The JAMES A. THOMAS COLLECTION DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DURHAM, N, C. tyVh ouqJ u ko,' r ,7 ‘ W' ■ v'i? '%f "‘I'l- ■■ ip \fi ■?/ .v=’ ■ • ,,v V. f / .. (* : ‘a- Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/fiveyearsinchinaOilforb_0 ii^rdinColors bj Hullt.iand©! h THE KM PRESS OF CHINA Second Wife of thepreseiuEmperorTao'wKwan From an original Chinese Drawing Richard Bentley, London 1848 FIVE YEARS It IN CHINA; FROM 1842 TO 1847. WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE OCCUPATION OF THE ISLANDS OF LABUAN AND BORNEO BY HER MAJESTY’S FORCES. BY LIEUT. F. E. FORBES, R.N. COMMANDER OF H. M. S. BONETTA. 138756 LONDON; RICHARD BENTLEY, 8, NEW BURLINGTON STREET, m ©rUmari) to 1848. LONDON : Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. i- CONTENTS. CHAPTER L INTKODUCTION. PAGE Object of the Author’s Journey in China. — Fallacious Ideas respecting the Chinese Character. — Improbability of Renewal of Hostilities. — Official Rank. — Impartiality of the Emperor. — Government. — Character and Death of Mr. Thom and Captain Gordon. — Sources of Information. . 1 CHAPTER II. SHANGHAE. Division of Provinces. — Vessels in the Harbour. — Supe- riority of Shanghae for Foreigners, as contrasted with Canton. — Description of the City. — City Gates. — Bridges. — Charitable Institutions. — Police Regulations. — Salt. — Forestallers of Rice. — The Customs. — Local Officers. — Travelling. — Want of Fire- places. — Streets and Shops. — Bazaars. — Itinerant Traders. — Dentists. — Fortune-Tellers. — Quacks and Jugglers. — Punch and other Shows. — Baths. — Fire-engines. — Fu-kien Thieves — Encounter with them. — The “Sons of the Soil,” or “Wolfmen.” — The Salt Treaty “Society of the United Three.” — Chinese Beggars, numerous — Their Mode of Ex- action. . . . . . . .10 CHAPTER III. COINS. Early Emperors had no Coined Money. — Antiquity of their Coinage. — Has undergone no material change from the Time of our Saviour, or thereabouts. — Coinage decimally IV CONTENTS. PAGE arranged. — Cowrie-shells served as Money, according to Mon- sieur Hager. — Tortoise-shell anciently used as Money. — Weight Money. — Bronze Money— its first appearance in the Time of the Founder of the Chou Dynasty, b. c. 1105. — Round Money, its several kinds. — Metals of the Coinage various. — Sycee Silver and Gold in Ingots. — Origin of the term Sycee. — Classes of Sycee Silver. — Copper Money. — Medals. — Origin of the Bank Note. — Banking in China. . 55 CHAPTER IV. AGRICULTURE. Beautiful Economy of Chinese Agiiculture. — Mortgages. — Waste Land. — Quit-rent. — The Emperor a Patron of Agriculture. — Irrigation. — Manure. — Chinese Farm. — Agricultural Implements. — Chinese Industry. — Number of Crops. — High-roads. — Bamboo. — Cattle-feeding. — Content- ment of the Chinese. . . . . .73 CHAPTER V. DIET AND DINNER IN A TAVERN. Chinese Bill of Fare — Its Constituents. — Ducks — Their remarkable Discipline. — Regular Tavern Dinner. — Waiter. — Pipe-bearer. — Courses and Dishes. — Reckoning. . . 93 CHAPTER VI. EDUCATION. Learning the Key to Civil Offices. — Open to all without distinction. — Three Classes only excluded, viz.. Boatmen, Coolees, and Actors. — No Civil Appointment can be held without a literary qualification. — Village School — Ge- nerally attached to the Joss-house. — Meaning of Joss-house. — Mode of learning at Village Schools. — Four Degrees of CONTENTS. V PAGE Literary Honours. — Different Classes of Teachers. — Edict regarding Literary Honours. — Great care taken to prevent any unfair Practice. — Subjects of Examination. — Fraud sometimes used in obtaining a Degi'ee. — Hall of Examina- tion. . . . . . . .103 CHAPTER VII. CONFUCIUS. Chinese Deities. — Sacrificial Officers. — Aim of the Studies of Confucius — His Birth, Parentage, Character, and Personal Appearance. — Respect for his Mother. — His Descendants, Tenets, and Temples. — Religious Procession at Amoy Mencius — His Education, Character, and Descendants. . 115 CHAPTER VIII. TAOUISM. Its Founder a Contemporary of Confucius — His Followers not numerous. — Temples. — Gods. — Priests. — Temple at Ningpo. — Temple of Ancestral Remains. — Invitation to a Religious Ceremony. — Description of it. . . .130 CHAPTER IX. BUDDHISM. Origin of Buddhist Religion. — Legend of “ The Fragrant Hill.” — Story of the Tiger. — Miracle performed by Buddha. — Introduction of Buddhism. — Beautiful situation of the Temples. — Description of Tien T’hung Joss-house. — Mode of Travelling. — Interior of a Monastery. — The Priests — Their Ceremonies and Mode of Living. — Aqueducts. — Wild Hogs. — Civility of the Priests — Origin of Tien T’hung. — Beautiful View from the Temple. — Plucking the Tea Leaf. — Grand Procession in Honour of Shinnung. . . .137 VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER X. THE ISLE OF POO-TO. Number of Priests and Temples. — Visit of the Dutch. — Extent of the Island. — Famine from Dearth of Water in the Chusan Group of Islands. — Two Wooden Deities bring Rain. — Origin of the name Poo-to. — Scenery of the Island. — Large Temple. — Mausoleum. — The Tae Hoshang. — Smaller Temples. — Suicide’s Leap. — Productions. — Water Buffaloes. — Description of Kung Shang — Its Library. — Nunneries. . 168 CHAPTER XI. CHRISTIANITY. Few Converts to Christianity. — Plan adopted by Roman Catholics. — The Success of Protestant Missions — Advantages of the Jesuits over the Protestants. — Anecdotes of Mis- sionaries. — Andre, a Corean Roman Catholic Priest — His Account of his Travels.— Domestic Tragedy at Pekin. — Sect of the Devils. . . . . . .183 CHAPTER XII. MILITARY. British and Chinese Troops compared. — Chinese Military Maxims disregarded. — Want of Discipline. — Expresses and Posts. — Protection of the Frontier. — Emigration. — Barracks. — Soldiers’ Arms bad. — Ordnance. — Soldiers’ Dress. — Fight ill in a body. — Military Mandarins. — Intercepted Govern- ment Despatch. — Division of Troops into Tartar and Chinese. — Attempted Intercourse with the Mandarins during the War. — Mr. Thom’s Narrative of its ill Success. . .192 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER XIII. REVIEW. PAGE Public Dinner at Ningpo. — An Insurrection. — The Man- darin Shoo. — Attempt to obtain an Interview with the Go- vernor-General at Ningpo. — Obtained with difficulty. — Re- view of three Regiments— Their Manoeuvres. — Orders given by waving of Flags. — Colours. — Civility to the Author on the Parade. . . . . . . .217 CHAPTER XIV. NAVY. The Emperor’s Opinion of a Sailor’s Duty. — Navy on same footing as Army. — Policy of the Admiral at Amoy during the War. — Murder of the Inhabitants of Tapeba-Shan. — Coast Surveying. — Arms of the Navy. — Immense numbers living in Boats. — Description of Junks. — Pleasure Boats. — Canal Travelling. — Grain Junks. — Itinerant Ti’ades afloat. . 229 CHAPTER XV. NAUTICAL SURVEYS. Useful information to Captains of Vessels navigating the Chinese waters — Chusan — Its approach. — Situation of the Quesans Islands. — Best Entrance to Chusan Harbour. — The South-east Passage. — South Passage. — Passages to Ningpo. — Tahiah River and its three Passages.— Approach to Yang- tse-Keang. — The Ruggeds of Gutzlaff. — The Navigation of the Yang-tse-Keang — Entrance of the Shanghae River. . 243 Vlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XVL MISCELLANEOUS. PAGE Observance of Festival of the New Year at Shanghae. — Exchange of Compliments. — Visiting Cards. — Address for a Letter. — Business of the Host at a Feast. — Ceremony of making Calls and saluting Friends on the second Day. — Settlement of Disputes deferred to the New Year. — The Button the Distinction of the Mandarin. — Badges of Dis- tinction. — Small Feet of Chinese Ladies. — Other curious Fancies. — Marriage and its Ceremonies. — Funeral Rites. . 262 CHAPTER XVII. THE TREATY AND TAKING POSSESSION OF LABUAN. Conquest of Labuan — Situation of the Town. — Murders committed by order of the Sultan. — Cession of Labuan to the British Government. — Taking possession in the name of Queen Victoria. — Speech of Captain Mundy on the oc- casion. — Character of the Sultan. — His overreaching Conduct. — Pedigree of his Family. ..... 284 CHAPTER XVIII. MASSACRE OF BRUNE. Despatch received from the Sultan by the British Au- thorities. — Translation. — The Pangeran Suliman’s Tale. — Arrival of Captain Heath. — Settlement of the Disputes. . 295 CHAPTER XIX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BORNEO MALAYS. The Malays a proud Race. — Their Character. — Descrip- tion of Borneo — Its Products. — Household Furniture. — Dress CONTENTS. IX PAGE of the Malays — Their Indolence. — Arabic the Character of their Writing. — Learning. — Marriage. — Mode of Burial. — Religion. — Orang Caya, or Superintendent of a District. . 302 CHAPTER XX. SEARCH FOR COAL. Shape of the Island of Labuan. — Map of it. — -Description. — Search for Coal. — Appearance of the Island — Its Pro- ducts. — Illness of the Exploring Party. — Coal discovered — Its Quality and Quantity. . . . . .310 APPENDIX. I. — The Eighteen Provinces of China Proper, with the Latitudes and Longitudes of the Capitals, Official Appoint- ments, Salaries, &c. . . . . .327 IL — Population of China Proper, with List of Officers, Local and Provincial. . . . . .337 III. — Comparison of Military Rank — Chinese and English. 338 IV. — The Twenty-eight Dynasties of China. . . 339 V. — Chronology of China — the Cycle of Sixty Years from 1847. . . . . . . .340 VI. — Official Returns of the Trade with various Ports of China. . . . . . . .341 6 ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE PoETKAiT OF THE Empress OF China . to facc the Title. Cultivation of Rice, ploughing . . .73 „ HUSKING ... 86 „ sowing . . . .87 ,, transplanting . . 88 „ REAPING . . . .89 Mountain Sedans, Province of Siieaou-Pih . . 148 Ancient Monument, containing the Ashes of a deceased Priest . . . . . .174 Ancient Temple at Poo-to . . . . 177 A Military Mandarin . . . . .192 Dinner at the Public College, Ningpo . . 217 Arrival of H. E. Ijbang-Paow-Chang at the Military Temple . . . . . .218 Entering Ningpo by the Salt-gate . . . 222 Three Regiments in Square . . .226 Firing a Volley ...... 227 Celebration of the New Year at Shanghae . 262 A Bride . ...... 272 Bride’s Feast . . . . .274 Bride and Bridal Chamber . . . .275 Bridegroom’s Feast . . . . .276 Theatrical Performance at a Marriage . .277 Chart of the Island of Labuan . . . 311 CHINA AND LABUAN. CHAPTER L INTRODUCTION. Object of the Author’s Journey in China. — Fallacious ideas re- specting the Chinese Character. — Improbability of Renewal of Hostilities. — Official Rank. — Impartiality of the Emperor. — Government. — Character and Death of Mr. Thom and Captain Gordon. — Sources of Information. It having been my lot during the last five years to cruise about the country where the quaint figures that are familiar to us on porcelain have a real ex- istence, and man appears under such an extraordi- nary aspect as to have led some writers to doubt whether Noah might not have settled in China with a fourth post-diluvian born son, and with the prospect of a long sea voyage before me, I thought I might beguile the tedium of it by arranging the following few notices of what I saw and heard in China, B 2 OBJECTS OF THE AUTHOR. together with such of the affairs of Borneo as o occurred while I Avas on the spot. I was present at most of tho hostilities in China, but being recently arrived I should suppose that they must long ago have found an abler chroni- cler than me, so I confine myself to what I was able to learn of the manners, customs, and pecu- liarities of the country and its inhabitants. The object of my different journeys when on land was principally to form a collection of coins, of which I shall in due time give merely a passing notice, as the subject generally, and my collection, are in the hands of a learned Chinese scholar, who will shortly be commenting upon them. But to that object I directed a great deal of attention, and travelled over a vast tract of country; and mixed, as much as cir- cumstances would allow me, in pure native society of all ranks, from the Governor-general of the province to the poor tenant of the humblest cottage. And here I feel bound to say that I laid aside a mass of preconceived ideas prejudicial to the Chinese. I had formed something like an estimate of Canton from the accounts I had previously read — of true local descriptions I admit ; but as regards the nation at large nothing can be more falla- cious than the ideas conveyed by them. After the first blow of hostilities, and a little irritation consequent on defeat, which an Englishman can CHINESE CHARACTER. 3 well afford to make allowances for, I found my- self in the midst of as amiable, kind, and hos- pitable a population as any on the face of the globe, as far a-head of us in some things as behind us in others. No one could think of searching the back streets of Chatham, or the purlieus of Wapping, for a fair criterion of British society, or specimens of the yeomanry of merry England ; yet from data such as these we have hitherto drawn our ideas of Chinese morality and civilization, but, as the country opens, and we become better acquainted, I trust that both parties will find that they are not the barbarians they have hitherto mutually believed each other to be. As to any renewal of hostilities I have not the slightest idea of any such being likely to take place : the treaty on the part of their government has been most religiously observed. The emperor would willingly have paid the 21,000,000 of dollars down in one year, but as it was preferred in instalments he was never behind-hand for a day. The only in- terruption that British commerce is likely to meet with is from the detestable rabble of Canton, and the Meaow-tse, or men of the hills, the gallant but wild remnant of unconquered Chinese who have never bent to a Tartar yoke, over both of whom the government has little or no control, and a good 4 RANKS IN SOCIETY. thrashing now and then administered to either or both would not cause much sensation at the court of his Imperial Majesty Taow Quan. It is not so easy to gain the entree into the higher orders of society. The spirit of aristocracy is high and exclusive. I know nothing of hereditary rank, further than the fact of its existence, but oflScial rank removes the bearer from all communion with his kindred. The great object of every father is to give one at least of his children such an education as may qualify him for government office, which is almost sure to be the lot of any who passes the requisite examinations. But the em'ployt is seldom or never appointed to any situation in his own pro- vince, nor can he be on terms of intimacy with any one of much less rank than himself. Traders of any sort or description he can never reckon amongst the number of his acquaintance, poor relations he cannot acknowledge in public; but, if after his resignation of office he retires to his own native province, he again returns to the bosom of his family, and becomes the acknowledged head of it by purchasing the patrimonial estate. Great impartiality between Chinese and Tartar is shewn in the appointment of officers ; the imperial patronage is most equally divided between the two races, which may be sound policy on the part of the emperor, as there is little chance of fusion between POWER OF THE EMPEROR. 5 them. They never intermarry, except that the em- peror now and then takes a Chinese wife, but the mother of his heir must be a Tartar. In all other ranks that I have seen, but little jealousy is shewn ; the Chinaman unemployed by government is as ready to give as to ask for infor- mation, and however poor he may be, will vacate the best, or if he has but one, the only chair in his house, and bring out the best fare that his establishment can afford on the entrance of strangers. Under the despotic sway of the Son of Heaven, the subject enjoys a fair portion of liberty, and more hajipiness than falls to the lot of most nations. The empire is as one family, and if the Imperial Father sometimes visits severely the error of a member of it, yet is he slow to exercise his au- thority; and though death be the penalty that the law awards for many offences, capital punish- ments are extremely rare ; and the bent of the legislation aims at providing against the ills of humanity, by relieving its wants, and preventing rather than punishing crime. For this purpose education is general, arts are encouraged, gigantic undertakings are completed for facilitating trade, agriculture is held in honour, and every pos- sible means adopted for feeding the people and preventing or alleviating famines, which, with- 6 GOVERNMENT. oat some such regulations would perhaps oftener occur. The whole system of government from its an- tiquity is necessarily most elaborate, the constitu- tion has lasted almost entire from times when the rest of the world was barbarous, and has had the advantage of centuries of peace to consolidate itself. The history of the country presents an extraor- dinary number of different dynasties ; but their revo- lutions have done little more than to put a new monarch on the throne, who has found it his interest to leave the great body of the people to pursue the even tenor of their way much as before. And if a report reaches our ears of some case of hardship, we must make allowances for the immense machine that the executive has to direct ; and under what government will not individual cases of hard- ship arise ? Mandarins have been subjected to unmerited degradation, and the people have been oppressed by mandarins ; but, on the truth appearing, the government never fails to amend an error and re- dress a wrong. As for the honesty of the people, “ Let us speak of a man as we find him ; ” and though comparisons are odious, yet rather costly experience compels me to say that my own pro- perty suffei’ed more from actual robbery in landing MR. THOM. 7 and passing the English frontier, than during my whole sojourn in China. But besides the opportunities I enjoyed of seeing for myself, it was my good fortune while at Ningpo to make the acquaintance of a gentleman who was always ready in the kindest manner to render me any assistance that lay in his power — I mean the late Mr. Thom. He w’as in every respect a re- markable man, holding a high situation in a great mercantile establishment at a liberal salary, and with every expense provided for him, he was on the way towards making a very large and rapid fortune ; but on the breaking out of hostilities, it was abso- lutely necessary to procure an interpreter — a post for which his extensive knowledge of the language and people thoroughly qualified him. From a mere sense of duty to his country, (it would not be easy to point out many parallel instances) he left his employment, and took the interpretership on much less advantageous terms than he had previously enjoyed, and rendered himself highly useful through- out the war; and at its conclusion became tier Majesty’s Consul at Ningpo, at a moderate salary, with the disadvantage of having to keep almost open house to any and every stranger whom chance or duty took to Ningpo. The assiduity with "which Mr. Thom discharged his functions, heightened an illness under which he 8 CAPTAIN GORDON. had been for some time suffering, and when leave of absence for the benefit of his health was granted, his high zeal for his country forbade his availing himself of it until the arrival of a suc- cessor, who arrived just in time to bury him, leav- ing a family very poorly provided for. His death deprived Her Majesty’s Government of a faithful and experienced servant, and me of a valuable friend. I had also for some part of the time the ad- vantage of serving under Captain James Alexander Gordon, who took great pleasure in accompanying me in my rambles, and whose hearty bonhomie, urbanity of manner, and kindliness of disposition, ensured us a welcome wherever we went. I have to lament his falling the first British victim to the climate of Labuan, where I had the me- lancholy satisfaction of seeing him properly in- terred, soon after our taking possession of the island. In cases where I have felt myself at a loss to understand many things that came under my no- tice, I have freely to acknowledge myself under obligation to a periodical, published at Hong Kong, under the title of the Chinese Repository, a valua- ble cyclojDedia of local information, which I much wonder has not found its way more into the libraries of Europe. I have also copied from Sir George SOURCES OF INFORMATION. 9 Staunton, such of the laws as I thought I could throw any light upon from personal information. With such advantages, perhaps, these few glean- ings may yet appear hnt scanty; but I have endea- voured to avoid dilating on whatever I supposed might he known to the mass of English readers, and shall feel very happy if the only fault that can be found with me he that of omission. 10 SHANGIIAE. CHAPTER II. SHANGHAE. Division of Provinces. — Vessels in the Harbour. — Superiority of Shanghae for Foreigners as contrasted with Canton. — Descrip- tion of the City. — City Gates. — Bridges. — Charitable Institutions. — Police Regulations. — Salt. — Forestallers of Rice. — The Cus- toms. — Local Officers. — Travelling. — Want of Fire-places. — Streets and Shops. — Bazaars. — Itinerant Traders. — Dentists. — Fortune-Tellers. — Quacks and Jugglers. — Punch and other Shows. — Baths. — Fire-engines. — Fu-kien Thieves. — Encounter with them. — The “Sons of the Soil,” or “Wolfmen.” — The Salt Treaty. — “Society of the United Three.” — Chinese Beg- gars, numerous. — Their Mode of Exaction. The cities of China and their inhabitants, with the exception of those of Canton, are mostly very similar to each other, and as I consider Shanghae, for reasons presently to be stated, to be the most important for Europeans to have some information about, I have selected it to describe as the best means of giving an insight into Chinese town life. Every province is divided into a certain number HARBOUR. 11 of districts, called a Fu, Ting, Chow, and Keen. A Fu is a large portion or department of a province under the general control of a civil officer, immedi- ately subordinate to the head of the provincial government. A Ting, a smaller division than, and sometimes a portion of, a Fii, when separate it is governed as a Fu, and called a Cliiih-le. A Chow is similar to a Ting, as also a Heen, but each is a smaller division ; each Fii, Ting, Chow, or Heen, has one or more towns, or walled cities, under its guidance, one of which takes its name and rank as Kwang-Chow-Fu and Shang-Hae-Heen, which latter, although of that subordinate rank, is the largest maritime city in the empire, and the greatest resort of the native ships or junks. I could not, from the jealousy of the government officials, ascertain the number of craft that enter the harbour, but should say that from three to four thousand, of large dimensions, ride at anchor there, at the close of the South-west Monsoon. The whole would seem to be under the direction of a very able harbour-master, moored head and stern in tiers of from fifteen to twenty. The harbour, which is formed by a bend of the river, is in every way commodious, and adapted for an extensive trade. The imports in native bottoms consist mostly of 12 SIIANGIIAE Straits produce, i. e. from Sincapore, Malacca, and Penang. Sugar, tobacco, and rice, from the Lu- conias and other islands of the eastern archipelago, while a considerable number of smaller craft are employed in the coasting trade to the various mari- time provinces. From its central position, as an emporium on the banks of a river, tributary to the Yang-Tse-Kiang, near the Imperial Canal, and midway between Pekin and Canton, I should not be at all surprised if, in a few years, Shanghae became the only port of real trade with foreigners. The disturbances continually arising in Canton, causing inconvenience, to say the least of it, to the merchants there, together with the additional ex- penses arising from its distance from the tea and silk countries, must soon go far to lessen the trade of that port. Amoy is almost drained to supply its tributary, Formosa, and imports almost all necessaries from the native trade, in junks, with the Straits and the Luconias; besides, being far from either the tea or silk countries, it does not offer a convenient market to foreign enterprise. Foo-choo-Fii, from the jealousy entertained to- wards foreigners by the Tartar inhabitants, who form a majority of its population, labours under a like disadvantage. While Ningpo, from its difii- CONTRASTED WITH CANTON. 13 culty of access and vicinity to the far snperior port of Shanghae, has not as yet been found of suffi- cient importance for the establishment of a single branch-house. Thus nearly all trade with foreigners is sus- tained, at present, by the ports of Canton and Shanghae; and the convenience of the position of the latter, together with the liberal hospitality of its inhabitants, must soon, in my opinion, in- crease its importance, and secure its monopoly. The English merchant at Canton is almost a prisoner in his house ; he has only a few streets open to him for the required recreation, even for the benefit of exercise, and then with the probability of insult. Experience has taught him that even his own house may be a very unsafe refuge from a furious and ignorant mob ; any ex- citement, from whatever cause it originates, is sure to vent itself on the unfortunate foreigners, andj perhaps, bring the building about his ears with very small chance of redress. On the other hand at Shanghae, he is surrounded by a peaceable and hospitable community, where crime is a matter of such rare occurrence, that His Excellency Kung Miikiu, the civil governor, said in my presence that, during his government of so large a popu- lation, which had lasted, I believe, nine years, one execution only had taken place, and that for 14 SHANGHAE. crim. con. and murder of the injured husband ; this may serve as an illustration not only of the morality of a people, whom I have read somewhere termed a nation without morals or truth, but of the general mildness of the government. But, besides the absence of crime in Shanghae, the city is always open to the foreigner equally with the native ; and I have had several years’ expe- rience to ground my statement on, that insults or annoyances, of every kind, are less frequent to stran- gers than in any part of the world. The above may be considered but light reasons for the decline of trade in one port, and its ac- cession in another; but wmit of land in the one, and the easy acquirement of it in the other may be conceived more weighty. It is not very long since, that the mandarins threatened the destruc- tion of a garden recovered from the river in front of the foreign factories at Canton : nor has the effect of the war induced the provincial govern- ment to yield any portion of land for foreigners’ uses, except to build their actual houses of bu- siness on. But at Shanghae, several acres of ground are already the property of individual mer- chants. I feel no doubt that, in the course of a few years, country villas will be owned by part- ners in the larger houses at convenient distances from the city. CITY GATES. 15 But in one particular Canton has the advan- tage — in the greater salubrity of its position; be- tween the mast-head and the horizon around Shanghae, not a single rise of ground is visible — the whole expanse is a country something like Holland or Belgium, with its rich cultivation, and numerous canals, teeming with wealth, beauty, and ague. The city, that is to say, the walled city or cita- del, is by no means extensive, for China, being- less than four miles in circumference (that of Nan- kin is thirty) ; but it is surrounded on all sides by very large suburbs, making the area of its depen- dencies of an enormous extent. It is entered by four principal and two smaller gates, the north, south, east, and west, and the little south and east gates ; besides these are three water gates, by which the different canals (having made the circuit of the walls,) pass through the city into the river, carrying with them all the offal, and affording the means for the transporta- tion of merchandize. The streets are narrow and dirty, and the houses low. Nearly all the government-offices are within the citadel ; and her majesty’s consul has a large residence in the centre. Among the principal in- stitutions are the college, a fine building with stone edifices, and ornamental temples surrounding; a 16 SHANGHAE. highly elegant grotto garden, varied with lakes, bridges, hills, and trees. The Temple of Confucius is a handsome struc- ture, covering about three acres of ground. Near the centre of the city are the public gardens with lakes and islands, in and around, which are pictu- resque overhanging temples fitted as tea-houses. In various parts of the gardens are temples for the deities, playhouses, and grottoes, surmounted with exotics arranged with great taste, while in the area in front of the principal tea-houses, are the tents of astrologers, doctors, dentists, necro- mancers, booksellers, almost all itinerant trades, peep-shows, dancers on the tight-ropes, and Punch ; although this place is generally thronged with vi- sitors no disturbances or annoyances ever take place. In the houses adjoining are every kind of shop, among which are numbers of dealers in antiquities and curiosities. The mandarins’ offices are among the most showy buildings, being generally painted with bright co- lours, and approached through large court-yards in which are huge carved representations of dragons, lions, or other animals, each of which is emble- matic, as the figures in our heraldry : on the left- hand side is mostly an orchestra for a band of music; and on the right the saluting guns. The house is in three distinct buildings, a court-yard BRIDGES. 17 separating’ each ; the first is that of ceremony, consisting of a large hall, with a smaller apartment on each side ; the next, the receiving rooms for visitors ; and the third, private apartments. Several very large Buddhist temples ornament the city, these are nearly always painted red ; on the city walls are some large temples, commanding fine views ; among these near the nortli gate is the Temple of Spring, in which are fine apart- ments open on all sides, where the ladies meet in the month of May to watch the progress of Spring, and deck their raven black hair with the early flowers. The bridges which mostly consist of one high arch with stone stairs, are in many instances highly carved, and each ornamented with a painted lan- tern. In the principal streets are high triumphal gateways of elegant structure in splendid alto-re- lievo, to commemorate some important event, or hand down the name of some great officer — some of these are very magnificent. The Hall of United Benevolence is the principal charity : it comprises a general society for assist- ing the poor ; when I visited it there were at least fifty coffins in store numbered ; and one number was something past three thousand, besides coffins for the poor ; it bestows medicines, supports a free hospital, and is in every sense a noble insti- c 18 SHANGHAE. tution, and well worthy its name. A branch of it, the Foundling Hospital, is supported by voluntary subscriptions ; and if of equivocal benefit elsewhere, is not misplaced in China, where the practice of female infanticide has had the sanction of the law. From inquiries made on the spot, and a report published and translated into English, for a copy of which I am indebted to the kindness of Captain Balfour, her majesty’s consul, I am enabled to give the following particulars. It was founded, together with some other charitable institutions, in the forty- ninth year of the Emperor Kanghe, a.d. 1710, by imperial order. It is indebted to a benevolent in- dividual, Sir-chin-chang by name, for the garden in which it stands, and is under the management of a board of directors, represented by two who reside in the establishment. On the left hand side of the entrance is a perforated drawer, inscribed with the two characters “Show ying,” or reception of infants. A sound on a gong, or a knock at the door, gives notice of the arrival of a new inmate, which is im- mediately removed into the interior, if not more than three years of age, after which it is inadmissi- ble. It is then carefully examined, and a register is kept of its age, date of admission, appearance, the lines and fashion of its fingers, whether the five senses and four limbs be perfect or not, whether FOUNDLING HOSPITAL. 19 there be any sores or scars about it. whether it be fat or thin, and what clothes it had on when admit- ted, all which particulars are most minutely record- ed, after which one of the wet nurses is assigned to it by lot to prevent dispute and partiality. The qualifications of the wet nurses are rigidly inquired into and ascertained, and the children are maintained and educated for a period not exceeding ten years, when, or before, they may be adopted by any body who, in the case of boys, will legitimate them into some family, or, in the case of girls, will besides give security for their future well treatment and proper employment. The report for the twenty- first year of Taou Kwang (a.d. 1841) gives the following list : — Old inmates 23 Deceased 30 New inmates . , 114 Returned to Sunkiang-fu . 8 New inmates received Deceased before Registry . 48 from Sunkiang-fu 34 Present inmates . 35 Transferred by adoption . 50 For the twenty-second year of Taou Kwang, or 1842 :~ Old inmates 35 Deceased before registry . 33 New inmates . . 91 Returned to Sungkiang-fu 1 Deceased 25 Present inmates 42 Transferred by adoption . 25 I am very glad to find that the funds of the insti- tution are in a flourishing state. The General Free Hospital which is immediately 20 SHANGHAE. under the city walls, between the Temple of Spring and the north gate, is in good order, and during the five years that I from time to time visited it, it was always full. It is visited by three medical officers from the Hall of Medicine — a branch of the Hall of United Benevolence. In front of the chief magistrate’s office stands the prison, farmed out to private speculators, but under military inspection. On one side of the entrance is a common room for the soldiers, on the opposite another for the officers, whose chief duty would seem to consist in drinking tea, smoking, and playing at chess. The rooms or cells are not uncomforta- ble for a prison, but strongly barred. I have visited them when occupied by British merchant seamen (delinquents locked up at the consul’s request); their time was not so disagreeably spent, as numbers of visitors came daily to see the Fankwei or foreigners, and each had something to give. This is not a singular instance : some English prisoners in For- mosa, during the war, derived many comforts from the curiosity and benevolence of Chinese visitors. The lounger spends most of his time in the public gardens, witnessing feats of strength or jugglery, smoking, drinking tea, or eating dried f)ips of the w'ater-melon ; and the innumerable priests of all orders and different colours, the French grey pre- dominating, roaming about the streets, with now POLICE REGULATIONS. 21 and then a few nuns, bring one’s ideas back to the Catholic cities of Europe. The duties of the police are in the hands of a body much resembling our churchwardens and parish beadles ; their office, besides being attend- ants on the mandarins, consists in the settlement of minor disputes about boundaries, and other lighter cases of property, as well as in keeping regularity and order amongst the inhabitants ; they may be, and mostly are, natives of the place in which they reside ; but other appointments of command, of whatever degree, in town or country, are from the emperor, and very rarely is a man employed in his own province in any capacity under govern- ment. Every father is responsible for the well beha- viour of his family or household, every oldest inhabitant for that of some decimal number, va- rying from a hundred to a thousand, over whom he has control. Sometimes each house, but invariably each street, has its watchman, who patrols all night beating a small drum, and in many cases the neighbours bind themselves to assist one another, by entering into an agreement to repay a certain amount of the loss any of them may sustain by fire or robbery, in other words, a species of private insurance ; besides this, most of the by-streets have at each end a gate 22 SHANGHAE. barred and locked at nine o’clock, and the key kept by the watchman, so that if a thief should succeed in gaining' an entry, his exit is by no means so sure. Salt is brought to Shanghae by land from Ning- po ; transporting it by water is prohibited. As in some other countries, the trade in this is a go- vernment monopoly, farmed out to private specu- lators, under the direction of a salt commissioner (Yen-yun-sze) and a board of subordinate officers; the penalties for contraband trade in it are high but very often evaded. Not so always : while I was at the place, a vessel arrived with a cargo of salt from Liverpool, but failed in selling it. The government offered to buy at very low prices, but the peojjle could not make an offer, so the owners were obliged to seek a market for it at Manilla. Another board is that of the Leang-choo-taou, or commissioner of grain, one-tenth of which be- comes the property of the emperor. Each depart- ment has its granary for storing a portion of it, by which means famines are provided against. By the public sale of government grain a tariff is ar- ranged, and fluctuation in price and speculation is discountenanced, as the subjoined will shew. FOOD EDICT. 23 “AN EDICT AGAINST FORESTALLERS OF RICE. “ Keying of the imperial house, Governor-general of Kwank-tung and Kwang-si, a director of the board of war, vice-high-chancellor and guardian of the heir apparent, minister and commissioner extra- ordinary, &c., issues a severe prohibition against storing rice, from fear of famine. Whereas, it is important that rice should be in the market, to stop it, is against the law. The population of Kwang- tuug is great, and its produce is too little, and the support of the people always depends upon the rice of Kwang-si, which the merchants bring. But now the price of rice, in Canton, rises every day, and it has been found out that there are some villains and dissolute persons stirring up the people, and saying that in the year Ping-woo and Ting-wi, in the reign of Kien-lung, there was a famine, and now this year is Ping-woo again, and we shall keep our rice for a good market. These villains hinder the rice boats from coming, and squeeze them in every way ac- cording to their wishes, and the merchants stop their trade ; and this causes the want of rice among the people. But those men surely do not know the rainy season of the last year Yih-sye, came ex- actly in time, and it enriched the earth very much, and when compared with the Yih-sye year, in the reign of Kien-lung, it is very different, and, I be- 24 SHANGHAE. lieve, when the spring comes we shall have fine rains. If those villains still dare to keep back the rice, seeking profit, the law cannot suffer them, and their policy must he thwarted, so that the mer- chants may trade again, and the people have food. Besides commanding the Governor of Kwang-si to renew his former edict, I will command all the officers of the districts through which the merchants of Kwang-tung, must pass in trading with Kwang- si, to issue proclamations so as to let all people know, that after this, no man should store up rice for the fear of famine. If any merchants from Kwang-tung go to Kwang-si to buy rice, they should buy their rice freely, and bring it to Kwang- tung to sell, and there should be no secret hind- rance of buying and selling rice, so as to raise the value of rice, and cause all sorts of difficulties to the poor. “If, after this second edict, any of the villains dare to store up their rice, seeking profit, and send boats along the entrances of the province to hinder and squeeze the merchants, the officers of their dis- tricts shall seize them, and bring them to trial, and punish them with heavy penalties, and shall not set them at liberty. Do not disobey this edict. First month, 21st day.” {Febij. \Qth, 1840.) The remainder of the grain is annually shij)ped to Pekin. And one of the prettiest maritime CUSTOM-HOUSE. 25 scenes in China, I ever beheld, was the arrival of the grain-junks at Shangliae ; they range alongside the government wharf, in tiers, of from ten to twenty, a huge temporary bridge runs over the tier immediately over the hold, and thus they are promptly loaded. The customs are under an officer called the Hae Kwan, whose functions vary in most of the pro- vinces according to local circumstances : as for in- stance, the Hoppo of Canton is at the head of maritime customs only, and the custom-houses of inland trade are not under his control. Each of the five ports has a Hae Kwan for foreign trade. The superintendents have secretaries, called Keng Ching, and they appoint Wei Yuen, or deputies, to important places under their charge, and Kea- yui, or domestics, to inferior places ; to collect duties and prevent smuggling. In cases where there are no superintendents these duties are col- lected by officers acting under the local magistrates. The jealousy of the government entirely pre- cluded the possibility of my arriving at any satisfac- tory estimate of the amount derived from the cus- tom duties, paid by natives, on either home or foreign importations. Considerable contraband trade must be carried on by bribery, as I have seen opium lauded in Shangliae at mid-day, although ex- pressly against the law. A Spanish government 26 SHANGHAE. officer endeavoured through bribery to arrive at the extent of the native trade and amount of duties received, but when his object appeared nearly ob- tained, he was given to understand that the Hae Kwan had discovered the intrigue, and that it must be discontinued. The principal local officers are the Foo-yuen or Prefect, military intendant of circuit of Su-chan- fu. Sung Kwang-fu, Sai-tzang-chau and Shanghae- heen, — the Tsan-fu, or sub-colonel, — the che- heen, or chief magistrate — and the Tinig-che, or sub-prefect of the coast guard. The mandarin, in his sedan chair, is surrounded by attendants, who clear the Avay for him in no very civil manner ; as should any luckless country- man’s curiosity tempt him to stand and gape on the great man’s equipage, as it passes, an attendant very soon gives him to understand, by a blow from a bamboo, that his attentions are not wanted; this ceremony answers to the “move on” of our police- men. According to his rank, he has one or more horse- men in his train, with the invariable state umbrella of crimson silk, trimmed with vermilion or yellow. High colours and tawdry dress disguise a considera- ble quantity of filth, sometimes about the attendants. Should the object of his visit require more attend- ants than belong to the dignity of his situation, by- TRAVELLING. 27 standers in the street are seized upon, pressed into service, and made followers for the hour. The number of his sedan-bearers varies from two to six, according to his dignity; but a merchant cannot have more than two bearers, and a single follower, to carry his visiting cards, &c. The travelling is mostly by water, but when a canal will not serve, and a land journey must be undertaken, the mandarin travels in his sedan, and his lady in a species of palanquin, or litter. Sub- ordinates content themselves with a kind of wheel- barrow, propelled by two coolees, the body of which holds the luggage, and a seat on each side of the wheel, (which is cased over,) the two pas- sengers, the whole being balanced with great nicety, so as to require little more labour than that of propulsion by the coolees. A poor man, who cannot afford this mode, slings a pole across one shoulder, with a basket hanging from each end, which may contain a child, or luggage, as the case may be, the poor wife making the best of her way, that her cramped feet will allow, behind him, carrying a basket in each hand. There is a remarkable omission in each room, the kitchen excepted, of every house, which is the want of a fire-place. The climate of Shanghae varies according to the season, from tropical heat to frost, sufficient to allow skating, and yet a fire, 28 SHANGHAE. for tlie purpose of warming a very slight-built house, is a luxury unknown. The only approach to it that I saw, was now and then a little pan, like the French “ Chaufferette,” which a Chinaman would use for either feet or hands. There is no standing round a fire, or stove, in a tea-house, or wine-shop, as with us. The dress is varied with the season. Should the morning be cold, huge gowns are put on, lined with fur, if on a rich wearer, stuffed with cotton, if a poor one, in number as the necessity requires. If the weather gets warmer towards mid- day, one or more are shed, but resumed for the afternoon, if required, and by this means a man is enabled to weather the coldest winter without a fire. The principal streets have a brilliant appearance. All the shops are open, and set off in the gayest manner possible. Red and gold are the predomi- nant colonrs, and the stock arranged so as to shew off to the best advantage. The thoroughfares being narrow, are frequently covered in with an awning, and have thus the appearance of a bazaar, or arcade. The shopmen are dressed according to the pre- tensions of the establishment, and attend with the utmost civility, shewing at the same time great ingenuity in making the purchaser and his money part good friends. The richest shops, both in appearance and reality, SILK-SHOPS. 29 are the silk-shops, although their attraction, in some towns, is denied to the street, from their standing much in the rear. They are entered by a plain gateway, illuminated by several gaudy lan- terns, and the sign alone directs attention, such as Cliaw-twan-foo, silk and satin shop. Passing through this gateway, you enter a paved courtyard, fitted en grotte with several large vases of gold fish, and many exotics, often covered in with trellis work and vines, hung with numbers of cages, con- taining singing and other birds, the most famous of which is the Soo-chow mocking bird, a species of lark, which mocks all sounds. Facing the entrance are three apartments, hung with variegated lanterns, supported by splendidly carved pillars, &c., generally of polished wood ; the centre apartment is fitted as a receiving room, with handsome furniture, and here one of the j^artners attends, to whom the customer’s wants are explain- ed, and by whom a seat and tea are offered ; the various articles are brought from the other two apartments, divided from you and the courtyard only by rectangular counters. The general con- tents of the shops are blazoned forth in gold letters, on varnished black boards, or painted characters, on light-coloured boards, such as “ Pekin satins and Canton crapes,” “ Hang-chow reeled silks and Hoo-chow crapes,” “ Hoo-chow cottons and 80 SHANGHAE. Ningpo sensliaws,” “ Gauzes, lawns, pongees, and satins.” The display of embroidery is magnificent. The satins are the richest, the colours the most brilliant, and the work well worthy of such beautiful materials: the patterns for sale are mostly worked by men whose wages vary from two mace (eightpence) to a rupee (one shilling and elevenpence) per day, one mace being the rate of wages of labour in general. The ladies embroider for their own use, but the wives of the poorer order are more employed about the house- hold duties and attendance on their families. In no one of the silk shops that I entered did I see a single female employed. Having made your selection you leave every thing to be made up into parcels at the store, and giving your direction pay on the receipt of the arti- cle at your residence to the master or one of the partners, who hands you a receipt for the money, which it may be necessary to ascertain has the seal not of any individual member of the house, but of the house itself, as it is said that they do not mind doing a little private bit of roguery on their own account, but dare not trifle with the fair fame of the firm. Vying in colours and appearance with the silk warehouses, are the fruit shops, in which rich and poor can luxuriate on delicious fruits from the two TEA-SHOPS. 31 oceans ; the former on grapes and the fruits not in season, which sell for high prices ; but an iced slice of pine apple or melon can be obtained by the latter, in the hottest part of the year, for a few cash, or something less than a farthing. The next, perhaps, in size, are the cloth ware- houses Sih-poophoo. In them are great varie- ties of woollens, puffed off as “all kinds of woven stuffs, selected and picked,” “ we neither spare pains nor money,” &c. The tea-dealer has his establishment surrounded with metal vases in which are the samples ; boiling water is always at hand for the purchaser to try the taste, but is not so often resorted to as the shorter process of laying a small quantity in the palm of the hand, and on application to the nose, judging by the aroma ; the portion ordered is packed in a leaden box of the required size. The sign may be Song- min-cha, “ famous teas from every province,” or the names of some of the most valuable growths, as Singlo-Woohe, ^, e., Singlo and Bohea. The chandlers’ establishment, Chuh-yuen, is often an extensive one, inasmuch as he is a general dealer, besides selling candles of different descrip- tions as “poured over and made for sending as pre- sents and offerings these are of the tallow-tree, with an ornamented coating of wax, many of them very gaudy, both in colour and decoration, and are 32 SIIANGHAE. described in the signs ns “ small wick candles made heavy with wax, and increased by other materials.” On all sides are inscriptions eulogistic of these costly lights : such as “ in the evenings in the celes- tial palace they hand down the order “ late at night in the snow gallery they study the books but should the shop have a view only into a back street a more modest sign suffices, as Chuh-haow- shwang hac se sin chu chub, “ candle warehouse, double dips and small wicks, superior candles.” Hams, sugar, rice, cakes, flour, bacon, dried fi’uits, and every kind of grocery, may frequently be found in these establishments, whose granaries, bakehouses, and other offices, are very extensive. Smokers and snuff-takers are seduced by romances, such as the fol- lowing: “we issue and sell Hang Chow tobacco, the name and fame of which has galloped to the north of Ke-chow; and the flavour has pervaded Keang- nan in the south “ famous tobacco from the Shih- ma district “ original importers of the Fokeen Chajjpoo and Hong Chow tobaccos.” The pipes are arranged often with a great deal of taste, like swords in an armoury, and snuffs of various qualities, some of them very highly scented, are taken out of bottles, with a small spoon attached to the stopper. Cigars are unknown, and the weed, in spite of its galloping fame, is but indifferent.* * “ Fokien, orange- flavoured, and temale chastity wines dis- TAVERNS. 33 A sufficient introduction to the dainties of a tavern might be supposed to exist in the grand dis- play of the various dishes, stews, soups, and entrees, exposed to view, without additional allurements, as Leang-shih Hang, “ rateable and provision ware- house “ six kinds of eatables’ warehouse “ Tar- tar and Chinese tables spread according to the sea- sons, bowls of vegetables, meats, puddings, soups, cakes, aromatic and simple vegetables, and common rice bowls.” Through the four seasons bowls of vegetables, with Tartar and Chinese, complete din- ners, one of which I have attempted a description of below. Tea-houses are fitted up in a fairy-like style, and in situations over water, or high above the tops of other houses, to catch the air in summer time, and when convenient have gardens, Cha-yuen, attached. In them you can have a private apartment lightly and elegantly fitted up, generally with bamboo fur- niture, or seat yourself at one of the many tables in the public rooms, with a pipe, cup of tea, and a few tilled fi'om the grain, and brewed in our own coppers.” “ Famous liquor from over the ocean,” reads very tempting in an expensively arranged shop filled with shining metal vessels, containing these liquors, that if the man speak true who makes them, and ought to know most about them, might meet the approval of a teetotaller. Some of the vessels are placed on a heated metal plate, beneath which is a slow fire, and contain very tolerable samshoo, of all strengths, from brandy to sherry. D 34 SHAKGHAE. dried melon pips, all for one penny. The walls are hung with various pictures in rolls and inscriptions, such as “ fruits of all kinds brought from tlie north and south, with aromatic and plain tea cakes;” “ flag and lance, shaped with sparrow-tongued teas “ Prince’s eyebrow and Oldman’s eyebrow teas “ according to your wishes a small cup of tea.” These houses are generally well filled, and are the haunts of jugglers, fortune-tellers, and other idle vagabonds, and itinerant dealers of all kinds ; women are seldom seen in them, except dancing and sing- ing girls. But the drug shop, Yo-tsau-choo, is, perhaps, the most showy establishment in some towns ; besides highly-ornamented drawers, there are all sorts of porcelain jars and vases, containing the sjiecifics. It is said that the physician is not a well-paid man ; however that may be, the apothecary is, and he generally combines the two professions. Sur- geons and surgical instruments are unknown ; nearly all the common European medicines are in use, but instead of essences, extracts, and tinctures, the native preparations are very simple decoctions, al- though these as well as plaisters are on a very exten- sive scale, for malades imaginaires abound. In cases of severe pain an opposite part is punctured, with the forefinger and thumb, as a counter-irritant. Actual BAZAARS. 35 cautery is not unusual, especially in cases of rheu- matism. A portrait-painter of note at Canton told me that for the outside, i. e. wounds, an English practitioner was to be preferred, but for the inside the Chinese was more to be relied upon. On the latter we cer- tainly differed. They have medicinal works, and illus- trations of them are hung on scrolls round the shop, and inscriptions, such as “ fragrant materials and decoctions accurately prepared f “• pills, pow- ders, ointments, and extracts carefully made up.” Not being of the faculty myself, I am afraid of saying more than, may Heaven preserve me from a Chinese doctor ! A dying shop, Ten-fang, recommends itself thus, “ green double dye, black as ink, in skill we rival celestial workmanship.” An encomium rather more qualified might not be misplaced, their dyes are indeed splendid. Bazaars are very handsome and extensive, well filled with articles “for sending as presents, an- tique curiosities, ornaments for setting out tables, and presenting as dowries “ crystal for young and old eye-glasses.” The spectacles are as large as tea- cups, set in heavy tortoiseshell frames and slung round the ears with two strings, their odd appear- ance may be imagined. 3G SHANGHAE. Besides these signs, and many more different kinds not ennmerated, each house has its carved sign : thus a doctor’s shop will he ornamented with a patriarch leaning on a crook, and by his side a deer or a stork, the stork being the emblem of longevity, wdiich, as is well known, at least in China, pul- verised dried deer’s flesh affords the surest means of attaining. A tea-house is known by huge vases almost surrounding it in all directions, filled with the water of Heaven, e., rain water, wdiich is pre- ferred, and in private houses is often kept for upwards of a year to acquire considerable imaginary powers of extracting the flavour of the tea. It is in such celebrity, that the Son of Heaven himself, the literary Emperor Kang-He composed an ode on the propriety of keeping the waters of heaven, and the celestial mode of making tea, which may be read on many of the small Chinese tea-cups, that is to say, if you can translate it. A huge Tartar boot crowns the shop of a dealer in that line, with a carving of some kind or another, as is the case with most shops : notice is given sometimes in this manner : “ All here mea- snred by one rule, when favoured by merchants who bestow their regards on us, please to notice our sign of the Double Phoenix on a board, as a mark, then it will be all right.” I would merely ITINERANT TRADERS. 37 add that the motto of caveat emptor would not be much out of place in any of them. The pawnbroker and the banker are often synon- ymous terms with the Chinese. They are called three per cent per month shops, that being the rate at which they advance money on any kind of goods w'hatever, beyond which they are not allowed to charge upon pain of receiving sixty blows. These shops, as may well be believed, from the rate of interest, are often immensely rich. About four feet from the ground, a strongly barred opening appears, through which the goods or security are passed, and if accepted, the money is handed out, and a ticket corresponding to the one placed on the article given, redeemable in three months if required. Using false weights is punished with sixty blows ; there are houses appointed by government to direct these weights and inspect them, called Keaou- Chun-Keoan-Ch’hin, “ comparers and determiners of government weights.” In addition to the shops, the frequented streets and populous villages are supplied with travelling trades of every kind besides ; the tea-gardens and squares are filled with astrologers, necromancers, fortune- tellers, peep-shows, jugglers. Punch, dentists, quacks, in short, all the drags on the purse to be found in other countries. The most useful of these is the walking restaurateur. His apparatus is of the most 38 SHANGHAE. compact order, all lightly balanced on his back with one hand, while with the other he teazes a fire, and goes from place to place crying his varions prepared dishes, until his progress be arrested by some hungry traveller. His whole apparatus, which may be six feet high by nine feet long, is almost entirely made of bamboo. Besides the one in which he walks, there are two perpendicular divisions ; on the top of that before him are the basins, plates, See. ; then the supply of wood, below which is the fire-place and kitchen, consisting of an iron-pan, covered over by a wooden tub, and let into light plaster-work upon the fire ; thus he boils, stews, or fries according to the taste of the customer ; in the other division are the meats, vegetables, &c., besides a quantity of gaudy Chinaware, containing the dried herbs, peppers, &c. required ; for a very trifling sum the labourer can here procure a hearty meal without leaving his work, as the restaurateur hovers about all places where most needed. Besides the above are tea-stalls of the same kind, in which are kept hot and ready the various kinds of Bohea for public convenience. The itinerant barber’s apparatus is complete, the water always boiling on a fire over his head, while in his rear on a pole, balanced over his shoul- der, are water, basin, razors, towels, &c. ; if he be in requisition he picks out a convenient spot, shaves DENTISTS. 30 the head, cleans the ears and eyes, cracks the joints, and shampoos the body, in an incredibly short space of time. Hair is only worn on the crown of the head in shape of a queue. The shaving- is a matter of necessity to the mandarin and gentleman, while scarcely a labourer goes more than three or four days unshorn. This trade is in constant exercise, but the death of an emperor is a sure holiday to the barber, shaving and mourning being inconsistent with each other. Tinker, tailor, and shoemaker, each has his pack, and basking in a sunny spot plies his trade, finishes off one job and utters his peculiar cry for another. The dentist no sooner pitches his tent on arriving, than he unfolds to the admiring crowd a huge scroll, on which, at the left side, are set forth his home, place of birth, &:c. ; the rest of the scroll speaks of his fame and skill in cleaning, curing, and extracting teeth, and knowledge of the mouth in general ; if this fail to obtain a customer, he opens box after box, producing hundreds of human teeth, on which he lectures, declaring each large and more decayed tooth to have belonged to a prince, duke, or high mandarin, who honoured him with his patron- ao-e, and saved himself from the most terrific tortures. Should a bystander at last be attracted and offer his mouth for inspection, the instruments are pro- 40 SHANGHAE. duced, and if extraction be required it is done with much expertness ; he shews the instrument to the crowd, describes its use and power, and, as an illus- tration of it, draws the tooth, while the sufferer imagines he is merely going to shew how he would do it ; if cleaning is required he exhibits his instru- ments one by one, and using each, keeps up a chaunt and lecture alternately ; after the operation is performed he recommends his powders ; I tried several, and detected a strong mixture of camphor in all. Thus he continues, until having remained a short space without a customer, he packs up and moves to another convenient spot. The fortune-teller is a cunning, mysterious look- ing rascal ; he is seated at a table under an awning, before him his magic mirror, books, pencils, ink, &c. So intent is he on his studies, that the voci- ferations of a country looking bumpkin, which have attracted a crowd of gazers, have failed to awaken him. Slowly he rouses himself from the trance of his meditations, and with a mysterious shudder and start he excuses himself hastily, shuts his book with an air, talks of the spirits having deceived him in causing him to believe that a poor man, destined to fill a high office, humbly awaited him at the gate of celestial bliss ; is much surprised when his clownish customer calls upon him to un- fold his prophetic powers, and relate what heaven FORTUNE-TELLERS. 41 may have in store for him. Having’ asked him if he is sure they have not met before, which qnestion confirms the bumpkin in the opinion that he must have begn the cause of this extraordinary vision, he places a stool for him opposite, and then com- mences the divination of futurity. After asking a few questions, he places his mirror so as to reflect the heavens, and inscribes thereon certain mystic signs, these he continually changes (having referred to a number of books and talking all the time aloud), writing now and then on a slip of paper ; he at last fills up all he requires, and hands it to the delighted and deluded simpleton; then falling into a reverie awaits the arrival of another, who is not slow in arriving : one fool makes many, and the trade is a good one. The craniologist unfolds his plates, and, if no one will come forward, lectures on them at great length. One of these plates I bought imme- diately after a lecture as a curiosity. It is a representation of a face, with a head-dress that has not been in use for some centuries, inscribed all over with characters ; every feature bears some development or other. The ears speak vo- lumes; the forehead is almost an encyclopaedia of organs, some denoting the qualities of the mind, others emblematic of the destiny of the individual. Some of the characters are in circles, surrounded 42 SIIANGHAE. by numbers and professional terms. From the fore- head to the nose are seven. “ Heaven’s Centre, or Zenith ; ” “ Heaven’s Hall ; ” “ The Lord of the Firmament ; ” “ Just the Centre ” (between the brows) ; “ The Seal Hall ; ” “ The foot of the Hill’s Years” (between the eyes) ; “Old Age” (the bridge of the nose). Two kinds of eyes are given, the one Ming-he, or “clear opening,” the other Yen- he, or “ observed opening ; ” the lid intruding on the pupil in the latter. The interpretations do not exactly tally with those of our phrenologists, and when doctors differ, I cannot decide a point on which one is as likely to be right as another, with the chances, if any, leaning in favour of the Chi- nese, who have studied the matter for centuries before it was dreamed of in Europe. In a quiet little nook, perfectly apart from the noise of the street or garden, sits under a tree or awning, the chess-player, he either teaches the art or offers to play, and has much custom in both ; the principles of the game are much the same as with us, though the board differs materially, and the men are in shape like draughtsmen, bearing the characters indicating the rank of the piece thus, — hla, a horse, answers to a knight, and Ping, a soldier, to a pawn, &:c. The quack ! Flow this gentleman travels has often puzzled me, and I have met the same man at QUACKS AND JUGGLERS. 43 a distance of more than a hundred miles ; I presume he must always keep to the canal country. His paraphernalia occupy a large space ; he is peculiar in many things ; he wears no tail, but makes up for it with the dirt he carries. The whole fraternity have the same idiotic look which characterises the Buddhist priest, whom they much resemble in ap- pearance. He displays the jaws and bones of the tiger, elephant, shark, whale, in short of almost all animals ; diseased livers, tumours, &c. ; sea-weeds, gigantic funguses, in short everything that is horrible and disagreeable. If he succeed in decoying a pa- tient, he, besides supplying medicines, punctures or inserts hot needles into the diseased parts, or burns moxa upon it, chaunting all the time amid the fumes of incense and candles. Before leaving he loads the patient with medicines of a very harmless nature for a trifling sum, and pays the most pro- found respect and attention to all suggestions or questions from the crowd. The juggler’s art is not so well displayed as either in England or India. Among the night- scenes I have seen with these are the following : two of the performers dressed as mandarins in the height of fashion, enter into conversation, during which they from time to time lift each arm and leg, apparently with an intention of displaying that there is nothing hid ; presently a discus- 44 SIIANGHAE. sion takes place, and each produces, one after the other, two enormous porcelain vases filled with flowers, the height of which are from five to six feet; the vases are real, about two and a-half feet high — the flowers sliding one inside the other ; this is a good trick. There was another very well executed, viz.: — balancing a basin, which ap- peared in all parts of the apartment. Now it would rise to the ceiling, make a descent to with- in a foot of the floor, rise mid-air, dance, curvet, and cross the room, &c., all to the tune of a gong, which was kept constantly beaten ; the gong- man no doubt directed the movements. Gymnas- tic exercises and feats of strength are displayed in almost every street. Punch is all in his glory, native and to the cus- toms born, though his birth-place, like that of Homer, may be a subject of controversy. Yet I am afraid that to China alone belongs the glory of having produced Pun-tse, that is, the son of an inch; from thence it seems he found his way into Italy under the name of polichinello, but resumed his old appellation on his further travels. As soon as the effects of the war were over and the trades began to recollect. Punches in num- bers flocked in and were great favorites among the sailors. Gong and triangle answered the purposes of drum and pan-pipes. The twang of voice. PUNCH AND OTHER SHOWS. 