING SKILL OF EASTERN JUGGLERS. performances we can have no doubt.

We

179

are not pre-

pared to assert there is neither deception or leg-erdemain^ at any time or period^ practised by eastern jug-g-lers^ as

there

may

have been^ and in

proba-

all

was^ in such exhibitions as those which have been witnessed in England^ and already referred to^ since these took place upon the stag^es of our public bility

theatres^

where necessarity

and practice deception

j

ever}^ facility existed^ to aid

but what we

now

allude to

own domicile^ and under circumprecluded the possibility of any totally which stances assistance being' derived from trap doors, or collusion

took place in our

of any kind with confederates.

Being- fulty con-

we were the more astonished wonders which we did behold, and we were rather incUned to doubt the evidences of our own senses, and rubbed our org-ans of vision, to ascertain if we were not dreaming- ; and we will not declare, that we did not bite each of our own little fing-ers, in

vinced of these facts, at the

our laudable anxiety to be perfectly assured, that we were wide awake, and in the full possession of all our faculties.

Having- received hospitality and attention from numerous friends, we felt it incumbent to return

and it became a matter of no little solicitude, how we might best, at the same time cater The latter, it must be confor their amusement. fessed, was a matter of no small difficulty, in a colony like Hong'-Kong', composed of raw materials, and unsuch

civilities,

licked into civilization.

At

leng-th,

after

frequent

consultations A^dth our compredore (who is the head servant, or butler), as to the practicability of inducing-

N 2

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

180 a celebrated

jug-o-ler of

Canton, " for the

filth}'

lucre

of g*ahi/' to transport himself to Hong'-Kong-^ and exhibit his various mag'ical acquirements to us red-

barbarians

bristled

:

our aforesaid compredore

one

day announced to us, with much official importance and dig-nity in his manner, that the celebrated biped Ave of the jug-g-ler species had arrived in the island and the sent forthwith in quest of the necromancer, compredore returned, after the lapse of some hours, with the ao'reeable intellio-ence, that he had succeeded in finding- the rara avis, and had secured his services {for a consideration y and rather a hig*h fignire it was) ;

to display his cabalistic skill, and, for the first time,

amusement and g'ratification of an audience composed of the lieg'e and loyal subjects of to perform for the

Invitations in due form were

her Britannic Majesty. issued,

and accepted with alacrity

;

recreation of an}'

kind being*, in that lugubrious colony, rare larg'e assemblag'e,

and a

;

consisting* chiefiy of the lords of

the creation, arrived on the evening* in question.

The room

which the performance took place was denuded of matting*, and every article of furniture, with the exception of chairs, which were arrang*ed in

close to the walls, for the convenience of tlie spectators,

thus leaving- the floor unmatted, and a clear and wide

arena for the performer.

At

ofreat attraction of the evenino-

compredore

;

the hour named, the was introduced by tlie

the magician appeared to be a

about thirty-five years of

ag'e,

man

of

and sallow complexion

j

for even among* the copper-coloured inliabitants of the

Celestial

ness

J

Empire there are various degrees of yellow-

his

eyes

were

exceedingly small, with

an

THE EMPEROR OF NECROMANCERS.

181

expression of cunning- and shrewd observation depicted therein

;

lie

looked round the room^ appearing- to scan

company assembled at one glance. There was an expression of Jinesse about the mouthy and the tout ensemble of his countenance evinced a the whole of the

character of intellig-ence^ shrewdness^ and determination^ rarely

combined

j

he maintained^ and observed,

the imperturbable gravit}'

Avhicli is

characteristic of

In height he was about

the Chinese nation.

five feet

seven inches^ not an athletically formed man^ but of a wiry^ spare

make

;

he was attired in the ordinary dress

of the middle ranks of the Chinese^ whicli consists of

a loose jacket and trousers^ white calico stockings^ and black silk shoes

was

followed

;

he had no covering on his head^ and

by

his

coolee^ or

servant^ bearing an

unpainted teak-wood box^ in size about three two, w4io placed it in the room, and retired.

feet

by

The juggler, magician, necromancer, or conjuror-— for we know not which of these appellations to bestow upon the individual advanced into the centre of the room, accompanied by the compredore, and commenced an oration in Chinese, which was rendered into AngloChinese by our compredore, who acted upon this The harangue was to the occasion as interpreter. " That he never before had exhibited; followino- effect

—

—

the m3'steries of his art to any, save natives of China,

and mandarins of the highest rank but, as our compredore was his particular friend, and had promised him faithfully, that the Viceroy of Canton should not be made cognisant of his having* exhibited the wonders j

of his peculiar vocation, before an}' but the favoured

sons of the Celestial Empire, he would display such

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

182

extraordinar}' feats^ as would imdoiibtedl}^ convince us^ that

he was no common professor of the occult

Taou-Kwang- was the gTeatest potentate in the Avhole universe^ all other emperors and monarchs being* his inferiors, so was he (the speaker) the chief and head of all professors of his artj all science

;

for as

others of his brethren or compeers being* as inferior to

him, as the aforesaid emperors and potentates were to Taou-Kwang*, the Emperor of the Celestial Empire,

and ruler of the whole world." This oratorical display was delivered with an amazing* show of pomposity, beino" reo*arded by us for as much as it was worth and we fully determined to keep our previousl3'-formed :

resolution, of watching* the performer

and closely. The compredore now of

all

the

jug*g*lers,

most narrowly

emperor iiecromancers, conjurors, and retired, leaving* the

magicians, standing* solus in the centre of the apart-

ment.

Our

placing* his

friend

box

now commenced

at his side

jacket, leaving* liimself

;

by

nude from the waist upwards,

with the exception of a white cloth

about his loins

operations,

he then stripped off his

',

a\

hich Avas t\\isted

he then took his long*

tail

of plaited

and tA\ ined it around his head. Being* thus prepared, by denuding* himself of his jacket, to prove there was noug*ht concealed in liis sleeves, he opened his box, and took therefrom an ordinary earthen^x are bowl or hair,

bashi, of about eig*hteen inches in diameter, closed the lid

of the box, leaving*

it

in the middle of the

and comjdetely ex})osed to our view round the room, basin

in

;

room,

he then walked

hand, presentmg* it successively

to each g-uest for inspection

;

the Avhole of the time

THE BASIN OF AVATER AND THE muttering" in Chinese^ which

a species of incantation.

183

FISH.

we afterwards learned was

All assembled were perfectly

was an ordinary

satisfied

that the basin

empty.

The conjuror now placed the bowl on the

floor^

about

and

one^,

from the box^ untwisted the cloth loins^ and threw it over the basin^

five feet

from about

his

spreading-

out smoothly^ and continuing- his

it

mumb-

The magic cloth Avas by one yard wide before three quarters of a minute had elapsed the jug-g-ler ling-

during- the operation.

about a yard and a half

long-^

;

raised the cloth from the basin^ exposing- the vessel to

our view,

^\\\e\\, lo,

the basin was

and behold

filled Avith

!

to our astonishment,

limpid water, and a fish of

three or four inches in leno-th was swimraino- about in it

He

!

then took up the bowl, handing-

spectator, as he

it

to each

had previously done when the basin

empt}^, and we satisfied ourselves that there Avas no ocular deception, that the water was veritable Avater, and the fish a living- one. How this was

was

accomplished, Ave leave

it

necromantic arts to solve

was no

to those j

who

but this

is

are learned in certain, there

bottom or lining- to the vessel, and it Avas impossible to have chang-ed the basin, or to have put anything- into it, as the performer did not approach it from the time of placing- it on the floor, until the cloth had been withdrawn by him, and Ave had seen the false

limpid Avater in

After

Ave

it.

had

sufficiently

minutely examining- the

necromancer replaced

it in

ourselves,

by

of the basin the

the box, taking- therefrom

a g-reen porcelain floAver-pot pot was near upon

satisfied

contents

filled

A^ith

twelve inches in

mould height,

-,

the

and

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

184

Holding' the flower-pot in one

eig-hteen in diameter.

hand, and AAhat appeared to be an ordinary seed in the other, the conjuror handed them round for inhe then made

spection, after the previous fashion; ;i

cavity in the

ing-

mould

carefully

it

the seed in

jDlacing*

A\ith

earth

tlie

it,

cover-

he placed

;

the

flower-pot on the gTound, where the howl had pre-

viously rested, covered cloth,

and recommenced

about ten minutes

we beheld

;

it

in

manner with the

like

his nnitterhig-,

which occupied

he then Avithdre^' the cloth and

a young* and tender plant in the flower-pot,

about two inches above the mould mao-ic veo-etation,

was

;

this

specimen of

of a delicate brio-ht o-reen color,

about the stem, one A\'ithin the and apparently a healthy plant, having* all that peculiar freshness, which is apparent, when a plant sprouts, from its parent earth l)ut to what botanical

with the

leaA'es folded

other,

;

g'enus this mag*ical spechnen appertained,

we

are not

was handed round and examined b}' all, with the b}" the enchanter, same feeling*s and ex})ressions of surprise, but with no less care and accuracy, than the water and the The jug-g-ler ag*ain replaced flsli, AAhich had preceded. the flower-pot, on the spot which it had previousl}' occupied, and recommenced his incantations, which during* this continued for about twenty minutes prepared

to

determine.

This

5

period

we observed

the cloth g'radualh' rising* in a

form over the spot where it covered the flower-pot, until it had risen about a foot and a half; Avhen the cloth was ag*ain witlidrawn, and to our in-

conical

creased amazement,

we beheld

the tender plant gfrown

into a small shrub, reg'ularly formed,

clothed AvitU

THE GROWTH OF A SHRUB. verdure^ and having'

185

branches covered with buds and leaves ; and ag-ain the same examination was resumed^ and we were as fully convinced of the its

—

shrub being- a bo?id

Jicle one, and of the impossibility we had been of the truth and acof that which we had seen on the two former

of deception, as curac}^,

Replacing, recovering, [remuttering ^yeve

occasions. all

severally renewed, and after the lapse of half an

hour, the cloth was once more removed, and need

we sa}^

that the amazement of the spectators was considerably

aug-mented, by discovering- that the shrub was

now

clothed with blossoms and flowers, in appearance resembling- those of the China aster.

" Most wonderful

— — beyond be— scarcely to be credited — surely our eyes deceive

astoundino'— extraordinary

astonishino-

lief

— are

we dreaming*

—

—

—

magic or what" were some of the ejaculations which escaped from those present. AVe now came to the conclusion that noug-ht more extraordinary could be exhibited and we imagined that the show was terminated j when our friend the magician re-called the compredore, and tlirougdi him requested us to resume our seats, as he had something- further to produce, by which he intended to prove his rig'ht and title to the imperial dignity which he assumed over his compeers at the same time he intimated that our patience would be slightly taxed, as time would be required, to bring- the

us

is it

:

forthcomingto

spectacle

comply with

ing* ourselves.

to

completion

this reasonable

:

we hastened

request b}' reseat-

Ag-ain the casket of wonders, in the

teak-wood box, was called into requisition, and the lid having* been raised, our

form of

the

aforesaid

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

186

wonder-worker took therefrom, a common earthenware plate, of a round form, with blue and white fio-ures depicted thereon, and about two feet in diameter ; a pound or more of uncooked rice, was put

and handed about as previously dewe took the platter, examining- it more narscribed rowly than any of the former articles, resolved this

on the

plate,

;

time there should he no mistake, for as the conjurer had promised that the wonder now to be Avorked,

more supernatural than anything' we had

was

to be

yet

witnessed,

we

resolved, if possible, to be very

sharp, and not to be donej we handled the rice, which there could be no mistake about, it beingindeed " la veritable," (as Jean Maria Farina writes by the waj^, how many veritable Farinas are there ?) and unboiled also. It must be borne in mind, that during- the whole period, althoug-h the necromancer

could see the box,

it

was

closed, standing- at a distance

from him, and he never approached it during- the operations, after the various articles were taken from it

5

so that

it

was perfectly impracticable that any-

thin o- could have been abstracted from the box, after it

had been orig'iually closed. The conjuror now put the plate of

of the room, covering-

it

rice in the centre

with the cloth, and squatting-

down after the manner of these pag-ans (for be it known to the uninitiated, that the attitude of the Asiatics, more frequently resembles that of a monkey crouched, than that of a human being- seated, as their nether end rests upon, or balances over their heels,

and when a Chinaman's long- tail is stretched on the ground, the resemblance is neai-ly perfect), he varied

EDIBLES FEOM UNBOILED RICE. the performance b}^ putting-

liis

187

hand under the

cloth,

scrupulously keeping- his arms covered to the elbows,

and commenced divers manipulations, vehemently, energ'etically, and loudl}', muttering- his incantations. It has just been sug-gested to us, by a mischievous imp,

who

jog-ged our

elbo^\-,

that the manipulations

in which the conjurer was indulging-, might possibly have been of a mesmeric character ; be this as it may,

the manipulations continued for the space of half an

hour, our necromancer never budging- from the spot, or varying* the eleg-ant attitude, which he had

assumed

:

we observed

cloth at divers times,

sundry-

and

first

movements under the

in various places

j

it

ap-

peared to be raised from the g-round until the whole presented an appearance, not unlike the uneven sur-

and undulations of the model of a hilly country j the three sides which were removed from the mag-ician resting- on the floor. At the expiration of the halfhour, the magician arose and removed the cloth, walking- round, and carefully g-athering* it up at the four corners, which being- thus raised, discovered to our astonished gaze, arranged in symmetrical order, face

six dishes or plates, of various sizes,

although similar

which had been previously handed round for these plates were filled with sundry cooked j edibles, peculiar to the countr}^, and among-st them was a platter full of ho'ded rice, but where the dish of unboiled rice had vanished to, or from whence came the six dishes, or how they came there amply filled with ready cooked food, it passed human ken to to that

inspection

explain

!

Neither

is

it

conceivable

how

the juggier

could have arranged these six dishes, without moving*

!

CHINA AXD THE CHINESE.

J88

from one spot^ as those dishes which were farthest from him^ when the cloth was removed^ were considerably beyond the reach of his it

arm

but^ certes

;

cannot be denied, that he could with equal facility

arrang-e the order of the dishes,

as he

could have

caused to appear, or have produced, the six descriptions of variously prepared edibles, in as

from one

solitary- platter

many

dishes,

of unboiled rice.

Ag'ain were exclamations of wonder and astonish-

ment heard

to issue

A\ere present

tacle

:

from the mouths of

ag*ain did

had been brouo*ht

all

those

who

we conclude that the spec-

to a close, but ao-ain

were we

requested to resume our seats, and again did we comply M ith the solicitation. The conjurer re-covered the ^iands with his magic cloth, which to our visual org-an appeared to be nothing* more or less, than two pieces of calico sewn tog-ether re-seating* himself in ;

his

former eleg'ant

he

attitude,

incantic jabbering's, repeating*

manner above described. time, we observed the cloth the

rising-,

a

form

and

liis

recommenced

his

manipulations in

After the lapse of some g-radually rising-, rising*,

ag-ain rising* in the centre, until

it

assumed was

some^^hat conical, the apex of which

removed about two feet or upwards from the floor. During' the whole of this rising- or ascending* process, the manipulator remained without removing* from the spot where he had orig-inally squatted, but he now assumed the erect posture of the human form divine, and again, and for the last time, he raised the raag-ic web of cloth, when, Avonder upon wonders there were the six dishes, which twenty or thirty minutes pre\iously, we had seen arrang-ed flat and svmmetri!

GRAVITY OF THE NECROMANCER. upon the

call}^

floor,

now

upon the

piled one

189 other,

in reg-ular order, commencing- with the larg-est at the

bottom, each dish in ascending- order, being- of diminished size, until the smallest crowned the top, the food remaining- in the dishes, forming- a new melang-e or pyramid, composed of alternate layers of earthen-

ware and viands. ^^

AVell," said a ''

sent,

if this

countryman of

who was

ours,

does not bate Bannag-her

pre-

and sure ye know who he hate, wasn^t it Ould Nick himself!" Alas poor for shortly after, Death, the presiding* g-enius of Hong--Kong-, claimed him as a victim, and there his body rests, in the burial-g-round on the hill, ^\lih. the dark red earth piled on his coffin, far from Erin's g-reen isle, and those he loved "^ Alas so well. poor Yorick he was a fellow of infinite mirth and merriment." Ah well it will not do to indulg-e in these melancholy reminiscences j so on with our task. !

—

!

!

!

!

!

With

breathless astonishment,

we

upon this was not quite impossible that, upon close inspection, we might discover the cloven hoofs, horns, tail, and other pecu-

necromancer, half believing- that

liarities

g-azed

it

appertaining-

there was

a

tail,

to his Satanic majesty* true^ but that was of hair j and being-

twined round his head

it

could not ver^^ conveniently

appropriate^ be termed a dorsal termination. During* the whole period of the performance, the

or

necromancer preserved the most imperturbable g-ravity, whilst we unsophisticated mortals were lost in very amazement at the wonders we had been the witnesses of j but he, g'ood man, treated all that he did, seem-

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

190

had been matters of common daily occurrence wliich possibly they mig'ht have been^ or were with him. Amono-st our Eng-lish exclamations ing-ty as if the}^ ;

of ^vonderment,

it

should not be forg-otten^ that there

were ming-led in due proportion^ the yi-yaavs, and other expressions indicative of similar feeling's on the j)art of the head domestics and their friends^ who had croA\'ded round the doors and windows, to satisfy their (not ver}' unnatural) curiosit}'

not at

all

for we, althoug'h

;

times disposed to be g*ood-natured, on this

occasion, for very obvious reasons foUoAved laudably,

the

pursued by a certain mitey minister,

course

namely,

our eyes to avoid seeing- what

closing-

have

w^e should

emperor of

g-reat

the

all

conjurers,

we

and we must fully

acquiesce in his rig-ht to assume that

title,

now

his leave with a chin-chin, meaninof in o-ood

Eno'lish farewell

;

own domestics

took

honest

his coolee removino- the teak

box, and some of our

felt

The

remedying-.

difficulty in

wood

carrying- out the

and pyof which, we have no

flowering- shrub, in all its pristine beaut}",

ramid of viands

;

of the latter

doubt they partook in compan}- with our friend the emperor, washing- the edibles down with sundry cups of their favourite beverag-e, sam-shoo.

In Smith's Exploratory^ Visit

to

the following' interesting- account of a

we

quote, as being' a

China,

we read

jug-g'ler,

wliich

more wonderful performance,

and illusion, than any we saw, or have described " To witness the performance of a native jug-g-ler. :

The

latter,

after harang"uing- the

animation, as

is

crowd with much

usual with actors, proceeded to one

part of the crowd, and took thence a child, apparently

THE RESUSCITATION OF A MURDERED CHILD. 191 about

five

or six years of

who with

ag'e^

strug'g-lino'

reluctance was led into the centre of the circle.

The

man

then with impassioned g-estures, violently threw the child on a wooden stool^ and placing- him on his back flourished over

him a larg-e knife the j

child all the time

sobbing* and crying- as if from frig-ht.

Two

or three older men^ from the crowd approached with earnest

remonstrance ag-ainst the threatened deed of violence. For a time he desisted, but soon after returnino- to the child^ who was still uttering- most pitiable cries^ he placed him^ with his back upwards^ and notwithstanding- the violent protests of the seniors, he suddenly

dashed the knife into the back of the child's neck^ which it appeared to enter till it had almost divided it from the head^ the blood meanwhile flowing- copiously from the wound, streaming- to the g-round and over the hands of the man. The man then arose^ leaving the knife firmly fixed in the child's neck.

The

strug-g-les

of the

child

more and more ceased. Copper cash

g-rew

and at last altog-ether were now thrown liberally into the ring-, for the benefit of the principal actors. These were collected by assistants, all of them viewing- the influx of the coins with g-reat delig'htj and bowing- continually to the spectators, and reiterating- the words, Te seay^ feeble,

many

thanks. After a time, the man proceeded towards the corpse^ pronounced a few words, took awaj^ the knife and called aloud to the child there

The

appeared the

stiflhess of

sig-ns

of returning-

j

soon

animation.

death gradually relaxed, and at last

he stood up among- the eag-er crowd, who closed around him and bountifully rewarded him with cash.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

192

one^ which evidently excited

The performance was

in the bystanders^

delig-ht

who, by

their continued

shouts showed their approbation of the acting-/'

Before

subject,

disrai^^sino• this

p.

83.

we must draw an

analogy between the performance of the jug-g-lers of the Celestial Empire, and their brethren of the British

We

have not heard of aug-ht but as analag'ous to the bowl of water and the fish

possessions in India.

5

we have, and by man}^ 5 described believe that it has been previously nevertheless, we will give it here concisely, as we have heard it repeated by one who was an eye-witness, whose veracity is undoubted, and upon whom we can rel}', the g-rowing- plant or shrub,

reg-ards

and whose scars bear honourable testimony to the The perservice which he has rendered his country. mang-oe of a production the is allude to, we formance shews a stone of the mang'oe fruit, which he places in the earth, covering* it with a mat; after a certain time he removes the mat, and the fruit stone has become a young- plant ) or the young- plant has become a

The

tree.

jug*g'ler

or the young' plant,

branches

youno- tree, with the case

may

be

;

it

is

clothed with

leaves, as

ag-ain covered with the mat,

is removed, and The same process 3'ou behold the tree in blossom. of covering*, and uncovering* with the mat is repeated several times, and the various stag*es of the blossoms

which after another space of time

forming*, blowing-^ the fruit forming*, the g*reen fruit,

and the ripened their

At

fruit are all exhibited, according* to

natural order, for inspection and observation.

the

pieces,

conclusion

the

and handed

to

fruit

is

g-athered,

the spectators

;

cut

and our

into in-

GYMNASTIC FEATS.

193

forniant has assured us that he not only partook of

the fruit whicli has been so produced^ but that the

appearance^ effluvia^ and flavour of them were equal to the finest fruit of that description^ whicli he had ever previously tasted.

We

believe that the operation

of oTowino- a mano-oe tree

will

take several hours

to the best of our recollection^ five or six

;

;

so that, in

point of time, the professors of the cabalistic art in

the

Celestial

British India

Empire are not inferior to those of and we have not the slio-htest doubt

:

upon our minds, that they could produce

fruit in a

we have

witnessed,

shorter time, judg-ing- from what

were produced upon our shrub, hour and ten minutes from the time of planting- the seed in the mould, therefore we may very fairly arg'ue, and conclude, that fruit could have been produced in an hour long-er.

seeing' that the flowers

in about one

The Chinese

also exhibit

much

dexteritv and skill

in the performance of gymnastic feats of streng'th ao-ilitv

;

we have seen them

lyino-

on the o*round

and flat

on their toes a bamboo pole, to either end of which was attached a heavy The pole and stones the}'' would maintain in stone.

upon

their backs, balancing-

some time, they would then pass the and rise from the gTound, stand upon one leg", balancing- the pole upon the palm of the opposite hand ; the whole of this time the this position for

pole into

their

hands,

bamboo and stones never adroitness

is

touching- the ground.

also displayed in catching-

Much

naked swords,

which are flung- up into the air, the Chinaman seizingthe sword by the hilt before it reaches the g-round. Tossing- inimmerable balls throug-h hoops, in cpiick VOL.

I.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

194 succession^

is

also a favourite pastime^

and we have

seen a Chinaman keep twelve balls in constant play for a quarter of

an hour^ never once allowing- a ball

to stop; or fall to the g-round.

much time and space^ were more leng'thened description of these

It would occupy too

we

to give a

feats of skilly our onl}' object has

the gymnastics of the Chinese^ dexterity.

been to glance at

— their

adroitness and

TOWN OF

NIXG-rO.

CHAPTER Ning-po—Bridge

of boats— Chin-hae

195

XII.

formerly the ililitary Station of triumphal arch and temple—Events conLocal government of Ning-po Number of ;

]Sring-i30—Cit3^— Pagoda,

— — —^lanufactures— Character of — Climate— Trade of Ning-po — Chinese statement of trade nected with the war

inhabitants and houses

in the seventeenth

establishments

local population at

century— Articles of Import and Export

—

—

Ning-po

—Banking

Curiosity-shops— Inlaid furniture-shops Residences and gardens of the wealthy— Ice-houses— Methods of catching fish by men and birds Appearance of the country Hospital.

—

NiNG-PO

—

lies in

29° 45' north latitude^ and in 121°

22' east long-itude

is situated on the banks of the ; River Tae-hae^ and in the province of Che-keang* the town of Ning'-po is about twelve miles distant from the sea^ being* in a westward direction from the :

cluster of the

Chusan Islands.

extraordinary brido-e nious

manner

j

is

Over the

river^

an

constructed, in a most ino-e-

a number of

larg*e boats at

equal dis-

tances are moored^ on these the foundation of wood-

work and

rests^

fall

thus permitting- the whole mass to rise tide, and bv under the bridg-e at

with the

craft to pass

the spring- tide will allow

them

this all

means

enablino-

periods^ provided

so to do^ for at Ning--

po, as well as at Foo-chow-foo^ the tides frequently

dash

and

throug-h force.

the

bridg-es

Chin-hae

lies

with incredible velocity on the left bank of the o 2

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

100

Tae-luie^ or Zs'ina-po lliver

the toAvn

:

miles in circumference, and tAventv feet hio-h

and

;

about three

surrounded

is

the citadel

is

is

eio-hty feet in heiji'ht, standino- -within

hig-h wall,

distances

a wall

1)v

nearly two hundred a thick

which has turrets and loop-holes at regular at the east end Avere batteries, mountino-

j

some number and size j a causeway connects the citadel and city, which has several batteries to defend it and in spite of the gallant resistance made by the Chinese soldiers, Chin-hae was taken after a few hours' fighting ; and thus the way to the city of Ning-po, which was stated to be one of the most ^\'ealthy cities in China, Avas won by British valour, in g-uns of

:

a short space of time.

The splendid form, and

is

plain of

Xing-po

is

of a semi-circular

nearly fifteen miles in extent, one side

stretching to the boundary of the sea, and the other extendiuii* to the base of the fi'vey

and a quarter miles

city is nearly live

ference,

and

is

feet in height,

at

the

six

Avail,

gates, over

attached

circum-

of immense thickness, as the masonry

base measures twenty-one

to

feet,

and

at

tin;

In this wall guard house, and there is an inner

sixteen feet.

each there

Avhere sentries are stationed

gate

in

The

surrounded bv walls about twentv-four

upper part of the are

mountains.

;

is

a

each of the preceding, A\hich

is

placed about sixty feet from the prhicipal, or outer

one

:

there

is

also a

Avater or bridge gate, so

from a floating bridge,

Avhicli is

named

formed by jdanks of 1

timber being lashed together and laid upon eighteen l)oats, Avhich

liridge

are securely attached to each other; this

connects the city with a densely populated

STREETS AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

A

suburb. extent_,

the

and

moat^ of nearly three and a half miles in eig'hty feet in A\idth^ partially surrounds

cit}-^ tlie

water behig- of sufficient depth to enable

small craft and boats to navio-ate

The and

is

cit}^

197

it.

contains some fine wide streets (for China),

most densely populated, the number of inhabi-

tants beino- estimated as exceedino- five hundred thou-

sand; the pag-oda of Tsing'-po, called the temple of the heavenly -winds, Tien-foono--tah, is a handsome building- of seven stories, of ver}' ancient date

construction, and althouo-h

now

fallino-

and

into decay,

exhibits proofs of the former g-randeur and beauty of

There are also a triumphal arch, and a joss-house, hich are noble structures the former has a screen of beautifull^^-carved fig-ures of elephants, and other Asiatic animals, delineated on it, and the date of the erection is four hundred and five

the decorations.

-\^

years

The

ao'o.

\

latter buildino" is of o'reat size, the

roof being- supported

b\"

massive columns, and the

painted in arabesque, relieved by coverings

ceiling- is

which are either silvered or o-ilded. Our troops found no difficult}' in taking- ]N"ing--po, as the Tartar troops would not ag-ain face our men after the loss and defeat they had sustained at Chin-hae, which citadel was considered by the Chinese as impregnable

our troops landed, found the city

5

v>-alls

and entered the town over many of the shops and houses was submissive people;" and written in larg'e characters,

undefended, passed throug-h the

g-ates,

;

^'^

the inhabitants either lied or concealed themselves for

had elapsed they gratheir hiding"- places, from dually returned_, or came

some days

;

after a short time

198

THE CHINESE.

CHI>'A A^'D

and business recommenced. Larg'e quantities of" valuable silks, several hundred tons of copper coin, and a store of grain, Avas found and captured by our men ; the treasury- had been denuded of dollars and sycee silver, but whether they had been removed to a place of security, or appropriated by the inhabitants, it \\ as impossible to ascer-

re-opened

tain

The

j

their

sliops^

that could be said was,

all

authorities,

who

fled

non

from the

est inventus.

city at the

proach of our troops, were severely punished

Emperor condemned ;

in

b}'

apthe

was was remitted, former services, and from a

the taou-tae, or governor of the city, to death, but the sentence

consideration of

liis

petition of the inhabitants of the city being- presented

at Pekin, praying- that the

life

name Loo-ta-laou-yay) might be peror granted the

life

of the taou-tae (by spared.

The Em-

of the taou-tae, but degraded

him from the honours and emoluments of the ofHce; the che-foo, or subordinate mandarin, was also degraded, and condemned to inspect the repairs of the city walls but the third mandarin, or che-heen, was the most severely punished, as he was banished into the bleakest and most barren part of China, to end j

his da^'s in hopeless exile.

After the city was taken and occupied by us, without any resistance being

made

or offered, a large

and

powerful body of Chinese soldiers, in the middle of the night, scaled the walls, and attacked our sentries ^

they were repulsed, but not without a considerable sacrifice of life, on both sides, taking place the ;

slaughter was terrible, and an ofhcer has informed us, that in a street adjoining the scene of the assault,

J

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF NING-PO. the dead,

fb'i^io; ^^^^^

wounded, were

199

lying' in heaps,

from the destructive, overwhehning* fire of one cannonade of grape-shot. The city w^as not sacked, but the terms of occupation were made string-ent and strict, a hea\y per-centag-e being- levied on the estimated value of all property contained in the city of Ning'-po 3 until the treaty was agreed to

when our

b}^

the

Emperor

of China,

troops evacuated the city, and our consular

establishment was then formed.

