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FOOCHOW
appearance to the general view. Near the east gate of the city are several hot springs, which are used by the natives for the cure of skin diseases and are believed to be very efficacious. The Foochow people excel in the manufacture of miniature monuments, pagodas, dishes, &c., from what is called " soap stone," and in the construction of artificial Howers, curious figures of birds, &c. A few miles above the city the river divides into two branches, which, after pursuing separate courses for fifteen miles, unite a little above Pagoda Anchorage. The foreign settlement stands on the northern side of the island thus formed and which is called Nantai. A bridge across the river affords access to the city.
The climate of Foochow is moist and evervating; it is rather warmer in summer and cooler in winter than that of Hongkong. Frost and ice are occasionally-but very seldom--seen here.
The scenery surrounding Foochow is very beautiful. In sailing up the river from the sea vessels have to leave the wide stream and enter what is called the Kimpai Pass, which is barely half-a-mile across, and enclosed as it is by bold, rocky walls, it presents a very striking appearance. The Pass of Min-ngan is narrower, and with its towering cliffs, surmounted by fortifications and cultivated terraces, is extremely picturesque, and has been compared to some of the scenes on the Rhine.
Foreign vessels, with the exception of those of very light draught, are compelled to anchor at Pagoda Island, owing to the shallowness of the river, which has been increasing of late years, and the difficulties of navigation. The limits of the port of Foochow extend from the City Bridge to the Kimpai Pass. The Mamoi Arsenal, near Pagoda Anchorage, is an extensive Government establishment, where several good sized gunboats have been built. The Arsenal was bombarded by the French on the 23rd-24th August, 1884, and reduced to partial ruin, but has since been restored. There is a granite-floored dock at the Anchorage owned and managed by foreigners. The population of Foochow is estimated at 635,000.
The trade of Foochow is mainly in Tea, the export of which has been falling off steadily during the last few years owing to Indian competition, the quantity exported in 1889 amounting to 457,134 piculs against 553,341 piculs in 1888. Of Opium 5,643 piculs were imported in 1889 as against 6,166 piculs in 1888. The value of the trade of the port for 1889 was Tls. 13,055,120; for 1888 it was Tls. 17,161,755.
祥天
Tien-cheang
ADAMSON, BELL & Co., Merchants
DIRECTORY
F. Cave-Thomas, tea inspector F. E. Richards
E. J. Moss, tea inspector
E. P. Pereira
Agencies
Canadian Pacific Steamship Company "Shire" Line of Steamers
Lancashire Fire Insurance Company Thames and Mersey Marine Insurance National Marine Insurance Assocn. Singapore Insurance Co., Limited Queen Insurance Company
ARSENAL-IMPERIAL
Acting Foreign Secretary-C.
Brewitt-Taylor, F.R.A.S.
H.
Professor of Navigation and Mathem-
atics-C. H. Brewitt-Taylor, F.R.A.S. Prof. Pure Mathematics-L. Médard Medical Officer J. J. Underwood
Tai-loong
BARLOW & Co., Merchants
W. Gilbert, signs per pro.
與太 Tai-hing
BATHGATE & Co., Merchants
John Bathgate (Calcutta)
Tobias Pim
John C. Oswald
Branch House: Bathgate, Pim & Co.,
Calcutta and Colombo
Agency
South British Fire and Marine Insce.
BROCKETT, G. T., Forwarding, Shipping
and Commission Agent
G. T. Brockett (Shanghai)
T. Brockett
Tai-koo
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Merchants
H. Baker, tea inspector J. R. Greaves, do.
Agencies
China Navigation Company, Limited Ocean Steamship Company
British and Foreign Marine Insurance Royal Exchange Insurance Company London and Lancashire Fire Insce.