CHAPTER XIV.

Chusan-Situation-City of Ting-hae-Chops and extraordinary announcements-Character of the inhabitants-Population-War and troops-Conduct of our men-Joss-house turned into an armoury— Climate-Anstruther's valley and dream-Interior of the Island— Canals-Tombs-Bays-Approach to Chusan-Consumption of Opium -Opinions of various authors-New Treaty proposed-Why Chusan ought to be re-obtained-Opinion of the French Ambassador concerning Chusan-Intercourse that might arise with Japan-Price of Provisions-Mandarin fishery synonymous with the herring fishery— Poultry-Hatching-shed-Vegetables-Fruits-Game.

CHUSAN is undoubtedly the most eligible spot in China for a British Colony, the climate being salubrious, the harbour far superior to that of HongKong, as it is more easy both of access and egress during the prevalence of contrary winds, and affords a safer shelter during a typhoon. Fifty sail of British craft, have been at anchor in Chusan harbour at one time; and there is a larger harbour near to it, which has been called by us Spithead, that would contain, at least, a hundred and thirty good-sized vessels without crowding. The geographical position alone of Chusan, would render it the most eligible spot in China to the British Crown, and it is stated that the Duke of Wellington, whose skill and talent as general, and diplomatist cannot be doubted, has termed

DESCRIPTION OF CHUSAN.

227

this island the key of China. Chusan lies midway between the southern and northern provinces, at the mouth of the noble Yang-tsze-kang; the river which divides the Celestial Empire into equal portions, as all canals centre in this river; the communication by water with Pekin the capital of China and seat of government, and with many of the wealthiest cities, is both facile, expeditious, and cheap. The supplies that can be obtained on the island are abundant and cheap, the climate more salubrious than any other in China, and the maritime advantages very great; the soil is fertile, the inhabitants peaceable and well conducted: in short, the contrast between the healthy fertile island of Chusan, and the barren pestiferous island of Hong-Kong, is as vast as it can be.

We will now proceed to give a description of Chusan, and believe that we shall satisfactorily prove to our readers, that our statement is not an exaggerated, singular, or fallacious one, as we shall cite authors of celebrity, men of undoubted soundness, and clearness of judgment who coincide in our views.

Chusan, situated in the province of Chi-kiang (or Chow-san, so called from the fancied similitude to a boat) is the principal or largest island of an archipelago, which lies off the middle portion of the extensive line of the Chinese coast; this cluster of islands extends from north to south about sixty-five miles, from east to west about fifty, (being distant, from the main land of China about nine miles) the group being a district of Ning-po, called Ting-haeheen.

The capital of Chusan is Ting-hae which lies in

north latitude 30° 10′; and in east latitude 122° 14′; the length of the island of Chusan being nearly twenty-four miles from east to west, the average width from north to south, ten miles, the circumference nearly one hundred and fifty miles, the form, an irregular one. The city of Ting-hae is not quite a mile in length, and less in width, being surrounded by a wall seventeen feet and a half in height, and fourteen in width; gates are placed at four parts which open into the country at north, south, east, and west; this wall was in a dilapidated state when the British troops evacuated Chusan (in accordance with the articles of the treaty) the ramparts having been damaged, and partially destroyed in the late war; and during our occupation of the island the Chinese authorities had not attempted to repair it. Near the western portion of the city a fine lofty pagoda stands, towering above the houses; and we regret to say that many a vacant space was to be seen, where had stood the residences of the mandarins, and government offices, which had been demolished and destroyed by our troops; in many instances from wantonness and the love of mischief.

The streets are narrow, but crowded with shops where every article of necessity or luxury, made or procurable in China, is exposed, or to be found for sale; silks of the costliest fabric and texture, embroideries of the most elaborate nature, grass cloth of fine tissue, almost equalling French cambric, porcelain, bronzes, bamboo distortions, ivory carvings, tortoiseshell ornaments, pictures, and jaed stone sceptres, all were to be found in the shops of Ting-hae during

EXTRAORDINARY ANNOUNCEMENTS.

229

the occupation of the island by our troops. It used to afford infinite amusement, to read the extraordinary announcements in the English language, which were placed in the front of many Chinese shops; our sailors and soldiers, had tried to persuade Foo-kie, that they ought to adopt an English cognomen, and place English inscriptions about their shops, if they wished to attract customers, or thrive in business; and as every Chinaman has a very good idea of number one, and what concerns their interest, in many instances the suggestion was followed, the adviser being requested to select the name and write the inscription. This request when complied with, frequently set all rules of orthography and probability at defiance, and the numbers of sole purveyors of edibles to her Majesty was astonishing; at least four bakers, as many butchers, and vegetable mongers solely supplied her Majesty Queen Victoria with these necessaries of life. One clothing establishment exhibited, in flaming characters, "Tailor to her Majesty Queen Victoria and his Royal Highness Prince Albert by special appointment:" so far so good, but underneath this was written-Unifomsofalldeskiptionsmadere, in one continuous line, which we will thus explain and elucidate; this was intended for "Uniforms of all descriptions made here;" but was thus spelled, Unifoms of all deskiptions mad 'ere. Whether this had been written in "sober sadness," or for "lack of knowledge," deponent knoweth not; all we know is, that there it was-" Shultz, tailor from London ;""Buckmaster, tailor to the Army and Navy;" "John Jones, breeches maker;" "Squire Sam, the porcelain mer

chant;" "Dominick Dabbs, grocer:" all had their shops in Ting-hae; and it was ludicrous in the highest degree to hear the extraordinary lingo or jargon in which the Chinese would reply when addressed by their novel appellation.

The inhabitants used to affirm that soldiers and sailors belonged to the class or caste called Isay; this arose, we presume, from hearing our men constantly shouting to each other "I say;" therefore, the natives thought that "I say" was the cognomen of all the lower orders.

The character of the inhabitants is peaceable, moral, industrious, and orderly, there being but little crime in proportion to the population, which is estimated variously, but we believe the round number might be taken as exceeding one hundred and twenty thousand. In Smith's "China," page 264, we read (and

in

every word and sentiment we coincide), "The social condition of the people of Chusan stands forth in happy contrast with the heterogeneous elements of which the Chinese population of Hong-Kong is composed, and with the nocturnal depredations on property, and violence on person, which have long prevailed there. On the testimony of those officers of the British Government, who have had the best opportunities of ascertaining the truth, Chusan possesses an orderly, industrious, and respectable class of inhabitants, and enjoys a general exemption from those social disadvantages, which have converted the British possession, off the Southern coast (Hong-Kong), into a receptacle for the most abandoned desperadoes of the adjoining

continent."