REMARKS ON THE ST. MARTIN, ISLE JESUS, METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER Rain fell on 2 days, amounting to 0.467 inches; it was raining 17 hours and 55 minutes. Most prevalent wind, N E by E-1257 miles. Least prevalent wind, S W by W-7 miles. Most windy hour, from 3 to 4, A. M., 4th day; velocity 38.40 miles. There were 78 hours and 40 minutes calm during the month. There were 5 cloudless days in the month. The total amount of miles traversed by the wind was 6628.20, which being resolved into the Four Cardinal Points, gives N 464.70 miles. S 458.50 miles, W 4387 miles, and E 1318 miles. Aurora Borealis visible on 3 nights. Zodiacal Light visible. The electric state of the atmosphere has indicated very high tension. Electrometers con. stantly affected, Ozone was in moderate quantity. Distant flash of Lightning in the S. E. at 8.15 P. M. 30th day. REMARKS ON THE ST. MARTIN, ISLE JESUS, METEOROLOGICAL REGISTER Snow fell on 11 days, amounting to 19.10 inches; it was snowing 64 hours 50 minutes. The Aurora Borealis not visible. Zodiacal Light very bright. Lunar Haloes visible on 2 nights. The electrical state of the Atmosphere has indicated high and constant Tension. THE CANADIAN JOURNAL. NEW SERIES. No. IX.-MAY, 1857. NOTES OF TRAVEL IN CHINA. BY JAMES H. MORRIS, M.A. Read before the Canadian Institute, March 14th, 1857. A residence of little more than three months in China would not justify me in giving expression to opinions on the polity, government, resources, or commercial interests of a country, whose limits extend over an area of 5,300,000 square miles, and whose population is equal to one-third of the human family. Nevertheless the observations of a recent visitor may not be devoid of interest, now when the peculiar circumstances of our relations with China, naturally direct an unusual amount of attention to that country. I shall accordingly confine my paper to that part of the country which has recently been the scene of the warlike operations of the British fleet, and will endeavour to give some idea of the singular people with whom it has had to contend. During the existence of the south west monsoon, vessels bound to China by way of the "Cape of Good Hope," generally shape their course for the China Sea through the straits of Sunda; and after one has for many weeks felt the ennui consequent on a long sea voyage, the imagination is apt to paint in supernatural beauty the long anticipated scene. But there are favorite spots where nature exhibits herself decked in such charms as to defy the overcolouring of fancy, and among such are the straits of Sunda. At the entrance to the straits between the Islands of Java and SumaVOL. II.-L tra, and in close proximity to Java, where various clustering isles adorn the scene, attention is specially attracted by an immense irregularly shaped island named "Princess Island," thickly studded with different kinds of trees which perfectly conceal the soil or naked rock from the view. The sinuous coast of Java, however, presents a different appearance; craggy cliffs strike upwards, whose rugged faces bear the marks made by the lashing of the surge; high irregular hills in the distance whose sides are begirt with native plants, and whose tops taper to a point and hide themselves in the clouds; a sloping beach of easy access and overhung by outspreading branches which cast a shadow over the water, appearing to invite the stranger to it: far receding bays over whose surface are wafted on the breeze spicy odours from the home of the savage; and an array of cocoa nut trees extending for miles along the strand, and exhibiting from the tops of their slender trunks the tempting fruit: all add to the variety of the scene; while the majestic Banyan stands alone and affords a shady retreat for hundreds of Malays, who there seek amusement, comfort or repose. Quantities of different species of fruit, consisting of mangustines, oranges, lemons, mangos, pine apples, and vegetables of many kinds; as also live representatives of the mixed inhabitants of the jungle: monkeys, moose deer, red and green parrots, mocking birds, sparrows, &c., are brought by the natives in canoes to passing vessels, and offered for sale. Passing through this "Eden of the East" in a fortnight, our proximity to our destination was evinced by the appearance of high and naked islands, around which could be seen ill-shapen and odd rigged craft, which were soon recognized to be Chinese fishing boats. Off the "Lema Islands," among which is to be seen the conspicuous peak of Hong-Kong, vessels are boarded by a native pilot. Some of their boats carry foreign flags, (principally English and American,) and others the private flags of different mercantile houses, which are vouchers of the respectability of the parties who carry them. Their boats average about fifteen tons burthen and are seldom manned by less than four men. There is no necessity for a vessel to reduce her speed for these men, unless she is exceeding six or seven knots per hour, for they can always succeed in getting on board. They run down across the ship's bows and bring their boats near enough to the ship, to enable them to reach her chains with a long bamboo pole, by means of which they fasten on a grapple secured to the end of a long ropc: This rope they pay out so as to prevent the sudden impetus which