The

local

government of Ning*-po is composed of a and che-heen, who have subordinate

taou-tae, che-foo, officers to assist

them

in the discharge of their duties

but as the whole of their salaries are exceeding^ small,

being'

totally inadequate

their

to

attendant

and bribes received to an incredible extent. The two military officers at Ning-po are Manchow Tartars, having about three thousand troops under their command, of The taou-tae w^hich eight hundred are cavalry. states there are more than one hundred thousand shops and houses which pay taxes to the imperial government, and if this statement be veracious, the revenue collected from Ning-po must be a considerable The inhabitants of this city employ themselves one. expenses,

extortions

in various

ways

;

are

resorted

to,

the greater portion of the females

occupy themselves in manufacturing cloth and mats a coarse description of carpet or rug are also made here, and the silks and embroidery of Ning-po are celebrated inlaid furniture is manufactured in g'reat variety, and is of extreme beauty the figures are :

;

made

either of mother-of-pearl, ivory, or a different

kind of wood to the one of which the piece of fur-

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

200 iiiture

.

is

The poorer

manufactured.

classes

who

and suburbs are ag-riculturists^ fishermen^ boatmen^ mechanics^ and artisans of every The moral condition and character of description. reside in the city

the people of Nino--po

and

thieves^

liars (but

or so bad as

many

mone}'^ are poor^

god

A\'hich

is

bad^ as they are g-amblers,

we

believe they are not Avorse^

of their brethren)

and care not by what means the

they A\orship

quarrelsome^

and

they love

:

is

except in

obtained

;

they are not

extraordinary circum-

stances^ or provocation^ will not resort

to personal

violence.

The

climate of Nino--po

the thermometer Avill from 95° to 2° below

is

a most variable one, as

rano-e to our certain knowledo-e freezing- point,

and

^\e believe

the variability of the temperature to be most pre-

European constitution.* Ning-po is a place of considerable native trade, and there are several banking- establishments in the city which have correspondents and connections in all the northern towns and cities; in fact, it is at

judicial to a

]Sring--po

that the value, or price current of specie

is

reg'ulated, a mong-rel stock exchang-e being- held there

where the price of ^^ stocks," or money, rise and fall as they do in London. Up to this period our merchants do not ajipear to patronize this port, as but few have establishments there, o-ivino- as their reason, that they find a readier sale at Shano--hae for Eu-

ropean and American commodities,

being-

also

able

An author of the greatest veracity, the Rev. George Smith, ?ay> hi book on China, alluding to Ning-ju), "The range of the thermometor extending from above 100° to 8' or lO'^ below freezing point." *

liis

TRADE OF NING-FO. to procure

in

201

return^ at a cheaper rate^

and with

o-reater facility, the principal exports of the Celestial

Empire

— namely, tea and silk

merchants were to

settle

at

we

:

believe that if our

a large and

Ning'-po,

lucrative trade mig-ht be established, as the facility

of water communication is g-reat

;

the city

A^

is larg-e,

ith all parts of the

Empire

and situated

in the centre

many

of the hiha-

of a densely populated country,

bitants being- ver}' wealthy, and having- an especial

fancy for European productions.

In the seventeenth was carried on at Ning-po, and we read that the annual tax upon European imports was estimated at ten thousand taels. A Chinese author wrote a work on the commerce of Ning--po, which was published by the order of the Emperor, at the latter end of the last century the centur}' a very brisk trade

;

writer of this account purposes to g-ive a

summary

of

the mercantile transactions with foreio-ners in 1G95

:

he states that the wealth of the Celestial Empire known all over the world, and the dignity of the Imperial Majesty being- duly appreciated, foreign-

being'

ers obtained permission to trade with the inhabitants

Ships from the far west arrived in a line

of China.

of unbroken succession, and the articles which the}' brought were lightly taxed to encourage the fo-

DO

the vessels belono-iuo- to reio-ners to brinoo more O these people were constructed upon a different prin:

ciple

to

the Chinese

double planks

ships,

and made to

The natives of these foreign kinds, being

lower

class,

black and

and the

as they were sail

countries were of two

A\hite,

latter, the

built of

against the wind.

the

first

being the

higher and nobler.

In

CHINA AISB THE CHINESE.

202

lioppOj or officer of customs^ reported

1699 the

^-

that

of Ting-hae (Chusan), was better adapted to foreujn trade than Ning-po ; and the permission of the board of revenue was obtained to commence the lay

1701, two Eno-lish merchantmen arrived and in ein-ht months from the time of their

trade: in

there

;

two other European vessels arrived also;

arrival;

trade

1703^ when disputes arose, the and the permission re-

throve until

factory

being-

demolished,

scinded."

At this time, the trade of Nino--po is ver}'- g-reat among the natives of China, but the principal traffic carried on in the interior

is

with Soo-choAv-foo, and

Hang-chow;

the maritime trade with Fo-keen, Shanand the island of Formoso, is also most extensive between six and seven hundred junks arrive in the course of the year from Shan-tung- and Leautung-,

:

tong-, these bring- silk, rice, ii-uits, stag- horns. Oil

green

peas,

felt

and cloth

caps,

cordag-e

of

of all

kinds, vegetables, sweetmeats, drug-s and medicinal herbs, Avheat,

flour,

oils,

salted meats,

and hams.

From Fo-keen, about three hundred and twenty junks come annually, which are laden with dye-woods and pl-ants,

black tea,

alum, sugar, sug-ar-candy, iron,

indigo, salted fish, and fruits. The trade carried on between Niiig--po and Canton is not larg-e, as not more than twenty junks arrive in the year; these

are

the

same description of

the interior, throug-h

the facility affi3rded

usually

articles as

From

laden

with

above named.

by the numerous canals and rivers, between three and four thousand small vessels and craft arrive laden

PEIISXIPAL AllTICLES OF TRADE.

203

with articles of native produce and consumption, and large quantities of charcoal and wood are sent to Shang'-hae from Ning-po ; many of these small craft belong to several partners,

who

unite to pur-

chase the cargoes, sharing the profits or losses.

The natives of Ning-po state, that since the port has been thrown open to the English, the native trade has declined, owing to the large exportation of silver,

which

merous

necessaries, comforts,

continual^ made, to pay for the large imports of opium j thus the demand for nuis

and

luxiu'ies of life

materially and sensibly diminished

grace of Great Britain, be a strictl}' correct one.

it

j

and

has

to the dis-

said, that the

statement

is

The

principal articles of trade at Ning-po are teas,

both green and black,

silks of various kinds,

and manufactured, cotton the same, hemp man}'

sorts,

rice,

;

both raw

timber of

sugar, birds'-nests, beche de mer,

sharks'-fins, sugar-cand}', sandal-wood, lead, tobacco,

woollen cloths, hides, white lead, castor

oil,

d^^es,

drugs, and tortoiseshell.

The

city of JN^ingpo presents

man}' attractions to a

foreigner, as the principal streets are filled with shops

which contain every imaginable or curiosity.

The embroideries of

both in colour and design

;

article of

commerce

this city are superb,

the texture and

work of the

crape and silken shawls, scarfs, reticules, and aprons,

cannot be surpassed.

In one

street, called

by us Fur-

niture Street, the shops are filled with articles of the inlaid furniture before

named

cabinets, presses, chairs,

—wardrobes, beds, —presenting

and couches

tables, 23er-

fectly complete delineations of Chinese habits, tastes.

204

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

and recreations. The fidelity, accuracy^ and beauty Larg-e figures of this manufocture is indescribable. are asked and g-iven for these articles of truly decorative furniture, and some of the wealthy have their houses completely fitted up with this costly furniture. We believe this manufacture to be solely confined to Ning-po, as it is not known in any other part of China; neither can the furniture be procured elsewhere. Most exquisite carving's from Japan are to be seen in the curiosity-shops, and one rhinoceros horn was a Antique masterpiece, both in design and execution. porcelain, in g-reat quantities, is also to be found in every variety, which the Chinese affirm, will preserve Beautifruit and flowers from decay for a loiifj jjeviod. ful ancient bronzes,

and jaed stone vases, sceptres, and

ornaments of all kinds, are to be met with ; but the price demanded, and pnid, by the Chinese for 'these As the winter is feararticles of verhl are enormous. fully cold, at that season in the various clothing- shops, all

kinds of g*arments, lined with furs, are to be found,

from the most expensive sable down to the cheapest sheepskin, as not a native could live without g-arments

padded with cotton and it is a most extraordinary sight to g-aze upon a mandarin, or wealth^' man, ensconced in several of these g'arments even the middle classes and poor will wear g-arment over garment, all being- wadded thickly witli cotton, or lined with common fur; and when thus lined with fur, or being- thickly

;

:

clad thev look like walkino- masses of li'arments, with-

out either shnpe or form.

The

city contains

some very

fine residences belon^--

TOMBS, GROVES; ICE-HOUSES, ETC. iiio"

to the

mandarins,

205

attached to tliem,

Avith o-ardens

man-

which frequently are laid out in a most tasteful

ner, having- curious specimens of dwarfed veg-etation

some of these Avere the most perfect and minute we ever saw. The grounds and gardens of a wealthy merchant who has retired from trade, and whose residence

is

situated in the middle of the town, con-

most curious and perfect specimens of natural and dwarfed veg'etation to he met with in China ] some of the latter beino* but a few inches in heio-ht and cirtains the

cumference, yet appearing- g'rey with age.

The

hills

about Ning'-po are covered with a beautiful species of the

azalea,

3'ellow^

sinensisj

and

it

called

by

botanists

would be impossible

the

azalea

to describe either

the beauty or luxuriance of this elegant plant, growing- vi^ild

upon

its

native hills.

Over the vast plain of

Ning-po are scattered the tombs and groves, Avhich are invariably tended

with care, having- trees and

flowers planted about and near them.

These sepul-

chres of the dead are numberless, and the plain in

man}' parts foreio-uer to

crowded with them thus enabling a form some estimation of the immense

is

;

population.

On

the banks of the Tae-hae or Ning-po Eiver are

ice-houses of a pyramidical form, and although the

construction

of these

is

most simple, they answer

perfectly the purpose for which they are erected

:

the

bottom of this building is on a level with the earth, and the dimensions usually are, about fifty feet long and thirty Avide, and the heights vary from thirty to fifty feet;

the Avails are exceedingly thick, generally

ten or twelve feet, and are composed either of stone or

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

206

mud

)

on one side

a door nearly level with the

is

gToundj for the purpose of removing- the opposite

side

which the ice-house is

is

ice is

is

on the

this primiti^'e

)

thatched thickly with paddy straw, which

bamboo frame.

laid u})on a

g^reat

;

by means of

slanting* platform^

a

placed in the house

ice

Ice

importance to the Chinese, as

preserve their

and send

fish,

the intense heat of

summer

it ;

it

an

is

article

of

enables them to

to a distance during*

this article

of food

is

consumed in Chhia, and it is said that in Ning-po and its vicinity, more than twenty thousand people are daily employed in catching', curing-, and saltinp- fish. One of the methods of catchina* fish is most extraordinary, the fisherman g*oes into shallow water in puris naturalibus, and strikes the water with a bamboo rod, standing- perfectly still for a moment, then ag-ain strikes the water and dives and nineteen times out of twenty brings up a fish who having* been alarmed by the noise, swims down to the bottom of the stream when he or she is nabbed by the fisherlarg-ely

;

;

;

man

;

this is repeated until the

basket, which

weary of

is

slung*

filled liis

around his body, or until he

When

his task.

fisherman has

is

the fishermen use nets,

they also strike the water, and make a g-reat noise as soon as the nets are let do^Ti in the water, and in a very short space of time they are hauled up

filled

and to us, the g*reatest wonder in tlie Celestial Empire w;is, the manner in which every river, lake, and canal, abounded with numberwitli the finny tribe

;

less varieties of the piscatory species.

The canals about Ning*-po owners of which use the

nlso

abound

fishing*

in boats, the

cormorant, who

is

FISHING CORMOEANTS. trained to do the biddino- of

207

owner

its

rig-ht well

these birds leave the san-pau or boat wdien ordered,

swim about looking- for fish, dive, catch it, and swim back with it to the boat and it is most curious to see one bird, hasten to the assistance of another w4io has caug-ht a larg-e fish which he may be unable to master j the bird will help his comrade to carry his ',

prize to the boat, then fly on to the

bosom of the

water and recommence his own labors. To prevent these docile beautiful creatures, from swallowing-, or appropriating" the fish, an iron ring*, or cotton band-

age

is

fastened around their throats

is finished,

',

when

their task

then their owners reward them wdth some

of the small fry they have caug-ht.

Well-trained birds are w^orth from

five

to seven

and occasionally one man will own five or six couples, and it is a beautiful spectacle to see a dozen of these feathered bipeds perched upon dollars the pair,

the side of a san-pan, looking- in

j

at the w^ord

health, with

g'lossy

dark brown

of command from

their master,

and

their brilliant g-reen e^^es,

plumage

full

away they fly from the boat on to the water, and commence their daily task. The country about Ning'-po is exceedingly picturesque and well wooded,

covered with bamboo and g'reat height,

many

of the hills being-

fir-trees, w-hich g-row to

appearing to flourish in this

a

soil particu-

larly well.

We

cannot conclude this chapter without stating

that in 1843 an hospital was established at Ning-po by the missionaries, for the cure of ophthalmia, from

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

208 which

tlie

natives of China

suffer

most severely,

being- peculiarly liable to diseases of the e3'elids

numbers which apply siderable,

for,

and receive

and hundreds are benefited

;

the

relief are con-

in the course of

the year b}' this institution, worthy of a

Christian

country.

4

1

CITY OF SHANG-HAE.

CHAPTER —

209

XIII.

—

—

Shang-hae Woo-sung River and forts City of Shang-hae Warm baths Shops Population Irishmen of China Soo-chow-foo, the Paris of the Celestial Empire— Local government, climate and temperature Roman Catholics, number, and bishop Ruins of Romish Church Plain of Shang-hae Cemeteries and groves— Public and benevolent institutions Triumphal arch Joss-houses Opium smoking-shops Commerce of Shang-hae Number of vessels Articles of commerce Coal mines Hatching ducks.

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

is

— —

—

—

—

—

Shang-hae

—

—

the most northerly and most important

of the five ports that have heen opened to foreigners is

j

a heen, a district city of Sun-keang-foo^ in the pro-

vince of Keang*-soo,

is

situate

on the right hand bank

of the Woo-sung- river^ lies in latitude 31° 25' north,

and in longitude 120° 32' east, being* distant from Chusan about one hundred miles, in a north-westerly The Woo-sung' river flows into the Yang'direction. tsze-kang' (child of the ocean) which is called by many, and most appropriately, the main artery of China, as it flows through many provinces, and some of the most wealthy cities of China are built upon its banks. The Woo-sung*, or Shangf-hae river, is deep, and easily navigable it

when

abounds in

damaged VOL.

I.

if

the bearings are understood

mud

;

but as

banks, strange ships frequently are

the wind

is

against them, therefore, the

P

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

210

on board as soon as At the mouth of the Woo-sung- river, practicable. two forts are built, distinct from each other about

better plan

is

to take a pilot

half a mile, one being- south-east, the other northeast ; on one side of the river is a quay nearly two miles and a half in leng-th, and this

is

defended by

two batteries, one being- at the entrance of the quay, the other at the western side. Upon entering the Woo-sung-, every appearance of considerable commercial

traffic

exists,

as forests of

myriads of junks from all parts of China, and the coast, meet the eye, on every side, and many British merchants in China have told us that in the month of January it is not at all unusual or

masts

belong-ing' to

extraordinary, for three thousand vessels and junks to

and close to Shang--hae. The breadth of the Woo-sung- varies, in some parts it

be

is

in the river opposite

13'ing'

nearly three quarters of a mile, in others not halt

a one, but at Shang--hae

Thames

at

side of the river

lated

down

the river

;

when

is

one continuous

flat

at a few miles distant

are to be seen, lying- in a north-westerly

hills

direction, the loftiest of feet high. tiful

about the width of the

Bridg-e,

the surrounding- country

J

for miles

some

it is

and the suburbs on this are very extensive and densely popu-

London

views

From are

which

is

about six hundred

the summit of these hills some beauto

be obtained of the surrounding-

country, over which villages are thickly scattered these hills also are partial^ built upon, and several joss-houses are here to be seen devoted to the worship

of Buddha.

The

city

of Shang'-hae

is

surrounded

b}^

a wall

DESCRIPTION OF SHANG-HAE.

211

about three miles and a quarter in circuity which is not fortified in any manner ; there are six entrances

which

at g-ates^

g-ive

ingress and egress to the in-

habitants of the city and environs

)

four of these gates

open into the neighbourhood of the river^ where the warehouses of the merchants are situated. canal flows round the exterior of the city walls^ which is

A

about twenty-two feet in width, and there are also three canals, led from the river, which run through the heart of the city in transverse directions, lesser

dykes or streams branching off in various directions from these ; the city is built, in narrow, filthy streets or alleys, and is crowded with shops, and people actively engaged in business j but ie^Y of the thoroughfares are paved or flagged with stone or granite, the greater number being covered with tiles or bricks,

which are placed with their edges upwards. The effluvia in these narrow, crowded thoroughfares is most noxious, as the drains, ditches, and moats are all uncovered, and are choked up with refuse matter of the most disgusting description, and stagnant water.

The number

of warm bath establishments in

Shang-

hae, strike the stranger with wonder, and the scenes

that he beholds within the walls, with disgust; the

inhabitants of this province appear to be peculiarly subject to cutaneous diseases of the description,

most revolting and when a number of them are un-

clothed, for the purpose of bathing, the sight

and is most the visual and olfactory organs of an

the effluvia which arises from, their persons, offensive

to

European. p 2

of,

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

212

The shops that

are devoted

supply tea^ and

to

cooked food are numberless, as well as the taverns

and tea gardens

;

and both

crowded with

alike are

the various grades or classes of the inhabitants, from the mandarin and wealth}' in their silken robes

frequent the taverns and tea gardens

;

down

who

to the

poor mendicant, with scarcely a rag to cover his emaciated form, who goes to the itinerant cooks' stand, where he can procure the largest quantit}'' of

and

fish for his

Many

shops that

rice

ver}'

few

'^

cash."

sell provisions,

uncooked, present

unpleasing sights, from the quantity of disgust-

ingly, flabby, fat pork that

some of the narrower

exhibited for sale, and in

is

streets, it is

almost impossible to

pass between the stands which are placed before the houses, on which these edibles are exposed for sale. Fish, vegetables, fruit, and pork appear to be sold in certain quarters of the

town

j

and there

used here as a vegetable which at

a kind of

trefoil or clover,

is

green food

astonished us

first

and the shepherd's purse,

are consumed by the inhabitants of Shang-hae

we

;

and

can assure that portion of the community Avho

are denominated gastronomes, that edibles,

when properly prepared,

these vegetable

are far fi*om being

despicable, or even unpalatable.

The

Shang-hae are remarkably fine, the peaches exceedingly so j and the apples, pears, and grapes would not disgTace the cultivators of Europe fruits of

but the wealthy take great pride in the productions of their gardens, sparing neither expense nor trouble to

obtain finer fruit than their neighbours.

The merchandize which

is

exposed for sale in the

CHARACTER OF THE NATIVE POPULATION.

:213

shops consists of embroidered^ plain^ and flowered silks^ satins^ and crapes^ cottons white and coloured ; carved

and

bamboo

distorted

ornaments^ bamboo

pipes frequently five feet in leng'th^ pictures of native

and by native artists '* bronzes^ jaed stone ornaments antique porcelain^ and every imaginable

scenes^

',

article of all descriptions^ either of luxury^ curiosity^

In every part both of the

comfort or necessity.

city

be found joss-houses^ or temples belonging' to the various sects j and to prove how-

and suburbs are little

to

respect the Chinese

pay

to religion, theatrical

representations are constantly held in the temples at

Shang'-hae, whilst jug'giers and fortune-tellers appear invariably to

of a joss-house, to

select the vicinity

practice the cheating* acts of their respective vocations.

The population of Shang'-hae is estimated as being* under one hundred and fifty thousand, but we believe that the population of the city and suburbs (which are extensive and densely peopled) would exceed two

hundred thousand.

The character of the

natives of

peaceable, and their moral qualities are but the influx of not remarkable for viciousness

Shano'-hae

is

;

sailors from many provinces, more especially from Fo-keen, produces frequent rows and fig'hts in the city and environs. The natives of Fo-keen may be called

the Irishmen of China, as they are noted all over the Celestial

Empire

and moreover the province of Fo-

for their irascible, pugnacious,

pugilistic propensities

;

keen has been frequently in a state of rebellion most indecent and for sale. exposed publicly are tendency, and immoral description *

We regret to

say, that frequently pictures of the

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

214

against the lawful authorities

blance

therefore the resem-

;

complete.

is

The wealthy

native

merchants

do not

at

live

Shang'-hae, their residences being" at Soo-chow-foo,

which

is

the most luxurious and wealthy city of the

empire^ and the most fashionable is

deemed

in

Europe the most

;

civilized capital, so is

Soo-chow-foo deemed the Paris of China that

is

Empire comes from that

within eig'hty miles of Shang'-hae.

aging*

who

;

for

all,

remarkable for fashion, beauty and g'ood taste

in the Celestial is

Paris

in shorty as

men and

city,

which

Clerks,

man-

brokers are resident in Shang-hae,

transact business in the absence of the princi-

pals.

The

composed of the taou-tae

local g-overnment is

or chief local mag-istrate, the hai-fang*, or superin-

who, in the temporary absence of the taou-tae, assumes the reins of g'overn-

tendent of maritime

ment

;

darins,

affairs,

there are several inferior or subordinate

the

principal

police magistrate.

of which

is

man-

the che-keen

The British consulate

or

is Avithiu

the city walls, and from the firm determined line of

conduct pursued by the consular authorities, the British flag' has not been disg-raced, by the insults offered to British

subjects,

unnoticed and unpunished

;

being-

allowed

to

pass

which has been too often

the case at other ports.

During- the war Shang'-hae was the sustained the least damag-e, as

troops with comparatively

little

tion, to property, limb, or

life.

The climate of Shang--hae

it

city which was taken by our

detriment or destruc-

is

tolerably salubrious,

CLIMATE OF SHANG-HAE. for Chinaj

the thermometer

four

common

but rheumatic affections are

the winter^ and fevers in the

hundred

815

is

summer

considerable, as

during- the hot season,

degrees

the

during'

it

and

j

will

exceed one

fall to

The

cold.

in

the range of

twenty-

atmospheric

changes which take place in one day is considerable, and proves most tr^dng to European constitutions, as the thermometer has been known to vary twentyseven degrees in one day. And in November 1848 the thermometer

in the

fell,

hours, forty degrees.

course of twenty-four

Snow falls during

the winter to

some extent, and remains on the ground for days, and ice-houses are abundant in the vicinit}'- of the numerous streams. A great number of Eoman Catholics are to be met with in the city and neighbourhood of Shang-hae, who are under the guidance of a bishop, who resides on the opposite side of the river, about five miles from Shang-hae, at a town or village called Kin-keahong J this dig'nitary is the titular bishop of Heleapalis,

of

his jurisdiction

extending over the provinces

Keang-nan and Shan-tung*, and

his diocese is sup-

thousand or more professors, and believers in the doctrines of the Romish Church. About a mile and a half from Shang-hae is a curious ruin which appertained formerly to the Roman Catholics, this building' had been a church, and from conposed to contain

fifty

comitant circumstances

century and a half old

is ;

more than a now dilapidated, and is

presumed it is

to be

used as a store-house. An arch of semicircular form divides the chancel from the body of the building j there is a finely carved altar about three feet and a

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

216

half in height^ and seven in width

;

composed

this is

of stone; and a tablet of the same material

over the altar, on which

H.

letters I. letters filled

is

placed

Roman

S. A\ith a cross in the centre, above the

strano-e to sav the

:

is

inscribed in larg-e

remainder of the tablet

is

with drag'ons, carved deeply in the stone, that

emblem

fabulous creature being- the sacred

in Chinese

AVhat the mvtholoo-y of China can have in common Avith the Piomish Church it would be rnvtholoa'v.

On

determine.

difficult to

one side of the building*

H. S. inscribed upon mementos are placed close to a mound ten or eleven feet in height, which was planted A^ith various flowering- plants and shrubs gTave-stones, with I.

are six

them and

crosses

there

also a tablet

',

these

;

is

on the

building'

memory

of a

The vast

close to the

outside,

Roman

which

is

entrance of the erected

cultivated to an

is

extent that ^vould appear incredible to

who have

beheld

the

composed of rich loam,

soil is

;

the

Catholic mandarin.

plain of Shang-hae

it

to

in short,

it is

in

all,

save those

one vast g'arden

which are jilanted

crops of various descriptions, but cotton

is

the prin-

from this district the Nan-kin cotton comes, both the white and the 3^ellow from tlie latter the cloth is manufactured, called by Europeans Nan-keen. The other crops are rice, wheat, barley, yams, eg-g-plants, trefoil, turnips, carrots, cucumbers, cabbag-es, and cipal crop that is relied upon, as g-reater part of the

;

sweet potatoes turists

in

meet the

this

;

the people being* essentially ag-ricul-

neia'hbourhood, farms of every size

and occasionally a stack of g-rain will be seen, as neatl}- stacked, and as carefull}- thatched, e3'e,

CYPBESS AND PINE GROVES. as could be seen in

any Eng-lish rural

217 district

3

re-

minding* the g-azer forcibly of home, increasing* the

The

heart's j-earning" to be there. to be seen

on the banks of

maidenhair tree larg'e size^

all

T\'eepino'-Avillow is

the streams^ and the

{salishiiria adiccntifolia)

g*rows to a

the beautifully pencilled foliag-e affording-

a welcome shelter from the noon-day heat

a stunted

',

description of elm grows here^ but Ave do not believe

the Chinese use

it

for timber.

In the various cemeteries of this district^ appertainthe mandarins and wealthy^ clumps or groves of most luxuriant cypress and pine are to be met with among the latter is a species which was introduced into this country in 1843, by Mr. Fortune^ the ing' to

;

botanical collector to the Horticultural Society, and

the most beautiful pine

3'et known

;

it

grows

height, the trunk being slender and straight

is

to a gTeat ;

the

man-

ner in which the branches spring from the stem, and the foliage,

the most elegant and graceful that can

is

This tree

be conceived.

with excessive care, as

is

cultivated

it

is

by the Chinese

prized and valued ex-

tremely, being used for flag and lantern poles, and for other decorative purposes.

From

the dense population of this district, a large is

appro-

numbers of

coffins

portion of land in the vicinity of the city priated to the burial of the dead literally

encumber the

;

earth, as they are not buried^

but placed upon short posts, thatched over with the Chinese frequently allow these paddy -straw coffins to crumble into dust before they bury them, ;

many, apparently, having a strange the dead in the earth.

Mounds

dislike to placing*

after

mounds meet

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

218

the eye^ of a conical or round form, in which the dead are deposited, and as these are planted either with shrubs, flowers, or a long-, feathery, waving- g-rass,

the effect

is

most picturesque and

pleasing-

j

more

especially as these vast burial-places are kept in neat

and trim array, from the precepts which are inculcated b}^ their religious beliefs, and a Chinaman order,

would con

ider, the neglect of the

tomb of

his ances-

tors, as one of the most heinous sins he could commit. Within a few miles of Shang-hae (six or seven), are nursery g-ardens, which contain some curious specimens of the tree poeony, or moutan, well worthy the

attention of botanists, as well as plants of the deci-

duous

tribe.

We

shall

now proceed

building's in

The

first

and near

to notice briefly the public

to the city of Shang--hae

in our estimation

(Yuh-ying*-tang'), for female children

receives infants without

:

the foundling hospital

is

question

;

this institution

being'

put

to,

or

introductory letter being- necessary

for,

who wishes

which More than two

the person

to place a child in this institution,

supported by the Government. hundred children are received into this mstitution annually j the method of placing- the child in the hospital is simple, a padded box hang's at the door, is

the child

is

who brings

put into

it

;

a bell

is

rung'

b}''

the person

the infant, to apprise the attendant in

waithig' of the

new

arrival

j

the infant

is

then con-

signed to the nurse, with a wooden ticket or

which

is

AM-itten

into the hospital,

The

tall}^,

on

the date of the child's admittance

and the name that

interior of this building-

is

it

is

to g-o by.

divided into wards,

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. superintended by nurses^

ward and a

certain

219

who each have

number of

children

charg-e of a

in the larg-est

•

or principal ward

with

is the g-ig-antic figure of a female, children in her arms^ and clinging- to her the design of this fig-ure is g'ood^ and the pro-

little

person

:

we have

portions correct; and

upon

it,

that

it

executed g'roup^

The next

thoug-ht whilst g-azino-

would not be considered a even in Rome.

badlj^-

institution in our estimation^

is the one which provides for the sick poor^ and the burial of the unclaimed dead; this hospital is called the Hall of Bene-

volence (Jung--jin-tang'); this institution

is

supported

by voluntary contributions and subscriptions ; having* branches of the same in other parts of the city and suburbs. In the larg-est house in the city^ old and youno* are received, the latter, when convalescent, receivinginstruction from a schoolmaster

who

some few

old

funds of the hospital sons receive the hospital.

j

is

paid from the

and infirm per-

permitted to reside out of The coffins are kept ready for use,

relief, being-

they are strong-ly and neatly put tog-ether, and the of the institution, with the number,* is in-

name

scribed

upon the

lid,

space being-

left for

the

name

of

the occupant.

The

burial

is

conducted with decent propriety, the

and funeral mig-ht shame Christian Eng-land, when we reflect upon the manner, oft-times indecent in the extreme, in which our paupers are consig-ned

coffin

* Thus, if seven thousand coffins

had been gratuitously furnished

to

the poor since the foundation of the institution, the next coffin would bear the number of seven thousand and one. should presume the num-

We

ber above named must be greatly exceeded, as in 1848 coffins were seen bearing the number of six thousand and eighty odd.

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

220 to

mother earthy when buried at the

When we remember

parish.

institution

heathens^ state_,

ing-

is

that

exjieiise

of the

benevolent

this

founded^ and maintained voluntarily by

many

of Avhom do not believe in a future

our praise oug-ht to be unbounded

Christians would do well were

and profess-

j

the}'"

to follow the

example of the pag'an Chinese^ b}^ providing' for their poorer brethren^ setting* aside some of their wealth or luxuries for that purpose.

A fine triumphal arch of Can-di-da^

who

is

erected to Seu^ the father

held the highest offices of state in

the seventeenth century", an altar in the

cit}^ is

also

dedicated to his memory^ where his descendants worship his effigy

;

his sepulchre is outside the city walls^

near the southern gate^ around which is planted seven trees_, which have attained an immense size. Near this triumjDhal arch is a fine temple,

worship of the thology

close

;

g'od of fire, or

to

the

Pluto of Chinese my-

northern

temples called Ching-wang'-meaou

house in this range of buildings

devoted to the

is

g-ate :

are

several

the larg-est joss-

dedicated to the god

who presides over the city. Many idols of gigantic proportions decorate the temple, some of which are remarkable for the spirit of their modelling and execution.