45 “ roity toity,” was the same that I have often heard on Ascot Heath ; Judy, mad with the same harsh usage from her loving lord — Toby, too, was there; hut the devil introducing a huge green dragon to devour him, bones and all, was the only innovation of importance. Immediately under a huge highly-painted scene of a battle, stands a fellow with inflated cheeks, try- ing to out-sound a gong which he is beating with all his might ; under the picture are small holes for ocu- lar demonstrations of the mysteries within, and the bended form of some juveniles shews that all his wind and noise is not expended for nothing, which may mean, “ look a little farther, and you will see the discomfiture of the barbarian eye, by the son of heaven’s general his excellency How-now, mas- ter general of ceremonies, director of the Gabel, and tamer of the sons of the western ocean.” But the most novel travelling trade that I met with, was that of the circulating librarian, with a box filled with little pamphlets of dramas, tales, and romances. He goes the circuit of the town, and leaves, brings away, or exchanges his books as the case may be, bringing information and tittle- tattle home to every man’s door. His trade is not a bad one, as his stock costs very little, and is in some demand. Every cry almost to be met with in London, or 46 SHANGHAE. Other cities, may find its equivalent in China. Danc- ing on the tight-rope, travelling players, gam- bling, cakes, oranges, &:c., in short, every species of out-of-door mode of extracting money from the unwary. In every city and town, there are several pub- lic baths; and no village is without one or more, in which the million may have baths for the small sum of five Le, or the twentieth part of four pence halfpenny, — these houses need no sign : from every aperture issues steam in vapours and volumes, their very vicinity is moist. Nor is clean- liness the only benefit conferred by them on the poorer classes of a people, whose almost sole be- verage is a decoction of tea, and it is a great con- venience to be enabled to purchase from their enor- mous reservoirs, as much boiling water for a Le as would nearly supply a family in drinking for a day. Fuel being scarce in the winter time, this is a great boon, and much taken advantage of, and might well be copied in cities nearer home. Within are tAvo kinds of baths, hot water, and steam baths ; the former are large rooms with about five feet depth of water, around which are small closets for the convenience of dressing ; these rooms are in number proportionate to the demand. There are also private rooms with baths in them of small dimensions, for the exclusive. BATHS. — FIRE ENGINES. 47 Into the large baths are placed sometimes as many and more than twenty bathers, whose entrance and exit often takes place without a word, although they are at times as closely wedged as possible. The water is constantly shifted and renewed. The vapour baths are very long, and about six feet broad, with convenience on each side for dressing ; boards are laid across at a distance of about a foot or eighteen inches one from another, and each board forms a bath, provided with towels ; although the sum paid is small, these must be lucrative esta- blishments as the ingress and egress is continual, particularly in the spring, summer, and autumn seasons. While I was at Shanghae, taking a stroll, about three o’clock on the last day of the Chinese year, in the immediate neighbourhood of the cus- tom-house, for collecting the Fukien dues, this building took fire, and, together with some houses adjoining, was burnt ; I was much surprised at the alacrity and excellent order with which the engines were brought to the spot. Every division or, as we should say, parish of the town has its engine, and every engine com- pany its separate dress. I suppose, on this oc- casion, there must have been nearly twenty engines on the spot in less than half an hour, made like large tubs, with two cylinders each, worked by two 48 SHANGHAE. men, and throwing the water very well through a leather hose. A fire is a grand occasion for a certain class of the emperor’s lieges, who come by water from Fu-kien, and take advantage of the confusion to plunder, and, in this instance, were suspected of being the incendiaries. As the fire increased, the inhabitants began to transport their goods. Two or three men might be seen laden with boxes, preceded by a man, as their advanced guard, armed with a sword, or a large knife, in each hand, brand- ishing his weapons about as if he would never be taken alive : but, notwithstanding, when the pro- cession came to a turning, two or three Fu-kien men would dart forward, seize one of the boxes, form a guard round it, and carry it off in triumph to their junks ; and all this in broad daylight, and in the very teeth of the mandarins, who were all on the spot endeavouring to keep order. I spoiled the fun of two parties, having in my hand a big stick, of that kind of cane that grows to a good thickness in Malacca, and goes by the name of “Penang lawyer,” from its being the arbiter of many quarrels. I brought it to bear with effect on the rascals’ heads, but found next day that it was a dangerous game, for an English merchant had tried the same thing, but without the assistance of such able counsel as I was guided by ; he was sur- 49 THE “ SONS OF THE SOIL.” rounded and set upon by the villains, desperately wounded, and almost murdered. The Taou-tai, or intendant, gave 3000 taels, or nearly 1000/., to the sufferers, a magnificent act, but I trust he did not lose by it, for this kind of thing gets his name up for benevolence, highly desirable at all times in China, but especially when, as in the case of a custom-house being burnt, the whole affair is likely to reach the ears of the emperor. The men of the sea, from Fu-kien, are not the only dangerous class that disturb the tranquillity of the central government ; perhaps a more formidable body are the ISIeaow-tse, “ Sons of the soil,” called also Yaou Jin, “Wolfmen,” the mountaineers in- habiting the inaccessible highlands of the Leang, Kwang, and Fu-kien provinces. These Chinese repealers have never acknowledged the Tartar dynasty, and are said to have amongst them the scions of royalty of the genuine old native stock of the Ta-Ming-Chaw. They are an organized body, divided into eight leading tribes, subdivided into twenty-four, and again into fifty smaller branches. They are in many respects peculiar; they wear their hair all over the head, tied into a knot at the top, and ornamented with pheasants’ feathers and beads. They marry and intermarry amongst each other, and choose their wives by their powers of singing, E 50 SHANGHAE. and the marriage ceremony consists merely of taking the measure of each other’s waists, when the couple are declared man and wife. They are a brave, hardy, active, fierce, and quar- relsome race, inured to deeds of blood ; their weapons are bows and arrows, spears, and swords, with which they are quite able to make their inde- pendence respected by the constituted authorities. The only control that the government has ever been able to exercise over them, is the advantage taken, when once, every three years, they come down to Canton to buy salt, a necessary that they cannot otherwise procure, and, as it is a government mo- nopoly, the mandarins refuse to supply them with any until they have entered into a treaty to be of good behaviour for the space of three years, and on this occasion only are they to be seen by fo- reigners. A very respectable and well known native of Canton is my authority for the parti- culars of the salt treaty. Besides these open and declared enemies, there is a mysterious freemasonry (no offence to the brethren) spread all over China and its depen- dencies, together with Java, Singapore, Malacca, and Penang, called the San-hoh-hurie, or “ Society of the United Three,” known to Europeans as the “Triad Society,” originally formed for purposes of mutual benevolence, but now a very dangerous THE TRIAD SOCIETY. 51 institution. The “ three ” are heaven, earth, and man. The late Dr. ISIilne made the following researches into this difficult subject. The members of it, calling themselves brethren, are the most depraved of the dregs of the people, the idlers, gamblers, opium smokers, and such like vermin ; their objects are, at home, mutual assistance, theft, robbery, over- throw of regular government, and aim at political power. Abroad, plunder, mutual concealment of crime, and defence against established authority. Their government is a Triumvirate of elder bre- thren, who have a larger share of the plunder than the rest. They are bound together by oaths and certain initiatory rites, and make themselves known to each other by secret signs. The society has a common seal, in shape an equilateral pentagon, with a double lined octagon, within inscribed with the characters of some of the planets, and mottoes susceptible of different meanings. The government are alive to the danger of this association, and severe penalties are denounced against any member of this or any other society. Sir J. F. Davis has issued an ordinance, passed by the legislative coun- cil of Hong Kong, for its suppression in that island, declaring all convicted of being members of it, guilty of felony. There are many other illegal associations ; among 52 SHANGHAE. them formerly was reckoned the Portuguese Roman Catholic Religion, or Tien-chu-kian — Christianity, as taught by the Catholics, which has been some- times rigorously persecuted in consequence, but j Christianity, of whatever denomination, is now to ' be tolerated in the five ports. ' I have heard it remarked, that there are no beg- gars in China, but personal experience in the country has given me rather a different opinion. In the city of Shanghae, there are more beggars than, I was near saying, in Naples, but certainly than in Lisbon ; and for impertinence, loquacity, and filth, would beat all I ever witnessed. Their name is legion, and a formidable legion they are, com- pletely organized, and possessing great power ; no respectable shopkeeper is free from the presence of one or more of them, nearly the whole day, unless he pays a tribute, or, in other words, compounds, with the king of the beggars; and, odd as it may appear, this filthy horde are represented by a chief, who is, in his own person, responsible for his gang, in case of any extraordinary enormity being com- mitted. As a mark of their independence, they wear no tails ; they either encamp in the outskirts, or inhabit a deserted joss, or other house, or barn, or ice-house, in summer time ; their dress is sackcloth and dirt. Scenes of misery, that would scarcely be believed. CHINESE BEGGARS. 53 are witnessed daily in the streets, in winter, with these unfortunates ; they are certainly enthusiastic in their profession, and not to be pitied ; they will not work, but, to excite charity and commiseration, cut and maim themselves to an extent hardly credible. It is no uncommon sight to see men dying, and even dead, half buried in snow, and almost naked, in the middle of a populous city, and yet they are constantly receiving alms, which is immediately spent in all kinds of debauchery. The most usual mode of exaction, is as follows : — the beggar either covers himself with the most loathsome filth, or ornaments his person with flowers, sometimes a red tallow lighted candle is stuck in his hair, and with a small gong, drum, or two pieces of wood in his hands, he enters a shop, where either the smell or the noise the rascal kicks up, soon teaches the unfortunate shop-keeper the value of peace and quiet, opens him to conviction, and brings him to terms to get rid of the nuisance. So he goes on through street after street, no at- tempt is ever made to turn him out, though he be filled with vermin, some of which, he not unfre- quently leaves in exchange for the alms he receives, They are said to recruit from the people by stealing their offspring ; however that may be, child-stealing is a common crime in China, as the numerous placai’ds and warnings from bereaved parents may 54 SHANGHAE. prove in any city ; (there are bill-stickers in China as elsewhere.) Besides the above, there are some real objects of charity, who, from inundations of rivers, banks, fires, &c.j are rendered houseless, these have frequently, as in England, begging-let- ters, calling on the charitable to assist them, and not in vain, as the Chinese are a benevolent people, and not one of any respectability, will pass an ob- ject really deserving of his charity without relieving his wants, “Are there widows? compassionate them; are there aged ? support them ; are there sick ? dis- pense medicine to them ; are there starved and cold? give clothing to them,” are the words of a Buddhist, from which some Christians might take a useful hint COINS. 55 CHAPTER III. COINS. Early Emperors had no Coined Money. — Antiquity of their Coin- age. — Has undergone no material change from the Time of our Saviour, or thereabouts. — Coinage decimally arranged. — Cowrie- shells served as Money, according to Monsieur Hager. — Tortoise- shell anciently used as Money. — Weight Money. — Bronze Money — its first appearance in the Time of the Founder of the Chou Dynasty, b. c. 1105. — Round Money, its several kinds. — Metals of the Coinage various. — Sycee Silver and Gold in Ingots. — Origin of the term Sycee. — Classes of Sycee Silver. — Copper Money. — Medals. — Origin of the Bank Note. — Banking in China. The early Emperors of China, according to some native historians, had no coined money ; shells, pre- cious stones, gold, and other metals, in ingots, were used in barter. Again, others attribute the moneys of the various figures called the Ho-paou and Kin-taou-tseen, to the genius of a very distant period. However this may be, from the time of our Saviour, or thereabouts, the coinage of China has undergone no material change, save only in the reintroduction, at various 56 COINS. periods, of the coins of their ancestors. These inno- vations generally occur in the formation of new dynasties, or during an interregnum, or the assump- tion of some powerful usurper. The coinage is de- cimally arranged, being strung in thousands, divid- ed into hundreds of Le. 1 0 le make . . = 1 candareen or fun. 10 candaren, 100 le . =1 mace, or Yih-pih, yih-tseen (4d.) 10 mace, or 1,000 le . =1 tael or leang, or above 30 per cent, on the ounce of silver. These coins are all the same size, or nearly so, and viewed carelessly, would appear of the same die. They are round, pierced in the centre with a square hole, with a character stamped at each side of the square, two of which, either from top to bottom, or obliquely from the top to the right, are the em- peror’s name, the other two are either Thung-paou or Yuen-paou, sterling and precious or original and precious. Thus, the coins of the present emperor, bear, top and bottom, Taou Kwan, his name, and right and left, Thung-paou, that of He-ning, the em- peror, A. D. 1048. He-ning, top and right, Thung- paou, bottom and left. According to Mons. Hager, in his “ Numismati- ques Chinoises,” cowrie shells served the ancients as money, but I am inclined to believe be has made a slight, but important mistake, in his translation of the Emperor Kang-he’s quotation of Ko-tchi-ho- COINAGE DECIMALLY ARRANGED. 57 2)oei (from his majesty, Kang-He’s dictionary) ; as Mr. JNIedhurst thus translates the character, j^oei, viz., the shell of a tortoise, the above passage would translate, “ In ancient times the money was of tor- toise-shell.” The cowrie-shell is a stranger in China, not so the tortoise, but it is looked upon with great veneration, from the diagrams taken from the back of a tortoise, by Fuhhe, who, contemporaneously with Noah, (or perhaps Noah himself,) is said to have invented the arts of fishing and grazing ; to his reign, (the exact period of which, has puzzled all the historians of the flowery land, who now stand divided, between 3300 and 2850 years b. c.,) is as- cribed the invention of that diagram, called the Luh-shoo, or odd and even digits, placed so as to make ten each way. Kanghe adds that chou-shells remained in use as money, to the time of the Tsin dynasty, which ended b. c. 201, when they were totally abolished. It is asserted by some historians that metal coins graced the reigns of the three divine patriarchs, Fuh- He, Shin-nung, and Hwangte. Agriculture com- menced with Shin-nung ; and Hwang-te, in a reign of a hundred years, adopted the calendar between twenty-six and twenty-seven hundred years B. c.; but, says Dr. IVIorrison, (and I am not disposed to doubt him,) this is a period of much obscurity, one of the coins assigned to this period, is described as being 58 COINS. round without, to represent the heavens, and square within, to represent the earth. Mens. Hager discovers that the successors of Yaou and Shun (the Hea dynasty commencing 2140 ending 1786 b. c.,) ordered, that criminals might ransom the punishment to be inflicted for certain faults, with metal ; and again in an era which answers to b. c. 1000, that Lo Leang, or six taels of metal would ransom the criminal from either the punishment of amputation of the feet, branding, or other mutilation. Thus it would appear, that the currency of metals among the ancients, was arranged by weights, and this is borne out by one of the earliest of the Ta Tseen, or large coins, having the characters of Pwan- leang, or half-ounce, engraved on it, which coins are said to have been current between the time of King Wang, b. c. 612, and the Kin dynasty, which was concluded b. c. 201. Du Halde states that the emperor Kang-He, whose reign concluded in 1722, had a cabinet of medals and coins, the most ancient of which, were represented to be of the time of Yaou, b. c. 2250, and that the money of the first dynasties was round, without inscription ; this early coinage, if it existed, must have been of iron. The Emperor, Kang-He, himself, records that bronze money first appeared in the time of the BRONZE AND ROUND MONEY. 59 founder of the Chou dynasty, B. c. 1105, when Tae-Koung, the minister of Woo Wang, introduced round money, with a square hole in the centre. In this dynasty flourished Leaowtze, Confucius, and Mencius, and it is also supposed to be the period of the first appearance on earth of Buddha. Notwithstanding that the first round money is supposed to be the time of Woo Wang, by the Emperor, Kang-He ; those who make Hwang-te, B. c. 2600, the originator of coined metal, state that it was in the form of a cutlass, and was called the Kin-taou-tseen, or money of the metal knife. And Kang-He assigns to the Kin-taou, a place among the earliest of the coinage. Of the Kin-taou coins, there are several kinds, varying in length from three to seven inches, some of the larger bear the characters, Yih-taou and Ping- woo-neen, «. e., one knife worth five thousand (Le) of the smaller ; there are several kinds, one of which, having the characters Yih and Taou, inlaid of gold, have the value of five thousand. Another Faiig- tsin-tsheeh-Ho-paou, Woo-Pih, Fang, Tsin, pre- cious valuable, worth five hundred, the others have the characters, Yih Taou Ping Woo Pih, knife coin worth five hundred. Others date the Kin-Taou in the dynasty of Chou (commenced b.c. 1112, and ended b.c. 243) ; in this dynasty Chon, the philosopher, invented the GO COINS. seal or signet character. Thornton relates that the usurper Ouang-mang, who overthrew the throne of Yuen Che, a. d. 9, among other innovations as- similated the coinage to that of Chou, whose coins were called Taou-tseen, “ knife coins ; ” this is the last mention of them. The coins termed Ho-pou, have the same ob- scurity of history attached to them as the Taou, these are in seven orders ; they also were reintro- duced by Wang-Mang ; in order to procure metal, caused the tombs to be despoiled of coins which ancient customs had caused to be buried with the dead. These and the Taou are of copper and bronze. There are several classes of symbolic coins of various shapes and dimensions, whose origins are equally obscure. The round moneys after the Pwan-leang, or weight money, came the Woo-choo, or pieces of five Choo, having simply the two characters Woo and Choo on the right and left of the central square in the seal character. The first coins extant bearing the name of an emperor, are those of Ho-King, who was deposed a. d. 465, and from that time all moneys have been inscribed with the Kwo- Haoua of Life, title of the emperor. All dates are either arranged in the date of the cycle, or of the emperor’s reign, thus a reference must be made to the comparison of the cycle, SYCEE SILVER AND GOLD IN INGOTS. 61 or the corresponding year in the chronology of China, whereby not infrequently great trouble is entailed. As the chronologies hitherto translated materially differ the one from the other. 1847 is the forty-fourth year of the seventy-fifth cycle of sixty, being the twenty-seventh year of Taou- Kwang. That the metals were various is decided by the annals of the Leang dynasty, in which it is related that in the twelfth moon of the fifty-fifth cycle, or the fourth year of the Emperor Tsin Thung, A. D. 500, in winter, (which may mean in a scar- city) of other metals, the use of money of iron was revived. Bronze, copper, and brass, had hitherto been in use for some time. SYCEE SILVER AND GOLD IN INGOTS. Sycee silver in Chinese Wan-yin, is the only approach to a silver currency among the Chinese. In it the government taxes and duties, and the salaries of officers are all paid ; and it is also current among merchants in general. The term Sycee is derived from two Chinese words — Se-sye, “ fine floss silk,” which expression is synonymous with the signification of the term Wan. The silver is formed into ingots (by the Chinese called shoes), which are stamped with the mark of the office that issues them, and the date of their being issued. 62 COINS. Tlie ingots are of various weights, most commonly of ten taels each. Sycee silver is divided into several classes, ac- cording to its fineness and freedom from alloy. The kinds most current are the five follow- ing 1. Kwan-Leang, the Hoppo’s duties, or the silver which is forwarded to the imperial treasury at Pekin. This is of ninety-seven to ninety-nine touch, that is ninety-seven to ninety-nine one hundredths are pure silver, and not above three hundredths alloy. On all the imperial duties a certain per-centage is levied, for the purpose of turning them into Sycee of this high-standard, and of conveying them to Pekin without any loss in the full amount. The Hoppo-koeen in all probability increases the per centage far above what is requisite, that he may be enabled to retain the remainder for himself and his dependants. 2. Fan-koo or Fan-foo, the treasurer’s receipts, or that in which the land tax is paid. This is also of a high standard, but inferior to that of the IToj^po duties, and being intended for use in the province, not for conveyance to Pekin, no per-centage is levied on the taxes for it. 3. Yuen-paou, or Yuen-po, literally, chief in va- lue. This kind is usually imported from Soochow, in large pieces of fifty taels each. It does not COPPER MONEY. 63 appear to belong to any particular government tax. 4. Yen, or Eem-leang, salt duties. It is difficult to account for these being of so low a standard, the salt trade being entirely a government monopoly. This class is inferior only to 5. ]\Iut-tae a Wuh-tae, the name of which sig- nifying uncleaned or unpurified, designates it as the worst of all. It is seldom used, except for the purpose of plating, or rather washing baser metals. Copper money of a nominal value has in times of scarcity been made to represent a certain amount of rice or grain, payable at the granaries. At various periods the companies of merchants have issued local coin in different shapes, and with indicative inscriptions, as for instance on one of Hang-chou-foo (the ancient name of which was Lin- an-foo). “ In the shops of Lin-an-foo this passes for 300 Cash or Le.” The vanity of many emperors has been gratified by the assumption of a different name on the occa- sion of a victory, or any other great event ; and to such an extent has this been carried that in one reign, Kaow Tsung takes thirteen names : this causes much trouble in arranging a collection, where the best chro- nologers give only five or six, and money has been coined in all; thus, the Emperor King-Tsing (so called after death by his Meaou Haou, or “ death G4 COINS. name ”) took at various times the following, Kwo Haou, or “ life names.” 1. Keen-chung-tsing'-Kwo. 2, Tsung-ning. 3. Ta Kwan. 4. Ching-Ho. 5. Chung-Ho. 6. E-Ho. Of these I collected the coins of five. The “life name” appears first on record b. c. 189, before that the Meaow Haow, or “death name,” alone w’as used. Besides the number of names belonging to each actual reigning sovereign, the empire, although having an acknowledged sovereign, has been sub- divided into petty principalities, the names of the kings of which do not appear in the chronologies. Thus, in the reign of Woo- Wang, the founder of the Chou dynasty, China was divided into one hundred and twenty-three different states. From the cir- cumstance that China has often been divided into petty principalities, the separate rulers of which under many different titles have coined their own money, an idea of the difficulties of settling their chronology by numismatics may be imagined. MEDALS. Napoleon’s absurdity of stamping Frappe d Londres on a medal found its equal in China. When the city of Amoy was taken by storm in 1841, sil- ver medals were discovered commemorating its de- fence and the discomfiture of the barbarians. Many MEDALS. 65 medals of considerable antiquity are still extant, mostly of bronze and copper, commemorating mili- tary exploits, long- reigns, seasons of abundance, ex- traordinary literary genius, &c., as well as in honour of the gods of antiquity and the Buddhist religion. On military medals is generally a horse, and re- verse a mandarin in alto relievo, such are those in honour of the eight famous horses of the Hou dy- nasty also called the dragons, thus one was struck in honour of Sha-pao, a military mandarin who owned one of the eight horses, and another called the Hwa- Ha, the name of one of the eight horses them- selves. Medals of long and prosperous reigns are thus inscribed, that of Keen-Lung, the grandfather of the present emperor, with “ peace and plenty “ Tae-ping,” others with “ plenty and profit,” &c. Others have such inscriptions as “ avoid what is de- praved that happiness may follow,” “ united we are happy,” &c. At this day coining of money is farmed by the government to private speculation, and at the open- ing of a new mint it is requisite to produce a spe- cimen die: these are often of large dimensions and inscribed with the ancient or modern character ac- cording to the taste of the artist. One I collected had in ancient characters the following inscriptions Leen-shin-Wang-Chung, and reverse, Tsheih-Neen- Woo-Choo, audit would appear that in the firm of F 66 COINS. Leen-Shin and Wang-Chung this coin was made; and the reverse states it to be of the nominal value of seven thousand times five Choo pieces (Choo is another name for Le). The medals are for the most part well executed, with a decided decline of the art in those of later years. This is especially observable in the coins of Taow-Kwang (the present emperor), which are far inferior in die to those of many of his ancestors. Mr. Thom, her majesty’s late consul at Ningpo, honoured me with his opinion of my collection, in which he states, — “ During a residence of twelve years in China I have seen no collection of Chinese coins, so varied, so full, and so complete as that which you shewed me on board H.M.S. Wolf; and I may add, that though my official position has made me acquainted with some mandarins of high rank, yet I honestly believe not one of them, nor all of them conjointly, could produce the coins which you have in your collection.” ORIGIN OF THE TCHHAO, OR BANK NOTE. About one hundred years before Christ, the Em- peror King-te reigned over China. He was one of the great house of Han, whose dynasty was so famous for the encouragement of wisdom, that to this day the Chinese term themselves the Han- Jin, or “men of Han.” It became a matter of un- ORIGIN OF THE BANK-NOTE. 67 easiness to the great emperor, that, owing to the scarcity of metal, the expenses of the state far ex- ceeded the finances. It cannot be wondered at, amidst so much wisdom as then surrounded the throne, that an expedient was soon thought of. The prime minister caused the skins of certain white stags, that were fed in the imperial park, to be cut into pieces a foot square, each valued at 40,000 cash, and issued as a currency, which is, perhaps, the earliest instance on record of a paper currency. From scarcity of metal, the Emperor Heen- Tsung, of the Tang dynasty, again had recourse to paper currency, a.d. 800, calling upon all wealthy people to deposit their metal money in the public coffers, and receive therefrom paper-money of a nominal value, which it became imperative on the subjects to receive in exchange, or, as we should say, to take as a legal tender, — the penalty of refusal being death. In the time of Chin-Tsung, of the Leang dynasty, a.d. 1000, metal being scarce, merchants on depositing merchandize in the public coffers, received therefrom paper-money for the value of deposit. These bank notes continued to be issued from time to time, being renewed at presentation if damaged, and charged for renewal three per cent., with little or no alteration up to the time of the G8 COINS. Ming, or Chinese dynasty, which overthrew the Mongols in 1366, until about the middle of the fifteenth century, when, notwithstanding great ex- ertions on the part of the Emperor Kingtae and his predecessors, it fell into disuse. Banks take their origin in China from the time of the Emperor Jin Tsung, a.d. 1020, or more than two hundred years before, who, in order the better to regulate the arrangement of the paper currency, de- puted twelve rich merchants to different parts of his empire to superintend the payment of the cheques, which then became payable every three years from its date. Hence arose a regular banking system. Since the conquest by the Mongols, banking has become a private arrangement, although, for better safety, under government control, and each bank, as in Europe, issues its cheques and bank notes. A more perfect system now exists than formerly, on which the following specimen may throw some light. BANKING IN CHINA. In my trip to Ningpo in the early part of 1846, an English merchant from Shanghae formed one of our party. Not wishing to be encumbered with some hundreds of dollars, which it was his inten- tion to spend there, he had obtained from a bank in Shanghae, called the Keen San, an order for the amount on a corresponding house in Ningpo. BANKING IN CHINA. 69 I gladly availed myself of the opportunity to ac- company him to the banker’s, whose house we found with little difficulty in a street of banks (every particular trade is confined in a great mea- sure to its own street), situated in the suburb of the Tungmun or east gate. We Avere kindly re- ceived by one of the partners of the establishment, and after the usual ceremonies, peculiar to the entry to a Chinese dwelling, viz., obliging the guests to be seated and serving them with tea, my friend immediately produced the bank check. The cor- responding part of the bank book had been sent overland, and was no sooner produced than being proved to be satisfactory, the money was offered in exchange. JNIy friend did not ask in vain to be allowed to take only one hundred dollars at a time, the sum taken being each time marked on the order. As soon as he had specified the quantity required, four men took positions at a small table near a huge iron- studded strong box, which was no sooner opened, than, for a minute or two, each had his employ- ment ; one counted, a second cleaned off all old marks, a third renewed, with an Indian ink stamp, the seal of the bank, while a fourth, with blotting paper, dried it. The object of stamping was, in the case of any being spurious on being presented with the house-stamp thereon, for them to be changed ; 70 COINS. of course tins never happened ; while, on the other hand, it deterred any artful person from bringing- bad money to the bank on preteixce that it had been drawn therefrom. Ningpo is said to be the greatest banking city in the empire, but establishments of the kind are found in all, both large and small. A considerable excitement was apparent among a party of well- dressed people, who stood at the doors of those banks in the centre of the street ; we were told that this was the mode of arranging, among the bankers, the value of the dollar and other money in the market; it fluctuates in the dollar from 1100 to 1400, and is a matter of much annoyance to the poor ; in particular in those districts where, from distance to the capital, and the ground pro- ducing nothing worthy of being sent to his imperial majesty as tribute, or land-money, specie is de- manded. In many cases the tael of silver, which formerly could be bought for 1000 cash, now cannot be purchased under 15 or 16,000 ; increasing the burden of the tax some 50 or 60 per cent. This demand, if rigorously insisted on by the presiding mandarin, frequently causes an insurrection ; when, as a douceur to his people, the imperial father be- heads his servant, who, had he not so acted, would at the least have lost his place, and perhaps ended his days in some Chinese Siberia; his too fondly BANKING IN CHINA. 71 served master confiscating his wealth, and that of his family and connections, to a more distant con- nexion than even Scotch cousinship, — to his own coffers. Banking is so generally in use in China, that, as in Europe, people travel with their blank bank cheque-books, which can be filled up to any amount. On returning to Shanghae, I requested, and ob- tained a specimen. My friend being about to pur- chase a considerable quantity of raw silk, and other articles on sale, in the neighbourhood of the ancient city of Soo-chow-Foo, (one of the most antique in the empire, and a considerable emporium for ma- nufactured silks, carpets, &c., besides being the greatest seat of luxury in China,) obtained from the Keeu-san, bank ; a note of which the following is a true translation : — “ No. 132. “This order is to pay Wang-Ting-Yang, by the 17th of June, the sum of 20,000 dollars exactly ; application to be made at Soo-chow, to Koo-Tsye- Sing, in the Hang-ke store, or bank, who will pay it accordingly. “ Pingwoo,* fifth moon, eigh- teenth day of the twenty-sixth year of Taou Kwan. * Name of the district in Shanghae in which the Keen-san is situated. I Seal of the Keen-san. I 72 COINS. This corresponds to the 11th of June, 1846, and was duly cashed. These banks are under the superintendance of government, and into these, in the five ports, all government dues are deposited. CULTIVATION OF RICE (PLOUGHING). CHAPTER IV. AGRICULTURE. Beautiful Economy of Chinese Agiiculture. — Mortgages. — Waste Land. — Quit-rent. — The Emperor a Patron of Agriculture. — Irrigation. — Manure. — Chinese Farm. — Agricultural Imple- ments. — Chinese Industry. — Number of Crops. — Highroads. — Bamboo. — Cattle-feeding. — Contentment of the Chinese. If there be one thing that the genius of this extraordinary people has brought nearer to per- fection than another, it is the cultivation of the soil. The economy of their agriculture is beautiful, the whole country presents the appearance of one continued garden; no large commons starving a few miserable horses, nor parks and chases laid 74 AGRICULTURE. waste for the special purpose of breeding rabbits are to be met with ; the land is meant to feed and clothe the people, and to that use its powers are directed. Not an inch of soil is lost that can be made useful by the most laborious and appa- rently unpromising industry, save only such parts as are set aside for burial grounds. Swamps are drain- ed by canals, which carry the superfluous waters where they are turned to profitable account in en- riching land that otherwise would not be productive. Hills are terraced to the summits, and the banks of rivers and shores of the sea recede and leave flourishing farms to reward the enterprise of man. I know nothing that would be likely to be more valuable from this country than the report of an experienced and scientific farmer, could such be induced to bestow a short time in travelling to China and making its agriculture his study. The whole country may be said to be one vast estate or manor, of which the Emperor is the lord, with pretty large power over his tenants, which he is not slow sometimes in exercising. Omitting to enter lands in the public register for taxation, entering less than the real quantity, or evading pay- ment of taxes, incur a forfeiture, as likewise does neglect of cultivation where cultivation is feasible ; and in case of invasion, as of old by the Japanese, and more recently by Koshinga, with the gallant MORTGAGES— WASTE LAND. 75 remnant of unconquered Chinese, all lands for a certain number of miles from the coast were, by Imperial edict, vacated and laid waste to stop the prosecution of invasion, by establishing a dense population on the frontier of a desert. But prac- tically the Emperor is a good landlord, and though the occupying tenant may be rejected at will, yet, except in cases such as the invasions above men- tioned, when once registered and in lawful possession, he continues so during good behaviour, and most frequently transmits the same estate to his family for many generations, with the value of all his im- provements guaranteed, and if he has more land in hand than he can conveniently cultivate, he may lease it out at a rent payable either in money or in kind. Mortages are not uncommon, except in military tenancies, inasmuch as land is assigned to the sol- diers when off duty, in lieu of a part of their pay, and continued to their families if they die in pos- session. Waste and uncultivated land may be appropri- ated by any applicant on proof of his competency in capital and skill to cultivate it, by which means enormous tracts have been recovered from the sea, when the water shoals ; and it would really appear that miles upon miles of the Kiang-tsu province have in this way been added to the country. I 76 AGRICULTURE. myself have witnessed, at a distance of nearly a hundred miles, from the mouth of the Yang-tse- Kiang river, on the lower base of a hill, which has the appearance of having been, at no distant date, an island, the perforations on the rock, which could only have been worn by the sea, — this, it is true, may also be accounted for by the water receding naturally ; but having seen the like effects in other parts on a scale of less magnitude which I know to be artificial, and considering the stupendous efforts the Chinese are capable of, I am inclined to ascribe this also to the labour of man. In Chusan, in the lower Chi-ou Valley, there are three boundary ram- parts in succession, at a quarter of a mile distance from one another, each of which occupies a site formerly under water. The tax or quit-rent, by which land is held of the Emperor, consists invariably of one-tenth of the gross produce of grain, mostly paid in kind, but in times of dearth reduced partially or totally as the case may require. The Emperor, as is well known, is a great patron of agriculture, and condescends once a year, with his own royal hands, to guide a richly-ornamented plough, specially kept for the purpose. His Ma- jesty first turns a stated number of furrow's (I believe three), then the royal kindred, and after- wards the ministers ; the land so ploughed is then THE EMPEROR A PATRON. 77 soAvu with grain, the produce of which, on its arriving at maturity, is eagerly bought at a high figure by the pliant courtiers. It has often been the custom for Emperors, wdiose reigns have been marked with peace and plenty, to compose odes and songs in honour of the labours of husbandry. Thus, the second Emperor of the pre- sent, i. e. Ta-Tsing dynasty, Yung-Ching remarks, “Of old the Emperors ploughed and the Empress cultivated the mulberry tree, though supremely honourable they disdained not to labour, in order that by their example they might excite the millions of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of political economy. “ Suffer not a barren spot to remain a wilderness, or an idle person to abide in a city, then the farmer will not lay aside the plough and hoe, or the wife her silkworm or her weaving. Even the produc- tions of hills and marshes, orchards, and vegetable gardens, and the propagation of the breed of poultry, dogs, and swine, will all be regularly cherished and used in their seasons to supply the deficiencies of agriculture.” In the sacred edict of Kang-He, the first Em- peror of the present dynasty, author of a Chinese dictionary and an ode on the process of preparing and making tea, is the following clause, “ Give the chief place to husbandry, and the cultivation of 78 AGRICULTURE. the mulberry tree, in order to procure adequate supplies of food and raiment.” Although each sovereign, or at least some of each dynasty have promulgated their own laws, still models are to be found of them in the ancient works, and, in point of fact, they are similar in the present day to the laws which governed the husbandman in the days of Confucius, — “ Give the chief place to husbandry,” is a maxim universally received. To obtain the largest supply in the most eco- nomical manner from the smallest space is the desideratum of the Chinese agriculturist, wdiich, beyond all other nations, he has been successful in arriving at. Nature has given him a favourable climate in most parts, a good soil, and numerous and splendid rivers on which art and labour have been most unsparingly lavished in making them subservient to the purposes of irrigation, which may be said to be universal. Besides the canals and navigable rivers, which no part of China is far distant from, every field is partially bounded by water, which in the low coun- tries is easily made to inundate the fields, and cleared olf at convenience by means of flood-gates. In Kiang-tsu, and all parts having canals, it is raised by means of chain-pumps of the rudest ma- terials, worked either by hand, feet, or bullocks, according to the size of the machine ; that by hand IRRIGATION. 79 can only be worked by t-wo men, that by foot by as many as foiir, but only one bullock at a time is yoked. In Fuhkien, and where springs are constantly met, wells are dug, and over each an upright pole of large dimensions is raised, at the upper end of which is slung a cross-piece, and to one end is attached the bucket with length of rope sufficient to reach the water, to the other a stone of sufficient weight to over-balance it, and thus a single man can draw hundreds of tons daily; these wells are sometimes found at each corner of the paddy or rice-field. But irrigation is not confined to the low coun- tries, but on the highest terraces, the smallest mountain stream, the veriest drippling of a spring, is carried by convenient channels from one level to another, with as little waste as possible, till, having gone through each in succession, it is con- ducted into a deep reservoir, to be ready for service again; but on those high grounds, where springs and streams are not at hand, the water has to be raised from a lower level. In Quang-tung, where the hilly country sometimes requires the water to be considerably raised, reservoirs are established on ledges, twenty or thirty feet above each other ; at every reservoir stand, one on each side, two men ; between whom is slung a bucket or pail, of large proportions; the ropes being relaxed, the 80 AGRICULTURE. bucket fills, when it is drawn up, the rope being horizontally tightened ; and by a peculiar swing or jerk every drop is received into the reservoir above, and so on till it reaches the highest point desired. For manure almost everything not edible is pre- served, and this becomes the more necessary from the comparatively small quantity of stock kept. Nothing in town or country is wasted ; the refuse of the drain is not left to pollute the rivers, but is carefully collected ; all remnants of animal and vege- table matter, even to the wiping of a barber’s razor, are sought for and duly appreciated. Water, when it can be spared, is drawn oif from the canals for the sake of the deposit it may leave behind; the small canals are cleared out for this purpose nearly every year. Large vessels are every- where seen, and, in place of the legends of commi- nation which adorn our walls, the smallest contribu- tion is invited and thankfully received, ay, even paid for. There being no farm-horses or vehicles of any sort for them to draw, the “ olla podrida” is removed by means of hand-pails and applied, after dilution by water or liquid manure, as required or convenient. The farm, however small, is not so much the estate of an individual proprietor as the home of a family or seat of a clan, many generations of which, under one acknowledged head or patriarch, are often CHINESE FARM-HOUSE. 81 congregated in the same dwelling. As the farm- houses in general differ but little from each other except in size, I will endeavour to give the reader a description of one. In a small island, formed by a moat for the supply of water and the rearing of ducks and geese, well sheltered by bamboos and other trees, and nearly hid from view, stands the house, consisting of one floor only, built, when possible, of stone, in other cases of brick (of so superior a quality as to become an article of commerce with this country, and to find its way to Liverpool), or of wood. In the centre is a large hall called the “Hall of Ancestors” com- mon to all the family. In it are arranged the household gods, (among which are invariably the Taouist divinities presiding over hearing and sight,) and relics, such as an ancestral picture, in the most conspicuous part of the wall, on each side of which is an aphorism of Confucius, and in front a table bear- ing incense burners and fruits as offerings, and orna- mental porcelain vases, &c. The hall also serves for a drying room for their seeds, and a depository for the smaller implements of husbandry. It is the scene of their entertainments, many of their fes- tivals, and the adoration of the gods, but never used for culinary purposes. This forms the nucleus of the building, around it are the dwelling rooms of the different divisions of the tribe ; and as often as G 82 AGRICULTURE. a marriage takes place an apartment is added for the newly-wedded couple, and, in time, the whole presents rather the appearance of a village than a single dwelling-house. The furniture of each family consists of a bed highly ornamented, in many cases carved and richly inlaid with ivory; a few high- backed chairs, often of bamboo ; a plain polished round table ; washing utensils of brass ; and, in one corner of the room, cooking utensils consisting of a block fire-place, in which a few round pans are set with masonry, though in the larger establishments the kitchen is a separate building : around the room are several red varnished cabinets, and in these apartments the females are employed in the household duties of needlework, spinning, &c., a spinning wheel and loom forming necessary appen- dages to each farm-house in those parts where cot- ton is grown. Nearly everything for the use of the family is home-made — agricultural instruments are home-made and repaired ; cotton is grown, and spun, and made into clothes ; silk-worms are reared, and all the process of winding and weaving done by the family ; flour is ground, cakes are baked, and sam shoo is distilled from rice, and as much as re- quired stored, the rest, and whatever other produce not wanted for home consumption, is either ex- changed for other necessaries amongst the neigh- bours, or sent to some town in the vicinity to find a AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 83 market. In Kiang-tsu, where that species of cloth better known under the name of nankin is made, the drajjers, who are proprietors of large houses in the cities, hire stalls outside the walls and meet the farmers on the road and buy their cloth, paying in bills drawn on their own houses. The live-stock consists of a liberal supply of fowls, ducks, geese, goats, and pigs, and a dog or two, (scarcely any family, however poor, is without one or more of the latter two,) together with one or two bullocks and buffalos according to the labour re- quired. The buffalo is almost an amphibious ani- mal, being constantly in the water. The implements are very simple and primitive — I may almost say barbarous. The Le, or plough, has no coulter, and but one handle, and, with the ex- ception of the share, is entirely of wood. It is drawn by a single bullock or buffalo, by means of a trace passing before the breast with a strap over the shoulders. The Pa (harrow), drawn in the same manner as the plough, is of two kinds, one jDerpen- dicular, and the other horizontal ; the former con- sists of a row of iron spikes, like a comb, with a handle on the back of it, on which the labourer leans his whole weight to break the clods; the latter is a parallelogram of wood, armed with iron or hard wooden knives, and is used after the former to level the ground; the driver adds his weight. 84 AGRICULTURE. standing with one foot on each cross-beam. The spade, for the purpose of working the ground, is en- tirely superseded by the Cha (hoe) ; it is of use, however, as a shovel in widening ditches, clearing canals, &c. The hoe is used to break the heavy sods as well as the harrow, and, although a simple looking implement, in the hands of a stout farmer is rendered very available, the women use it also in weeding and hoeing out the stubble, &c. Pa, the rake, (the same j^ronunciation with Pa, the harrow, but a different character in writing;) of these there are three kinds, the first, entirely of bamboo, which is generally used to rake in grain (the curved end of the bamboo almost meeting), and collect offal, dirt, &c., in the streets ; the second, which is much like the English rake in proportions as well as use ; and the third, which is more in the shape of a brush, with hard w'ooden teeth, and is used to loosen the ground about the roots of the paddy crop. Lien (bill -hook) may also be termed a sickle, being used as well for the one as the other, it is mostly serrated, and cuts grass, rushes, hedges, &c. Taow (the knife) belongs as much to the house of the artisan as the farmer. It is well known that in China chop-sticks are in use instead of knives and forks, hence the great want of those articles universally found in a European establish- ment ; a large chopper-looking instrument is used CHINESE INDUSTRY. 85 for almost the minutest requisitions for a knife of even the smallest dimensions. There are four modes of threshing ; first, with the Leen-kea, or flail, as with us, except that the instrument is smaller than ours and the handle is of bamboo ; secondly, treading out by oxen when the quantity is large ; thirdly, over a table made in frame and filled in with pieces of bamboo just far enough apart to allow the grain alone to escape; fourthly, — and the most general — by placing a large tub conveniently in the field, round three parts of which is a mat to defend it from the wind, — the la- bourer taking the sheaf in hand, batters it against the sides of the tub until the grains are out, when he lays that aside, &:c. Winnowing is either performed by a machine like that in Europe, or by the primitive mode of raising the grain in a flat basket, from one mat, as high as a person can reach ; then suddenly jerking it out, the grain alone reaches another mat laid to receive it, the chaff being scattered away,. Husking is equally primitively done so far as the mills are concerned ; they are generally of two kinds, the first is a circular stone ledge let into the ground, in which traverses, round a pole on its own axis, a large stone-wheel, propelled by a bullock, a man constantly supplying the grain until it is requi-- site to replenish, when the ledge is cleared ; the se- cond is a kind of wooden mill. The most primitive 86 AGRICULTURE. CULTIVATION OP RICE (hUSKING). mode of grinding is pounding the rice or corn in a mortar by a stone pestle ; this is usually performed as a species of treadmill, jumping up, weighing- down, and jumjung oflP, to assist which the hands are slung at convenient heights. It will readily be believed that with such poor mechanical assistance the Chinaman does not eat the bread of idleness. From sunrise to sunset, with the exception of meal-times, the whole family work hard ; the meals are three per day, the first as soon after rising as the pot can be boiled, the second at noon, the third about an hour before sunset, con- sisting of tea invariably, rice the staple food of the country, vegetables, fish salted or dried, pork, goat, mutton, fowl or duck sometimes, but the animal I RICE, THE PRINCIPAL CULTIVATION. CULTIVATION OF MCE (sOWING). food in small quantities, now and then seasoned with a drop of samshoo, after which it is time for rest. The principal crop cultivated, in the parts that I visited, is rice. A small part of a field is first of all prepared and sown as thickly as possible, after which the rest is inundated, and while still under water is ploughed and harrowed with the harrow No. 2 described before, which, in clayey soils, is a work of great labour ; after this the water is run off, and the sods are broken with the hoe, when another harrow- ing follows if required, the manure is then laid on in a moist state, the ground is now ready for the rice which is transplanted in small clusters in rows, the entire length of the field. Water is again run on, but not in sufficient quantities to cover the plant. 88 AGRICULTURE. CULTIVATION OF RICE (TRANSPLANTING). and from time to time the workmen proceed down the rows with rake No. 3 above described, and loosen the soil about the plant, and thus allow the moisture to sink down to the roots; the manuring is continued from time to time, according to the strength of the plant, until it has attained the height of a foot or fourteen inches, when the field is allowed to dry as it may, which generally is the case by reaping-time. The land, being highly manured, yields two crops per year ; but it was observable in the year 1845 in the north and east valleys in Chusan, three crops were taken from most of the fields. During the growth all weeds are culled, and anything that might obstruct the crop or unne- cessarily draw the land, carefully removed. Corn and vegetable lands are usually productive NUMBER OF CROPS IN A YEAR. 89 CULTIVATION OP RICE (rEAPING). j of three crops, as the following : — The corn seed is sown in rows, between every two of which is a row [ of cotton, beans or other vegetable, (the cotton is an annual.) At harvest-time the corn is reaped, and the field, all yellow to-day, is beautifully green to-morrow, the cotton being about six or eight inches high ; the minutest portion of stubble is removed by women and stored up for manure, and the field weeded ; the cotton on coming to maturity is plucked, the tree ploughed in for manure, and the field prepared for the third crop of clover, ve- getables, or a kind of sesame ; if clover, only a part is cut, and the rest ploughed in for manure. Fal- lows are unknown, and, from the constant manuring, the land is enabled to produce at the above rate with little variation without becoming exhausted. 90 AGRICULTURE. In tea plantations and orchards of all kinds the land is equally worked. In each province there is generally a paved high- road from one Foo to another, and sometimes, hut not often, to a Heen ; these roads are in good order and about six feet broad, besides these there are the foot-paths, which skirt the fields as boundaries, but are sometimes very inconvenient to the traveller from the tortuous courses they take, as sometimes you start off at right angles from the object of your journey; besides these and the canals, a stone often divides two properties. In this way the country is perfectly open, save where here and there dotted with picturesque farm-houses, joss-houses, and bos- quets of bamboo. The bamboo here deserves a passing mention, as I know no plant so useful for so many purposes as the Chinese make it. There is scarcely a trade or manufacture amongst them that is not more or less assisted by it, while its early shoots form one of the choicest edibles as a vegetable preserve and pickle. The Bambusa Arundinalis is of two kinds — the black and the yellow-— the former very scarce and valuable, the latter most in use ; it is indigenous to many, and found in most parts of China. Its height varies with the climate that it is grown in, but averages about forty or fifty feet, but very sel- dom passes seventy, with a diameter in proportion to its height averaging about eight inches. When CATTLE-FEEDING. 91 it is cultivated, the less promising young roots are sent to market as an article of food, but the most healthy are transplanted for growth ; the grove is one of the most picturesque and graceful sights imaginable, waving to the slightest air, and forming a delightfully cool and shady retreat to those fond of retirement, but the care required in rearing and cultivating it is in proportion to its profit. During the first years^ the suckers and the tops of the shoots must be removed very tenderly, and the wounds filled up with sulphur, but its varied utility repays the care bestowed upon it. In early times, before books were compiled, all records were carved on slips of bamboo. The most elegant household furniture, chairs, sofas, tables, beds, and even the pillars, to support the house itself, are made of it. The curiosity-maker, the toy-maker, the carpenter, the agriculturist, are indebted to it. The masts of boats and small ships, besides a long list of other marine paraphernalia, are from its wood, clothing from its fibre, and lampwicks from its pith ; the sol- dier and sailor, the clerk and civilian, carry it as pike-handles, and arrows, and pencils. I have in my own possession a jacket, for an under-garment, made of it, like net-work, to be worn next the skin in hot weather. The housebreaker finds it an as- sistant of his crime in his own hands and his repent- ance in those of the executioner. I have made no mention of pastures, and I saw 92 AGRICULTURE. none ; the cattle are fed by the sides of the roads or in stalls on the different productions of the farm, and, amongst others, oil-cake, which is in great abundance ; it is the refuse of the sesame and cotton-seeds after the oil has been expressed. In the northern provinces sheep are reared on lands that would not pay for other cultivation. They are a long-tailed, long-legged breed, like the sheep at the Cape. At Shanghae they sell for about four dollars a head ; at Canton from ten to twelve. The price of labour is a mace or fourpence a day. It is forbidden to plough, feed cattle, or cut wood in the places where emperors, kings, princes, saints, sages, faithful ministers, and other illustrious ■worthies are buried. Now, as it is apt to please each and every farmer and others to vote his or their immediate predecessors “the illustrious dead,” the actual farm is sometimes diminished by the fre- quency of these ancestral monuments. But I do not know that we should grudge them that whim when they make so good a use of the rest of the land ; and if some of the above particulars may not square with European notions of economy, amongst their fruits may be mentioned the most contented, good-humoured, well-fed, industrious, and happy population that, in the course of sixteen years of service in the navy, and rambles in most parts of the globe, I have ever met with. CHINESE BILL OF FARE. 93 CHAPTER V. DIET AND DINNER IN A TAVERN. Chinese Bill of Fare. — Its Constituents. — Ducks — Their remarkable Discipline. — Regular Tavern Dinner. — Waiter. — Pipe-bearer. — Courses and Dishes. — Reckoning. The Chinese bill of fare may be said to include everything animal and vegetable that nature will digest, together with some few items of minerals, with the exception of milk and its preparations. It is only for the use of foreigners that cows and goats are ever milked, but otherwise no part of the animal is lost ; but when one is killed the blood is carefully collected, the hair is removed, and the skin, and offal, apportioned in lots and sold. Poultry, game, and fish, all kinds of grains, vege- tables, fruits, are to be had in the different parts of the empire, abundant in quantity and excellent in quality. Some, together with the dishes made from them, were new to me ; such, for instance, was the King of Cabbages, indigenous to the Shang- 94 DIET. tung- province, which would form a splendid ac- quisition in Eng’land to the cattle grazier; it is a thick-set cabbage, perfectly white, and so close that when required to be kept, removing an outside leaf or two about once a week, will make it last for many months; it has found its way I hear to Paris, where it is known as the “Chou de Nankin.’’ It is used as a simple vegetable cooked or “au naturel,” or in winter a most excellent mild salad, and the Chinese salt and pickle both this and other cab- bages, and make a kind of sour krout. It frequently weighs twenty pounds. In the south is a species of orange called the Kin-kengh, or Kum-kwat, very small and of very high flavour; in size and shape it resembles a pigeon’s egg, it is eaten, skin and all, and when preserved makes a very fine marmalade. In the Fu-kien province is the hand citron somewhat resembling a hand, with a multitude of fingers. The Loquat, a yellow fruit, with a most velvet skin, has four or more stones, and a most peculiar flavour which an acquired taste only can admire. The Liche is a most delicious melting mouthful, the outside shell must be burst first, it grows in clusters, and is not unlike a strawberry in appearance but in nothing else. Most European and tropical fruits flourish in different parts of the country, according to the climate, and a large trade in fruits is carried on by means of junks, these are CHINESE BILL OF FARE. 95 mostly preserved in different modes, moist and dry, whole and in shreds, with vinegar or sugar, which latter, in the province of Fo-kien, and the island of Formosa, is grown and manufactured in high perfection, but is never used to sweeten tea. Honey is abundant, oils are extracted from the olive, sesame, cotton-seed, several kinds of cabbage, pork -fat, and fish, which, together with the castor- oil, are all used for culinary purposes ; the use of the latter for any purpose other than a medicine, is, I should suppose, peculiar to the Chinese ; it is expressed through a cullender, and when fresh has not the aroma that it afterwards acquires. Ducks’- eggs are in great requisition, and in order to meet the demand for them great numbers are kept on all the navigable rivers and canals, in floating poultry houses. They are under very remarkable discipline, they go out to feed, and return home with won- derful expedition, and at a word from their masters will do almost anything that can be required of them; he stands meanwhile at the entrance, and flogs the straggler, and rewards the foremost. They are never allowed to hatch their own eggs, almost all towns having ovens for that purpose. The eggs of all birds are used, but those of the ducks are salted in the shells, as is the flesh also, for sea stores. Considerable quantities of fish are salted and dried ; the collared eel is very fine, but none are thrown 96 DIET. away, blubber even is eaten, as are water snakes, frogs, toads, shell-fish of every species, tortoises, snails, gelatinous worms, and lizards. The various grains are used in making unleavened bread, not unlike a muffin in appearance, cooked on the side of a portable oven, and generally by steam, together with pastry of divers sorts, among which are some very similar to European, as wafers, sponge-cakes, &c., which would be palatable enough were it not for the introduction of a lump of pork- fat, discoverable only by the uninitiated, at a most disagreeable period. The introduction of pork-fat into these articles of Chinese gastronomy is uni- versal and disgusting. Imported are Ginseng, a kind of liquorice, which was formerly a royal monopoly, and could only be grown on the Emperor’s property in the north, but has latterly been introduced from Canada, and some parts of the United States; and birds’-nests of the sea-swallow, a transparent substance, in appearance somewhat resembling a gum, reckoned a great delicacy, and sold at very high prices. I have seen four or five when very clear, weighing only three or four ounces each, sell for thirty dollars. They are brought from the islands of the Eastern Archipelago, as likewise are Beches-de-mer, or sea-slugs, brown looking snails about six or seven inches long. They are an expensive luxury as are DINNER IN A TAVERN. 97 the exotic dainties of roes, sounds, tripe, fins, and tails of sharks. In fact, a Chinaman will eat everything but his own father. Great art is shewn in dressing O all these delicacies; the cookery is perhaps a little richer than most English palates would relish, but some of the stews, soups, and made dishes are ex- cellent, and a good dinner may be eaten and relished if no questions be asked. Returning one day from Tien T’hung, a party of five of us agreed, as a matter of curiosity, to sit down to a regular tavern dinner. By great good luck one of the party happened to be the consular interpreter, who induced his linguist and teacher to take the chair : to him, a fine old Chinese gentleman of convivial habits, and great infor- mation, we left the entire management, stipu- lating only that the dinner should be the best that the first tavern in Ningpo could produce. He promised to take us to one in the principal street which he himself frequented. He was to direct us in the most accomplished w^ay of dining a la Chinoise, and to illustrate the courses, in order that our repast should be perfectly d la mode. I have unfortunately forgotten the beautiful collec- tion of monosyllables that composed his name. In the lobby of our hotel was a tempting display of, to us, very novel delicacies, illustrative of mine host’s proficiency in his calling, together with a cloud of H 98 DIET. steam and a most variegated odour. Calling the waiter, our major domo ordered that every dish the house could provide should be served as soon as possible, at the same time requiring a private apart- ment. The waiter (whose dress was not calculated to impede his movements much, consisting merely of a pair of short unmentionables, it being the height of summer) led the way up stairs, through a large apartment, in which at small tables, one or two at each, sat respectably dressed Chinese, taking their afternoon meal, or conversing over a cup of hot sam-shoo, into a neatly furnished small apartment. No sooner had we entered than a pipe- bearer, with necessary paraphernalia, introduced a pipe (technically a hubble-bubble) into the mouth of one of the party, who, being told by our preceptor that it was selon le regie, drew a whiff or two and passed it on to another, and so on all round. After a few moments’ delay tea was served, succeeded by six small saucers, containing separately sugar- candy, cherries, dried pips of melons, walnuts, ground-nuts, and brown sugar; these, we were in- formed, were for our amusement, while the land- lord prepared a dinner worthy the reputation of his establishment ; our Chinese friend beguiling the time with anecdotes of heroes who had distinguished themselves in the convivial line, and heroes with a vengeance they must have been, if these stories COURSES AND DISHES. 99 of their mighty appetite, and grand exploits of gormandising had any foundation in fact. Soon the advanced guard made its appearance, consisting of several small basins, filled with soups and stews of birds’-nests, beche-de-mer, sea-slugs, and other light and stimulating delicacies, patties of shrimps, &c., fried in pork-fat, salted and boiled eggs, and boiled and stewed vegetables (salt, pepper, soy, and oil, in smaller saucers, were in every part of the table.) These, we were given to understand, were mere provocatives of appetite, intended as a foundation for more substantial fare, they were ranged in a line round the table, leaving an open square in the centre. The best wines were now produced, warm, in small metal pots (not unlike coffee-pots) and poured into very small China cups ; from our mattre de cerimonie, we took our queue, and, seizing the diminutive vessel in both hands, we half rose, and reaching across in direction of the person whom we wished to honour until both vessels met, when, each making a profound bow, and Chin-chin, we reseated ourselves, and emptied the cup, which was no sooner empty than refilled by our officious Ganymede. Before each of us were two or three small basins to serve as plates, and a pair of chop-sticks. The repast might be said now to have commenced in 100 DIET. earnest, with the appearance of a large bowl of stewed mutton, by no means bad, which was placed at an angle of the square, at which each pecked with chop-sticks, and the more finished example was set by our accomplished friend, breaking a ])iece with his own chop-sticks, giving us at the same time to understand that it was highly com- plimentary, and handing it over to me. After an interval of ten minutes, viz-a-viz to the stewed mutton, appeared a corresponding bowl with the tripes of a rare fish, found on the coast of Coro- mandel. Our Chinese friend was an epicure, and this a favourite dish with him, and he was now in his gdory, and did full justice to it in no equivocal manner. The other angles, at equal intervals, were occupied by stewed fowl and puff-puddings, and these four surmounted by a dish of salted blubber. The pile of five dishes being complete, so was the course, followed by other piles of five dishes, con- sisting of stews of fowls, ducks, puddings stewed in gravies, kabobs, sweetmeats, gelatinous soups and vegetables, to the number of thirty, in fact, every variety of fish, fowl, and pastry, when it was agreed we should move that the repast be brought to an end, upon which everything was removed but the salt, &c., when, all of a sudden, a stewed duck with some peculiar sauce appeared. We had all. RECKONING. 