is given to their boat from swamping her, and when she has assumed a tolerable degree of steadiness, the pilot pulls him. self up along side and clambers over the sides of the vessel. He presents his credentials for inspection, which generally conclude with an averment that "the bearer is as honest as any Chinaman," and the terms for pilotage being agreed upon, which can invariably be reduced to one half the demand made, a few pieces of junk or salt beef, are thrown over into the pilot's boat, in accordance with the custom of the country, and it is then cast off. The Harbour of Hong-Kong, called Victoria harbour, at all times presents a very happy appearance; it is about five miles in length, and from one to three in width, hemmed in by islands and mountainous lands so as to resemble a small lake. Steamers of war, sloops and frigates, lie at anchor for the protection of the commerce of the countries they represent, and are among the first vessels which the observer distinguishes from the hundreds, including the native craft, each contributing to the variegated scene which the collection of flags presents. One could easily imagine that they were all lying in readiness to bombard the city, on a signal being given, for every sea-going vessel exhibits from her sides an array of mounted guns, many of which are superstitiously decorated by the Chinamen with pieces of red cloth. The Island of Hong-Kong was ceded to Great Britain at the conclusion of the war with China by a treaty made in 1842, and though heretofore an expensive appendage to the British Crown, it is hoped that ere long it may become a valuable acquisition to her possessions east of the Cape of Good Hope. Being a free port, vessels going to China on speculation, with or without a cargo, make Hong-Kong their place of destination, as they escape all harbor dues and other expenses which would be imposed on them were they to go to any other port. Sometimes they remain several weeks before they find a market for their commodities, or procure freight for the homeward passage, and this delay entails on them a certain expense by which the colony is benefitted. The Island is about twenty-five miles in circumference, very mountainous, and yielding very little produce. The city of Victoria is upwards of three miles in length and some of the buildings are large and handsome. The principal public ones are the English Church, Government House and Government Buildings, the Barracks, and Club-houses, which are of granite and expensively furnished. From the commanding position which they occupy, they give the place a solid and wealthy appearance. Many private residences, extending up the sides of the mountains as far as prudence sanctions, ornament the rear of the city. The streets are wide and well filled with Chinamen, among whom are intermingled people from every quarter of the globe. Some of the gay scarfs and variegated turbans of the Hindoos, as contrasted with the bare shoulders of the natives of the country, add much to the novelty of the picture. The buildings of the tradesmen are of wood, two stories high, the lower part being entirely open and in design reminding one of butchers' stalls. At night closely fitting shutters are put up. The rent of these places being high, if the lessee is not in good circumstances he frequently invites within his narrow limits two or three other tradesmen of different pursuits, who carry on their business independently of each other, but contribute an equal proportion towards the payment of the rent. A portrait painter, a tailor, and a shoemaker form a trio: a copper-smith, a tin-smith and an umbrella maker also affiliate; a hatter and a watchmaker, a haberdasher and a vender of ivory curiosities, and others of equally opposite pursuits, are seen working together. As many workmen are required to enable their masters to fulfil their engagements, all of whom are huddled together in this single room, which answers the purposes of workhouse, warehouse and shop: their numbers disincline a customer to go beyond the threshold, but he has such articles brought to the door as he desires to examine with the view of making a purchase. Between the southern limits of the city and the Barracks, is a large public reserve of several acres which is much frequented by idle Chinamen, who resort thither to while away the day by gambling and sleeping. Peripatetic barbers and itinerant pastry cooks, migratory venders of medicine, and wandering booksellers, strolling fruiterers and roving conjurors, fill up the interval, and the unnatural sounds which some of them bellow forth in recommendation of their articles strike harshly on the ear of the foreigner. Passing along the general thoroughfare will be seen groups of Chinamen, some wearing long blue gowns reaching down to their feet and exhibiting from below a pair of dark cloth shoes, with paper soles of an inch in thickness. One hand is uplifted and holds between the sun and the head of the Chinaman, an open fan or out-spreading umbrella, while the other is engaged in twirling and lashing against his sides, the celebrated queue which is dearer than life itself. The hair is shaven off the head excepting on the crown, from which it is allowed to grow as long as nature will permit it, but the Chinaman above the order of coolies, (which are the lowest and most degraded class in |