The next temple

the military mandarin

is

devoted to the

memory

of

who fell during the war, whilst Wo-sung forts; the Chinese

bravely defending the

have made a god of him, offerings and incense being daih^ made and burnt before his effio-y or imao-e. which is placed behind the chief altar. The Buddhist joss-houses are

them being

numerous in the city, some of and handisomely decorated;

fine structures

GREAT CONSUMPTION OF OPIUM.

many

221

of the g-ods are of Inrg-e

size^ and frequently are placed in trios^ representing- the three Buddhas^ of the past^ present^ and future. Within the city there is

not a pag-oda^

but four miles and a half up the

river is a tolerably fine

Glory. "We reg-ret very

one^ called

The Dragon's

to say that the consumption of

opium

is

and the number of smoking- houses con-

g-reat^

Little g'ood can missionaries do at Shang--

siderable.

hae^ while Christian Eng-land panders to the vices of

the nati^TSj for the filthy lucre of g-ain.

Althoug-h the appearance of Shang'-hae to Ning-'po,

it is

the coast of China;

it is^

inferior

in fact, the chief entrance to

the whole of the Celestial Empire, as

by water communications

it is

third part of China.

alone, with

—from Sing-apore, Borneo,

Penang", Malacca, Java, and other parts. is

connected,

more than a Vessels and junks come from all

parts of the coast of China of the country

is

the most important place of trade on

called

This part

by many the Valley of the

and the facility of communication by the numerous rivers, and multitudes of some of the latter are natural, canals, is incredible whilst many have been constructed at an enormous outlay, both of time and money, and are stupendous

Yang'-tsze-kang-,

afforded

:

proofs of man's ing-enuity.

The

facility of the

inland transit

to

most parts

of China, from this place, almost equals that offered

by the

liquid element

siderable,

the trade carried on

is

con-

most British and American firms, China, have establishments at Many small craft from the interior,

and

of respectability in Shang--hae.

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

222

been thrown open^ come down laden^ to the water's edg'e^ with teas and silk, carrysince this port has

back the produce of Europe and America^ and a brisk trade is carried on in white caHcos or Ions' cloths, which the Chinese dye to suit their own peculiar

ing-

taste.

We

feel

convinced that Shang'-hae

will, in

a

short time, become the port of the greatest importance in China to foreign merchants, leaving- Canton in the rear.

In the

first

place, all green teas,

and a great

portion of the black, can be taken to Shang-hae at

much ton

j

less

expense than they can be forwarded to Can-

the principal silk districts of the northern parts

of China are near to Shang-hae

cotton grows in j abundance in this district ; and the propinquity of Nan-kin, the former seat of Government, and the wealthy and luxurious cities of Soo-chow-foo and Hang-chow, the inhabitants of which desire and use abundantly the produce of Europe all conspire to make this port one of considerable trade (which is yearly increasing), and importance to the merchant. It is stated there come by the Yang-tsze-kang annually to Shang-hae five thousand three hundred vessels, which convey goods that are to be exported,

—

as these craft never put

out to sea, above seven thousand vessels and junks go to sea conveying goods Making allowance for inaccuracy and passengers. and exaggeration in these returns, Ave know that the commerce, trade, and traffic carried on at Shang-hae

is

enormous.

The junks which go to Kwan-tung, Shen-se, Leawung, and Lean-tung, carry cotton, teas, silk, and cotton cloths, from Soo-chow-foo and Nan-kin

— Euro-

TEAS AND SILKS OF SHANG-HAE.

223

pean produce^ opium^ flints^ hhche de mer, birds'-nests, and sug'ar. It would occupy too much space^ were we to attempt to enumerate the number of vessels, and then' freio-hts, which arrive at and depart from Shang--hae j and from the native reg-isters kept in the custom-house at the "VVoo-sung- river^ it appears that nearly two thousand

junks arrive annually from the outer seas^ which are laden Vtith every description of produce^ both native

and foreign.

From

would appear into Shang'-hae five hundred and odd thousand peculs * of sugar ; one hundred and twenty thousand peculs of d^^e-stufFs and drug's ; an equal quantity of sapan wood ; between three and four thousand peculs of cones ; about two thousand peculs of beche de mer seventeen hundred peculs of sharks' fins and eig'hteen hundred peculs of birds'-nests. These pay some trivial duty^ almost a nominal one but small as it is^ some of the articles above named are smug'g'led to a g-reat extent. The finest g-reen teas can there

is

statistical returns it

annual^ imported

;

',

be procured at Shang'-hae fully twenty-two per cent, cheaper than they can be boug-ht in Canton ; silks also

can be boug-ht at a lower rate^ both raw and manufactm*ed y and rhubarb likewise^ at as cheap^ if not cheaper rate than at Canton. The manufactured silks of this district are renowned^ and justly so^ throughout the Celestial Empire j the chief articles manufactured are satins^ silks^ damasks^ crapes^ and a thick description of serge

;

the fabrics of these being* plain and

figured.

Although *

A pecul

teas is

and

silks

are the staple

articles

alout one hundred and thirty-three pounds.

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

224

of export at this port^ the following articles can be

procured of the best quality^ and at a moderate rate

:

and best description^ China-root_, camphorj cassia^ sugar^ copper, hemp, a very excellent description of fine flax gamboge, stick lac, indigo, d3^es, plumbago, &c. &c. very large white pea is grown near Shang'-hae, from which oil is extracted for burning; and the cotton^ porcelain of the finest

A

then made into a large cake, pressure being used to cause all moisture to exude this cake is used pulse

is

:

for

manure,

feeding' cattle

article used,

is this

so extensively

dollars'

sent or distributed over China.

Coal, of the sort in

j

the consumption,

from Shang-hae alone ten millions

stated, that is

so great

is

Thom, then one of H. M.'s Consuls

that the late Mr.

worth

and

and swine

called " kennel

coal,"

is

found

abundance near Shang-hae; the Chinese take no work the mines in a proper manner, con-

trouble to tentino-

themselves with obtainino* the coal nearest to

the surface

;

and

as this finds a ready sale, being used

We

by our steamers, the natives are content.

feel

convinced that were these mines properly worked, coal of a better,

if

not the best description would be found

at a greater depth

;

and we would suggest

of enterprising men,

the

to a

body

practicability of turning

these coal mines to good account.

AVe cannot

close this chapter without noticing the

vast establishments in Shano--hae, for the hatchino* of

poultry by

the process used

is

a simple

but efficacious one, and the heat employed

is

not par-

artificial

heat

ticularly great, as the

ninety-three.

At

;

thermometer seldom exceeds

the principal establishment the pro-

ARTIFICIAL HATCHING OF EGGS.

225

prietor affirms tliat he frequently hatches five thousand

per dienij this

eg'g's

know

is,

that g-reat

hatched, and that the

little

it

duckling-s

may

be true or untrue,

quantities is

of

are

eg-g-s

I.

\\-e

thus

exceeding-ly amusing- to see

popping-

out of

their

domiciles.

VOL.

all

Q

natural

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

226

CHAPTEE Chusan— Situation— City

XIY.

of Ting-liae— Chops and extraordinary an-

nouncements— Character of the inhabitants— Population— War and troops— Conduct of our men Joss-house turned into an armoury Climate— Anstruther's valley and dream— Interior of the Island-

—

—

—

Canals— Tombs Bays Approach to Chusan— Consumption of Opium —Opinions of various authors— New Treaty proposed—Why Chusan ought to be re-obtained— Opinion of the French Ambassador concerning Chusan Intercourse that might arise with Japan Price of Provisions— ISIandarin fishery synonymous with the herring fishery—

—

—

Poultrj-- Hatchuig-shed

Chusan China

—Vegetables— Fruits— Game.

undoubtedly the

is

most

eligible

spot

in

for n British Colony, the climate being' salu-

brious, the harbour far superior to that of HongKono-, as it is more easy both of access and eg'ress during- the prevalence of contrary winds,

a safer shelter

during'

a typhoon.

British craft, have been at anchor in

and affords

Fifty

sail

of

Chusan harbour

harbour near to it, and at one time which has been called by us Spithead, that would contain, at least, a hundred and thirty good-sized :

there is a larg-er

vessels without crowding'.

The

geog-raphical position

alone of Chusan, would render it the most eligible spot in China to the British Crown, and it is stated that the Duke of Welling'ton, whose skill and talent as general, and diplomatist cannot be doubted, has termed

DESCRIPTION OF CHUSAN.

227

this island the key of China. Cliusan lies midway between the southern and northern provinces, at the

mouth

of the noble Yang--tsze-kang"

divides the Celestial

Empire

canals centre in this river

j

the river which

5

into equal portions, as all

the communication by water

with Pekin the capital of China and seat of g-overnment, and with many of the wealthiest cities, is both

and cheap. The supplies that can be obtained on the island are abundant and cheap, the climate more salubrious than any other in China, facile, expeditious,

and the maritime advantag-es very g-reat the soil is fertile, the inhabitants peaceable and well conducted in short, the contrast between the healthy fertile island of Chusan, and the barren pestiferous island of ;

Hong--Kong',

is

as vast as

it

can be.

We will now proceed to give a description of Chusan, and believe that we

shall satisfactorily prove to our

readers, that our statement sing-ular,

is

or fallacious one, as

of celebrity,

men

ness of judgement

not an exag'g'erated,

we

shall cite authors

of undoubted soundness, and clear-

who

coincide in our views.

Chusan, situated in the province of Chi-kiang*

(or

Chow-san, so called from the fancied similitude to a boat) is the principal or larg-est island of an archipelag-o,

which

lies

off

the

middle

extensive line of the Chinese coast

portion ;

of the

this cluster of

islands extends from north to south about sixty-five

from east to w^est about fifty, (being* distant, from the main land of China about nine miles) the group being* a district of Ning*-po, called Tino--haemiles,

heen.

The

capital of

Chusan

is

Ting'-hae which

Q 2

lies

in

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

228

nortli latitude 30° 10';

the

leng-th

in east latitude 122°

of Cliusan

island

the

of

twenty-four miles

and

being-

W;

nearly

from east to west, the averag-e

width from north to south, ten miles, the circumference nearly one hundred and fifty miles, the form, an irreo-ular one. The city of Tino--hae is not quite a mile in length, and less in w idth, being- surrounded by

a

A\

all

seventeen feet and a half in heig-ht, and four-

teen in width

g-ates are

;

placed at four parts

wliicli

open into the country at north, south, east, and west this wall was in a dilapidated state a\ hen the British troops evacuated Chusan (in accordance witli the articles of the treaty) the ramparts having- been damag-ed, and partially destroyed in the late ^\'ar and during;

our occupation of the island the Chinese authorities Near the western had not attempted to repair it. portion of the city a fine lofty pag'oda stands, tower-

above the houses

ing*

j

and we regTet

to say

that

many a vacant space was to be seen, where had stood the residences of the mandarins, and government offices,

had been demolished and destro3'ed

Avhicli

by our troops in many instances from wantonness and the love of mischief. The streets are narrow, but crowded with shops where every article of necessity or luxur}', made or ;

procurable in China, sale

;

silks

is

exposed, or to be found for

of the costliest fabric and texture, em-

broideries of the most elaboi'ate nature, g-rass cloth

of fine tissue, almost equalling- French cambric, porcelain, bronzes,

bamboo

distortions, i\ory carvings, tor-

toiseshell ornaments, pictures, all

were to be found

in the

and jaed stone sceptres,

shops of Ting*-hae during'

i

EXTRAORDINARY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

229

the occupation of the island by our troops.

It used

amusement^ to read the extraordinary announcements in the English lang-uag'e^ which were to nfFord infinite

many Chinese

placed in the front of

and

had

soldiers^

oug'ht

;

our sailors

tried to persuade Foo-kie, that they

adopt an

to

shops

Eng-lish

cognomen^ and place

Eng'lish inscriptions about their shops^

if

they wished

to attract customers^ or thrive in business

j

and as

ever}^ Chinaman has a very g-ood idea of number one^ and what concerns their interest^ in many instances the suggestion was followed^ the adviser being* requested to select the name and write the inscription.

when complied

This request

rules of orthog'raphy

the numbers

of

with, frequently set all

and probability

sole

purve3'ors

of

at defiance,

edibles

and

to

her

at least four bakers^ as Majesty was astonishingbutchers, and vegetable mongers solely sup•

many

Majesty Queen Victoria with these neces-

plied her

saries of life.

One clothing establishment

exhibited^

in flaming- characters, " Tailor to her Majesty Queen Victoria and his Eoyal Highness Prince Albert by special appointment :" so far so good, but underneath this

was written

— Unifomsofalldeshiptionsinadere,

in

one continuous line, which we will thus explain and this was intended for " Uniforms of all elucidate ;

descriptions

was thus spelled, Unideskiptmns mad 'ere. Whether this had

made here

5" but

foms of all been written in " sober sadness," or for -' lack of knowledge," deponent knoweth not 3 all we know is^ that " Shultz, tailor from London f " Buckthere it was master, tailor to the Army and Navy j" '' John Jones, breeches maker •" " Squire Sam, the porcelain mer-

—

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

230

had

then-

was ludicrous in the

hig'h-

chant J " ^^Dominick Dabbs, gTocer:" shops in Ting-hae

;

and

it

all

est deg-ree to hear the extraordinary ling'o or jarg'on in which the Chinese would reply when addressed by

their novel appellation.

The inhabitants used

to affirm that soldiers

and

sailors belong-ed to the class or caste called Isay

this arose,

we presume, from

hearing* our

stantly shouting- to each other

"I

men

con-

say/^ therefore,

the natives thought that " I say" w^as the cog-nomeu

of

all

the lower orders.

The character of the inhabitants

is

peaceable,

moral, industrious, and orderly, there being- but

little

crime in proportion to the population, which is estimated variously, but we beheve the round number mig-ht be taken as exceeding- one hundred and twenty thousand. In Smith's " China," pag-e 204, we read (and in every word and sentiment we coincide), ^^ The social condition of the people of Chusan stands forth in happy contrast with the heterog-eneous elements of which the Chinese population of Hong--Kong- is composed, and with the nocturnal depredations on property, and violence on person, which have long- prevailed there. On the testimony of those officers of the British Go^sern-

ment, who have had the best opportunities of ascertaining- the truth, Chusan possesses an orderh*, indus-

and respectable class of inhabitants, and enjoys a g-eneral exemption from those social disadvantag-es, which liave concerted the British possession, off the Southern coast (Hong--Kong-), into a receptacle for the most abandoned desperadoes of the adjoiningtrious,

"j

continent."

A

EXCESSES COMMITTED BY OUR TROOPS.

231

When

Chusan was taken, our troops committed the city of Ting'-hae was sacked, command pillag-ed, and plundered, the officers in beino- unable to restrain the men, inflamed by suecess, and excited by sam-shoo, the scenes that were enacted are terrible to dwell upon, and disg'race fearful

the

excesses,

name

of Great Britain.

All respectable natives

quitted the island, and a leng'tli of time elapsed before

they could be induced to return, althoug-h the British

commander

offered protection to life

and property,

if

It was lamentable to

they would return or remain.

from and hiding-places, imploring- and entreating- the red-bristled barbarians to spare their lives and property, offering- them tea and sweetmeats to disarm and appease their wrath. Slowly, and by deg-rees, the more respectable class of the inhabitants returned to the island and reopened their shops, when the see the poor trembling* creatures coming* forth

their houses

Chinese

authorities

forbade

the

natives

provisions to our troops, and several tliis

to

supply

who disobeyed

order Avere severely punished.

These

rig-id

then* shops

enactments compelled

and

quit Chusan,

many

and thus

it

to close

was that

our troops speedil}^ suffered from the scarcity of provisions, as it Avas not practicable to procure the

wholesome necessaries of

men

life

in sufficient quantities to

and they ate meat salted and cured in Calcutta, that was green with putridity, and biscuits that were full of mag-g-ots and The result was, w^hat was to be anticipated, weevils. our men fell prostrated by disease, increased to a great deg-ree by the quantity of sam-shoo a\ hich they furnish our

with supplies,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

232

insanely drank^

when almost maddened by

thirst

and

liung'er.

In our estimation^ the that our diplomatists had

shadow of an excuse rejecting- Chusan^ was

onl}'

for

the apparent unhealthiness of the spot ; but

Ave shall

show that our troops suffered from bad provisions, bad AVe read in Dr. lodging's^ and worse manng'ement. McPherson's work^ "War'^in China/' png'e 21 "It required no g'ifted soothsa3'er to prog-nosticate what the results would be^ where men were placed hi tents pitched in Ioav paddy fields^ surrounded b}' stag'nant \Aater^ ])utrid and stinking* from quantities of dead :

animal and veg-etable matter. Under a sun hotter than that ever experienced in India^ the men on duty were buckled up to the throat in their fiill dress

and

coatees ;*

in

consequence of there being- so few

cam]) followers^ fatig-ue parties of Europeans are daily

compelled to carry proAisions and stores from the ships to the tents^ and to perform other menial

em-

ployments^ which^ experience has long- taug'ht us they

cannot stand in a tropical climate.

Bad

provisions,

and despondency, drove them to drink. This increased their liability to disease, and in the month of Noveml^er there were barely five hundred effective spirits,

loA\-

This

*

\i])on

any

is

clothing in a

one

absmd cnxclty that ever was men — compelling them to wear on duty

the greatest piece of

class

we have

of

trojjical

climate, that

constantly heard of

is

men

practised

the same

only caknlatcd for a temperate

under the weight of their and to sec the poor fellows panting and gasping while on guard, under the scorching rays of a tropical sun is painiul to humanity. Those authorities in England, who are paid by the country, and whose duty it is, should see that the soldier :

faiutuig

accoutrements, before guard was relieved

;

has clothing provided for him, that would be adapted to the climate he niav

1)C in.

MOETALITY AMONG OUR TROOPS.

men

A

in the force.

233

of iiifatuation seemed to possess the minds of the authorities ; medical men, as is often the case were set down as croakers^ their recommendations were neither hstened nor attended to once^ also^ the Admiral and Captain Elliot were known to have walked throug'h the hospital of H.M. 26th Regiment. There were at that time upAvards of four hundred poor sick fellows on mats stretched on the ground; many^ alas^ never to rise from it. The surg'eon was directed to spare no expense^ to procure everything- he sort

—

:

considered necessary tions^

and

to

case aug-ht

make

to be unremitting- in his atten-

:

application to the admiral direct in

was wanting*.

The

surg-eon

recommended

that a ship should he laid apart as an hospital ship^

and that another should be

g-iven to take the conva-

unfortunately^ how; there were no ships available at that time \" ever, lescent to sea^ for chang-e of air

When ing's,

the

our troops had proper provisions and

lodg--

the fearful mortality ceased, and in no part of

tropics did our

men

preserve their health

thrive better than at Chusan.

We

and

read in Smith's

The dreadful ravag-es of disease by which so many of our troops were broug-ht to the g-rave, on the first occupation of the island, in 1840, were soon proved to be, not of local insalubrity, but For four years since its of unparalleled privations. second capture, Chusan has been found a healthy and ag-reeable residence; and many are now able to acknowledge with gratitude to the Almighty, the

'^

China/' pag'e 273

:

^^

invigorating influence of the climate, after a chang-e After the from the insalubrity of Hong-Kong." treaty was

signed,

the Chinese flocked to Chusan

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

234

abundant and descriptions were reopened, and hae; in fact, when the wants Europeans became known, the provisions were

cheap,

shops of

all

established in Tingand requirements of Chinese appeared to

supply them quickly, each one, in his thirst after g-ain, wishing- to be the first in procuring- and strive to

the desired article.

selling-

It

is

our duty to be impartial, and although public

reo-ulations were enacted for the preservation of order,

among- the British and Cliinese, we reg-ret to say that too often during- our occupation of Chusan, the outbreaks and misdemeanours of our soldiers and sailors, when perpetrated ag-ainst the Chinese, were alike

allowed to go unpunished

j

but woe unto the native of

China who violated these enactments, punishment was him when the complaint could be

certain to await

substantiated

;

we

we have

believe also, that

not paid

proper attention to the feeUngs of the Chinese, in some matters, for instance, the receptacle chosen for the arms of the Madras Native Infantry, sufficient or

was one of the joss-houses in the city Avith so many building-s at command, surely one mig'ht have been fixed upon, calculated for tliis purpose, without mak;

ing-

a religious

edifice the receptacle for

warlike wea-

pons.

Some

affirm

that

the

Chinese

did

not

care,

or

take umbrag-e at the occupation of this joss-house by our troops ; but although tliey did not dare to express their feelino's in the presence of their conquerors,

well

know

more,

it

what those feeling-s were.

was bad

lio-ious prejudices

To say

we

notliiug"

policy, and bad taste, to set the reand feehng'S at nought, of a nation,

CLIMATE OF CHUSAN.

235

into a treaty mth the Great Britain^ a hody of whose soldiers sovereig-n of

whose monarch had entered

occupied, pro tem., a portion of the territories appertaining" to the said ruler, in

pursuance of the

articles

contained in an amicable treaty.

The joss-house above building', containing' g-ods

the various passions

made

:

alluded to,

is

a

fine spacious

whose countenances express

these figures are of a larg-e size,

of \^'Ood, most elaborately carved, and appro-

priately painted

j

the various attitudes in which these

fig'ures are placed, represent entreaty, aftection, prayer,

we believe this temple and most correct arcliipossesses the tectural proportions of any yet known in China ; but we regret to state, that both statues and buildingwere besmeared and defaced by marks of betel, and The other abominations indulg'ed in by the sepoys. or supplication, and wrath

:

finest effigies,

cfimate of

Chusan

is

salubrious, and, as before re-

marked, those whose health has suffered, and whose lives are spared, invariably reg'ain both health and strength at this invigorating " Montpelier " of Cliina. Nevertheless, the range of the thermometer

is

great,

low as 20° in January, and rising to 90° in the hot season, which is June, July, and August. The health of the troops was exceeding^ good at Chusan (as soon as proper food and lodging- were given them), and the mortality scarcely greater than it would have been in Europe, not exceeding- three men in one hundred; whilst at Hong*- Kong, the mortality alone of H. 31. dStJi Megiment n-as, on an falling as

average, one

man per diem let Hong-Kong, and

the chapter on

:

our readers refer to

they will there read

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

236

the sickening* accounts of the mortality and sickness

which prevailed in H. M. 9.5th (unfortunate) Regiment. To use an officer's words^ the sepoys^ or Indian whilst die like rotten sheep at Hong-KongChusan the mortality does not exceed that of Bri^^

troops^ at

•

tish soldiers."*

The

Chusan

interior of the island of

is

remarkably

and picturesque^ and no part is more beauthan the long* valley^ christened by Europeans

heautiful tiful

" Anstruther's Valley/' as it was there that officer fell into the hands of the Chinese. One of the most extraordinary circumstances connected with Captahi Anstruther's believe their

capture

i.s

dreams, and

in

shadows before/'

that belief

the

following*

by

will,

The

streng-thened.

captain was missed, a brother tent,

his

ag'ony

j

5

those

this

recital,

have

before

the

officer, in passing*

near

nigdit

heard moans, and suppressed fearing- that

who

coming* events cast

^'^that

Anstruther was

g-roans

ill,

his

of

com-

rade entered his tent, and found the captain asleep in his bed, but moaning* severel}'

by

from mental

his friend,

who

and

g-roaning- as if suffering*

Anstruther

ag-ou}-.

^-as

awaked

inquired what was the matter;

repl}'- was, that he had dreamed the Chinese had surrounded him and made him jirisoner, whilst he was out making* a survey. Anstruther laug'hed, thanked

the

his friend for looking* in to see

and

A\

islied

what was the matter,

him good-nig-ht his friend returned the mess to tell Anstruther's ;

salutation, hied off to the

* It has astonisbed many, that the natives of Asia cannot endure the climate of

Hong-Kong

so •well

as

the British

;

for the sickness

mortality both of the Indian troops and Ceylon Rifles were

terrific.

and

DESCEIPTION OF CHUSAN INLAND.

dream

23?

and many a hearty g'ufFaw was indulg-ed

;

in

at the captain's vision.

The

following- day^ the 16th of September^ Captain

Anstruther Avent out to take a survey in the island, accompanied by an old lascar (who was the captain's faithful servant), both being- as usual

unarmed.

Cap-

tain Anstruther was taken prisoner hy the Chinese,

and the poor

was butchered before

old faithful lascar

We

his master's face.

feel

assured our perusers will

and we will now return to the inland description of Chusan in sober ploddingpardon the

dig'ression

;

earnestness.

In the island there are seventeen lag'es, tog'ether

these are

with

many

principal vil-

smaller ones, or hamlets

with well-cultivated farms, as but a

filled

small part of the

fertile island

to remain uncultivated

;

noble

of Chusan hills,

from

is

allowed

eig-ht

hun-

dred to two thousand feet in heig'ht, which are frequentty planted with

fir

and bamboos, meet the eye

whilst in the luxuriant valleys at their base,

;

gTow

paddy, beans, sweet potatoes, and maize, and the lowlands are also adorned and enriched by the magnificent walnut, trees.

Spanish chestnut, varnish, and tallow

The farmers

cultivate

and

raise cotton for their

also reared on the which rope is made sides of the hills, from the fibre of and the green tea tree is cultivated by all those who

own

use

;

a species of palm tree

possess a farm, however small.

of rice

is

got

in,

is

As

then the ground

soon as the last crop is

prepared for the

reception of other crops, such as cabbages, trefoil, or clover,

grows

and the

oil

plant; in short, almost

in China, appears to be cultivated,

all

that

and thrives

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

238

The more

in the fertile, beauteous island of Chusan. beautiful,

though

less

tribe

useful,

shrubs g'row in wild luxuriance

;

of

flowering*

the hills and valleys

are clad in smiling- array with the graceful glycine,

the eleo-ant clematis, the sweet-smelling- honeysuckle, the fi'agrant rose, and the delicate exquisitely-beautiful azalea.

No

pen can describe the sublime beauty

of these mountains, bedecked and clothed in Flora's

most lovely gifts and the poor, humble, lowly, worm man, " looks from nature up to nature's God," blessing that Gracious Beings who made and planted the ;

lofty mountain's side, with nature's choicest gifts.

Fine canals are both numerous and wide, servins* alike for irrigation, and to mark the boundaries of lands or property

;

the largest of these canals,

is

of

depth to admit junks of small size to navisome distance into the north valley j this artificial stream runs southward and eastward of the Cascades and streams of pellucid city of Ting-hae. sufficient

gate

it

waters dash do^m the mountain's sides

;

and thus

by means of locks. by paths and roads in every

the canals are alwa3s kept full

Chusan

is

intersected

which are elevated above the neighbouring* present these roads are narrow, but might be widened at a comparatively trivial expense, could we be fortunate enough again to obtain possession of direction, fields.

At

Chusan.

Small joss-houses or temples devoted to the Buddhists, where tA\o or three priests reside, are dispersed about, lying' nestled in

mountain's sides

;

the groves which skirt the

numberless sepulchres are to be

found on the island, thousands of them being com-

BAYS AND HARBOURS.

239

pletely overg;rown with long* waving* g-rass is

scarcely a place on the

hills

the city of Ting^-hae that

monuments on which

is

which

lie

;

north-west of

not adorned

the name^

and there

title, ag'e,

mth

stone

and date of

who slumher near, are not the wealthy are exceedino'ly tombs of inscribed. The handsome and are placed in ^picturesque situations, having- juniper, cypress trees, and flowering- shrubs the aaIioIc being- tended "uith planted round them the utmost care, and kept in the g-reatest order. The two chief or principal hnjs of Chusan, are those of Ting"-hae and Sing--kong-, the iirst bemg- on the southern, the latter on the western coast of the the

decease

of

those

5

bay of Tino--hae has three excellent There are likewise entrances, and is also landlocked. many smaller bays and harbours, where vessels mig-lit The bay of Sing'-kong' is a ride safely at anchor. noble one, as it is nearly fi^e miles in leng-th, has two entrances, which are situate at the northern and

island:

the

southern extremities of the harbour, \a hich afforded safe anchorag*e for our men-of-war, and merchantmen of larg-e tomiag-e, as the bay is well sheltered and the All naval as well as practical men, anchorag-e g*ood.

speak and complain of the want of docks and a dockyard in the China seas where could a better site be But the folly of fixed upon than Sing--kong- strait. ',

our diplomatists threw away the island of Chusan

and salubrity dwell; and fixed upon the arid rock of Hong--Kong-, where barrenness presides, death and disease reig-ning- triumphant. As Chusan is approached the view is most exquisite,

where

fertihty

numerous small

islands bespotting-

the sea in every

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

240

and as the island of Chusan consists of numberless rang-es of mountains and well wooded

direction^

hills^

the vieAV

who have

is

most charming-^ especially the fetid

recently quitted

broiling-

Towards the eastern extremity island rises the highest elevation^ and the blue tain tops^ bring* the scenery of North Wales, highlands of Scotland visibly and powerfully Hono--Kono'.

the mental vision of the gazer

vanish upon

setting*

those

to

bog",

of the

mounor the before

this illusion does

;

foot on terra firma, as at

not the

head of each valley are mountahi passes, and the surrounding country is diversified by wood, water, the latter greeting the eye Tvith all hills, and glens ;

the vegetable luxuriance before noticed.

Whilst Chusan was occupied by our troops little trade was carried on, (as our merchants naturally did not feel inclined to form establishments

foreig'n

upon an

island

so soon

China^s curse, opium.

harbour, the

be given up)

to

Smith

;

save in

Chusan two two hundred and tliirty statement we feel conaffirms that in

a^'erage sale of opium, A\as from

hundred and twenty-five to and this chests per month :

vinced rather underrates

the quantity sold.

From

Chusan the opium was sent to the adjacent mainland, from whence it was distri})uted over the empire Christian

England tlirowing

aside all

principles

of

honesty, or probity, in supplying the natives with a

poisonous,

laws to

enter

pernicious

the

drug*,

empire.

forbidden

For

gold

by their and gain,

Great Britain's sons deal death and destruction around them, and the legislature encourages them in this nefarious

proceeding, by neglecting to suppress

SUPERIORITY OF CHUSAN TO HONG-KONG.

241

and string-entl}' punish all, that violate the laws of nations and honesty, by eng'aging" in the smugg-lino*, or traffic in opium.