101 with the exception of the Chinaman, long’ cried, “ Hold, enough : ” but when that worthy, after many vain attempts to cheer us up, told us of an extensive friend of his, who, having dined, topped up with six ducks out of compliment to him as host; we could not do otherwise than make an effort to help him out of his difficulty, and managed the one before us : a bowl of rice for each concluded the feast. Our officious waiter now ap- peared with warm water, and a very dark coloured and uninviting towel, which, to his astonishment, we rejected, when offered to us as a general finger- glass and napkin. On calling for the reckoning we were whisper- ingly instructed by our friend to fee the waiter and pipe-bearer who would stand our friend with the landlord ; they received a rupee each ; presently they re-appeared with a long account which, when totaled, amounted to five dollars, or altogether a most extensive feast for about twenty-five shillings in all for six. The above, one might imagine, would have been a feast for the lord-mayor, aider- men, and all the civic dignitaries of Ningpo (if such had any existence), but it was served up extempo- raneously; the dinner was on the table within a quarter of an hour of our ordering it ; the waiter apologized, and said if more time were given a 102 DIET. grander entertainment would be provided. The price of a good tavern dinner, consisting of fish, flesh, fowl, and entries, would be about a shilling of our money ; a common club dinner a mace, or four- pence. EDUCATION. 103 CHAPTER VI. EDUCATION. Learning the Key to Civil Offices. — Open to all without distinc- tion. — Three classes only excluded, viz., Boatmen, Coolees, and Actors. — No civil Appointment can be held without a literary qualification. — Village School. — Is generally attached to the Joss-house. — Meaning of Joss-house. — Mode of learning at vil- lage Schools. — Four’ Degrees of Literary Honours. — Different Classes of Teachers. — Edict regarding Literary Honours. — Great care taken to prevent any unfair practice. — Subjects of Exa- mination. — Fraud sometimes used in obtaining a Degree. — Hall of Examination. Learning assumes its proper position iu the flowery land, and is the key to all the civil offices under the crown ; the highest employe is the best scholar without regard to birth. Sons of pea- sants contend in the race for preferment with members of the imperial family; and no one who can pass the requisite examinations with the ex- ception of the three excluded classes of boatmen, coolees, and actors, need despair of promotion ; but no civil apiiointment can be held without a 104 EDUCATION, literary qualification. “ A stone uncut forms no i gem ; a man unlearned knows not good principles.” If the clever and intelligent do not study, they ' Avill become empty, frothy, weak, and evasive : the ■ stupid and dull without learning, still more will be impeded by obstinacy, inadequacy, violence, and perverseness. Every province is as it were ' an university of itself, of which the inhabitants are born members; and many a scholar finishes i a long life before his education is complete. On entering some of the poorest establishments, very often a little fellow may be seen sitting on a high stool behind the counter, reading to himself most intently and aloud. He is the child of parents i whose poverty compels them, for want of an as- sistant, to keep their sons alternately at home for i a day to mind the shop. Having served the cus- tomers, who have perhaps had to bawl pretty loudly in his ear to engage his attention, with as little loss of time as possible ; he remembers the pro- ' | verb his mother has so often dinned into his ear, j that “ It is better to be a fowl’s back than a cow’s \ tail ” and sets to work again in the hope of keep- ing pace with his brother, whose time for staying at home comes to-morrow. The village-school is generally attached to the joss-house, (once for all as the word is likely to recur, the Avord joss means a god, and joss-house a temple,) and is sup- VILLAGE-SCHOOL. 105 ported partly by government and partly by the fathers of the pupils, consisting of a master, often a very superior man, and twenty or thirty boys, each of whom has his separate chair, table, books, and a piece of wood, painted white to serve as a slate, on which he writes with a camel’s hair brush and Indian ink ; while learning his lesson, he reads aloud. The din of so many voices at once, on my entering a school, often reminded me of my experience of the Bell system in Eng- land in days of yore ; every youngster, on the approach of a stranger, straining his throat to the loudest pitch. Near the door in awful dig- nity, with spectacles on his nose, sits the dominie behind a table, bearing the very unacademical pipe and tea-tray, with some future mandarin swinging his body to and fro like a mast in a storm, stumbling over a saying of Confucius that he has just learnt by heart, and trying to make himself heard amid the confused howling of the rest. “ To bring up a child without education is a crime in the father, to educate without due severity betrays sloth in a teacher,” a charge not often brought home to the latter worthy, whose cane has by no means a sinecure of it. The first idea of writing is gained by placing thin transparent paper over the characters and so copying them ; after lOG EDUCATION. that the tablet above-mentioned is used with Indian ink, easily washed out with a little water. The appearance of the young- dog- is the same everywhere. “ The whining school-boy, with his satchel, and shining morning face, creeping like a snail unwillingly to school,” if he meet another boy on the road, causes himself a flogging for being de- tained by a game of hop-scotch, which is as popu- lar amongst the rising generation of China as of England. From about eight to ten is the age of attendance at the village-schools. The salaries of the masters are, I am afraid, small ; they are very courteous, and respectable men ; but their domes- tic establishments are very humble. After gaining the rudiments of education at school, or from his father, or some professor his friend, the aspirant may, at his leisure, it would seem, next look to becoming a candidate for the first of the four degrees of literary honours. These are under the superintendance of an officer call- ed the Heo-Ching, or literary chancellor of the province, who deputes the duties of preparing and bringing forward the candidates to four different classes of teachers. Their titles are, 1st, Kean- Chow, “giver of learning;” 2nd, Chow-Heoching, “ corrector of learning 3rd, Heaou-Yu, “ teacher of the commands and 4thly, Heau-Taow ; ranking according as the city, they are appointed to DIFFERENT CLASSES OF TEACHERS. 107 stand in the different classes of Fii, Ting, Chow, and Heen. The Chancellor himself makes an an- nnal tour of the province, and assists at the third and last examination for the first degree of Sew- tsae, or “ flowering talent” the graduate in which becomes exempt from corporal punishment at the sentence of any but the Emperor himself, or his representative, the Tsnng-tuh, or governor-general of the province. The degree is not complete until enrolled in the office of the chancellor of the pro- vince in which the scholar’s family have been re- sident for three generations ; and all particulars of name, age, and personal appearance lodged with the Foo-Yuen, or lieutenant-governor. A false entry incurs a penalty of degradation, and exclu- sion from all literary honours, and as a necessary consequence, all hope of holding civil office. The number of candidates for this degree is often enor- mous (in the province of Canton, upwards of twenty thousand in one year,) consisting sometimes of men of all ages, from the stripling of fifteen to the grandfather of seventy. The Che-foo, whose func- tions correspond in some measure with those of our mayor, in the absence of the governor-gene- ral, appoints the days and order of the examina- tions. The following edict, copied from the co- lumns of the Hong Kong Gazette newspaper, may throw some light on the proceeding. 108 EDUCATION. [ “ EDICT REGARDING LITERARY HONOURSo i “Keying’, Vice-Guardian of the Crown Prince, | Governor-General of the two Kwang, &c., &;e., &;c. ' i Kwang, Lieutenant-Governor of Kwang-tung, in ! i reference to the examination for admission into the ' i Literary Halls, hereby proclaims ; — i “ Whereas the examination for admission into the j Colleges of Yuesan and Yuchwa, has hitherto taken 1 place in the early spring. As the season for open- ing the session now approaches, we, the governor- | general, lieutenant-governor, and literary chancellor, i have appointed that it be this year held on the 20th | ' day of the present month : and now publicly notify | the same for the information of all graduates, and | others who W'ould be candidates throughout the i province. Let those who now come up to the trial j for the first time, proceed at an early period to the city, and with papers setting forth their names, ages, and a description of their personal appearance, repair to the superintendents of the college to whom they must report themselves for registration, pro- curing from them sealed certificates, which they must present for inspection. On the day appointed they ' must assemble in the Examination Hall waiting until their names are called out by an officer ; when the graduates and others, ranged in order east and west, will receive their themes, and the doors being shut, EDICT REGARDING LITERARY HONOURS. 109 the examination will proceed. Those who produce any thing really worthy of notice, though they may hitherto not have been successful, shall yet be ad- mitted, and as for those the style of whose present essays does not surpass mediocrity, but whose com- positions may on previous occasions have been supe- rior, their former merit shall be taken into ac- count on determining their deserts. Impartiality will guide the decisions of the lieutenant-governor, who hopes that all may succeed. Let the candidates exert to the utmost their ])owers for one day in making an exhibition of their long-cherished sentiments. “Every essay must be delivered in at the specified hour in the afternoon of the day fixed, and be col- lected together to be presented. There must be no borrowing and echoing of each other’s expres- sions : nor may the assistance of other parties be procured ; nor yet may the papers be taken abroad. Those guilty of such disorderly practices, shall be ever after refused permission to enter themselves for examination. Let all be reverently obedient, and not oppose this special edict. “ Taoukwang, 26th year 1st month, 13th day. (8th February 1846).” Great care is taken to prevent any unfair practice. The candidates enter the hall the day before, and do not leave it until the day after each of the three 110 EDUCATION. examinations, which take place at intervals of three days between each. On entrance their persons are searched, and their names entered, and papers being found concealed, or a wrong name given, incur de- gradation ; so likewise does assisting, or asking assistance from another candidate. The subjects are the themes from the works of ' i Confucius, and his disciples and Mencius, history, i poetry, and political economy, the successful candi- ' , date may consider that he has entered upon a new era of his life, and is now eligible for preferment. This first degree may, under some circumstances, be purchased. The examinations for the second de- ! gree of Kew-jin, or “ promoted men,” three in num- ; ber, each at an interval of three days, take place , once in three years before a board consisting of the i Heo-Ching, and the Chow-kaow, or “ master of the j examinations,” and all the principal authorities of the province, togetherwith an officer from Pekin specially sent for the purpose, and presided over by the gover- nor-general. The themes are from the same works as those proposed to the candidates for the former de- gree, but the subjects required to be gone into much deeper, and elegance of penmanship is not overlooked by the masters in estimating the several performances. Many fail during the first two days, but after the third the hall is closed for fifteen days to allow time to the examiners to read over the papers, and assign SUBJECTS OF EXAMINATION. Ill each his rank according to his merit. Some few of the best papers are kept for publication and a cata- logue of the graduates is printed. The Kew-jin elect are now entitled to wear boots, and a button on their caps, with some significant badge on the breast of their gowns. The visible anxiety on the countenances of so many people during the time that the examination lasts tell truly the importance of success. Notwithstanding the care that is taken to make merit the only means of getting a degree, the vigi- lance of the authorities is not always successful. Last year seventy-two candidates were proclaimed Kew-jin elect, in Canton ; but amongst them it was discovered one had passed his examination by proxy ; he had agreed with an old man, whom age and poverty had prevented from making an effort on his own account, to give a large sum of money if the old man would enter in his name and pass for him the requisite ordeal ; but a dispute between them concerning the payment of the money dis- closed the whole ti'ansaction, and put the autho- rities in a desperate dilemma. The successful can- didates were lond for inquiry; the examiners, having a delicate sense of the position they were in, and a lively apprehension of the punishment consequent upon their negligence, were as eager to hush it up ; but it afterwards appeared that the would-be 112 EDUCATION. Kew-jin could not write even the most ordinary essay, having bought his first degree, as is some- times done. But the second, unless by express favour of the emperor, is conferred only on talent. How the matter ended I never heard. The Hall of Examination is generally the finest building in each city, covering a large area, surround- ed by several temples, also used for examinations, and dedicated to the different branches of litera- ture, which are announced over the doors ; in each there are large rooms filled with separate tables and chairs. An image of the presiding deity faces the entrance, and the sayings and maxims of Con- fucius, on wood and paper scrolls, adorn the walls; a few bronzes holding burning scented sticks, and a few fruit-offerings, complete the furniture. With- out, are gardens tastefully laid out with grottoes ; numberless bridges crossing ponds filled with lotus plant and gold-fish ; lofty trees shading rustic seats ; while isolated temples, inviting the retirement of the studious, are planted on the pinnacles of ar- tificial rocks, so high as to catch every breath of air clear of the city walls, and surmounted by the figure of a stork, or other bird, as large as life. Nothing can exceed the care and attention paid to these temples and gardens, the carved work about the former is in profusion, and of the highest order, while the most rare and beautiful plants HALL OF EXAMINATION. 113 and flowers grace the latter. They appear to be open to all who have any connexion with the examinations, and strangers enter without the slightest molestation or question ; they seem to have no idea of any one thinking of doing any damage ; I have passed whole mornings in that at Shanghae with a book, unnoticed and undisturbed ; everybody who enters appears to do so with some object in view, and to have no time to interfere with anybody’s business but his own. Tea and pipes are procurable in the establishment for a few Le (under a penny), the latter, d la Chinoise, was a very favourite beverage with me when I became accustomed to it. Besides the large rooms above enumerated, there are several small rooms, or closets, in which the candidates are locked up. The Hall of Examina- tion at Canton has seven thousand five hundred of them. The third degree of Tsin-tse, or “ introduced scho- lars,” is confined solely at Pekin, in the college, and before the president of the Han Lin once every three years. The subjects for examination are much the same as required for the two former, only more deeply gone into ; and lest poverty should prove an obstruction to merit, the Emperor, as great father of his people, defrays a part or the whole of the expense, according to the means or exigencies I 114 EDUCATION. of the aspirant. The Tsin-tse elect are presented to his majesty, who, in person, rewards three of | them, who are adjudged to have passed the best ! examinations. The last and highest of all is that j of Han Lin, “ ascended to the top of the tree,” also j conferred at Pekin. The examination takes place i before the most learned men that can be selected throughout the empire, in the hall of the imperial palace, before Son of Heaven himself, who with his own hands liberally rewards all that are elected. CHINESE DEITIES. 115 CHAPTER VII. CONFUCIUS. Chinese Deities. — Sacrificial Officers. — Aim of the Studies of Con- fucius. — His Birth, Parentage, Character, and Personal Appear- ance. — Eespect for his Mother. — His Descendants, Tenets, and Temples. — Religious Procession at Amoy Mencius. — His Education, Character, and Descendants. The Emperor, as great father of the nation, is the high priest of the ancient state religion of China, and permits no one but the mandarins, his represen- tatives, to officiate at the sacred rites performed in honour of the following deities. 1. Teen, “ The heaven,” or Hwang-kung-yu, “The imperial concave expanse,” under which title ado- ration is paid to the visible azure skies, and not the Maker of them. 2. Te, “ The earth.” The worship of the earth is much the same as that of the heaven ; the strongest expression of an assurance of fact, is “ heaven and earth can see it.” Thus the following maxim, (I believe of Mentze,) — “ Men may be fallible, Hea- ven cannot be deceived ; things may be hid from 116 CHINESE DEITIES. man, they are open to heaven. When the heart of man conceives a thought, heaven and earth know it fully.” 3. Tae-meaw, “ The great temple of ancestors ; ” including all tablets in them dedicated to the names of deceased emperors of the present dynasty. Of equal rank with Teen and Te. 4. Shay-tseih, “ Gods of land and grain.” 5. Teih, “ The sun ; ” or Ta-ming, “ Great light.” 6. Yue, “The moon;” or Yue-ming, “Night light.” 7. Tseen-tae-te, “ Names of emperors and kings of former ages and dynasties.” 8. Seen-tse Kung-foo-tse, “Confucius the an- cient master.” 9. Seen-ming, “ Ancient patron of agriculture.” 10. Seen-tsan, “ Ancient patron of manufacture of silk.” 11. Teen-shin, “ Gods of heaven.” 12. Te-he, “ Gods of earth.” 13. Tae-suy, “ God of the current year.” 14. Seen-e, “ The ancient patron of medicine ; together with innumerable of the illustrious dead.” 15. Sing-shin, “Stars.” 16. Yun, “ Clouds.” 17- Yu, “ Rain.” 18. Fung, “Wind.” SACRIFICIAL OFFICERS. 117 19. Suy, “ Tliunder.” 20. Woo-jo, “ Five great mountains.” 21. Sje-liae, “ Four seas.” 22. Sje-tuli, “ Four rivers.” 28. INling-shan, “ Famous hills.” 24. Ta-chueu, “ Great streams of water.” 25. Ke-tuh, “ Military flags or banners.” 26. Paow-loo-che-sliun, “ God of a road where an army is passing.” 27. Ho-paow-che-shin, “ God of cannon.” 28. Mun-shin, “ Gods of the gates.” 29. How-too-che-shin, “ Queen goddess of the ground.” 30. Pih-keih, “ North pole.” When his majesty the high priest worships in the Temple of Heaven he wears robes of azure, the colour of the sky ; when the earth, yellow, the colour of day ; the sun, red ; the moon, pale white ; the assistant mandarins and officers of the court wear their full court dresses ; the altar of heaven is round, that of the earth square, to represent their shapes according to the Chinese notions of them. The Chuh-pan, or tablet of prayer, varies in colour with the dress. The officers whose duty it is to suj)eriiitend the sacrificial rites prepare themselves by a course of abstinence from eating, Veu ere et vino, music, mourn- ing for the dead, visiting the sick, and taking cog- 118 CONFUCIUS. nisance of capital offences ; forfeiting’ a month’s salary for failing in any one particular. The em- press and imperial concubine of the several grades only officiate at the worship of the silk manufacture. (No. 10, Chinese Repository, Vol. hi.) But the most important perhaps of all is No. 8. Confucius, the patriarch of Chinese literature, though an object of worship himself, was not inten- tionally the founder of a new creed. The aim of his studies was merely a system of moral philosophy, that might put an end to the troubles and rebellions that, during his lifetime, distracted his country, and enable man to attain a greater degree of happiness in this world, by learning, in short, “ that useful science to be good.” The leading feature of his doctrine is filial piety and submission to parental authority. “ Under the five modes of punishment there are three thousand crimes, but the greatest of these is undutifulness to parents.” He worshipped the visible azure heavens. “ He that doeth good, heaven will reward him with good; but he that doeth evil, heaven will recompense him with evil.” But it is not clear that he had any definite know- ledge of the existence of a superior being beyond the heavens that he saw, and he always parried the questions put to him by his disciples concerning a future state. But as a moralist he was no ordinary man, and has influenced the habits of thought of HIS BIRTH. 119 more of his kind than any other uninspired authority. He stamped his character on his age and country; and at this day, after a lapse of more than two thousand years, a knowledge of such of his works as are extant may raise the son of a peasant to the highest civil rank under the sovereign, and has done so for many. Of doubtful legitimacy himself, the family of his father was amongst the most ancient and noble in China, tracing its origin and descent through a long series of kings and princes, from the Emperor Hoangte to Shuh-leangho, a magistrate of Shu-yih, who is said to have been of low stature, a bad figure, and severe temper; impatient of con- trol, and, when pretty far advanced in years and a widower, with nine daughters by his first wife, and a deformed son by a concubine, to have proposed himself to the chief of Yen as a suitor for one of his three daughters, and to have been accepted by the youngest Yeu-she, who in due time presented him with a son, named Kew, “ Mountain,” sur- named Chungne, who assumed the title of Kung-fu- tse. Latinised into Confucius. Other accounts say that his mother was only a concubine of Shuh- leang-ho. However that may be, his birth took place in the year 551 b.c., or the twenty-first year of the Emperor Ling-wang, on the 13th day of the eleventh moon of the forty-seventh year of the cycle, attended with extraordinary prodigies, all 120 CONFUCIUS. emblematic of his future greatness ; among the rest various marks were found on his body, and for the first and last time the mysterious animal the Keling appeared alive on earth; the recol- lection of which is preserved by a representation of it on the wall of every house inhabited by a mandarin. Having lost his father when only three years of age, he was left to the guardianship of an excellent mother, whose care he repaid with the utmost affection and reverence. His personal appearance was remarkable, his figure was gigantic, and his complexion of almost negro blackness; but the gravity and dignity of his deportment, and his calm and benevolent countenance commanded respect. The task of his education was not very burden- some to his mother, learning seemed to come to him as if by inspiration ; at school he soon left all rivalry behind, and at the age of seventeen had mastered whatever Chinese learning had then to op- pose him. At nineteen he married, and in due time had a son, whom he named Pih-yu from a present of carp sent him by the King of Loo ; at twenty he became inspector of pastures and flocks in his native province, an office that he held for two years, when, at the death of his mother, he set the example, since universally followed by his countrymen, of DIVORCES HIS WIFE. 121 giving up all government employment for the next three years after the death of a parent."^' This seems to have been the crowning period of the life of Confucius, and perhaps of Chinese history ; he retired to indulge his grief and respect for his mother, and to mature those plans of human improvement which he has left a time-honoured inheritance to his nation. But it must have been about this time also that occurred the one circumstance that in a Chinaman’s idea would leave a blot on his character. In a country where divorces are of rarer occurrence than even in our own, and, for any other reason than the single one of adultery, in the highest degree dis- creditable, he put away his wife, the mother of his only son, on the very insufficient plea that the married state interfered with his studies. One would almost be inclined to suppose, though I know of no positive authority for it, that the sage, as has been the case with some other great men, was not happy in his choice of a wife, and that his house * In the report of the Foundling Hospital at Shanghae, the secretary says, “ I, Tsinchin, have retired from office on account of my parent’s death.” And a better known illustration of the rule in the case of Wang, late secretary to the Imperial Commis- sioner Keying, Governor-general of the Leang-quang, or the pro- vinces of Quang-tung and Quang-see, who was last year recalled to Pekin to account for having held his office after the death of his mother without officially reporting it. 122 CONFUCIUS ENJOINS was a very unpliilosopliical establishment ; but, be that as it may, the three years of mourning were devoted to the study of music, ceremonies, arithmetic, writing, the use of arms, and the art of driving chariots and horses ; which, in his time, before the population had increased to such an enormous multitude, were not uncommon. At the age of thirty he resolved to devote the remainder of his life to philosophy, and to planning some oriental whole duty of man, a course which he pursued as steadily as the political commotions of the times would allow ; and, having attained a good old age, was gathered to his fathers in his native province of Loo, now part of Shangtung, where his posterity still reside and flourish. Divorces, however discountenanced by his countrymen, would seem to have been hereditary amongst his immediate de- scendants. Pih-you, his only son, died in his father’s lifetime, but not before he had put aside his wife, the mother of his son Tsye-Sye, who survived his father and grandfather to carry on the line, and in his turn followed their example in also divorcing his wife. The present direct hereditary representa- tive, by name Kung-King-Yung, holding, with the title of Y en-King-Kung, “ Most sacred Duke,” an hereditary pension paid by government, is the repre- sentative of the longest known pedigree in existence, and head of a family numbering 40,000 members. FILIAL PIETY. 123 The office of Woo-king-po-sje, in the Hanlin-yuen, or College of the Han-lin at Pekin, is also held by the descendants of Confucius and Mencius, and their most distinguished disciples. If we are to believe tradition, a few short records, carved in rude hieroglyphical characters on bamboo or metal, comprised the whole literature of his countrymen before his time; and Confucius gave them the four branches of philosophy, classics, politics, and history, in which the literary degrees are still conferred. The main root of his system is filial piety, of which he himself set so brilliant an example in the regard he always shewed for his mother. He taught that to cast away the remains of a parent, or consign them to the grave with little more ceremony than those of a mere animal, and to consider that as the last duty we owed them, was degrading to the dignity of man; but that by periodically repeating some act of homage to our ancestors at their tombs, or before some representa- tion of them at home, their memories would be cherished, and a glow of filial piety and affection would be kept alive to transmit to posterity; and the same practice being continued among them would, as it were, perpetuate our existence. This may be the reason why dying without male issue is regarded as such a calamity; and should the wife fail to produce a son, the law allows the substitution 124 CONFUCIUS. of one or more concubines to prevent the name becoming’ extinct in the male line. The transition from such homage to worship would be easy and natural, and the jwactice of it is now enforced by law; no excuse exempts any one ; the priests of Taow and Fuh, who are strictly forbidden, on pain of punishment, to perform other- wise the rites of the state religion; the Maliometan and the proselyte to Christianity are all enjoined, and readily comply with the injunction, to visit the graves of their immediate parents, and worship the manes of their ancestors, and repair the tombs. In the third month, at the period called Tshing- jMing-tse, every one repairs to the tombs to Tse- saou, sacrifice and weep, and offer sacrifice ; after which a piece of paper, Ya-chi, is fixed under a sod to bear witness that the ceremony has not been neglected. In autumn, during the eleventh month, the royal ceremony, Tung-tsee, takes place, when the officers of government assemble in the imperial hall, Wan-show-king, to make prostrations, I be- lieve, to the winter solstice. These two festivals are held in honour of Confucius, and upwards of 1560 temples are erected to his memory. It is cal- culated that on the two occasions there are sacri- ficed, every year, 6 bullocks, 27,000 pigs, 5800 sheep, 2800 deer, and 27,000 rabbits ; besides 27,000 pieces of silk that are burnt upon his altars. But HIS TEMPLES. 125 the patriarch may have influenced the belief of his countrymen in one particular, the effects of which may be in the womb of time ; in the sixth century, before our Saviour, he foretold that a prophet would arise in the west whom all would obey. Some have acknowledged him in Buddha, but others still look for his coming ; and it need be no great stretch of imagination to suppose that as the country be- comes more open to intercourse with foreigners, this prophecy may assist, as it may have done already, in gaining proselytes to one or other of the sects of Christianity. The temples of Confucius usually cover an enor- mous area; one establishment at Ningpo occupies about ten acres of land, laid out in ornamental temples of all sizes, triumphal entrances, fountains and tanks, and courts planted with trees, mostly yew. But, except on. occasion of a festival, these are rarely or never visited, and the grass grows in abundance through the interstices of the pavement. The only ornaments are carved beams and huge frames, containing maxims and sayings of the pa- triarch. I visited one in the city of Paou-shaw, “ the Hill of Avhite stags,” in Kiang-tsu ; having ob- tained permission from the chief magistrate, the Chi-Heen, who was a considerable time in finding the key, and when he found it, the lock was so rusty as almost to refuse us admittance. The in- 126 RELIGIOUS PROCESSION terior court, although paved with flag-stones, was as green as a meadow. A large hoard over the en- trance hears the name of the temple, before it stands a carved table hearing candlesticks, a bronze vase for incense, and some plates for fruit-ofierings. The festivals are occasions for some of the most beautiful processions I ever saw. I witnessed one in Amoy, at which were collected all the literati from an environ of upwards of thirty miles, each man carried a lantern in form of some production of the earth, or that of a bird, quadruped, or fish. The larger of them are the size of life, and drawn on wheels, they were made of a thin silk, beau- tifully painted and ornamented, and lighted up with candles inside. None under the rank of Seu-tsai (the first degree) could join ; all were in full dress; all walked, with the exception of man- darins in office, who were carried in sedan chairs, and every man, besides his lantern, carried some fruit, tree, fowl, or other offering ; they walked two and two, and in rear of each of the larger animals, such as elephants, buffaloes, &c., was a band. The whole was said to extend three miles. At mid- night a peal of cannon thundered from the walls, and the admiral (Shuy-tse-tetuh), the senior man- darin, stepping into his chair, gave the signal to advance, when, on the instant, a hundred of the most discordant bands of gongs and wind instru- AT AMOY. 127 ments struck up the most diabolical noise, and away went the procession. The city was illuminated with lanterns of every make and shape, the men were supposed to find places for themselves, while in front of each house were platforms for the ladies. It was as light as day, and every one, being well- dressed in silks and satins of the gayest colours, gave the whole scene an appearance of immense richness. The ladies of Amoy adorn their hair with innumerable flowers, which, with the variety of colour in their dress, added much to the general effect as the procession passed ; each house vied with its opposite neighbour in the number and beauty of its various lanterns and fireworks; the thunder of which latter were quite a relief to the hideous bellowings of the band. But everything went off with the utmost regularity and good- humour, and all the streets of the town were pa- raded until daylight put an end to the festival of the spring. Before I proceed to notice any other object of worship, it may not be out of place here to take a passing glance at another celebrated native of Shang-tung. Confucius had animadverted on the mal-administration of Mang-tsum, a native of Choo, and a magistrate of Chin, ancestor in the third or fourth generation to Meng-tse, or Mang- ko. Latinized into Mencius, who shed a lustre on 128 EDUCATION AND STUDIES. the period in which he flourished, second only, in the estimation of his countrymen, to that of the Patriarch. He was yet a child, when his father died and left him to the guardianship of his mother, Chang-she, who very soon discovered that the lead- ing feature in her boy’s character was a strong taste for mimicry. The widow, it appears, was not rich, but spared no pains in the care of her son’s edu- cation, and is often cited as a model of parental excellence. The house she occupied was near the shambles of a butcher; at the first cry of the animals the boy would rush to be present, and watch the whole process of the slaughter, and then return to his mother and give her a rehearsal of what he had seen, that did more credit to his his- trionic vein than was agreeable to her feelings. Fearing that, from the repeated sight of blood, the boy’s heart might be hardened, the widow shifted her residence, but the change was for the worse, as he very soon tried to amuse her by representing funerals, with the wailings and lamentation of the mourners at the tombs, as he witnessed them in the cemetery that adjoined her new abode. Lest he should learn to make a jest of what of all things is the most serious, the widow removed into the city, and was more fortunate in securing the better neighbourhood of a school, where he might harm- lessly indulge the natural bent of his humour, to 129 1 OF MENCIUS. Lis heart’s content. Hence arose the proverb, “ JMentze’s mother chose her neighbours.” Hav- ing received his education from Tsje-sye, the grand- son of Confucius, after an unsuccessful application for employment, under the King of Tse, he entered the service of Hwang-wang, King of Leang, or Wei, now part of Honan, but did not long continue with him. The political troubles of the time interfering with his studies, he returned to his native province, to compose the works that have immortalized his name, and conferred on him the titles of Shing, or Second Saint, (Confucius being the first,) and Holy Prince of the country of Tsou. He died in the earlier part of the fourth century before our Sa- viour. Of his marriage and immediate family I have no account to give ; but his descendants, at this day, share with that of Confucius the office of Woo-kin-po-sye, in the Hanlin College at Pekin. K 130 TAOUISM. CHAPTER VIII. TAOUISM. I Its Founder a Contemporary of Confucius. — His Followers not ' j numerous. — Temples. — Gods. — Priests. — Temple at Ningpo. — ■ Temple of Ancestral Remains. — Invitation to a Religious Cere- j ^ mony. — Description of it. Leaon Keaun, or Leaow-tse, the founder of the Taou, or sect of reason, was a contemporary of Confucius, hut his followers at the present clay are not numerous, and his doctrines nearly obsolete. What few temples there are remaining are sup- ported by a priesthood, dressed in flowing robes, i and differing from every other class in China, except the Meaou-tse, in their mode of arranging the hair, which is collected into a knot on the crown of the head, and not plaited into a queue, or tail. Their tenets are visionary and mysterious. The earlier proselytes, like hermits, sought solitude in deserts and caverns, and were little more or less than maniacs, believing in all sorts of nonsense, good and evil spirits, earthly immortality, and terrestrial TEMPLES. 131 paradises, more especially Kwan-liu, the seat of everything that Mas delightful, situated somewhere in the west, with its groves, grottoes, delicious fruits, and warbling of birds, where M'as to be sought the great pillar, on which the world rests, measuring three hundred thousand miles in height, and the fountain sparkling Avith the waters of life, one drop of which conferred immortality. Of the few re- maining temples, that at Ningpo, which I entered, contains, amongst its godhead, the deities of the cycle, sixty in number, one for each year. The chief ceremony performed, but which I had no opportunity of witnessing, is that of relieving the deity on the last day of the year. Besides these are the gods of fire, air, earth, and water, and the genii of the hills, rivers, thunder and lightning, &c. One struck me as very remarkable, it was a female figure, surrounded by small purses and pieces of silk, tied to every convenient part. She presided over conception and birth, and the tokens were not so much of regard to the goddess as to keep her in mind of the requests of the votaries. There is also a representation of the Kwan-lin, richly gilt, covering a whole wall with its different gods and genii. In another part are the household gods of hearing and sight, to whose care, in his absence, the prudent husband commends his wives and families. The one is painted of a furious red colour; his eyes, 132 TAOUISM. to which he points with his forefinger, are much j dilated, and the expression of his countenance is i most severe, conveying the intimation, that a fault, i committed in the sight of so austere a divinity, j would meet with no mercy. The other was painted ' green, of a very dark colour, almost black, with a j most attentive look; the forefinger of his right ; hand points to his ear, as much as to say, “ what- ever you say does not escape me.” ■ The gods are very numerous, but the priests are 1 few. Roaming about I entered an old room of very j large dimensions, with a most unwholesome damp smell : it appeared never to have been inhabited, yet pictures and small models of joss-houses, such j as are seen in most Chinese dwelling-houses, were > scattered all over the floor, together with some huge boxes and heavy shelves filled with the same. I opened several of the chests, but for the life of me could not even form a conjecture of the use of i these decayed articles, notwithstanding the vehe- ment ejaculations of a stout old priest, whose man- ner made me laugh at, and abuse him, alternately, as he went through the most extraordinary antics, and then shewed by the shrug of the shoulders that he had very little idea of what I was talking about. Some days afterwards I again strolled into the temple, and found the old fellow as civil as the memory of a former, and the hope of a fu- TEMPLE OF ANCESTRAL REMAINS. 133 ture douceur could make him. Immediately on seeing me he dragged me off, wondering where it all would end, to the same antique apartment, where to my great relief, I found an American mission- ary, who soon satisfied my curiosity by informing me that this was a temple of ancestral remains ; and these the household gods, images, and pictures of the deceased, whose families were extinct in that part of the country, and that here they would remain for ever or until perhaps the room became too full. An old comprador belonging to one of the opium vessels became of great service to all Europeans, whom business took to Woosung, by establishing himself on shore and opening a regular trade in every kind of marketable article. In a short time he was seized with a devout fit, and took it into his head, that, unless the gods were propitiated, his business could not thrive ; and accordingly in the dress of a mandarin, and wearing a gold button, a distinction he had about as much title to assume as I have, he called all round the shipping and gave a general invitation to his foreign friends to attend at the ceremony of a Chin-Chin joss. Two rows of lanterns faced the water and formed a double line to his house, which was illuminated and fitted up with as much splendour as carving, 134 TAOUISM. gilding, and silk hangings could give it, one por- tion was arranged as a joss-house, with as many altars as it could conveniently hold : the trees were ! illuminated. Opposite to one of the altars stood a tent with a band of boys dressed in yellow, with mandarins’ caps, and seated round a table, each ’ carrying a musical instrument and a book. As we entered, a book was handed to our host, M'ho [ made his selection of the performance. The leader commenced a kind of oratorio ; he would recite for ; some time, now and then addressing one or more of his band, and then suddenly seizing his instru- | ment, strike olF into a wild air, joined by the whole j company : at times after his oration, they would i all chant together, or some chant and others play, j This was renewed at intervals during the whole evening. About nine, the chief priest led our host and his principal wife into the house of prayer, at the door of which stood as guardians, two i painted paper deities, at least fourteen feet in height. The room was certainly well lighted, and had a very rich, though very fantastic appearance. On one side sat our hostess of the evening, to whom we were all formally introduced, with some dam- sels, her friends. On the other several Euro- peans most irreverently smoking cigars and drink- ing beer, brandy and M^ater, &c., at the worthy comprador’s expense ; while in the centre, sur- RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. 135 rounded by priests, the pious man himself knelt and performed the Kotow, to each of about twenty altars : having gone through this ceremony, his lady wife did the same, and then the priests amongst the din of gongs and bells. The ceremony was repeated three several nights, wfth only one va- riety, viz., that on each succeeding night, our host’s declared rib was not only much younger, but much better looking, a miracle which I have no doubt he would have attributed, if asked to account for it, to the mysteries of Taouism. I asked him whe- ther he was a Taouist, as he employed priests of that persuasion; his answer was in the Canton figurative mode of expression, “ Sing Song, all same pigeon,” meaning, “ Anything you please, all the same to me.” On the third night the large paper images were burnt with several sacrifices of meat-offerings ; and a message sent by our host to the genii of the world of spirits, soliciting the favour of a speedy for- tune and good success in his business. With that the ceremony closed; but it was evilly remarked that had it lasted a week, the old rascal had a fresh and younger wife for each night, and though they were debarred the honour of attending their lord and master at his devotions, yet they might console themselves that each day he shortened the per- formance, saved him a hundred dollars. These 136 TAOUISM. were as we speak of the wives of France, wives da \ pays, as the old gentleman had besides the subal- i terns of his matrimonial staff, a principal wife in his native province of Canton, another at the port of Amoy, another then with him at Woosung, and another in every port that he had ever touched at. BUDDHISM. 137 CHAPTER IX.- BUDDHISM. Origin of Buddhist Religion. — Legend of “ The Fragrant Hill.” — Story of the Tiger. — Miracle performed by Buddha. — Introduc- tion of Buddhism. — Beautiful situation of the Temples. — De- scription of Tien T’hung Joss-house. — Mode of Travelling. — Interior of a Monastery. — The Priests. — Their Ceremonies and Mode of Living. — Aqueducts. — Wild Hogs, — Civility of the Priests. — Origin of Tien T’hung. — Beautiful View from the Temple.^ — Plucking the Tea Leaf. — Grand Procession in Honour of Shinnung. The history of Buddha having been so often and so freely dilated upon by other authors, I shall merely give a few of the legends, illustrative of the introduction of the Buddhist religion, and proceed to describe some temples that I visited. In the reign of the Emperor Tsung-Ning, a.d. 1125, it is related that an old priest appeared to a Buddhist recluse, as he sat wrapped in contempla- tion, in his hall, in Teen Chuh, (either India or Cey- lon) and accosted him, saying, “Why sittest thou and thinkest thus to practise thy religion ? Soar for it above ; every good principle is from on high ; how 138 BUDDHISM. else canst thou arrive at universal love ? Study to serve Buddha and to imitate his glorious deeds, and thus have power over the wills of mankind.” “But how is this to be done?” said the Budd- hist. “ Seest thou not that the dwellers of these parts worship the blessed Kwan yin? make known to them her history, and thus reap your own happiness.” With these Avords, his mission was at an end, and he vanished. The Buddhist compiled the “ History of the Fragrant Hill,” and at its completion, the goddess ajipeared to him, borne on the clouds, of a pale gold colour, Avith a pitcher in one hand, and a Avillow in the other, and was seen by many. THE FRAGRANT HILL. The Emperor, Poo-kea, ruled over a most ex- tensive empire, his Avealth Avas prodigious, and his subjects adored him, his empress, a paragon of love- liness, was devotedly attached to him : one only cause of regret marred his otherAvise complete hap- piness, though already the father of tAvo lovely daughters, he had no son to succeed him. The em- press felt for his distress, and addressed herself to heaven, and a miraculous conception was vouchsafed to her by Buddha, Avho appeared to her in a dream, but of a third daughter Meaou-shin. The emperor was some time inconsolable, but at THE FRAGRANT HILL. 139 last hit upon the plan of marrying his daughters to great nobles of the court, and adopting as his heir, such one of his grand-children whose superior merit should warrant his choice. The eldest be- came the wife of a civil, the second, of a military mandarin; both of high rank and distinction. But nothing could prevail on JMeaou-shin, the offspring of the miraculous conception, to take to herself a husband : threats, persuasions, and ridicule alike failed, in spite of them all, she determined on re- tiring to a monastery, and devote her life to the ser- vice of Buddha. She had borne all the persecu- tions with the constancy of a martyr, but, being now free from them, in her new asylum, her humi- lity was exemplary, and the sister nuns Avere edified by the imperial novice assuming the office of scul- lion, and being so far approved of by Buddha, that he sent her down animals to help her, and a dragon to open the well, when she stooped so low as to be- come the drawer of water to the establishment. But however grateful to Buddha and admirable to the nuns, the emperor did not approve of it. The old gentleman thought what persuasions would not accomplish, force might, so he sent a file of soldiers to destroy the temple by fire, but in vain, Buddha sent a shower of water and shewed to the abashed instrument of human will, with whom they had to contend. The nunnery stood entire, but Meaou- 140 BUDDHISM. shin was carried off. The lady was in earnest, so was the father ; “ So opposite to marriage that she shunned The wealthy curled darlings of the nation j” and, to repel futnre advances most effectually, dis- figured her person. This expedient would seem to have succeeded, or, at least, was the feather that broke the back of the old gentleman’s patience, he gave orders for her execution, and the sentence was carried into effect, to the great grief of all nature and nations. A tiger, specially provided by Buddha, saved the trouble of a funeral, by carrying off the body to the woods, while the soul passed into the regions of de- parted spirits, but did not long remain there. The emperor, meanwhile, found himself troubled with an illness that baffled the skill of all his ]3hysicians even to relieve. In the midst of his agony, a Bud- dhist, and priest, gave him a gleam of hope, by re- commending a pilgrimage to a venerated saint in Heang Shang, in whom he found his daughter, Meaou-shin, who had been restored to life, and brought to that place, on the back of a tiger. Their differences were soon settled. The father was restored to health, and became a staunch suj)- porter of Buddhism ; and the daughter, after a long and glorious life, took her place as a saint in the azure heavens, to be worshipped as the Goddess, STORY OF THE TIGER. 141 Kwaii-yin. The story of the tiger is consistent with the ideas of the Chinese of the present day, as the following extract from the Hong Kong news- paper, may shew. In King-Yim, a village of Tsing-Yuen district, there is a man whose surname is Le, and name Himg-how, aged eighty years, who had always been diligent in business. In former days he supported his family by industry in farming. He has a son called Isae, who is not well educated, because his family is poor. This year, (1846,) on the twelfth day of the first month, his father went up into a rugged valley in the mountains, and having inad- vertently slipped his foot, fell down upon his knees. He could not walk, and unexpectedly a tiger came to him. Seeing the old man was lamenting and weeping without ceasing, the tiger took and put him on his back and carried the aged man to his home : as his son was coming out to see his father, the tiger went away. On the next day the thing was made known to the chief-magistrate of the district, and his son was invited to tell the ma- gistrate what had happened to his father ; and the ofiicers, knowing that the old man has a good heart and great virtue, and his son has a filial spirit and righteousness, rewarded them with twenty taels of silver, thereby to shew esteem for them, and to stimulate them to renewed exertion. 142 BUDDHISM. Shih-le-fang, with eighteen other Hoshang or priests of Fuh, i. e., “bright appearance,” or Buddha, came from Kea-chuh, (India or Ceylon,) the birth- place of that divinity, to the court of the Emperor, Che-wang-te, bringing with them representations of the San Fuh, or three Buddhas, and the princi- pal deities of these persuasions, embroidered in gold thread, on fine cloth. Their reception was not a welcome one, for the Emperor ordered them to be imprisoned ; but no sooner did Shih-le-fang and his fellow martyr find themselves in durance, than on their application to Buddha, a bright fire illumi- nated the skies, thunder and lightning shook the earth to its foundation, while Buddha himself, in form of an angel, appeared in the heavens; his colour w'as of gold, his stature fifteen cubits, and such was the awful brilliancy of his countenance that it blinded all beholders. The gates of the prison, of their own accord, unbound themselves, and liberated the captive priests. The jailors fled with the account of the whole affair to Che-wang- te, who fell down and worshijjped Buddha, and or- dered his priests to be escorted home to their own country, with great magnificence. The date of these proceedings is somewhat ob- scure ; the Emperor, Che-wang-te having taken into his head the eccentric idea of burning all INTRODUCTION OF BUDDHISM. 143 ' books, and so passing himself off for the first mon- arch of China, and founder of his dynasty, but the time supposed, is about 220 b.c. The original statue of Fuh, of enormous dimen- sions and pure gold, fell into the hands of the emperor Woo-te, as a trophy of war; by whom it was placed in the palace of sweet springs, and incense was ordered to be burned before it ; but from the loss of the books, the worship fell into desuetude, until about the time of the Christian Era, in the reign of Ching-te, a scholar recovered some books, manuscripts, and pictures, by means of which it was revived. Another account dates the intro- duction of Buddhism in the reign of Ming-te, a.d. 63, who reigned at Loyang in Honan. This em- peror originally professed Taouism, but his priests having promised and failed to procure him an inter- view with spirits, who, when called from the vasty deep, would not come, he began to doubt, when he had a vision of a colossal figure of a pale gold colour, Avith a ray of glory round his head, flying to him through the air. His wise men pronounced this to be the prophet of the west, foretold by Confucius, and readily induced the emperor to send an officer named Wang-Sung with two ministers, Tsae-Quan and Tsin-King, into the west to inquire into and report upon the doctrines of Fuh. The ambassadors 144 BUDDHISM. proceeded as far as Thibet where they prevailed upon Shih-Mo-Tang, a Shaman or priest of Fuh, to return with them. He brought with him representations of the deity embroidered in gold on fine Indian cloth, together with many of the sacred books of his creed, which were escorted into Loyang, the capital, with great magnificence. From this time Buddhism would seem to have been established in the country, though now and then severely persecuted. There is scarcely a spot of real natural beauty that is not ornamented by a pagoda or other Buddhist temple. A natural grotto, let its access be ever so difficult, is enlarged and altered into a receptacle for idols. One at Amoy, called the White Stag, is singularly beautiful, fi’om the pecu- liarity of its situation and novel contrivance. It stands near the summit of some lofty crags. In a bed of huge rocks is built the main temple, while its dependencies are, many of them, natural excava- tions ; others, chambers formed by the vacant spaces between the rounded and detached pieces of granite. Many of the idols are carved out of the solid rock ; in one instance nature has left one immense stone surmountingly balanced on another like the rocking stone. A solid stair-case winds round the lower, encompassing the top of which is a stone railing, while the space between the two is sufficient to DESCRIPTION OF JOSS-HOUSE. 145 admit of stone chairs and tables, which are placed Lere and there all round. Splendid overhanging- terraces filled with exotics, are reached by spiral stairs hewn from the solid rock. A few melancholy looking priests are the sole tenants of this romantic spot. Of all the joss-houses I have visited, that of Tien T’hung in the province of Che-Kiang is the most beautiful and extensive. In a recess formed by two mountains at the close of the fertile valley of Teaow-Pih, the road, which had hitherto been a flagged pathway, expands into a broad avenue extending about a mile, with lofty trees on each side, adorned at intervals each with a handsome ornamental summer-house. Passing over a well supplied water-course, the thrilling noise whereof is increased by a fall immediately under, from a height of about thirty feet into a large artificial basin below, at a sharp turning the astonished traveller comes suddenly on one of the most romantic scenes I ever witnessed. There is a majesty about the first appearance of the mo- nastery seldom seen in China. Immediately in the rear are high topping hills, which appear to rise almost perpendicularly, covered with a magnificent forest. In front is a huge tank filled with the elegant lotus plant, reflecting in its calm waters the huge building. Facing the temple is a small seven- L 146 BUDDHISM. storied stone pagoda, on each side of which are , three lofty urns. The forest closes the area around an immense parallelogram, two thirds of which form the site of the joss-house; while the rest is occupied by the | tank, round which is a broad flagged pavement; all i traces of the road are lost, an extraordinary echo ' catches the veriest whisper, while the report of . a gun would appear never to leave the ravine. Through the woods in all directions are foot-paths commanding every variety of scenery. A few steps ' conduct from very plain to highly ornamented par- terres, then through a sudden opening between the trees may be seen a barren sterile plain farther on, the side of a hill teeming with the richest crop of corn, taking an almost perpendicular descent into some fairy -like bosquet of bamboos. Birds of beau- tiful plumage and the most silvery notes abound, and increase, and multiply, safe in the vicinity of the abodes of men, one of the tenets of whose religion is, “Thou shalt not kill.” Tien T’hung is situated about twenty miles from the city of Ningpo ; the trip from whence is one of great interest. A canal conveys the visitor about fif- teen miles ; when, disembarking at the village of i Sheaou-Pih, a well-paved road leads to the mo- nastery. In leaving the Ta-hea river, the boat, which is BRIDGES. 147 peculiarly built for canal service, is drawn by cap- stans over an inclined plane when reaching a height about four feet above high water mark, she is launched into the canal : the crew consists of two men, one skulls, Avhile the other either poles or tracks. The country through which the canal passes is richly cultivated with rice and a variety of vege- tables, with here and there a large village, joss, or farm house, in the distance ; the villages along the banks are frequent and striking, but the most elegant structures are the bridges, which are nume- rous, and no two of them alike either in shape or make; of two, perhaps in sight of each other, the one will rise by steps to a height of thirty or forty feet over one arch, the other may consist of three or four enormous beams of granite laid straight across on supporters on either bank. About some of them there are good carvings, and each is orna- mented with a post, on which is a highly coloured lantern in the centre. Every here and there are monuments to comme- morate the dead, and some to record the benevolent and other good actions of magistrates, under whose government agriculture or manufacture more than usually flourished, or the building or repairs of a city or temple in the neighbourhood ; and sometimes in honour of a more prudent mother, who, like the mother of Mencius, had from her care and attention 148 BUDDHISM. to her offspring, acquired a sufficient notoriety to be deemed a good example to them, and worthy of public record. These monuments consist of tAvo uprights of granite, or other stone, their higher ends joined by flags of elegantly-carved marble or stone, which bear the inscription. They may fre- quently cross a road. All boats in the canal, to prevent confusion, proceed on the left side going to, right returning from, Sheaou-Pih, a small village through which there is considerable traffic, being on the high road to Ningpo-Fu; all goods destined for which city are shipped there, and transported by canal. Here w^e quitted our boats, and for the remaining five miles, as the road was very steep, we engaged some of the mountain sedans — a very simple kind of vehicle, consisting merely of two long poles, from which are strung two bars, one to sit upon, the other to rest the feet. Immediately on leaving this village a gradual rise for about two miles, through a country covered with dwarf oak, fern, and azalias of every variety, brought us to a small rest-house, through which the road runs, and immediately to the left of which stands a high seven-storied pagoda, apparently of great an- tiquity ; this marks the boundary of the rich and extensive domain of the monastery. In the rear the city of Ningpo appears in the embrace of the distant hills. The fertile valley, intersected with I MOUNTAIN SEDANS, PROVINCE OF SHEAOU-PIH. I canals and the Ta-liea river, resembles a beautiful j garden; while beyond, the vale of Teaou-pib, and its mountain stream, divides the attention and in- vites the traveller’s descent. In the centre is a : village of the same name, an emporium for teas which grow on the neighbouring hills, and are j transported from hence to the city. During a stay of a fortnight at the monastery, we found a good market of fish, flesh, and fowl here. Except being much larger in actual build, the joss- house is like most others, I shall, therefore, give the following cursory account of it. On entering are the colossal statues of the four kings of heaven, about forty feet in height, of dried clay beautifully painted ; their appearance is very striking ; the two MONASTERY. 149 150 BUDDHISM. on each side are divided from each other by a stone i pillar, round which a dragon is carved in high re- lief ; and what struck me as very remarkable, they all bore on their breasts red crosses, such as one might imagine to have been the badge of the old knights in the time of the crusades ; they are all in a sitting position on the right side ; the first is black in the face, with chain-armour and a draMm sword in his right hand ; opposite to him is one of a light complexion, also with chain-armour but no sword, a green dragon coils round his left arm ; both the above wear belts clasped with a lion’s : head, and would appear to be gods of war. The | attributes of the remaining two seem of more peaceable nature, both are of light complexion, and instead of chain-armour their breasts are gilt, but they wear the same red cross ; their belts are clasped by two fishes ; the one on the right side is playing on a musical instrument like a guitar, that on the left bears an umbrella in his right hand ; at their feet are some figures the size of life, dressed as peasants, to shew the contrast between the inha- bitants of this and the other world. These occupy the two sides of the entrance, while in the centre is a small model temple, in which, facing the en- trance, is a stout globular joss in a sedentary posi- tion, M'ith a rosary of nine beads in his hand, whose jolly countenance and laughing open mouth give INTERIOR OF MONASTERY. 151 him a very Bacchanalian expression. Behind him, facing the other direction, is a warrior in gilt armour, supporting himself by a richly carved staff ; his helmet is adorned with plumes, while so excel- lent is the carving that his different dresses, such as martial cloak, armour, under-suit, and coat, are all perceptible. A huge drum and moderately large bell finish the paraphernalia of the religious furniture of this temple. In this place lounged and slept our palankeen and luggage bearers, who seemed more bent on the excitement of cards and dominoes, than awed by solemnity of the place ; a quadrangle ending in a flight of steps reaches the second temple, in which are the images of the San-paow-fuh, or three pre- cious Buddhas, in colossal statues about fourteen feet high, each seated on a lotus flower, their names are (from right to left) Shah-kea-mow-ne-fuh, Joo- lae-fuh, and Me-to-fuh. These are highly gilt ; at the back of each head is an enormous metal mirror to represent the halo of glory, while above a huge rich canopy, of magnificent caiwing and gilt, reaches the ceiling. These three figures are in the centre of the temple facing the door, paying homage to whom, and in attitude of prayer, in richly painted dresses, are, one on each side, two figures of men nine or ten feet high; they face a carved table. 152 BUDDHISM. bearing a small model of a temple, an incense burner, two vases, and several candlesticks : above bangs a magnificent lantern ; under the table are bronze vessels and small drums, used in the devo- tions by the priest ; on the left is a drum nine feet in diameter, on the right a bell six feet high, both are slung six feet from the ground. In front of the door outside stands an enormous metal vase for the ashes of burnt offerings ; on it are several inscriptions, one of which certifies that the devout of the cities of Shaou-hing-fuh, Tae- chow-fub, Ningpo-fiih, Ting-hae-heen, and Chin- liae-heen presented it to the monastery ; it stands seven feet high on a tripod, and bears the date of the Emperor Sun-che, a.d. 1644. At the back of the San-paow-fuh, and facing the other entrance, is a highly executed image of the goddess Kwan-yin ; she is represented seated on a lotus flower on the back of a horse with clawed feet ; she is surround- ed with angels in attitude of worship, floating about the azure heavens ; above is a crimson canopy, while below is a representation of the entrance of the infernal regions, guarded by a furious demon. The whole is highly coloured, and forms a tableau of about forty feet in height and twenty broad. In front is a table, on which stands a bronze figure, with innumerable arms, and on each side is a lan- tern. The three Buddhas and their attendant dei- INTERIOR OF MONASTERY. 153 ties stand back to back to the goddess Kwan-yin and her satellites, flanking which are the big drum and bell ; and these fill the centre shrine, on each side of which, at equal distances, are nine of the eighteen Lohan, or spirits, who guard the souls of the departed. In front of each deity throughout the temples, are invariably three small basins, one filled with water, one with rice, and the third with vegetables ; these are shifted daily. On the ground in front of each is a cassock, exactly resembling those seen in a country church in England, w^hile be- fore the Triads are some forty or fifty of them. At the end of another quadrangle another flight of steps conducts to another temple, in the centre of which, on a raised platform, surrounded by a carved rail- ing, is a high-backed chair, and before it a small table. The only articles of furniture hanging to the roof are several tablets with inscriptions in gold character. This is the prior’s tribunal, and the seat only to be occupied by the Tae-ho-shang, or high priest, and now a days by him seldom more than on the single occasion of his inauguration. These three form the principal temples, and are each of the same size. The roofs are lofty and supported by huge pillars, some five feet in diameter ; these are built, trenailed alternately at right angles and hoop- ed. These rooms must be each about eighty feet in length, fifty in height, and sixty in breadth. 154 BUDDHISM. They are lighted by lofty windows, some of oiled paper, others of oyster shell ; and under a roof, that projected for some distance, is about six feet depth of open work. The roofs are highly ornamented with huge dragons, fish, &c., in porcelain, while from each angle hangs a small metal bell. The clapper con- sists of two cross sheets of metal, so thin as to catch every breath of wind and keep up a constant chime ; the colours of the walls are universally red without and white within, while the otherwise ungilt and painted parts of idols, pillars, &;c., is in- variably of the former colour. Innumerable lanterns and candles are used every night. Again at the back of these is the dwelling-house of the Tae- Hoshang, a large building moderately well fur- nished. These three temples form the centre range, and are divided by a paved way on each side from another range of buildings. That to the right con- sists of innumerable smaller temjdes, cells for the priests, library of monastic books and printing-press, gardens, and a two-storied pagoda, in which is the large bell, ten feet in diameter, covered with in- scriptions ; it has no clapper, but like all large bells in China, is struck by swinging a heavy log of wood slung for the purpose: while on the left are the houses of the superiors of the monastery, the refec- THE PRIESTS. 155 tory, kitchen, and houses for the reception of stran- gers. A deep gully, crossed by several bamboo bridges, separates the offices and farm ; among the former are the bath-rooms, both hot and cold, well supplied with water, store-houses of rice, paddy, or rice in the husk, wood, seeds, Ac. ; in the latter a good supply of water, buffaloes for the ploughing, thrashing, grinding, and other agricultural machines and implements. The priesthood of Tien T’hung might be about two hundred and fifty, one-fifth of whom are in- variably travelling as mendicants into all parts of the empire, and frequently beyond it. On their travels it is said they do not always preserve the purities of the Buddhist rule, as the following by no means singular edict may shew. “ Ching-tsoo-lo and his colleagues have reported respecting the seizure of a swindler, noted for se- veral years past, and have oflered the result of their deliberations as to his punishment. This is a case of a Buddhist priest, Shing-Lang of Shang- hang, in the department of Ting-chow, in Full- Keen, who has been guilty of illicit intercourse with married and unmarried women : of sharing in the profits of theft and plunder : of extort- ing ransoms from persons under threats of de- priving them of sight : of involving and trou- bling many by falsehood and lies, with nume- 156 BUDDHISM. rous other transgressions of the laws. The ma- gistrate of the said department, having of his own accord apprehended him, and brought him to trial : let all demerits marked against the said magistrate, on account of negligence, be remitted. Respect this.” There is a resident medical man in every mo- nastery, the rest of the priests of the establish- ment are employed as agriculturists and domestic 1 servants, leaving about sixty to officiate as priests. ; The duty of these latter, after making good the ' appearance of the josses, consists in three daily religious exercises, each prior to the morning, noon, j and evening meal. There is a Tae-Hoshang, or | high priest, and two sub-priors, the rest are in two grades. Their heads are shorn, and their dress consists of flowing robes of a French grey colour. The Tae-Hoshang wears a red sash from the right shoulder to the left waist, as also the sub-priors : the highest of the two grades is distinguished by a yellow sash clasped in the right hand. The three superiors wear very ecclesiastical-looking hats, the rest are uncovered. These priests are mostly the most illiterate men in China ; few can either read or write, and from habit are almost idiots : they chant the ten thousand names of Buddha, and get by rote the Indian works in the Pali language, written in the Chinese character, but untranslated ; CEREMONIES. 157 and tliey in reality know little or nothing- about the mysteries of their religion. To the sound of gong, bell, and drum, they assemble in the hall of the three precious Buddhas, and each assumes his place at a cassock, disposed at equal distances, on each side a larger one for the prior facing the triad ; the sub-priors are on each side of the table, one with a bronze vase and stick, another has a small bell and hand-drum : as soon as the high priest has taken his place, the bell is beaten three times three times, and the whole being performed an equal number of times, chant- ino’ then commences; and now first those on the left of the high priest, Ko-tow, then those on the right, then all together : this continues for about half ail hour to the varied tune of drum and bell, and beating on the bronze vase ; when, still chant- ing, the high priest leads off those to the left, one of the priors those to the right, and they pass up and down, across, in and out, and back again to their respective cassocks. A short chant more ends the performance ; a chance pilgrim, a fo- reigner, and a few, whom curiosity might have drawn, are the only congregation, if such a motley crew deserves that name. During this service can- dles and incense are burnt before each of the deities. This ceremony is repeated three times a day, at cock-crow, noon, and sunset, and appears to be 158 BUDDHISM. the Avhole duty of the mob of the priesthood; attending visitors round the joss-houses, arranging their offerings, (See. is imposed on a few. The people can scarcely be said to attend at the regular service in the joss-houses at anytime. Pilgrims, however, arrive from the most distant provinces, and perform their own devotions, which consist in burning candles and incense before the particular god, making offerings of all kinds, re- peating a prayer and performing Ko-tow ; after wdiich there is a kind of lottery of fate between the devotee and the idol : the devotee generally wins. There are two modes of settling this affair ; one is by the direction of the fall of two pieces of wood, round on one side and flat on the other, to which the initiated have a key, the other by placing some hundred of small slips of bamboo in a conical shaped wooden vessel, each of Avhich is marked, and to each is a corresponding fortune. The in- quirer, after making his oblations, shakes the ves- sel in so peculiar a manner, that one only of the slips fall to the ground ; but in either case, if he be not satisfied, he tries again until better luck turns up. Ladies assemble in the village joss-houses, to talk scandal and shew off their finery, as on such occasions they are arrayed in “ furs, and silks, and jewels sheen.” 1 CEREMONIES. 159 It is the custom for these pilgrims, besides gh’ing a pecuniary fee, to present some article of ornament or dress, either to the joss or honse, which former are, as may be supposed, magnifi- cently arrayed. In every temple of note are some valuable josses of gold, silver, jade or bronze ; and these are generally in glass-cases in the private apartments of the Tae-Hoshang ; the large figures are mostly of clay, and these of six feet and less of wood. Immediately after prayers is the meal, and from the temple all proceed to the refectory, a large apartment seventy feet long by thirty broad, across which are long tables and stools for the priests. In the centre facing a niche, holding an idol, is the table and high chair of the prior : one side of each large table is occupied so that all face the supe- rior ; opposite to each priest on the other side of the tables, are arranged two basins and a pair of chop- sticks. No sooner are they seated than a basin of rice is presented by a novice to the superior, who pronounces a blessing, and returns a few grains on a pair of chop-sticks, which are taken by the same novice to a small stone altar, and reverently de- posited there. As soon as the ceremony is per- formed, servants enter laden with large tubs of either rice or vegetables, and continue filling the basins until they are replaced on the opposite 160 BUDDHISM. side of the table empty, Avith the chop-sticks laid across them, the sign of having had enough. After the prior has said grace, all leave the apart- ment. Rice is the chief commodity of food : salted ve- getables of all kinds are used more as a relish ; al- though the prior goes through the form of feed- ing with the priests — it must not be believed that he lives in that way. He invited a party, of whom I was one, to dine, and gave us as good a dinner as a Chinese could. There was no meat, but soups and meat imitations made of vegetables and gra- vies, &c. To supply the enormous quantities of rice at times required, besides common sized pans for boil- ing, there is one Avith a furnace underneath, Avhich across the rim is seven feet six in diameter, and holds fourteen piculs of grain. It bears the date and name of the Emperor of Tsung-Chung, 1640. The granaries AA^ere well stocked, and dried vege- tables were in great profusion. Not by any means the least curious part are the aqueducts, made of bamboo, running in all di- rections through every temple and passage, and con- veying the most delicious and cool water; their length altogether would measure some miles. One day we received a visit from the prior, who requested some powder and shot to destroy the CIVILITY OF THE PRIESTS. 161 wild hogs which he said eat his bamboo-shoots; on expressing a wish to be shewn the neighbour- hood of these marauders, he himself walked about three miles at midnight with the party, who, though they heard several, failed in getting a shot at them. Nothing could exceed the civility of the priests, from the superior downward. We hired a com- fortable and well-furnished suite of apartments, sufficient to lodge our party, consisting of four, for a rupee a day, with convenience for cooking, &c. Any thing we required from the village market, they would willingly procure for us, and, excepting a little very natural curiosity, we could find fault with nothing. The priests are certainly dirty in their persons. Washing I believe to be a matter of duty in summer, but wholly neglected in winter, and consequently, they are almost all sufferers from cutaneous diseases. The origin of the establishment of Tien-tung, like most places, and of men of note in China, is lost in the depth of antiquity. According to the Abbot, about two thousand years ago, a member of the Taouist persuasion built himself a hermitage on the present site. He was a devout, religious man, and in great favour with the gods, who, in return for his zeal, granted him, at his request, an unprecedented power in the art of healing. Such was the fame of M 162 BUDDHISM. the Doctor of Reason, that people flocked to his hermitage from all parts of the empire. The gift descended, by heavenly grant, into the hands of his disciples, who, in the course of years, becoming more enlightened, worshipped the azure heavens, under the doctrine of the sublime Fiih, when a medicinal power was given to the waters of the valley. The hermitage gradually increased, from time to time, from the munificent grants of land, and donations of money, by emperors, princes, and the people, until in the reign of Tsung Ching, the last Em- peror of the Chinese dynasty, it had assumed its present size, a.d. 1640. Each emperor of the Ta Tsing, or Tartar dynasty, has enriched the godhead, and has either a tablet or vase erected in the temple, to commemorate his liberality. The situation chosen for the temple can scarcely be equalled in point of beauty of surrounding scenery: from the summit of the hill, at the back, you look down, with a bird’s-eye view, into the spacious courts below ; to the east are innumerable beauti- ful islands, whose very summits are covered with the verdure of agriculture. Among these, are the famed island of Chusan, and the Silver Island, the supposed retreat of the defeated mandarins, during the late war ; Nimrod’s Sound, studded with its thousands of islets, abounding in pheasant, wood- cocks, hares, deer, ducks, geese, swan, curlew, and THE TEA-TREE. 168 other water-fowl, lies immediately below, to the southward; so called from her majesty’s ship, Nim- rod, in an early part of the war, having’ surveyed it. Looking north, can just be seen the mouth of the great bay of Hang Chow, whose tide is so extreme- ly strong as to have altered the determination of the heads of the late expedition, and saved the city of Hang Chow Fu, after the fall of Chapoo, the sea-port. In this direction heaven and earth ap- pear to meet in the Blue Mountains, whose distance otherwise ends the scene. Winding in serpentine form the Ta Hea appears, studded with towns, cities, and villages ; that of Chin Hae, crowned with its ci- tadel, the most conspicuous; while the means of com- munication through the splendid plain of Ningpo are supplied by the numerous canals, ornamented in all directions with boats. On the west, the view is closed by the high hills, which stand beyond the elegant lakes of Tong-u, studded with its small is- lands, about seven miles from the monastery. In every picturesque nook is seen, in all directions, a Buddhist temple, or pagoda. The hills abound in tea- plants. The teas grown here are hyson, hyson-skin, and twankey. The tea-tree stands from three to four feet high, generally on the southern side of the hill. In May the females throw a white handkerchief over their heads, and, surmounting that with a straw hat, ornamented with flowers and glass beads. 164 BUDDHISM. with bamboo baskets in their hands, sally out in- parties to pluck the leaf. When it is all culled, the moisture is extracted by pressing it heavily, back- wards and forwards, on a table, made of strips of the bamboo ; from this it is laid on mats, and dried for several days in the sun. Prior to bringing to market, it is fired, i. e. placed, in a large pan, over a wood fire, and thus rendered perfectly dry; it is then assorted, and, according to its quality, sold from twenty to seventy dollars a picul, (120 lbs.) I bought some fifty catty, at 140 cash a catty, which I had assisted some well disposed and proper Chinese girls to pick and dry. This tea would have cost me double the money had I bought it in the town of Ningj^o, and that too after it had been rendered unwholesome, by the ridiculous process of firing it on a copper plate, covered with verdigris, to give it a higher green colour. One afternoon, sauntering from the monastery, I, all of a sudden, came upon a splendid pro- cession, that was making a tour of the valley, in honour of Shinnung, the divine husbandman and presiding deity of the mysteries of agriculture and medicine. Crossing the road, almost at the end of the avenue, was a temporary erection over a table, groaning under a weight of pigs, goats, ducks, fowls, &c., roasted whole, and other offerings to the deity. GRAND PROCESSION. 165 Every person between this and the procession was in chains and liandcuifs, undergoing a voluntary penance, and, never turning their backs, knelt and ko-towed, again and again, until they reached the offerings, when, to the amount of hundreds, they all placed themselves on the opposite side to the pro- cession, and ko-towed nine times nine. These were the sick, and those who had been so lately, and had vowed, if they recovered, to worship the divine doctor, at his next appearance. The order of the procession was as follows : first, the cards or boards, bearing the honorary titles of the god, hung with lanterns, as also was every article in the procession. Bands of trumpets, gongs, drums, in sedans, highly ornamented, were here and there interspersed, and in the commencement, and near the end, was a huge lantern dragon, not less than forty feet long, supported by eight bearers, who, when the proces- sion halted, so frisked it about as to give it the resemblance of life. In a painted red car, filled with exotics, and carried by eight men, was seated a handsomely dressed youth ; on his left hand, sup- ported by a splint beneath the dress, stood a magni- ficently dressed young girl, balancing herself by two wands. In the youth’s right hand was a wand, with which he attracted the eye of his female friend, and, by keeping his hand steady, assisted her in her balance. Great must have been the pain suffered 166 BUDDHISM. by these two young people, for, immediately on halting, a man from tlie bystanders rushed in with long crutches and relieved the girl therewith, while another sprinkled their faces with water, to keep them from fainting. A well-dressed person, in the garb of a mandarin, walked on each side the car, and in its rear a servant carried the crimson umbrella of state. These youths were of the vil- lage, and it was considered a great honour to be chosen, beauty giving the preference. Youths car- rying banners, followed by servants bearing crimson umbrellas, while others, dressed as horsemen, on imitation lantern horses, were followed by labourers, carrying as offerings, imitations (as lanterns) of the fruits of the soil. Shopmen bearing teas and other dried herbs and fruits, as offerings ; youths bearing banners, literati with tabards, inscribed with the wisdom of Kung-foo-tse ; executioners of the deity, with instruments of torture, used in the in- fernal regions ; youths bearing banners ; while at the last came a large image of the god himself, dressed in the imperial (yellow) dress of satin, on its head a golden crown, the face of a high ver- milion colour; it was borne in a sedan-chair, by twelve bearers, and attended by all the parapher- nalia of a mandarin of the first rank. This pro- cession was thoroughly of the Confucius school, and only gazed upon by the priests of Fu, in the pre- GRAND PROCESSION. 167 cincts of whose domains it was enacted. At twelve at night, amid the firing of cannon, and with the noise of gongs and hideous music, it again made the tour of the valley, this time illuminated by thousands of lanterns. 168 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. CHAPTER X. THE ISLE OF POO-TO. Number of Priests and Temples. — Visit of the Dutch. — Extent of the Island. — Famine from Dearth of Water in the Chusan Group of Islands. — Two Wooden Deities bring Rain. — Origin of the name Poo-to. — Scenery of the Island. — Large Temple. — Mausoleum. — The Tae Hoshang. — Smaller Temples. — Suicide’s Leap. — Productions. — Water Buffaloes. — Description of Kung Shang. — Its Library. — Nunneries. The island of Poo-to, near Chusan, is said to contain six or seven hundred Buddhist priests, under whose charge are three hundred temples of all sizes ; of these, three are of the largest size, about six of a second, some fifty of a third, while the remainder dwindle into mere natural grottoes, or artificial excavations of the solid rock. The whole establishment was founded in the Leang dynasty, A.D. 550, to record the mercies of the gracious Kwang-Yin, who is said to have honoured this island with a visit. Among the stories of old times of the island, one relates that in 1666, the fifth year of Kang-He, some red-haired men (Dutch) profaned the island, and carried away some of the EXTENT OF THE ISLAND. 169 idols of Buddha; wdth these they proceeded to Japan, and, by means of trade, gained two hundred thousand pieces of gold. But on their return home the ship spontaneously caught fire, and all were consumed or drowned in the ocean, — an instance of the avenging power of Fuh. This island, one of the Chusan group, is of a sterile craggy nature, about twelve miles in cir- cumference, being about five long and about one and a half broad. All the temples have a southerly aspect, and are sheltered by high perpendicular hills from the north- east monsoon. It has one decided advantage over the neighbouring islands in being replete with mountain springs, whose waters are drawn by means of bamboo aqueducts into large reservoirs or tanks. In the summer of 1846, when, from the dearth of rain, a famine spread over the Chusan group, the crops in Poo-to alone flourished. In the city of Ting-Hae, the capital of Chusan, the people, the soldiers, the mandarins, all joined in processions, prostrations, and oblations to all the gods in the calendar, praying incessantly for rain. Their prayers, hitherto unheeded, were only accepted (or seemed to be) on the appearance of two wooden deities, supposed to preside over the springs of heaven and earth ; which, at the solicitation of the high general and imperial commissioner, Heen- 170 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. Leano-, (whose presence was required to receive hack for liis sovereign the till then occupied island,) were allowed by the good priests of Poo-to to be carried with great pomp, firing of guns, beating of gongs, cymbals, and other martial instruments, from their long occupied and exalted position, and were received, on landing at Ting-Hae, by nine mandarins, kneeling and bowing their heads, to the admiration of the countless soldiery and peasantry. Scarcely had these idols left their sanctified niches, when, from the sea, gradually rolled one of those thick mists so peculiar to an insular po- sition. The sacred images themselves, dressed in gaudy satin robes, were soon drenched with rain, and before they left the island not one of the re- tinue had a dry rag on. Their voyage was prosperous, rounding the point of Sin-cu-Moon, a south-east wind took them into Chusan with the first of the rain. Great was the joy, and strong the belief of the islanders, who did not consider that, from the lowering state of the atmosphere for some days past, rain was ine- vitable, but only remembered that the blessing had been sought for at the shrine of these idols, and by them granted. A shock of an earthquake was felt on the same night. The name of Poo-to is a corruption of Fuh-too, one of the names of Buddha. Besides the temples, ORIGIN OF THE NAME POO-TO. 171 there are a few dwellings belonging to the laity of the place ; some keep small shops and sell to the pilgrims the incense candles, and other articles of oblation, together with hijoux and pictures of the island. Landing in a small bay, to the north-west, the scene is very picturesque ; on the left, on an over- hanging cliff, is a blue-coloured temple, some of the apartments of which, like the nest of the sea- bird, appear to be merely hanging from the rocks; a winding step-road approaches it. The bay is generally well filled with large trading-boats, which transport hence a considerable part of the pro- ductions of the island, and with the pilgrims and priests produce a very lively appearance. Round this bay is a well-built stone wharf, at the right extremity of which is a very fine triumphal gate- way of carved and painted wood. Peeping through the dense foliage, on the side of the hill, are fronts or gables of several joss-houses. Passing the ar- tificial gateway, the road is beautiful, high hedges on either side, replete with sweet-scented and gaudy flowers, such as the jessamine, sweetbriar, rose, orange-flower, azalias of every colour, magnolias, and pomegranates, blossom-flowers in high per- fection ; on either hand are open arches through which may be seen inviting lanes leading to tem- ples in the various ravines. Passing through 172 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. some of these lanes, a winding stair, cut through the heart of the granite, leads to caverns orna- mented with deities hewn from the solid stone, and through which purling streams meander into the vales below ; a pavilion, with seats for the way- farer, crowns the highest point of this road. Look- ing back, countless islands seem almost to cover the vast expanse of water, and nothing can ex- ceed the novelty of the view ; all around, wherever possible, every inch of ground is cultivated, and amid crags, in almost inaccessible parts of the va- rious hills, seem to hang grotesquely shaped edifices. Passing down into a charming valley, on the right- hand side is a monument inscribed with the Pali characters, and a translation of them in Chinese, in the Seal character; under it is an altar like a tomb hewn out of the solid rock, and hollowed for the burning of incense. At the foot of the hill you pass under a magnificent pile of perpen- dicular and longitudinal granite beams of stupend- ous size, and view the principal temple which, with its attendant pavilions, occupies about ten acres of ground, leading through an open pavilion containing a marble tablet on the back of a huge tortoise ; a flat stone causeway, or bridge, on the middle of which is another open pavilion, reaches the central porch of the joss-house, this causeway stands in contrast to a handsome single-arched bridge on LARGE TEMPLE. 173 the right, (the arch of which is about three-quarters of a circle,) and the two divide an extensive tank into three parts, that to the right is filled with the sacred lotus plants, whose flowers of crimson and white, add much to the general beauty of the scene. This temple, like that of Tien-Tung, is dedicated to the Triad Fuh and the goddess Kwan-Yin, and, with slight exceptions, is generally similar. The tiling is of a bright yellow colour, shewing that it is imperially endowed, and the high priest said that the Emperors Sun-Che and Kea-King, of the pre- sent dynasty, had sent presents of money and silks to the temples of this holy isle, and that most of the princes of the Ming dynasty, and especially the last of that race, Tsung-Ching, had done the same. Pilgrims from all parts of China visit it in the spring ; and its refectories, together with the plump appearance of its priests, bear ample testimony of their liberality. Looking from the arched bridge on the right stands an immense monumental pile, of three stories in height, the old mausoleum of the establishment. Back from this, in a hidden ravine, is the new mauso- leum, a huge structure of stone, built square with three surmounting towers one over the other, in use for the same purpose. In front is a marble table, and at the back an arched bridge joins a thick wall, which, at the height 174 THE ISLE OF POO~TO. ANCIENT MONUMENT, CONTAINING THE ASHES OP A DECEASED PRIEST. i of ten feet, runs round three sides. On this is a ; rampai’t gained on each side by a staircase. On 1 the right and left side of the mausoleum are stone doors, through the walls of six feet in thickness they cast the burnt ashes of the dead priests into the abyss within. The object of the bridge in the j rear, is, that when the interior be filled to the doors at the side, this may be available to reach a higher one at the back. The whole is about a hundred feet square, and reached by a flight of stone steps from the path : the mausoleum is about forty feet high. THE TAE HOSHANG. 175 Near this spot was one of the most valuable but small joss-houses, now in ruins. The whole of its deities were of bronze metal, but from the pilferings of some Englishmen, I am ashamed to say, the priests found it necessary to remove these valuables to a safer position. Leaving the large temple the road passes through a small village, unblest by woman, whose appearance on this island, except for the devout purpose of of- fering to the gods, is prohibited, and the prohibition strictly enforced. “ Thou shalt not marry,” is one of the principal doctrines observed by the Buddhist priesthood. Passing this village the most cultivated part of the island is entered. The hedges again com- mence, and on either side are fine gateways, opening to view long vistas of green lanes. Flowers and trees, by their engaging position, invited the way- farer to visit the hidden treasures within, consisting, in some far back position gained by ascending ter- races, of the gardens of a joss-house, half-temple, half-farm : inhabited by a mixed crew of priests and laymen. From this point the road, stretching to the south-east, winds round a splendid sandy bay into which the surf rolls with much force and loud sound. At the eastern extremity stands the second grand temple, partly hidden by a magnificent park of lofty trees. It is entered through a green tiled pavilion, in the upper story of which lives a bonze, a man 176 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. about forty years of age, whose office is to inces- ! santly strike a small hand-drum, repeating at the same time the names of every saint in the Buddhist calendar. His dress was filthy and in rags, and his long matted hair was bound round the temples by a brass band. From generally sitting with his legs crossed they had become so contracted as to cause him to waddle with difficulty when he wanted to shift his position. At the back of seven temples, divided each by a paved court, and dedicated to ^ some presiding deity, in an elevated position stood the dwelling of the Tae Hoshang. He was a young man of very respectable appear- , ance, with his house very neatly furnished : in one ■ room he had the most valuable josses, of gold and | jade stone, in glass cases, the door of their recess j was locked with five iron locks. He had many ' books, and among them a translation of the Bible, and a history of the world in Chinese, printed at New York, one map of the world shewed the track outward and homeward of a ship which had circum- navigated the globe, rounding the Cape of Good Hope, i touching at Chusan, and returning via Cape Horn ; another was illustrated by the animal productions of ' each kingdom ; another represented the heavenly bodies, these appeared as much thumbed and filled : with written comments, &c., as the Bible appeared ! free from them. In his complacency he even offered THE ISLE OF POO-TO. 177 me the sacred volume, Avliich I declined, stating that I already possessed one, and hoped that he might at some future day profit by the doctrines therein taught. He smiled, as much as to say, I ’ll take time to think about it. This temple was un- dergoing repairs, having fallen into much decay. ANCIENT TEMPLE AT POO-TO. Behind the temple the road ascends a ladder-hill, about fifteen hundred feet high ; half way up is the residence of a hermit, whose nest of filth almost for- bids the hope of a slight rest to the weary traveller. He and the bonze are somewhat similar in dress and appearance, and both natives of Nankin. More of them I know not, except that he continually called on “ Omiedo Fuh !” a name of Buddha. Arrived at the summit, the fine road again, through 178 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. beautiful lanes branching to smaller temples, leads to the third of the large joss-houses. It is similar in many respects to most of the others, except that in one room I counted seventy-nine different deities all in good order, and gilt, besides which the joss- house contained the usual number, together with a tablet hall, in which are written, for a small sum, the virtues of a deceased relative. In this joss-house I lived for ten days in the month of August, and notwithstanding its being the hottest month in the north, found it delightfully cool ; each day the morn- ing shone out fine and clear, while just as the day would be getting unpleasantly hot in rolled from the sea a heavy mist. Above this on the highest point of the island is a small hermitage, with a single joss-house. De- scend where you will from this, caverns, carved rocks, and farm-temples, everywhere meet the eye ; should a heavy crag otherwise baulk the scene, it is rendered picturesque by cutting there on either deities themselves, or inscriptions in honour of them. On a high jutting rock forming a beautiful but unsafe little harbour, on the south side of the island, stands one of the second-rate temples. Here, after some days’ search for a perforated rock, (described as being in so enticing a position as to invite the discontented with this world of woe, who believe THE SUICIDE'S LEAP. 179 in transmigration, to launch themselves into the foaming tide beneath — it had attained the name of the Suicide’s Leap,) I was dawdling along one evening, when of a sudden a tremendous roar drew mj attention at a moment, and a bamboo bar caught me by the middle and nearly tumbled me over. It was the bar of the Suicide’s Leap : and immediately underneath, at a depth of a hundred feet, foamed the advancing surge. The rock being perforated, it forced its way for several hundred yards into a sub-marine channel that is dry at low water. The productions of this island are sweet potatoes, rice, and vegetables of all kinds, also arrowroot and water melons. Water buffaloes are used for the plough : of these I may relate the following anecdote, which occurred to me on this island. Walking one day with a lieutenant, R.N., and a major of the company’s service, where we thought it not unlikely that we might come across some of these creatures, I warned my companions, that, if we did meet any, I should vote discretion the better part of valour, pocket my dignity, and trust to my heels, a plan which my naval friend most cordially approved of, — not so the gallant 7nili~ taire. “ Nonsense, turn tail to a buffalo, catch me at it ! faced hundreds in India, and not going to “ run now” — and he kept his word, whether he would 180 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. or not. We had both double-barrelled guns ; but the major had an umbrella and some tracts, trans- lated into Chinese, which a pious lady of Ningpo had requested him to distribute among the priests of Poo-to. A sharp turn into a farm-yard brought the lieutenant and me most unexpectedly into very disagreeably close quarters with a huge brute and two calves. The major was a little behind ; scarcely had we got into a place of safety, my friend on the wall, and myself on a bean-stack, shouting all the time to give him warning, when he reached the door, just at the moment that the frightened buffalo, eyes shut, head down, at full speed, was making his exit : up went the major, umbrella, hat, spectacles, tracts, and all, and descended into the soft embraces of the moist run- nings from a dung-heap, while the animal pro- fited by the opportunity to run off more fright- ened than the vanquished major. This animal has a most unaccountable antipathy to foreigners ; under command of a native urchin, whose directions it follows, it was quiet as need be, but in sight of a foreigner it becomes furious, and will, if escape be difficult, attack most resolutely. But the finest sanctuary of Buddhism is the King- Shang, or “ golden isle,” not inaptly named, and lying in the Yang-tse-Kiang river, about forty miles below Nankin, which I had not time, I re- 181 LIBRARY OF “THE GOLDEN-ISLE.” gret to say, thoroughly to examine. It consists of a single rock rising out of the water, of about half a mile in circumference, much resembling the prints of, for I never saw the original, St. Michael’s Mount. Here was formerly the summer residence of the emperors, when Nankin was the capital ; it is splendidly adorned with a pagoda, like the cele- brated tower of Nankin, except that it is of seven instead of nine stories in height ,• the picturesque and beautiful buildings that once formed the pa- lace are much decayed; but there are still mag- nificent tombs raised to the memory of the mem- bers of royalty who have died here. It swarms with joss-houses and Buddhist priests, but has not a single female inhabitant ; in fact, it is an establishment something like that of Mafra near Lisbon, at once a palace, temple, and monastery combined, but deserted by its royalty. The most remarkable and valuable part of it I did not see, which was the library — we were tread- ing on unknown ground, and the contents of it, which we alone of all nations might have made lawful prize, were by us left behind : it was the largest and most valuable library of books in the empire, and contained amongst other things, a most unique collection of European engravings, pre- sented by the earlier missionaries, long out of print, which would have been invaluable. I still 182 THE ISLE OF POO-TO. think, but do not know that I dare say more, the whole will some day or other turn up in Europe, though unfortunately not in London. Nunneries are not uncommon — there is one at Shanghae ; the ladies are from their birth dedi- cated to the service of Buddha, and brought up as priestesses. One advantage they gain by it is, avoiding the tortures of having their feet cramped ; their hair is shaved, and the dress much resem- bles that of a male priest : and celibacy, ostensibly at least, is required. The interior of this establish- ment is much the same as a monastery, but the exterior is distinguished by being painted yellow — the royal colour. CHRISTIANITY. 183 CHAPTER XI. CHRISTIANITY. Few Converts to Christianity. — Plan adopted by Roman Catholics. — The success of Protestant Missions Advantages of the Jesuits over the Protestants. — Anecdotes of Missionaries. — Andre, a Corean Roman Catholic Priest. — His Account of his Travels. — Domestic Tragedy at Pekin. — Sect of the Devils. Of Christianity in China I am afraid I cannot give a very satisfactory account; as for a real native Christian, I do not suppose one exists in the em- pire, the converts all adhere to the worship of their ancestors, and partial success has attended the preaching of the Roman Catholics alone, who can- not overcome this rooted obedience to the leading precept of the Confucian system. The plan adopted by these worthy fathers is to enter the country thoroughly prepared ; they acquire the language at some outpost, together with a knowledge of medi- cine, or other art that may be turned to good ac- count; and having let their hair grow into a tail, d la Chinoise, and left European habits behind them, they take ship aud enter the country as common sailors or fishermen, and devote themselves to gain- 184 CHRISTIANITY. ing the confidence of the natives. The extent of i their success I am ignorant of, but the following extract from the Chinese Repository, June, 1846, will shew that they are not idle. “ Apostolic Vicariate, Fu-kien. This province is assigned to the Spanish dominicaiis. Bishop Carpena is vicar-apostolic, and there are, in connection with the mission, one coadjutor, five European priests, and nine native, and more than forty thousand members.” I wish I could say as much for the success of the Church of England mission, but at Koo-lung-su (Kin- lang-Shuy, meaning “ gold cold water,” or the island of the golden springs), where I was for upwards of a year, the only two Protestant converts that I could hear of, were suspected of running off with the com- munion plate. And yet we read and are expected to believe such precious romances as the following ; — “ W e have had rather a long season of rain ; when it intermits, as it has to-day, many come over from Amoy. It is at such times especially that our situation appears favourable for a mission. It com- bines the advantages enjoyed by Paul at Ephe- sus and Rome. We need not go to the school of one Tyrannus, but can dispute daily with multitudes who come to our own hired house.” But the Jesuit possesses great advantages over the Protestant. Amongst bells, candles, incense, chanting, flowing robes, and celibacy of the priest- hood, the Buddhist and Catholic are equally at PAUCITY OF PROTESTANT CHURCHES. 185 home. And the Church of England does not tolerate the worship of ancestors ; but blame must attach somewhere for the paucity of churches, one at Macao and a mat-shed at Hong Kong comprised all that I could hear of. The Dissenters are bet- ter provided with buildings, but are equally un- successful at conversion. And yet there are many hard-working and zealous men, both English and American, in the Protestant missions ; and perfect toleration is granted to all other sects of Chris- tianity in the five ports equally, as the edict some- what naively remarks, with the worshipers of images. But the subjects of the following anecdotes are lamentable exceptions to the general rule. On the occasion of the death of an oflficer of her ma- jesty’s service at Chusan, in reply to a military sur- geon who had asked an English missionary why he did not attend the hospitals to administer the con- solations of religion to the sick, the amateur apostle who, no doubt, flattered himself he was not like the publicans, said, — “ Soldiers and sailors are so very bad, it is of no use, I never like to go near them.” Not so at Koo-lung-su thought Monsieur Barrentin, a Jesuit, I believe, and I mention his name without apology to him, and will contrast his conduct with that of an American missionary who, as there was no clergyman of the Church of England on the spot, undertook the cure of souls of an English regiment, at a salary of 250/. per annum, paid 186 CHRISTIANITY. weekly by our government; his duty was church service once a week, and attendance on the sick, and, in short, the usual duties of a chaplain. An unfortunate young soldier was in hospital in a state of madness from delirium tremens caused by drinking. A few hours before his death he came to his senses, and hearing that the surgeon had given him over, begged that a clergyman might be sent for. The clergyman was sent for, and came — as far as the foot of the staircase — when, hearing what the case was, the holy man merely gasped “ Delirium tremens ! ” in a tone of pious horror, turned upon his heel and went his way. Father Barren tin was in hospital at the time visiting some Catholic patients belonging to the regiment (the offi- cers told me he attends most assiduously to his duty, and gratuitously, inasmuch as it forms no part of his regular mission ; and though his stipend, under the Bishop of Macao, is only ninety dollars per annum, yet upon that he lives, and declines all offers of further payment). He had seen the dying man, when told that there was no hope of his ob- taining the consolations of religion as prescribed by his own church. At the soldier’s own request, com- municated to him through the hospital attendant, the good father administered to him the last offices of the Roman Catholic Church, in communion with which I need hardly say the poor man died. ANDREI’S TRAVELS. 187 Some of the natives, although only partial con- verts, have sealed their faith with their blood. When at Shanghae I met with a Corean of noble birth, and by profession a Roman Catholic priest, who gave me the following particulars of himself. He said that when very young he had been taken away from his country to be educated at Macao, where he received the baptismal name of Andre, and was brought up as a Catholic. His father, grandfather, and great grandfather, had all died for that religion. After completing his education he was landed from a junk at Ningpo to find his way from thence to his own country on foot, a distance of at least fourteen hundred miles. He passed through Pekin at a time when popular feeling was much excited by the death of a daughter of the emperor by his lawful wife. His majesty had two daughters of the same age, one by the empress, the other by a Manchou concubine, of whom he was very fond. As they grew up the latter was pressed more into his notice than the legitimate child, of whom the jealous concubine never failed to speak ill when an opportunity presented itself. The daughter of the empress was said to have been clever, amiable, and beautiful ; and at a family inspection of their respective performances, the artful concubine sub- stituted as her own daughter’s the productions of her niece, in writing, composing, needlework, Ac., 188 CHRISTIANITY. and by the most ingenious malice had so worked upon the emperor’s humour, who was enraged at the meanness of what had been presented to him as the work of his lawful daughter, that when the latter knelt to him to crave his blessing, he kicked her so violently that she died. The bereaved empress soon discovered the cheat, and the concubine and her daughter were banished. Such was the domes- tic tragedy that Andre said he heard at Pekin. It is but proper to add that this was only hearsay of the good priest, but that the Chinese universally speak of their emperor with affection, as a benevo- lent and most fatherly man. From thence he travelled northwards towards Tartary, and arrived on foot at the frontier, cold, hungry, and disheartened, in the depth of winter ; he roamed about for several days to escape the vigilance of the guards, by whom he was frequently chased, until one night, although he knew it to be certain death, he lay down in the snow and was soon asleep, but he was awakened by a mysterious voice, saying, “ Andre, arise and follow ! ” He arose and followed, he knew not how, but when he came to his senses he found himself beyond the frontier, and safe in Corea. His religion has met with many persecutions there, all the French missionaries had been either driven out of the country or murdered, and more than once he had witnessed a partial mas- THE SECT OF DEVILS. 189 sacre of his flock, and had himself been hunted down by dogs. He described his country as being tributary to China, which it resembles on a poorer scale, the emperor pretty well dictating to the king of it as he pleases. In writing on foreign inter- course during the last war, the Son of Heaven di- rected that barbarian ships might be driven from the coast, and on no account should a foreigner be permitted to land. “ Let one land, and, like rats in a granary, they will increase and multiply, and de- vour your very substance. In voracity they are dogs, and in habits, pigs.” The government is ob- noxious to the people, and the strongest anxiety prevails for foreign trade. The productions are metals, coal, grain, silk, cotton, and most of the productions of China, though in less profusion, and the silk by no means so good. Their paper is of very fine manufacture in large sheets, much larger and superior to Chinese. The dress much the same except that sandals of leather are worn as shoes, and the hair is collected into a knot at the top of the head, and ornamented with wooden knobs, on which a hat is fitted with an enormous brim, and a crown about eight inches in height. The religion, in general, is the same as Chinese, but he mentioned, with great respect, and as if he really believed what he was talking about, one sect, called — The Devils, — initiation into which, is by 190 CHRISTIANITY. going at midnight into a certain wood, and invoking and defying his Satanic Majesty, which of course much provokes him, and he is only kept from attacking you by your keeping your presence of mind, and reading for an hour out of a certain book, with which it is necessary to be provided, when Beelzebub is beat, and voting you as good a devil as himself, gives you a ticket to that effect, as a certificate to shew to your friends. The reason of his again quitting his country, was to meet a French Bishop, lately appointed, and to save him the trouble of a land journey. For this purpose, he had brought a junk not unlike a Chinese vessel in shape, but entirely destitute of paint and made of wood, joined together with wooden fastenings, without a particle of iron or metal of any kind, in its composition. A good chart, a compass, an English quadrant, and French tables, formed the sum of his astronomical utensils, and a few old matchlocks and pistols his protection. Being aware of the prohibition of trade between Corea and Shanghae, he managed to lose his masts off the Yang-tse-kiang and was brought into port in tow of a Chinese junk, when he entered himself both at the Hae-kwan’s and the British Consul’s office, as a Portuguese, on pretence that he was a subject of Portugal, from living so many years at Macao. He always wore his Corean dress, a hat of fine ANDRE’S DEPARTURE. 191 bamboo framework, covered with black gauze, and a long flowing white robe: his crew consisted of nine men in all, and he performed divine service every morning and evening for them on board. What with the singularity of his dress and appearance, and the construction of his vessel, he excited a greater degree of curiosity among the Chinese, than I had even witnessed on the arrival of an English vessel, and never stirred on land without an immense crowd following him. He dined with us once or twice on board, and we found him a clever, agree- able, well-informed man, with a fund of anecdotes, and very good manner. He spoke French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Corean, with a small smattering of Japanese, and had travelled all over China, Manchou, and Mongul. On his leaving for Corea, he presented me with his hat, which might have passed the Corean, safer than the English cus- tom-house, where it must have met with an admirer, and in consequence, I have not seen it since. The Bishop arriving, the junk started, but meet- ing adverse winds, put back into Woosung, whence she again sailed, and I am sure, with the good wishes of all who had known poor Andre. The last I heard of him was a report, though afterwards contradicted, of his junk having been cast ashore on the Shang-tung province, and only one man saved. A MILITARY MANDARIN. CHAPTER XII. MILITAEY, British and Chinese Troops compared. — Chinese Military Maxims : disregarded. — Want of Discipline.^ — Expresses and Posts. — ! Protection of the Frontier. — Emigration. — Barracks. — Soldiers’ Arms bad. — Ordnance. — Soldiers’ Dress. — Fight ill in a body. — Military Mandarins. — Intercepted Government De- spatch. — Division of Troops into Tartar and Chinese. — At- ' tempted Intercourse with the Mandarins during the War. — ; Mr. Thom’s Narrative of its ill Success. i In looking at a Chinese army it seems astonish- ing that the small handful of emaciated British ; troops, with the few Indian regiments under Lord i Gough, could have escaped utter annihilation. The i Chinese coolie can lift and carry a heavier weight i than a British soldier, and is often larger than our i MILITARY MAXIMS. 193 life-guards-men, and the Tartar, from his northern birth and education, is stronger still, though not of such large build. But the discipline is wanting. Their military maxims are often beautiful in theory; take for instance, “ The army may be one hundred years unemployed, but not a single day unprepared,” and their articles of war and some of their military laws, which I have taken the liberty of transcribing from Sir George Staunton, in order to comment upon them, are such as, if judiciously enforced, ought to insure a formidable army. Art. 1. “In the day of battle press forward bravely; whoever, through fear, saves his life shall be decapitated, and his head exposed as a warning. To kill an enemy shall be rewarded as a meritorious act. If a soldier is killed, his family are compas- sionated. The coward, ^. e., the conquered, cannot live : if he rushes forward it is not certain that he dies, but if he draws back, it is impossible that he can live. Let the officers inculcate this principle on the men, that they may doubtless be brave, and killing the thieves, their enemies, meritoriously distinguish themselves.” The policy of this article is, to say the least, questionable ; and lamentable effects of it were seen at Chang-keang-foo, which was defended solely by Tartars, whose ancestors had, two hundred years before, put the finishing stroke to the conquest o 194 MILITARY. of China, by a most brilliant exploit in that very place. It was then one of the largest cities in the country, and, in its own province of Kiang-tsu, second only in importance to Nankin, the capital. The Tartars crossed the Yang-tse-kiang, on the ice, and took tlie city by a coup de main. The first Emperor of the Manchou dynasty, gave it them as a prize, and in their hands it had since remained, subject entirely to Tartar laws and customs. The original natives inhabited the suburbs which grew up round it, and became their servants. In the first watch a curfew tolled for the close of the gates, when all Chinese had to leave the walled city, which was essentially Tartar, and of all places, threatened the greatest resistance to a foreign foe. But the city walls were deserted, or nearly so, and the greater part of the garrison as they retreated from street to street, made but a slight defence, while not a few preferred suicide, some, perhaps, from a high but mistaken sense of honour, which forbade them flying or falling alive into the ene- mies’ hands, others from a dread of the hard fate which awaited them at the hands of their own countrymen, if they survived the capture of their posts. It is strange that men should shrink from meeting their enemies and dying honourably in defence of their country, and should prefer ignominiously em- MILITARY MAXIMS. 195 plojing in their own destruction the very hands that pro\ndence has given them to defend, and not take their own lives. Yet the Tartar general can scarcely be called a coward, who, surrounded by a weeping family, refused to fly, and having caused a pile of his furniture and ancestral pictures to be raised under him, coolly awaited the decisive report of his city being in the hands of the enemy, when he gave orders to his secretary to fire the pile, and, surrounded by his wives and family, met his death with the utmost composure. The secretary was taken prisoner, and, wdien on board H. M. S. Corn- wallis, several times attempted to commit suicide, but was prevented : he was released on his promise to carry a letter from Lord Palmerston to the Em- peror’s ministers, at Pekin, but after his landing we heard no more of him. How much better would it be for the generals, when all is lost but honour, to succour their defeated troops, and by a judicious retreat, preserve the gal- lant remnant of a disciplined army, than by a wanton act forced upon them deprive their men of a leader, and set a most injudicious example? Had Sir John Moore been a Chinese general, and survived Corunna, his glorious retreat might have forfeited his life and reputation. Art. 2. “On entering into battle, powder and arrows are not to be expended at a distance, but 196 MILITARY. reserved for the exact moment of efficacy. To waste them before the time arrives, is like tying one’s hands and waiting to he killed.” In passing the Yang-tse-kiang, at a place after- wards named Cape Disappointment, from our hav- ing expected a glorious action, which ended in smoke, a tremendous cannonade from a fort si- tuated at the foot of a high hill, was observed and heard on board the headmost vessels of the fleet, at a distance of from a mile and a half to two miles a-head, the recochets of the balls were observ- able in a direct line across the river, at right angles to us who were ascending the river, the head of the squadron was disposed as follows: — Modeste and Phlegethon a-head, sounding, Cornwallis, toAved by the Vixen, followed. As soon as the probable strength of the Barker was ascertained Sir W. Parker made signal to the Modeste to proceed and engage the battery; as she advanced she continu- ally crowded sail until nearly abreast of the bat- tery, which was still firing, when one pipe reduced the canvass to topsails, and a whole broadside, well directed, was poured in, and that was sufficient. The sides of the hill were immediately covered with the enemy, retreating, and the boats’ crews of the Modeste spiked and destroyed the guns. In less than half an hour we had anchored and went ashore for a stroll without let or hindrance. MILITARY MAXIMS. 197 Art. 3. “ The utmost pains must be taken to preserve their arms in good order and keep their ammunition dry.” Let a man be as careful as he may, the cartouche- boxes are of so inferior an order, that a shower of rain would render a Chinese army, who depended on their fire-arms only, totally inefficient. It is strange that so ingenious a people should not long ago have remedied this; but, from the length of peace they have enjoyed, the implements and art of war may not have been much studied. The Chinese soldier has no bayonet nor manoeuvres with the matchlock on parade, as the European, nor in time of peace does he mount guard with arms, hence, except at reviews, the fire-arms are un- touched. Art. 4. “ When an officer is wounded or taken, the men shall make the utmost efforts to carry him off or rescue him, if they neglect to do so, and defeat ensues, the guilty men shall be decapitated.” As far as my experience goes, this article is a dead letter, the officers being generally those whose lives were forfeited by a retreat. They, by their personal valour have done something to uphold the dignity of the nation. Mate (now Lieutenant) Hodgson, of the Cornwallis, had two hand-to-hand engagements with mandarins, at Sye-ke, he kill- ed his antagonists, but no attempt was made to 198 MILITARY, rescue either them or Quan, the Admiral, who fell at the Bogues. At Woosang, nearly all the rank and file fled, leaving their guns to be worked by the superior mandarins, the chief of whom fell at his post, and I have often seen his effigy as a dei- j fied hero in the temple of the tea-gardens at Shang- ; hae, in the dress and boots which were the insignia ^ of his office during life, his widow was allowed to | write, or have written, the biography of her lord, ' and his children were ennobled and rewarded, and j every possible honour paid to his memory. ! Art. 5. “ Soldiers must not quit the pursuit of a ! flying foe for plunder.” I cannot authenticate an instance of their quitting J a flying foe for plunder, but in the late war the ! authorities often acknowledged that their own O I soldiers plundered more than their enemies, and ! the protection of the barbarians against natives was often, especially at Shang-Kiang-Fu, sought , for and accorded. Art. 6. “ The utmost vigilance and silence is re- quired of men on duty at any pass or post. On I obtaining any information they must depute able ' men to communicate it speedily and secretly.” On the night before the taking of Woosung, such was the din of gongs and howling, and the light j established by each Chinese soldier carrying a ' lighted lantern, that, guided by them, the captains ; MILITARY MAXIMS. 199 of our surveying vessels not only sounded the entrance and the line of battering positions, but also marked by anchored buoys, the positions for the several ships as they were taken up on the following morning. Art. 7. “All plundering to be severely punished.” Note, article 5. Art. 8. “ The soldier who bravely kills one enemy shall be rewarded ; but he who is detected in lying pretexts about his own merits, or who by false tales usurps the merits of others as his own, shall be decapitated.” In an attempt to force a letter on the authorities of Amoy from Lord Palmerston to the Emperor’s ministers, a Chinese soldier fired an arrow, which so nearly hit JMr. Thom, who was doing duty as interpreter in a boat of H.M.S. Blonde, that I have heard him say he bowed just in time to allow it to graze him and pass on ; as he did not re- sume his original position, the soldier who shot it was recommended to the Emperor for having killed the barbarian eye, for which he was gazetted a man- darin at considerable length in the King Chow, i. e., “Pekin Gazette.” In the course of events, the conference in the Meaou Sin, at Nankin, called the heroes of both countries to an amicable dinner, at which the guests were waited on by mandarins. This very mandarin, the slayer of the barbarian eye. 200 MILITARY, was admitted into the inner chamber, and as for- tune would have it, stood behind the very man’s chair for whose death he had been raised from the ranks, and retained his title after the mistake was discovered. Art. 9. “ The horses and camels belonging to the army must be treated with affection and kind- ness, and good water and provender provided for them. Should they stray at night, let them be forthwith sought for and brought to the wells in regular succession, so that the water may not be fouled by their being permitted to strive against one another in crowds. Neglect of this duty must be severely punished.” With the exception of a few saddle-horses of the mandarins, I never saw either cavalry or camels, though both, I believe, are to be found in the north. Art. 10. “ While encamped, the patrols must be vigilant, and particularly so at night. None must be permitted to walk about without cause. In the tents, especially, care must be taken against fire. On any alarm none must act hurriedly or with levity. Secret orders must be carefully obeyed, and not allowed to transpire from one another.” At the night attack on Ningpo, thousands of Chinese fell from every soldier carrying a lantern. As soon as the gate-guards had been reinforced, the WANT OF DISCIPLINE. 201 Chinese were repulsed, and directed by the light of their own lanterns, each musket and field-piece ball took effect on them. It is the custom of every man, woman, and child, be he who he may, to carry a lantern after dark. The other military regulations are as much disre- garded as the above articles of war. In short, in a Chinese camp of the present day, there is little or no discipline. This should not be the case where merit alone (at least so say the edicts) can make a military mandarin, all alike rising from the ranks. I have given these few examples from the events of the late war, but am not of opinion that such a state of things will always exist, or that the Chinese in future will prove a contemptible enemy. Two hundred years of almost uninterrupted peace may have relaxed their discipline, but from the care that, at the time of my departure, was being bestowed on the repairs of fortifications, embodying regiments, drilling recruits, the size and strength of the men, and the enormous popu- lation to draft from, I am inclined to think that a few years of active hostilities would teach them the art of war, and enable them on land to defy in- vasion by any power in Europe. Under the head of military laws may be mentioned the following: — Protection of the palace, the person of the Emperor, and his apartments, together with those of his em- 202 MILITARY. press, the empress-mother, and grandmother. Tres- ! passing on the imperial privacy is punished with death. Military forces, except in great emergency, ' cannot be called out without the sanction of the Emperor, and every movement must be reported | to the commander-in-chief, by him to the military ^ board, and by them to the Emperor. (I shall pre- | sently show that the Emperor may be very ill j informed of what is going on.) Betrayal of trust, | including defeat, severely punished according to | rank. The regulations of the nocturnal police are | to be observed in all cities and fortifications of the empire, and no person, except on public business, or on urgent private affairs, shall move about in them from twelve minutes past nine p.m. to twelve : minutes past 5 a.m., during which time the gates are shut. This does not apply to foreigners at Shanghae, where the word Fan-kwei was to open sesame. Expresses and posts are solely for the conveyance of public despatches. Three hundred Le (three to a mile) is the journey of a day and 1 night, and if exceeded by an hour and half, twenty blows are the penalty, and ten more for every additional hour, until they amount to fifty. The distance between Canton and Pekin (twelve hundred ^ English miles) is accomplished in twelve days ; but Pekin gazettes take thirty, and officers are allowed | ninety days for the journey. EMIGRATION. 203 Protection of the frontier is under military sur- veillance. No person is allowed to pass without a licence, under a penalty of blows. Passports must not be granted to exiles or natives. Nor must those who are properly furnished with a licence be unnecessarily detained. Persons seeking to carry inventions out of, or introducing themselves into, or plotting the means of removing themselves out of the country, shall be beheaded; and more effectually to prohibit intercourse with foreigners by sea, the law forbids the building on or inhabiting the small islands along the coast. This latter enactment is not much observed. Emigration goes on to a great extent ; the straits islands, with Luconia and Borneo, are filled with Chinese labourers ; some find their way as far as St. Helena and Rio Janeiro. In Canton a few are to be met with whose education has been partly gone through in England or America. No difficulty seems to be in the way of their return. Many having- amassed money return home to marry, as the women are very infrequent companions of their travels. The islands on the coast, instead of being barren and deserted, are highly cultivated and thickly peopled. Their inhabitants would be invaluable for the cultivation of our W est Indian Islands ; inasmuch as they are indefatigable labonrers, inured to a hot climate, willing to emigrate, and work at 204 MILITARY. a very low rate of wages. At the same time this emigration ought to be under very strict surveillance. I knew a case of a man on his death-bed confessing that he had come over to Hong Kong for the purpose of decoying the natives away, and embarking them for the Brazils, and there selling them as slaves. A Chinese barracks is always a conspicuous object. In front of a low white-walled house, sur- mounted with dragon-roofs, stand two poles bearing the banners of the mandarin in command ; a red ball, surmounting a half moon, is painted between every two windows, of which there are generally three on each side of the door. To the left of the building, in front, is a look-out station, like a sentry-box on stilts, and to the left of that again are three small chimneys for watch-fires. Besides marking a military station, these chimneys are in line at visible distances from each other along the whole length of the coast, for the purpose of con- veying intelligence of an attack. IMatchlocks were introduced into the Chinese army in the reign of Kea-Tsing, of the Ming dynasty, a.d. 1520. The Chinese soldier labours under every disadvantage, his arms are bad, the matchlock is of the rudest kind, and not brought up in a line with the eye as an English musket ; the powder is of the coarsest brand, and loose. Each DISGRACE OF A TARTAR GENERAL. 205 soldier, besides his cartouch-box, is provided with a measure with wdiich he loads his piece. The lances are of the roughest order, being simply a pike placed on the head of a piece of bamboo. The bow might have been considered a superior weapon of its kind in the early part of the Ta-tsing dynasty, but decidedly not fitted for modern warfare. It is very difficult to string the processes by placing one end between the ankles, bringing the other over the back, and slipping the string on in front ; the value depends on the number of catties (one pound and a quarter) required to draw it to a bend sufllcient for stringing, which varies from one to two hundred catties. A Tartar general, at Chusan, before the war, petitioned the emperor to abolish the use of bows and arrows, and substitute the matchlock, as a more efficient weapon. An edict appeared in the Pekin Gazette, to the following effect. “ Ignorant fool that you are, know you not, that, for the last 200 years, our army has been placed on the firmest basis of military power, and would you now that I should alter it ? Had a Chinese petitioned me, I should have treated his ignorance with the contempt it would have deserved. But for you, a Tartar, I order you to be degraded from your rank, and ren- dered incapable of ever after redeeming it.” In six months after, Chusan fell, and the inutility of the 20G MILITARY. bow and arrow was fully shewn. The artillery of a regiment consists of a few large matchlocks, each supported on the shoulder of one man, while another takes aim; these carry balls of from one to two pounds’ weight. The ordnance department is much on a par. The brass pieces are generally from four and five to twenty pounders, while the iron guns range as high as sixty-eight pounds; they are nearly all of the same shape. In the battery of Woosung, about three hundred guns were mounted, the oldest of which bore the date of 8th moon, 4th year of Tsung-ching, (or a. d. 1632,) the last Chinese em- peror. They are rudely cast, somewhat in the shape of an European gun ; but some have the breach separate, hence, in the cannonade at Woosung, many of these were blown off and destroyed the men at them. On the upper part of the right side is the date, as 7th moon, 21st year of Taou-Quang; (the present emperor;) on the left the name of the piece, as “ Tamer of the barbarians that come from afar.” Such names especially were on the guns cast for the war. On the centre is the name of the foundry, city, province, and governor-general. They were all fixtures in their huge carriages. The guns were painted black, with red stripes, and the car- riages red. The powder is provided in a large box. As at all other places taken in China, the brass SOLDIERS’ DRESS. 