How the came

elig'ibility

of Chusan, for a British Colony

overlooked,

to be

is

an enig'ma

;

ig'norance

cannot be pleaded, as Sir Georg-e Staunton, in his account of Lord Amherst's Embassy in 1798, speaks of the noble harbour, safe anchorag-e of Chusan, and the salubrity of the spot tag-es

:

surely the manifold advan-

that would have accrued to Great Britain

not to

oug-ht

by

or taking' Chusan, instead of Hono--Kono%

retainino"

have escaped our diplomatists

Emperor of China empowered Keying

5

the

to accede to all

him the imperial seal and sig*nmanual. Why Chusan could not have been demanded as well as Hong-Kong*, none can tell j had this been done we should have been able to have afforded proour terms,

g^iving-

tection to the northern as well as the southern ports for this evil there is at present

another war

we

trust that Great Britain

boug'ht experience lives of

no remedy, but should

or fresh treaty be entered into,

arise,

;

benefit

^^dll

by her dearly-

experience purchased with the

thousands of her sons, and obtain possession

We

of Chusan aud there form a British Colony.

now

shall

quote various authors of celebrity whose opinions

coincide, with the views of practical

Mr. Lindsey thus writes voyag'e

of the

" Superior tag-es

to all

Sylph alongis

in

men. account of the

his

the

of a central situation on the

nicating- with the

harbours,

VOL.

I.

China

of

coast

the Island of Chusan

•

:

the advan-

coast,

commu-

very heart of China, of anchorag-es,

fertility,

population, climate, are

all

B

here

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

242 united are

:

^nly

distant

numerons islands

many

as

and Japan Among- these

Ning'-po, Hang--cliow^ Shang-hae^

feV days'

a (the

valuable

sail.

Chusan group), there are almost

harbours,

or

places

perfect

of

this advantage, security^ for ships of any burthen too-ether with that of their central situation in respect to^'the eastern coast of China, and the vicinity of :

Corea, Japan, Loo-choo and Formoso, attract considerable commerce."

Gutzlaif writes, in his

" Chusan

^'

Retrospect of

Two

Years'

very prominent place in the history of our commerce and intercourse with this country, whatever the pohtical events may be in

Peace

future

:"

;

as a

mere

will hold a

territorial possession, its advantag-es

will be considerable.

*

*

*

The

island is

fertile, and contains a dense, industrious, agTicultural population, A\ho, though more than ten times the

number of

the Chinese inhabitants of

Hong-Kong-,

require not one-fifth part of the police establishment * * As a commercial to keep them in order.

emporium, few places in Asia can vie in point of On the opposite main are the situation with Chusan. most flourishing cities, as respects manufactures as

In its neighbourhood the largest and these will al^^•ays be disembogue, rivers of China * * Inasmuch the hio-h road of commerce. constant enobject of our an be to now ought as it

well as commerce.

deavour to open new outlets for British manufactures, no spot on earth presents such facilities as Chusan jit

the present moment.

*

European troops the climate as it is congenial to the European

for

* is

As

a station

most favourable,

constitution.

*

SUPERIORITY OF CHUSAN TO HONG-KONG.

243

*

In a political point of Yiew, Chusan appears in the most favourable lig-ht. The great political maxim of always as

much

as possible to keep the peace ^Wth

the Celestial Empire^ can never be so well attained as * * * by retaining- possession of the island.

The neig-hbourhood of a British force so near the g-reat canal^ and only about five da3's' sail from Pekin^ will always make the g-reat Emperor very careful to adopt any measures that may wound the *

of the neio-hbourino- foreio-ners.

feelino's

*

The

best g-uarantee for the maintenance of our treaty * * will be the British occupation of Chusan.

With a soil

fourth of the

money

spent on the ung-rateful

of Hong--Kong-j Chusan would have exhibited a

larg-er

and more beautiful

behold on the

city

strag-g-ling- hills

than we shall ever

of this colony" (Hong--

Kong-).

James Urmston^ who conducted for many years the East India Company's business in Canton^ writes "The harbour of Chusan is one of the finest and Sir

and the whole island by a very moderate number of

best sheltered in the world

mig-ht be defended troopSj

Canton

and a small naval is

;

force.''

for

foreig-n

wTites:

that

commerce; because that

neither exports from India or

that

stating-

one of the worst places for trade^ on the

coast of China

for

After

part

"With

England are required James Urmston

of the empire^ Sir reg-ard to

Hong--Kong-; that island

never can prove of the smallest benefit or value to

beyond a mere rendezvous for shipping' and that we at all times commanded and possessed; before we took possession of this insignificant and useless island. US;

',

r2

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

244 *

It never can

become an emporium, unless

for opium, if that trade continues."

Mr. Montg-omery surer

]\Iartin, the late

Hono--Kong-,

at

strong-ly

Colonial Trea-

advocated

the

re-

tention of the island of Chusan, and writes, vol. ii., " But by our retention of Chusan Island, pao-e 390 :

there could be no excuse for seeking- a continental

occupancy it is larg-e, fertile, salubrious, ^\ ell-peopled, and admirably situated for commercial, maritime, military, and social purposes." In Fortune's "China," page 62, we read: "Did our island of Hong-Kong- possess the natural advantages and beauties of Chusan, what a splendid place it might have been made by our enterprising English ;

merchants in a very few years." We believe that we have now quoted sufficiently to prove, that our views are by no means singular as to the advantao-es that would accrue to the

Crown

of

Great Britain if the island of Chusan could be obIn all probatained from the Emperor of China. bility,

this

month of April of of Canton is to be

disturbances will arise in the

year 1849, when the

cit}^

thrown open to foreigners, as the inhabitants, both of city and province, are a contumacious, lawless race, evincino- a strono* and rooted dislike to foreig-ners taking up their abode, or even entering the city of Canton. vShould

this

g'overnrnents of the into collision, then a

upon, and (although necessary,

and the respective countries be brought fresh treaty ought to be insisted we detest war and bloodslied) if The prhicipal articles of this

supposition

enforced.

prove correct,

SUPERIORITY OF CHUSAN TO HONG-KONG.

245

new

treaty oug-ht to be^ g'ivmg* up the island of Chusan in jjerpetuit}- to the Crown of Great Britain, and the interchang-e of ambassadors from the courts of St. James's and Peking whilst England, on her part, in return, should ag-ree to suppress the unlawful

opium ; punishing- with the utmost rig'our of the law, all her merchants, traders, and subjects, who mig-ht either smug-g-le or sell the accursed drug-, and to assist the Chinese Government in extii'pating- the traffic in

pirates

who

infest the Chinese seas.

Why Chusan, is the most eligible spot in China for a British colon}^, is, because Chusan is an island, that is both salubrious and

fertile

being* near to Pekin, the

:

and seat of Government, the maritime advantages are very great, as the communication with capital of China,

all

ports of the empire

A

is

both practicable and expe-

and naval force would suffice to guard the colony and should war, at any period ensue, it would be impossible to cut off the supplies, as Chusan produces all provisions that are ditious.

small

military

;

required for the

Kong we

support of

man;

Avhilst

at

Hong*-

upon the mainland Chusan for provisions and supplies of all descriptions is also near to Shang-hae, the principal emporium of teas, silks, and dyes, is near the healthiest cities, and most fertile agricultural districts, and wellare entu'el}' dependent

;

commercial purposes, as the Japan, Siam, Eastern Archipelago, Manilla, Borneo, Batavia, Singapore, Malacca, Cochin "China, and the Loo Choo islands all pass near

adapted in every

w-a}' for

trading* junks of

to

Chusan

j

Chusan

is

likewise near to Ning-po, one of

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

246

the wealthiest^ and most commercial cities Celestial

of the

Empire.

We

have elsewhere remarked upon the attention which France bestowed upon China in 1845 ; the French ambassador^ Monsieur la Compte Le Grene, each port^ obtaining* every information upon

visiting"

all topics^

fertile^

that

and expressing* unbounded praise upon the

wealth}' Chusan^ combined with astonishment

we had not

we

now enough to do to and national bankruptcy at home,

Althoug*h France has

Kong*.

ward

there formed a colony^ instead of

barren rock and charnel-house, Hong*-

selecting* the

off destruction

believe the time

is

not far off

when order

will

be

and a monarchy re-established then, in the time of prosperity, an expedition might be sent to China to obtain the grant of the island of Chusan from the Emperor of China, for the crown of France. Grievous would this be for Great Britain, to lose the most eligible and salubrious spot in China, through bad diplomacy, and reckless carelessness j especially as the soil of the Celestial Empire, in many parts, has been saturated with the hearths blood of her soldiers, restored;

j

who fought

to obtain advantages for their country. have animadverted in our chapter on HongKong, on the want of a proper building* wherein the

We

Church of England, could but great as that want was, there was one at Chusan which was greater, and cast discredit upon the government of a Christian country that could allow a large body of troops to remain Jive service of the Established

be performed

years

:

without

ai)})ointing

a

resident

chaplain,

to

CHUSAN FORMEELY A JAPANESE ENTREPOT.

247

perform the churcli service^ or administer the consolations of our blessed relig'ion^ to the sick and dying-.

Monsieur Le Grene commented strong-ly upon

this

omission on the part of the authorities^ contrasting*

by his own Government as not only was a chaplain included in his suite, but there were

the line pursued

also several priests

;

on board the frigate. We scoff at it would be well were we

the relig-ion of France^ but

to purify ourselves^ before scofEng'^ or ridiculing- our neig'hbours,

whose g-ood example

it

were well that we

followed.

It

may

not be uninteresting* to remark^ that three

hundred years ag*o the Japanese made Chusan a and as Japan is within four commercial entrepot days^ sail, (with fair winds) it mig'ht not be improbable that an intercourse mig-ht be opened between Eng-land and that countr}^, especially as we had in 1613 a factory at Firando, in Japan, which the ;

Since that Japanese then forced us to g'ive up. retaining* of capabilities and possessions period, our

them have increased

vastly

;

therefore could

we

ag*ain

induce the Japanese to allow us to trade with them, on the same terms as the Dutch, the commercial interests of great Britain

would be

g-reatly

promoted,

as Japan abounds in the precious metals and other valuable commodities ; a voyag-e could be performed

from Chusan to Japan, and thus another market would also be created for our own at

all

seasons,

manufactures. Provisions at Chusan are of the best quality, plentiful, and not one-third of the sum is asked for them that

is

demanded

at

Hong'-Kong-, ^^here, at times,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

S48

provisions are scarce^ and most difficult to be pro-

cured of a g"Ood quality.

The shores abound

in fish

of numberless varieties, and during* the early part of

enormous business is carried on in and curing- the mandarin fish, which many parts of China, and the adjacent

the spring', an

catching-, salting-, is

sent to

coasts, in large quantities.*

Beef, pork, and mutton, average about sixpence halfpenny per catty (one pound and a quarter) ; and as ice is both abundant and cheap at Chusan, there

would be every

facility

for preserving*, salting,

curing' provisions for our troops

:

and

especially as salt is

made, both on the coast of Chusan, and on the neighbouring islands. Bullocks, sheep, and pigs average each from four to ten dollars, accordino- to the condition and size of the beast, or the demand for them. Poultry is most abundant and remarkably cheap, the geese, ducks, and fowls of Chusan being of fine

an immense quantity of ducks are 3 hatched by steam, and one of the celebrated sio-hts of Chusan used to be, the duck-hatchhig establishment large breeds

of a Chinaman

a\

ho lived within a few minutes' A\alk

of the northern gate of Ting-hae. The farmers, or those who rear the poultry, take the eggs soon after they are laid to the hatching-house, first placing a distinctive or peculiar

mark upon

each, to be enabled

* The mandarin fishery is sjTionjTuous with the herring fishery of Europe many Chinese affirm that more than two hundred and fifty :

thousand dollars arc invested in

this trade, and that above thirty-five thousand junks and smaller craft an-ive off the coast of Chusan from various ports of China, during the three months of the mandarin fishery.

As soon packed

mandarin fisb are caught, they are carefully and fonvarded to every part of the Celestial Empire.

as these delicious

in ice

HATCHING-HOUSE FOR EGGS.

249

and reclaim their own eg-g'^ should it be returned as a bad and unhatchahle one. The hatchiug'-house now alluded to^ was a shed built at the side of the cottag'e^ the roof being* thickly and compactly to recog'iiise

thatched with paddy^ the walls being* plastered over with mud.

A number mud^

them from

to prevent

upon

eye^

of straw baskets, thickly besmeared with

this

ig-niting-^

primitive

first

met the

establishment

;

a

placed^ as to form the bottom of the basket,

tile is so

and a

entering*

lid fits closely

over the top, a small earthen

under each basket, into which the eg-g's belong'ing* to different folks are put as soon as they arrive. The baskets are kept closeh' shut for five days, a uniform heat being* maintained under the fire-pot

being* i^laced

basket by means of the before-named earthen fire-pot at the expiration of that period the}' are taken out

and carefully examined, to see if they are g*ood or bad; if the former they are jDlaced in holes, which have been cut in a board for their reception ; if the latter, they are laid aside to be returned to their Before the eg*g*s have become cold, they are owners. replaced in the baskets and kept there for nine or ten

days

)

that

is,

the

eg-g's

remain altogether in the

baskets about a fortnig*ht or fifteen days, the heat of the hatcliing*-house ranging* from 93° to 100°

:

in the

middle of the shed broad shelves are placed, on which the

eg*g*s

are laid

when taken

finally

from the baskets,

being carefully covered over with a thickly wadded coverlet,

and the

domicile in about

little

birds issue from their fragile

the a fortnio*ht or three weeks egg* occupying one

whole process of hatching* an

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

250

month

Eg-gs of the best quality can

or five weeks.

be obtained at one dollar per hundred^ and the quan-

were consumed by our soldiers was pro-

tity that

digious.

Excellent wheat

g-rown at Chusan

is

maize^ millet, and

Veg*etables

rice.

as well as

are abundant,

and in no part of Europe are finer cauliflowers, beans, peas, carrots, cabbag^es, turnips, spinach, cucumbers,

and onions, met with than

at

Chusan

;

the potato had

been planted there during- our occupation, and had remarkably well.

thi'iven

The

fruits

numerous, orang*es,

are

citrons,

pum-

below, wild strawberries, raspberries, pears, apples,

melons, plums, cherries, peaches, and g'rapes beingofrown on the island

;

and althouoh some of the

we

are not particularly fine, cultivation

There

is

believe

would speedily render them a very

fair

so.

proportion of g-ame and wild

fowl to be met with on the island, swans,

and ducks

latter

that care and

being* tolerably

g*eese, teal,

abundant, whilst pheasants,

woodcocks, snipes, and quails, are to be

found in

the market; or will afford a g'ood morning-^s shooting*, for the sportsman, should feel disposed

to

brush the

earth's g-rassy covering*.

an ad^'enturous individual g-littering* dew, from the

EVILS OF THE OPIUM TRAFFIC.

CHAPTER Opium— Gambling— Dishonoured in traders— Moral

and physical

—

XV.

merchant effects

—

251

at

Shang-hae

—Dishonesty

of the trade— Punishment for

violation of law Opium clippers Opium a reve?iue to Hong-Kong Consumption and cultivation of Opium Religious and moral obliga-

—

tion of England.

The

trade in opium

degTading- to all suit of

and

which

is

of the most fearful nature^

are eiig'ag'ed in

human

g'ambling", lying',

breast

is

heir

human

and fraud, are the most

The horrors and it

among-st which

to,

poverty, sooner or later, overtake as to render

and the pur-

violation of every law, both

according' to the Chinese proverb,

in it."

it,

It fosters and developes every evil pas-

divine.

sion the

is

who

^'^

glaring",

and

Misfortune and

all

those eng-ag-ed

evils of this traffic are such,

unbecoming- Great Britain, as a Christian

nation, to sanction, encourage, or permit its continu-

ance, whatever

may

be the apparent profit to her mer-

To furnish poison to the multitude, be the gain what it may, is a crime against humanity, which

chants.

cries

aloud to those in power to prohibit, and arrest and woe be to the might}', if they put

the destroyer

:

not forth their strength to stay the It

is

no

less incredible

human sacrifice. men of correct

than true that

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

252 moral

and enlig'htened minds^ should be-

sensibilities

come so morbid throug'h habit and the love of g"old^ as to embark in a smug'g'ling- trade^ the magnitude of which alone lends dig-nity to the undertaking-^ and which if attempted by uneducated individuals^ and ujDon a smaller scale, they would be the first to condemn. Before the article reaches the Celestial Empire ^^

Great g-ambling-

is

— some speculate — similar to Stock

carried on in India in the drug*^

for a rise in price, others for a fall,

Exchano-e o-amblino- here.

The

opium sale at Calcutta on the oOth [N'ovember (1846) was stopped by two natives bidding against each other,

until

the

price

rupees per chest

we have

!

A disgraceful ficed.

to

said,

is

it

130,995

the Christian government

is

in India."*

occurrence, which recently took place

at Shano'-hae, will

probity,

such

rose,

when

show how

A merchant,

of honor and

all feelino-s

the trade in opium

is

carried on, are sacri-

formerly connected A\ith the cor-

poration of the city of London,

commenced building a

fourteen-oared boat, which, from

its

peculiar construc-

was suspected by the mandarins to be intended for the smuggling trade, as it was a description of boat rarely used for any other purpose. The mandanns complained to the British Consul, who immediately sent for the merchant in question, and informed him of the charge w Inch had been preferred tion,

ag'ainst him.

He

at once declared,

that he was only building therefore felt satisfied

by

ii

upon his honor,

pleasure-boat

this declaration

* Martin's China, vol.

ii.

page 195

;

the Consul

and informed

DISHONESTY IN TRADEKS. the mandarin^

tliat

the building- of the boat must pro-

The Chinese

ceed.

satisfied^

become should

and

authorities

were not so easily

merchant should heavy penalty^ that the boat

insisted that a native

security, in a solel}^

2o3

be used for the alleg-ed purpose.

The boat was

built,

a pleasure-boat, and

and used two or three times, as proved to be the fastest boat

it

which had ever been seen in those parts. What, however, was the indig-nation of the Consul, when he learned some time after, that the boat had been seized during' the nig'ht, heavily laden vdih. opium ? It was afterwards discovered, that it had been constantly employed in this manner from the time it was first launched. To the credit of all the British in Shanghae,

should be mentioned, that they instantly re-

it

nounced the acquaintance of the dishonored merchant not on account of the opium smug*g'ling*, which but because possibly they mig-lit not have objected to he had pledg*ed his honor to a direct falsehood. It is almost needless to add, that the Cliinese merchant forfeited the sum for which he had become security ; but it is to be presumed that he had an adequate share in

—

—

the speculation.

Our

smug'g-ling- princes,

however, are not contented

with the enormous prices obtained for the opium (varying* from six hundred to one thousand dollars per chest for

the

is

of inferior quality,

the

much

hig-her price), they

must

Mul-wa, which

Patna always need resort to fraud, by packing- a chest with rubbish, fetching- a

and thus

upon the top and comes on board a

placing- a layer of opium-balls

when a Chinese

smug'g-ler

receiving'-ship, or clipper, to

;

purchase the contraband

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

254 poison^ he

is

compelled to take this

as a smu2*ofler Do

CD

CI

British merchant

employment it is

the laws of his

infrinofiiio-

he can have no appeal. is

But on

is

with-

own

country. ^ )

the other hand, the

secured ag-ainst fraud, by the

whose sole business and dollars \ and no opium-

of a schroff, or person

to assay Sycee silver

chest

bag*^ or chesty

— compelled^ we say, because,

out examining its contents

allowed to

g'o

over the side of the vessel, until

the whole value in siher has passed throiig-h his hands.

We

were informed by a g-entleman who was

long- in

the employment of one of the richest houses in China,

that when he received the chests on board his chpper, they were not more tlian half full of opium , and that he took very g-ood care that they should not be more

than a quarter full when he sold them. The commander of a receivhig'-ship at Whampoa boasted, in our presence, that there were several hundred chests on board his ship, which purported to be filled with opium, but in reality the quantity which they qow-

tmned would

mean

7iot

chests. We do not merchants eng-ag-ed in this

amo2mt tojifty

to accuse all the

nefarious traffic of such g-ross dishonesty, but these practices are constantly resorted to on board receiving-ships and clippers.

Immediately before Government issued their order to the British to deliver up their property in opium, for which an indemnity -was secured to them, a Chinaman, named A-chan-y-ok, relying- on British probity, placed a quantity of opium, for security, on board a clipper belong-ing- to one of the richest houses in China

the opium on board the clipper in question, including that of A-chan-y-ok, was surrendered ^^ithout all

MORAL EFFECTS OF THE OPIUM TRADE. delay after the

The owner of the

order.

255 clipper

received compensation for the whole of this abominable he refused, carg-o^ which was entered in his own name j

however, to render any account to the Chinaman for his share,

who was

compelled, in 1845, to commence

leg-al proceeding's for

the recovery of his o^ii portion

of the indemnity.

Mr. Martin, in his admirable work on China, after shewing- the enormous amounts realized by British merchants in

this nefarious trade (the profits of Jardine,

&

Co., in thirty years, having- been three

Matheson,

millions sterling),

and

after describing- the

seamanship

of the commanders and crews of the vessels engag-ed in the abominable

and disgraceful

traffic,

excellent description of the clippers, or

and the

fast-sailing-

vessels,

which are employed, remarks at pag-e 259

^^

painful to see qualities so useful, directed to

It

is

A

:

remark may be made with reference to those eng-ag'ed in the opiumtrade in China ; who have several excellent characteristics, are prompt in kindly acts, and imbued with The late Mr. Jardine was a strong' national feeling-s. such pernicious purposes.

similar

example of his class originally a naval surg-eon^ his quick and calculating- mind led him early to perceive the great wealth that mig-ht be made in China from opium. To this object he devoted all his time and sing'ular energ-ies for about twenty years, and then returned to England, with a fortune of more than a g-ood

:

He

a short period for its enjoyment ; died from a most excruciating- and ling-ering' disease; and bequeathed his vast wealth in an equitable manner among- his nephews and nieces.

million sterling.

lived but

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

256

While in China many meritorious young- men, who had no claims on him^ but seemed deserving* of encourag'ement^ were advanced in life by Mr. Jardine. By the Chinese^ as well as by the English at Canton, he was respected for his active habits^ his intellig-ent mind, and hospitable disposition. Steady and ardent as a friend, equally steady and implacable as a foe, he devoted himself to the opium trade, totally divested of all consideration as to its moral consequences^ and unscrujmloiis of the

We have,

we

means

einjyloTjed."

trust, sufficiently exemplified the evil

passions fostered, and the immoral practices resorted

by those who pander to the depraved opium consumers, and we will now proceed to the effects produced upon the latter, morally and physicall}^, by the habitual use of the drug-, " searching' after it, as to,

and just prohibitory laws enacted by the Chinese Governfor hidden

g'old," in

violation of the wise

ment.

and use of opium by the subjects of China, is a direct breach and violation of law and if the Chinese, habitually a depraved race, and prone to every vice to which human nature is addicted, Morally the J

deem

it

traffic

advisable to enact the severest laws ag-ainst

the sale and use of this poisonous drug-, oug'ht

it

to be to the British nation,

how

foreig'n

and the honour

of her mercliants, for the sake of g'ain, to break the

laws of a country with which we have entered into a commercial treaty, and to pander to the vices of its inhabitants dealers

in,

!

The punishments and smokers

of,

through British love of gold,

to whicli the

opium,

may

are

unhappy subjected,

not be generally

SEVERITY OF LAWS AGAINST OPIUM TRADE.

known

therefore

is

it

;

desirable

to

state

257

them

shortly.

who

Those,

are proved to be in connection with

outside foreigners, shall be strang-led.

The force

dealer ag-ainst

is

punishable according- to the law in

traders in

contraband,

the

principal

wear the collar for one moon, and be banished to military duty at a near frontier, and his accomplices shall receive one hundred blows, and be banished from his native province. The proprietor of a clandestine opium smokingshop, and the individuals seducing the sous of respectable families to smoke opium, are respectively punishable according- to the law in force against individuals, who delude the people by immoral doctrines, the shall

principal shall be strangled, after undergoing- a term

of imprisonment, and his accomplices shall receive two hundred blows, and be banished three thousand lee, while all the boatmen, police officers and neighbours shall respectively receive one hundred blows and be banished from their native province for three 3^ears.

A

government officer bu34ng*, or smoking* opium is deofraded, and sentenced to wear the collar for two months, and receive one hundred blows. The soldiers and common people are sentenced to w^ear the collar for one month, and receive one hundred blows.

upon the enslaved almost beyond the power of languag'e to

Physically, the effects of opium victims, is

portray

;

it

not only enslaves

stroys their bodies

VOL.

I.

;

it

its

votaries,

commits such

but de-

fearful ravages

s

S58 in

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

its

progress, that the mental powers are wholly

paralysed, and the consumers are conducted onwards

from one crime

The habitual use of

to another.

drug- terminates the smoker's

and he may be readily

identified

shrivelled limbs, tottering-

and the death-boding-

voice,

are

g'ait,

so

superlative

in

by "

his

lank and

sallow visag'e, feeble

g-lance of

liis

eye, these

and so closely

deg'ree,

tlieir

this

in about five years,

life

blended in their union, that they at once bespeak him to be the most forlorn creature that treads the earth."*

The

ofi^spring-

of the opium-smoker,

may

always be

knoAvn by their emaciated appearance and imbecile

mind

;

thus unborn g-enerations are doomed to suffer

for the sins of their parents,

and the ag"g'randizement

In the empire, the smoker,

of heartless traders.

evade the penalty of the law,

opium pipe

is

to

compelled to use the

and the wealthy smoker provides himself with a subterranefin chamber, where he

may

in secret;

indulg-e his suicidal propensity

tation.

We

caverns,

or

deg'raded

cannot

penetrate

into

without molesthese narcotic

witness their sepulchral horrors.

into

Man

an opium smoker cannot be better the words of Lord Jocelyn, who

described than in

says

:

— " One of the

objects at this place (Sing-apore)

I had the curiosity to visit, was the opiumsmoker in his heaven, and certahdy it is a most that

fearful sig-ht, althoug-h, ])erhnps not so deg-rading- to

the eye as the drunkard from spirits, lowered to the

and wallowing- in his filth. The and deadlike stupor of the opium debauchee has something- far more a-\\ful to the g-aze level of the brute, idiot

smile

* Lay's "Chinese

As They Are," page

11.

OPIUM-SMOKING DENS. than the brutality of the

259

Pity, if possible,

latter.

we watch the faded cheek and hag-g-ard look of the being- abandoned takes the place of other feeling's, as

to the

most

power of the

by

the beast ^'

drug-

at the sig-ht of the

;

whilst disg'ust

human

is

upper-

creature levelled to

intoxication.

One of the

of the town

streets in the centre

is

wholly devoted to shops for the sale of this poison^ and here, in the evening-, may be seen^ after the labours of the day are over, crowds of Chinese

who

seek these places to satisfy their depraved appetites.

"The rooms where

the}^ sit and smoke are surwooden couches, with places for the head to rest upon^ and generally a side room is devoted to g-ambliiig'. The pipe is a reed of about an inch in diameter^ and the aperture in the bowl, for the

rounded

b}^

admission of opium^

The

drug-

is

is

not larg-er than a pin's head.

prepared with some kind of incense^ and

a very small portion

is sufficient to charg-e it, one or utmost two that can be inhaled from and the smoke is taken into the lung-s^ a sing-le pipe as from the hookah in India. On a beg-inner one or two pipes will have an effect, but an old stag-er will

whiffs beino' the ',

continue smoking* for hours.

couch

is

At

placed a small lamp, as

the head of each

fire

must be applied and from ;

to the drug- during- the process of inhaling-

the

of

difficulty

pipes^ there

is

filling*

and properly

g-enerally a person,

smoker to perform the fearful luxury,

office.

when taken

who

A

lig-hting-

waits

the

upon the

few days of

this

to excess, will impart a

and hag*ard look to. the features, and a few months, or even weeks, will chang-e the strong- and pallid

s

2

260

man

healthy

into little better than an idiot-skeleton.

The pain they

suffer

when deprived

a certain degTee under are alive.

faculties

Some

people

may

in all

the evening",

in

;

and

it is

only

influence that their

its

In the hours devoted

ruin^ these infatuated

o'clock

of the drug*^ after

no lang-uag'e can explain

long' habit^

to

THE CHINESE.

CHI^'A A>'D

to

the different

entering' half distracted,

their

be seen, at nine stages.

feed the craving-

to

appetite they have been oblig'ed to subdue during- the

day ; others the pipe

;

laug-hing'

occupants,

different

their

and

talking-

under the

whilst the couches around are

upon

idiot smile

^^"ho

effect

filled

of

with

an them too

lang'uid, while

lie

their countenances proves

completely under the influence of the drug', to regard

and

jiassing- events,

The

consummation. is

fast

merging- into the ^A"ished-for

last scene

generally a room in the rear

of

tliis

tragic play

of the building,

a

species of morgue, or dead house, ^^here lie those who have passed into the state of bliss the opium- smoker madlv seeks an emblem of the long sleejD to which

—

he

is

blindly hurrvino-."

In the

foregoing- passage.

to mention

who

but we will supply information from China," pag-e 177 " These dens of human

he has described

Mr. Martin's sufl'ering-

"^

are

Lord Jocelyn has omitted

attend upon the smokers in the shops ;

:

attended by vnfortiniate

ivomen

—

as

an aphrodisiac, and as such few, but very Hew instances, if indeed in any, moderation is exercised ) once fairl}' begun, there is no cessation, until poverty and when digestion has nearly and death ensue ceased, and deglutition even becomes painful, the opium, in the early use,

prized

by the Chinese.

;

is

In

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF OPIUM SMOKING. utmost

effect of the

drug-

is

2G1

merely to mitig-ate the

horrors of existence."

In further proof of the effects of opium upon the frame^ we quote as evidence from the Rev.

human

Georg'e Smithy

a native

P^^g's 8^

of his China^ after stating- that

named Choo^ an aged man^ who had been

thirty years the teacher of the late Doctor Morrison

and

his

lamented son^ had become his teacher^ he

Though only fifty-five years of age^ he (Choo) has a much older appearance^ from the dehilitating, says^

^'

emaciating injlue?ice of ojnum-smoTiing ^ to which he confesses he has^ in past times^ been addicted^ but

makes professions of reformation an assertion of which we had fi*equent reasons for doubting the truth. We engaged his services_, and found Ms matured ex;

perience a fair counterbalance to his visible decay of

Again^ at page 432^ the same author^ after describing' an opium-smoking house^ and the individuals there congregated^ says^ " The}^ (the smokers) energy/'

all

assented to the evils and sufferings of their course^

and professed a desire to be freed from its power. all complained of loss of appetite j of the agonizing cravings of the early morning j of prostration of strength^ and of increasing feebleness j but said

They

that they could not gain firmness of resolution to over-

come the habit

:

thev

all stated its intoxicatino- effects

to be worse than those of drunkenness^

and described

the extreme dizziness and vomiting which ensued^ so as to incapacitate

them from

man among theii* number^ with

exertion.

The

oldest

a strange inconsistency

and candour^ expatiated on the miser}' of his course he said^ he had abandoned the indul-

for three years^

;:

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

262

gence, at the period of Commissioner Lin's menacing-

At the and compulsory prohibition of opium. conclusion of the British war, the foreign opium ships came unmolested to Amoy he had 02:)ened an opium shop for g-ain j and soon he himself fell a victim he enlarged on the evils of opium-smoking*, which he asserted to be six 1, Loss of appetite ; 2, Loss of strength j 3, Loss of mone}^ j 4, Loss of time ; 5, Loss of long-e^ity 6, Loss of virtue, leadhig* to profligacy and g'ambling-. He then spoke of the insidious approaches of tempedicts^

:

:

:

tation, similar to those of the drunkard's career.

man was

sick,

or had a cold

:

A

a friend recommended

some acquaintance would meet him, and press him, by ui'gent solicitations, to accompany him to an opium-house at first he would refuse to join in smoking- ; by degrees, ho'v^ever, his friends became cheerful their

opium, and he

fell

into the snare

j

or, ag'ain,

;

society ^ya8 pleasant

;

his scruples vanished

3

he par-

took the luxury ; it soon became essential to his daily life ; and he found himself at leng'th unable to over-

come its allurements." Prone as the Chinese are to every form of vice, yet we believe there are many, who, like the drunkard, are led on step by step to the commission of outrageous crimes

b}^ indulg-ing-

basing narcotic; in proof of

in the use of this dewliicli

one instance, which came under our

we would relate own observation :

a compredore, or head servant, A\hose character, as compared with others of his nation, had been most

exemplary,

both before

service, acquired tlie

immediately

fell

and

after

he entered our

habit of smoking- o})ium.

He

a victim to ever}- tem])tation which

OPIUM "CLIPPERS."

263

fault_, as each was sucappropriated to his own until he greater^ a by ceeded use the moneys he had received to pay for provisions^ and having- defrauded a number of shopkeepers and bazaar- men, he finished his headlong" career of infamy by planning' the robbery of our house. It is by no means surprising-, that owing- to the penal enactments ag-ainst the traffic and smoking- of

offered; fault followed after

opium, the Chinese should dread the consequences resulting-

the sale

from an exposure of their connexion with or use of opium, and should be fearful of

being* suspected of smoking* it;

we knew an

instance

who had been long- in the service of an English merchant at Canton, informing* his employer, with g-reat alarm, that he must leave his situation ; because a handsome opium-pipe, which had been purchased by one of the firm, was exhibited in his apartment as a curiosity; "were a mandarin to see it, or hear of it," said the compredore, " he would 'squeeze^ out all my dollars, or inform ag*ainst me, and have me severely punished.'' To quiet the fears of the compredore, who was an old and valued servant the opium-pipe was locked up, and he consoled him self on the reflection that his beloved dollars were still his own property, and the mandarin must be furnished with a more plausible pretext to squeeze them of a compredore,

out of him. It must be apparent to

empire,

in

relation

to

all,

opium

that the laws of the traffic,

are

hourly

violated, at all events throug-h the whole extent of

coast, or the

market

"clippers" would not find so ready a

for their contraband carg'oes

;

and

to a g-reat

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

204

degree the law has become a dead

letter,

as

the

vendors and smokers of the poison are allowed to unpunished, the mandarins receiving* shut their eyes, and thus

it is

g-o

larg-e bribes to

that the crime of opium-

becomes so ruinous to the pockets of its are compelled not onl}' to pay enormous profits to British smug'g'lers and Chinese retailers, but to expend as much more in bribing* g-overnment offiEither from the want of means on the part of cers. culprits, or from a desire to exhibit occasionally the show of activity on the part of the mandarins, thousands have on various occasions suffered, both in person and property, either for selling-^ or using*, the forbidden .smoking"

who

votaries,

drug*.

well

AVe have often heard

known

related, a cu*cumstance

in China, lug'hly illustrative of the double-

dealing* of the mandarins, in respect to the execution

and non-enforcing' of the law

some

:

fifteen or sixteen

who violently opposed the authorities, at a on the coast, were after great resistance captured, and soon after suffered the extreme penalty of smug'g'lers, villag'e

the law

;

wholesale execution took place, officers,

day the

day on which this the same g-overnment

in the afternoon of the

who had

enforced in the early part of the

forfeiture of so

many

smug*g*lers'

li^'es,

sent

a communication to the commander of the opium " clipper," which anchored within g'un shot, that they were not desirous to prevent him from carr^'ing* on the sale of his poisonous carg*o

Ere nig*ht came, the had exchanged many a chest for assa^'ed silver, and no interruption was offered to his customers by any official or officious meddlers. !

skii)per

^

Eortuue^ at

j)ag'e

oO, relates an anecdote highl}^

GUNS LENT BY A BRITISH SHIP of the effects of the

illustrative

opium

265

!

trade^ both

upon the Chinese population who are broug-ht in contact with the smug'g'lers^ and upon British seamen who are eng-ag'ed in this contraband traffic. Chimoo Ba}^, which lies fifty miles north of Amoy^ and is a rendezvous for opium clippers^ has a very lawless population on one occasion ^^ some of the opium merchants came to one of the ships in the bay^ and requested the loan of some g'uns^ for each of which j

they offered to deposit a

which

larg-e piece

of Sycee silver,

much more than

Avas, of course,

its

value,

and

when asked

promised to return them in a day or two j what they intended to do with them, they replied, that the mandarins and officers of Government were

expected shortly to

levy the

taxes,

and that the

people were determined not to pay; they said they

only

wanted four or

five

gains,

for

the

purpose.

These weee granted them and in a day when they returned them, inquiry was made ;

—

or two, if

they

Oh, yes,' they said, ^ tliey had been successful had driven the mandarins over the hills " and thus the British Tar aids the rebellious subjects of China. "What would Queen Victoria say, if the French were ^

'

;

to land g'uns in Eng'land to assist rebellious Chartists in waging'

It

is

war against the Queen's taxes ?

owing* then to the moral and ph3'sical effect

which the consumption of opium has upon his subjects, as well as to the financial and political results arising- from the traffic, which ha^e actuated the Emperor of China to prohibit so strictly the introduction into, and consumption of, opium within his dominion

;

financially,

we

say, in reference to the con-

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

266

stant and increasing' flow of the precious metal from

the Celestial Empire, as opium

hard cash

in

;

and

is

invariably paid for

politically, in reference to the de-

populizing- effect of opium,

of his territories ag-ainst

and decreasing- the defence foreig'n foes ; but it would

was more from moral than political reasons that the Emperor is actuated, if we may judg'e from his memorable words, used when urg-ed seem that

it

" It

to leg'alize the trade in opium.

is

true" said

/ cannot j)revent Emperor, of the Jiowing poison ; gain-seeking and corrupt men willy for /^r(?^^, and sensuality defeat my wishes hut NOTHING will induce me to derive a revenue from the vice and misery of my people." ^^

the

the introduction

^

The consumption

of

opium

is

rapidly increasing* in

China, and consequently the trade increases in proportion

3

there are six or seven fast-sailing- clippers,

constantly employed in carrying- on the trade from

India to China ; and in addition to these, there are between twenty and thirty others eng'ag'ed in the coast trade, that

is

in selling* the

contraband carg'oes

But we must not which are anchored off the various ports, and one at Hong*-Kong* of seven hundred tons, moored for that object, and under the along- the

whole coast of China.

forg-et the large receiving* ships

observation of the British authorities

;

altog-ether, it

calculated, that there are between forty

and fifty "chppers" or vessels of all sizes, all well armed and manned, employed in this hateful trade. Mr. Martin,

is

in his " China," pag*e 179, g'ives a table, shewing* that iu

twenty years, from 1816 to 1837, " the consumption of this fearfully pernicious drug* had more than ten-

MERCANTILE EFFECTS OF THE OPIUM TRADE. 267 fold increased, and according" to the then exchang-eable value of the dollar, an annual drain of the precious metals, amounting' to about four million pounds sterling-

ensued, althoug-h the exportation thereof was

Government of China j" and it must mind that Mr. Martin has only calculated

prohibited by the

be borne in

the consumption of the Indian opium, independent of the Turkish.

The

best energies of British merchants in China are

directed to the trade in opium, and

by

this

means

all

hope of solid advantages, accruing to this country, by an extended communication with China, as an outlet for our own goods, is destroyed ; owing to the simple fact, that the few wealthy individuals who are eng-aged in the China trade, consider it a loss of time, and capital,

any other branch of trade, when they can realize such enormous profits in a short time in and even those of smaller means, the opium trade who have gone to China, since the war, dabble or gamble in opium as far as their capital will admit. to

embark

in

',

While, on the other hand, as the consumption of

opium increases bitants

decrease,

in China, the

by the

means of the inha-

constant drain

of

money

from China. This fact seems so apparent that we would scarcely urge it further, were it not a subject which, in our estimation, was one of such deep importance to the manufacturing* and mercantile inGreat Britain. Capt. Elliot, her Majesty's Superintendent of Trade, seems to have taken this

terests of

view of the case, for he declares, after the most deliberate

consideration,

'^^

that in

its

(meaning* thereby the opium trade)

general it

effects

was intensely

— CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

268

mischievous to every branch of trade, and that it was rapidly staining the English character with deep disgrace ;" again he says, in another despatch,

''

I see

between it and jm^acy." These opinions are borne out by the Canton circular of 1846, which makes the following- statement " Considering the prime cost of opium in Bengal is about 250 rupees per chest, and that it is now sold by to choose

little

:

auction at 1,200 or 1,600 rupees, Ave need not ask the question

who ha^e been

chiefly benefited

in China, justly termed the

by the war

Opium War?

With

opium trade, as at p)resent conducted, it and indieectly injures THE SALE OF OTHER MERCHANDISE." Mr. Martin inquired of the Tou-tai, or the chief

respect to the is

certainly a great evil,

Shang-hae, how trade could be best promoted he immediately, and with great sternness, answered officer at

;

Cease sending vs millions^ worth of opium, and then our people will have more money to purchase your manu'^

facty7'es."

It

is,

therefore, for the manufacturers

and merchants

of England, a subject of deep importance, whether this

accursed trade

is still

to be carried on.

Their

self-interest is involved in the question, if their feelings

as Christians and upright

men do

not arouse them to

agitate the question, and petition the throne and the legislature

gling

:

if

them

to

abolish and exterminate

opium-smug-

the latter feelings do not arouse them, then

and weigh well the fiict in their own minds, that British ships bound for Chhia, to bring home freights of tea for their consumption, leave let

consider,

Albion's shores half freighted

;

if

the trade in opium

FALLACIOUS ARGUMENTS.

269

were abolished, those half empty ships would be ladeu with British manufactures, and not only those vessels, but the Jifty others which are constantly employed

upon the coast of China, in suppl3'ing- opium to the inhabitants, would be restored to their legitimate and that of bearing* British manufaclaivful purposes tured g'oods to the Chinese who would then have ample means to purchase useful commodities, and thus afford constant employment to our half-starvingmechanics and artizans, and honourable wealth to British merchants and traders. Many are the fallacious arguments used by the pro-

—

—

moters and supporters of this damning- trade, but the most frequent is also the most puerile, namely, " that if

we

body

did not supply the Chinese with the drug-, someelse

would " !

The same arg-ument mig-h

the used

with equal force by the bandit or hig-hwayman, in support of his equally honourable avocation ; and no

doubt the victim would be materially comforted by the solemn assurance, " If / do not rob you, or cut your throat, you may rely upon it somebody else will perform the

office

of executioner upon you, and I

am

only conferring- an oblig-ation upon you,

therefore

b}^ putting-

you out of pain at once, which in fact is a Christian Can anything- be more monstrous, act of charity." than an arg-ument of

men

are committing*, or

there cannot be any

But

this description

so

those

it is

who

vt'ill

harm

in China,

and

:

because other

commit, any

g-iven crime,

in perpetrating- the it

same

has become habitual for

acquire gold in exchang-e for the poison the}^

and argue after this manner, and many, no doubt, have persuaded themselves into the

distribute to think

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

270

no wrong* ; nay, the very into the same train of thought and

belief that they are doing* officials

have fallen

arg-uments, and, strang-e as

sanction to

is

embark

g-iven to

it

may

appear, a tacit

any of our merchants, who choose

in this dishonourable trade, prohibited alike

by the laws of China, humanity, and God. Hong*Kong- itself is openly permitted to be made a depot, and the harbour of Victoria a roadstead for receiving-ships, for opium, distributed

around to enervate, demoralize,

whom we and with whom it

and destroy the subjects of a nation, with are united

by commercial

treat}',

should be our object to be bound by the most honourable

But

and friendly intercourse.

it

will scarcely be

credited in England, that in China British merchants

and British officials, appear to have combined together in an indissoluble bond to subvert the deserved fame Great Britain has established in all her other foreign Our policy in reference to the opium trade relations. has almost irreparably injured our character for political honesty, in the estimation of the Chinese Govern-

ment and nation, and is most mischievous in its tendency upon our mercantile community. Our traders sanctioned, or at least vices of the Chinese,

connived

pandering to the

at, in

and aiding them

in the transgres-

become of honour

sion of their national, and of all moral laws, defiled in their consciences,

and conmion honesty are

A

stir,

and

all feelings

set aside.

possibly for effect, has sometimes been

made

some of the ports by the Consuls thus, at Canton, an order was sent do\Mi to the recei\'ing-ships, which had been lying for months at Whampoa, to send at

in their papers.

;

This friendly notice proved quite

SOLEMN BOND BROKEN BY CANTON MERCHANTS. 271 sufficient; as

sailed

away.

known

they very quickly slipped their cables^ and The owners and commanders were well

at the consulate^ but

the

g-ame being- well

understood, no further steps were ever taken

when

',

and

the affair had blown over^ the receiving'-ships

very quietly returned with their contraband cargoes to their former anchorag'e.

It should clearly be the object of British merchants to establish among'st the Chinese the for

same character

probity and honestj^^ which they have already

done with other nations

;

but the opium trade^ as a

medium for the rapid acquisition of g'old, has rendered them utterly reg-ardless of character or reputation.

What

would have been said had the following* circumstance occurred in Europe instead of Asia ? In April 1839; the owners of opium at Canton entered into a bondj on the requisition of Commissioner Lin^ whereby they bound themselves, jointly and severally, not ag-ain to introduce any opium into the inner land ; that if the same should be done, both the vessel and

opium should be confiscated to the use of the and that any of the subImperial Government scribers to the bond, who should again offend the law in this respect, would readily submit to suffer death at the hands of the Imperial Court, and the merchants subscribing', thereW declared that the}^ bound themselves for ever to cease from trading- in opium carg-o of

;

and they thereby united in declaring- that the said bond was their full, true, and lawful act. Mr. Lancelot Dent, it is currently reported and believed, is the only honourable exception, amongst the whole of the

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

272

British merchants, subscribers to the document,

who

did not violate his pledg-e.

The conduct of her Majesty's Colonial Government Hong-Kong*, is not only hig-hly reprehensible, in permitting' the colony to be made a depot for this at

bane of

Ciiina,

of followingLeg-islators

but

the

it is

also

branded with the stio-ma

oft- condemned

precedent of the

of Sing'apore, where whole

are

streets

devoted to licensed opium shops, and of leg-alizing* the retail of the poison in this British Settlement. Here the subjects of Great Britain and China may, at their ease,

and with

security, enjoy this soul

destroying* propensity, which deg-rades

brute, injures his health and constitution,

and crimes abhorrent legislation for moral suicide vices

to is

human

and body-

man below

the

and leads

nature.

to

This

upheld on the sole plea

oi increasing the exchequer of the colony ; if, however, the colony can only be supported by such a flag-rant violation of Christian principles,

to abandon the

island,

it

would be

far better

as no blessing* can ever be

upon the colon}^, or parent state, where every relig'ious and moral oblig-ation is disreg-arded. It is even a more shameful crime to fill expected, either

the treasury of a colony fi*om the produce of such a trade, than to traffic in slaves. Prudery has indeed

exclaimed ag'ainst our French neighbours, for taxinggambling- and prostitution ; but we should look more

home, before we boast of our morality, and not murderous and souldestroying drug into a source of revenue, the use of which leads to the commission of the same crimes, at

suffer our colonies to turn this

MR. martin's protest AGAINST OPIUM SHOPS. 273

which we exclaim

ag"ainst

our iieig-hbours for sanc-

tioning*.

To the credit of one man^ Mr. Montg'omery Martin, who was then Colonial Treasurer^ his solitary voice and deg-rading- act of the Legislative Council^ when it was passed by that body^ and for this manful and conscientious opposition at the Council Board^ he deserves the thanks and applause of every uprigiit man in Britain. At pag-e 187 of his work on " China/' he thus records the '' But money was deemed of more consequence fact in Hong'-Kong- than morality : it was determined^ in

was

raised ag'ainst this hateful

:

the

name of her Majesty,

higiiest bidder,

by

to sell

by permission

to the

public auction, the exclusive rigiit

and to open a opium - smoking- shops, under the

to poison the Chinese in Hong'-Kong-,

given number

of

protection of the police, for the commission of this appalling* vice.

ance with of

my

It only remained for me, in accord-

my oath,

ability,

and

to advise her

Majesty to the best

in unison with all

my

past

life,

to

place on record the following* dissent in Council on the subject

;

it

will

now be

the duty of the Christian

public in JEngland, to say whether this dissent has

been unavailing-ly made." Then follow Mr. Martin^s reasons, for which we refer our readers to his valuable work.

Mr. Smith,

in his work, already quoted at pag'e

513, says, "According- to a local g-azette, the

official

Government, the most abandoned classes of Chinese, who form a subject of odious traffic to Chinese speculators, were, at least for a time, under the reg'ular superintendence of local officers, and conorg'an of the

VOL.

I.

T

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

274 tribiited

each a montlily sum as payment toward the

expenses of reader

is

tliis

The

control.

of the

recollection

recalled also to the case of A-quei^ the only

wealthy Chinese on the island^ who now, by the rig-hts which he has acquired as the purchaser of the opiumfarm, ^\ields an instrument of oppressive exaction and extortion over the rest of the Chinese settlers.

At

one period, he was in the habit of visiting* the native boats and private houses, in order to seize ever}^ bale of opium suspected of being- sold without his license. Accompanied for that purpose b}' native or Indian police, he exercised an inquisitorial power for enforcing* his monopoly over the timid Chinese, sufficient to check and disco urar/e respectable natives from settling Even in a commercial 'point of view, at Homj-Kong. the opinion in such a matter, that

it is

is

Hong-Kong

never likely to realize a small part of the expec-

tations cherished on its first acquisition." see,

as

a

glaring-

and

political

of

effects

the

commercial

Thus we

question,

Government speculation

the in

opium. All authors who have written upon China, represent the evils consequent upon the use of opium ; but few g'uilty participation this

take into consideration

tlie

nation has in a

which enriches some of her

traffic,

degenerate sons, and which she could suppress with greater facility than she did Colonial Slavery.

may flesh,

boast of having- abolislied the traffic in

she

maybe

proud of her just though

lation in favour of Africa's sons

prove that

lier

policy

of moral obligation.

was the

;

but

it

Britain

human

tard}' legis-

behoves her to

result of her deep sense

If her repentance as a dealer in

AN APPEAL TO BRITISH STATESMEN. slaves be g-enuine^ she will not suffer a

275

more nefarious

traffic^ to be carried on in her name for the ag'g'randizement of a few of her unprincipled sons, to the detriment of many others^ and for the devastation of China. It more particularly behoves those who were

foremost in the ag'itation of the Slave question^ to

prove that they were sincere in their laudable exertions

to

enfranchise

fellow-men

their

;

because

slavery only aifected man's civil rights, whereas the his soul and body. who triumphantly abolished Colonial

opium trade destroys both

The

minister,

Slavery, Avon undying* fame, and obtained the satisthe laurels he impaired were by apparent compliacquired, however, ance with the pressure from without. Were a British faction of a self-approving- conscience

j

statesman, at the present day, uninfluenced by external ag-itation, voluntarily to effect the suppression

of the traffic in opium, the credit would be his alone. Difficulties,

man, of no

no doubt, would beset the path of such a trifling-

description

;

the British merchants,

and those connected with the trade would oppose, by every means in their power, any measure for the abolition of the opium But on the other hand he would not have to trade. contend with vested interests, which caused so much difficulty in passing* the Slave Emancipation Act, and consequently, there would not be any compensation But vote to be passed by the House of Commons. opposition of the merchants whatever mig-ht be the trading' in China to such a measure, duty demands its adoption, even for their benefit j as by the abolition of T 2 trading- in China,

in

India,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

270

the traffic in opium^ their energies would be directed to a remunerative trade in unprohibited commodities^

now only commencing- with China, which would ensure new and availing- sources of wealthy not only to themselves,

but to the British manufacturers and artisans,

and which would be fi-ee from well as from moral g-uilt.

We

will

risk

and anxiety, as

conclude this chapter by giving* a concise

account of the culture and preparation of opium, the use of Avhich is almost as g-eneral in the East as spirituous and fermented liquors are in Europe, with this difference,

however, that each nation has

its

pecu-

In Turke}', for instance, liar manner of ushig- it. opium is eaten, while in China and among-st the Malays it is smoked, and the smoke drawn into the lung's.

It

is

fearful to contemplate the rapidity

Avhich this habit, in

common with

increasing" in Asia, but

all

with

other vices,

is

more particularly among* the its physical and

Chinese in defiance of the law, and

moral consequences. Turkish opium is imported to us poses

;

this is of a

Indian, which consideration;

much

more immediately the subject of our immense quantities being* cultivated,

is

owino* to the fact that b}^ the

for medicinal pur-

strong*er description than the

it is

held in hig-her estimation

Chinese and Malays than the Turkish.

cultivation of the

poppy

l)eing-

The

of a laborious nature,

and are only induced to exercise this branch of ag*riculture, by larg-e sums of mone}^, which are constantly distributed among'st them, by merchants, who pay them in advance the the natives of India dislike

it,

;

MODE OF CULTUEE AND PREPARATION OF OPIUM. 277 producer^

sells

thus a pound of opium to the adA^ancer

for about fifteen shilling's.*

The poppy (papaver somniferum) is cultivated both for the opium and the seeds^ from which latter^ poppy oil is extracted_,

was

first

g-rown

and possibly it is

:

for this purpose the plant

only productive in the best

soil^

and owing- to the constant attention it requires^ the profit is considerably less than that arising- from the tobacco plant or sug-ar-cane. ber^ the g-round

is

In September and Octois sown

prepared for the seed which

in November ) and week at least; after

is

obliged to be irrig-ated twice a

six or seven

days the young- plants

spring- to the height of tAvo inches^

when they

are

thinned; and those remaining- are four or five inches

After twenty days the weeds must be care-

apart.

and the ground must be manured. The plant is ready for the preparation of opium after two months and a half; and the seeds are ripe two weeks later j the making- of opium eng-ag-es the agriculturists about three weeks; during- which time several persons are employed in making- incisions with thornS; or sharp needleS; on the outer sides of the capsules; this admits the w^hite juice to escape; which is abundantly fully pulled;

contained in the vessels immediately beneath the outer skin. juicC;

The

opiuni; in the form of a hardened brownish

which exudes from the punctureS;

on the following day.

This operation

with the same

is

is

scraped

ofl^

generally

The opium thus produced undergoes the inspection of the

repeated

three

times

merchant; to avoid adulteration * See

]

it is

Buchanan, page 295.

effect.

dried in the sun

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

278

watery matter, and a little poppy oil is added to prevent the extract becoming- too hard; which is then made into flat cakes, four or five inches in diameter, and these are enveloped in the leaves of the poppy, and ultimately packed with the chaff from the poppy seeds in chests, which contain each about

to extract all

one hundred catties, or one hundred and thirty-three and a half pounds, and the price varies according- to the

supply in the market, or the prospects of the

crop.

The poppy

oil

obtained from an acre of land

is

said

worth only two or three rupees. is smoked, it underg-oes a preparation in the hands of the retailer, bv which it is

to be

Before the opium

reduced to a thick, dark-coloured semi-fluid, which has more the consistence and appearance of tar than

we have ever seen. " Narrative of a Visit to the Court Burnes, in his of Sinda," pag-e 230, observes, " That in some coun-

anything- else which

tries

opium

is

even given to the horses, to

A

to g-reater exertions.

incite

them

Catchee horseman," he adds,

" shares very honorably his store of opium with his horse, which then makes an incredible stretch, althoug-h wearied out before."

The

entire quantity of

ii^ersia,

India,

the

opium which

is

consumed

Indian Archipelag'o,

in

China, Siam, and China, must be immense.

be enabled to form some estimation by the carefully prepared table, which

Martin's

^^

China:"—

we

in

Cochin

"VVe

nmy

folloAA'ino-

extract from

Mr.

CONSUMPTION OF OPIUM.

::>

CO

.??

.«

279

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

280

Well

mig-ht an ex-g-overnor of Canton (who vainly

used every threat he could invent for the suppression of the trade) observe in his proclamation, "• Thus it is

and

that foreignersy by means of a vile

j^oisonous

Empire

the most solid should countrymen profits and advantages ; but that our blindly pursue this destructive and ensnaring- ^ice^ even till death is the consequence, without being" unde-

suhstance, derive

cei^ed,

is

hig-hest

this

indeed a fact odious and deplorable in the

degTee."

that a

few

profits

in

people.

from

He

might have

said,

thus

it

is

Eng-lish merchants derive the most soUd China_,

by pandering'

to the vices of the

OUK FALSE SYSTEM OF POLICY WITH CHINA. 281

CHAPTER

XYI.

False policy in our diplomatic relations with China

—

Entry of British Canton postponed for two years Our murdered countrymen in 1847 Anecdote connected with the capture of Chap-pu Interchange of Ambassadors most desirable New Treaty Furs Trade with China Naval force generally unsuggested subjects into City of

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

employed.

The

system of policy originally adopted^ and studiously persevered in by us^ in our diplomatic relations and intercourse with China, are sufficiently false

apparent, not

only in tamely submitting- to

daily

which Avere exchanged on the 26th of June 1843, but also in the sanction which our Government at home, and in the East, give to the contraband trade in opium, and in mistaken intercourse, arising from misconception of violations of the treaty, ratifications of

the national character.

The second

of the

treaty

declares ^^His Majesty, the Emperor of China, agrees, that British article

subjects, with their families

and establishments,

shall

be allowed to reside, for the purpose of canying*

on

their mercantile

pursuits, without molestation or

and towns of Canton, Amoy, Fresh the memory of the reader must be the daring attack

restraint) at the cities

Foo-chow-foo, Ning-po, and Shang-hae," &c. in

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

282

made upon

the unprotected merchants in Canton^ in

the course of the year 1847^ who^ in self-defence^ shot

some few of the mob. The Chinese authorities took no notice of the outrag-eous attack^ and thereby g*ave it a tacit sanction ; and it does not appear that either her Majesty's Plenipotentiary^ or the British Consul,

any decisive measures The consequence was that the Chinese, seehig- the passive manner in which the British authorities bore this outrag-e, turned round upon the British merchants, denounced them as the ag'gi'essors, and declaring* that thii'ty of their citizens had been killed, demanded that an equal number of foreig'ners resident at that port, adopted

on the occasion.

should be g-iven up, to be dealt with according- to

Chinese laws.

At

the end of the previous year, 184C, her

jesty^s Plenipotentiary visited the

same

port,

Ma-

when an

occurrence took place, which forcibly exemplifies the

and lawless character of the inhabitants, and the well-merited indignities heaped upon the representati^'e of the British Cro^m, in consequence of his pusillanimous conduct. His Excellency, accompanied by two or three members of the Colonial Goverament, and b}' one official from the Consulate, was walkingthroug-h Canton, when they were surrounded by a mob, and were oblig-ed to take shelter in a building-, -vA'hich was literally pulled down about their ears, and (as report says) they narrowly escaped with their lives, over a wall, having- first been beaten and robbed, and one of their daring-

number

having-

been nearly stripped naked.

The

representative of the British Crown, thus personally outrag-ed,

made,

it

appears, a formal complaint to the

INSULT TO THE BRITISH PLENIPOTEKTIARY. mandarins^

and received

for

283

answer that no notice

could be taken of this daring- insult, as her Majesty's Plenipotentiary had ventured

which the Chinese

overstep the limits

to

in

authorities,

violation

of the

second article of the treaty before quoted, chose to prescribe for British subjects.

We

think that every

dispassionate person will ag-ree with us, that suffering"

such a

gi'oss insult, perpetrated

upon the person of

the representative of our g-raeious Sovereig'n, to remain

unpunished,

is

calculated to bring* the British nation

into contempt in the eyes of the Chmese.

Had

active

measures been instantly adoj^ted, and had some portion of our fleet been sent up to punish the authors, it is most likety we should never have heard of the attack which

months

after.

was made upon the merchants

But

it

is

in a

few

also very possible, that the

whole mischief mig'ht have been avoided, had the representative of Great Britain appeared in public, surrounded by attendants becoming' his hig-h station^ uniform, to accord and had he and they been clad

m

more

with eastern notions of the state, which should

invariabl}^

accompany

those,

who

are invested with

mao'isterial rank.

Long" and protracted communications passed after-

wards relative

between the Plenipotentiar}' and Key-ing-, to the closing* of the citt/ of Canton ag'ainst

her Majesty's subjects resident at that port, in isolation of the treaty, and Key-ing*, conceiving* from past

experience that Sir

John Davis was only carrpng* on

paper war, and that he could not contemplate

seri-

ously having* recourse to arms to enforce his just

demands, contented himself with high-flown

lang*uag*e,

CHINA A>'D THE CHINESE.

284

and vain words^ until the Plenipotentiaiy^ to the amazement of all who knew him, was at leng-th aroused from his inactivity j and in the month of April 1847; he accompanied an expedition, under the command of Major-General D'Ag-uilar, Avhich proceeded to Canton, spiking- the g-uns of

all

the bat-

and arri^ed off the factories, Our without accident or causing any bloodshed. vessels took up a commanding- position and our troops Avere landed, and in consequence the a\ ily and proud Key-ing- considered it most advisable to wait teries in their progress,

upon in a

Sir

at the British Consulate

conference with the

proved Su*

John Davis

where,

British representative, he

his superior skill in diplomacy,

John

;

as he cajoled

into sig-ning* a supplemental treaty ijostpon-

iruj the admission of British subjects into the city of Canton for two years, the rig-ht of immediate entry

and to Canton. proceeded to had enforce which the expedition The ships of war and British troops were withdrawn AAdthout firing- a single shot, and the consequence is having- been ceded hy the treaty before quoted,

that

the

population of Canton, A\ho were fully in-

formed of the cause of the expedition, look upon the whole matter in the light of a defeat (which no doubt " redit was), and they believe to a man, that the bristled barbarians" were afraid, and that they withdrew on account of that fear, or why should they

have departed without having accomplished the object for which they came ? It is painful to reflect upon the sad and awful consequences which have resulted from this UN-English policy \ the blood of six sons of Britain has been

MURDER OF

SIX ENGLISHMEN.