207 guns at Woosung were shipped, and the iron spiked, their arms knocked off and thrown over the ram- part into a marsh. But here we learnt a lesson that was new to us, for we afterwards saw the same guns re-bored, and shouldered, by casting a large piece of iron round the part to support the newly introduced arms, or trunnions ; and for Chinese guns they were as good as ever. Not the least curious part of the business was the mode of raising them out of a swamp, entirely by hand labour; a rope was in- troduced round each end of the gun, and bamboo poles were attached to it, crossways to each other, their number increasing until the men, by simul- taneously applying their shoulders underneath the poles, could lift the weight off the ground. In this way fifty men might be employed in removing the same gun, with the labour so beautifully dis- tributed, that one would have no more burden to carry than another. The dress in no way varies from that of a peasant, except in the jacket and cap; the former is bluej with facings varying in colour according to the regiment. A round white patch in front and rear receives the name of the soldier and his corps, which takes some high-flown title, as “The Invincibles,” “The Never Conquered,” &;c. The cap is sur- mounted by a red tassel, and, in the case of an officer, with a ball besides. 208 MILITARY. The sword is rather a novel contrivance, it con- sists of two blades and handles, in one scabbard, so beautifully fitted together, that, when drawn out, it is one or two weapons, to be used in one or both hands, according to the will of the wearer, who is usually very expert with it in either way. In one of the edicts the soldiers were ordered to strike the blades together, and so make a noise that the barbarians would be terrified. The target, or shield, of the Tartar troops, is no insignificant weapon for offence as well as defence, in their opinion ; it is painted with some hideous device. The “ Tiger Guards ” had a furious head of a tiger, which, with the awful grimace and antics, “ the bearing of the truly brave in action,” cannot fail, say the manda- rins, to awe and terrify barbarians. “ You are about,” said the present Emperor to his Tigers, “to face an enemy, who wear so tight garments, that, if once they are down, it is impossible for them to rise ; waste not your powder, but frighten them so that they fall down, and then they shall be at your mercy.” It may be as well here to mention, that tiger’s flesh, dried and eaten in powder, supplies what we call (without offence to the Hollanders, I hope) Dutch courage. Individual bravery was often exhibited in the late war, but in no one instance did the Chinese fight well in a body. The obstinate defence of the INTERCEPTED DESPATCH. 209 joss-house, at Sye Kee, was not an act of bravery, but desperation. They had deserved to die for mu- tilating the bodies of the fallen British soldiers, and feared the resentment of the Royal Irish, whose colo- nel had fallen in the attack. But, if few of the mili- tary mandarins came off with anything like honour to themselves or country, I think it right to give them what credit I can, though it be but a single in- stance. Poor fellows, their cases were hard ; they had to face a powerful foe on the one hand, and their ignorant, prejudiced, and more merciless com- patriots on the other. After taking possession of the city of Shanghae on the 19tli June, 1842, the admiral directed Her Majesty’s steamer Nemesis to ascend a small river or creek, and reconnoitre. Towards sundown she came in sight of a fort and military station, with a strong detachment of troops drawn out in battle array, who exchanged a few shots with her, and re- tired in good order. The steamer returned, it being deemed advisable to do so before dark. When Chin- Kiang-Fu was taken. Her Majesty’s ship Childers was lying above the grand canal to intercept com- munication. A small boat, sculled by one oar, was observed from her quietly advancing close in shore. A boat was despatched to bring her alongside, when a government despatch was found secreted aboard. It proved to be a report from his Excel- p 210 MILITARY. lency Jan- Wei-wan, of Ting-Hae, in Che-Kiang, chief magistrate of Shanghae, narrating that al- though the city had suffered an occupation for a few hours he had removed the treasure, and from the commanding position taken up by the troops he had called out to guard it, the barbarian eye had been so awed and terrified that he immediately vomited huge clouds of smoke and fire, and retired amid the din of cheering from his Invincibles. The potent argument of having saved the money was convincing, as we afterwards understood. Not only he and his officers, but their children also were honoured and rewarded. Thus far I have used the term Chinese generally ; but more properly speaking there are two separate armies ; the Tartar Pa-ke and the native, which, in truth, are little more or less than an embo- died militia, called Luh-ying, or “troops of the green standard.” The Tartars muster under eight banners. Yellow with border; yellow vdthout; white with ; red with ; white without ; red with ; blue with, and blue without borders. The Tartar and Chinese generals in the different provinces are entirely independent of each other, and have fixed official residences. A Tartar cannot command Chi- nese, nor a Chinese Tartar troops. Their numbers it would be impossible to arrive at, but as every tenth male capable of bearing arms is drawn by lot to serve, the force must be prodigious. The Chinese BRITISH NOTICE TO THE CHINESE. 211 •work at their several trades, and some of them hold land ; but the Tartars are soldiers by profession. The pay of a common soldier is a mace, fourpence a-day. The military mandarins wear chain armour and helmets, presented to them by the Emperor on their arriving at that rank, and in common with all other mandarins are entitled to use the Joe, an em- blem of rank and office ; its use is to rest the arms upon when sitting. It is supposed, though I cannot vouch for the accuracy of the circumstance, that a moustache betokens a father, and a beard a grand- father. I have once or twice mentioned Lord Palmer- ston’s letters. I am indebted to the late Mr. Thom for the following narrative of his attempt to deliver one. A notice had been previously read, and explained to some of the servants of the man- darins ill hopes of their forwarding it to their mas- ters. One head servant took a copy of it, but re- turned the original, saying that the mandarins could not come aboard, but would receive a visit on shore. The notice was as follows : — “ The Commander-in-chief of the great English nation addresses this to the honourable officers pre- siding over this district (at Amoy) in order that peace and harmony may be kept, and war and cala- mity avoided. “ Behold ! it hath been said by the ancient sages, p 2 212 MILITARY. the ten thousand kingdoms of this earth form but one house, and all mankind are but one great family of brothers. Thus, although they may at times have their differences, yet in the end all hope to drop their enmity and love each other as before. This is a principle of human nature applicable alike to all countries. The object of this, then, is to say, that a misunderstanding having unfortunately arisen between the two great nations England and China, in order to restore their brotherly harmony as of old it will be necessary for quiet and peaceably disposed people to be continually coming and going between both parties, for the purpose of speaking kind words, delivering letters, or such like. These people go utterly unarmed, and carry a white flag which, with the exception of savages, is looked upon by all na- tions as a sacred sign. No violence is ever offered to their persons : on the contrary, all mankind look upon them accordingly. It answers very much to the same purpose, as Meen-chin-pae, ‘ avoid fight- ing,’ in your honourable country. We, therefore, beg that you may communicate the same to all your fellow-officers that they may know accordingly. At the same time distinct warning is hereby given that if any of your people fire off guns or matchlocks at such white flags, it will be impossible for me, the great English chief, to prevent my people exacting the most fearful vengeance ! “ Beware, therefore, beware ! ” 213 MR. THOM’s narrative. “At three, p. m., accompanied by the second Lieutenant, Sir Frederick Nicholson, Bart., we went in the cutter and pulled right for the beach close beside the fort. We had a white flag at the cut- ter’s bow, and were unarmed. To our amazement, instead of the kind reception we expected, several officers, and two or three hundred soldiers were drawn up on the beach, and manifesting the most hostile disposition ; we ran the cutter’s bow on the beach, when myself and the lieutenant went for- ward, and pointing to the flag, said, we had a letter for the admiral, and wished to land in order to deliver it. In reply, it was stated that the ad- miral was at Chin-Chew, and that if we dared set foot on shore, they would kill us or bind us hand and foot, and send us to Foo-Chow-Fu. They shewed themselves prepared to support what they said by deeds, for their spear-men and matchlock-men ap- proached till their weapons were within a yard of our persons, and we could not jump on shore without rushing on them. The conversation on our part was confined to begging them to receive and forward the letter, all of which was done with perfect politeness ; and their only answer was ‘ Off! off! gone, get you gone !’ with abuses and impre- cations. Finding it impossible, we returned ; Cap- tain Boucher, (H.M.S. Blonde,) in the meantime. 214 MILITARY. seized a junk, and by the captain of her sent a letter on shore, stating he would seize their ves- sels and stop their trade. No answer was returned, and the junk escaped in the morning. On Friday the Blonde shifted her berth to three hundred yards from the battery. I now W'ent on shore in the jolly-boat, unarmed, rowed, and steered with five men and boys to ensure the intention being understood : the following notice was printed in Chinese on a piece of calico, and with the flag of truce placed in a conspicuous position. “ ‘ A clear distinct notice. Behold ! I the foreign employe have received orders from my superior oJffi- cers to land here and deliver an important despatch to the honourable officers of this district, who, in their turn, are to hand the same up to His Ex- cellency the Admiral of the station ; which being done, we depart hence immediately, having in fact no other business here. Now, this is to say, that, having received a commission from my commander, I dare not do otherwise than execute it, and am determined, therefore, to deliver the said despatch into the hands of the honourable officers of this district ; and as for your threats of killing me or binding me, I regard them not ! If you consent to receive this despatch you will thereby avoid giving birth to a very serious affair. If you decline to receive it, you will thereby bring on yourselves a MK. THOM’S NARRATIVE. 215 greater calamity. Lo ! happiness and misery are in your hands : say, not that we failed to give you due warning beforehand. These words are true.’ “At this time the landing-place had become an encampment — guns were mounting in all direc- tions, and armed junks were preparing for the offensive. “ When I reached the landing-place, the troops were drawn up as the day before, and a considera- ble crowd of spectators had assembled. Fearing treachery, I had directed the boat to be backed in the beach (the bow being thus brought ready to pull from the landing) ; and in the event of my being seized, the boat was to make the best of her way back to the frigate. “ When about five or six yards off shore, I sat over the boat’s stern, and holding out my notice to the mandarins, requested them to peruse it. Their fury was beyond all bounds, and seemed to be ag- gravated by the crowd’s perusal of it. I told them that, being most friendly disposed towards the Chinese, I came at peril and hazard to speak to them words of peace and kindness, as I could not bear the idea of injuring them. They replied with threats and curses, making signs of decapitation. At this time we were scarce two yards from the beach, and the boatmen called my attention to some soldiers wading in the water to seize the 216 MILITARY. boat ; upon this we pulled to eight or ten yards, when, standing up in the boat, I said in a loud voice, ‘ I now ask for the last time, will you re- ceive it, or not?’ ‘No!’ they all roared simul- taneously, ‘ we fear you not ; ’ and other expres- sions of defiance. Seeing all hopes of delivering it gone, I desired the men to pull back to the ship, the force of the oars pulling jerked the boat. I lost my balance and fell, and a lucky fall it proved ; as, just at that very moment, a well-directed arrow flew over the spot I had quitted, and struck on the bottom of the boat with such force as to shiver its head to pieces : one moment sooner it had passed through my body. A bullet hit the stern a few inches from the coxswain’s seat, several more passed over our heads ; a couple of field-jneces were discharged either at us or the ship, and the troops were getting ready for a general discharge at us, when a circumstance took place which com- pletely turned the tables in our favour, and most justly punished the offenders for their cold-blooded cruelty. Two thirty-two pound shot from the guns of the frigate, sent officers, soldiers, and spectators wildly scampering for their lives, leaving the life- less bodies of some ten or a dozen behind.” DINNER AT THE PUBLIC COLLEGE, NINGPO. I CHAPTER XIII. REVIEW. Public Dinner at Ningpo. — An Insurrection. — The Mandarin Shoo. — Attempt to obtain an Interview with the Governor-Gene- ral at Ningpo. — Obtained with difficulty. — Review of three Regiments. — Their Manoeuvres. — Orders given by waving of Flags. — Colours. — Civility to the Author on the Parade. i While at Ningpo I was fortunate enough to dine ! with H. E. Leang-paow-Chang, of Tien-tsin-heen in the province of Chele, the governor-general of the Che-kiang province, commander of the several naval and military brigades, and head commissioner of the commissariat department of the iirovince, (I like to 218 REVIEW. give the whole name said the Vicar of Wakefield,) and to see him preside at a grand review of the forces of the district. The circumstances were as follow ; he was making a survey of all the fortifications and cities of Che-kiang, his presence having been requisite to quell an insurrection that had broken out in the district of Fungu-a, in consequence of Chin- Chekei, governor of Ningpo-fu, and Taow-tai or in- tendant of the circuit of Ningpo, Shaou-hing-fu, and Tai-chow-fu, insisting on the payment of the usual tribute without abatement, notwithstanding the ARRIVAL OP H. E. LEANG-PAOW-CHANG AT THE MILITARY TEMPLE. pressure at the time of a partial famine. The insur- gents had repulsed the military with great loss, and taken the Taow-tai and several mandarins prisoners, VISIT TO THE INTENDANT OF NINGPO. 219 blit released them on an old degraded mandarin named Shoo, who was much and deservedly respect- ed, interceding with them, and offering himself to be responsible for the tribute not being insisted on ; at the same time promising that a true account of the whole transaction should be sent to the em- peror, the former official communication having been rather wide of the truth. The Taow-tai was in a scrape, having bambooed some of the literati of Fung-wa, whose position ought to have exempted them from such a degradation. The poor fellow and the second magistrate were summoned to Pekin, where I am afraid their punishment was a severe one, but I never heard what. The Emperor ordered a distribution of rice, from the public granaries, among the distressed, and proclaimed a general am- nesty to the insurgents, and Shoo was shortly to be reinstated in his rank. The cause of his disgrace had been rather a misfortune than a crime, viz. the loss of Ningpo to the British, when he would have lost his head, but having shewn great kindness to Captain Anstruther, Mrs. Noble, and other English prisoners. Sir Henry Pottinger interceded for his life, which was spared on condition of his serving the emperor, without pay or button, for seven years when called upon. On the 18th of November 1845, Mr. Thom, Her Majesty’s Consul, Captain Gordon, R. N., Lieute- 220 REVIEW. nant Rogers, R. N., the Vice-Consul, and myself, were carried in sedan-chairs through the Salt Gate (so called because by that alone salt is al- lowed to enter) into the city, to visit the intendaut and discover whether the governor-general would allow us to pay our respects to him, and how he would in that case receive us. On our arrival at his house we found old Shoo waiting to re- ceive us, who said that the intendant was engaged with the governor-general, and had desired him not to wait dinner, but do the honours of the table himself. Down we sat to a very good Chinese din- ner of sea-slugs, birds’ nests, and all the delicacies in season, washed down with some very tolerable sam- shoo. In the middle of it our host arrived, and though he tried to put a good face on the matter, it was painfully evident that his interview with the great man had not been satisfactory to himself, and we afterwards found that some late news from Pekin connected with the insurrection, was the cause of his discomfiture ; however he made the entertain- ment as agreeable as he could, and we did our best to second him until, when the centre dish had been replaced nearly thirty times, each with some new delicacy in it, we prevailed on him, with some little difficulty, to bring the affair to an end, and enter with Mr. Thom on the diplomacy about the visit to the great man. CEREMONIAL ENTRY INTO NINGPO. 221 “But,” said tlie inteiidant, “you are not of equal rank, and cannot expect him to receive you as if you were.” “No,” said Mr. Thom, “but with about the same honour as yourself.” “ Good ; but I am not allowed to sit in his presence.” “ Then I must make my own terms, or not go at all. These gentlemen and myself shall be received and allowed to sit down in the presence of the governor-general, and he shall not on the day fixed deny himself to us on any pretext whatsoever. ‘ Not at home,’ on the day fixed for an interview, is a mode of shewing superiority more frequent than agreeable.” The answer was promised that night, and we took our leave. On the next morning the Taow-tai sent his card with a message that the govern or -general would have much pleasure in meeting Mr. Thom and his friends, on the terms stated, at three o’clock on the 21st instant, which was followed by the arri- val on board of the Taow-tai in person, to return our visit. Captain Gordon gave him an English dinner, which he seemed to relish, and shewed him over the ship. Punctually at three o’clock on the 21st we again passed through the Salt Gate in sedan-chairs, full uniforms, and as much state as we could command, 222 REVIEW. here we remained drinking tea until we had given him time to announce us at the governor-general’s apartments in the public college, where he was re- siding (in every town there is a college containing apartments always ready for the use of great men who may happen to be on a visit there). We again mounted our chairs and, passing through a dense crowd, arrived at the hall of the college, where we were met by our friend the Taow-tai with whom we proceeded to an inner chamber and were introduced to the governor-general, a fine tall stout healthy- and were set down in the outer hall of the Taow-tai’s house amid a glorious salute of guns firing, gongs sounding, and a most diabolical band executing in a most execrable manner the Chinese national airs • ENTERING NINGPO BY THE SALT-GATE. VISIT RETURNED. 223 looking old man, with a very good-humoured ex- pression of countenance, wearing spectacles, dressed in the plainest manner, his long robe surmounted by a jacket made of skins of young lambs ; to have dressed well would, according to their etiquette, have placed himself on a footing with the consul ; he rose to receive us, and shook hands, but did not condescend further. A dinner was prepared, round which we all sat and conversed, through the medium of Mr. Thom, the best linguist of all the Europeans in China. During the dinner, the governor stated that on the following day he would return Mr. Thom’s visit, and at the same time would look at Her Majesty’s ship Wolf, but begged to be excused coming on board. The dinner was much the same as all Chinese dinners, differing only in one particular, viz. that all the attendants wore the dress and buttons of man- darins of the low class. In consideration of our being allowed to sit, the great man condescended to allow his countryman the Taow-tai to sit down also. The conversation was mostly on the railroads and steamers ; our host was a gentleman, but could not conceal a look of incre- dulity at some of the accounts of the powers of steam. Dinner over, we took our leave, our host rising from his seat, and shaking hands with us, but nothing more. 224 REVIEW. On the 22nd, at three, a large boat, handsomely painted, and decorated with flags, was seen slowly gliding down the river from the Salt Gate of the town. The walls of the city and the banks of the river were crowded with well-dressed Chinese. Down she came with the governor-general on board and, when nearly abreast of Her Majesty’s ship, the crew of which, already aloft, lay out on the yards as the flrst gun fired, of which three were fired (three constitute a mandarin’s salute in China). We now went on shore to meet him at Mr. Thom’s house, where a capital dejeuner was prepared; a guard of marines from the ship were drawn up in the court-yard to receive him. Champagne, sweet wines, and cordials are much preferred to port or sherry by the Chinese ; of the former they are very fond. Dinner over, he depart- ed with the same manning yards and salute as on arriving. Amid the excitement, the report got wind that a review of three thousand men would take place on the grand parade ground, and a party of officers of Her Majesty’s ship Wolf, including myself, started off, anxious to be present at so novel a sight. On landing at daylight the Invincibles were in bed, and we were told that his excellency had changed his mind and did not intend holding the review that day, but had postponed it sine die. The fact was it MILITARY EVOLUTIONS. 225 was put off till next clay, and the report was circu- lated to get rid of the English. The device suc- ceeded with all but myself. The next morning at sunrise found me the only European on the parade. Three regiments highly distinguished, at least with mottoes on their resjiective backs, were ad- vancing in close column towards a temple filled with mandarins and their attendants. Shortly afterAvards, amid a considerable sensation, appeared his excel- lency the governor-general, riding on a very sorry nag. Notwithstanding his age, and awkwardness of dress, for he wore petticoats, he displayed some agility in dismounting, which was a signal to all the mandarins to perform the Ko-tow, or throw them- selves flat on their faces, the Taow-tai alone except- ed, who falling on his knees at the head of the steps leading to the temple of the god of war, there remained until graciously raised by his excellency, all the other mandarins rising at the same time. The ceremony of introduction to the superior officers having been gone through, the review commenced by each regiment being marched up in front of the temple, and put through a foAv manoeuvi’es, the prin- cipal of which were changing front by counter- marching of files, forming squares every now and then, with a good deal of firing, but very few evolu- tions. Each regiment is divided into three parts, the first the artillery, or ginjall men, carrying huge Q 226 REVIEW. fuglemen, bearing each a red flag to repeat the orders of the adjutant-general, who was stationed in a square tower on the left of the temple ; over him the national standard (Tai-tsing-kwo), or flag of the great Tsing nation was waving (Tsing, or “ pure,” is the name of the present dynasty). His orders were given by waving, one at a time, of three flags in dif- ferent directions, perpendicularly, horizontally, or obliquely, which being repeated by the fuglemen were immediately executed. Thus great regularity matchlocks requiring two men to manage ; secondly, the musketeers, carrying small matchlocks about the size of a carbine ; then the pike men. Every man has also a sword. At the head of each regi- ment, in advance, were five flagbearers to act as THREE REGIMENTS IN SQUARE. PRESENTATION OF COLOURS. 227 prevailed during the whole business, and not a word was spoken; but adjutants’ towers are not always conveniently at hand when wanted in actual war- fare. The order to fire was waving’ the black flag horizontally, Avhich being repeated, the fuglemen fell flat on their faces, and rose after the fire. When a regiment had performed any evolution its colonel was called by his excellency and praised or censured according to his merits, the praise appa- rently much predominating; but if I had been allowed to give an opinion on one point, the less he said on the bands of music the better. FIRING A VOLLEV. New colours were presented to each regiment, of which each has three, the principal one carried by a Q o 228 REVIEW. mandarin of superior rank. The colours of the centre regiment bore the constellation of the great bear on a white field, the other two golden dragons on a green field, one with crimson, the other with yellow borders. Oranges, apples, nuts, cakes, &c, were hawked about the parade-ground. The people were exceedingly civil during the whole business, which was more than I expected from so dense a crowd, which might have caught a little excitement from such a display of military glory. A police force was in attendance to keep the ground clear for the army. On one occasion I found myself a little ahead of the mob, accompanied by only one Chinaman, which was no sooner seen than a policeman ordered him back, not taking any notice of me ; my friend appeared a little indignant, and made some remark, at the same time pointing at me, which was no sooner done than three or four policemen set upon him and threshed the poor devil most unmercifully; I presume he had dared them to turn me off. A SAILOR’S DUTY. 229 CHAPTER XIV. NAVY. The Emperor’s Opinion of a Sailor’s Duty. — Navy on same footing as Army. — Policy of the Admiral at Amoy during the War. — Murder of the Inhabitants of Tapeba-Shan. — Coast Surveying. — Arms of the Navy. — Immense numbers living in Boats. — De- scription of Junks. — Pleasure Boats. — Canal Travelling. — Grain Junks. — Itinerant Trades afloat. In illustrating the Chinese navy, I cannot do better than give the august opinion of the Son of Heaven, the Emperor of the World, Reason’s Glory, promulgated on the 17th day, 9th moon, 1 3th year of Taow-Kwang (the present Emperor). “ On shore a man’s ability is measured by his archery and horsemanship : but a sailor’s talent by his ability to fight both with and on the water ; a sailor must know the winds, the clouds, the lands, and the lines of passages among the sands. He must be thoroughly versed in breaking a spear with, i. e. beating against the winds. 230 NAVY. “ He must know, like a god, how to break through ' the billows, handle his ships, and be always in } regular order for action ; then, when his spears are j thrown they will pierce, and his guns will follow to give them elfect. The spitting tornado of your I powder will all reach truly their mark : and when- j ever pirates are met with they will be vanquished | wondrously. No aim will miss its mark. The pirate banditti will be impoverished and crippled, | and even on the higher seas, when they take to flight, they will be caught and slaughtered. Thus the monsters of the deep, and the waves will be still, and the sea becoming a perfect calm, not a ripple will be raised. “ But far different from this has it been of late, the navy is a nullity, there is the name of going to sea, but there is no going to sea in reality. Cases of piracy are perpetually occurring, and even bar- barian barks anchor in our inner seas.” The navy is on the same footing as the army, officers have the same title, with the addition of f Shuy-tsze, “ sons of water;” the actual captain 1 and crew of the vessel are unconnected with the military service, in short, it may be compared to the time of Blake and others, who, at the head of a party of soldiers, embarked as war men, while the navigation was in the hands of the master mariner, boatswain, and crew. POLICY OF THE ADMIRAL AT AMOY. 231 The admiral at Amoy (officially the Te-Tuh Shuy-tsze) although exceedingly fond of visiting H.M.S. always evaded the offer of a return visit to his junk, at the same time he was very anxious that we should come and see him at his residence in the town, of which he was the Foo-Yuen, or, lieut.-governor. He, on one occasion, called to state that a number of pirates had been reported, and that he was going to sea on the following day. Curiosity led us to promise or threaten him with an early visit on his embarkation ; this he could not at the moment refuse, but daylight proved his anxiety to have anticipated our intention, admiral, fleet, and all had sailed. In 1841 the same admiral governed Amoy. Hearing that the barbarian eye was on his way to take the city with a fleet of ships, he solemnly took leave of his countrymen, commended himself and his expedition to the care and favour of the gods, wrote a valiant epistle to the Emperor, stating his intention of annihilating the barbarians in their San pans, i. e. “three planks,” and returning vic- toriously to reap the gracious favours as the fruits of his valour. Amoy fell, and the admiral’s official residence was burnt (by which means a valuable library was lost). Soon after he returned, he wrote an account to the Emperor of his missing the enemy, and the unfortunate consequence. The 232 NAVY. on dit was, that he was anchored safely in the Straits of Que moy, within hearing of the cannon- ade. For his real or supposed valiant intentions his life was spared, but he was condemned to rebuild the house and office at his own expense, and to serve his Imperial Majesty for the space of ten years, without pay or emolument. This man was no coward, or, at least, did not appear so, but he was more enlightened than the generality of his countrymen, and has often expressed his opinions in disgust of his service, and vessels afloat. Being at anchor ofl* the Tapeba-Shan (the great musical instrument) island in H.M. surveying ves- sel Plover, in 1843, we were astonished at the arrival, in so remote a situation, of a large fleet of war junks ; they entered in two lines, with streamers flying, and gongs beating, the high colours of junks and flags heightened the effect of the splendid scenery. Scarcely had they anchored than a manda- rin came on board, stating himself to be the aid-de- camp of his Excellency Liu-Yunko, of Wanshing Keen, in the province of Shan-tung, Te-tuh of the green banner, governor-general, commander-in-chief, and director-general of the commissariat depart- ments of the province of Fuh-kien, to take, burn, and destroy certain nests of furious pirates, of whose depredations complaint had been made by the most influential merchants of the city of Fu-chau. He OFFICIAL MURDERS. 233 congratulated us on hearing no communication had as yet taken place with the people, as most likely, he stated, being but few in number, had we landed, we should have been surrounded and cut to pieces. After paying his respects to the captain, whose relative rank was Foo-tseang, or colonel, and whose name (as the following will explain) was well known to him, his mission was to beg that we should on no account interfere between the pirates and justice, nor even intercede for mercy on the vagabonds whose lives were forfeited. I was sent to return the call and compliments, and found the men under arms, preparing for a landing, under a canopy in the centre of the deck of the principal junk : I was introduced to the admiral, who immediately offered tea and a pipe. He knew our mission, and asked several questions regarding it, he said he was about to land in person, and that before sun-set not a soul now on the island would be left alive. There was nothing sanguinary in the appearance of the admiral, yet he kept his word, and man, woman, and child, to the number of near five hundred were mercilessly put to the sword. There was nothing remarkable in the furniture of his apartment, if a tent on the deck of a vessel deserves such a name, several lanterns and scrolls ornamented the sides, a high chair, over which stood a huge red silk umbrella of state, with three 234 NAVY. or four smaller chairs and tables, made up the sum total. He was very civil, and as I quitted from one side, his men being in the boats, he left on the other. We watched from the ship with glasses; the toAvn or village was on the opposite side, and nothing was visible on shore but a few cultivated fields, to prove that the island was inhabited. Having landed, they marched to the top of a hill without noise, when they beat their gongs, and were soon out of sight. We weighed our anchor, and standing out of the harbour, could distinctly hear the firing, presently a deep volume of smoke arose, which left no doubt in our minds that the mission had been too severely executed. In regard to the Chinese admiral being acquainted with the captain’s name, the supplementary treaty has a clause admitting surveying foreign ships into the inner waters of the coast, provided the Emperor has a faithful copy of the result. The high com- missioner, Ke-ying, while on his first visit to Hong- Kong, promised to send the name of the captain of the Plover to the various high officers on the coast, in order that he might be received as of the rank of Foo-tseang, or colonel, and by honour Pa-to-loo, titled brave, or knight (Captain Collinson was a C.B.) which insured him great respect from the mandarins. On one occasion the Foo-yuen of a large city in the Hae-tan straits sent his aid-de-camp FAMILY JUNKS. 235 to offer his compliments, and to say that, should it be deemed requisite, he would pay the first visit. This aid-de-camp could not be persuaded but that we sold opium, ours being an English vessel, and nothing would convince him but we had it, and were afraid to sell it to him as a government officer : he entreated, grew angry, offered high sums, promised inviolable secrecy to no purpose, and at last left the ship, quite angry at the supposed injury. As an improvement the Chinese have two or three English-shaped ships that never go outside the Canton river, but they are miserably handled, and filthily dirty. The arms of the navy are the same as the army ; their guns are miserably made, mounted on immovable carriages, the powder is brought on deck in a huge red painted case, and, as happened to Admiral Quan’s fleet at the Bogue, are not unfrequently blown up in consequence. An enormous portion of the population of China may be termed amphibious, inasmuch as, except for the purpose of shopping, they are seldom out of their boats ; thus, grandsires and a host of children and grandchildren, are the joint inhabitants of the same family-junk ; a part of the children’s dress is a large gourd tied to the waist, to prevent them from sinking if they fall overboard. Boys and girls, as the first plaything, have small oars with which they 236 NAVY. imitate the rowing and sculling of their elders, and thus become sailors from their earliest infancy. In the coasting trade, and in vessels making short voyages, the wives and families form a part of the crew, but on longer expeditions, as to the Malaccas or Luconias, they are left behind. The word junk is not a Chinese expression, their general name for a vessel, of whatever size, is San- pan, i. e, “ three planks,” which are the three first laid on a foundation for the building, and answers to the keel of our vessels; larger craft are often called Chwan, and Ping Chwan, or “ soldier-ship,” is the term for a British ship-of-war. Under the term junk, as used by foreigners in China, are comprised almost every native vessel, from the beautiful pleasure boat of the high man- darin, to the filthy tenement of the water beggar. Anchors are mostly of hard wood, with only one fluke or arm, and the stock lashed on the crown or head of the anchor. The rigging and cables are of bamboo thongs twisted into rope, and the sails of matting. Iron anchors and chain cables are at times, though very rarely, met with, as for instance, in the government grain tribute junks, and in many traders to foreign lands. The large junk is an enormous unwieldy structure, sometimes upwards of a thousand tons; the high poop and forecastle, together with the general build, strongly resemble CHINESE JUNKS. 237 the pictures of the ancient craft of this country, and representations on old tapestry. Except a small space allotted for the crew in the fore part of the vessel, the whole hull, which is built in compartments, is given up for cargo. Of the sailors who inhabit the fore part there are two distinct kinds, the one Tow- muh, which may be translated “ able seamen,” have all the seaman’s duty to perform, while the other, the Ho-ke, are learning their trade of the former ; each has his separate bed-place, like the berth of a steamer, which he is allowed to let if he pleases to a passenger, but the latter shift for themselves as best they can about the decks. Besides the above, and ranking below, are the priest, cook, and barber. Every man has a small share in the vessel, or cargo, and sometimes both. Over the stern is built the house for the captain and pilot; the captain’s duty is more that of a supercargo, and to assist in its execution he has one or more clerks, while the pilot is more properly the captain of the ship, directing her course, &c. Under him are one or more sub-pilots, who may answer to the mates of our merchant vessels. The galley or cooking apparatus is on deck. In times of danger from wind or shore, the confusion can be easier imagined than described, each person having a small share in the vessel conceives he has a right to give his opinion ; thus anything occurring out of 238 NAVY. the ordinary way is attended with difficulty, and frequently with accident. These large junks have from three to four masts, and on each a single sail, so extremely large and difficult to manage that to hoist it requires the whole strength of the crew, and is seldom lowered altogether until the port is gained ; when the wind freshens it is lowered a reef into slings from the mast-head, where, from being battened at equal lengths it lies like a Venetian blind, in convenient shape. If the vessel be merely leaving the harbour for another anchorage, she is tow^ed out by in- numerable small boats, and the large sails are not hoisted. The rudder is of stupendous size, and in harbour is raised from the water and covered in with matting, as also all the sails and cordage. The compass is the most direct assistant, the Chinese pilot having no idea of astronomy beyond the com- pass bearing of the heavenly bodies, he is otherwise at a loss for his position, except in sight of land, which he seldom loses. Nautical instruments are unknown to him, though their charts are by no means so incorrect as their rude appearance might lead one to suppose, being outlines more of pa- noramic scenery than tracings of coast surveys. On a surveying voyage along the coast of China, in H.M.S. Plover, we had Chinese charts, and found them useful in many instances, in deter- FURNITURE OF THE CAPTAIN’S CABIN. 239 mining local pronunciations for the various names, by asking the fishermen to repeat them. They sound by lead and line marked off to fathoms, and in shoal water by a long bamboo pole. In the captain’s cabin is a small temple to the goddess Kwan-yin, the great patroness of sailors, by whom she is supposed to have been a native of Full-keen, (the school of maritime adventure in China,) and to have had a brother, a sailor, whose life she saved from drowning by a miracle. Before the vessel leaves port the deity is taken on shore to the temple, and there oblations and prostrations are made by the captain and pilot, and a play performed in her honour, after which she is taken in great pomp to the junk amid the din of gongs, &c. where thea- tre, feasting, and illuminations finish the ceremony of the day. During the calms or adverse winds she is constantly applied to, and sacrifices are offered. She is generally accompanied by a few other deities. The bow is sacred, and ornamented by a painting of an eye on each side. Rice is the only food laid in for the crew and passengers, but each is allowed to take with him a certain quantity of live pigs, ducks, fowls, or goats, or dried and salted meats, or ve- getables, &c. Pleasure boats of all sizes abound in the rivers and are elegantly fitted with carving and painting, the crew are in a separate part of the vessel from 240 NAVY. the passengers; one of a large size has all the con-i venience, and somewhat the appearance of a house, with sitting rooms, bed-rooms, and kitchen, and, on the top is often a well-laid out parterre of exotics ; the furniture is good, and for pic-nic or other excur- ! sions they are very comfortable. Except by boats, almost all other transport is by manual labour. The frequency of rivers and canals gives great occasion for variety in make, shape, and i size of the various boats. The rates of travelling i are cheap ; the fare from Ningpo to Chusan, a distance of twenty-five miles, by passage-boat is sixty cash or twopence-farthing. All travel on an i equal footing, no fore and after part with its tariff of ■ prices; the beggar and the merchant may sit together i( cheek by jowl, both watching the same property, | but with different views. Robbery must be fre- 1 quent, but the captain of the vessel is not answer- able for the loss of property, he merely sticks up a < warning, such as “ Look to your purses ! ” and it is no business of his if you do not profit by it. Ex- . cepting in the hilly countries, there are universally navigable canals, with good accommodation barges ; for keeping a sufficient depth of water a sloping- dam is made, over which the barge, of perhaps from one to two thousand tons burthen, is drawn by means of a rough wooden capstan. The quantity of fish in these canals is prodigious ; one is at a loss to I 1 ■ VARIETY OF VESSELS. 241 I know how they have not long ago become extinct ( from the ingenuity that is exercised in taking them, » nets, traps, hooks, in every variety, with the fishing '•cormorant; but the neatest thing that I saw was the mode of catching crabs ; the fisherman ties a piece of meat to the end of a stick and puts it into a hole in a bank, when a crab bites he drags it with his right, and, under the hole, extends his left hand, into which the crab falls, and the bait serves again. Families increasing have often large junks with a tender, i.e. a smaller boat, that some members of the family work in, while the other stands in the capacity of a house. The most ornamental and highly-finished vessels are the government grain junks of from one to two hundred tons burthen. They traverse, by canal, from Pekin to the various cities of the empire, collecting the tribute or grain tax. At Shanghae they arrived to the number of eighty, each ten being under the command of a mandarin of the office of Leang-chow- taow, “ superintendant of the grain department.” The centre of the deck is raised, in which are suites of apartments for passengers, elegantly furnished ; a considerable quantity of carving is lavished on each. The great peculiarity in them is the cut and texture of their sails, which are of cloth ; from being divided by laths of bamboo, when set as well as low- ered, they resemble in shape the common fan. Each R 242 NAVY. carries a certain quantity of grain for government, according to lier tonnage, and the rest of the room belongs to the captain and crew, who, it is said, take at least their full share. When all are full they start together; they are fitted with three sets of masts and sails, the longest for canals, to catch every breeze over the land, and the shorter for the pas- sage of the Poyang and other lakes ; in their passage along the canals they are also dragged by men, every district supplying its quota of relays. Each mandarin has his official boat, and generally a private excursion yacht; tliese are always known by the flags and the insignia of office in the fore part, as hats and bamboos of the executioners, and heraldic boards. Notwithstanding their unwieldy appearance many of the junks are good sailers, and the smaller craft turn to windward exceedingly well. Afloat are many of the cries of itinerant trades, and particularly the barber and the restaurateur, while the beggar’s tenement is by no means an un- common one, and their mode of exaction is raising a basket on the end of a pole to the stern, and howl- ing until satisfied. NAUTICAL SURVEYS. 248 CHAPTER XV. NAUTICAL SURVEYS. Useful information to Captains of Vessels navigating the Chinese waters — Chusan. — Its approach. — Situation of the Quesans Islands. — Best Entrance to Chusan Harbour. — The South-east Passage. — South Passage. — Passages to Ningpo. — Tahiah River and its three Passages. — Approach to Yang-tse-Keang. — The Ruggeds of Gutzlaff. — The Navigation of the Yang-tse-Keang. — Entrance of the Shanghae River. The subject of the present chapter being entirely nautical, I think it right to the non-professional reader to apprise him so ; but with the advantage of the able assistance of Lieut. Harry Hewitt, of the Indian navy, who commanded a war steamer during hostilities, and did the state much service in surveying the coast and approaches, and of Mr. Benjamin Hooper, acting master of H.M. S. Wolf, I have thought that the following particulars might be useful to captains of vessels navigating these waters in future. As a general rule in ascending the Yang-tse- kiang, the southern bank should be kept about two 244 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. miles distant, and the northern avoided. Should a vessel get on shore, to the southward the ground is firm, but to the northward shifting ; and in the case of such mishap, the ship should be instantly shored up and hatchways battened down, the rise and fall being so great as to allow but little time to look about. With a contrary wind put the helm down as soon as the water shoals, particularly on the north side, as the bank is steep. CHUSAN. On approaching Chusan from the sea, vessels make the Quesans Islands — eleven in number, be- sides rocks. The south-easternmost, which is Pa- tahecock, is in lat. 29° 22' N., and long. 122° 13' 40" E. It is four hundred and fifty feet high, and may be known by its being in the shape of a sugar-loaf with the point cut off. The highest part of the large Quesan forms a sharp peak near the western extreme, and is four hundred and ninety feet high. The north-eastern inlet is a narrow cliff ; after rounding this the channel lies about N.W. ^ W. ten miles to Starboard Jack, which is a low flat rock with two rocks to the eastward, having the Mouse, a small rock nearly level with the sea at high water, on the starboard hand, and a group of four islands, called the AVhelps, on the port. On nearing Star- board Jack you get the Corkers, which are a group APPROACH TO CHUSAN. 245 of rocks, the eastern ones occasionally covered, but the sea generally breaks on them. Starboard Jack may be passed close to the westward, but off its east end are two rocks. The distance between Starboard Jack and Corkers is about three miles and a half, in five and six fathoms water. From thence to Tree or Top Island (which is one hundred and eighty feet high, and has a pile of stones on the top instead of a tree), the entrance to Gough Passage, a course N. W. ^ N. 10' will carry you in about six fathoms water, leaving the Tinker and Yanjelt Islands, with large islands of Lowang, on the starboard hand, and Buffaloes Nose on the port. The Tinker is N. 39° E. 1;| from Starboard Jack, a cliff steep rock eighty feet above water. There is a passage between them in 6^, and might be taken, being more to windward. A sunken rock lies S. 56° E. from the Tinker, distant two cables. Lanyits lie three quarters of a mile N. E, of Tinker. There are four large and several smal- ler ones, the largest about four hundred feet high. Its barren summit forms one of the most remark- able features in the Buffaloes Nose Passage, Sunk- en rocks extend from both shores. The southern face of Lowang has two deep sandy bays ; a reef extends from the point opposite to Lanyit, three cables ; a reef also extends from the north ex- tremity of Lanyit, five cables ; narrowing the pas- 24G NAUTICAL SURVEYS. sage between them to less than a mile. Off the first bay is a group of rocks south ; one mile from this is a bank with 3^ on it, to avoid it, in steering from the Lanyit, keep the island close on board. Buffaloes Nose is one mile and a quarter from north to south, and three quarters from east to west. Off the west extreme lies a small islet. Its eastern shore rocky ; has three peaks on it, the cen- tre one, the highest, being five hundred feet ; it is also perforated near the north extreme. There is good anchorage in the north-east monsoon close under Lovrang ; and between Buffaloes Nose and the Ploughman, about one mile wide, in from five to eighteen fathoms. The Ploughman is an even, flat- topped island, having a reef off its north-east ex- treme. The best passage from Tree or Top is Gough’s to the westward ; it being only one-fourth of a mile through, and five cables wide, formed by Fatoo-shan on the east, and the central islands, four in number on the west. In the passage the shores are steep, too, and very deep water, but the tide sets fair through. South of the southern islet of the central group is a small shoal, of which the lead gives warning. The course after you are through Gough’s Passage for Keto Point (which is the extreme north-east point of the main land, very high), will be N. 41° E., nine miles and a half. Anchorage will be found anywhere along the Keto shore. BEST ENTRANCE TO CHUSAN HARBOUR. 247 until one mile north of Singlosan, a small islet near the shore, where the water deepens suddenly, and as there is no anchorage beyond this until you get to Elephant Island, or to anchorage north-east from Keto Point, close over on the Chusan shore, in about eight or nine fathoms. The channel from Gough’s to Keto is about four miles wide, and bounded on the south-east by the islands Lowang, Vernon, and Grouss, and Taou-hwa-shan, with chan- nels between them, none of which I should recom- mend but the south-east, which is south-east from Keto Point and Former. Between Taou-hwa-shan and Vernon — a description of which will be given hereafter — entering from seaward, about one mile N. N. E. of Keto Point, is Roundabout Island, with a deep channel between them. The first of flood-tide between Gough Passage and Keto Point sets from the northw'ard, three hours before it takes its proper direction with the ocean tide. The best entrance to Chusan harbour is that round Tower Hill, which may be knowm by its round appearance and high peak of one thou- sand three hundred and sixty-six feet ; the course to its south extreme from Keto Point, or Roundabout Island, will be W. by N. eight miles, passing Deer Island, which may be known by its red appearance, having some small island off its southern face, one, the largest and rather a black islet, called the Deer- 248 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. watcher, which, with Elephant Island (known by its having a long point running from the south ex- treme due east, resembling the trunk), forms the south channel, about N. W. by W. from Round- about ; also on the main land on the port hand, the depth of water varies from thirty-five to one hun- dred and ten fathoms, and no anchoring ground to be found. After rounding Tower Hill you may steer to the eastward for Tea Island, between Tower Hill and Bell Island, which is the next island north of Tower Hill, the depth being from thirty to forty fathoms. On the north-west side of Tower Hill is a bank with three to four fathoms about a cable’s length off. The course from off the south point of Tower Hill will be northerly, alter- ing gradually as you get round for three or four miles. You steer then about east; a ship should endeavour, on leaving Keto, to start so that on reaching this place, to have the first of the ebb tide to go into Chusan ; and care should be taken, steer- ing easterly with light winds, that the tides, which run about four knots at springs, do not set you into the Archipelago, between Tea Island and Elephant, where the channel is narrow with foul ground. The course through the Tea Island channel is about north, leaving Tea Island on the starboard hand, and Bell on the port. There is good anchorage in this channel, from ten to twelve fathoms. Ships ENTRANCE TO CHUSAN HARBOUR. 249 remaining here should anchor, before they open the channel, between Bell Island and the south point of Chusan, as the tides are strong and the ground loose. Proceeding from thence to the inner har- bour of Tinghai, another anchorage will be found on the Chusan shore, between a canal entrance and Guard-house Island, in from three to eight and twelve fathoms. A sunken rock to the westward of this, with two and a half fathoms, lies south of a small hillock in the valley, and two and a quarter cables from shore. In light winds vessels should avoid the strength of the ebb tide, otherwise they are liable to be set through and out of the south passage, the water being very deep here, from thirty to forty fathoms, but tlie shores are steep, too. A ledge of rocks extends off the north-east extreme of Tea Island one cable. The entrance to Chusan harbour is between a middle ground, with only two feet on its shoalest part, and Macclesfield Island. The best guide is to steer for Macclesfield Island, till a white post on trumball, touches the north end of Macclesfield, which must be kept on until Tower Hill peak comes on, with the slope upon the south rise of Tea Island, which will carry you in four fathoms ; you then steer in, and anchor wdiere con- venient. On the western edge of this middle ground the water shoals suddenly. Latitude of observation at the point abreast of 250 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. Guard-House Island, 80° 0' 25" N., long. 122° 5' 18" E. H. W. F. C. llh. 0. Springs rise twelve feet ; neaps, six fathoms. The streams run nearly two hours after high water. For the south-east passage. If after making Patahecock, and it is desirous to take the south- east passage, a course from Patahecock, N. by E. twenty- three miles, allowing for the set of tide, will take a vessel to its entrance. Along this course will be seen the Lanyits, already described ; and the south-east extreme of Lowang, which rises to the height of eight hundred and sixty-five feet, being a conical bare hill with several islands in front. Off* the south-east extreme is an island called Tung-luh- san, on which is Beak Head ; the island is five miles long; and Beak Head very bluff of black rock. The next is Vernon Island, about two miles and four fifths across; to the eastern extremes these two islands form a channel, which is rather intricate, from a number of islands and rocks near the centre. The south-east passage lies five miles further northward ; it is formed by V ernon Island on the south, and Taou-hwa-shan on the north ; the east extreme of the former Island is rugged wdtli large shoulders of granite; there is a cove at this end of the island, which runs in three-quarters of a mile, and would afford good shelter for boats; the THE SOUTH-EAST PASSAGE. 251 passage, till six miles through, is about one mile and a half wide, when six miles in, it narrows to three and a half cables ; two small islands, and some rocks on the Taou-hwa-shan shore, and an island with a sharp peak, (half a cable off the northern extreme of which is a rock,) form the boundaries. The shore of Taou-hwa-shan is bold and precipitous ; the peak rises one thousand six hundred and eighty feet ; near the western end the island is low, rising again at the extreme, where it is surmounted by a peculiar crag. The depth in the channel is sixty fathoms in some parts, and tides very strong ; it is eight miles through, and should not be attempted unless the wind is fair through either south-east or north-west ; leaving Chusan it would be very advantageous, during the north-west monsoon, for soon getting to sea. It is not safe to attempt it in light winds, or the winds scant, as you are subject to flaws and baffling wind off the high land of Taou-hwa-shan ; when through this narrow part, you see Victoria Point and Round- about, and will act as before directed. Vessels intending to take the south passage, (or Melville as it is mostly termed,) which is situated between Deer Watcher Island, already described, and Elephant, wind and tide not suiting to go into harbour, anchorage will be found abreast of Ele- phant in sixteen to eighteen fathoms water: the 252 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. bottom is gravel, and not good bolding ground ; but better may be found on a bank between Deer- watcher, and the south-west point of Deer Island, in from seven to fourteen fathoms, about a cable and a half north-west from the Deer-watcher, sandy bottom. From thence the Melville channel lies N. by W. -g W., the leading mark being Maccles- field Island kept open eastward of the high peak on Chusan. This channel is joined by the Ledge Cap and Black Rocks, and part of Tea Island, on the west hand, and the Deer Islands and Sarah Galley on the east, with deep and uneven sounding, and two sunken rocks, one the Melville with ten feet, and Dundas with nine. There are also very strong eddies in this channel, which adds to the danger, and should not be attempted without a fine commanding fair wind. The marks for Mel- ville Rock are the Cap, a small island which joins the western boundary on the north, the Saddle of Kingtang W. by N., and the Joss-house Hill, at Chusan, showing between Sarah Galley and Trum- ball Island, N. ^ E., Dundas Rock, a tree on the eastern slope of Ta-ken-shan, better known as the eastern of the Sarah Galleys, on with the middle beacon on Tsing-lug-tow, N. E. ^ E., and north end of Black Rocks, in one with south side of the Cap W. S. W. Another good mark is the Deer- watcher, shut in on the south-west extreme of Deer Island ; THE SOUTH PASSAGE. 253 should neither of these marks be seen, you steer in and pass the Ledge and Cap, about half a cable, steer for Macclesfield, and round close, and proceed into the harbour, as before directed. There is another very good channel you come in from the Deer- vratcher, and keep Deer Island on board, leaving Sarah Galley and Ta-ken-shan on the port hand, in about a north-east direction the channel is deep, and south-east from the Sarah Galley the mud- bank extends about a cable and a half, gradually decreasing to nothing towards the west end of Ta- ken-shan. The mud-bank runs some distance off the north end of Deer Island, and both steep, to a third of a mile from Ta-ken-Shan is a stone beacon on a rock, which may be passed within half or one-third of a cable ; you may then proceed to the westward and round Macclesfield as before into the harbour, or, if the wind is favourable, proceed for the east end of the harbour, which, from the beacon, lies about N. N. W., a good guide would be to keep the Joss-house Hill open of Grave Island. When well up to Grave Island, open the beacon rock in the harbour of Grave Island, and pass eastward of both, and anchor as convenient. From the Deer Island Channel to Grave Island, the soundings decrease to five fathoms, and after passing Grave Island deepen again to irregular soundings with strong eddies. There is good an- 254 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. chorage at the back of Trumball and Macclesfield, in from eleven and a half, to ten, seven, and five fathoms; the best is Joss-house Hill, well open of Trumball, and the passage between Trumball and Macclesfield well open in ten fathoms. NINGPO. The Tahiah river is entered by three passages, formed by the islets called the Triangles, all of which are difficult. The first danger in the southern channel, is a rock which is covered at half-tide, lying N. 70° E., two and a half cables from the summit of the eastern Triangle (Tayew-shan). If the inner Tri- angle, or Passage Island, is kept open of the south point of the outer one, this danger will be avoided (on this rock is a white beacon, and it is called Nemesis Rock). Having passed the east point of the outer Tri- angle, keep it and the middle Triangle close on board, to avoid a sunken rock with eight feet water on it, which lies in mid-channel, and to the south- ward of the latter. When on the reef, a small island eight miles to the west of Chinhae, is in a line with the extreme high bluff land beyond it, then steer to pass half a cable east of the inner Triangle. Then steer for the foot of the Joss- house Hill at Chinhae, taking care that the tide PASSAGES TO NING-PO. 255 does not set you over to the eastern shore, the Avater shoaling to two fathoms five cables from that side. The second passage, or that between the middle and inner Triangle, is perhaps the best of the three. A mud spit extends westerly from the middle Tri- angle a cable and a half, which will be avoided by keeping the joss-house on the hill open of the Avest point of the inner Triangle ; pass, as before, a cable to the eastward of the latter, which must not be approached nearer than half, or receded from more than a cable’s length. The channel between the inner triangle and the joss-house point, has only two fathoms water : it is, however, the broadest and best for vessels of light draught. The only danger in it is the Tiger’s- tail Reef, Avhich lies more than one cable N. 40° W. from the highest part of the inner Triangle. The marks for the Tiger’s-tail are Hoowu-Tsiao, or the little peaked islet at the south end of the stakes, in line with River Hill, and also the sonth-east foot of Joss-house Hill, in line with the first cone. The Joss-house point is steep, and vessels will find good shelter under the fort. The river is staked across at the entrance under the Joss-house Hill, and there are sunken junks on each side of the opening through them. Ningpo is eleven and a half miles from Chinhae 25G NAUTICAL SURVEYS. by the river, which is nearly straight ; tlie reaches all lying to the southward of west, except one, which is short. There are no dangers ; the depth in mid-channel varies from five to two and a quarter fathoms. Vessels, therefore, drawing more than thirteen feet should wait for half flood. The average width of the river is two cables. At the city the river separates into two branches on the north-west, the other south-west direction, the latter is barely a cable wide, and is crossed by a bridge of boats, a quarter of a mile above the junction. A spit extends from each point at the entrance to the former, and has a depth from two and a half to six fathoms. YANG-TSE-KEANG. On leaving Chusan for the northward the small passage formed by Guard-house Island and Tea Island should be passed with a commanding breeze, the object being to round the north-west point of Tea Island as close as possible, and to keep as much on the Tea Island shore as you can, otherwise the tide running here very strong, indeed, is likely to set a vessel into the Bell Island passage which you are recommended not to try, as being dangerous and deep. Keeping the Tea Island still on board an- chorage can be found off the Red House, three or four cables by shutting in the Bell Rock passage THE RUGGEDS OF GUTZLAFF. 257 from her. The passage between Tower Hill and Bell Rock is quite clear, then steer W. by N. to Just-in-the-way, making allowances for tide. An- chorage can be procured any where between the rock and Kingtang south shore, but varies much in depth. The bearing N.W.W. one and a half or two miles from Just-in-the-way will give the best anchorage in ten to twelve fathoms. Off the south- west point of Kingtang are two rocks about a cable’s length : these are the only dangers to be avoided. Having cleared the island of Kiutang the only diffi- culty in working to the Ruggeds is in the attention required to the tides, making as much northern as you can to enable you to make use of the E. S. E. tide if possible, which sets to the E. S. E. ; flood run- ning W. N. W. about two and a-half knots at neap- tides, and four at spring tides. Square Island should never be brought to the eastward of south, as there is a middle bank with nine feet water on it, which lies about three and a-half miles to the north of it. After rounding the Volcanoes, and coming up to the Ruggeds on the western side, a vessel can work to the N. E. in seven or eight fathoms. Vessels should not near the low land of the Yang-tse-Keang S.E. point, on which are two trees and a hut, nearer than one mile, as the bank runs off half that dis- tance, but which is very deep. This point bears 258 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. N.W. about ten miles from the Ruggeds (but vessels are recommended not to go far to the westward, as the tides are likely to set them on to the Hang- chow river) and W. by N. of Gutzlalf (where the Levant packet was lost, June, 1843). From this point the bank runs off about ten miles east, work- ing from the Ruggeds to Gutzlaff. V essels not draw- ing more than fifteen or sixteen feet can pass inside the Hen and Chickens, and work to the N. E. till she brings them to bear S. W., and Gutzlaff E. S.E., or S. E. E., when by paying attention to the lead they can borrow to get a cast on the southern shoal, from which she will be about two miles in five fathoms. On leaving Gutzlaff you are recommended not to bring it farther to the east than S. E. ; when Gutzlaff bears south twelve miles shape your course N. W. for fifteen miles, when you will make the low land to the westward covered with grass and small bushes here and there. After passing Gutzlaff in entering the Yang-tse- Kiang you ought to make certain of being able to make the low land before night ; or being obliged to anchor, it is therefore better, should there be a proba- bility of not doing so, to anchor Gutzlaff south as near as possible, just in sight, and wait for a favour- able opportunity for starting, with the departure. ANCHORAGE AT GUTZLAFF. 259 The same caution is requisite on leaving the river not to lose sight of the lovr land without a certainty of making Gutzlaff. Six miles above the first point is another, on which are several huts and trees, with quantities of cattle constantly grazing. From this the bank runs off a mile and a half; a course of N. W. W., two miles from the south shore, will take you clear, and allow- ing for the tides you can continue at that distance until within sight of Woosung. Ships in beating either up or down should, as soon as they lessen their water, put the helm down, making each tack about a mile, or a mile and a quarter, as the bank steeps to an angle of forty-five degrees. Well in on the north bank is a low sand island, on which are seve- ral huts and small trees. A bearing of this will assist in placing the position of the ship, the prin- cipal hut being ten miles from Woosung. When about six miles from the entrance of Woosung there are four trees on the bank here : this you can approach to three quarters of a mile. When abreast the soundings deepen to seven or eight fathoms and a half. A mile from the shore are several detached rocks on the edge of the mud flat; by keeping Paou-shan point to the north of W. N. ^ N. you will clear them. On opening the entrance of the Shanghae river. 260 NAUTICAL SURVEYS. on the south point of which is a single tree, you must stand the W. N. W., until the remains of a large fort of grey appearance bears W. S. W., for which you must steer. On each side are mud banks, with only two fathoms on them : on measur- ing this channel you will find from seven or eight to four and five fathoms. On a white patch on the bund, with a black dia- mond in the centre, or with a pinnacle of the pagoda at Paow-shan, clears you of the south bank, until a square mark, with a red ball in the centre, at the water’s edge, by Cornwallis or the Grey Fort, comes in with the centre of three trees (or marks) to the northward of the fort : the marks for clear- ing the banks in working in or out are the mark on the beach, or with either of the outer trees (or marks). The three joss-poles of Woosung pagoda S. S. W. will enter the Shanghai river. Keep on the north side of the river until you pass the second creek, then cross over to the southern and keep the shore boldly on board, passing batteries until you pass the second land- ing place, when you steer for the centre of the river. On opening the Soo-chow creek you must be cautious lest the tide set you on to the north bank. ANCHORAGE AT GUTZLAFF. 