285

shed in the most wanton^ cruel^ and barbarous manner; eig'ht months after this worse than useless expedition^ namely^ on

1847;

after

Sunday the 5th of December

divine service^

six

gentlemen^ Messrs.

McCarte^ Brown^ Small; Bellani}'-; and Butter; who were employed from the establishments of various mercantile firms at CantoU; having' taken manned by four Chinatiffin; hired a hong-boat Balkwill;

men; and went up the river

for recreation

',

but as

they did not return by ten o'clock at nig-ht; fears for their safety beg'an to be excited in the minds of their the

friends at

and a communication was

factories;

addressed to her Majesty's Consul informing- him of their non-arrival;

who answered

it

in person;

but

all

no search could be pursued; with hour at six o'clock morning- Mr. Consul Macg-reg*or

parties ag'reed; that

any hope

of success; at that late

on the followingaddressed a communication

•

to the Chinese authorities

on the subject. About ten o'clock the small; but now anxious community; at the factories heard various rumourS; which were circulating* among- the Chinese; first that a disturbance had occurred at a villag-e^ three miles up the river; between some foreigners and the inhabitants succession; each

3

followed g'iving-

a

by many others slig'ht

in rapid

alteration to that

which preceded it; but most affirming-; that some of the foreigners had been killed ; then that two of the party were slaughtered; and the remainder were in confinement in a joss-house attached to the village upon learning- this intelligence the English armed three six-oared gigS; and accompanied by a medical

gentleman; and the interpreter from the Consulate; they

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

286

started in search of their missing- friends^ but under

the strict orders of the Consul not to land. pulled for about three miles, they

came

Having"

to a villag-e

Hwan-chut-kee, where a vast concourse of the inhabitants were collected about the landing--place, who immediately disappeared when they perceived the called

Eng-lish

The

g'ig'S.

interpreter

was here informed,

that the party had landed there the previous evening*,

but had g'one on to another village, where a riot had

most unfortunate was it, that the g'entleraen obeyed the Consul and refrained from landing* at this villa g*e, for there is little doubt, from the facts which ensued

;

afterwards transpired, that four of the poor fellows ^Yeve

then alive and in confinement,

a 'very

^\itliin

short distance of the boats at this very time.

The

then pulled up a narrow inland creek for some distance, making* inquiries at the various ^illag-es in gig's

their prog*ress, but they could not learn

any

tiding-s

of their lost friends from the inhabitants, M'ho were following*

their usual

avocations,

and exhibited no

g-uilty fear.

The

part}^

then returned to

Canton

in

the vain

hope of hearing* of their poor friends, and in their way met the Nam-hai, or district mandarin, who was slowly proceeding* up the river to investig*ation, in

make

a sho^v of

consequence of the communications

received from our Consul,

tlie

commissioner Key-ing*,

conceivhig* he could thus satisfy British authorities in

who

want of firmness Canton they found, that the head boatman of the Hong-boat, which had taken the six Eng'lishmen up the China,

liave too often exhibited

and promptitude of

action.

On

then* arrival at

CONDUCT OF THE BRITISH CONSUL.

287

on the previous da}^^ had returned^ alas^ alone. He stated that they had landed at Hwan-chut-kee about three o'clock^ and ha^dng* waited two hours for

river

them^ he heard the

villag-e g'ong*

sound the alarm for

Soon after a iishing-boat approached, boatman warned him to depart^ if he had and the brought the " fan-quis" there, as a riot had taken

the

"^

Braves."

two

place,

of the

'^

'''

fan-quis" had killed two nati^es^ and four

fan-quis" had escaped

lie

j

then pushed across

to the other side

of the river, and remained there

until eig'ht o'clock,

when

the village g'ong- was again

sounded, and two boats put

manned each by seven threatening to murder all off,

men, who chased his boat, the boatmen for daring to bring the "- fan-quis" to their village ; at one time they were nearly captured, but at length succeeded in getting away, and they pulled some eighteen miles up the river; but they had not dared to bring* the boat back, and he had paddled down in a small boat to Canton, to bring the

news

to the factories.

Having been convinced by where at the

this story of the locality

their unfortunate friends were, the factories determined

force, to rescue their friends,

again

dead or

to

community

start in

alive,

full

but dark-

ness coming* on, they were deterred from proceeding until

dawn

;

but at ten o'clock that night, the Consul

issued an order, forbidding them, on their allegiance

any such attempt. The mental sufferino-s of the British residents at Canton during the Tuesday were too painful to describe, without any hope of aiding their friends, and themselves for the Fluto steamer, notwithtotally unprotected

to the Queen, from making*

\

,

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

288

standing the events of the prevmis April, had been withdranm, contrary to sound discretion^ and as is believed,

the

to

commands

express

of

the

home

whim. The Columbine anchored where they were D(cdalus, and were not required, in the harbour of Victoria, and the Consul having- sent an express boat to Hong'-Kong" government, to

suit

some

idle

Vulture,

with despatches for Sir John Davis, it was hoped The Vulture arthat succour might soon arrive. rived on Wednesday morning", but oiving to her size

was

useless, as she

Whampoa

;

could not approach nearer than

however, her commander brought up

all

her marines and artillerymen, with rockets, guns, and mortars in her boats now again the hopes of :

were all blasted, as the upon Consul imt his veto force heing zised, or a search being attempted, and submitted to intimidation, and requested Captain Macdougal to withdraw with his force, in compliance with the violent chops issued by active measures being* taken

the villagers, factories

who

threatened the destruction of the

and their inhabitants

if

they were molested

!

Captain Macdougal had no other resource than to

Hong-Kong

same night, leaving, howguard on his way back he was met by Sir John Davis in the Dccdalus, and accompanied by the Columbine. The Vulture ^^'as ordered to proceed on her way, and received some of the 50th and 95th Regiments on board, and returning to Canton, landed them there at noon on the return to

the

ever, the marines as a

:

following Friday.

On

the

Wednesday, a mandarin

visited the Britisli

Consulate, and reported that the body of one of the

BRUTAL MUTILATION OF THE BODIES.

289

poor fellows had been recovered^ and would soon be landed at the factories the anxious suspense was :

painful to ascertain whose

body

it

was

the whole

:

night was spent in watching-^

and at six on the Thursday morning-^ a boat arrived with the mangled and mutilated corpse of Mr. McCarte, which was covered with contusions and wounds. About ten o'clock the same day^ the whole of the English community assembled and accompanied the body to the boat^ of whom about twenty followed in the boats to Whampoa^ where the last sad tribute was paid to the remains: on their return from this sad office, their feelings were again harro^ved by beholding the mangled corpses of Messrs. Balkwel], Brown, and Small, which had been recovered during their absence the :

bod}^ of the first w^as savagely mutilated

;

the arms

had been, evidently for many hours before death, bound with brutal tightness, as one of the small bones of the wrist was broken, and frightful inflammation remained a rope bound the arms, making the elbows meet at the back; the marks of bambooing were apparent upon the back, and those of rattaning on the cheek, and there were about sixty wounds scattered :

over the whole person

have been

less

:

the other bodies appeared to

mangled, but that of Mr. Small bore

the marks of binding*.

The

were performed upon these mutilated friends on the following morning, a large number of last rites

the English residents folloA\"ing

Whampoa, the

all

mourners

deeply affected. to

bodies of the last

VOL.

I.

them

to their graves at

On

the return

of

they found the victims, two with deep cuts and the

factories,

u

CHINA AND THE CHIN'ESE.

290

woundsj and the marks of

binding-^

but none of tor-

would appear to have been terminated by a deep cut upon the head^ it is to be hoped; inflicted by the same instrument however^ that many of the wounds were given after death; and that their fearful suffering's were soon ended. On the Saturday morning- another solemn prog-ress was undertaken to Whampoa, and these two corpses

The

ture.

suffering's of all the six

:

were placed beside the bodies of their fellow victims. On the followino- mornino;, Sundav, Sir John Davis arrived at the Consulate, the Daedalus having* been two days becalmed on landing*, he ordered circulars to be issued; stating* that he would receive commu;

nications from the receiving- which,

upon

resident

British

subjects

;

his Excellenc}',

who were

instructed to ask

nature of communication he would Avish for

;

;

what

but no

satisfactory reply could be obtained from Sir

Davis

upon

they appointed a deputation to wait

John

he hinted, that the execution of the whole

of the murderers would be insufficient to satisfy him, la3'ing- waste of the villages \ but he would exact ample securitv for the future. On the following da}^ a letter was addressed to his Excellency by the community at the factories, of rather a complimentary nature \ and several days of inactivity were wasted awa}'. On the loth, a despatch arrived from the Major-General, in which he advised, that the English ladies and the families of the merchants should be removed to Honir-Kono*, which was immediately carried into effect. It now became known

or the burning' or

that her ]\rajesty's Plenipotentiary liad given

missioner Key-ing, time

to reflect,

Com-

over his future

course until the twentv-first of the month.

Sir

John

^MERCHANTS' REMONSTRANCE TO SIR

DAVIS. 291

J.

Davis's friends assert that this monstrous postponement was wisely determined upon^ to give time to

Soon

collect additional forces.

was

after this intellio-ence

spread^ a mandarin of the first class waited

upon

the Consul^ and informed him that four Chinese were on the following- morning- to be beheaded for the

murder of our countrymen^ and the executions were to take place at the village Hwan-chut-kee.

Shortly were issued for the Pluto, ^vith a detachment of the 95th Eeg-iment and Government officials, after^ orders

to

attend

reg-ret^

the execution.

but

little

who

chants,

This information caused

surprise, among-st the British

already had too

want of firmness and

much

mer-

experience of the

on the part of British officials in China. Some of the merchants determined to remonstrate with his Excellency, and for that purpose addressed a respectful letter to him, and two of the subscribers to it proceeded to the British Consulate, to deliver

it

decision

On

in person.

their arrival there,

they found the Consul in bed, and he advised them to address themselves to the Yice-Consul j however, on quitting" his

apartment for that purpose, the}^ found head of the stairs , they then

his Excellency at the

presented

their

letter

in

person, and had

a most

unexpected, as well as a most extra ordinar}^ interview with her Majesty's representative.* His Excellency having* read the passion

;

letter,

flew into

a violent

accused these g'entlemen of penning- a

insulting-,

and improper

letter

;

of wishing* to

themselves of importance, to which they had no *

We have received this

account from a merchant

who was

at the period.

u 2

g-ross,

make rig-ht

',

in Canton

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

292

demanded why these representations were not made^ when he addressed his circular to them ? and asked if g-ulled^ or if

they imag-ined that he could be

would dare

him

to o-ull

?

He

Key-ing-

was then reminded by

them, that it was well known, that the culprits who had been punished at Foo-shan, for the attack upon Colonel Chesney, a few months before, v,ere suhstitutes tahen

from

the gaol.

His Excellency's reply

to this observation

was

ment alluded

could not be

to,

compared with the

persons on the spot, where the

of four

beheading*

to the eftect, that the punish-

crime had been perpetrated.

On

the following- morning", the Pluto went

river with

the

detachment of troops and

up the

officials

drawn up at the place of execution, where Chinese g-uards and their officials awaited them four

these were

j

and gagged their heads were soon struck off, and the whole party retired. But few villa o'ers were to be seen, and these were \evx far removed from the ^\?iite of execution. It must be

men were

led forth bound,

borne in mind that gagfjed,

and that the is,

are

onlv substitutes wlio

real criminal

result, therefore, of Sir

this farce

is

it

;

is

never

John Davis

The

g"ag'g'ed.

having* sanctioned

that neither are the natives of Canton, nor

the British residents there, satisfied that the real perpetrators of these savag*e murders have suffered

:

in

fact, no one believes that these four men who were decapitated had any share in tlie murders. But the

story current among'st the Chinese themselves likely to be the trntli as an}-.

They

villagers being* fully aware that, as

must be shed

for life,

and that as

by

tivo

is

as

say, that the their laws,

life

of their number

FOUR SUBSTITUTES EXECUTED. had

fallen in the afFray^yb?^r otiiers

solemn

feast^ Avhere it

was

must

^93 die^

ag-reed that considerable

advantages should result to the families of individuals

who

any four

should volunteer their services to enact

the part of culprits. four wretched

held a

When

men who

this

was

afterwards

arrang-ed, the

were beheaded

stepped forward; and the}^ were handed over to the

mandarin and their families^ which were previously numbered amono-st the lowest of the low, are now considered the heads of the villag'es^ and to their care is So much ceded in perpetuity the ancestral temples J

!

for the justice^ rendered in China; for the shedding- of

British blood

On

the evening" of the execution; the Plenipotentiary

issued a notification; setting- forth that four of the

murderers had been executed in the presence of officials appointed for the purpose by himself, and that eleven

hands of the Board of Punishment \ that he considered immshment for past crimes of little importance, when compared with security for the Sir John Davis left future; which he should exact. Canton ag-aiu; without having- accomplished anything-; and by his presence did worse than nothing- having*

more were

in the

;

shewn the Chinese that the British mio-ht be illtreated; and even murdered; with impunity; and allowao-ain

farther time, until the 20th of the month; to g'ive the much vatmted security ; but what security was ever given or accepted remains a mystery. It also remains to be shewn what Mr. Bonhani; the new Plenipotentiary; will do to ing- Kej^-ing" still

following-

retrieve the character of the British nation in China,

and whether he

will enforce in

April 1849 the rig-ht

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

294

of British residents at Canton to enter the city^ which

was^ in accordance with

false

poHcy^ postponed for

two years hy his predecessor, Sir John Davis. There is g-ood reason to believe that the example of their superior has been but too frequently followed by the consular officers at the ports.

The Chinese who

have imbibed from infancy a contempt for foreigners are thus induced to repeat their insults, but a time may come when it will be found to be too late to

which proper firmness mig-ht at first have arrested, and repressed, without spilUng- more However, it is probable that the consuls may blood. be frequently deterred from following* the course which

remedy an

e"vil,

reason would dictate, owing* to the unprotected position in -which they are sometimes placed, in consequence of the British

Government

cruisers

being*

Avithdrawn,

contrary to the fourteenth article of the "General

Rules and Reg-ulations" appended to the treaty, and under which British trade is to be conducted at the five ports.

We

seem, from the commencement, to have acted

Canton alone, for when our troops Avere on the walls, and the city was all but taken, they were ordered suddenly, and most

most unadvisedly

in

reference

unadvisedly, to rethe.

to

Ag*ain, since the treaty,

we

have never enforced our rig*ht of entry into the city, and the inhabitants, amongst AAhom are some of the most lawless in China, and who are more bitter in their feehng-s of animosity towards the Eng-lish than those in any other part of the empire, ascribe the whole of our conduct to pusillanimity, and treat us with ridicule and contempt. The European residents refrain from

INSULTS BY THE CANTON POPULACE.

295

the city^ knowing' that their appearance there mig-ht raise a mob^ whose violence and outrage^ if once

visitiiio-

excited; mig-ht lead to the firing- of the factories^

the destruction of

all their

property.

They

and

are con-

fined Avithin the narrowest bounds for exercise and

recreation; indeed, an

European lady must

restrict

her walks to the g-ardens of the factories, as she cannot with any deg-ree of safety venture into that small portion of the town, in which Europeans are allowed

When she ventures on such an boxed up in a sedan-chair, and surrounded by friends, the populace mob her, and will even pull off the top of the chair to insult her, crying*, " Fan-qui," and using- every opprobrious epithet. Such is our position in Canton, where events each day seem to

to perambulate. enterprise,

indicate a coming-

crisis,

when

the inhabitants

must be

taug-ht a lesson which their insolence so richly deserves.

from the hig-hest to the lowest, in marks of civility and attention, which firmness would ripen into lasting-

Once humbled, they would

reg-ard

vie with each other,

and respect.

The Imperial Government

being- despotic, the

same

principle governs the conduct of superiors and inferiors

towards each other, in every rank and class of society, and the Chinese can understand no medium between servile submission to their rulers,

and the exercise of

The national character cannot be tyrannic sway. better exemplified than by the following- laughable anecdote, which was related to us by the ofiicer referred After the taking of Chap-pu, the mandarin to in it. who was at the head of the local government sent a deputation to the commanding-officer, with a message

CHIXA AND THE CHINESE.

296

couched in the most servilely-respectful terms^ requesting- to be informed how many fans he would be pleased to require should be presented to our soldiers. officer replied^ that neither

he nor his

The

men required fans,

but an indefinite number of coolees must be immediately sent, to convey on board a man-of-war the loot, or treasure, that

had been taken

in the city.

sentation of a fan amono-st the Chinese

a

"very g'reat

is

The preconsidered

compliment, and a distinguishing' mark

of attention;

thus the

gift of fans to

the British

would have amounted to an expression of thanks to them for the sound drubbing* the}' had given the Chinese, when the cit}' of Chap-pu was captured. The mandarin hastened to comply with our officer's demand, and the coolees were furnished a^ ith the same alacrity with which the fans of compliment, and honor would have been presented, had the complexions of our troops been of so delicate a nature as to require protection from the sun's rays ; or had they desu-ed to conceal their modest confusion, and blushes, from the g'aze of the multitude by screenino- their bronzed visa^'es,

trooj^s

behind silken fans.

Line after

sent, the officer declarino- their

and calling' out '^ hundred of human

line of coolees

were

name must be Legion,

hold, enougii," as eacli successive

came, to perform the work of beasts of burthen, and the loot was marched off without delay, under escort, and placed on board her being's

Britannic Majesty's man-of-war.

In our diplomatic

relation with Cliina, as well as in the g'overnment of

our half-ruined colony, are required

and experience

men

of firmness,

and maintain our proper position with the empire, which. decision,

in trade, to re-establish

SUGGESTIONS FOR A

NEW

TEEATY.

297

owing- to our false policy^ has been lost

to remove the ; contempt and scorn with which we are now treated j to g'ive life and energy to our colony^ now crippled by a petty system of leg'islation j and finally, both to pro-

tect the interests,

and promote the views, of British

merchants in their pursuit of legitimate trade. The British merchant is unquestionably entitled to every protection in the prosecution of legitimate trade_, and should receive every encourao-ement and assistance in this political relation

:

as

an inhabitant of Hong-Kong*,

every assistance and protection should be rendered to

him in the honest exercise of his calling-, while exchang-ing- European commodities for the teas, silks, and d3'es of China

;

yet that protection should be instantly with-

drawn when he becomes an opium-smvggler. Descending-

self

from an honorable position, he then brands himwith infamy, and proves that he is devoid of all

the better feelino-s of

A

human

nature.

new and reciprocal treaty oug'ht to be entered Emperor of China, whereby it should be

into with the

mutually ag-reed to suppress the eradicate the pirates

who

opium, and China seas, on

traffic in

infest the

condition that a Chinese ambassador should be sent

and that a British ambassador should The g-reatest be received at the Court of Pekin. benefits mig-ht be confidently expected to accrue from to our Court,

such an arrang-ement, which could only be effected by holding' out some g-reat inducement (and there could be none g-reater than that of suppressing- the opium trade), or by the successful termination of another war.

The

existing-

office

then be abolished, and

of Plenipotentiary

would

the undivided attention of the

:

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

298

Governor of our colony would be directed to promote the interests and Avelfare of the inhabitants^ un-

We

should thus seshackled by diplomatic duties. cure an additional advantage, by separating- two

incongruous

offices,

held under two distinct branches

of executiAC, and the difficulty would then no longer exist of finding an individual uniting the requisite

ingredients to constitute a good diplomatist and a

good Colonial Governor ; the Ijenelits which would arise from such an arrangement, would more than counterbalance any additional expense attendant upon the change, which would not be so great as might at The governor of Hong-Kong first be conceived. miofht be selected from amono-st those militar\^ officers

Government, or whose attention had been directed to such subjects, and on already trained to Colonial

whom

the

command

of the troops might, too, devolve

a further reduction would take place of those clerks, who are at present employed, in the Plenipotentiary's

department at Hong-Kong.

ment

at the five ports

reduced

;

The consular

might

also be

establish-

considerably

there being at present at each of these ports

a consul, vice-consul, two assistants, and an interbut with the exception of Canton, there is ;

preter

not an}^ necessity for such a em])lo3'ment for them.

staff,

there not being

It would only be necessary,

under the pro})osed arrangement, to have a consulgeneral, vice-consul, two assistants, and an interpreter at Canton, wliile a vice-consul, one assistant, interpreter,

would be amply

ing four ports

;

sufficient at the

and an remain-

there ^ ould be, therefore, a reduction

of four consuls and four assistants in these establish-

ADVANTAGES OF HAVING AN AMBASSADOR. inents^

and

all

S99

these reductions tog-etlier would largely

contribute towards the expense of an ambassador.

If a Chinese ambassador were once received in England^ and could witness the wealth and gTeatness of our nation^ the splendour and magnificence of our

and the proud position we occupy among-st the nations of Europe^ it would serve to extend his contracted ideas of the superiority of his nation^ and through him^ those of his Government^ to promote and facilitate commercial intercourse^ and effectually prevent the Chinese from again daring to molest or insult The court and higher the subjects of Great Britain. court^

classes of the Chinese despise all mercantile pm-suits^

and contemn England as a " nation of shopkeepers/' and that the rather^ as om* traffic in o])ium is not^ as we have shown^ of the most honorable description. More favom'able impressions would however inevitably arise^ were we to abolish the hatefril traffic^ and were a Chinese ambassador to report the magnificence of the Court of St. James^ and were a British ambassador to visit

cotemporaneousl}^ the Imperial Court of Pekin,

exhibiting there the splendour of a British noble^ the adroitness of a skilful diplomatist^ and the unflinching

firmness becoming* his position.

The equipages alone

of an ambassador and the external evidences of wealthy would impress the Chinese who, in common with all

—

eastern nations, attach infinite importance to state, Tvith correct ideas of the

power, greatness, and renown

of England.

Our ambassador

at

Pekin would prevent, in a great

measure, the gross misrepresentations, wliich reach the Imperial ear, through the existing channels of

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

300

communication. The Chinese are peculiarly addicted to " hrihery and corruption f for instance^ if a favour is to

be g-ained in China^ l^resents must be g-iven in

the ascending- scale commencins" with the mandarin of the lowest rank

j

and

manner

in like

information

all

or official communications^ conveyed to the court are

thus transmitted.

One mandarin

after another^ sup-

pressing'^ adding' to^ or colouring' the tale to suit his

own peculiar views or object. The most essential attendant upon an ambassador should

be

an uprig-ht

interpreter^

thoroug'hly

ac-

quainted with the lang'uag'e^ of strict integrity, and conscientious principles.

sured bv those

who were

We

have been positively

as-

eve-witnesses of the proceed-

Government interpreters duringthough his salary amounted to twelve hundred pounds per annum, was in the habit of receivinginnumerable presents from the Chinese, and of mising's,

the

that one of the

A^•ar,

commu-

representing', in consequence, the tone of the

between the neg'otiating' parties. When insulting- language was used by the Chinese, it was softened down in the English translation when firm nications

\

or

strong language

was emj^loyed by

us,

it

materiallv modified in the Chinese translation

:

was and

thus the Chinese were induced to form an erroneous idea of the British character, conceiving that we could patiently submit to

all their insults.

quentl}^ occurred, after a junk

interpreter

would be

various facts;

made

to him,

five or

when

sent

It fre-

was captured, that the

on board,

to

ascertain

frequently a present would be

sometimes of considerable value, possibly

ten chests of tea, or rolls of silk

;

and

tlie

tea

MISTAKES OF ERRONEOUS TRANSLATION. or silk would be sold to the officers. preter was asked

"When the

how he had obtained

the answer invariabl}' returned was^ g'ave

them

to

And

me."

the Chinese, knowing-

^^

301 inter-

these articles,

that m}^ friends

our informant added^ that well the power vested in a

full

and knowing- how to promote their interests, used to prostrate themselves before the interpreter in the same manner, as they were wont to do, before their g'reatest mandarins, loading* him with presents. It is current!}" reported and believed in China, that correct or incorrect interpretation,

the treat}' has been erroneously translated, and these errors, it

is

presumed, have arisen through the inter-

preter not being thoroughly conversant or acquainted

with the court language but such mistakes, arising* from whatever cause they may, oug'ht not to occur, as they may cause eventually much serious evil and mis:

chief.

To prove the

necessity of having*, at each port

opened to the British, an interpreter

who

thoroug-hly

understands the local dialect, as well as the court

which

communications are written, we will relate the following* fact, which assuredly was intended, and did tend, to bring* the

lano-uao-e, in

all

official

English nation into contempt. At Amoy, the local mandarins had caused an inscription to be placed over the doorway of the wretched building, which

was occupied

jesty's Consulate. This

is

as her Britannic

the Fan-qui's

Hong,

Ma-

(foreign

devils' factory), which remained there unnoticed for a long period, until a fresh interpreter was appointed to that port, who immediately drew the Consul's atten-

tion to the insulting*

inscription,

who remonstrated

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

302

with the mandarins^ and insisted upon the offensive characters being- erased

and

culty,

complied

much

after

A\'ith,

and

;

it

was with great

delay, that the

diffi-

demand was

and the inscription obliterated.

It

is

the bounden duty of an interpreter, to translate to the letter,

documents and communications, " Nought

all

extenuate, or aught set do\\^i in malice," and to see that

his

Sovereign

nation, through

over public

is

not derided by the

insulting

offices,

inscriptions

Chinese

being placed

or buildings devoted to the use of

Government servants and British subjects. A more extended intercourse with China would gradually open commercial hitercourse with Japan, owino; to the trade carried on between the two countries

:

this additional field for British industry

would

be productive of incalculable benefit to our trade, opening an inexhaustible mine of traffic and Avealth.

The Japanese

are believed to surpass the Chinese in

ingenuity, and their

mode

of japanning would be a

valuable improvement in our manufactures.

If some

effort

of this

kind be not made,

it

is

not impossible (and the contingency would certainly prove calamitous to our interests) that foreign powers,

notwithstanding the loss of so

many

brave men, and

the successful termination of a protracted war, should acquire all the solid advantages of our victories, ad-

vance their wealth, and establish dijdomatic relations with the Chinese empire. It would be galling in the

extreme to find ourselves forestalled in the exchano-e of ambassadors by the French, or to learn that they

had obtained possession of Chusan for a colon3\ This at one period did not seem impossible, as France had

yiSITS OF AGENTS OF FOEEIGN

POWERS TO CHINA. 303

sent out her ambassador^ Mons. to China

j

le

Comte

le

Grene,

she incurred the expense of maintaining"

four men-of-war in the Chinese seas^

down

to a late

and as she has no possessions to protect there^ she must hare had some ulterior object^ both in connection with China and with Japan^ where^ off the

period

j

coast of the latter^ her vessels very lately were cruising-.

Austria has also despatched her ag"ents to China

and to procure sj^ecimens of every article of manufacture and mineral production. These we know have been collected with the g-reatest care and research, and classified bv the ao-ents with considerable judgment and accuracy^ during* their France and Prussia have protracted visit to China. done the same ; but we know not if these visits have been reported to Downing- Street ; however^ on viewing- the collections formed b}^ the Austrian emissary, to collect information^

we

could not help

contrasting-

the relative policy

of the two countries^ remembering-

how

supine the

Government were in collecting* information for the advancement of our mercantile prosperity. Of the five ports which have been opened to British trade, there are two at which no trade is carried on by us, namely, Amoy, and Foo-chow-foo, and comparatively, there is but little business done by us at British

Ning-'po

;

an ambassador being* might not be unadvisable to reduce

so that in the event of

sent to Pekin,

it

considerably the three ports.

But

consular in

any

establishments

at

those

case, those ports in

China

which are opened to our trade, and where we have consular

ofiicers,

should not be

left

unprotected, as

they constantly have been, and in violation of the

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

304

fourteenth article of the g-eiieral regulations appended to the treaty,

which

states that,

"An

Eng-lish

Go-

vernment cruiser should anchor within each of the five ports, that the Consul ma}'- have the means of hetter restraining- sailors

and others, and preventing-

disturbances."

It appears from the returns from the five ports, that the trade at Shang'-hae

is

rapidly increasing-,

more safe and reg'ular communication The merchants there, with Hono'-Kono;- and Canton. have constantly had freights ready for months, ^^'ithThe only means out vessels to convey their g-oods. at present afforded of communication between Hong-Kong- and Shang'-hae, is b}^ means of the opium clippers, which it is sufiiciently apparent should be

and

calls for a

discontinued as speedily as possible.

This rapid in-

crease of trade calls loudl}' for the facility of inter-

and it is therefore to be hoped that the Peninsular and Oriental Company will continue the line of steam communication to Shanghae, which would seem to promise very adequate recourse afforded bv steam

:

muneration.

Our woollens and cottons are not only highly prized in China, but their cutlery inferior, the field

are

manufacturers of Birmino-ham and Shef-

much

souo-ht after.

There can be

we had an ambassador

of the fact, that

if

whose mansion

all

in

and hardware being* very little

doubt

at Pekin, at

our manufactures mio-ht be seen

constant use, the court and higher orders of the

Chinese would very soon acquire a taste for

now unknown

many

whereby our exports would be considerably increased, and the embassy

articles

to them,

OPENING FOR A TRADE IN FUR.

305

would thus become a source of profit to, instead of being- an increased burden upon, the king'dom. There appears to be an opening- for a profitable trade in furs, which the Chinese use extensively in cold weather, and value very much the g-reater portion of their supply is received from Tartary, but we are not aware of any attempt having- been made by our merchants to meet the demand, which appears 5

to ofier a remunerative traffic.

Sable

is

prized

by

the Chinese beyond measure, and they admire ermine exceeding'h' hig-h as the prizes are which are given in Eussia for sable, still higher are given in China 5

even the middling- and inferior sorts might be proFurs in g-eneral are so

fitably disposed of in Cliina.

commonest descriptions, which are used by the middle and lower classes, it is very probable, therefore, fetch very high prices that such furs as marten, fitch, squirrel, and many other not prized in Europe, might be made a most and we are not lucrative source of traffic in China

much

soug-ht after, that the very

;

:

aware that any exports of furs from this country, have been made by our merchants. Much false policy has been exhibited by our Government in withdrawing- part of our naval force from China, whereby we are unable to keep a Government cruiser anchored off each of the five ports, to assist

our consular authorities if necessary. to employ the naval force, to enforce

By

neglecting-

strict

compli-

ance with the articles of the treaty, and protect the British residents from the molestation and insult which constantly occur at Canton, our men-of-war are comparatively inert, and there

VOL.