261 When anchored sixteen miles N. W. ^ W. of Gutzlaff, Amherst Rocks bear E. N. -g N. 16°. The Ariadne Rock bears N. E. nearly from Gutz- lalf about twenty-one miles, and W. S. from Am- herst. On approaching from the sea make Saddle Island, and steer for GutzlalF, tlie northern bank being too dangerous to be attempted. CHAPTER XVI. MISCELLANEOUS. Observance of Festival of the New Year at Shanghae. — Exchange : of Compliments. — Visiting Cards. — Address for a Letter. — Business of the Host at a Feast. — Ceremony of making Calls ' and saluting Friends on the second Day. — Settlement of Dis- putes defeiTed to the New Year. — The Button the distinction; of the Mandarin. — Badges of distinction. — Small Feet of Chinese Ladies. — Other curious Fancies. — Marriage and its Ceremonies. — Funeral Rites. “ Each age has deemed the new-bom year, The fittest time for festal cheer — In China, as well as elsewhere.” ; On the 26th of February, 1845, while walking through the streets of Shanghae, I was startled 1 FESTIVAL OF THE NEW YEAR. 263 by the sound of a serenade, that brought imme- diately to my mind our Christmas waits, coming from a band that consisted of five or six performers on bamboo castanets, wooden drums, &c. Every- body was busily preparing for the approaching fes- tival of the new year that was to commence on the morrow. The shops were gaily decorated, es- pecially the butchers, who, as with us, displayed their fattest meat, but it was mostly of pig decked out with green boughs. We all assembled on the twenty- seventh at the consulate, and, according to etiquette, started off in full uniform to pay our re- spects and congratulations to our numerous native friends. Everybody visits everybody in gayest attire and as the ceremony differs a little from our own, a few particulars may not be out of place : we had, the day before, sent round our cards printed in Chinese characters, and a verbal message to name the hour, when we would do ourselves the honour of paying our respects to the mandarins punctually. At the time appointed, we were carried in sedan-chairs, and most hospitably received with bands and sa- lutes of guns and gongs, and obliged to make some show of eating at each visit. The houses invariably were hung with a diamond- shaped board, bearing the characters of Fuh, “ happi- ness.” After a lapse of two or three days, our visits were returned, first of all, a messenger brought 2G4 MISCELLANEOUS. the cards, on each of which was simply the names of the mandarin. The following were three that we received from a civil, military, and naval man- darin, respectively, Lan-wei-wan, How-pang-fung, and Shing-ping-yuen. On the morrow, each sent two cards, bearing besides the name, the following sentence, “ Bows, congratulates, and wishes happi- ness this new year,” with another which differed according to the rank or office of the visitor. That of the civilian, as follows : “ Lan-wei-wan, magis- trate of the district of Shanghae, in Sung-Kiang- Fu, in the province of Kiang-tse, graciously raised to the rank of sub-prefect of the great pure dy- nasty, bows his head, and pays his respects.” The colonel’s, “How-pang-fung, sub-colonel in command at Shanghae, graciously raised to the rank of co- lonel,” &c., &c., that of the naval, “ Shing-ping- Yuen, sub-prefect of the coast-guard of Sung-Kiang- Fu, of the great pure dynasty, &c. &c.” If the former be sent to a native, a compliment is added according to the profession of the party; thus to a merchant, “ May your property this year produce ten thousand pieces of gold.” To a scholar, “ May you this year rise to a golden button.” The ordinary visiting-card from one gentleman to another has the following, “ Your younger brother, (here the name,) who stands to receive instruction, bows.” An invitation is thus worded, “ To-morrow, I EXCHANGE OF COMPLIMENTS. 265 shall prepare a little wine, and wait to be illumined by your presence, your friend and pupil, (here the name,) bows and ai^points the day.” An address for a letter thus ; “ I will trouble you to take this to Shanghae, and deliver it to (here the name) open : sent from (here the name.)” On the reverse, “A happy and private letter.” It is customary at the end or commence- ment of the year, for each governor-general, or high -commissioner, to address himself to his im- perial majesty, and inquire after his health. When Canton was taken, a card was found in Commis- sioner Lin’s office ; the following is, as near as I can recollect, a translation of this laconic epistle : “ Lin, (here followed his titles,) on his knees, and performing the Ko-tow, hopes the Son of Heaven is well.” To which the Son of Heaven had replied on the same card, and returned it, “ I am well. Taou Quan.” I have used the term card ; but the conveyance of all these delicate compliments is a red paper of about four feet in length, by nine inches in breadth, folded up with the inscription on one of the folds. On the day after receiving them, a messenger calls, and they are sent back. If the visitor is to be received with great ceremony, the host meets him at the threshold of the house; if on an equality, at the door of the apartment ; if 266 MISCELLANEOUS. as an inferior, sitting in the room. The same rule li is observable on taking leave ; but, in the two for- i mer cases, the guest at each passage makes a show i of trying to prevail upon the host not to come further, each, meanwhile, closing the two fists to- i gether and bowing ; this in Canton phrase is called i the Chin-chin. At a feast the host always opens the business by presenting to the guests separately a small portion of any particular dish, when they all set to work with exemplary diligence. But to return to the new year, the first day, (27th February,) being un- fortunately wet, the people contented themselves with paying their adorations at home to the house- hold gods, instead of going to the temples, and the streets were nearly deserted. On the 28th, everybody appeared abroad in holi- day attire, making calls ; the higher orders in sedan chairs, the rest on foot ; and Avhenever a man met a friend he performed the Chin-chin, and bowed his head as low as he could, as is usual, amid fes- tivity. In China, the bands were decidedly a nui- sance, and excitement was constantly kept up by a running fire of crackers; shops were closed, and everybody appeared happy, and in the evening all the junks on the rivers and canals were beautifully illuminated. On the 29th I entered the public gardens, with some difficulty, owing to the density VILLAGE DISPUTES. 267 of the crowd ; the principal object seemed to be to amuse the children, taking them to see sights, purchasing little presents, shewing them peepshows, punch, jugglers, tight-rope dancing, and mounte- banks of all sorts. Every child carried some little gift, and I saw the parents of many returning home loaded with gaudy toys that they had purchased, or received as presents. These festivities lasted till the 15th day of the moon, and ended with a grand illumination and procession of lanterns, as in the spring festival of Confucius. I wish I could say that the whole went olF as good-humouredly, but on the second day, having returned home early, I witnessed, from on board, a faction fight, that was attended with fatal consequences. The inhabitants of two villages, situated at the entrance of the Soo-chow creek, had, in the course of the last year, disputed about the right to some land that had been recovered from the river, and, on the affair looking serious, they mutually agreed to postpone their differences to the end of the year, and then settle them by the achievement of a com- fortable fight. The heads of the villages accord- ingly entered into an agreement, in writing, to abide by the result of the battle, which was arranged to come off on the second day of the year, and that neither party should in any way allow a report of the thing to transpire. All arms were to be fair, 268 MISCELLANEOUS. and accordingly they met, and, after a short strug- gle with pikes, muskets, agricultural implements, and whatever they could lay their hands on, two, belonging to one of the parties, were wounded and taken prisoners, which was the signal for their com- rades to take to their heels and decamp. But the most barbarous part was, that the unfortunate men who had been taken were dragged to the doors of their own houses, and, in sight of their wives and families, most mercilessly butchered, and their houses pulled down, when the soldiers came in and made prisoners of some of the victors. I hope that they met their due. The new year comes unwelcome to some ; it is the season of settling accounts ; there is no bank- ruptcy and insolvent court to whitewash the unfor- tunate, and woe be to the defaulter. All pro- perty must be sold off, and the last farthing ex- acted, and, if that be not sufficient, the poor debtor, besides bearing the opprobium consequent on his misfortunes, is obliged to aj^prentice himself, wives, and family, to raise money at the exorbitant rate of three per cent, per month, and sometimes higher, until the whole is paid. It has been commonly supposed that the colour of the button w’orn on the lass distinguishes the different grades of the mandarins. This I am in- clined to think an error, and that, though the but- BUTTONS OF DISTINCTION. 269 ton be the distinction of the mandarin in general, it is not peculiar to any grade. I have seen the lowest military officer wearing a brass button, and the Governor of Chung-chow-fu, the city of which Amoy is the seaport, received in a brass button, also a party of officers, of which I was one, while an officer of a very inferior degree, who came with a message to inquire the object of our visit, wore a white button, hitherto supposed to rank as the third in the empire. Old age, that is to say, a cycle, or sixty years, will entitle a beggar to a brass button. I should rather imagine that the distinc- tion of rank lay in the heraldic badge, in front and behind the body of the dress, consisting of a bird on a civil, and a tiger or other animal on a mili- tary officer. Peacocks’ feathers are only worn by superior officers, but the boots are the most gene- ral badge. Once, at Chusan, calling on Shoo, (who, after four years’ degradation, had been re- stored and made governor of the island, when given up by the British,) to ask his permission to bury a man, who had died of a fever, in a spot formerly used as a burial-ground, but since walled in by order of the mandarins, I entered his audience room, unannounced, and just caught a glimpse of him retreating, boots in hand. Having transferred them to his legs, he re-appeared and told me that, without them, he was not in uniform. They are 270 MISCELLANEOUS. universally of black satin, with thick white soles. When a popular mandarin sends in his resignation of office, and it is accepted by his imperial majesty, it not unfrequently happens that he is met, on the frontiers of his late government, by the heads of departments, and his boots are formally request- ed of him, to be deposited in the temple, and, in return, each makes him a handsome present in money; this is a great compliment, equivalent to a presentation of plate with us. The wife of the mandarin takes rank and title with her lord ; her dress is as magnificent as satin, silk, and embroidery can make it. The hair is beautifully adorned, and, as an appendage, is not unfrequently the peacock’s feather, as a badge of rank. The feet are perhaps the point on which ladies pique themselves most, and to render them the most useless to themselves would appear to be the desideratum of Chinese female happiness, but Chi- nese only. The Tartars have never adopted the fashion, and the empress herself wears rationally large feet ; but all the Chinese who can afford it, and that is nearly the whole female population, ex- cept in the environs of Canton, and some other sea-ports to the southward, cause the unformed bone of the infant’s feet, at a very early age, to be broken, and the toes bent beneath the palm of the foot. In this way the foot is bandaged, and FANCIES OF THE LADIES. 271 not allowed to grow ; the consequences are a very small foot, but a huge unwieldy ankle, and no calf. The pain of the alteration in the direction of the bone, as it forms, frequently kills the sufferer ; yet mothers pride themselves on their own feet, and subject their offspring to the same treatment, know- ing the pain they must endure. In order to walk, some of these beanties are constrained to totter with the help of a stick, which, with a white powder, used to blanch their countenances, called forth the following verse, from an inspired oriental poet : — “ Pale as rice, and graceful as the bamboo.” Another curious fancy of these ladies, is letting the nails of the fingers grow so long as to render the hands totally useless. I have in my possession a cover, made of white copper, to fit on the finger like a thimble, to protect one nail, of an inch and a half long, which, together with a shoe and its clog, three inches and a half long, was taken out of a respectable house at the storming of Chang-kung-fu. The eyebrows are pencilled with Indian ink, and the eyelashes put into correct shape by the barbers. The ladies of quality are seldom or never seen, but are shut up like Turks ; their lives pass in music, tea-drinking, embroidery, smoking, and playing chess. About one in ten of them are educated. The marriage ceremony is an imperative duty to every Chinese ; not to have a son to worship at 272 MISCELLANEOUS. his tomb is the dread of all, and the sooner this difficulty is overcome the better. The terms honour- able and illustrious are used to the father, while the bachelor is looked upon with certain horror. To the poor man the acquirement of a son is what he looks forward to, and the hope nerves his arm to new toils, whereby to acquire a sufficiency to marry with, i, e., to buy his wife. Sons are looked A BRIDE. upon as profitable and honourable, while daughters as almost the contrary, and the rearing of them is a matter of question with the parents, literally, whether it will pay or not ; according to the accom- plishments of the lady, so is her price or remunera- tion to the parents. Bearing the same surname is about the only one bar to marriage in general, and MARRIAGE SPECULATIONS. 273 although this may appear but a trifling one, still, from the few surnames in China, it is a grave im- pediment. Marriageable age is from fifteen on either side. A go-between, or public match-maker, frequently arranges the affair, but more commonly it is settled by one of the parents. Mothers not un- commonly in conversation, when in the happy state that those who love their lords wish to be, mutually promise that if of opposite sexes, their offspring shall in due time be man and wife. Love has not often a hand in the matter. The anxious parents of the youth having, by one means or other, procured a bride for him, presents of geese, cakes, samshoo, &c., pass between the fami- lies. I was present at the wedding of a worthy grocer, at Chusan, who from time to time, during our stay, had supplied our mess in the general line. As soon as it was given out that he was going to marry, all friends of various grades sent congratula- ting cards, enclosing, each according to his means, from a hundred to a thousand or more Le cash ; this he told me was purchasing a seat at the bridal feast for the donor and his wife. Early in the morning the young female friends attend to dress the bride and weep; why the latter, I know not. When all is ready, the bride enters a T 274 MISCELLANEOUS. bride’s feast. carved red and gilt sedan (to be hired in all villages, and used for marriages only). First walk the band, not very emblematic of harmony perhaps, but that does not matter, followed by the household goods and wearing apparel of the bride, carried in red painted boxes, attended by her relations and friends. When arrived at the house of the bridegroom, he opens the door of the sedan, and, receiving his bride, steps with her over a pan of charcoal, conveniently placed on the threshold, then, entering the house, they eat rice and drink tea together ; which, with some verbal promises, completes the nuptials. On calling on the bridegroom at his residence, and expressing a wish to see the bride, I was ushered into a well-furnished apartment, about which were strewed the newly THE BRIDAL CHAMBER. 275 I I I BRIDE and bridal CHAMBER. arrived effects, and on one side a new grand bed- stead, ornamented with red and gold ; in front of it, arrayed in a dress of red silk, and head-dress of gilt and silk, stood the bride, attended by her female I friends ; this is the ceremonial costume, and often ! hired, beneath which she is attired in silks and j satins. Having been presented, and taken the ! liberty of presenting to the lady a small English ! purse, which was thankfully received, I made my j bow and took leave of her. I next joined the bride- ^ groom at an entertainment given to his friends j {i. e., all who had sent cards and money). Much I samshoo was drank, and after the feasting was over I a kind of game was played, one party threw out a number of fingers, and called them ; while at the same time the other anticipated, and threw out T 2 f 276 MISCELLANEOUS. bridegroom’s feast. a similar number, the failure in doing so incurred the obligation of drinking off a cup of samshoo. In another apartment, at the same time, the bride entertained her friends. In the evening a temporary theatre is erected in front of the house ; and performances, fireworks, and the din of gongs and music lasts till day- light, when all disperse. On the following day servants, sedan-bearers, performers, and all who have waited the day before are feasted, and thus ends the ceremony. The bride becomes the slave of her lord, whom perhaps she has never seen be- fore. If her mother-in-law be alive, she becomes only second in the household, being entirely under the guidance of her mother-in-law for her life. And THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE. 277 f THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE AT A MARRIAGE. should she not in due season present her lord with an offspring, or should repeated presentations prove females he is by law at liberty to take a concubine, whose position in household affairs is secondary to the wife’s ; and again, should that lady prove barren, or not produce a male, a second or more follow. But it is not lawful for a man to put aside his wife and marry one of these concubines. But matrimony is not always the realization of hope, as I trust it was with my friend the grocer. A mer- chant in Ningpo having seen and admired the fair daughter of a fellow townsman, got his parents to arrange a marriage ; when all was ready, he opened the bridal chair, and led into the house his intended’s sister, who was not only ugly, but 278 MISCELLANEOUS. terribly pitted with small pox ; it was too late to retreat, lie had got her for better and worse, and there was no redress obtainable. I heard the story from the poor fellow’s own lips. There is a little story, I believe, hitherto un- translated, in a collection of tales of filial piety, which may illustrate the feelings of parents to- wards their male offspring. The following is an outline : — A mother and son, with his wife and their son, living together in the last stage of po- verty, the son and daughter-in-law consult together upon the state of affairs, and agree that the small store by them cannot support them all ; but that, unless something be done, there is danger of their all dying of starvation. The first thought is to kill their young offspring ; but the wife urges that the old mother cannot, in the common course of nature, last long, and that it would be better to sacrifice her first, and try whether the dimi- nished number cannot survive until better times. This is agreed upon between them, and that the old lady may not want for the proper rites of burial, the son goes forward previously to dig her grave, when the first stroke of his spade uncovers a large amount of sycee silver and a scroll, in- forming him that such is the reward that Buddha sends to such piety as would not spare a mother to save a son. FUNERAL CEREMONIES. 279 There is an old saying, that to render life per- fectly happy, it is necessary to he born at Soo- Choo to be handsome ; to live at Canton to be luxurious ; and to die in the province of Keang- tsu, whose forests produce beautiful wood for making coffins. The coffin is mostly provided before death, and retained in the house sometimes for years, generally richly carved, painted, and de- corated, of huge dimensions, and, when occupied, cemented down. No sooner is the breath out of a man’s body, than a message is sent to announce it to all relations ; and women are hired to wail and lament ; seated on each side of the coffin, clothed in sack-cloth and white garments, they howl and cry without cessation, assisted by the female relations of the deceased on their arrival. If a father dies, the eldest son, supported by his friends, carries a basin with some small money to the nearest well' — throw- ing in the coin, he draws some water with which the body and face of the deceased are washed. This cere- mony is performed by the nearest of kin. On the second day priests attend, and erecting an altar in the hall of ancestors, present offerings, and perform prostrations to the household gods for the welfare of the soul of the deceased, in which ceremony the females, clothed entirely in white, also at- tend, while the nearest male relations perform 280 MISCELLANEOUS. the Ko-tow, and repeat prayers to the most dismal tune. No sooner is this ceremony over than three guns are fired to conclude the ceremony for the day, in honour of the deceased, which is followed by a wake. On the outside of the door of the house is pasted a yellow paper, setting' forth the virtues, rank, &c. of the deceased ; and all friends call to condole Avitli the bereaved, who not unfrequently answer these attentions by a placard some days after, also pasted on the front of the house, “ thanking all parties for kind inquiries.” After the washiug, the body is placed in the coffin, and a tablet bearing the inscription intended for the tombstone placed thereon : these tablets are of wood, painted red and gold, with a black field for the inscription, which is in gold cha- racters. The inscription for a male runs thus, “ (after the name,) the deceased, who shone illus- trious in his days, finished his state of probation in the seventh day, second moon, twenty-third year of Taow-Kwang, in the dynasty of Ts’hing.” The oblations and prostrations of priests and relatives, together wdth the lamentations of hire- lings, music and feasting, last for seven days with- out cessation, and off and on till the twenty-first, when the coffin is taken out to the burial-place. PUBLIC BURIAL PLACES. 281 In front march a band, then some small banners borne by boys, priests, and a sedan-chair, bearing' the tablet and dress, boots, shoes, and stock- ings especially, together with all the insignia of office of the deceased, preceding the coffin, with which as mourners are the deceased’s male friends and relations dressed in white and sackcloth ; fol- lowing are the female relations, who waddling along Ko-tow and howl incessantly. The coffin is placed above or below ground, and built over, or other- wise, according to the wealth of the deceased’s kindred. In KM'angtung each family has its mau- soleum, the ground plan of which is in shape of a capital omega, Q, built of stone or brick, with a courtyard in front, the whole enclosed by a low wall. In the middle provinces the tombs are built round the coffins, generally of one generation of a family, and surmounted by a mound of earth, from the top of which grow clusters of strong grass, and surrounded by trees, much similar in appearance to an ice-house in a gentleman’s park in England ; while in the northern provinces three mounds of earth, in a large enclosure of trees, form the burial place of a clan. In all cases a stone tablet is raised to each individual, and placed in front of the tomb. In the vicinity of large towns are public burial places, in which the poor are placed under ground. 282 MISCELLANEOUS. somewhat similarly to the mode in this country, marked with a headstone. Soldiers are so buried, and over the grave is an oval stone, on which is painted, in front, the name of the deceased, and in rear that of his regiment. The scattered bones of the ancestors of poor people are collected and placed in large chatties, each bearing inscriptions, and, in some instances, if the relations are very poor, the coffin is placed on a bench in the field, with only a little straw or grass to protect it from rain and weather. At Shanghae, when the English merchants bought land on which to erect their factories, whenever it interfered with a burial place, (and there are scarcely a thousand yards together, all over China, that does not,) they had to pay extra to the relatives for the expense and trouble they were at in removing the coffin, and providing them with new ground. Where there is a large water population, there are houses of reception for the coffins of those who were not land-holders. These coffins, which are handsomely decorated, are on stools in line on both sides of long rooms, as close as they can be ranged together. Here they are visited by the friends of the deceased, and candles and other offerings burnt in honour of them. After the coffin is jilaced, the wooden tablet is brought back to the house and formally placed with FUNERAL RITES. 283 the others of the family in the hall of ancestors, and incense burnt before it ; a feast closes the day, and until the forty-ninth day after the death, offerings and prostrations are made to it morning’ and evening, when the ceremony ends, only re- vived in the feast of the dead, when houses, clothes, money, and every imaginable want, in paper imi- tation, is burnt, being supposed by the relatives to be carried in reality by invisible spirits for the use of their friends in the next world. 284 TREATY OF LABUAN. CHAPTER XVn. THE TREATY AND TAKING POSSESSION OF LABUAN. Conquest of Labuan. — Situation of the Town. — Murders com- mitted by order of the Sultan. — Cession of Labuan to the British Government. — Taking possession in the name of Queen Victoria. — Speech of Captain Mundy on the occasion. — Character of the Sultan. — His overreaching Conduct. — Pedigree of his Family. The large island of Borneo is said to have been conquered some 380 years ago by the Malays : how far they may have extended their conquests inland is not known, but the whole line of coast is in their possession. These Malays are at present in many separate governments, but at the head of all, not so much in a political as a religious sense is the Sultan of Borneo Proper, Omar Ali. A high Mussul- man is looked upon as the religious chief of chiefs. His capital is situated about twenty miles up the Brune river, which name it takes. The town stands out on the river, and is built on piles : the branches of the river form the four prin- MURDERS BY ORDER OF THE SULTAN. 285 cipal streets. Each house, which is built of wood and mats, has a ladder to the water, and all exit must be made in boats. The mosque, surmounted bj flags, and the home of Pangeran Moormeen, the prime minister or grand vizier, are in the principal street, but cut a very sorry figure : the dwellings appeared but miserable, as also the inhabitants, who paddle about in their canoes almost naked. The Sultan caused to be murdered his uncle, the Pangeran Muda Hussim, and several others, who were known to be friends of the British. Partly to avenge their deaths, and partly to punish some acts of piracy, and an attempt to murder Captain Eger- ton, the forts in the River Brune were destroyed, with the loss of thirty or forty guns taken, and the town of Brune deserted by the Sultan and his sub- jects. A promise was then held out of putting an end to hostilities, provided the Sultan would give up his piracies, and cede the island of Labuan, situated at the mouth of the Brune, to the British for ever. The admiral, having communicated with govern- ment, despatched H. M. S. Iris and Wolf, on the 1st of December, 1846, to Brune, there to conclude a treaty, and thus take formal possession of the island. On the 10th of December, the ships being anchored ofi* the island of Mora, at the entrance, the boats of the Iris, in command of Lieut, (now Commander) Little, those of the Wolf, under 286 TREATY OF LABUAN. my command, started at nine in the morning for Brune. The scenery on the banks is remarkably beautiful in many parts; numbers of small canoes skimmed the river, while every here and there smoke rising among the trees, or a canoe or two moored to the bushes, told of the vicinity of a small concealed village. About eleven we anchored in line oiF the Sultan’s house, and as Captain Mundy landed, the men in the boat stood up and took their hats off, and a guard of marines saluted him, when the Sultan, Pange- ran, and several of the higher classes, received him on the wharf. In the centre of his hall of audience, a plain barn- like room, with a matted floor, sat his majesty Omar Ali, Sultan of Borneo, dressed in a jacket of yellow crape, slashed with satin, a turban of black and gold, and black inexpressibles. Behind him stood his sword and betel bearers, and other attendants, with horsetails, much the same as those worn in state by Pachas in Turkey, The only other Malay seated on a chair was the Pangeran (or prince) Moormeeu. The treaty was explained by Lieut. Heath as in- terpreter (it being written in Arabic, the Malay written character). After much discussion between the Sultan and the gentry seated around, orders were given to the chancellor, another Pangeran, to prepare the seal (which was made of metal and TAKING POSSESSION. 287 inserted in Arabic cliaracters) : this he did by hold- ing it over a huge candle, made of pure beeswax ; when well blacked he rubbed it smooth, then, having wet the parchment, he pressed it thereon. This leaves the characters white on a black field. Conversation now turned upon the relative ad- vantages and disadvantages to be derived by both parties. Trade, it was agreed, v^ould materially benefit both sides, as, on the one hand, the Malay would be clothed, while, on the other, gold, anti- mony, diamonds, coal, sago, pepper, and beeswax would be plentifully supplied to the British. Under the head disadvantage to the chiefs was mentioned the loss of their slaves, who would no doubt flee to British ground ; on our side the climate, as it rains six months in the year. TAKING POSSESSION OF LABUAN. On the 24th of Dec., 1846, at 8 a. m., H. M. S. Iris and Wolf, being at anchor in the harbour of Labuan, crossed top-gallant-yards and dressed. At 1 the small arms-men and marines landed, the flagstaff having been previously erected, the marines lined the path leading to it, while the seamen were drawn up in a line facing the water. At the foot of the flag-staff was placed a stone, setting forth that, “On the 24th Dec., 1846, this island was 288 TREATY OF LABUAN. taken possession of, in the name of Victoria, Queen, &c., by order of Sir Thomas Cochrane, &;c., and Captain R. Mundy, of H. M. S. Iris.” At 1, 30, Captains Mundy and Gordon, with Pangeran Moor- meen and suite landed, and passing through the line, ascended a raised platform, where, under the shade of two huge umbrellas. Captain Mundy de- livered the following speech, which was translated into Malay, by Lieutenant (now Commander) Heath. “ Let it be known to all here jiresent that on this day I take possession of this Island of Labuan, and the islands adjacent, in the name of her Majesty Queen Victoria, by order of Sir Thomas Cochrane. You are therefore now standing on British ground. People of all nations will be protected by the En- glish nation. The English Admiral will order his steamers and ships to destroy all pirates by land or by sea, killing them and burning their villages. The Sultan of Borneo and the Queen of England are now friends. Pirates making war against 'him will be destroyed by the great English nation.” At the end of this speech the flag was gradually hoisted toffether with several others about the beach. o Immediately on its reaching the head of the stalf, the ships commenced firing, which was soon an- swered by a four-gun battery on shore, and volleys from the small-arm men and marines, as the last gun fired, all “right about face,” and gave three INTERVIEW WITH THE SULTAN. 289 hearty cheers. This ended the ceremony of taking possession, but not the day. A cold collation having been prepared by Captain Mundy, we all assembled under a marquee, eight Pan- gerans honoured us with their company, and drank her jNIajesty’s health ; they left at about four o’clock. One of the INlalavs had stolen a bottle, and being’ licked for it was fool enough not to be satisfied, blit complained to Pangeran Moormeen, who seized a stick from the beach and broke it over his back, and then told Captain Mundy that if he were not satisfied with that, he would order him to be deca- pitated on the spot, — a very kind oifer, but it was declined. Having reached their boats, they set sail for Brun^, and we returned to the marquee, to finish dinner, and spend the evening. The island of Labuan is low and much wooded, about thirty miles in circumference. Fresh water abounds. On the 21st, Captain Mundy sent me to Borneo, to purchase bullocks. My interview with his ma- jesty shewed me royalty under a new aspect. We arrived on the morning of the 22nd, off the Palace, and immediately landed, and were met by a Pangeran, who invited us to go and be presented to the Sultan — the Omar Ali of private life ^ — an * An ugly little man with two thumbs on his right hand, about forty-five years of age. U 290 TREATY OF L ABU AN. imbecile, but with all the sly cunning that is now and then seen supplying the want of common sense ; a smart man at a bargain, who might let any Jewish pedlar in for a wrinkle or two, at the same time an overgrown baby, who asked for everything he saw. No sooner was I seated in his august pre- sence than he ordered six fowls and rice of two kinds to be sent to the boat for our breakfasts, and then inquired the reason of our visit, and promised to let us have seven bullocks, at two pieces of calico per head. After which, I returned to the boat to breakfast; I had scarcely got there, when his majesty sent to beg bread, cigars, copper caps, and sugar, and I sent a small quantity of each. Then he sent for me, and having finished my breakfast, I went, when he asked me for everything he could see, and obtained the buttons off my coat, a pair of flannel trowsers, a pen-knife, a looking glass, and a small spy-glass, for which he promised me a kris, in four- teen days. Determined to have something at once to shew, I asked him for his autograph, but he told me that Sultans never signed but sealed, I asked for and obtained the impression of his seal, made as above. He then asked me to fire at a mark with my musket, which I did, and he in return shewed me his weapons, consisting of a kris, about two feet long ; a spear, eight feet ; an Illanun sword, a kind of scymetar, four feet long; a supitan, six CHARACTER OF THE SULTAN. 291 feet, this is a spear with a hollow staff, like the cherry-stick of a Turk’s pipe, made of iron wood, with a bundle attached to it containing the poison- ed arrows, which are small pieces of cane very sharp, and about ten inches long ; they are put into the mouth and blown through the staff with consi- derable force, and I have a Malay’s authority for saying that if not within the sound of a gong, they carry certain death ; a gun, four feet long ; a shield, made of wood and fish skin, six feet ; and the state sword, three feet, — mere tinsel. Having done this, he asked for everything he could think of, but I had nothing more to give him. He begged soap from the men, one of whom, finding himself on such easy terms, thought he might sit down without taking any very great li- berty with a man who would ask him how he was off for soap? and did so accordingly in a chair I had just vacated ; but he reckoned without his host, whose royal blood immediately was up, and who became the monarch again. He rushed forward, and seized him with his own royal hands, and dragged him out. All his subjects entering his presence squat on their hams, then lifting their hands, clasped together, to the forehead, bend until the hands nearly reach the ground. Having now been with him nearly all day, I went to the boat and brought out a bottle of sherry, intending, as 292 TREATY OF LABUAN. I thought, to share it with him, but his majesty thought differently, and I confess he did me, for he seized the bottle immediately, and ordered one of his servants to take it into the harem, telling me that he was a good Mussulman, and so could not drink in company, but would drink my health < that night. During the whole day he either chewed j betel-nut and tobacco, or smoked cigars ; he offered j me cakes and tea, which, of course, I accepted. ( He wrote my name on the back of an old book, j , as he assured me, I rather thought it more likely to j ( be “ Omar Ali, his mark.” I doubt whether he | i can write, as, wishing while I was with him to send i j off a letter on business, he ordered one of his mi- ' * nisters to write it, and he himself merely sealed ; i without reading it. As it was beginning to get ♦ dark, I jogged his memory about the bullocks, when he told me that unfortunately he could only get two, and asked for the cloth for them beforehand. It was rash, I own, but I let him have it to expedite | business, and two bullocks made their appearance, i one good and one very bad. I took them to the ' boat, and then sent the interpreter to tell his ma- jesty I was very angry with him for cheating me in the way he had done, after promising large bul- locks, and that unless reparation were made, I j should relate the whole of the circumstances to j the captain. A change came o’er the spirit of his j TRADE CARRIED ON BY BARTER. 293 dream, and he immediately sent a very fine one in place of the lean kine, and I went up to take leave of him. We parted the best of friends, he did not shew any angry feeling at my having accused him of cheating me — not in the least, he knew it before, and volunteered a promise that the kris should be forthcoming in fourteen days, and deceived me again, for he kept his word this time. There is no money as yet in circulation in Borneo, trade is carried on by barter, a fathom’s length of cloth is the price of a fowl or duck, six of a goat, ten of a calf, two pieces a bullock. An empty bottle five eggs, or a heap of vegetables. The following is the pedigree of Omar Ali. 294 PEDIGREE OF THE SULTAN’S FAMILY Ih" a llh- < c3 tyO - C c3 w c ^ ^ Si ^ ^ ^ -I d -S '3 g Si US g es H ..§ s ^ .■^o *W 52 '1^ " § WH ^ CO Omar AH, the present Sultan, and five natural children. The present Sultan has no issue ; began to reign 1820. DESPATCH FROM THE SULTAN. 295 CHAPTER XVIII. MASSACRE OF BRUNE. Despatch received from the Sultan by the British Authorities. — Translation. — The Pangeran Suliman’s Tale. — Arrival of Cap- tain Heath. — Settlement of the Disputes. On the 11th of February Pangeran Illeman de- livered a despatch from his master, the Sultan, stating at the same time that his highness had been much disturbed by the threats of an anti-foreign party, who had been formerly expelled, but had lately returned to the city of Brun^, and were in the habit of prowling about at night, firing off muskets, and creating other disturbances, until they had become so bold as to threaten the royal person ; and they were nightly expected to fire the palace. He said that the Sultan bade him explain that these desperadoes were to him as a sort of night- mare. The despatch was wi’itten in Arabic, and trans- lated as follows : — “ Whereas this friendly epistle, which springs 296 MASSACRE OF BRUN^. from a white heart, and from a heart filled with purity ; that is to say, from the Sultan Omar-Ali- sep-Aldin, son of the deceased royal Sultan, Ma- homed, the elegance of the world. “ May it please the Lord of all the hosts in the world, to cause this to arrive before the beautiful countenance of our dear friend. Captain Heath, the high officer who is appointed by the Queen Rajah of Europe, and who is all-powerful in the island of Labuan. “We now send word to you, our dear friend, that Hadji Samun is in our royal city of Brune, for we have heard it from Nakhoda Ruhsid. This we have but lately known of with certainty ; now we wish to perform our duty (appointed to us), but we are not strong enough,* and we are afraid shall get blamed by our dear friend.f Thus, then, enough is known to our dear friend. “ What may be the wish of our dear friend that we should do? “ That we shall deliver him unto our dear friend. * When Captain Heath had read thus far, the Pangeran said he had to explain that the powder-magazine of Brune was but pooidy stocked ; and that since the war the muskets had become rusty and old. t After all had been settled, the Sultan confessed that he had no fear of Hadji Samun and his party ; but he was much afraid, un- less he discountenanced his return, of the anger of Mr. Brooke and the admiral. PANGERAN SULIMAN’S TALE, 297 “We have nothing to acid, bnt many many com- pliments. “ The Hope which protected us is gone.” This was sealed with the royal seal ; and in con- sequence acting Commander Heath proceeded to Brune in H. M. S. Wolf, and left me in charge of the Island of Labuan. The followiug account was given me by Pan- geran Suliman, of the causes of the bad odour in which Hadji Samun now stood at the court of Brunfe. “ Before Mr. Brooke * obtained the patent of Rajah of the Sarawak, an uncle of the Sultan’s had reigned over it, named IMuda Hassim, who, with his brother Budreddin, returned to Brune with a strong prejudice in favour of Mr. Brooke. The Sultan being in reality an imbecile, the du- ties of the government were in a great measure in the hands of the uncle Pangerans, and the conse- quence was, that for some time a strong party grew * The Rajah of Sarawak needs no eulogium from me. I have the honour of his acquaintance, and know that his modesty would shrink from anything of the kind. I shall merely say here, that though what he has already achieved be almost super-human j yet the effects of his policy are still to be seen, and if his own generation do not reap the full benefit of it, another will acknow- ledge him as perhaps the greatest, wisest, and ablest in the long catalogue of heroes that illumine the history of the British em- pire in the east. 298 MASSACRE OF brun£:. up in Brune in favour of the foreigner; that Bud- recldin presuming on British protection, became proud and overbearing in the extreme, and this made innumerable enemies among the most bold, of whom was Hadji Samun, whose self-gained rank of Hadji gave him a high position, as not many could boast of having travelled to Mecca ; and from a poor man he gradually placed himself at the head of a strong faction, whose ejQTorts had well- nigh dethroned' the reigning sovereign. “Opportunity alone was wanted, on the part of the Hadji, to act on the offensive, which he had not long to wait for, having rendered himself amena- ble to punishment on the evening preceding the day appointed for his trial. The Hadji held a council of his friends, and having through trea- chery obtained the Sultan’s seal to a document, authorising him to put to death both the Pange- rans, he soon obtained assistance, and, arriving at two in the morning, proceeded to the attack. “ Arrived at the houses of the Pangeraus, which adjoined, they planted cannon at all corners, then surrounding and making holes in the roofs, kept up a constant fire on the inmates, which was re- turned with much spirit. Such was the cowardly disposition of the Pangerans’ friends, that they feared to attempt a rescue, and so gallantly was the house of Muda Hassim defended, to which PANGERAN SULIMAN’S TALE. 299 Budreddin and his family had retreated, that noon, the following day, found both Pangeraus much wounded, but still fighting. After a council of war, it was agreed that the house must soon fall, there- fore despatching a favourite domestic named Jaffa, with his signet ring, to give to Rajah Brooke, and beg him to avenge their death, Muda Hassim, collecting his own and his brother’s family round a barrel of powder, and commending themselves to the Lord of Hosts, fired a pistol, and committed thirty-five souls into eternity. “ The explosion had scarcely taken place, when a re-action occurred among the citizens of Brune, and Hadji Samun scarcely escaped with a few fol- lowers to the Nambacos river, where he was discom- fited a short time after by Captain Mundy, in H.M.S. Iris, and his forts destroyed.” Such was the Pan- geran Suliman’s tale. Jaffa reached H.M.S. Hazard at a moment when her captain was stepping into his gig on his way to Brune (which was only twelve miles distant), a let- ter purporting to be from the Sultan asking him to visit having arrived. Jaffa’s tale was soon told, and the Hazard sailed immediately in search of the admiral, who, arriving shortly after, destroyed the forts and took possession of the royal city, and there offered terms to the absent Sultan, who, though known to be an imbe- 800 MASSACRE OF BRUNE. cile, is looked upon with extraordinary awe and ma- jesty by liis subjects, by M'hom he is thought to be in the keeping of divine power, the Pangeran Moormeen, the prime minister, expressing himself to the effect that the Sultan’s body was sacred and beyond the reach of harm. From the above it may not appear extraordinary that the Sultan should feel a little uneasiness regarding the return of the refractory Hadji. Arrived at Brune, his Highness Omar Ali re- ceived Captain Heath with strong demonstrations of joy at the prompt way in which he had acted, and a conference ensued, in which it transpired that Hadji Samun had married the daughter of the Nakhoda, i. e. “ gentleman,” Rahsid, and, with his adherents, was living at the Nakhoda’s expense. The question of British interference was a delicate one, as the home despatches forbade it ; while the speech, on taking possession of Labuan, might be construed by the Malay into a right of protection from the enemies of the Sultan. After some preamble it was agreed that the court writer should indite a declaration, and the Nakhoda sign it in presence of witnesses on both sides, the Sultan not appearing. Entering the court-house with the prime minister, Pangeran Moormeen, Captain Heath called for Nakhoda Rahsid, who protested against the truth NARHODA RAHSID’S SECURITY. 801 of the charges laid against his son-in-law, stating his behaviour since his return to have been deco- rous in the extreme, and his return, caused by almost starvation ; and promising to become security for his good behaviour in future, he affixed his mark to the following statement. “ Whereas, this is a Avriting of agreement between Captain Heath and Nakhoda Rahsid. “ If Hadji Samun, or Hadji Mohammed, or Li Asmad, or Stamid, or Sikendal, make disturbances in the city of Brune upon any pretence whatsoever, or stir up others by slanderous words, I, Nakhoda Rahsid, will bear the penalty. “ Signatures, “ Pangeran Moormeen, ( Bintano: Chinese I merchant. “ Lieutenants ETeard and Hervey, “ And all the Rajahs (of the blood), “ And all the Pangerans (princes), “And all the Orangkajas (governors), “And all the Nakhodas (gentlemen), “ And all the people.” Thus the Hadji remained in Brune. 302 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. CHAPTER XIX. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE BORNEO MALAYS. The Malays a proud Race. — Their Character. — Description of Borneo. — Its Products. — Household Furniture. — Dress of the Malays. — Their Indolence. — Arabic the character of their Writing — Learning. — Marriage. — Mode of Burial. — Religion. — ■ Orang Oaya, or Superintendant of a District. The Malays in general are a proud race ; but much more so than those who remain at home are the descendants of the conquerors of Borneo. This immense island is almost environed by Malays, while the interior is still in the hands of the Aborigines, who constantly make war upon one another. The pride of the Malay is to be traced in the very sands he walks upon ; head erect, the ball of the foot never shows in the print. Ragged and dirty as he may be, he is still a Malay and Moham- medan ; and consequently, far in advance of all Christians and followers of other prophets. On the Chinese he looks with the most sovereign contempt. In temper, the Malay is sulky; in character, he PRODUCTS OF BORNEO. 303 is treacherous, zealous, suspicious, and indolent. But Bornese habits have been materially changed of late years ; formerly the Sultans were sea-kings, whose wealth and poAver lay in the number of their fleet and fighting men. Their possessions were frontiered by a fierce race of Dyaks, or other Aborigines, with whom they were continually at war. A partial truce with their unquiet neighbours would be taken advantage of by the Sultan ; who, at the head of a chosen number of followers, would put to sea, and declare war with the world afloat ; surrounding the enemy in such numbers, that a merchant vessel (and even a Spanish frigate and gun-boat on one occasion) had no chance whatever. But English arms have at last nearly cleared the seas of these pirates, and policy has settled the disputes on shore, so that now they till the ground, and labour honestly for their bread, and have seldom recourse to arms, except in civil war, or secret murder; neither of which are uncommon. Formerly a piece of ground was cleared, and the crop having been taken, it Avas allowed to rest for seven years, when it would again be cleared and cultivated ; but now that they are obliged to provide for themselves, the ground has a heavier demand made on it. Borneo is productive of gold, diamonds, crystal, copper, iron, loadstone, tin, and antimony; diamonds in alluvial soil, and deposits near the base of moun- 804 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. tains, also in sandstone, and the sand mountains of Ponteanak, (a Dutch settlement) and Banjan- Massing. Gold is found, in grains, in alluvial soil, and in the sands of the rivers ; also in the mines of Salak, Sukadon, Tampazook, Matam, and many other places. Tin is said to be found at Sarawak ; copper at Mandore, in Pontianak ; rock crystal, called water diamond, at Sulo and Kaman ; loadstone at Pulo Bongorong. But none of these mines are worked by Malays. Chinese emigrants from Canton, have in many instances made a fine harvest, but at great risk from their treacherous neighbours. Nature has been bountiful to this indolent race, fruits of all kinds to be found within the tropics, grow wild, as also sago, pepper, and tobacco, which form articles of trade ; vegetables are very inferior for want of cultivation, as is also the sugar cane. They exercise no trades except those of boat- builders, and a few blacksmiths, or armourers. The women can sew, but there is no spinning wheel, or other household instrument in Borneo. The seas abound in fish, which form the principal animal food. Rice is the staple, while curries of fowls, eggs, or vegetables are much in use. The flesh of animals, or as we call it butcher’s meat, is seldom used, excepting dried deer’s flesh, which FOPPERY OF THE MALAYS. 305 is esteemed a luxury. Sweetmeats are much in demand, made of coarse sugar, from the scarcely cultivated sugar-cane, and rice fried in cocoa-nut oil. Fish is preferred salt, and of a high flavour. They have ducks, which they keep for their eggs ; and also bullocks and goats ; hut as Mohammedans, no pigs. Their drinks are either plain water, or sherbet, rice-water, and cocoa-nut milk. Tea and spirits are neither made, nor amongst these orthodox Mussul- men allowed. The house is raised about six feet from the water or ground, consisting of four or six rooms, lofty, thatched, and matted. The flooring is of split palm trees, the round part uppermost, which throws off the dirt, and consequently keeps the room mode- rately clean. Those of the Pangerans are matted, hut the furniture is very scanty indeed, as the natives all squat on their hams, or mats ; each mat is supplied with a pillow. Around the sides are arranged the krisses, spears, shields, Ac., hut no other ornaments, and few household utensils ; fin- gers being a prior invention to forks and spoons, they keep up the older custom sanctioned by the wisdom of their ancestors. The Malay is a fop in his dress, sans doute, as the gayer the colour, the more it is preferred. The dress consists of a short, peculiarly-made jacket, and X 306 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. loose inexpressibles, fastened by a red sash, in which is stuck the invariable kris. On the head is a tur- ban, all these are of colours to please the wearer. There is no linen or flannel, and no shoes; but on the fingers are generally some two or three rings, roughly made of silver or gold, having a diamond, or a species of vegetable ivory, found in about one cocoa nut out of four thousand. The above is the dress of the better classes, while a tur- ban and inexpressibles, and sometimes merely a cloth round the loins, is deemed sufficient for the generality of the sovereign people. As a mark of beauty, the enamel is filed from the teeth, which are then dyed black, as it is unfit for men to have white teeth like dogs. The women have but one article of dress, consisting of a flowing robe, reach- ing from above the waist to the feet; they use much gold in their hair, and on their arms and legs, and, if rich, are almost covered with it. The robe is of a bright colour. Children under ten are seldom clothed. I have before said, that the Malay is extremely indolent ; he smokes and chews betel-nut per- petually, and, unless actually obliged, he will not work ; it therefore constantly happens that men get into debt, for which the law demands a self sale, for years or months, according to the sum owed, a LANGUAGE. — MARRIA<5E. 307 species of slavery from which the debtor, w-hen once bound, if it be for any large amount, seldom escapes ; wives, children, and all follow. He is quite at home in his canoe, standing up in, and managing the smallest craft, in the most masterly manner. Boys, scarcely able to walk, are seen paddling about the Avater-streets of Brune. The Arabic is the character used in Avriting, the Malays having none of their own ; and the number in Borneo who can both read and Avrite Avell is con- siderable, though I do not think the Sultan can do either; but his chancellor manages that for him. There are some learned and travelled men in Brune, Avho, as good IMohammedans, have made the pil- grimage to JMecca. These are the teachers, and the Koran the lesson. IMarriage is performed much in the same man- ner as in most eastern countries. At twelve, the girls are shut up, and only seen by the members of the family. A young man Avanting a wife, mentions it to his parents, who go and pay a round of visits and, having chosen him one, a day is fixed on AAdiich the ceremony is performed, and they become man and wife. Their tombs, even those of the Sultans, are plain. The body is buried Avith the feet toAvards Mecca, ge- nerally on the side of a hill, over Avdiich a square 308 MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. Stone pile is erected, in size according to the rank of the deceased, but without dates or inscriptions of any kind. The language is curious and easy, a sentence con- sists of four words, seldom more, the plural is signi- fied by repeating the single number; verbs have no conjugations : in counting they count to ten, as satu, one ; dua, two ; ten is sapulo, or one ten ; then ele- ven is sablas ; duablas, &c., to twenty, thirty ; dua- puloh, tiga putoh, &c. The Sultan besides in regal state, is in a religious point of view the head of his people, he is always surrounded by bearers of different devices of honour, and seldom left without one or more Pangerans (prince) attending on him. Beyond this there is not much state. At his court any subject can enter the council-chamber, first performing the salam as he seats himself on his hams, provided he wears his kris. The Koran and ancient usages guide as laws, but power of life and death is in the hands of all Ra- jahs, and most Pangerans, which renders life unsafe. His majesty is very poor, while many of his sub- jects, and particularly one, Merah Moormeen, are very rich. Each district is under the superintendance of a head man, called Orang Caya, literally “ a rich man.” In Thibet the title of Orang Cay is given to high PANGERANS AND ORANG CAYAS. 309 nobles, like Ricos hombres in Spain. The Orang Caya collects the revenues and brings them himself to the Sultan : they consist generally of pepper and sago, and are apparently small. A party of fisher- men in Labuan told me they would pay the Sultan for the right of fishing, were it not in our possession, a picul of pepper yearly (one hundred and twenty pounds). Pangerans are seldom Orang Cayas, but have sometimes more than one district under them, and are called Rajahs. Great respect is demanded by Pangerans, while little or none is shewn to Orang Cayas. 310 ISLAND OF LABUAN. CHAPTER XX. SEAECH FOR COAL. Shape of the Island of Labuan. — Map of it. — Description. — j Search for Coal. — Appearance of the Island. — Its Products, i — Illness of the Exploring Party. — Coal discovered. — Its ! Quality and Quantity. The island of Labuan, as it appears on the map, ! is in shape, as near as possible, an isosceles triangle, i At its base, which is to the south, is Victoria Bay, , forming a good harbour, with about six or seven fa- thoms of water, with good anchorage, (the name La- buan means “ anchorage ” in the Malay language,) I and a harbour of refuge in the north-east monsoon. On the west side of it is Point Hamilton, beyond j Avhich is the China river, an arm of the sea ex- * tending about three or four miles inland, when it i is terminated by a mangrove swamp ; beyond this | is the point of Kinnan-San, the south-west angle | of the island. The west coast is dangerous to near in a boat on account of the surf; the anchorage ' (not safe) is in twelve fathoms all along it. To : CHART OF THE ISLAND OF LABUAN. 812 SEARCH FOR COAL, the east of Victoria Bay is Point Pasley, the south-east angle of the island. This promised coal, but a few isolated pieces here and there, below high water mark, alone were discovered. Near here is a waterfall of about eighteen feet from a small river, and numbers of little rocky points with sandy bays, surmounted by pines and other trees, and a long sand-flat running out for some distance ; over it the tide, at flood, boils in such a manner as to render the passage extremely dangerous. To the north of Point Pasley, about a mile and a half, is Tanjong Tarras, with a waterfall, at which the Malay prahus water ; it is one of the most pic- turesque spots on the island. Immediately over, and facing the rising sun, on a cliff, between two large trees, is a stone tomb to a Hadji, whose memory is much respected, he having performed the pilgrimage to Mecca, and died shortly after his return in the odour of sanctity. Between Tanjong-Tarras and Point Pasley, are several watering-places, but re- quiring art to make them available. At Pasley commences the plain, the only piece of ground near the sea that is free from jungle ; said by the Malays to have been cleared by some former British set- tlers. In extent it is half a mile in length, and a quarter in breadth, with a burn of very in- different water running through what has all the appearance of being an artificial channel, the work AN EXPLORING PARTY. 313 of the unknown British, before mentioned. Near here coal was expected to be found, but very mi- nute particles only were discovered. A party of three, consisting of Assistant-Surgeon Joliffe, and Midshipman Morgan, of H.M.S. Iris, and myself, soon after the taking possession of the island, sallied forth to explore the southern base, and ascertain its probable productions and search for coal. We started at Tanjong-Tarras and pro- ceeded westward, examining each tree and flower as we came across one ; until having passed three mangrove swamps, and finding ourselves on the confines of a fourth on the west coast of the is- land, we deemed it advisable to prepare for the night ; darkness was already setting in, and return was out of the question. Our pic-nic was not an agreeable one ; we cut down some boughs, col- lected leaves, and gained the summit of a hill, when we doled out a small quantity of brandy; and cold and wet through to the skin, lay down as close together as we could to profit by each other’s warmth, but were unable to sleep from the an- noyance of gnats and musquitoes. At daylight, wet, cold, and uncomfortable, we breakfasted off a small piece of biscuit and the remnant of the contents of our flask, and set out to return, taking a direction a little more to the north than we came by, and crossing the China river 314 SEARCH FOR COAL. by a fallen tree, we reached a mangrove swamp on the eastern side, to the north of Tanjong-Tarras, about noon, just as the flood tide made, and ex- perienced the dangers of it, being obliged to run for our lives. The following are the observations I made. The country aj'tpears a succession of small hills, varying from one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet in height, croAvned with trees; many of them had fallen in different places, which, with the under- wood or jungle, makes walking very difficult. At a distance of about two miles from Tanjoug Tarras, we opened a large savannah, clear of wood, very damp under foot, but apparently excellent pasturage. Another hill was followed by another savannah, and so on to the Mangrove swamp, which reached down to the sea ; the waters of the China river were fresh and over my head in depth, as I proved by jumping in. To the west of this river the water is of a whitish colour from the soil being of a light -colour- ed clay, which may be very valuable hereafter for brick-making and pottery ; to the east it is of iron- red, the soil also being of a red and dark colour. The rivulets are, many of them, dried up in the hot season, but the soil seems rich in the extreme. Among the trees are pine, dammer, or pitch, teak, fir, cedar, iron wood, enormous upas,^ India rub- * The sap of this tree runs like milk, and thickens into a sub- NATURAL HISTORY. 315 bcr, gutta perclm in large quantities, and a few camphor trees. On some of the smaller of these I counted upwards of twelve kinds of parasite, or air plants, and the roots are here and there surround- ed by clusters of the pitcher plant, from which I drank the water, with a strong flavour of Crema Tartar, but very refreshing. The only fruits that I came across were jack-fruit and wild almond ; but flowers are numerous and beautiful, lilies of many varieties, creepers, wild honeysuckle, and others, “ the fairest that may feast the bee,” of whose names I am ignorant, but the all-useful bamboo unfortunately is not there. Bees are in profusion, as are the birds, some of them of beautiful plum- age, but no songsters ; amongst others, snipes, pigeons, jungle and water fowls. The Lemur or flying squirrels are in great numbers and variety, with myriads of monkeys, some wild bullocks (whose ancestors have escaped from wrecks), wild hogs, deer (but not many, and very wild), lizards of different kinds, from an inch to a fathom long, alli- gators, quanas, and turtle. Snakes do not abound, but there are a few, and, among others, the boa- constrictor, and a very beautiful species, something like the whip snake, of a green colour and perfectly stance like India-rubber, but is not of the deadly poisonous nature commonly supposed. I have often had some poured into my hand, without the slightest bad consequences ensuing fi'om it. 316 SEARCH FOR COAL. harmless, that I have had playing about my arm constantly. The sea abounds with the finest fish, and oysters cover the rocks ; shells are in great variety. About one hundred and fifty JMalays visit the island, fifty of whom are beeswax hunters, and the rest fishermen ; half of these latter haunt the creeks, and the rest the China river. They are very civil and useful. Here I wish I could say that the effects of this trip terminated with me ; but having shortly before recovered from a fever, on its breaking out again, with renewed violence. Captain Gordon, myself, and many of the crew w'ere attacked by it. The caj^- tain died, and filled the second grave in the island (the Hadji’s, above mentioned, being the first), and Sergeant Ohurn, of the marines, the third, from the same complaint, hut, after two relapses, I managed to recover, though it was not until the 81st of January, 1847, that the state of my health enabled me to agree with Lieut. Heath to try the northern end of the island, and see whether any available coal-field existed on it or not. We landed together on the N.E. point, a spot where Captain Bethune had noticed an outcrop of coal, only discernible at low water. We followed its strike, and by digging in its direction soon proved it to be a vein running W.S.W. with a dip of twenty degrees northward ; but about twenty yards from I BED OF COAL DISCOVERED. 