I.

is

much

to be

X

done

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

306

to eradicate the pirates

who

infest

the China seas^

which can only he accomplished throug-h our naval Surely the expense to the nation would not be force.

—

were our ships to he cruising- doing* their duty, than when they are snugly anchored in Victoria harbour, sending- their crews on shore to disturb the inhabitants of the town by their frequent riotous and g-reater

disorderly conduct-

be considered injudicious to take the punishment of these marauding- pirates into our OAni hands,

If

it

w^ould

it

not be advisable to neg-otiate with the Chi-

nese g'overnment for a system of co-operation, to

ensure their extirpation from the Ladrone Islands, which abound near Hono'-Kono-. This latter course certainly ai)pears the most becoming- and consistent, to be adopted tOAvards a nation with

entered into a mercantile treaty

;

whom we

have

particularly as the

Chinese laws are most string-ent and severe in the

punishment of piracy, their war-junks being* constantly employed in searching" for and interceptingGreat Britain would be more honorably the pirates. employed were she to aid China in enforcing- her laws than in permitting- British subjects to smug-g-le opium into China, in direct violation of the laws of nations,

honor, honesty, and probity.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE OF THE CHINESE.

CHAPTER Description of the Chinese

—Personal

women, and

The

307

XYII.

appearance

— Dress

of the men,

children.

Chinese^ as a iiation^ are not a well-o'ro>Aai or

muscular race; the lower orders

under the

being-

middle stature, althoug'h occasionally, are to be found among-st them well-gTown men^ whose muscles are well developed.

The wealthy

classes are g-enerally of

a taller stature, and appear to be strong*er, possessing* physical strength

of limb,

and stamina;

this

very

probably arises fi'om using- nutritious food^ for the

lower orders of Chinese may, very appropriately, be described as an omuiyorous species, eating' filth

and

Rice

is

offal,

to

satisfy the

craving's

all

kinds of

of hung-er.

the staple article of nutriment used

by the

Chinese, but owing* to the denseness of the population,

and scarcity of money among' the millions, this species of food cannot always be obtained by them ; and poverty, combined with hung'er, oft-times compels the use of food which, under more favourable and prosperous circumstances, would be rejected with disg'ust and loatliing'.

The

clothing- of the

of very w^ide,

lower classes of

men

consists

loose trousers, and a species of jacket X 2

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

308

whicli buttons

the

at

calico^ of native

side,

manufacture

made of ;

hig-hly glazed

whilst the ^'eiy poor,

and the coolees, wear only trousers, g'oing* barefooted and mendicants may be constantly seen, with an old piece of matthig' fastened round their middle, scarcely sufficiently larg-e to cover their nakedness.

wear straw and bamboo

classes

The lower

the brims of

hats,

whicli exceed eig'hteen inches in depth j these machines

are used to j^rotect

them from the

sun^s ra3's,

and

present a most extraordinar}- appearance to unliabi-

tuated eyes, as each individual

a\

on his

ith this affair

humble opinion, looks like an animated mushroom, or a being*, who has chosen to stick his sconce, in our

umbrella

o?i

his head, instead of holding*

The

seat of knowledg-e.

head-g*ear

is

it

over his

only to be

strangeness,

by the cloaks and trousers

worn by the boatmen and

coolees during* the rainy

equalled in

season

;

its

made

these articles of dress are

of reeds, and

individuals thus clad, look most g*rotesque, resembUng^

some new

species of hug'e porcupine

absurd this costume barbarians,

which

it is

it is

may

j

but however

appear to us red-bristled

one well adapted to the season during*

worn, as

it is

impervious to rain, the water

running* off the points of the reeds as from so

many

miniature water-spouts.

The

clothing* of the

middle classes

differs

only in

the materials of which the

made, these silk,

articles being*

jacket and trousers are composed either of crape,

fine long'-clotli, or g*rass-cloth,

bleached, of native manufacture.

by

this class are

usually

shoes have uppers

made

bleached or un-

The

stocking*s A\'orn

of calico, whilst the

made of black

or coloured

silk,

DEESS OF THE MEN. embroidered or plain, with soles of white inches thick, with turned-up toes.

309 felt,

three

During- winter, or

cold weather, a black satin cap

is

worn, padded and

embroidered, the form of which

is

not unlike a skull-

and a wadded jacket or robe made of silk or j crape, reaching* below the knees, with one or more cap

shorter ones, according' to the temperature or feeling's

of the Avearer

of

leg-g'ing*

;

Chinese evince

mode

whilst the

which

is

much

of clothing*

3

leg's

are encased in a species

worn over discretion

owing*

to

their trousers.

and judg*ment

The

in their

the variability of the

climate of China, one time of the day will be hot, at

another period cold, so a Chinaman either puts on, or takes off an extra jacket, as the atmospheric chang-es

^^many times and oft" been j and we have reminded of the g-rave-dig'g-er in Hamlet, when watching a Chinaman divesting* himself of some of his

take place

numerous

jackets.

A witty friend of ours (now, alas

having* fallen a victim to

dead,

Hong'-Kong* fever)

used to say the Chinese, were like serpents changing The mandarins and wealthy or casting their skins. classes

wear

long' silken robes reaching* to the feet,

and black satin boots, with felt soles three inches thick, the toes of which are turned up and pointed.* The Chinese have not pockets, or receptacles of any silk trousers,

kind in their dress, but underneath their jackets, or robes, they wear g-irdles, of more or less costly materials,

according' to the wealth of the individual 3 to

* Boots, in China, are considered as demonstrations of wealth and: and one of their terse and trite proverbs is, " A man in boots will

rank

—

;

not speak to a

man

in shoes."

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

310 which

is

usually attached their chop-sticks^ a purse^

and a watch^ frequently two watches^ as the Chinese have a great fancy for pairs a

silk

handkerchief,

of every article that

is

In

expensive.

winter^ these

classes Avear half a score garments^ of various deno-

thickly

wadded with cotton;

robes^ spencers^ tippets^ larg-e

and small, some lined

minations^

all

heing'

with furs^ whilst others are padded, are

all

worn

at

A

the time by a China mandarin, or wealthy man.

black satin cap, Avith a turned-up brim of velvet, three

inches in depth,

is

used at this season

;

the top of

surmounted by a button, which denotes the if a mandarin, from beneath this ornament, a species of tassel is pendent this cap is totally dissimilar, both in form and texture, from that which is worn by the middle classes. When the weather is very severe, a velvet cravat, or stock is worn, about two inches in depth this is lined with a

this cap is

wearer's

rank,

5

;

thick stiff substance, and

neck.

is

clasped at the back of the

In summer, thinner robes

are worn,

made

light silk, or exceedingly fine grass-cloth, Avhicli

exceedingly

manner

,

is

fine,

this is

is

as

French cambric ; of a conical form, is composed of

fine in texture as the

the cap, Avhich

most

of

delicate

white straAv, plaited in a peculiar

ornamented with a flowing

tassel of

ruby coloured silk, or the very fine, long, lustrous hair, Mhich is obtained from a species of goat, and which is highly prized ; this hair is dyed the colour of, and made in the same form as the silken tassel, being surmounted Avith a button. So much importance is attached by the Chinese nation to trivial events, that neither the

summer nor

DRESSES OF THE MANDARINS.

311

winter clothing* can be used or changed^ until the

emperor issues an edict^ which is notified in the Pehin Official Gazette, and which is sent round to the viceroys or g-overnors of each province this paper states that on such da}^^ in such a mouthy at such an hour, j

summer

the emperor will exchange his winter for his clothing-^

At

or vice versa.

the appointed day and

hour^ the mandarins of every district and province,

simultaneously chang'e their following- their

though to

the inhabitants

clotliing',

Al-

example of laudable obedience.

dutiful subjects of our liege lady sovereign,

whom we

we honestly

have sworn obedience and allegiance,

we

confess^ that

congratulate ourselves

as fortunate, in being' the subjects of a

monarch who

does not deem it essentially necessary to interfere with our clothing; but permits us to exercise, our

own

discretion, in

many

wearing as few or as

g*ar-

ments as we choose, or our inclination dictates ; were it otherwise, and we were compelled to attire ouralthough selves according to the feelings of another

—

that

person might

other

Queen

be

our

lady the

liege

—we

fear, that John Bull would be rather and forget Ms allegiance and dutiful obe-

crusty dience.

The sions

dresses of the mandarins

and at

festivals are the

worn on

state occa-

most splendid that can

well be conceived, the backs and fronts of the robes

being covered with the richest embroidery vices

and patterns

coloured

silks,

of the

occasionally pearls broidery.

being'

And we

are

w^orked in

most

brilliant

intermingled

;

the de-

gold, various

huesj

whilst

with the em-

have heard of state robes costmg'

CHINA A>'D THE CHINESE.

312

two thousand are

wearers

the

5

The

dollars.

sleeves of these dresses,

the arms of the

considerably longer than

made

lo^^'er

portion being-

hand

the upper, to allow the

much longer than

to be concealed, as

not considered consistent with the etiquette, to

polite

it is

Cliinese code of

show the hand uncovered.

The

umbrella and fan are in continual requisition during* the

summer

J

the umbrellas used

bv the mandarins

and wealthy are made of silk, Avhich is iio-ured and ornamented, according to their station j the manhaving an imitation button, on the top to denote their rank these umbrellas are held over their heads by attendants, Avhen a sedan chair is not used. darins

;

The umbrella, used by the middle and lower classes made of bamboo, covered with thick paper, which

is is

blackened, oiled and varnished over, having a thick

cane handle is

j

this

common

not a quarter dollar,

is

article,

the cost of wliich

the most efficient protection

against the sun's rays, which can never strike through

the prepared paper, although the substance of the

material

The

is

not the sixteenth of an inch in thickness.

Chin-chew for umbrellas, is over China j the material of which

manufactor}''

celebrated

all

these articles are

at

made

is

a species of "white var-

nished paper, perfectly transparent and most beautifully painted with

these

painting-s

brilliant

being*

colours

;

the subjects of

usually flowers and

figures.

But, although the beaut}' of these umbreHas is proverbial, they are not so good a protection from tlie scorching*

common

eastern

sun,

as

the

more ordinary and

black one.

The use of the fan

in Cliina,

during the hot season

GENERAL USE OF FANS. universal and continual

31S

your tailor comes for instructions as to how large your white jackets are to be made^ he raises his leg*, and pulls out his fan, not from a case, but from his stocking-, and commences fanning* himself with g'reat composure. When your compredore, or butler, appears before you to receive your commands, he possibly finds the atmosphere of your room too hot for him, therefore, he is

either

;

if

opens his fan, Avhich

is

in his hand, or pulls

from his stocking*, using' the air-ag'itator with equal vehemence and nonchalance. Your servants whilst waiting" at dinner, will hand you a plate with one The fan hand, and fan themselves with the other. used by these delicate male creatures, is similar in shape to that which is used by our masculine athletic ladies, and is to be seen in the hands of all the men, excepting* the lowest coolees and poorest it

mendicants.

The men of all classes, have all hair removed from their faces j their visag'es being' equally g"uiltless the whole of the front, of beard, and whiskers and part of the back of the head is shaved, leaving' a circular spot on the crown of the head, where the ',

permitted to g'row to a considerable leng-th.

hair

is

The

hair of the Chinese

ing'ly

coarse, the

men

is

both black, and exceed-

having* theirs plaited into a

tail, which hang's down their backs nearly to their When first in China, we were prodigiously heels. astonished at the leng-th and thickness of the men's hair \ but upon close inspection, we found nearly halt of the tail was composed of black silk braid, most cleverly and ingeniously intermixed with, and plaited

;;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

314

into the hair^ concealing the joining' in of the braid

most

cle^erty.

The complexion of the Chinese men, varies considerahty, the skin of some being* an olive brown, whilst others rejoice in a copper coloured epidermis

the face and features are broad and

flat,

liig-h

cheek

bones, low brow, and a small keen black eye are the

Although the

physical characteristics of this nation.

Chinese cannot be termed a handsome race, expression of their faces

and

is intellig-ent

still

the

pleasing*.

The Chinese women are generally below the middle narrow across their complexion and fea-

stature, not well formed, being* very

the shoulders and hips

j

tures are the same as those of the

men

j

but their

countenances are totally devoid of expression or ligence.

Amongst

intel-

the lower orders, the dress differs

from that of the men, as each sex wear trousers equally wide and long, the only difference in attire being that the jacket of a woman reaches below but

little

the knees, whilst that of a middle.

man comes

The women wear the same

only to his

sort of

bamboo

men, and those who are unwear the same kind as the men use j but the females whose feet are deformed, invariably wear a covering either of silk or cotton on large straw hat as crippled,

and can

tlie

afford shoes,

their legs, whilst their feet are encased in embroidered

and spangled shoes. The married women dra^- the hair up from the face into a top-knot at the crown of the head, where it is arranged in immberless bows j these the}^ ornament and bedeck either with artificial flowers, or silver filagree pins six inches in length

these pins they place in the hair, so as to stick out,

DRESS OF THE WOMEN. like

horns^

315

on either side of the head^ when not

arranged in this

the hair

style^

exactly like the men. females^ wear the front

is

plaited into a tail,

The widows and unmarried part of the hair combed over

the forehead^ and cut short, looking- exactly like an

English charity-boy.

The head-dress, and ornaments

of all classes, closely resemble each other, the only difference being- in the quality of the artificial flowers

worn by the higher orders, who also indulg-e in the most expensive jaed stone enamelled, and silver pins set with pearls.

The women

of

all

ranks in China are remarkably

fond of trinkets, and wear as silver

rings,

bracelets,

afford or obtain

;

trinkets for their

and

but gold

own

is

use, as

many

jaed stone and

anklets

as

they can

never manufactured into it is

not worn by them,

fi'om a superstition which prevails among them, that the woman who wears golden ornaments can never become a mother, or retain her husband's affections.

The materials used by the lower

classes for their

glazed cotton of native manufacture and clothing, grass-cloth, of coarse fabric ; whilst the families of is

the mandarins and wealthy, are clad in the richest the silks, figured crapes, and embroidered satins,

being as magnificent as rich texture and brilliant colours can make them. The Chinese women never wear linen next the person ; the under jacket dresses

'

being made of crape, with tight, long sleeves, which is embroidered around the throat and wrists j over this they wear another jacket, which is made either of flowered satin or crape, the sleeves being' very wide

and short, reaching only

to the wrist

;

an embroidered

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

316

border encircles the bottom of the jacket and sleeves the border

is

three inches in xlepth^ and

is

j

of a differ-

ent coloured silk or crape to that of which the jacket is

made^ the embroidery being- in

coloured

The

silks.

or various

g'old^

trousers are exceeding-l}' wide

embroidered round the ankle, in a similar manner to the jacket border, but not to cor-

and

lono-

beina*

respond or match with broider}^

:

it

either in

colour or

em-

the principal object considered, in the toilette

of a Chinese eleg-ante appears to be, the combination of as

g'reat a

diversity of colours,

and variety of

embroidery as practicable, every article of of a different colour

:

attire being*

over the trousers the wife wears

handsomely embroidered, and this portion of the can only dress be worn by tlie wife, never beingadopted, or permitted to be used, either by handmaids, or unmarried daug'hters of mandarins. The ladies do not wear stocking-s, but their ankles are bandaged either with red or black ribbon the shoes have heels about an inch hig-h, and the uppers are very elaborately embroidered in gold and silks, being* bound round at the top with fig'ured gold tinsel. Like the men, the females of all classes wear under their jackets a silken g-irdle, to which is invariabl}' attached an embroidered bag*, a\ hich contains their tobacco and the fan is also in g-eneral use and requisition, pipe and this article is either embroidered or made of painted feathers or silk, and is of an octag*on, oblong-, a rich satin petticoat

which reaches

ver^'

to the heels

;

:

:

round, or pointed form,

^\hicli

does not fold up.

Although the ladies' dress is aug'ht save becoming*, affording- no opportunity to display the form or

DRESS OF INFANTS AND CHILDREN.

symmetry of the wearer^

as the jacket

31? perfectly

is

loose at the waist^ being- fastened closely

throat

stilly

;

around the from the diversity and brilliancy both of

material and embroidery^ the

costume ^ ^

of the

is pleasing-.

Infants and children^ of


^D THE CHINESE.

332

man who may

receive this token of Imperial love

will be respected while

he

will

with

he

lives^

and

after his death,

have funeral obsequies observed in accordance

his rank,

and

his title of

honor and

dig-nities

All

will be inscribed in the hall of his ancestors.

bow

before this

mark

men

of Imperial favour."

By

an ancient law, all neg-lected or uncultivated forfeited to the Emperor, who grants became lands them to farmers, on condition that the land is kept in proper cultivation

China very

little

;

the

consequence

uncultivated land

is

is,

that in

to be seen

;

a

some instances a fourth part of all proreserved for the Emperor, which is paid in

fifth,

and

duce

is

in

kind to the

officer or

mandarin, who farms the tax

from the Emperor. There is one g-reat peculiarity in Chinese agriculture Avhich, if adopted, might prove highly advantageous to tlie British farmer, Mere the example to be followed previously to being sown. All seeds are steeped in liquid manure until they germinate this practice, coupled with the

may

;

to

system of irrigation,

be attributed the rich luxuriance and abundance

of the various crops hi China.

The national perseverance and ingenuit}^ ma}' daily be witnessed in the manner in which terraces are formed, one above the other, up to the summit of a rocky mountain, where padd}^ is cultivated j reservoirs

and drains are constructed on eacli platform, and the water having passed along one terrace is received into the reservoir of the next below, thus descending, step by step, in its irrigatory course.

After the rainy season,

when the water has been exhausted

whicli

had been

METHODS OF THRASHING preserved in these

reservoii's,

333

EICE.

the water

is

carried,

both by manual hibour and ingenuit}', to the heights above.

The various modes of

irrig^ation

adopted by

the Chinese, with chain and other pumps, have been

and frequently described, as to render repetition superfluous and unnecessary. The methods adopted in thrashing" rice or paddy are numerous ; we have seen them thrashing- with flails of bamboo, somewhat similar to our own in form, only shorter we have also seen them, or their oxen, so constantly

•

treading* out the grain, calling' to mind, in that land

of heathens, the sublime scriptural injunction contained in the passage,

''•

Thou

shalt not muzzle the

ox

w^hich treadeth out the corn."

They

also

husk the

stone mortar, which

is

rice,

by placing the grain

in a

securely fixed or imbedded in

the earth, using a pestle, attached to a lever, to strike

worked by a man, who treads heavily upon the end of the lever. Watermills are also used for this purpose, and a species of hand-mill, which is made of two round stones, the topmost turning, by means of a handle, upon an iron Rice is the staff" of life in China ; and here we pivot. are furnished with an example in which everything is turned to account by the natives. From the grain a spirit is distilled, and is also their chief article of nutriment 3 the straw thatches their abodes, and from it also they manufacture coarse mats and paper; the husks are carefully collected, and being amalgamated with unctuous matter, are formed into cakes, and given

the rice with

this pestle is usually

who fatten speedily on this description of Ornaments are manufactured from prepared

to swine, food.

•

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

334

which is first pounded into a paste, and then hardened by means of heat ; we have seen remarkably handsome vases, and snufF-bottles, made of this material, the forms of which were chaste and elegant, and would not have disg-raced the antique models of rice,

As

Greece.

they cultivate the barren sides of

and mountains, up to the summits, so

also do

hills

they

make the morasses subservient to the support of man, by means of bamboos, split long-itudinally, and laid upon the bog- over these sticks are laid a coating- of mould ; in this artificial soil, veg-etables and culinary herbs are planted, and raised in the g-reatest perfection. The sug-ar-cane plantations in China are allowed to be of a very superior description; and we are induced to believe, from the statements made by West Indian and Cing-alese planters, that to the superiority of Chinese irrig-ation, the excellence, and flourishingcondition of their plantations and canes, is due. The •

mode adopted

is,

conducting- water throug'h trenches,

fi'om the larg-e reservoirs,

which are placed between

each row of canes

reg'ular intervals, the water

is

;

and at

allowed to flow throug'h transverse trenches

:

these

trenches are either opened or closed, as the canes in moisture. As no farmer exclusively cultivates the sug-ar-cane (as the farms usually are small, and the cultivator or proprie-

their respective securities requii-e

tor plants seeds of

all

descriptions),

none can afford

the expense of machiner}" to prepare sug-ar

the use

oi'

o.

of the juice from the cane, neig-hbouring- farmers

boo shed,

is

;

therefore,

peramhiilafing machine, for the extraction

;

is

contracted for

b}'

several

a temporary building-, or

bam-

constructed in a central situation, nenr the

PREPARING AND MANURING THE LAND.

335

abodes of the farmers^ and the proprietor of each plantation; with the assistance of their families^ carry

the canes to this building-^ and in like manner convey

back the manufactured produce ; there is nothing* lost or wasted after the juice is extracted^ for the canes^ after the sug-ar has been obtained from them^ are used for fuel.

The Chinese

are most careful in the

to prepare and manure the land descriptions of earthy to

seed which

it is

make

the

about to receive

manner adopted

they will mix various

:

;

adapted to the

soil

thus^ if the earth

of too adhesive and compact a nature^ they

with it;

it

then loam or clay

if too loosC;

',

and frequently they

mix sand

ming-led with

will chang-e the earth

Manure

one spot to another.

is

is

is

from

usually applied in a

and there are from house and other refuse animal and

liquid state; nig-ht-soil being- preferred;

coolees

who make

their business to g-o

it

to house; purchasing- thiS;

which they sell to the farmers. It would be impossible to enumerate the substances which veg'etable matter;

are used for

manure

hair; the scraping-s

the paring-s of nailS; cutting-s of

:

from the beard; boneS; ordure of all applied to the same purpose.

animals and birdS; are

In

g-ravelly soilS; vsdiere nothing- else can be cultivated;

the farmer plants the bamboO; of which there are several kinds; the appearance of the treC; with its tapering-

form;

is

trunk; and slender leaf of most g-raceful

peculiarly elegant.

from twenty to thirty clear brilliant yellow

;

feet in heig'ht;

;

is

frequently

and the colour a

the leaves resemble those of

willoW; but are larg-er; and

green

The trunk

tlie

are of a delicate brig-ht

and we know of nothing- in nature that presents

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

336

a more ag-reeable contrast to the eyej than the yellow trunks and g'reen leaves of a bamboo-plantation or The uses to which the bamboo is applied are forest. multifarious: from the young' and tender sprouts a most delicious preserve is manufactured ; a substance

used by the Chinese in medicine is obtained and Paper is extracted from the hollow of the tree.* are spars and manufactured from the pulp; masts

formed from the full-green tree; houses^ rafts, and furniture, also being- made and built with bamboo the ;

poles which yoke oxen, and that coolees or porters use for carrying- burthens, are alike made from the o-raceful stem.

Althouo-h China does not abound in

a redundancy of those larg-e trees and vast forests which are seen in other parts of Asia, still there is no paucity of timber or useful trees, either on the coast or in the interior of the provinces ; excepting- in the

Ladrone Islands, of which Hong--Kong-

is

the Avorst

specimen.

The most magnificent of forest

flourishes well

banyan or pagoda

in

tree,

the

monarchs

China; we which sending

allude

of the the

to

down

its

branches to root in the earth, reproducing other trees, again to be similarly multiplied, until innu-

and cloistered alcoves, clothed in luxuriant umbrageous foliage, surround the enormous parent trunk ; description falls short, and is powerless, when the attempt is made by writing to

merable arched

depict

this

trees,

glorious

specimen of vegetation,

it

is

necessary to see this mag-nificent tree to estimate, *

men

Wc

are not aware if this

in this country.

is

known

generally to chymists or medical

THE WHITE-WAX

INSECT.

337

either the beauty^ size^ or luxuriance of its foliag'e^ or

the comfort afforded by the shade of the leafy roof. It were needless to speak of the mulberry trees^ or of their number, which furnish food for the m^'riads of silk-worms, whose silk forms so material an article in the exports

and

powerful

oil,

From

from China.

foliag-e is like

a tree, whose bark

our ash, the Chinese obtain a very

which they use

for varnish

j

it is

neces-

sary to be extremely careful in the application of this for

liquid,

if

dropped upon the skin, the

will

oil

produce a cutaneous disease, which is very difficult to cure. The fluid is obtained by makino- incisions in the bark of the tree, shells are placed in these cuts, w^hich

speedil}'

exudes

:

become

filled

with the juice which

the fluid undergoes a variety of processes,

it is applied to the purposes for which it is most valued ; and the polish produced by the application of this liquid, far exceeds, and is more durable

before

than any other.

The Chinese obtain from a tree, which they call Kouchu, a fluid resembling- milk, which they use in g-ilding-

with leaf

g'old

;

this liquid

is

smeared over

the surface of the article to be g-ilded, in the several

forms which the device leaf g'old

is

is

intended to represent

5

the

then applied, which immediately becomes

firmly cemented.

There

is

a particular shrub indi-

g'enous to China (not unlike the privet), which attracts

an insect called the " white wax

insect,'' or fly

j

this

size of a common fly, but most peculiar and extraordinary, as pectinated extuberances rise in a curve, and incline towards the head the insects are covered with a z VOL. I. little

creature

the formation

is

about the

is

j

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

838

constantly shaking; oif them, so that tlie leaf on which they settle for a few minutes will be partially covered with this fine white The natives attach a species of ba^ or nest to dust.

white powder, which

is

which the fly A^ill deposit the substance which they term white wax, and which many affirm is of most excellent quality. The most curious tree in China is the tallow tree, from whose fruit is extracted a vegetable fat from this tree, in

which candles are manufactured from the kernels of the berry an oil is obtained Avhich is used for various purposes by the poorer classes. "When the fruit is ripe, which in appearance resembles the elder-berry, ;

materially larg-er, the leaves of this magnificent tree are tinted of a most beautiful scarlet-purple hue. It would be impossible to enumerate a tithe of the

but

is

China, unless a work were de-

trees indigenous to

voted solely to that subject, our aim

what we deem most likely to be

We believe is

most

to

name only

worthy of remark, and

curious,

interesting to the general reader.

that the sole laurel indigenous to China

the camphor laurel,

size,

is

and the timber

is

an enormous building ships and

grows

^^•hicll

used for

to

camphor is found imbedded in the trunk houses of the tree, and is also obtained by boiling the branches and leaves, an oil is collected from the ;

the

surface of the water, which undergoes a variety of processes, before the canijdior

drug thus obtained as that which is found is

We and

far

neither in the

is

procured

;

but the

so powerful nor

pure

trunk of the tree.*

have hcen informed that the Borneo camphor is much purer Chinese and in that island there arc whole

s\iperior to the

;

THE COTTON TREE,

From

339

ETC.

the inner epidermis of a species of sycamore,

the Chinese manufacture some of their finest paper there

,

unknown to Euroof which, when dried, they manu-

also a tree (of a species

is

peans) from the

j^ith

facture a kind of flour, which

purposes

is

used for culinary

the cotton tree, hoth in a wild and culti-

;

vated state, flourishes, g-rowing- to an enormous size in many parts of China.

The tohacco plant it

is

cultivated to

ahly of an inferior description oil

riance,

and the shrub

care

;

is

in short, there

China which

not

is

is

;

is

is

invari-

the shrub from which

gTows wild

extracted

castor

in

some extent, hut

does not appear to thrive, as the tohacco in

luxu-

g-reat

also cultivated with g-reat

not a plant or shrub

made

g-ro wing-

subservient to man's use.

from various seeds, such as the cotton, turnip, hemp, and a kind of mint which is used for lamps, and by the lower orders for Excellent

is

oil

culinary uses; an

cured from

also extracted

oil,

equal to the finest olive pro-

Florence, for table service, is obtained b}^

the Chinese from the kernels of apricot stones. The dyes of the Chinese are proverbial for their

beauty and durability ; the

indig'o plant is cultivated

to a g-reat extent, as well as a species of polyg-onum,

from the leaves of which a colour is procured which nearly equals the blue obtained from indig'o from ;

the buds and young* leaves of a minute dehcate plant,

apparently of the colutea species, a most delicate but forests of the

camphor laurel or

tree,

which are cut down by the natives Could we

for the sake of the camphor, the timber being left to rot.

obtain possession of the island, this timber might be article

of commerce,

as,

would be most useful

made a valuable

from the hardness and durability of the Avood,

for building purposes.

z 2

it

CHINA AKD THE CHINESE.

340

brilliant g-reen is obtained

a most exquisite black dye

;

prepared from the cup of the acorn^ and the finest and most brilliant scarlet from the carthamus. The dwarf veg'etation of China is peculiar to that for althoug-h we now have in England countr}" dwarfed specimens of the cactii, and other plants, nothing- as yet has been produced, that can either compete, or compare with the extraordinary specimens of dwarfed and distorted veg'etation, which are common in the Celestial Empire. We have had in our possession an oak tree two

is

;

feet hio'h, bearino- acorns, the

trunk exhibitino-

all

the

external marks of an ag'ed tree; orang-e and citron trees of the

same

which produced diminutive

size,

of remarkably fine flavour

used to produce, or have upon incipient buds, blossoms in

and of

set,

dition.*

bamboo

size, in

full

But tree,

fruit

one of these orang-e trees

:

it

full

at the

same period, newly

flower, fruit

an unripe and ripened conwe had was a

the g-reatest curiosity

two

feet

and a half in

heig'ht,

which was

distorted into the representation of a drag-on, with

a 3-outh seated upon

his

back.

We

have seen a

leichu tree, Avhose natural size equals that of a full-

grown

mulberr^'-tree, dwarfed into one of three feet,

the branches tapered similar to those of an ordinary tree,

and the trunk presented the appearance of old

timber.

The mode of dwarfing- and distorting- trees, as practised by the Chinese, is simple the branch of a full:

We

have heard of an orange

which had heen distorted into the hand, and we deeply rcgi'et that we were prevented seeing the curiosity hy illness.

complete representation of the

tree,

human

MODE OF DWARFING TREES.

341

gTown^ health}' tree^ is covered with mould_, which is bound round tig'htly with cloth or matting- ; the fibres of the branch thus covered soon shoot into the mouldy

when

the branch

bandag'e

is

is

carefully cut from the tree

then removed^ and the

in fresh earth

:

stripling- is

the

•

planted

the fibres then become roots, and thus

'\\'as previously a branch on the parent becomes a trunk, bearing- flowers and fruit. The buds at the extremity of the branches which are intended to be dwarfed are torn off as soon as they appear, and by this means the branches are arrested in their gTOwth, other buds and branches shooting-

that which tree,

out

:

after a certain time, molasses, or sug-ar-juice is

applied to the trunk of a dwarf tree, insects are attracted

j

by which means

thus the bark

that knotted appearance

is

is

and

injured,

produced which

is

peculiar

to ag-ed trees.