317 the outcrop we lost all trace of it under a high rock. In the hopes of finding the vein in another direction, a shaft was dug to the S.W. of the out- crop, passing through three feet of sand, then ten feet of blue clay, but we only found minute parti- cles of coal, nodules, and iron pyrites. Two days having been thus occupied, owing to the unfavour- able state of the weather, our search was disconti- nued for several days, as we had nearly nine miles to proceed by boats to reach the N.E. point from the plain ; but on the 8th of February, we again went to work with a compass and entered the jungle, intending to examine all the ravines and beds of streams for particles of coal ; and at a distance of about a mile and a quarter from the beach we dis- covered an open bed of it, the strike of which cor- responded with the outcrop, we therefore struck out in an E.N.E. direction, and came to four different fields of coal in successive ravines, each time send- ing one of the boat’s crew who accompanied us to follow out the stream, which mostly ran from south to north, while the ridges of the hills were some- thing near E.N.E. and W.S.W. After leaving the last of these beds, still continuing on the E.N.E. di- rection, we reached the beach at about fifty or sixty feet from the outcrop, thus proving the conjunction of these fields. On the 9th we again started, and passing the 318 SEARCH FOR COAL. before discovered fields, endecavoured to cross the island in W.S.W. direction, but owing- to the extreme thickness of the jungle we found, as the small pieces of coal in the streams had led us to expect, that we were to the northward. Letters from the Sultan of Borneo, of an impor- tant nature,* requiring the presence of Lieutenant Heath, he proceeded in H. M, S. Wolf, leaving me in charge of the island with a party of marines and seamen, living in tents on the plain ; but owing to some rumours of pirates, I could not leave the pro- tection of the flagstaff, and it was not until the end of the month, on the return of Lieutenant Heath, we were able again to proceed. Landing on the opposite side of the island we struck immediately into the jungle, and whenever we met with a stream i searched up and down for small pieces of coal ; and when any were found we knew we were to the north- ward, and proceeding up the stream soon came on a bed. Whenever unable to find any we travelled north, often with the same success, and thus traced the E.N.W. and W.S.W, line from one side of the island to the other, and notwithstanding the difficul- ties of the jungle we came upon considerable quanti- ties of iron and sandstones of every hue. The nearest exposed portion is by measure three hundred yards from the beach to which we cut a * Vide supra. QUALITY OF THE COAL. 319 roatl, and on one of tlie only two bays which afford shelter and anchorage for vessels. About five hundred yards from this beach we cut another shaft through a bed of coal, the dip of which was about twenty-two degrees to the northward, the shaft was ten feet deep at right angles with^ the dip, and not with the horizon, thus : — The quality has been tested and pronounced ex- cellent. From the foregoing, it will be seen that any quantity of coal may be had witliout the trouble, intricacy, and expense of mining operations, inas- much as it lies above high water-mark ; and some of it at a distance of only three hundred yards from a beach where there is good anchorage for ships — labour, cheap and abundant, can be had from China to dig on the spot an article which, up to this time whenever used in those waters, has been im- ported from Newcastle. While the last shaft was in process some heavy rain fell. One day on going there I found a large boa constrictor gorged with a bird of the kite tribe in its throat and drowned : wishing to shew it I had 320 SEARCH FOR COAL. it taken out and left under a tree, while the boat’s crew went to the beach to their midday meal. On our return the boa was nearly devoured by a huge alligator, who stood as if inclined to dispute our passage, but not being hungry he thought better of it, and retired much to the satisfaction of all parties. The following paragraph, in the main correct, I observed in the Singajiore Free Press, copied partly into the Mark Lane Express. LABUAN COAL DISCOVERIES. By the arrival of H. M. S. Wolf, we have re- ceived intelligence from Labuan down to the 20th of March. The Columbine, brig-of-war, relieved the Wolf. Whilst the Wolf was stationed at Labuan, ad- vantage was taken by her Commander (Lieutenant Heath, R. N.) and Lieutenant F. E. Forbes, R. N., to ascertain something relative to the products of the island. Their researches have been success- ful in discovering a large seam of coal, commencing at what may be termed Captain Bethune’s out-crop, and extending across the island in the directions E. N. E. and W. S. W. The thickness of the seam was ascertained to be ten feet one inch ; the dip 22° N. N. W., and the extent about one and three- quarter miles. A path has been cut to the near- SEAMS OF COAL. 321 est portion of the seam, which is stated to be three hundred and thirty-four yards from the beach, and distant about eight miles from Point Pasley. But what is not a little satisfactory is the cir- cumstance of the seam being found near a bay where there is good anchorage. This bay, and also that knowm as Victoria, are the only bays the island possesses. Much care was bestowed in as- certaining the direction of the seam of coal, which was observed at seven different places, beside the portion already mentioned as exposed on the beach, all having the same dip and nearly a similar de- gree of thickness. The depth of water in the bay will allow of steamers of moderate draught of water to proceed close in shore; supposing the average thickness to be about two-thirds of that ascertained, the seam of coal in the bay would yield nearly seven hundred tons, which might, we are assured, be worked by the least experienced persons. Several trials were made of the coal : it is generally reported that the heat and flame were equal to Newcastle coal, but was consumed in less time. Lieutenants Heath and Forbes, to whose assiduity and perseverance we are mainly indebted for tracing the seam, convey two casks of the coal taken from Labuan for the inspection of the naval commander-in-chief at Penang. W e mav remark that the direction of the coal on the is Y 322 SEARCH FOR COAL. land of Labuan, is nearly at right angles to that found on the mainland of Borneo Proper. Situated near the bay above-mentioned was a great number of camphor trees which are described as being of tlie first kind. There were also found large quantities of iron in its native state. We learn that the natives residing at Labuan are committing great havoc amongst “ the giants of the forest.” Every description of tree is cut down for fire-wood, including some of the fine and valuable camphor trees. Considering that Euro- peans are not permitted to land, we think the na- tives ought, at least, to be interdicted wilful de- struction of the crown’s “ woods and forests ” — the camphor, caoutchouc and dammer trees are alike the victims of the flames. And the Times in a city ar- ticle, September 28, 1847, bears the following testimony : — “ The advices from Labuan and Borneo are still of an encouraging character. It appears that the coal of Labuan has been well tried, and pronounced of an excellent quality ; it is also not only in large quantities, but conveniently situated for working. Brun^ and Sarawak are stated to be perfectly quiet, and commerce is steadily progres- sing. The Sultan of Borneo has executed a deed authorizing the working of the coal-mines on the coast. Mr. Brooke, it is said, will arrive on a visit to England by the present mail.” SEARCH FOR COAL. 323 Since writing the above, the following isaragraph appeared in the Dailj News, November 23: “At Labuan, great progress was being made in working the extensive seams of coal. Chinese coolies from Singapore were employed in the operation under the direction of Mr. JMills.” APPENDIX. APPENDIX, No. I. The Eighteen Provinces of China Proper, with THE Latitudes and Longitudes of the Capi- tals, Official Appointments, Salaries, etc. China Proper is divided into eighteen provinces, each of which is under the guidance of a governor and proper officers, the most convenient mode of illustrating whom and their offices, will be to give the following account of those of the Province of Kwang-tung, or Canton, and an abbreviation of those of the others. 1 . Keying. Governor-general of the provinces of Kwang- tung and Kwang-si, and imperial commissioner, charged with the management of foreign affairs at the five ports of Canton-foo, Amoy-heen, Fuh- chau-fou, Ningpo-fou, and Shanghae-lieen, has a salary of 15,000 taels. Under his government are 38,194,552 souls, or for Kwang-tung, 27,610,123, and Kwang-si, 10,584,429. Canton, the capital, is situated in lat. 23° 10' N., and long. 3° 31' W. of Pekin, called Kwang-chou-foo. (His title is Tsung-tung, or “ governor,” of I^eang-Kwang, or the two Kwangs.) 2. The Foo-yuen, or “ Lieutenant-governor,” has a salary of 13,000 taels. 3. The Te-tuh, ‘‘ Commander-in-chief of the military forces,” called also Luh-lii-Te-tuh. Salary 5,000 taels. 328 APPENDIX. 4. The Te-tuh, or “Commander-in-chief of the naval forces,” called also Shuy-tsze-Te-tuh, or “ Son of the water, Te-tiih.” Salary 5,000 taels. 5. Tsiang-kiung, “ General of the Manchou garrison.” Salary 8,000 taels. 6. Pieching-sze, “ Treasurer, commissioner of finance, and superintendent of the territorial department.” Salary 8,000 taels. 7. Ngancha-sze, “ Criminal judge, commissioner of jus- tice.” Salary 4,900 taels. 8. Hioh-tai, “ Literary chancellor.” Salary 2,000 taels. 9. Liang-tau, “ Commissary-general, or grain commis- sioner.” 10. Yen-yun-sze, “ Commissioner of salt.” 11. Grand-hoppo, Hae-kwan, “ Commissioner of customs.” 12. Chifu of Kwan-chou-fu, “ Prefect of Canton.” His functions correspond nearly to those of mayor in European cities. 13. Kwang-hu, “Commander of the militia (native Chi- nese) and armed police of Canton.” 14.1 [“Magistrate of the district of Nauhoi.” 15. ^ I “ Magistrate of the district of Pwanyii.” 16. Sub-magistrate of Nanhoe. 17. Magistrate of the district of Heang-shou. 18. Assistant to prefect of Canton. 19. Sub-magistrate of Heang-su. These are merely the officers of the city of Canton and its environs. Chi-le is the most northern of these provinces, the capital of which is Pih-kin, or Pekin, meaning literally, “northern capital.” Pekin is not only capital of the pro- vince of Chi-le, but also of the whole empire. It is situate in lat. 40°, and is the seat of the central government, as well as the residence of the sovei’eign, Taou-Kwang, a APPENDIX. 329 son of the late emperor, Kea-King, who succeeded his father, Aug. 24th, 1821. His succession was owing, it is said, to his having saved his father’s life in an attack made by some insurgents on the palace of Yuen-min-yuen. He was born on the 12th of September, 1782. He has been twice married; the late empress died in 1831, and the present succeeded on the 10th of September, 1834. His family is said to consist of six children, four sons and two daughters, the younger of whom, Yih-tsung, the son of a Manchou concubine, was adopted in 1845, under the name of Tun-Kwang-Wang, by the Emperor’s brother, Tun- Tsin-Wang, who was childless. The Emperor has another brother, Hwang-Keung-Wang-Meen-hin (Meen is the sig- nificant name as a kinsman of the Emperor, or yellow girdle). In succession the Emperor has choice among his sons, no son of a Chinese (concubine or not) can succeed ; and in Tartars legitimacy is preferable and requisite, but primogeniture not necessary. THE emperor’s MINISTERS (RESIDENT AT PEKIN) ARE AS FOLLOWS ; The Tsung-Jin-fu, Or “Officers for the control of the imperial household,” are six in number, viz. : — President, or Tsung-ling, one ; Tsung-ching, two ; Tsung-Jin, two; Fu-ching, one; Treasurers, two. The Nuy-ko, or Cabinet, Ta-heo-tsze, three ; Hie-pan-ta-heo-tsze, two ; Heo- tsze, ten. The Chung-shoo-ko, or Herald's Office, Keun-ke-ta-chin, “ Privy Council,” selected from all the higher stations, without any rule as to rank or number. 330 APPENDIX. Han-lin-yuen, or Imperial College. Presidents, two — called Chang-yuen-heo-sze. It includes the office of Ke-kew-choo, for recording the emperor’s daily words and actions, the chief officers of which office are also chief of the college. Lew-poo, or Six Supreme Tribunals. 1. Le-pu, or “ Civil Office,” composed of Presidents, or Shang-shoo, two ; Vice-Presidents, or Shelang, four. 2. Hoo-poo, “ Board of Revenue,” Superintendent, one ; Presidents, two ; Vice-Presidents, four ; Lords of the three treasuries, or Kwan-le-san-kwo, two. 3. Li-pu, “ Board of Rites,” Presidents, two ; Vice- Presidents, four. 4. Ya-pu, ” Board of Music,” Superintendents, two. 5. Ping-pu, “Board of War,” Pi’esidents, two, and all Governor-generals ; Vice-Presidents, four, and all Foo-yuens. 6. Hing-pu, “ Board of Punishments,” Presidents, two ; Vice-Presidents, four. The Board of Works. Kung-pu, “Board of Works,” Superintendent, one; Presidents, two ; Vice-Presidents, four. Kae-laow-ya-mun, “ Office for the superintendence of streets and roads in and about Pekin, under the Kung- pu. Other Public Offices. 1. Le-fan-yuen, “ Foreign and Colonial,” Superintendent, one ; Presidents, two ; Vice-Presidents, two ; Super- intendent Vice-President, one. APPENDIX. 331 2. Foo-cha-yiien, “ Censorate,” Chief censors, or Foo- yu-she, two ; Chief censors of the left. Governor- generals of provinces. Chief censors of the right. Secondary censors, or Foo-too~yu-shee, three ; of the left. Foo-yuens are secondary censors of the right. 3. Lew-ho, “ Censors of the tribunals and offices at Pekin.” Officers called Kei-sze-chung, Censors of the provinces, and also of the tribunals and offices at Pekin, called Taou-keen-chayu-che. 4. Chen-sze-foo, for preparing public documents, and examining in history and general literature, under the Presidents of the Han-lin-yuen. Members called Chen-sze and Chaou-chen-sye. 5. Woo-hing-yo-sze, in the Han-lin-yuen, are descendants of Confucius, Mencius, and their most distinguished disciples. 6. The Tung-ching-sze-sze, for receiving memorials, &c., if not secret and sealed, from officers in the pro- vinces, correcting them and forwarding them to the cabinet, Tun-ching-sye-sye, two. 7. The Ta-le-sze, a criminal office, or tribunal, secondary to, but independent of the Hing-po, for trying crimi- nals in certain cases. Two officers, called Kings ; two officers, called Shaou-kings. 8. The Tae-chang-sze, for attending to the appointed sacrifices, and other rites, at the public altars and temples of Pekin. Superintendents, two ; Kings, two; Shaou-kings, two. 9. Kwang-luh-sze, for providing food, &c., at the im- perial entertainment, as well as victims, &c., at the public sacrifices. Superintendent, one ; Kings, two ; Shaou-kings, two. 10. Tae-puh-sze, “imperial stud.” Presidents, two. 332 APPENDIX. 11. “ sacrificial court.” Superintendent, one; presidents, two. 12. K'wo-tsze-keen, a college for the instruction of Man- chou, Mongol, and Chinese literature, particularly the former. One superintendent, and two officers, called Tse-tsen ; three professors, a Manchou, a Mongol, and a Chinese. 13. Kin-teei-heen, astronomical board. Superintendent, one ; presidents, two. 14. Tae-e-yuen, grand Medical Hall. Superintendent, one ; president, one. 15. Lwan-e-wei, imperial carriages, banners, canopies, &c. Superintendent, one ; Tartar presidents, two ; Chi- nese president, one. The privy council is generally divided between the j Chinese and Tartars, as also most of the above offices in them, are one hundred and four places, filled by eighty- ' two different persons, of whom, in 1845, thirty -seven j were Manchous ; nine Mongols ; thirty-six Chinese. High rank in the army appears exclusive to the Chinese, ! and almost so to the Mongols. One, commander-in- | chief of the guards, a Manchou ; two, general of the left, Manchou ; three, general of the right, Manchou. Tu-tung, or “ Generals of the eight banners,” all Man- chous ; Tu-tu-tungs, of the eight banners. Pekin is in lat. 40° N., long. 2°, of Greenwich 110° E. ; j its local officers are, superintendent of the city ; Yin, or | “mayor;” Tetuh, or “commander-in-chief of the city ! guards;” Foo-tu-Tung, or “ lieutenant-general,” two. The population of Chi-le is about 40,000,000. The capital, next to Pekin, is Paou-ling-Foo, lat. 38° j 53 'N., long. 0° 52' W. Governed by a Tsung-tuh, go- j vernor-general of Chi-le and its rivers, whose salary is ' 16,000 taels. ' APPENDIX. 333 The following officers belong to the general class of each province, viz. : — Tetuh, or “ commander-in-chief,” salary, 9,000 taels ; Pooching-sze, “ treasurei',” salary about 9000 taels; Ancha-sze, “judge,” salary 8000 taels; chancellor, salary 4000 taels. They will not be repeated, there are, besides, in Chi-le director of the Gabelle at Tien-tsin, salt commissioner at Tientsin. The Tsung-tuh, or governor-general of Leang-Keang, has under him two provinces ; viz., Keang-tsu and Kiang-se. Capital of Keang-tsu is Nankin, or Keang- ning-Foo, lat. 32° 4', long. 2® 18' E. Residence of the governor-general, whose salary is 24,000 taels. Keang- tsu has a population of 54,494,641. Principal officers, Fou-yuen, lieutenant-governor, resident at Soo-chow-Fu ; salary .12,000 taels. Governor of the rivers of Keangnan, 8,000 taels. Governor of inland transport, on the grand canal, 9,500 taels. Chitsau, grain commissioner, salt commissioner, at each Nankin and Luchau. PROVINCE OF NANGHUI. Capital, Ganking-Fii, lat. 30° 37', long. 0° 35' E.; residence of the Foo-yuen, or “ lieutenant-governor,” whose salary is 10,000 taels ; has a population of 49,201,992. PROVINCE OF KIANGSE. Capital, Nan-chang-Fu, lat. 28° 37', long. 0° 36' W ; residence of a Foo-yuen, with a salary of 10,000 taels. Has a population of 43,814,866. Te-tuh’s office, filled by the Foo-yuen, grain commissioner, salt commissioner, prefect of Kwang-sin-Fu. 334 APPENDIX. Tsung-tuh, or “governor-general of Min-Che,” has under him Fuh-keen and Che-kiang provinces. PEOVINCE OF FUH-KEEN. Capital Fuh-chau, residence of the governor-general, lat. 26 ° 2 ', long. 3° 0' E.; whose salary is 18,000 taels. Has a population of 22,699,460, including Formosa. Foo-Yuen, 13,000. Te-tuh-shuy-sze, “Naval com- mander-in-chief.” Grain commissioner. Salt commissioner. Prefect of Fuh-chau. General of the garrison at Fuh-chau, and superintendent at the ports of Fuh-keen, salary 4,600 taels. Intendant of council at Tae-wan, in Formosa. PROVINCE OF CHE-KIANG. Capital Hang-chow-Fu, lat. 30° 20', long. 3° 39' East, residence of a Foo-yuen; salary 10,000 taels. Has a population of 37,809,765. Tsung-Keung, or General of the garrison of Han-chow-foo, and Commander of the Manchou troops. Naval commander-in-chief. Salt and grain commissioners. Prefect of Ningpo, Fuh, &c. 'Psung-tuh, or Governor -general of Hoo-Kwang, of Leang-Hoo, or Hoo-Hoo, has under him Hoo-pih, and Hoo-nan, or N. and S. Hoo. PROVINCE OF HOO-PIH. Capital Woo-chang-Fu, lat. 30° 34'. long. 2° 15' W. Residence of the governor-general, whose salary is 15,000 taels. Population 39,412,940. Foo-Yuen, 10,000. Tsung- Keung, or “ General of King-chou-Fuh.” Grain and salt commissioners. APPENDIX. 335 PEOVINCE OF HOO-NAN. Capital Chang-slia-Fuh, lat. 28° 12', long. 3°, 41' W. Residence of a Foo-Yuen, salary 10,000 taels. Population 26,859,608. Grain and salt commissioners. PEOVINCE OF SHAN-TUNG. Capital Tsi-nan-fu, lat. 36° 44', long. 0° 39' E. Re- sidence of a Foo-Yuen, salary 15,000 taels. No-Tsung- Tuh, office of Te-tuh, filled by Foo-Yuen. Population 41,700,621. Governor of the rivers of Shan-tung and Honan. Residence Tseung-Fu, salary 11,000 taels. Intend- ant of the water transport. Grain and salt commissioners. PEOVINOE OF HONAN. Capital Kae-fung-Fu, lat. 34° 52', long. 1°, 53' W. Residence of a Foo-Yuen, with a salary of 15,000 taels. (No Tsung-tuh). Population 33,173,.526. Office of Te- tuh filled by Foo-Yuen. Grain and salt commissioners. PEOVINCE OF SHANSE. Capital Tae-Yuen-Fu, lat. 37° 53', long. 3° 56' W. Residence of a Fu-Yuen, salary 10,000 taels. No Tsung-tuh. Office of Te-tuh filled by Foo-yuen. Popu- lation 20,166,071. PEOVINCE OF SHENSI. Capital Legan-Fu, lat. 34° 15', long. 70° 34' W. Re- sidence of a Foo-yuen, salary 12,000 taels. Population 14,698,449. Te-tuh, or “ Commander of the forces in 336 APPENDIX. Koo-yuen and its dependencies Tseang-keun, or “ Ge- neral of the forces of Legan-Fu,” and “Commander of the Manchou.” Grain and salt commissioners. Tsung-tuh, or “ Governor-general of Shen-Kan,” i, e. Shensi, and PROVINCE OF KAN SUH. Capital Lan-chow-Fu, lat. 36° 8', long. 12° 33' W. Residence of the governor-general. Salary, 20,000 taels. | Population 21,878,100. Tseang-Keang, of Ning-hea-Fii. i Salt commissioner. Te-tuh, or “ Commander-in-chief of | the forces in Anse ; Governor of the Mongols of Tsing- j Hae.” j PROVINCE OF SYE-CHUEN. ' Capital, Chin-too-Foo, lat. 30° 40', long. 12° 18' W. Residence of a Tsung-tuh, salary 13,000 taels. No Foo- i Yuen. Population 30,867,375. Tseang-Keun of Ching-too-Foo. Tsung-tuh of Leang-Kwang, or the two Kwang, has | under him Kwang-tung, already described, and PROVINCE OF KWANG-SE. Capital, Kwei-lue-Foo, lat. 25° 13', long. 6° 14' W. Residence of a Foo-Yuen, salary 10,000 taels. Popula- tion 10,584,429. Tsung-tuu of Yunk-wai, has under him Kwei-Chow, and PROVINCE OF YUNNAN. Capital, Yunnan-Foo, lat. 25° 6', long. 13° 36' W. j Residence of a Tsung-tuh, salary 20,000 taels. Foo- I Yuen 10,000 taels. Population 8,008,300. j APPENDIX. 337 PROVINCE OF KWEI-CHOW. Capital, Kwei-Yang-fu, lat. 26° 30', long. 9° 52'. Resi- dence of a Foo-Yuen, salary 10,000 taels. Population 7,615,025. APPENDIX, No. II. POPULATION OF CHINA PROPER. Provinces. 1847. 1813. Chi-le . 40,000,000 . 27,990,874 Kiang-tsu . 54,494,641 . 37,843,501 Gan-Hwug . 49,201,992 . 34,168,059 Keang-se . 43,814,866 . 30,426,999 Fuli-Kien . ■ . 22,699,460 . 14,777,410 Che-Kiang . 37,809,765 . 26,256,784 Hoo-pih . 39,412,940 . 27,370,098 Hoo-Nan . 33,173,526 . 18,652,507 Shan-tung . 41,700,621 . 28,958,764 Ho-nan . 33,173,526 . 23,037,171 Shan-se . 20,166,072 . 14,004,210 Shen-se . 14,698,449 . 10,207,256 Kan-suh 21,878,190 . 15,193,125 Sye-Chuen . 30,867,375 . 21,435,678 Kwang-tung . 27,610,123 . 19,174,030 Kwang-se . 10,584,429 . 7,313,895 Yun-nan . 8,008,300 . 5,561,320 Kwei-Chou . 7,615,025 . 5,288,219 536,909,300 367,680,100 z 338 APPENDIX. LIST OF OFFICERS. PROVINCIAL. Tsung-tuh, “ Governor-general.” Foo-Yuen, “ Lieutenant-Governor.” Loo-Luh-te-tuh, “ Com. -in-chief.” Shuy-sze-te-tuh, “Naval Com. -in-chief.” Hae-Kwan-Keen-tuh, “ Customs.” Poo-chingsze, “ Treasurer.” Ancha-sze, “ Judge.” Leang-loo-chow, “Grain commissioner.” LOCAL. Military officers of various ranks. Chee-foo, “ Ma- gistrate.” Che-Hien, “Ma- gistrate,” and under-officers Yen-Yun-sze, “ Salt commissioner.” answering to Literary Chancellor. nearly all em- Tsiang-kiung, “ General-in-chief.” ployed in En- Foo-tu-tung Manchou, "k ^ ^ y General. glish cities. Foo-tu-tung, Chinese ) towns, coun- ties, &c. APPENDIX No. III. COMPARISON OF MILITARY RANK. CHINESE AND ENGLISH. Foo-tungand Tseang-Kiung of the Eight banners ...... General. Foo-tung and Tsung-ping Lieut. -general. Foo-tseang ...... Colonel. Tsan-Tseang . . . . . Suh-Col. Yew-Kweih ...... Lieut.-Col. Foo-tsze ...... Major. Show-pei ...... Captain. Tseen-tsung ...... Lieutenant. Po-tsung ...... Sub-Lieut. Wae-Wei ...... Sergeant. Gih-wae-wae-wei . . . . . Sub-Sergeant. APPENDIX. 339 APPENDIX No. IV. TPIE TWENTY-EIGHT DYNASTIES OF CHINA. Name. 1. Mythological Sovereigns. 3 Years of Reign. 81,600 Commencing. B. C. 2. Wu-ti . . 8 647 2,852 3. Hia ... 17 439 2,205 4. Shang . 28 644 1,766 5. Chau . 35 873 1,122 6. Tsin 1 3 249 7. After Tsin 2 44 246 8. Han 14 226 202 9. Eastern Han . 12 196 A. D. 25 10. After Han 2 44 221 11. Tsin 4 52 265 12. Eastern Tsin 11 103 317 13. North Sung . 8 59 420 14. Tsi .... 5 23 479 15. Liang . 4 55 502 16. Chin 5 32 557 17. Sui . . . . 4 31 589 18. Tang . . . 20 287 620 19. After Liang . 2 16 907 20. After Tang . 4 13 929 21. After Tsin . 2 11 936 22. After Han 2 4 947 23. After Chau . 3 9 951 24. Sung . 9 157 960 25. Southern Sung 9 153 1127 26. Yuen . . . 9 88 1280 27. Ming . . . 16 276 1368 28. Ta-Tsing the pre- sent dynasty } 201 1644 340 APPENDIX. The present dynasty, Manchou Tartars class only twelve sovereigns, including Taow-kwang, the present Emperor. Six have sat on the throne of China, of whom Sun-chi was the first : prior to Sun-chi, two Emperors, Tieii-ming, and Tien-Tsung, or Tsung-teh, reigned over small portions of conquered Chinese territory, besides Manchuria. The first four Emperors being Emperors of Manchuria only, before whose time the Manchou race was unknown. The Chinese give it a fabulous, but not distant origin ; but it is believed that they spring from the Tongouse tribes, from the banks of the Amor. After S unchi, who reigned eighteen years, succeeded Kang-He, who reigned sixty-one years ; Y um-chim thirteen years ; Kien-lung sixty years ; Kia-king twenty-five years. Taw-kwan, still reigning, twenty-five years. APPENDIX, No. V. CHEONOLOGY OF CHINA. THE CYCLE OF SIXTY YEARS FROM 1847. 1847. Ting-wei. 1848. Mow-shin. 1849. Ke-yew. 1850. Kang-suh. 1851. Sin-hae. 1852. Tin-Tsze. 1853. Kwei-chou, 1854. Kea-Yin. 1855. Yih-maou. 1856. King-Shin, 1857. Ting-sze. 1858. Mow-Woo, 1859. K6 Wei. 1860. Kang-shin. 1861. Sin-Yeu. 1862. Tin-Siih. 1863. Kwei Hae. 1864. Ka-tsze. 1865. Yih-chou. 1866. Ting-Yin. 1867. Tingmau. 1868. Mow-shin. 1869. Ke-sze. 1870. Kang- Woo, 1871. Sin Wei. 1872. Jin Shin. 1873. Kwei Yeu. 1874. Kea-Suh. 1875. Yih-Hae. 1876. Ping-tsze. 1877. Ting-chow. 1878. Mow-Yin. 1879. Ke-mou. 1880. Kang-shin. 1881. Siii-tse. 1882. Jin- Woo. 1883. Kwei wei. 1884. Kea Shin. APPENDIX. 1885. Yih Yen. 1886. Pin Sen. 1887. Ting-hae. 1888. Mow tse. 1889. Ke chou. 1890. Kang- Yin. 1891. Sin Maou. 1892. Jin Shin. 1893. Kwei Sze. 1894. Kea Woo. 1895. Yih wei. 341 1896. King-Shin. 1897. Ting Yen. 1898. Mou Suh. 1899. Ke hae. 1900. Kang tsze. 1901. Sin chou. 1902. Jin Yin. 1903. Kwei Mau. 1904. Kea Shin. 1905. Yeh Sze. 1906. Ping-Woo. APPENDIX, No. VI. OFFICIAL RETURNS OF THE TRADE WITH VARIOUS PORTS OF CHINA. MR. DAVIS (now sir JOHn) TO THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. (Extract.) Victoria, Hong-Kong, August 8, 1845. I have the honour to inclose a detailed report from Mr. Consul Alcock, concerning the trade of Foo-chow- foo, and its prospects as a place of European commerce. This report is divided into four heads. 1st. The existing native trade, population, resources, and demand for foreign goods. 2nd. The restrictions and prohibitions affecting trade, among which opium certainly cannot be included, as it enjoys unlimited toleration. 342 APPENDIX. 3rd. Capital and currency, under the second of which bank notes are largely in use. 4th. The production of tea for European markets, and the means of traffic with the black tea districts. REPORT ON THE EXISTING TRADE AT THE PORT OF FOO-CHOW, AND ITS CAPABILITIES AS A PLACE FOR EUROPEAN COMMERCE. 1st. The existing Native Trade, Population, Resources, and Demand for Foreign Goods, The wide and discursive nature of this inquiry, and the numerous ramifications it presents, have, together, formed one of its chief difficulties. The sources from which information has been derived, have been propor- tionahly numerous, and as might be expected, not un- frequently very contradictory data have been the result. A short visit to Foo-chow, recently made by a British merchant, for the purpose of ascertaining what demand and resources might be counted upon, came very oppor- tunely, enabling me to bring together a number of Chinese traders and others, in pursuit of their own interests and curiosity, and to gather from their unconstrained remarks and inquiries, means of testing the accuracy of previous information, and arriving, I believe, at a fair conclusion. Foo-chow-foo, although a provincial city, the seat of local government, and of vast extent, containing a popula- tion, which, in the absence of any official data, I cannot estimate at less than half a million souls, does not appear to be considered by many of the inhabitants, a place of great trade or resort for merchants from the other pro- vinces. The authorities, from the governor-general down- wards, distinctly assert that it is a place of little trade, and decreasing in commercial importance. This, to a certain extent, has been confirmed by information derived from APPENDIX. 343 other sources. A trader of reputed substance and re- spectability affirmed, in conversations, that the trade of the port had considerably decreased during the last few years, which he attributed to the “ drain of capital, in the best of times not very plentiful, caused by the opium traffic ; immense sums being expended in the purchase of the drug, to the impoverishment of the purchaser, which would otherwise have been invested in a more legitimate and profitable commerce.” Nevertheless, so much detailed information of the most circumstantial kind has been supplied as greatly to qualify this statement. Whatever may be the truth as to the decrease of late years, I think there is proof that a brisk and very extensive trade is at the present time kept up with most of the maritime provinces, both by sea and land, and also with the towns of the interior. Among the chief of them are enumerated Keangse, Chang-chow-foo, Tseuen- chow-foo, and Fuh-ning-foo, also Loo-choo, Shanse, Shan- tung, Teentsin, Ningpo, and Sze-chuen. The Ningpo trade, it may be observed, comprises the main part of the Shantung commerce. Ningpo being a port more easy of access to large vessels than Foo-chow, the Shangtung junks chiefly congregate there, and the produce is sent to Foo-chow by the smaller Ningpo craft. Thirteen junks belonging to Foo-chow carry on the direct trade to Shangtung, and are expressly kept for this trade, though on entering the port they are generally obliged to discharge half of their cargoes into lighters at the mouth of the river, in order to admit of their ascent as high as the bridge. Each town or district sends its respective produce or manufactures to the market. The sea-board trade seems unquestionably to be the more extensive of the two, although one of the main branches of this commerce, that 344 APPENDIX. with Soo-chow, including all silk manufactures, has lately been changed, in consequence of the extensive depredations committed by pirates, from a maritime to an inland trade. The chief articles of export are tea, paper, bamboo, oranges, orange-peel, sugar, sugar-candy, copper, sycee and dollars, bamboo roots and spars, together with various articles of Straits’ produce, opium, and innumerable sun- di’ies. Many of these exports are of course first imported. Rhubarb from Han-kow in the province of Sze-chuen, may be expected to form a staple article of export. The southern and more northern parts are chiefly supplied from that place. The imports are not less various. Foo-chow is supplied with foreign goods to a large amount from Tseun-chow- foo and the port of Amoy, for which she sends sycee and specie. "Opium however forms the staple article of trade, the drug being consumed in these districts to a large amount. Straits’ produce, in all their variety, find a market here. Inferior Japan goods from Loo-choo, and gold employed by the Loo-choo merchants in the purchase of piece-goods British or American manufacture, are among the imports. To every one of the places enumerated, junks take back exports in exchange for the cargoes brought, the whole trade being one of barter. For a more explicit and detailed statement of this trade, mth the estimates furnished of its value, and the number of traders, junks, and boats employed in it, I must refer to the tabular return, formed from the whole of the infor- mation obtained. By this return it will be seen that upwards of one thousand traders, and a similar number of j unks and boats, are employed, independently of the traffic by land, the tonnage of the shipping averaging nearly half a million of piculs, say, 29,000 tons, and the estimated APPENDIX. 345 annual value of the import and return cargoes is given at 7,455,000 dollars. No doubt some considerable allow- ance must be made for inaccuracies, for possible errors or misstatements, yet taking the whole of the details into account, it would seem sufficiently proved that there is a very large and widely-diffused trade with the city and port of Foo-chow. Tliis considerable trade seems to be sound, and almost exclusively carried on by barter, that of Loo-choo in some degree excepted, either one or two junks arriving annually with tribute, cargo, and about 10,000 dollars in Japan gold, for the purpose of purchasing our manufactures. Last year they are reported to have purchased 10,000 pieces of long-cloth, brought overland from Amoy. About a hundred Loo-chooans came over in each junk, all more or less interested and engaged in trade. The demand for Straits’ produce and for British manu- factured goods, is certainly considerable ; nearly every third person has some article of dress from our looms about him. In a walk through the city most of the drapers’ shops are observed to contain some for retail, as also goods of American manufacture. Goods of inferior manufacture seem in greatest abundance, although some of the information received represents those of superior quality to be best adapted for the market. During Mr. Glen’s hurried visit, all the Chinese traders who came, professed themselves more or less anxious to make purchases to the extent of several thousand dollars. ISIr. Glen’s inability to supply them, or indeed to give the market price at which he could brmg the goods, prevented their sincerity from being put to the proof, not only as regarded actual purchases, but as to any definite orders for quantities or qualities of goods. They gave it as their general opinion that all manufactured goods would sell. 346 APPENDIX. chiefly however cotton fabrics, coarse long-cloths, and manufactures of superior quality. Articles of Straits’ produce would also find a ready market. They further stated, that a barter trade would be most desirable, and that tea could be supplied for that purpose. For goods sold by retail, or in small quantities, however, there seems no reason to fear any want of specie at the com- mencement of a trade. I inclose a return of the quotations of the market price of the articles chiefly in demand, furnished by the mer- chants of the place. These prices, I am informed, are calculated to yield a very handsome profit, and in the present glut of the Canton and Shanghae markets, would be realized with avidity. It is impossible to vouch for the perfect accuracy of the quotations ; nevertheless, the persons furnishing them being those likely to purchase, it may fairly be assumed that they would not fix a higher value than they were prepared to give. Mr. Glen, who seemed an intelligent merchant, well versed in business, in his hasty survey of the capabilities and wants of the port, went away with an opinion that Foo-chow-foo afforded a fair field for commercial enter- prize, and that there was no want of customers for British goods, who were able and willing to pay for them in cash. To this conclusion a former despatch shews I had previ- ously come as the result of my inquiries. It may be surmised that the establishment of a foreign trade at Foo-chow would tend to revive the energy of its own native commerce, Foo-chow not being rich in pro- ducts, and supplied even with necessaries from other provinces. Merchants frequenting the place often find some difficulty in getting returns for their goods, a defect which it is believed the appearance of foreign merchandize will amply supply. APPENDIX. 347 2nd. Restrictions and Prohibitions effecting Trade. Amongst the articles restricted or prohibited as objects of general trade, are tea, large spars for masts, salt, iron, sulphur, saltpetre, cows’-horns for powder-flasks, and lead. Tea is only allowed to be exported in certain quantities, a rule which it is understood does not apply to the foreign trade, and an export duty of two taels per pecul is levied on shipment. Large spars for masts, and salt, are government mono- polies ; and iron, sulphur, saltpetre, cows’-horns, and lead, are strictly prohibited, being entirely used by the authori- ties for cannon, ammunition, and accoutrements. Although opium must be classed among the prohibited articles, so perfectly nominal and ineffective is the letter of the prohibition, it is generally inferred from the immu- nity the traffic enjoys, that the Chinese government is no longer opposed to its introduction. It seems very certain that the demand for this drug does at this moment, and probably may always, far exceed that for manufactured goods of overy description. The total annual amount imported, I am credibly informed, is not less than 2,000,000 of dollars. A chest often realizes 800 dollars, although 680 dollars is given as a fair quotation, and at least four chests are daily retailed in the city and suburbs. Others again estimate the daily consumption at eight chests, and confidently affirm that one half of the whole population are addicted to smoking it. The use of it seems to extend to the very lowest classes ; coolies, and even beggars, are in the habit of taking a pipe, though it may often be at the price of their meal of rice. They allege that having once commenced the practice, they become unable to follow their avocations if the daily stimulus be withdrawn, and this sufficiently accords with medical experience in Europe. 348 APPENDIX. Foo-chow is supplied from Chinchew, both by sea and land ; by the latter route chiefly, although within the last few weeks more than one opium clipper has been in the mouth of the River Min, furnishing a supply adequate to the demand. When transported overland in any large quantity, a company or caravan club together for the purpose, and travel well armed, not from any fear of the government taking legal measures against them, but on account of apprehended attacks from robbers, to whom the value of the drug forms a strong attraction. When carried in small quantities, the travellers open a chest, and distribute it throughout their luggage, for safety from plunderers and to escape attention. Independent of the demand for the city and suburbs, it forms an article of export and traffic with the interior, although this branch of the trade chiefly goes through Tseun-chow, on account of its proximity to Chinchew, where, it is well known, several of our opium clippers are always lying. In reference to the connivance of the authorities in this traffic, it would appear that the use of opium has become far too general a practice to admit of secrecy. It is there- fore impossible that the government should not be aware of the existence of numerous smoking shops in almost every street. It is true, these establishments are de- scribed as bearing the exterior appearance of private dwellings ; but they are fitted up with all the conveniences and apparatus for smoking, and are chiefly frequented by military, police, and other employes of the authorities. One hundred of these resorts, I am told, may be num- bered within the walls of the city : and the fact that they are very generally to be found near the precincts of the mandarins’ gates, leaves no room to doubt the undisguised connivance of the authorities, and the general prevalence APPENDIX. 349 of a well-founded impression of immunity to all who pur- chase or smoke the drug. A vague report that occasionally opium has passed through the custom-house, as a medicine, has reached me, but it wants confirmation. In reference to the whole of these details respecting the introduction and consumption of opium, notwithstanding it is a subject on which the Chinese do not like to speak openly, and only communicate freely after enjoining secrecy and feeling confident in the integrity of the party inquir- ing, yet all questions were answered with such readiness and apparent straightforwardness, that their statements may fairly be assumed to have been dictated by a candid desire to tell what they knew, and for once, without eva- sion or circumlocution, to speak the truth. Wliatever may be the demand for foreign produce here, it may safely be inferred, I think, that opium stands at the head of the list, and at present it appears to be the chief or staple article of commerce with those points from which they derive their foreign supplies. Its use both in the city and the interior is widely spread. 3rd. Capital and Currency. Houses and land appear to be considered a more advan- tageous investment for capital than commerce, since the person carrying on a flourishing trade generally becomes a victim to the cupidity of the mandarins, who never fail to exact large sums from the commercial community when opportunity offers. Business is carried on by barter, ready money, and pro- missory notes, the latter sometimes being delivered by agents on their employers at the various cities ; and it is strong evidence of the general good faith and soundness of the commerce, that the latter is considered a very good way 350 APPENDIX. of payment, and often accepted in preference to any other for convenience sake. The mode in which the business and traffic of the port is carried on, tlmows some light upon the nature and ex- tent of their commercial transactions. The merchants from the several places trading with Foo-chow generally accompany their goods to the market, effect their purchases and return in one season, to repeat their visit on a similar errand the following year. The chief part of the business, nevertheless, would seem to pass through the hands of a small body of merchants at Foo-chow, who in fact maintain a kind of monopoly. Of the three modes of dealing referred to, that by bar- ter is the most prevalent ; by ready money, the least. The latter is indeed at all times a scarce article, though, if due notice be given, no great difficulty is experienced in col- lecting a moderate sum. For instance, to obtain from 10,000 to 20,000 dollars it is said would be the work of three or four days, and if required on the spot at once might not be procurable. Dollars and rupees pass current by weight in the port, but in the interior none but Carolus or pillar-dollars are received. Sycee and gold are used as well as dollars ; of the former there is now a good stock, of the Teen Tsin paou, in the market, this being the time when the merehants from that place frequent Foo-chow for the purposes of trade. The almost universal monetary medium of Foo-chow is paper currency consisting of bills or promissory notes, ana- logous, in many respects, to our country bank small note issues. There are upwards of one hundred banking esta- blishments at Foo-chow, most of them held to be in pos- session of large capital. A million dollars is quoted as the maximum. Each of these establishments are banks of deposit and banks of issue, their notes bearing the seal of APPENDIX. 851 the firm ; these are for any amount ; four hundred cash being the minimum, and about 1,100 dollars the maximum. Herewith is inclosed one which has been some time in cir- culation. They are issued either for dollars or cash, at the option of the drawer. On presenting these bills at their respective firms, they may always be cashed at a very small discount, in which the banker’s profit consists. Two cash are paid on each dollar on entering them for bills, and on drawing out the dollars again a further sum of eight cash is demanded. The mere fact of the universal prevalence of this banking system and paper currency, forms in itself very unquestionable evidence of an advanced state of com- merce and finance at this port ; and there is little doubt that the same advantages result from these establishments here as in Europe, by the security and increased facility they give to all commercial transactions. While in many other parts of China they still adhere to the primitive and clumsy method of making payments in bars of silver, with all the attendant inconveniences of weighing and assaying, they seem little inarrearof the monetary system of Europe at Foo-chow. If I lay some stress on this circumstance, it is that I deem it an indication of considerable importance, one which affords proof of more enlightened views and im- proved capacity for commercial operations. It seems that in small sums dollar bills are preferred to specie, not only on account of their being more portable, but the further consideration that a bill always commands a fixed price, according to the value of the dollar in the market, whereas when dollars themselves are used, account is taken of the weight of each. No reasonable ground of doubt seems to exist, that in the case of foreign merchants receiving a number of these bills in payment of goods, he would always be enabled to 352 APPENDIX. cash them by taking them to their respective banks of issue to the amount of several thousand dollars. The credit of the banking-houses is spoken of as firm. Each person, as he pays avray a bill, inscribes his name or affixes his private seal on the back, so that in case of its proving to be a forged note it may be traced. These par- ties do not, however, become in any other way responsible, if the original issuer of the bill should prove insolvent. Such an event is not of frequent occurrence, although oc- casionally a firm becomes bankrupt, say one or two in- stances in the course of the year. These, however, would not appear to be fraudulent bankruptcies, since they gene- rally pay fifty cents in the dollar. Upon the whole, the information received, as to the financial transactions, and even the resources of the city and port, cannot be considered other than satisfactory and encouraging, in reference to any retail trade, even on a large scale, in foreign goods. The paper medium affords great facilities, the credit on which its currency is based seems sound, and neither dollars, sycee of the best quality, nor gold, are so absolutely deficient as the authorities may have probably been led to believe, certainly not so scarce as to offer any obstacle to the opening of a brisk ready- money trade for British goods to a considerable amount. Large transactions, involving the disposal of a whole ship’s cargo to one house, and several in succession, can only be contemplated in reference to, and in connection with, a barter trade, the chief element of which at this port must be tea, on the Chinese side. 4th. Production of Tea for the European Markets, and means of Traffc with the Tea Districts of Fohien. The Bohea Hills, situated in the districts of Tsung-gan and Keen-yang, are described as a continuous range of fl APPENDIX. 353 great elevation, extending one hundred le. Many parti- , culars respecting this district will be found in the inclosed paper, drawn up by Mr. Parkes, from information col- lected from the Chinese at Amoy. Perfect accuracy can- not be expected from informants who may not be familiar, from personal observation, with the details ; nevertheless, the system under which the tea is gathered and sold, the limits of the Bohea district, the inadequacy of the produce of the best farms and crops to meet the demand, and the consequent deterioration of the whole produce by the ad- mixture of leaves of inferior growth, and, finally, the nature of the route to Foo-chow, all subjects of great importance, are described with such apparent care, that I consider the statement, as a whole, worthy of attention. Chinese have stated in conversation that the demand for the European market is trifling compared with the much larger quantities consumed by themselves ; but however true this may be, if quantity merely be taken into account the tenor of the information given in this paper agrees with that obtained on the spot, and confirms an opinion given in evidence, in 1830, before a Committee of the House of Commons, by several witnesses, viz., that an increased demand of rapid growth could not easily be met by the Chinese. I believe that any increased supply would not be good tea, and deterioration of quality must almost certainly follow as a first result. Whether later this might not be remedied by the increased cultivation and production of the finer kinds of black tea, in this province or elsewhere, is a question which I will not attempt to discuss. The very large amount of the finer kinds of black tea which annually find their way into Russia would seem, however, to favour this view, since the growth is obviously not limited to this province, nor does it, indeed. A A 354 APPENDIX. seem certain that the Bohea districts are those in which the finest black tea is even produced. The more immediate object of the present inquiry, how- ever, has not been to determine any remote questions arising from the prospect of a decrease in the cost price, and a larger demand consequent on the opening of a new market, but to ascertain, with some approach to certainty, whether the produce of the tea districts in this province can be obtained by a short and direct route from the hills to Foo-chow, and at a cheaper rate than at Canton. The following facts I think place this beyond doubt. The inclosed tabular form shews at one view the princi- pal stages and the relative distances of Foo-chow and Canton from the Bohea Hills and tea districts of Fokien. The distance to Canton, upon the best information, and the evidence of those engaged in the annual journeys, is 324 leagues ; to Foo-chow, 84, or little more than one-fourth. The difficulties and dangers of the route from the tea districts to each of the two ports are not described with the same conclusive unanimity. Nevertheless, the evi- dence before me is sufficiently clear upon the main points. The transit from Tsung-gan to Nan-gan-foo is by water, and upon the whole easy travelling, though during the first stage to Hokow, a distance of twenty leagues, there is a strong current, and in some places of the river there are many rocks. From Nan-gan-foo to Nan-heung, a distance of thirteen and one-third leagues through the hill districts, tea has to be carried over the mountains by coolies, which is troublesome and expensive, but it can be performed in a day. When on the other side of the hills, there is good water communication from Nan-heung-foo to Canton, 117 and 7-9th leagues. It is not the less described as a long and tedious journey. APPENDIX. 355 The distance from Foo-chow to Sin-chun is given, the latter place being the emporium or central market for tea, which is brought from all the surrounding localities and districts where it is cultivated. This town is situated close to the hills where the migratory population of tea- gatherers follow their occupation during the season. To this point the farmers and merchants alike proceed, and there the purchases are made. Thus, notwithstanding there are large quantities grown in all the surrounding dis- tricts, some at a considerable distance, their produce is still taken for sale to Sin-chun, the point established by common consent and custom for the sale of the crops. It is the place of resort for purchasers from all parts of the empire, and the commercial transactions are consequently on a large scale. The sales are chiefly made in April, May, and June. From Foo-chow to Sin-chun the route constantly ascends, and is dangerous in its whole extent, especially from Yen- ping to Keen-ning-foo. To ascend the river from twenty-five to thirty men are required to tow each boat, but labour here is the chief inconvenience ; the danger to be encountered lies in the descent, owing to the rapidity of the current. Nevertheless, all the merchants send their teas by the river the cost of transport being so much less than by land, thus furnishing a sufficient comment upon exaggerated accounts of the danger and risk attending the navigation which are prevalent. In Sin-chun there are always boats for this journey habitually employed by the tea-dealers, and although to transport goods from Foo-chow to Sin-chun by river occupies fourteen days, and by land ten or twelve, to descend with the current from three to four days only are necessary ; by land, the same journey to Foo-chow requires nine days. A letter from hence, it is stated, might be sent to Tsung-gan, and an answer received in ten or A A 2 356 APPENDIX. eleven days. It would go overland, for which six days are required, and return by the river probably in four. I have been assured by one of the tea-merchants lately ar- rived from the Bohea Hills, and his statement has been confirmed by others, that the rapidity of the current does not form such a serious obstacle to the transportation of the tea as might be anticipated from description, the navi- gation being well known. The loss of a boat is of rare occurrence, and generally to be attributed to carelessness, or the untrustworthy state of the boat employed. It is also to be remarked, that the route to Canton is by no means exempt from the same difficulties and dangers, arising from similar physical causes, while the j ourney is so long and tedious, that the travelling there and back, with the settlement of the accounts arising from the transac- tions of each season, is looked upon as the work of a year. The advantages in favour of Foo-chow as a tea-mart appear still more striking upon comparison of the cost of transport to each port. A boat can be hired to make the voyage from Sin-chun to Foo-chow at an average cost of 20,000 cash. As each of these boats carry thirty loads of about lOOlbs., the charge amounts to little more than 600 cash per load, while the transport of the same quantity to Canton is stated to cost more than five times this amount. Each load of tea, I have been informed, entails a further expense of 4,000 cash, to transport it by land from the district of its growth to Sin-chun, from whence it is always sent by river, but the assertion seems to me of doubtful accuracy as to the amount. On further inquiry it moreover would appear that the whole cost of transport to Foo-chow, including carriage from the hills to Sin-chun, does not exceed 900 cash per picul, and this last statement I believe to be more correct. APPENDIX. 357 This expense of carriage, however, be it more or less, weighs of course equally upon the teas for Canton and Foo-chow. From Sin-chun to Canton the cost of trans- port is variously estimated here by persons employed in the traffic, the amounts given vary as much as from six to two dollars per picul. I believe, upon a careful analysis of the whole, that three dollars will be found a near approximation to the actual expense. It will thus be obvious that the charges of transport must form no inconsiderable proportion of the whole cost price of the lower qualities of tea to the purchasers of Canton, and if that can be diminished to so great an extent as this information would indicate, an assertion of the partner who has lately been despatched by one of the firms from the tea district to Foo-chow, to endeavour to open the market to foreign trade, may well be credited ; viz., that he can afford to sell the tea at Foo-chow, which he must otherwise send to Canton, at one-fourth less than the price it would bring at the latter port. A member of another large firm, having considerable dealings in tea at Canton, states that they could sell at 20 per cent, less than at Canton. This will appear the more feasible if it be remembered that, not only does the greater expense of transport enhance the value of tea at the Canton market beyond that which it would justly bear at Foo-chow, but additional duties are imposed during the transit by the lengthened route. On leaving Sin-chun, or the district of Tsung-gan, a duty is levied upon all tea, for whatever place or port it may be destined. This varies, according to the quality, from 5 candareens to 1 mace per picul, and is referred to by the tea-traders as a trifling tax, no other duty being- levied on the route to Foo-chow. The tariff duty of 2 taels 5 mace per 100 catties, is 358 APPENDIX. imposed only on shipment at Foo-chow, as at Can- ton. If this class of charges be compared with those levied on the road to Canton, it will be found that, according to the extract from the “ Hoo-poo-tsih-le,” published under authority by the Chinese Secretary, Mr. GutzlafF, refer- ing to the transit or inland duties, coarse qualities of tea pay transit duties at three additional places on the road to Canton, viz. at Kaen, Taeping, aud Pishin ; and fine classes at two. The inclosed Return will serve to shew the exact rela- tive proportion in which the first cost of tea is enhanced to the purchasers at Canton and Foo-chow respectively, taking the original value of common and fine tea at Sin- chun at nominal prices at ten and twenty taels per picul, which is purposely assumed at a very low rate, though probably furnishing a sufficiently close approximation to their average value to the trader in the tea district. The tea which is gathered in the third and fourth moons being- considered of the best quahty, it is during this period that the merchants make their purchases, for which purpose they pay an annual visit to Sin-chun. Most of the tea- dealers, however, are natives of the tea-districts, and' to them, therefore, the proximity of Foo-chow, I am as- sured by one of themselves, would offer many advantages. Still on this point I have been most anxious to obtain cor- rect information ; for in China, at least, it is not always sufficient that a change from a long-established custom should be to the advantage of the parties concerned. They not only must be convinced that such is the case, which is all that is required in most communities, hut they must entertain a spontaneous desire of their own to adopt the innovation for the profitable result. English merchants appear to me to be under very erroneous APPENDIX. 359 impressions, especially those who have long resided at Canton, when they assert that for money the Chinese are ready to undertake anything. Long contact with Euro- peans seems to have imparted some of the money-seeking and money-getting qualifications of our own mercantile communities to the Chinese at that port, consequently what is asserted of them there may be true. Of the fallacy of the opinion, as relates to this province or city, 1 have daily and practical experience. Money seems to possess little power of inducing them to do that to which they are either not accustomed or otherwise disinclined. It has been the more satisfactory to me, therefore, to receive very unequivocal assurance, not only of the willing- ness of the tea-growers and merchants to make Foo-chow their market in preference to Canton, hut their eager desire to accomplish this change, in proof of which, as I have already stated, one of the partners of a firm has been sent down from the tea district, and with express instructions to endeavour to dispose of their season’s tea, amounting to 1,240 chests, at this port, and to ascertain if there be any large demand, and foreign goods to exchange against their tea. Nor is his firm the only one which seems to be attempt- ing to make a diversion in the tea trade in favour of Foo-chow. This tea-dealer further gives it as his opinion that the tea-traders would generally take our goods to any amount for which we demanded tea, and he considers that such a barter-trade would be most desirable and profitable for both parties. Of the diminished cost of tea by reduced duties and expense of transport, of the willingness of the tea-dealers to transfer the sale of their produce to the market nearer home, and of the practicability of the route, I think there no longer exist any reasonable grounds of doubt. These three 360 APPENDIX. points established, it only remains to be shewn how great a reduction in the cost price of our chief export from China might thus be effected, in order to determine the pro- bability of these advantages outweighing other and less fa- vourable circumstances inseparably attached to the port, and the adverse interests which must be hostile to the change. Although easy to shew that a great difference must result, and by what means the saving will be effected, it is nevertheless most difficult to determine with any accuracy the amount. Three classes of data are wanting for the solution of the question, shewing First. The total cost of transport and duties on tea proceeding to Canton. Secondly. The same in reference to Foo-chow-foo. Thirdly, and finally. The selling price of tea in the trade, that is, to the first dealers in the tea district. The latter is the more necessary, since, no douht, in passing from the farmers and cultivators to the traders, and thence into the hands of the Canton merchants and monopolists, a considerable charge is grafted on the cost price of Sin-chun, in addition to the expense of transport and payments for duties, for the advantage of the interme- diate dealer and the Canton hong merchants, whose profits on the transaction must thus be realized, and they are probably not small. A British merchant, purchasing tea at Foo-chow, might, I think, readily come in direct relation either with the first producer, or, at furthest, one intermediate dealer ; the whole of the profits of the third party, and the differ- ence of cost of transport and duties levied in the longer and shorter routes would thus be saved to the foreign pur- chaser. Whether this be 25 per cent., as asserted by the working partners of the firm already alluded to in the tea districts, or more or less, it would seem unquestionable APPENDIX. 361 that the saving must he large, so considerable, indeed, as to offer a premium of unusual magnitude upon all transactions for the purchase of teas at this port, even if ^t offered no prospect of a further profit upon the barter of British goods against tea, to which a new market would be opened. The sale-price of teas in the interior is a great desidera- tum ; but for the present it has proved unattainable. Upon further investigation, I came to the conclusion that al- though a Chinese of average intelligence and honesty might have been found to proceed to Sin-chun, unless he had some knowledge of the trade and qualities of tea, the thousand circumstances that influence its real value, the price demanded, and the market price obtained, the result would, I fear, have proved nugatory. Indeed, with the attendant circumstantiality of samples and prices, the information might have served only the more seriously to mislead whoever reasoned upon them. Nothing can exceed the jealousy of the few tea-dealers within reach, or the reluctance manifested by them to admit of any uninitiated person, Chinese or European, into the price secrets of their dealings, as indeed might very readily have been expected. Another difficulty arises from the universal practice here of all traders and shopkeepers demanding, in the first instance, an exaggerated price for their goods, so different from, and so variously disproportioned to, the sum which in the end they are prepared to take, that the first demands furnish no kind of criterion for the value of the commodity, or the real market price. Thus, al- though I forward herewith a box containing samples of tea, with the prices annexed, as demanded at Foo-chow- foo of a Cliinese, not known nor suspected, I believe, to have any dealings in communication with the English, 362 APPENDIX. I look upon these prices as little better than mere random demands for a bidding. The price at which a chest or chop of tea may be purchased here can only be ascertained by a merchant on the spot, prepared to enter into a bond fide transaction. Still, notwithstanding the absence of such data, the certainty of a lai’ge diminution in the first cost of tea at Foo-chow-foo seems to me fully and satisfac- torily established. It may not be a necessary consequence from these pre- mises, that a large and prosperous exchange of British goods and tea will take place at Foo-chow. It is easy to foresee, notwithstanding the elements of success enume- rated, that many other conditions are necessary to ensure so great and startling a change in all the arrangements, monetary and personal, of the trading community, — changes affecting in a vital degree the interests of large bodies of Europeans in different parts of the world, and of the Chinese of the two provinces in which the ports of Canton and Foo-chow are situated. Something, no doubt, will depend upon the Chinese in the tea districts and at Foo-chow, — something, too, on the steps taken to resist it by the Canton hongs and traders; but much more, I conceive, upon the British merchants — the initia- tive rests with them. On them, too, fall the first in- conveniences, — the changing of establishments and the risk. It will be essential that any house entering into the tea trade here should have its own experienced tea- taster on the spot, without which there would be doubtful security for the quality purchased. The tea- traders themselves have been the first to make the sug- gestion. These circumstances appear to me to offer the most serious obstacles. I must believe, from all the information to which I have had access, that the entrance to the river, and its navi- APPENDIX. 303 gation to Pagoda Island, to an experienced pilot, offers no insurmountable difficulty, no danger, which is not equalled by the physical peculiarities of many other flourishing ports in different parts of the world. The bad approach and the troublesome navigation are doubtless disadvantages, together with the long preva- lence of the north-east monsoon, and the want of a good harbour off the mouth in the south-west : these are un- questionably grave and serious drawbacks, but no more. So also in reference to the difficulty and danger attending the transport of goods by river, to and from the interior, and more especially cargoes of tea, it is made light of by those most familiar with the intricacies of the navi- gation ; and the tea-dealers, I am led to believe, are quite prepared, by the mtervention of houses in Foo-chow, or otherndse, to conclude bargains in tea, with the con- dition annexed, of delivering them at a flxed price, at their own risk and cost, either at the anchorage off Pagoda Island or any other part of the river where it may best suit a ship of burden to lie for her cargo. Some advantages might probably be derived from the publication, by authority, as I beheve has already been suggested by Mr. Lay, of some plain sailing directions, in reference to the approach and entrance of the Min, drawn up by Captain Collinson, from his surveys. I confess the possibility of misunderstandings and collisions, with a large population, such as Foo-chow possesses, in which there are of course many ill-disposed persons, and where all, by the ignorance engendered by their isolation and exemption from the personal effects of the late war, are prone to an arrogant and offensive assumption of superiority, if not a right to insult, seems to me not the least of the impediments adverse to the opening trade. 864 APPENDIX. I have little faith either in the power or hearty good- will of the authorities to repress or punish insult or violence offered to a British subject; and any untoward occurrence arising from these causes might very seriously retard the best directed efforts to establish friendly and commercial relations. It is to be hoped, however, that firmness and moderation may suffice to avert such possible contingencies. I have only farther to add, that passing in review and carefully weighing all that my information suggests as to the advantages and disadvantages attached to this port as a place of British trade, more especially for the barter of manu- factured goods with tea — for on this depends the existence of a trade of any importance — I do not feel warranted in forming sanguine anticipations of a great or rapid development of foreign commerce ; and I see sufficien t on the adverse side to render a prediction of even ultimate prosperity hazardous. But I am bound also to state my strong conviction that Foo-chow-foo, as a port, enjoys many of the most important elements of a large and successful trade. Time alone can shew how far the advantages which it offers are counterbalanced by in- separable disadvantages, and particularly how far the former are of a nature to excite the British mercantile community to divert their capital from Canton and employ the same amount with energy and intelligence at Foo- chow-foo, for it is scarcely necessary to add that on thil^» after all, must depend the prospects of the port as a mart for tea and British produce. (Signed) Rutherford Alcock, Consul. Foo-chow-foo, June 16, 1845. APPENDIX. 365 CONSUL THOM TO SIR JOHN DAVIES. British Consulate, Ningpo, January 10, 1846. Sir, — I Lave now the honour to wait upon your Excel- lency with the returns of British and foreign trade at the port of Ningpo for the year 184*5. This document speaks for itself: foreign commerce does not seem destined to flourish at Ningpo. The cause of our failure is very easily pointed out ; Shanghai has drawn everything to its centre ; it has flooded this market with its superabundant importations, and attracted thither the teamen who were previously inclined to prtronize this port. Mr. Mackenzie, our only merchant, gave up his esta- blishment here in September, and went to join his brother at Shanghai. He gave the place a very fair trial, but he could get no support: his constituents found that better sales and better purchases were to be made at Shanghai, and they naturally sent their goods and their orders where they could be realized and executed to best advantage. Shortly after the withdrawal of Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Davidson, a merchant established at Chusan, rented a house inside the city, and sent over an assistant with a parcel of British goods, to try with what success trade might be done at Ningpo. But, strange to say, he found 4llie native hongs plentifully supplied with our cottons and woollens, via Soochow, and retailing them here at cheaper rates than he (Mi’. Davidson’s assistant) could afford to do, although he had brought his parcel directly from Chusan. To explain this commercial phenomenon it will be necessary to remind your Excellency that in oui- im- mense transactions at Shanghai there are two prices known in the market, viz. the cash price and the barter price. On 366 APPENDIX. the first opening of the port of Shanghai, some sales of our manufactures were effected for cash, hut latterly everything has been done by barter. The British mer- chant, on bartering his cottons and woollens, gets a higher nominal price for them than he could get were he to sell them at the cash price of the day. On the other hand, the teaman or silkman just adds an equivalent to the price of his silk or tea, and so the account is balanced. As almost all the parties interested in this trade, either ship goods or get their returns in produce, or give orders for produce and pay for it in British goods, the system works well enough ; the English agent sends home a better account-sales to his constituent : it is true that the invoice of produce may be a little high priced, but it is hard to distinguish the quality of tea within a tael or two per picul, or of raw silk within ten or twenty dollars per picul, whereas a difference of five cents on a yard of woollens, or ten cents on a piece of long cloths, would cause the greatest dissatisfaction at home. Thus, if a manufacturer in England were to ship a parcel of British goods to Shanghai, and to give positive instructions that his returns should be made in bills at six months’ sight, the utmost that he could expect is, that his agent should go into the market, sell his goods at the cash price, take this money, buy with it a bill at the current rate of ex- change, and remit it to him. But A. B.’s account sales of goods sold for cash would be very different from his neighbour C. D.’s, which had been bartered. The parti- culars I am now detailing are not well understood in England, and when such a circumstance happens it gene- rally causes an unpleasant correspondence between the constituent at home and the agent out here. On the other hand, if a large English tea-dealer were to ship specie wherewith to purchase his investment, there is no APPENDIX. 