When

it

is

purposed to

distort, or g-ive

any par-

form to a tree, the branches are bent into the and retained in it by means of slips of bamboo,, shape, which are made into a kind of frame. We had a ticular

very curious and perfect camelia japonica, which we never before heard of, or saAv one like it while we

were in China the flower was exceeding-ly larg-e, and its form ^^as perfect, and the colour was a unique hriglit jmrple, or mazarine blue the natives could not have practised deception, or dyed the flower, as it bloomed in our possession.* This beautiful and extraordinary flower, as Avell as :

:

*

that

We hare been we

asked repeatedly by botanists,

if

we were

quite sure

did not mistake the colour of this extraordinary flower

reply was,

Do you

think that

we would

tell

a

lie ?

;

our

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

342 tlie

dwarfs and distortions of the veg-etable world^

were the

of a valued friend,

gifts

who

them from the interior of Hong-Kong- destroyed them

trouble to procure lential air

much

took :

the pesti(as

it

does

everything' living- belonging- to animate or inanimate creation), to our deep reg-ret.

The

veg-etable productions of

China are not only

those peculiar to a tropical climate (which vegetables

yams, orcus, sweet potatoes, and such

are, brinjals, like),

but there are also those which are indig'enous to

the temperate zone

)

peas,

Windsor beans, French

beans, turnips and carrots, being- reared, and brought to

great perfection

)

potatoes are also to be met with,

but the}- are neither well-flavoured nor large. AVe have frequently had at our table very good salad, radishes, a species of cucumber, equal in flavour to

We

ours, but altogether of a different appearance.

must not alloA\ the truflles to escape mention, or memory, for the}^ were most excellent, equal, if not superior, to those of Europe j neither must the capers be buried in the caverns of oblivion, -without a just

eulogium being passed upon their excellent qualities. There are several kinds of cabbages in China knoAMi to Europeans j but there is a very large white cabbage, which

is

unknown

remarkabl}- fine

Europe, and A\hich is of flavour, and firm texture of leaf: in

would that some ])hilanthropic botanist would proseed of this delicious

cure

meat, and us,

.^end

of course

respect

world.

some

—not

him highly

]

green, or rather

to our publisher's to

our publisher

but number one

white

— addressed

— although

first all

to

we

over the

THE FRUITS OF CHINA. The

343

China are numerous^ luscious, and fine^ and as many of them are preserved, dried, and made into jellies, which are sent to Europe as prefruits of

sents, or for sale, several of our readers

must have In

a vivid remembrance of their ag'reeable flavour.

China, the following- fruits are to be found (most of

them

in the

greatest perfection), namely, the

apple, custard apple, lei-chee, pomeg'ranate,

pine

pumbe-

low, shaddock, water melons, sweet melons, apricots, g'uavos, plantains, bananas, papaws, chestnuts, citrons,

mang'oes, a plum ^^hicli comes from Ching-chew, not unlike an

more

eg'g"

plum

in shape, but ten millions times

delicious in flavor

least, orang'es.

g-rapes, and,

;

There are

cultivated in China, but the orange

the Celestial Empire, fruit

is

is

par

last not

of orang-es

excelle7ice of

the mandarin orang'e, this

of a flatter form than other orang-es, and

somewhat smaller

;

the rind being* of the

To be eaten

colour of the Seville orang-e. fection, this orang'e it

though

many descriptions

brilliant

in j)er-

must be used immediately

has been taken from the tree, as

above two or three days

)

althoug'h

after

will not

keep

we cannot

say,

it

was worth taking- a mandarin orange in perfection, we can conscientiously aflirm and declare, upon our veracity, that it is a most delicious fruit. The orang-e plantations in China are truly splendid and magnificent, far surpassing- those of any other part of Asia or Europe j the size and luxuriance of the blossoms are most extraordinary, their beauty is peculiar to China, and their frag-ance is almost overpowering'. China is much blessed in the fertility of as a friend of ours did, that

voyag-e to China, to

it

taste the

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

344 her

soil^

worms

j

mineral riches^ and the produce of her

but her prosperity'

of the curses, with which

is

often arrested

silk-

by one

Maker of Egypt for

the Almio-htv

the world formerly scourg-ed the land of

;

whole provinces will be devastated^ and every crop devoured by myriads of locusts. In a sing-le nig-ht,

knowwhere the destroyer comes from j a cloud will appear between earth and the azure vault of heaven a flock of locusts alig'ht on every tree^ field^ and shrub^ and devour all^ to the consternation of the affrig-hted husbandman. When this plague lasts for any time^ the Emperor^ in person^ offers sacrifices to the Ruler of Heaven^ entreating- the scourg-es may be removed ; for frequently pestilence arises^ from the putrifyingbodies of the locusts which strew the surroundinocountry and plahis. In" China, these voracious insects

I

or day^ this destruction will take place^ none

ing-

are peculiarly beautiful, of g-reat variety, and of very laro-e size.

j||

TRADITIONAL STORY ABOUT TEA.

CHAPTER —

Tea Varieties Green Teas

—Modes

— The

exported,

345

XX.

of preparation adopted in roasting Black and of Tea Brick Teas Finest Teas never

—

—

price

but frequently cum-shaivs are made of them

preparing the infusion

—When

— Mode

introduced into England

of

—Price —

Consumption.

The

increasing* importation into^

and consumption of

tea in Eng-land^ render everything- connected history^ cultivation^

and preparation

^\ itli

its

for the market^

matters of exceeding* interest, not only to the mer-

chant and

scientific

man, but

to the British nation

No accurate information can be Meaned, from records or tradition in China, as to the

at laro-e. either

precise period this plant

Samuel

when a warm

was

first

infusion of the leaves of

Mr. "account

adopted in that country.

Ball in his interesting-

and useful

of the cultivation and manufacture of tea," cites an ancient treatise on natural history by Kuen-Fano--Pu,

who, in his account of the " ancient history of

tea,"

relates a curious story of the discovery of this tree in

217) by " an old woman, who every morning-, at da}^proceed was accustomed to break, to the market-place, carrying* a cup of tea on

the Tsin dynasty

(a. d.

the palm of her hand.

The people

boug-ht

it

eag*erly

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

346 and

yet^

from the break of day

to the close of evening',

was never exhausted. The mone}^ received she distributed to the orphan and beg'g-ar frequenting* The people seized and confined her the hig-hways. At nigiit she flew through the prison in prison. window Avith her little vase in her hand." The same Chinese authority relates many other the cup

traditional stories

extant, relative to the discovery,

but he places no confidence in aiij of them, and states it as a fact, that '^ it was first used as a beverage in

Wen-T^ (a. d. 584), and acknowledged good, though not much esteemed but from that time and during the dynasty of Tang (a. d. the reig-n of Suey-Te, or

;

618), it gained in reputation, and was abundant in the succeeding dynasty of Sung (a. d. 960), being

esteemed and used everywhere."

Notwithstanding this author's authority, we believe that the period

when a warm

infusion of the leaves of

back to a much and it is at present so universal throughout the Empire, that the consumption can scarcely be greater, if the population

this plant

began

to be used, stretches

earlier period in Chhiese history,

itself

does not increase.

The

effects

and

warm

qualities of the

tea-leaves are too well

infusion of

known and understood

in

tliis

country, to enter into any disquisition upon the subject,

but

it

cannot be uninteresting to learn, what the

Chinese experience in its use, who drink it without the addition of either sugar or milk ; we cannot afford better information to our readers ])y

on

this subject

than

again quoting from the treatise of Kuen-Fang-Pu,

\\ho lived in the

Tang dynasty;

after praising the

VARIETIES OF THE TEA PLANT.

347

and aroma of the infusion he says^ It tempers the spirits^ and harmonizes the mind, dispels lassitude, and relieves fatigaie, awakens thoug-ht, and '-'

flavour

prevents drowsiness, lig-htens or refreshes the body,

and

clears the

perceptive faculties

author makes one of the emperors it

j"

and the same " The use of

sa}^,

gTows upon me surprisingly, I know not how it is, my fancy is awakened, and my spirits exhilarated

but

as if Avith wine."

The Chinese medical men esteem it as a remedy for many

the tea-plant hig-hly, and use

complaints

;

it

is

also considered in

China as a great

stimulant to the appetite.

Great contention has relative to the varieties

but

it

long' existed

amongst botanists

and species of the tea-plant,

would appear, that the plant from which the

common

kinds of tea in commerce are produced,

the Thea

chinensis, of

which several

is

varieties exist

botanists have made three distinct species, viridis, Thea bohea, and Thea stricta. Thea namely, China seems unquestionably to be the native counmuch has been written upon try of the tea-plant this subject, and although Seibold (see Nippon, Heft.

thus

many

;

has lately endeavoured to establish that tea has been introduced into China from Kaorai, yet Klaproth

II.)

has very clearly shown this opinion to be erroneous (see Haude und Spenersche Zeitung-, Berlin, 1834).

The plant

is

found in China as high as the 40th degree

north latitude, as well as in the mountainous districts of the south, and particularly in the mountains separating China from the

Burman Empire.

proved, from accurate sources, that the tea

is

carried on in

Ritter has culture of

Ava, the Burman Empire, and

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

348

but it has also on the eastern borders of Thibet at the height Assam^ in wild been fomid^ recently^ of six or eig'ht thousand feet above the level of the sea ; and g-reat efforts are being made to cultivate it j

larg-e scale in British India.

upon a

Tea

is

also pro-

duced in Cochin -China and Tonquin^ but here its it has been known in cultivation is much neglected Japan^ and cultivated in Corea for centuries, and has 5

been introduced with much success into Java by the Dutch, the produce from whence has reached the

Amsterdam market. Plantations of tea are formed by sowing the seeds, which are set with regularity j in the first year the

middle shoot

is

stopped, to stunt the growth of the

become bushy, and throw out a greater quantity of leaves and after the third In year, the crop of leaves is fit for gathering. spring and autumn the shrubs are manured, and the erround is weeded and turned around the roots, at least four times in each year. The mode of manuring plant,

which causes

it

to

;

the plantations differs in various parts of the empire,

but the most usual manure employed is a compost of human excrement and calcareous clay, which is kept prepared read}^ for use in large walled-in pits, adjoinIn seven years the leaves ine: the cultivated land.

become

thick, hard,

close to the ground,

A^

and rough, when they are cut hich causes them to shoot anew,

and produce an exuberant after thirty years,

it

is

suppl}'^

said, the

of succulent leaves

j

shrubs become use-

and are then rooted up. The inferior teas, however, which are designated by the Chinese as ^^ MU ieasP receive but little care from the cultivator^ who

less,

^^THE INNER MOUNTAIN TEAS/'

34

them about twice

contents himself with weeding-

in

the year, collecting' the weeds around the roots, where

they are

left to rot.

The ancient

writing's ag-ree with the Chinese of the

who

present day,

that black teas of the best

affirm

come from the Bohea mountains, from Nuyshau, which is situated in the centre of these moun-

flavour

and that the teas diminish in g'oodness in proportion to the distance of the plantations from that The Ming- -yen and finest Souchong* are district. tains,

produced here, w'hich are unknown in Eng'land, and may never have found their wa}^ here except in the These are also shape of cimi-shaws, or presents. known as Nei-shan, or " the inner mountain teas" among'st the Chinese, and the}^ are cultivated within

Imperial enclosures," which Emperor's court. The diffiare said to supply the culty of collecting" the leaves from the shrubs, which are described to g'row in this district on sides of

what are termed the

inaccessible

^^

precipices,

is

said to be excessive,

that the labourers eng*ag'ed in the task are let

by means of iron chains ration of the tea

is

j

priests of the sect of Fo,

upon the Du Halde thus expresses himself upon '^ retreat The priests, the better to design of making this mountain-pass

built their temples

level heights. this

the cultivation and prepa-

stated to be under the direction

and superintendence of the

who have

religious

and

down

and

dAvelling's

:

compass their for the abode of the immortal beings, have conveyed barks, chariots, and other things of the same kind, into the clefts of the steep rocks, all along the sides of a rivulet that runs between

]

insomuch that these

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

350

ornaments are looked upon by the stupid

fantastical

vulg'ar as a real prodigT; believing*

it

impossible that

they could be raised to such inaccessible places but by a power more than human."

The Ilyson^ or finest gTeen tea^ has been gTeatly improved by transplanting* the shrubs from certain hills ftivourable to their g-rowth into the plains, and this course has is

not ver}"

shrub thus

been adopted for man}" centuries.

difficult,

It

therefore, to imng"ine that the

hig'hly culti-\-ated,

and the seed of these

cultivated plants improving* for a long* series of years,

as the soil or locality so

much

was chang-ed, may have

in appearance, that there

ma}^ be

altered all

the

external attributes of two varieties.

The

and pubescence of and others to believe that the black and g*reen teas were prepared from different species this, however, was an difference in colour, shape,

the dried tea leaves, for a long* time led botanists

,

erroneous idea, as both kinds the same plant.

may

be prepared fi*om

This has been established in Java,

we have Mr. Jacobson^s authority that the o-reen and black teas are produced there from the same seed, and that the onl}' difference between the two teas is produced b}^ soil and manipulation. That botanically there is no difference of species between the two that one part of the same phmtation may g'row hig'hly-flavoured teas, and anotlier part comas

;

mon

teas

Cong'ou g-ou*

one

And

;

:

or

both tlie

may

resemble

Soucliong*, or

one Souchong*, and

tlie

both

other Con-

and, ag*ain, that in reg*ard to g*reen tea, the

may

resemble Twankay, and the other Hyson.

he further declares, that

it

is

only by experi-

MODE OF PREPAEING THE TEA LEAVES.

351

ments in tlie ^^arious modes of manipulation^ which can determine which part of the phmtation may be more suitable to black or to gTeen tea. In China^ however^ the culture of the black tea^ and that of the g'reen differs considerably the Hj'son, ',

or finest description of g-reen tea^ plains^ in a

Europeans

more

fertile

pa}^ so remunerati^^e a price, for this tea,

that the producer soil to

fruitful

encourag-ed to devote a more

is

The Twankay tea

its cultivation.

Hyson

ver}^ far inferior to the is

cultivated in the

is

and hig-hly manured.

soil^

the same plant, the former being*

growing" on

its

native

hills,

its

is

and

3^et it

product,

when

in flavour,

while the latter

is

that

of the hig-hly-cultivated plant transplanted into the valle3's.

The

when

leaves of the tea-plant,

newl}' g-athered,

do not in the least resemble the dry leaves, either in odour or flavour they have not either a sharp, ;

aromatic, or bitter taste. lities

Their hig-hly-prized qua-

of pleasant taste and delightful odom*, which

they afterwards exhibit, are the

by which the leaves

We

are dried

need not be surprised at

roasting*

upon the tea

effects of roasting*,

and of manipulation. the effect produced by

;

leaves, as every one

knows that

unroasted coffee possesses nought of the agreeable

aroma, for which

it

is

peculiar after having under-

gone the process.

Had Mr.

Reeves, formerly the East India

Com-

pany's tea-taster at Canton, been aware of the various modes of preparing the leaves, he would not have expressed his astonishment in China, and

who had

how any

one,

who had been

onty seen the different infusions

;

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

•352

of green and black tea can consider both kinds of tea

—

(See Loudon's Let any one take a number of leaves of various sorts of tea as they come to us in trade, soften them in hot water, and

the leaves of one and the same plant.

Gardener's Magazine,

ix. p.

713.)

by side, and he will be convinced, that any disting-uishing* characteristics between the various kinds of black and g-reen teas. But althouo-h we think that it is clearlv established that all khids of tea are prepared from the same species of Thea, yet these various teas are grown and prepared each one in a particular district in one we lay

them

side

there are not

j

find the g-reen, in another the black

;

in a third the

found in almost a g-lobulur form, and in a fourth it is a little curled, just like the vine, which is almost everywhere the same species, from which is tea

is

])roduced such an infinite variety of wines, ing- in

The

all differ-

flavour and bouquet.

flower of the tea-shrub

five leaves,

and

shape

in

is

is

white, composed of

and

similar to the rose,

the berry resembles a small moist nut; there are four

black

of the

g*athering-s

tea,

the

first

is

in

early

and succulent leaves Pekoe tea is made the

spring-, Avhen the young-, delicate,

are plucked, from which the

;

second takes place about the 20th of April,

when the

leaves are larg-e, which produces frag-rant, full-fla-

voured tea

5

the third

the leaves have smell,

the

is

weak

fourth

sliot

is

about the 0th of .June, after

out

in fla\ our,

takes

place

when another crop

anew, this tea has little and of a very dark colour

after

the

summer

solstice,

of leaves has sprung- forth, and

PREPARATION OF THE PAO-CHONG TEA. this tea is coarse in smelly lig-liter

weak

353

in flavour^ but of a

colour than the last.

Loo-Lan^ a Chinese author^ g-ives the followingaccount of the preparation of Yen, or Pao-chong- tea ^^ When the leaves have been plucked, the}^ should be spread on trays, and exposed to the air ; this process is

called

Leang-ching-

with both hands,

:

sifted,

they should be then tossed

and carefully examined in a which is called

strong- light, to see if red spots appear,

Ta-ching-; they should next be placed in small

and kept closely covered with a fragrant perfume is perceptible, which trays,

chingj

bamboo

cloth, until a

is called Octhey should then pass to the chao-ching-fu,

or roaster, to place

them

in the red-hot kiio, or iron

thrown into same time, which should then be swept out with the bamboo brush ; when they must be well rolled, and then carried to the Poey, or vessel; five ounces of leaves should be

the

hio

at

the

drying-house, to be perfectly dried. Souchong", or Pao-chong, it is

is

This tea, called

sold in the place

prepared from four to eight dollars per

where

catt}?"."

Other accounts make it appear that teas are exposed principally to the sun for the purpose of drying*, and that the trays, two feet and a half in diameter, are placed on large stands made of bamboo, which contain about three rows of them.

account already referred

to,

Mr.

Ball, in his

endeavours to explain

the discrepancy in the descriptions of the drying of teas,

as well as contradictions in different relations

concerning tea in general, by showing that it arises in most cases from a difference of the manipulation

dependent upon the state of the leaves, or on the VOL. I. AA

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

354

kind or quality of the tea required to be made. It appears^ however^ probable that the leaves of old

may

shrubs v.hich are strong" and fibrous,

be sub-

jected to the drying* influence of the sun, previous to

the process of drying* or roasting" in the kuOy which

would be most injurious to the young* and delicate leaA es from which the superior teas are manufactured. Mr. Ball describes two distinct roasting or dryingprocesses, namely, chaOy and 2^oey ; the former is accomplished by means of the huo, and the latter by sieves, held over a fire of charcoal.

The

liiio is

a thin, circular, cast-iron bowl, two feet

four in diameter, and nearly eig'ht inches deep, which is

sometimes

larg*er or smaller,

quantity of leaves to be roasted

;

dependent upon the

this vessel is

imbedded

in an oblong* brick stove, the rim being* even with the

surface of the bricks; the fire-place

is

at the back,

with an opening* beneath for the supply of fuel. The poor manufacturer makes use of the same vessel to boil his rice in at

one period of the day, and to roast

Sometimes, during* the roasting*

the tea in at another.

and

yellow juice

rolling* process, a

is

extracted from

the tea, which forms a white deposit on the sides of the vessel, it is essential, therefore, during* the mani-

wash the hio, and the hands of

pulation, repeatedly to

the manipulator.

A

brisk fire

is

kept up, and the

heat should be of such a temperature as to produce a crackling* of the leaves.

Mr. Ball describes the roaster to take " about half a pound of leaves between his hands, which he throws into the Ttvo ; he then places his hands upon the leaves, and with a slig'ht degree of pressure, draws

THE CHAO AND POEY PROCESSES. them

355

fi'om the opposite side of the vessel^ across the

He bottom^ to the side of the vessel nearest himself. then turns them over^ and throws them back again^ repeating' this action until the leaves are sufficiently

When

roasted. difficult to

the

heat becomes excessive and

bear, the roaster then raises the leaves

some height above the kuo, and shaking them on his fall, which serves to dissipate the steam, and to cool them." handS; he lets them gradually

The

leaves should be roasted until

and

fi'agrant aroma,

the hand

they emit a

until they feel limber

and

soft to

they are then immediately transferred to circular bamboo trays ) the workmen taking as many leaves as he can gather between both hands, which he rolls

:

in the tray from left to right, pressing

slightly, preserving-

upon the

skill

them

of the

in the form of a ball

workman

)

them and

in performing this

process will depend the proper twisting* of the leaves.

After this they are spread out on bamboo trays, which are laid upon stands in tiers, until the cliao process

repeated; in this

second roasting, charcoal

instead of wood, which

is

is

is

used

generally employed in the

process, and the heat required is not so great, The rolling- and though insupportable to the touch.

first

roasting process teas,

is

repeated three times for superior

or even four times; but inferior teas

undergo

these two processes but once, owing' to the leaves

being unable to bear more, and the price being insufficient to

pay

for the additional labour.

The

leaves

lose their fragrance while their juice exudes, both in

the roastino- and

rollino-

but

it

is

recovered before

the termination of each process.

AA 2

CHIXA AND THE CHINESE.

356

The

finest

Yen

of

descriptions

are

teas

said to

underg'o rather a different process of roasting*^ called

Ta-chmffy in which the kuo

is

heated red-hot, which

can only be continued for three or four seconds.

The process of

j^oet/

adopted, after these two

is

operations, for all superior black teas

pose a

long-,

narroA\'

chamber

is

vided with brick-work extendingprojects from the

this

three feet, and

is

walls

for this puris

pro-

over three sides;

of the chamber about

half a foot in height

cular hollow places are

work as

j

used, which

disposed

;

along*

several cirtliis

brick-

receptacles for charcoal fires, these are in

diameter about two feet seven inches

',

over these

fire-

places stand wicker-work cylinders, called Poejj-Lonr/, inclinino- to the centre like

an

hour-o-lass, the diameter

of their ends corresponding" with that of the stoves

a above the centre of each are two transverse wires, upon which are laid the sieves of tea ; the fire ;

little

must be kept very brisk, and is lighted in a chafing-dish. The workman carefully sifts a quantity of leaves to extract all the dust or fraoments which would fall into the fire, and by causing* smoke -vAould spoil the tea, after which he spreads them evenly over the sieve, making- an aperture in the centre fing-er, to

a\

ith

allow a current of air to pass through

liis

he then places the sieve upon the transverse wires in the Pocy-Louff, and lays over the Poey-Long a flat bam])oo tray, leaving* a portion of

a passag*e

for evaporation.

tlie

;

mouth open

as

After half an hour the

Poey-Loncj is

is remo^ed from the fire, and the sieve taken therefrom, a similar sieve beino- laid over it,

the

workman

holding-

them horizontally

in both

hands

GEEEN TEAS.

357

them quickly^ and by this means the leaves mto the fresh sieve^ they are then returned into the PoeT/'Long, and placed over the fire for another half hour^ ^^hen the}" are ag'ain removed and rubbed between the hands. The leaves are nowfound to have become a much darker colour ; the fire is diminished in heat by laj-ing* over it ashes of paddy husks_, and the same routine is repeated several times^ until the leaves are perfectly blacky tAvisted^ and crisp j after which the leaves are sifted^ and the old and illcoloured ones removed^ and the}' are ag'ain placed over the fire as before^ the top of the Poey-Long being* completely closed^ and the fire is allowed to die away. The tea is after this packed according- to the custom of the district either in chests or baskets; in which they are carried into the market and sold in larg'e reverses

are turned over

quantities

3

during the tea season these markets are

held three or four times a month in the respective^ districts.

Green

teas^

the province according' to Sing'lo^ the

known

in Europe^

of Kiang'-Nan^

Mr.

gTow

in the south of

and may be

Ball^ under the heads of

classed^

Hyson and

former being* only the same shrub im-^

proved by cultivation and

soil^

taken from the hig'h

grounds and planted in the valleys, round the embankments of fields_, and manured ; and now designated ^^ There are two gatherhill " and ^^ garden " teas. ings of the leaves of the green teas, one between the middle of April and the first week in Ma}', and the

summer solstice. The tea is rendered by being roasted immediately after gathering-,

other at the superior

and previous exposure

to the

atmosphere or the sun

is

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

358

very injurious.

Those

cannot be thus treated

wliicli

are therefore hg-htly spread over a brick-floor^ or

if

this be not practicable, then they are placed upon shaded stands, in bamboo trays ; in the latter case a

woman

constantly examines the trays, and

if

any indication of their heathig- or yellow they must be instantly turned. serves

The huo used

for roastino-

cast-iron vessel, the inside

is

Hyson

she obturning-

tea, is also a thin

bright from friction,

it is

much

deeper than that formerly described, being- ten inches in depth, and is set five inches below the level of the brick-work \ it has several flat protuberances, answering- the purpose of handles, by which into

A

the brick-work

MOod

j

its

fire is lig-hted

diameter

is

built

it is

sixteen inches.

beneath, and the

liuo is

made

nearly red-hot, half a pound of leaves are thrown in,

and the steam which arises is considerable a crackis heard on their beino- thrown into the :

lino- noise

workman

Imo^ the

keeping'

with his hand, the heat repeatedly

5

after

them constantly stirred him to chang-e hands

oblig-ing-

each turn he raises the leases half a

foot above the stove, shakingis

them on

his

hand

;

this

continued almost as long- as the operator can bear

he finally turns them three or four times round the vessel, collects them in a heap, and throws the heat

them

;

into a basket held

leaves remaining"

with a

The

damp

by a man

in the liuo

at his side

)

any

are instantly removed

cloth.

leaves are then rolled as described in the

same

black tea, the balls are then shaken out, and the workmen manipulate the leaves rolling- them between their hands, by drawing- the rig-ht hand over ])rocess for

MODE OF ROASTING THE LEAVES. the

left^ using*

a

359

pressure^ thereby causing- the

little

leaves to twist reg'ularly the

same way.

After

this,

having- been spread on sieves they are carried into a cooling-

room.

If they cannot be immediately re-

roasted they must be turned in the sieves to prevent

them from becoming- yellow, but the sooner they

are

roasted after the rolling- the better.

In the second roasting- three men are employed the must be considerably diminished, and charcoal substituted for wood one man's attention is exclusively j

fire

;

directed to the

fire, feedino-

direction of the operator,

even temperature

or diminishino-

who

under the

takes care to retain an

while the third

j

it

eng-ag-ed in fanning- the leaves.

man

is

constantly

The roaster

in this

second process presses the leaves g'ently ag-ainst the

bottom of the vessel, then draws them towards himself, and shakes them in his hands j then he draws them round the sides of the kuo, raises and twists them in both hands ; he then stirs them more frequently and twists them less as they become drier and finally, discontinues the latter motion altog-ether. The leaves j

now taken from

the kuo appear a dark olive colour j

they are

and roasted a third time, when the

heat

sifted,

of the

stove

ag-ain considerably decreased,

is

and the quantity of leaves thrown into the vessel materially aug'mented the fanning- and description of ;

roasting- are similar to those adopted in the second roasting-,

leaves

by

and

it

is

during-

this

operation that the

assume the bluish colour peculiar to and resembling- the bloom of roasting-s The must be continued until the

deg-rees

this description of tea,

the g-rape. tea

is fit

for the market, thus

one

man

will be occupied

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

S60

constantly for ten hours in roasting* the three times^ twenty-five catties of tea.

commonly

This tea

is

packed^ and

AVhen sorted the H3'son

sold unsorted.

is

Gunpowder and young* Hyson have from it; and this process is performed by

the tea^ after the

been sorted

various and careful

siftino*s.

Mr. Ball contends^ from several experiments made himself; " That the dilierence of colour in black and g*reen teas does not appear to be derived from any by

manag'ement of heat^ but from manipulation ; the heat being* the same in both cases. I therefore conclude that the colour of black teas^

when

roasted in the

man-

ner herein described^ arises li'om the quiescent state of the leaves during* the final desiccation^ and that of the

green from incessant motion

the former producing* a

',

sloW; and the latter a quick evaporation of the elastic fluids.

The

employed

fanning*

for the

sufficient to

fi-eer

tea

g*reen

same purpose

be surmised; that the

may work very

of the

;

and

it

seems also

obviously

may

admission of light and air

considerable chemical effects, altog-ether

account for the difterent results in these

—

two processes." Pag-e 242. The Cliinese have latterly employed

fictitious

means

of colouring* g*reen teas for the purpose of imitation, or to

heig'hten

the

imitated g-reen

is

colour well

of the natural g*i*een;

known

in

the

the trade as " Canton

Mr. Warring-ton; of the Apotliecaries' Hall; published a paper in tlie '' Memoirs of the Chemical Society;" in February 1844; to prove that ferroc3-anide of iron or Prussian bluC; and sulphate of lime or g*ypsuni; are used by the Cliinese for this purpose. g*reen."

Larg-e quantities of the

floA\

er-buds of oleafragrans

INFERIOR TEAS.

361

are an article of trade in China^ and are used

by con-

noisseurs to improve the flavour of g-reen tea

; each person mixing* this substance to suit his own palate. Inferior teas are used by the lower orders^ and the poor in China ; made from the uncultivated shrubs^ by

drying' the leaves partly stripped off the stalks.

The

made from this description of article it bad and dirty leaves^ mixed with the stalks^ which are cemented tog-ether by some clammy subbrick tea

is

',

consists of

stance^ pressed into the form of thin bricks or cakes,

which are dried in ovens. It is principally consumed in the north of China, and the interior of Asia ; and we learn from ^^ Timkowski's Journey to China/' vol. i., pag'e 46, that this tea

is

used by breaking- off pieces,

which are reduced to powder, and boiled in water or milk, mixed with meat and fat. The soldiers on the northern frontiers of China receive their pay in this tea, and dispose of that portion which they do not require themselves ; and larg'e caravans of camels, laden with it, journey throug-h the desert of Cobi. The privileg'e of trading* to the two ports of Amoy and Foo-chow-foo, which are situate in the pro\dnce of Fo-kien, close to the black-tea districts, oug-ht to be the means of procuring* the general consumer in Eng*-

land those teas at a cost of fifteen or seventeen per cent, cheaper than

he pays

merchants at Canton.

Bohea

The

for teas

purchased by the

latter port

is

distant from

only two hundred and seventy miles, from which country there is an uninterrupted watercommunication y the tea, for g-eneral use, is produced

the

district

there at the cost of about sevenpence or eig-htpence

per pound of our mone}', and the cost of carriage from

CHINA AND THE CHINESE.

362

Foo-cliow-foo being

thence by water to could be sold at

tlie

pence per pound

but the same

;

trifling'^

it

latter place for tenpence or elevenarticle,

under

existing"

circumstances^ costs the merchants at Canton tenpence National prejudices and or elevenpence per pound. national character, going hand-in-hand, unite in inducin -^ CO tS

03

5

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cc

I—

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