367 doubt that a man with ready money in his hand can at all times command the best teas in the market ; still, how are you to convince a constituent at home that he has got a better bargain for his dollars than his neighbour has got for his goods ? Thus the system of indiscriminate barter goes on, though the rule suggested by self-interest ought to be, for the tea and silk dealers to send out cash to pay for their investments in Chinese produce, and to leave the manufacturer of British goods to ship his cottons and woollens for his own account, or get rid of them as he otherwise best might. The Chinese who has sold his tea or silk for cash takes it to the tea or silk country, and employs it to prepare a new adventure. The Chinese who has bartered his tea or silk for British goods takes them to Soochow, and turns them into ready money there, submitting to a discount of 5, 10, or 15 per cent, as his necessities may be less or more urgent. The Soochow speculator having purchased them at a bargain, sends them over the empire ; every place, and Ningpo among the rest, is inundated with them. The British merchant residing at Chusan sends goods over to Ningpo, thinking that by reason of his prox- imity he can place them here cheaper than by the cir- cuitous route of Shanghai. But he is mistaken, and is taught his mistake by bitter experience. He sees {e. g.) white long cloths quoted at Shanghai at two dollars ninety cents, and he expects to get as good a price at Ningpo. He does not not consider that this two dollars ninety cents is the barter price, and that the Chinese speculator has a bonus of fifteen or even twenty per cent, to pay land- carriage, transit duties, &c., &c., and still leave him a small margin of profit. The Ningpo or Chusan merchant see^ that account-sales are sent home from Shanghai at two dollars ninety cents, he does not like to send home a 368 APPENDIX. worse account-sales, but he wants cash, and he cannot get this ; the natives are retailing at less than two dollars ninety cents ; he is not authorized to take produce, so he must either submit to a sacrifice or retire before native competition. This last has been done, Mr. Davidson has withdrawn his assistant, and Ningpo is now to be supplied from Shanghai, via Soochow. The only consolation amidst this loss of trade that remains to us is, the fact that the transit duties at Soochow and Hangchow must be exceed- ingly light and reasonable upon British goods, otherwise they could not supply us so cheaply from Shanghai. This is indeed a great consolation, for the transit duties involve many difficult and delicate questions, and at one time caused me a good deal of uneasiness. The great difference between the cash and barter prices at Shanghai reminds me of what took place at Canton in the years 1836-7, previous to Hingtai’s failure, and I fear that it betokens an unhealthy state of trade in the north. Should, however, any commercial crisis take place at Shanghai from over trading, things will soon find their level again ; in no respect do I think Ningpo likely to be benefitted by such an event. About the beginning of November, Mr. Watmore, the American merchant, called in here, and proposed to the green-teamen a very extensive operation. There were at that time 5,000 chests of green teas in and about Ningpo, and he offered to buy the whole of them. The transac- tion would have amounted to about a lac of dollars, and might have been the making of the port of Ningpo ; but the green-teamen did not understand their true interests, they asked much higher prices than tliey intended to take ; they delayed, they higgled about trifles, and Mr. Watmore having other business to attend to, was obliged to break off the negotiation, leaving them to repent of their folly APPENDIX. 369 and obstinacy when too late. The teas have since been sent on to Shanghai, and the green-teamen are now closing their bong, in despair of any more customers ever coming this way again. In now announcing to your Excellency the nullity of foreign trade at Ningpo, I have no blame whatever to throw upon the Chinese authorities. With the exception of one or two trifling disputes about iron and saltpetre, I have always found them most cordially endeavouring to extend foreign commerce. Nay, indeed, only a short time ago I had a petition pre- sented me from the body of the green-teamen (with the sanction of the authorities), praying me to exert my powers and compel the English merchants to take their teas off their hands at fair prices ; and on my replying that I had no such power, many of them thought (and I think to this day) that the blame rests with me for not compelling British merchants to come to this port to trade. The reason of om’ bad fortune is sufficiently apparent. Bnyers and sellers have alike found Shanghai to answer their purposes much better than this place ; they have all gone thither, and the foreign trade of Ningpo (as naturally it should) has died of inanition. The native trade of Ningpo has equally declined during the year 1845. The timber trade from Fokien, the rice and sugar trade from Formosa, the oil and pea trade from Shantung, the fur trade from Tartary, are all complaining of losing money. In short, an air of impoverishment seems to pervade the whole of this dictrict. While such is the state of trade at Ningpo, the Chusan trade has declined no less and from the same reason, viz., its proximity to Shanghai. There are two British merchants and one American merchant there (the last is, however, about to leave). B B 370 APPENDIX. The following rough statement of the amount of their trade for the year 1845, has been fm-nished me by an intelligent resident, and may be relied upon as a very good approximation of the truth : — British goods imported into Chusan in 1845 ,£8,640 American . . . 14,300 Total imports at Chusan in 1845 . £22,940 Total exports from Chusan in 1845 . £24,735 This is hardly equal to a fraction of the Shanghai trade, and is not a tithe of the trade Chusan employed in 1842-43 before Shanghai was opened. It is important to bear this fact in mind, for many persons contend that if Chusan were a British possession, it would become the seat of an immense trade. This is a mistake. Granting that even Chusan were to become a British possession to-morrow, it could not be made a more free port than it has been these last four or five years ; and we see that so long as we enjoy a moderate tarifi" of duties, it can no more enter into competition with Shanghai, than Hong-Kong can with Canton. When I was over at Chusan in September, I observed a great many junks at anchor in the harbour. These were principally laden with timber, rice, sugar, &c., &c., in short, they were conveying the produce of the south to the north of China. They had merely put into Chusan for a few days to purchase suppbes from the natives ; they took oflP a little opium, but hardly touched our manufac- tures : indeed they were already fully laden, and had no surplus funds to make fresh investments. Thus, although several hundreds of junks have anchored temporarily at Chusan during the last year, yet British trade has bene- fitted little or nothing thereby. The greater portion of APPENDIX. 371 our manufactures disposed of there have been bartered against alum with the Wenchow and laichow people. Chusan, has, however, enjoyed a fair share of the opium trade. The quantity disposed of during the past year is calculated as follows, viz. : — Bengal . . 1,000 to 1,200 chests Malwa . . 2,500 to 3,000 „ Turkey . . 150 to 300 „ This amounts to about a tenth part of the whole of the opium trade. Only a small portion of the above has found its way to Ningpo ; the greater bulk of it being sold for the coast of Fokien. It becomes an interesting question — “ How will the giving up of Chusan affect the trade of Ningpo?” We see that the amount of business done at Chusan is small ; and even were every dollar of it to be added to the trade of Ningpo, the sum total would be insignificant after all. Supposing that the opium ships were to shift their anchor- age to Chinhai, and that the authorities here were to connive at it as openly as is the case at Shanghai, still I doubt if even this would much benefit foreign commerce at Ningpo. Allowing that the opium ships would receive a quantity of specie in exchange for their drug, and that this specie was available for investment in silks and teas, still the parties to whom these opium ships belong have already establishments to keep up at Canton, Hong-Kong, and Shanghai ; they will hardly consent to keep an agent or tea-taster, &c., &c., for any trifling advantage to be obtained here, and would give orders to have the specie shipped for Hong-Kong, rather than it should be invested in produce at Ningpo. Indeed, were they willing to encourage this market, they might do so now as easily from Chusan, as at a future period, even if the ships lay at Chinhai. The authorities here have permitted foreign B B 2 372 APPENDIX. merchants during the last two or three months, to import goods and ship off produce in native boats, paying duty as per tariff. This is indeed a very great boon for the Chusan trade, and yet it would not appear to be attended with much advantage, for the privilege has only once been availed of by a British merchant, and thrice by an Ameri- can merchant. Having gone fully into the subject of cash and barter prices at the beginning of this letter, I beg now to wait upon your Excellency with the following statistical de- tails, which may possibly prove useful to her Majesty’s Government. When I arrived in this country early in 1834 (a few months previous to the expiring of the com- pany’s charter), British goods, Indian cotton, and Chinese produce, were selling at the following rates (I put in juxta-position the present rates, that your Excellency may see the result at a glance) : — Woollens (Spanish stripes) Long ells Long cloths Cotton Yarn . Cotton (Bombay) . Raw silk Tea (average price of Com- pany’s last investment Prices in dollars. 1834. 1.60 per yard 9 per piece 4.75 „ 35 per picul 8 taels „ 350 1845. 1.20 per yard 7 per piece 2.90 „ 25 per picul 6 taels „ 480 23g taels „ 25 taels Thus, in 1834, 219 yards of woollens would procure a picul of silk, and 20 yards of woollens would procure a picul of tea. In 1845 it requires upwards of 400 yards of woollens to procure the other. In 1834, 39 pieces of long-ells would buy a picul of silk, and 3^ pieces a picul of tea. In 1845 it would require 68 pieces and 4| pieces to purchase the same. APPENDIX. 373 111 1834, 74 pieces of long cloths would buy a picul of silk, and 7 pieces a picul of tea. In 1845 it requires 165 pieces, and 12 pieces (very nearly), to do the same. In 1834, 10 piculs of cotton yarn could buy a picul of silk, and 1 picul of cotton yarn could get 1 ~ piculs of tea. In 1845 it requires 19 piculs of cotton yarn to get a picul of silk, and 1 - piculs of cotton yarn to get a picul of tea. In 1834, 32 piculs of Bombay raw cotton would pro- cure a picul of silk, and 3 piculs a picul of tea. In 1845 it requires 55 piculs to purchase the one and 4 piculs to purchase the other. This table will shew that since the abolition of the com- pany’s charter the prices of our productions have been gradually declining, while the prices of Chinese produce have been steadily rising. This is not selecting 1834 as a particularly good year, and 1845 as a particularly bad year, but by consulting the prices current for the last twelve years, it will be found that this rise on the one side, and fall on the other side, has been gradual and pro- gressive. It is no answer to say, “ We now import double the quantity that we did before, and therefore we can afford to sell them cheaper,” for the Chinese now produce nearly double the quantity of tea that they did at the expiration of the company’s charter, and yet so far from having reduced their prices they have augmented them, and I consider a tael or two a picul as a great augmentation, remembering that the general character of the present investments is very far inferior to the choice selections of the company. The fact is the Chinese merchants combine much better than the foreign merchants, they have more patience, they are not so hard pushed, nor are they split into such a 374 APPENDIX. variety of parties and contending interests as the foreign- ers are. This will explain why the produce of their in- dustry should rise, while ours keep falluig. Another fact to be borne in mind is, that when the price of Chinese produce has once risen, it is very difficult to bring it down again. This was exemplified in 1836 ; the price of Isattee silk had hardly before that time gone above 370 or 380 dollars, but during that year, partly through speculation and partly through the operation of the company’s finance committee at Canton, the price was raised to 500 dollars, and the quantity usually shipped was doubled during that year. But after 1836-37 the quantity began to fall off, though the price continued to rate much higher than in 1836, and we could not account for the paradox, that with better prices offering a smaller quantity came to market. It was found, however, that by our speculations of 1836, not only had we raised the prices upon ourselves, but also upon the native manufacturer, the producer of silk kept the vantage ground he had gained, and, as he could get these enhanced prices from the native consumer, he declined to make any abatement in favour of his foreign customers. Our manufacturers could not afford, however, to give 500 dollars a picul for raw silk, and as England was not entirely dependent on China for this article, our people went elsewhere for it. I have called your Excellency’s attention to these details for the following reason, — I observe that a strong party at home are now urging her Majesty’s Government to reduce the duty on tea from 2s. \d. to Is. per lb., arguing that from its greater cheapness the consumption will be doubled, and that the revenue will be no loser by the reduction. This is a very plausible theory ; but I am afraid that these people, who speak so confidently, have not duly considered what would be the effects of such a APPENDIX. 375 reduction in this country. Is there no possibihty that speculation would again be at work, that on the prospect of such a reduction taking place, large orders would be sent out by a thousand contending parties, that the prices of tea would be rim up, perhaps doubled, and that the deficit in our revenue, and all the benefit intended for our people, would be transferred to the pockets of the Chinese producers ? Let it be remembered that we are entirely dependent upon China for our supply of tea, there is no second market that we can go to if the supply here don’t suit us. That this is no idle fear may be proved by refer- ence to the returns of trade for 1836-37 ; this was a year of great speculation both with the English and Americans, and the average price of all the teas shipped off during that season was 33f taels per picul (nearly a half more than the company used to pay for their investments), although a large proportion of that year’s teas was classi- fied by the trade at home as “ trash ” and “ rubbish.” Next year was a year of commercial suffering both in England and America, few competitors appeared in the market, and these with exceedingly moderate ideas, and the over-speculation of 1836-37 was retrieved by the cau- tion of 1837-38, else there can hardly be a doubt that tea, like silk, would have kept its high prices. It is, however, extremely likely that it would again rise, and by no means so certam that it would again come down in the event of a reduction of the duty in England, and I consider that this suggestion is worthy the attention of her Majesty’s Government. I have, &c., (Signed) R. Thom. 376 APPENDIX. SIR JOHN DAVIS TO THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. (Extract.) Victoria, Hong-Koog, April 28, 1846. My Lord, — I have the honour to forward herewith Mr. Consul Macgregor’s report and returns of the foreign trade of all flags at the port of Canton, during the year 1845, which did not arrive in time to he forwarded by the mail, which left us on the 25th. I only this morning received from Captain Balfour at Shanghae the inclosed returns of the British and foreign trade at that port for 1845. The Consul states that he deferred them so long, “ having been desirous to accom- pany the annual trade returns with a detailed report on the future prospects of the trade at this place,” but that “ the disclosures which have recently been made as to the mode in which trade has been carried on render it unad- visable in me to write anything so as to create expecta- tions which might not be fulfilled.” He evidently alludes to the barter system under which the commerce has been conducted (partly on account of the scarcity of silver occasioned by the opium trade), and to the embarrassments occasioned by the failure of Chinese brokers. These are matters which so entirely concern the merchants themselves, that they can only be regulated by their own improved experience and better understood interests, and therefore all interference is out of the question. Some temporary check may he given to the trade, but the port of Shanghae is evidently des- tined to be one day the principal seat of European com- merce. The British imports and exports for 1845 have each exceeded a million sterling. The land regulations established by Captain Balfour in communication with the Intendant of Shanghae have APPENDIX. 377 I ♦ been entirely approved by me in my reply to the Consul, '■ and, as I there observed, will form good models for rules I of a similar nature at the other ports. CONSUL MACGREGOR TO SIR JOHN DAVIS. Canton, April 23, 1846. Sir, — In addition to the returns of the British trade for the past year, which I forwarded in a previous de- spatch, I have now the honour of transmitting to your Excellency, for the information of Her Majesty’s principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the following returns illustrative of the foreign trade at this port during the same period, viz. : — 1st. A return of the trade of the United States of America. 2nd. A return of the trade of France. 3rd. A return of the trade of Holland. 4th. A return of the trade of Denmark. 5th. A return of the trade of Sweden. 6th. A return of the trade of Germany. 7th. A return of the trade under various flags. 8th. A synoptical table affording a comprehensive view of the import trade from foreign countries at this port during the past year, specifying the quantities and de- scription of the commodities, as well as their estimated value, and distinguishing the national flags under which they were imported ; and 9th. A similar table referring to the export trade at Canton during the same period. Before entering into particulars of the above-men- tioned returns, I must premise that most foreign vessels bound to China usually discharge part of their cargoes 378 APPENDIX. either at Hong-Kong or Macao, to wait the chance of a market at the northern ports. Such of the goods so discharged as may ultimately he directed to Canton for sale, are sent in lorchas, or other small craft, and are not included hn the before-mentioned returns. This circum- stance will, in most instances, account for the paucity of imports therein shewn, and must he borne in mind in order to prevent the real extent of foreign trade from being underrated. The value of the commodities imported and exported has invariably been computed upon a moderate estimate according to the average prices of the year in this market. Ill doubtful cases, however, or where this was not prac- ticable, for instance, in the valuation of manufactured and other articles not sold by weight, I have consulted persons conversant with such matters, although I readily admit that from unacquaintance with the particular de- scription and quahty of such goods, the valuation given may sometimes prove either above or under the mark. I shall now proceed to take a cursory view of the trade of each of the foreign nations in succession, adding such observations as may seem to be required in further eluci- dation of the subject. I have to report that the American trade last year, in point of the quantity of the goods imported and ex- ported, considerably exceeds that of the preceding year, and that there is a corresponding increase in the amount of American shipping employed. It would appear from these returns, that the legitimate importations (exclusive of bullion) from Great Britian, the United States, the West Coast of America, Manila, and the Eastern Archipelago, in fifty-eight American vessels of 28,613 tons, amounted to 2,478,048 dollars. Among these, fabrics of cotton were imported to the APPENDIX. 379 amount of 1,452,302 dollars, of which I have the satis- faction to state, a considerable part was of British manu- hicture, exported from Liverpool in five American vessels of 2,458 tons. Among the other American staple articles I have chiefly to note cotton, ginseng, and lead, imported to the amount of 530,954 dollars. In consequence of scarcity in the southern parts of China, rice to the amount of 195,077 dollars, was supplied by the Ameri- cans, who also imported specie from the South American ports on the Pacific to the amount of 722,253 dollars, as far as I have been able to ascertain. The total amount of importation stated at 3,200,301 dollars, does not in- clude, however, the American trade at Macao, nor the quantities of goods proceeding from American vessels, and shipped from that place in lorchas, &c., for Canton, adding which items the American import trade in this quarter would probably not fall short of 3,500,000, dol- lars. As regards the American export trade, I find that forty-three American ships of 19,269 tons, departed in the com’se of the last year for the United States, Cal- cutta, Manila, the South American ports in the Pacific, and the South Sea Islands, with commodities to the amount of 7,979,864 dollars, among which the article of tea is most conspicuous, forming an item of 6,290,254 dollars, and shewing an increase in the quantity exported of 23,456 piculs, equal to upwards of 3,000,000^. According to their own returns made out for the sea- son, from the 1st of July, 1844, to the 30th of June, 1845, the Americans state the exportation of tea in American ships at 20,752, 5581bs. The exportation of silk fabrics of all sorts, mostly for the supply of the South American markets, is stated at 1,041,542 dollars, an amount which no doubt would be larger, but for the well- 380 APPENDIX. known fact that silk piece goods (like many other articles of small bulk and great value) are shipped off from hence to a great extent without passing through the Custom-house. The American shipping also shews an increase, as will appear by the following comparative statements, viz. : — Arrivals. Departures. 1844, 57 ships of 23,273 tons. 49 ships of 21,600 tons. 1845, 83 „ 38,658 tons. 85 „ 37,959 tons. Increase, 26 ships of 15,385 tons, 36 ships of 16,359 tons. This favourable result, however, I find on examination, is owing not so much to a corresponding increase in the trade with the United States, as to the intermediate trade of American vessels between Manila, Batavia, the Straits of Malacca, the South Sea Islands, and China, besides the coasting trade, in which about a dozen of fast-sailing vessels were engaged in the course of the year. The most prominent features in the trade of the Ame- ricans last year appear to have been the following : they imported goods to a much larger amount than in the year preceding, and even had recourse to purchases of manu- factures in the British markets, in preference to availing themselves of credits on London, in part payment of the teas exported to the United States. Their shipping in the China waters was more numerous than in 1844, and had a fair share in the carriage of goods coastwise. They sent out their own vessels to Calcutta and Bombay for the opium they required iu the China trade. They suc- ceeded in getting the management of great part of the continental business into their hands, which, indepen- dently of pecuniary advantages, offers the facility of em- ploying their own drafts on London, to some extent, in remittances for consignments received, in lieu of appear- ing with their bills in the market, which occasionally, and APPENDIX. 381 particularly at so critical a juncture as the present, is attended mth some inconvenience. The French trade at Canton offers but little of interest to communicate. Of three French vessels of 799 tons, which arrived last year, only one entered with a cargo consisting of rice. On the other hand, three vessels of 963 tons departed for Manila, Bordeaux, and Havre, after having completed their cargoes with teas, and other China produce, to a rather greater extent than last year. The returns will shew that the Dutch trade at Canton, as regards the imports from Java last year, has been very limited, the value of those on which duty was paid, not having exceeded 77,751 dollars. This figure does not include, however, the commodities disposed of to a much larger amount at Macao, nor those forwarded in lorchas for sale in the Canton market. Ten Dutch ships of 3,118 tons, departed in the course of the year for Java, Manila, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, after having completed their outward cargoes at Canton with tea, cassia, and other articles, to the amount of 635,535 dollars. From the Consular returns communicated to me, of the combined trade of the Dutch at Macao and Canton, it appears that the total of imports amounted to 978,715 dollars, and of exports to 801,113 dollars, in twenty Dutch vessels of the burthen of 6,050 tons. In the absence of ships, the Belgian trade suggests no other remark than that several parcels of broad cloth of Belgian manufacture were imported here from London in British vessels, and seem to have been disposed of at prices corresponding with the superior workmanship of the article. With the exception of a Danish ship of 372 tons, which had remained over from 1844, and departed for Singapore and Copenhagen at the commencement of last 382 APPENDIX. year, with a cargoe of tea, cassia, and other staple articles of China, all the Danish vessels which arrived at Canton in the course of the year, to the number of three of 948 tons, were employed in the carrying trade for other nations, and departed for Singapore, Hamburg, and Lima. The total value of exports laden at Canton, were esti- mated at 141,129 dollars. The Swedish ships which arrived at Canton in the course of the past year to the number of six, measuring 2,066 tons proceeding from Bombay, Batavia, and the northern ports of China, were, like the Danish, almost exclusively employed in the carrying trade. Only one of them, the Prius Carl, sent out on an exploring expe- dition by the merchants of Stockholm, and in the cargo of which the Swedish Government is said to have been interested, arrived with 80 tons of iron, and 1,000 tubs of steel, and about 1,300 bales of Bombay cotton, which two former articles were not discharged on account of being unsaleable here. The result of this expedition being far from affording encouragement for sending out further sup- plies of Swedish produce, it is to be presumed that the merchants of Stockholm will henceforward strictly adhere to the only remunerating branch of their trade in these parts, which seems to be the carrying trade, for which their ships, built, fitted out, and sailed at a very small expense are particularly well qualified. The returns under the head of the German trade, embrace collectively the trade in Austrian, Prussian, Hanseatic, and other vessels belonging to subjects of the Germanic Confederation. The German trade during the year 1845, as compared with the previous year, shews a much greater increase than that of any other nation. There arrived from foreign ports with cargoes, or part APPENDIX. 383 thereof, two Austrian ships of 567 tons from London and Liverpool, five Hamburgh ships of 1,484 tons, from Singapore, Hamburg, and Mazatlan, one Bremen ship of 200 tons from Bremen, eight German ships, of 2,251 tons, while there departed five Hamburg, two Bremen, and two Austrian, one of the aggregate burthen of 2,571 tons, for Singapore, Manila, Hamburg, Bremen, and New York. German vessels last year, as appears from the returns above quoted, served as carriers for British manufactured goods, to the extent of nearly one-half of their aggregate imports, for ‘‘ Straits’ produce,” to the extent of one- fourth, leaving only another fourth for their own products and manufactures, which apparent disproportion will be sufficiently explained on referring to the introductory remarks preceding the details of the present report. The most important article of import from Germany is undoubtedly broad cloth, and although I have no means of ascertaining the exact quantity of German woollen cloths annually sold in this market, yet from the information I have obtained, I am induced to think that the direct impor- tation at this port may safely he estimated at 40,000 yards per annum, of the value of 60,000 dollars, besides 60,000 yards, which in the absence of a regular intercourse, but more from ignorance on the part of the German manufac- turers as to the particular mode of packing the goods for China, have hitherto received their last finish in England, and arrive here as British goods in British vessels. As the advantage of German cloths, however, consists in quality, and the disadvantage in form, it must be pre- sumed that the trade in this article (which the Chinese want, but do not manufacture themselves,) will increase, and at no distant period he carried on direct, without the instrumentality of English packers. 384 APPENDIX. Nearly one-third of the exports in German vessels was carried to the United States ; the remainder for the con- sumption of the German market shews a great increase over the exports of the year preceding, and the German ports having both vessels to employ and manufactures to send in return for Chinese products, it must be expected that they will more and more endeavour if possible to supply their wants direct from this country. The returns of the trade carried on with Canton under various flags, includes two Spanish vessels of 1,406 tons, arrived from Manila with rice and paddy, but which returned in ballast; one Peruvian vessel of 150 tons from Lima, with specie ; and one Columbian vessel of 93 tons from Mazatlan, with cotton and specie, both of which latter vessels returned to their respective ports with car- goes of silk manufactures and China products. The trade with the ports of South America in the Paciflc, namely, Mazatlan, Callao, and Valparaiso, is of great importance, and has hitherto chiefly been carried on in British and American vessels. Of late the Hamburgh- ers have despatched several ships to those ports with an assorted cargo, with the proceeds of which, invested in bullion or dollars, these vessels are sent to China for a return cargo, consisting in all sorts of wrought silks and other Chinese manufactures saleable in the South Ameri- can markets. Independently of the two South American vessels above-mentioned, four American, one Danish, and one Swedish vessel, were engaged in this trade last year, in which British shipping had no share on account of the scarcity of vessels to which I alluded in my report on the British trade. With reference to the two synoptical tables, it remains for me to explain that the commodities therein stated as imported in “ Portuguese lorchas,” proceeded almost ex- APPENDIX. 385 clusively from Macao, where these goods originally arrived ill foreign vessels, and were subsequently transhipped in the roads into lorchas for this port. These goods, there- fore, ill so far as they have been regularly entered at the Canton custom-house, must be considered as forming part of the legitimate trade in which each of the foreign na- tions has to claim a share proportional to the extent of their respective commercial operations at this port. The tables above alluded to exhibit an aggregate of imports amounting to 14,062,811 dollars, and of exports 30,566,426 dollars. On comparing them with the return of imports and exports of the preceding year, the former shews a deficiency of 3,780,438 dollars, while the latter offers an increase of 5,052,477 dollars. The first year in which the foreign nations have been enabled fully to avail themselves of the advantages secured to them by our treaties with China, has now expired, and the question would naturally suggest itself, in how far their trade, which is chiefly concentrated at Canton, has been developed, and in what degree it has interfered with our own. The several returns and tables furnished by me, and the explanatory remarks accompanying them will, I trust, tend to indicate in some measure the extent to which the Americans, our competitors in the supply of cottons, and the Germans, Dutch, and Belgians, in the supply of woollens, have carried their operations. The former, no doubt, will for some time to come remain dependent either upon our credit, or upon our manufac- tures, to enable them to continue as heretofore ; and the latter possess, themselves, too few articles of bulk adapted for the consumption of China, to allow of a direct trade to any considerable extent, without a combination of other markets in their schemes. As for the other nations of Europe, their commercial intercourse with China, for C C 886 APPENDIX. obvious reasons, is not likely to grow into any importance, and the only advantage they may possibly be expected to derive from it, will be to become occasionally the carriers of the commodities entering into the British or the Ameri- can trade. I find on inquiry into the relative state of British and foreign shipping in this district, that in 1844 (when British ships were abundant), the proportion of British tonnage to the aggregate burthen of the vessels engaged in the trade of Canton, was about 80 per centum, calculating the aggregate of tonnage both inwards and outwards; and that in 1845, when, from various causes, there was an unusual scarcity of British tonnage, while foreign vessels freely dropt in from all quarters, the pro- portion, in consequence thereof, declined to 65 per cen- tum. With regard to trade, and adopting the aggregate value of imports and exports as the basis of computation, the difference between the two years is still smaller, the proportion of British to the whole of the trade at Canton in 1844 being 77 per centum, while in 1845 (when the trade of foreign nations had come into full play) it was 70 per centum; and from the facts which have come under my observation, I am inclined to think that if this mode of computation were applied to the whole of the legiti- mate China trade, these proportions would not be mate- rially effected either one way or the other. I have, &c., (Signed) Francis C. Macgregor. APPENDIX. 387 CONSUL BALFOUR TO SIR JOHN DAVIS. (Extract.) Her Majesty’s Consulate, Shanghae, March 30, 1846. Sir, — Having been desirous to accompany the annual trade returns with a detailed report on the future pros- pects of the trade at this place, I have, with this view, till the present time deferred forwarding them to your Excellency: the disclosures, however, which have recently been made, as to the mode in which the trade has been carried on, render it unadvisable for me to write anything so as to create expectations which might not be fulfilled. Notwithstanding the objections which may be raised as to the mode in which the trade has been done, it is gratify- ing at the end of this, the second year since this port was opened, to be able to exhibit, as these returns do, so extensive a trade, and which has sprung up under those difficulties peculiar to the opening of every new com- mercial mart in China ; and although the difficulties which still exist may for a time check the steady course of the trade, they cannot prevent this place being con" sidered the maritime emporium for the north-western, central, and northern provinces of China, over which our goods can easily be conveyed by the noble internal water- communications of this country, which, commencing at this port, lead into the very heart of the empire. I have given my particular attention to secure facilities for conducting the trade, abstaining myself from all in- terference with its details, and have endeavoured to pre- vent any meddling on the part of the Chinese authorities ; the English and Chinese merchants have therefore enjoyed free scope for their energies, and have traded how and with whom they pleased. Any obstructions which may now be felt are those attendant on the mode hitherto of c c 2 388 APPENDIX. conducting the commerce, and can alone be overcome by the merchants themselves, and not by government arrangements. The site set apart for the residence of our merchants is universally allowed to be conveniently situated for con- ducting business with the Chinese and with our own ships, which lie at anchor opposite to and close to the buildings of the merchants ; and the extent of ground, from (60) sixty to (75) seventy-five English statute acres, already rented out to the foreign community, must be admitted to be considerable in extent, afibrding space for dwelling-houses, gardens, places of amusement, and, above all, for extensive warehouses for stowing merchan- dise. The regulations for the land, herewith enclosed, were drawn up by his Excellency the Taoutae in communica- tion with me, and they afibrd the community an oppor- tunity for making all those arrangements requisite for the public cleanliness, police, security, and good order of their location ; and it is to be hoped that the merchants will combine to carry out regulations which are calculated to secure all the advantages which could reasonably be expected. I have, &c., (Signed) G. Balfour, H. B. M.’s Consul for Shanghae. APPENDIX. 389 A Return of the Number and Tonnage of Merchant Vessels which arrived at, and departed from, the Port of Shanghae, during the year ending the 31st of De- cember, 1845, distinguishing the Countries to which they belogned, \dz.: — Arrived. Departed. Number Number Under what Colours. of Tonnage. Under what Colours. of Tonnage. Vessels. Vessels. British 62 15,971 British 66 16,760 American 19 6,531 American 17 5,931 Spanish 2 600 Spanish' 2 600 Swedish 2 650 Swedish 2 650 Hamburg 1 324 Hamburg 1 324 Bremen 1 320 Bremen 1 320 Total 87 24,396 Total . 89 24,585 Shanghae, December 31st, 1845. G. Balfour, H. B. M.’s Consul at Shanghae. SHANGHAE LAND REGULATIONS. Kung Mookew, imperially appointed Intendant of Cir- cuit of Soochowfoo, Sungkeangfoo, and Taetsangchow, and superintendent of customs in the province of Keangnan. I now take all the regulations first and last agreed upon by us in communication together, in accordance with the treaty, which have already been separately published by me, the Taoutae, and hung up at the Custom House, and specially forward a copy thereof, requesting the Honour- able Consul will examine into, translate, and publish them generally for the information of all renters of property north of the Yang-king-pang, that they may act in obe- dience thereto. Wherefore I write this, wishing the Consul daily happiness. 390 APPENDIX. Kung Mookew, imperially appointed Intendant of Circuit of Soochowfoo, Sungkeangfoo, and Taetsangchow, and Superintendent of Customs in the Province of Keang- nan, again issues a proclamation in accordance with the treaty. In the year 1842, the imperial commands were received, in reply to a memorial permitting commercial intercourse being carried on at the five ports of Kwangchow, Fuh- chow, Heamun, Ningpo, and Shanghae, allowing merchants and others of all nations to bring their families to reside there, and providing that the renting of the ground for the building of houses, must be deliberated upon and determined by the local authorities in communication with the Consuls, both acting in conformity with the feelings of the local inhabitants, so that mutual and perpetual harmony might be attained. Hence it has been determined, in conformity with the feelings of the inhabitants and the circumstances of the locality of Shanghae, that the grouud north of the Yang- King-Pang and south of the Le-Kea-Chang, should be rented to English merchants, for erecting their buildings, and residing upon, and some regulations which have been agreed upon in reference thereto, and to which obedience is necessary, are hereinafter specified. CAPTAIN BALFOUR, HER MAJESTY’S CONSUL AT SHANGHAE. I HAVE received the Honourable Intendant of Circuit’s letter, together with the copy sent of all the regulations first and last agreed upon by us in communication to- gether in accordance with the treaty, and I thoroughly understand them. As the regulations in question must be conductive to the good order, peace, and comfort of all APPENDIX. 391 the people of my nation, I, the Consul, will of course translate and publish them to all renters of property north of the Yang-King-Pang, for their obedience thereto, and I will send the Intendant of Circuit a volume of the regulations in the English character, to be placed on record. Wherefore I write this reply, wishing him daily happiness. It having been determined upon, according to treaty, in conformity with the feelings of the people, and the circumstances of the locality of Shanghae, that the ground north of Yang-King-Pang, and south of Le-Kea- Chang, should be rented to English merchants, for erect- ing their buildings, and residing upon, I now take several regulations in reference thereto, which have been agreed upon by me, the Intendant of Circuit, and the Honourable Consul, in communication together, and to which obedience is necessary, and specify them as hereinafter follows : — Regulation I. On merchants renting ground, the local officers and the Consul must in communication with each other define its boundaries, clearly specify the num- ber of Poo and Mow, and put up stone landmarks : where there are roads, or paths, these landmarks must be placed against the fence, so as not to occasion obstruction to passengers ; and upon such landmarks will be plainly engraved how many feet outwards the real boundary lies. The Chinese must report the transaction at the offices of the Intendant of Circuit, and of the Magistrate and Hae- fang of Shanghae, in order that they may address their high officers thereupon, while the merchants wall report to the Consul, so that it may be put on record. The deed of the lessor renting out the land, and that of the lessee acknowledging such rent, will be executed in the form of indenture, and presented to be examined and sealed, when they will be respectively given into the possession of the 392 APPENDIX. several parties, in order to establish good faith, and to prevent encroachment and usurpation. II. There was originally a large road along the bank of the river, from the Yang-King-Pang northwards, which was a towing-path for the grain junks, and which subse- quently could not be kept in repair from the sinking away of the bank. Since, however, that portion is now rented out, all the renters must repair and replace this road, so that persons may pass to and fro. Its standard width must, however, be two Chang five Chih of the Canton Custom House measure, so as not only to prevent passen- gers from crowding and pressing one against each other, but likewise to serve as a preventive against the washing of the high tide upon the houses. After the road shall have been completed, the officers and men who urge on the grain junks, as well as respectable tradesmen, will be at liberty to walk along it ; but idlers and vagrants will not be permitted to spy about there. With the exception of the merchants’ own cargo and private boats, no other small boats of any description will be suffered to stop or anchor at the jetties off the merchants’ private lots, lest it should lead to an opening for causes of quarrel ; but the Custom House guard-boats will as usual cruize about there as occasion requires. Upon these jetties the said merchants will be permitted to erect gateways or railings, for the purpose of opening and shutting at pleasure. HI. It has been determined that four large roads, leading out to the river from east to west, should be re- served in the grounds rented by the merchants for public thoroughfares, viz. : — One north of the Custom House ; One upon the old Rope Walk ; One south of the Four-Lot ground ; and One south of the Consulate lot. APPENDIX, 393 A road running from north to south was also to be re- served on the west of the former Ningpo warehouse. The standard width of these, with the exception of the Rope Walk, which was originally two Chang five Chih of the Custom House measurement in width, must be two Chang of the Government land-measure, not only to give space and room for passengers, but likewise to prevent the calamities of fire. Jetties must be publicly constructed upon the beach, where these roads go out to the river, each to he of the same width as the road to which it pertains, for the convenience of landing and shipping off. Arrangements must likewise be made for reserving two roads southward of the Custom House, on the north side of the Kwei hwapang and of Allum’s J etty, when the land shall have been rented there. Should it he necessary to make other new roads besides these, they must also he determined upon by the authorities in communication together. Should the roads, which are already rented, and the prices of wliich have been previously paid by mer- chants, become injured or destroyed, they will be repaired by the renters of the lots adjoining, and the Consul will hereafter get all the renters publicly to consult together and contribute equally towards them. IV. Government roads have hitherto existed in the grounds at present rented by the merchants ; but as nu- merous persons will now be passing to and fro, it is to he apprehended that disputes and brawls may take place, and it is therefore determined that another straight road, two Chang in width, shall be made for a thoroughfare to the westward of the river, and upon the small canal, com- mencing north, at the public road on the south side of the ice house, adjoining the military working sheds, and end- ing south, on the west side of the Letan (Red Temple) on the bank of the Yang-King-Pang ; but the ground must 394 APPENDIX. be definitely rented, and the road completed, and mea- sures must be taken by the authorities in communication with each other, to ascertain clearly what roads ought to be changed, when notice will be given by proclamation ; and passengers must not be obstructed before the new road shall have been completed. On the south side of the military working sheds, lead- ing eastward to the jetty, at the Towpa Too Ferry, there has hitherto been a public road, which also must be made two Chang wide for the convenience of passengers. V. In the lots rented by the merchants there have originally been Chinese people’s graves ; these the renters must not trample down nor destroy. Should cases happen where the graves require repair, the Chinese will be at liberty to acquaint the renters thereof, and repair them themselves. The established periods for sacrificing and sweeping at the tombs are seven days before and eight days after (total, fifteen days), at the Tsing Ming term, about April 5th ; at the summer solstice, one day ; five days before and after the 15th of the seventh month ; five days before and after the 1st of the tenth month; and five days before and after the winter solstice. The renters must not offer them any hindrance, which would offend their feelings ; nor may the individuals who sweep and sacrifice cut down trees, nor dig away earth for laying it on their graves from any spots distant from the said graves. The total number of graves in the lots, as well as the family names to which they belong, must be distinctly entered into a list, and henceforth they must not again enter any more in the said lots. Should any Chinese, who are owners of the graves, wish to remove them and inter the bodies elsewhere, they will be at hberty to fol- low their own convenience. APPENDIX. 395 VI. The periods at which merchants rent ground being vai’ious, some early, and others late, a merchant must, after he shall have settled the price of his ground, make such known to the neighbouring renters, in presence of whom, with the Weiyuens, Tepaou, and an officer of the Consulate, the boundaries will be publicly defined, so as to avoid confusion and mistake. VII. Some of the merchants in renting land have paid equal deposit money and yearly rent, others a high deposit and a low rent, making rmiformity hitherto impossible. They must now increase the deposit money at the rate of ten thousand cash for every one thousand cash of annual rent reduced, and over and above the sum thus added to the deposit money, pay a fixed annual rent of fifteen hmidred cash for every mow of ground. VIII. As regards the receiving of the annual rents by the Chinese : Every merchant that has negotiated for the rent of land must first reckon up the rent due for the odd days of the current year’s rent, and pay it off with the deposit money, when the deed of the lessee acknowledg- ing the rent, and that of the lessor renting out the land, will be drawn up, sealed, and delivered, after which, the period of paying the annual rent will be definitely fixed for the 15th day of the twelfth month of each Chinese year ; on which day the next ensuing year’s rent will be paid in full by the renter. When the time for receiving - the rents arrives, the Superintendent of Customs will address the Consul ten days before the day fixed, who will tell all the renters to pay their amounts on that day, into the hands of the government banking-house ; that establishment will give receipts to the renters, and then pay out the sums to the owners of the ground, upon authority of their rent-books, clearly inserting therein the payments made, so that the books may be ready for ex- 396 APPENDIX. amination and comparison, and false and fraudulent claims prevented. Should a renter pass the period fixed, and not pay his rent, the Consul will deal with such according to such of his country’s laws as relate to rent defaulters. IX. After merchants shall have rented land and built thereon, the merchant on his part alone on reporting the same may cease to rent his ground, when the deposit money will he restored to him, but the original owners will not be permitted at pleasure to cease renting it to him, still less may they make any further increase in the terms of the rent. Should any merchant not wishing to reside upon the lot rented by him, transfer the whole to another party, or should he take his land and sublet parts ‘of it to others, the rent of such land (with the excep- tion of the sale or the rent of the house newly built there- upon, and the expenses of filling up and adding of earth, &c., which he will negotiate for himself,) may only he transferred at its original rate, upon which no increase may be made, so as to prevent persons trading in the rent of land for the sake of gain, which would give the Chinese occasion for complaint. In either of the above cases, a report must be made to the Consul, who will address the local officers, and they will together place it on record. X. After merchants shall have rented land they may build houses for the residence of their own families and dependents, and the storing of lawful merchandise ; they may erect churches, hospitals, charitable institutions, schools, and houses of concourse : they may hkewise cul- tivate flowers, plant trees, and make places of amusement. But they must not store contraband goods, nor fire off muskets or guns at unseasonable periods ; still less may they fire balls, or shoot arrows, or act in such a disorderly APPENDIX. 397 manner as may endanger or injure people, to the terror of the inhabitants. XI. Should any persons die, the merchants will he at liberty to convey and inter them according to the funeral rites of their country, within the boundaries of the mer- chants’ burying-ground. And the Chinese people must not offer any obstruction, nor may they destroy and break up the graves. XII. Merchants renting ground, as also those renting buildings, within the boundaries to the north of the Yang-King-Pang, must, in concert together, build and repair the stone and wooden bridges, keep in order and cleanse the streets and roads, put up and light street lamps, establish fire engines, plant trees to protect the roads, open ditches to drain off the water, and hire watch- men. The Consul will be requested by the various renters to urge the propriety of assembling together and publicly consulting about and contributing towards the necessary expenses incurred thereon. The hire of the watchmen will be equitably settled by the merchants with the people, while the names and surnames of such watchmen will be reported by the Tepaou and Seaoukea to the local officers for examination. The regulations regarding the watch- men will be laid down, and the head men to be especially responsible for them appointed by the authorities in com- munication together. Should gamblers, drunkards, and vagabonds commit disturbances, and injure or annoy the merchants, the Consul will address the local officers, who will adjudicate such cases according to law, as a warning to all. If any barriers be hereafter erected, they must be determined upon and defined by the authorities in com- munication together, according to the circumstances of the ground : and after they shall have been erected, the pe- riods of opening and shutting them will be made known in 398 APPENDIX. a proclamation, and likewise publicly notified in English by the Consul. They must be such as are convenient to both parties. XIII. The value of the houses and land on the south side of the new Custom House being higher than that of those on the north side, in order minutely to ascertain what the amount of such value ought to be, it will be necessary, as in the Regulations for levying duty upon a valuation, for the local authorities and Consul, in commu- nication together, to appoint four or five honest and up- right Chinese and English merchants, to take the prices of the houses, the rent of the ground, the expenses of removal, and the labour of raising ground, and make an honest and equitable valuation thereof, so as to main- tain justice and fairness. XIV. If individuals belonging to other nations should wish to rent ground and build houses, or rent houses for residence or storage of goods, within the boundaries of the ground north of the Yang-King-Pang, set apart to be rented to English merchants, distinct application must first be made to the English Consul, to know whether such can be acceded to, so as to prevent misun- derstandings. XV. The merchants who now repair hither being more numerous than formerly, and there being still persons who have not yet settled for lots of ground, measures must therefore be taken by the authorities in communication together for successively renting additional land to them whereon to build houses and reside. The native inhabit- ants of the said quarter must not rent to each other, nor may they again build houses there for the purpose of rent- ing to Chinese merchants ; and hereafter when English merchants rent land, the number of mow must be defined : each family may not have more than ten mow, so as to pre- APPENDIX. 399 vent those who first arrive from possessing broad large lots, while those who come subsequently have small and narrow ones. After land has been settled for, the not building houses suitable for residence and storage of goods thereon will be a contravention of the treaty, and it will then be proper for the local authorities and Consul, in communication together, to examine into the matter, and take such land, and allot it to some other party to rent. XVI. Within the boundaries of the ground north of the Yang-King-Pang, the several renters may publicly buUd a market-place, that Chinese may carry daily neces- saries thither and vend them. Its position, and all rules for the management thereof, must be determined by the local authorities and Consul in communication together. Merchants must not build such on their own account, nor may they build houses for renting to, or for the use of, Chinese. Should the several renters hereafter wish to set up head boatmen, or head coolies, they must request the Consul in communication with the local authorities, to determine upon the necessary regulations, and appoint them within the North Hwangpoo division. XVII. Should any persons open shops for vending eat- ables or drinkables, &c., within the boundaries determined upon, or for the purpose of hii’ing out to foreigners to lodge or temporarily reside in, the Consul must first give them a licence, for the purpose of exercising scrutiny, after which they will be permitted to establish them. If they disobey, or are guilty of irregularities, then a prohi- bition will be laid upon them. XVIII. Within the boundaries above determined upon, inflammable buildings must not be erected, such as straw sheds, bamboo houses, wooden houses, and such like. Merchandise likely to endanger or injure individuals must not be stored up, such as gunpowder, saltpetre, sulphur. 400 APPENDIX. large quantities of spirits, and such like. The public must not be encroached upon nor obstructed, as by erect- ing scaffoldings for the purpose of building, causing eaves of houses to project, and heaping up goods for any length of time upon them and such like ; and individuals must not be inconvenienced, as by the heaping up of filth, running- out of gutters on the roads, causelessly creating noise or disturbance, or such like. The object of all this is to render houses and property insurable, and to afford lasting peace and comfort to the mercantile community. If gun- powder, saltpetre, sulphur, spirits, and such like articles, be brought to Shanghae, a place must be fixed upon by the authorities, in communication together, within the boun- daries, and yet distant from the dwellings and warehouses, for the storage thereof, and to prevent carelessness. XIX. All who rent ground and build houses, or who let out houses and hire dwelling or warehouses, must an- nually, on the 15th day of the 12th month, report the number of mow which they rent, the number of rooms which they have built, and the person to whom they have rented them during the past year, to the Consul, who will communicate the same to the local authorities, to be placed on record for reference. If there be any sub-let- ting, or letting parts of houses, or transfers of land, such must also, as they occur, be reported, to be placed on record. XX. The original cost, and subsequent expenses for repair of the roads, jetties, and now-to-be-erected gate- ways, must all be made up from the contributions of the renters who have first arrived here, and who live in their vicinity. Individuals who may hereafter successively ar- rive, as well as the renters who have not at present contri- buted, must all likewise subscribe their proportion, to make up the deficiency, so that the use of them may be APPENDIX. 401 available to the public, and that wrangling may be pre- vented ; and the several contributors will request the Con- sul to appoint three upright merchants to deliberate upon and determine the amount to be subscribed by them. If there be yet a deficiency, the contributors may also publicly resolve to levy a portion upon goods landed and shipped, which will go to make up the deficiency. In either case, however, they must wait until they have reported it to the Consul, and obtained his decision, when they will act in obedience to it. The receipt, care, expen- diture and accounts of the funds, will be altogether super- intended by the contributors. XXI. Individuals belonging to other nations renting ground, building houses, renting dwelling-houses, or rent- ing warehouses for storage of goods, or temporarily resid- ing within the boundaries of the ground north of the Yang- King-Pang, set apart to be rented to English merchants, must all, in the same manner as the English people, obey all these Regulations, so that peace and harmony may be perpetuated. XXII. Hereafter’, in all these matters newly determined upon, in accordance with Treaty, should any correc- tions be requisite, or should it be necessary to deter- mine upon further Regulations, or should the meaning not be clear, or should new forms be required, the same must always be consulted upon and settled by the autho- rities in communication together. If the community pub- licly decide upon any matter, as soon as it shall have been reported to the Consul, and determined upon by him and the local authorities in communication together, it can then be carried out in obedience thereto. XXIII. Hereafter, should the English Consul discover any breach of the Regulations above laid down, or should any merchants or others lodge information thereof, or D D 402 APPENDIX. should the local Authorities address the Consul thereon, the Consul must in every case examine in what way it is a breach of the Regulations, and whether it requires punishment or not ; and he will adjudicate and punish the same in one and the same way as for a breach of the Treaty and Regulations. Dated Taoukwang, 25tli year, lltli iiiontli, 1st day. November 29tb, 1845. (True Translation.) W, A. Medhurst, Interpreter, Shanghae Consulate, Comparative View of British Trade at the Five Ports of China during the Year 1845. Ports of Trade. Tonnage. Imports. Tonnage. Exports. Canton Amoy Foochowfoo Ningpo Shanghae . 86,087 6,655 765 1,926 15,971 £ 2,321,692 147,494 *43,981 10,398 1,082,207 98,277 6,655 765 1,926 16,760 £ 4,492,370 15,478 *40,293 17,495 1,259,091 Total . 111,404 3,605,772 124,383 5,824,727 Victoria, April 28th, 1846. CONSUL THOM TO SIR JOHN DAVIS, (Extract.) Ningpo, August 10, 1846. In my despatch of July 31st last year, handing returns of trade till 30th June, 1845, I stated that certain teas had been shipped from this port for Hong Kong, which had been there characterised as “trash and rubbish,” and quite unfit for either the English or American markets. I remarked at the same time that I thought that this was * The Consul’s Returns contain on both sides (Imports and Exports) the value of a Cargo which was not unladen, amounting to £28,166 This was deducted. APPENDIX. 408 in a great measure the result of prejudice, and that I thought the Ningpo teas had not had fair play. That I was perfectly correct in my surmise is confirmed by the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr. Aspinall, tea-taster to Messrs. M'Kenzie Brothers, by which your Excellency will see “ that the Ningpo teas in arriving at Liverpool got a fair character, and sold at remu- nerating prices.” Your Excellency will therefore agree with me in an observation which I previously made, “ that there is no just and sufficient reason why good tea may not be shipped from Ningpo as well as from any other port in China.” Indeed, considering the shock that commercial credit has lately sustained at Shanghae, I am of opinion that if one or two rich and powerful houses, with all their apparatus of tea-tasters, ready-money, &c., were to establish here just now, a very excellent tea-trade might even yet be done at Ningpo. Since the evacuation of Chusan, one merchant (Mr. Waterhouse) has deter- mined to try this port, and I am not altogether without hopes that he will partially succeed. In my despatch of January 10, handing returns of trade for the half-year ending December 31, 1845, I ventured an opinion, that if the dut}"^ on tea were to be reduced in England, it could not fail to augment the price of the article in this country ; and that the benefit intended for our own people, as well as the loss accruing to the British revenue, would be transferred to the pockets of the Chi- nese tea-growers. This opinion has been completely con- firmed by every intelligent practical British merchant with whom I have conversed on the subject since writing that letter. Even without any such diminution of duty on tea at home, it is manifest to every one that the price of tea is rising relatively as the price of our products keeps falling. Good Congo, for example, which the Company 404 APPENDIX. used to buy at 28 and 29 taels, are now eagerly bought at upwards of 40 taels. This is caused by the daily in- creasing scarcity of silver. Formerly cotton (a great arti- cle of import from India) used to be sold at ten days’ cash, and opium (as your Excellency is aware) was only given in exchange for sycee. Now, however, both are bartered for produce, and very large barter transactions in the latter article take place at Shanghae especially. Thus, while in former times the entire tea-market was divided between the Honourable East India Company and a few American traders, we have now the British merchants encumbered with large stocks of manufactures which they are anxious to get rid of on any terms ; the American merchants, whose native manufactures have increased much within the last dozen years; the India merchants, or country trade, whose supply of cotton has very much increased since the abolition of the Hon. East India Company’s charter ; and lastly, the opium merchants (as stated above) competing in the same market for the same articles, tea and silk ; and under these circumstances can it be matter of astonishment if the prices of these articles should rise ? Such being the actual state of our market, if a reduction were now to take place in the duty on teas, can any one doubt from the extensive orders for the articles that would attend such a reduction, from the increased number of speculators in the market, and from the com- petition that this would give rise to, that the price of teas would be pushed up still higher ? And any merchant who has had dealings with the Chinese, cannot be igno- rant of the fact, that having once given him a high price for his produce, it is a very hard thing indeed to get him to accept of a lower price afterwards. Moreover, I do not think that there is any foundation for expecting a very much increased consumption of tea APPENDIX. 405 in England, even if the duty were to be reduced one-half. Take, for example, the United States, the people of which are similar to our own people in tastes, and who enjoy pretty much the same average amount of comforts which are the lot of the natives of Great Britain. We find that the United States, with a population of 18,000,000 of souls, consume only about 18,000,000 of pounds of tea, paying a comparative light duty ; while the 27,000,000 of the British Islands take off about 40,000,000 of pounds of tea, after paying a comparatively heavy duty ! and there is no country in the world where the consumption of tea is anything in the same proportion. Still further, if with a duty of 2s. Id. per lb. staring them in the face, we cannot prevent people shipping inferior teas from this country, which on getting to England are properly called “ trash and rubbish,” how much more of still inferior teas must w'e expect, were the duties to be reduced one-half ? For these and other cogent reasons I most earnestly pray Her Majesty’s Government to pause, and not to give ear to fallacious statements, however flattering they may appear, in a question where millions of the national revenue are at stake ? THE END. London ; Printed by S. & J. Bentley, Wilson, and Fley, Bangor House, Shoe Lane. Date Due Libf&ry 6uf«ai( Cat. no. 1137 915.1 P692F 138756