154
curb that general extravagance, waste hitherto so prevalent in the style and maintenance of the establishments kept up not only by those who owned one, but in many ports by those who assumed the position of partners in leading houses. Waste and extravagance are questionable at all times as a matter of good taste and good example, and are not recommended by sound trading principles - as indeed the result has shown.
Nevertheless, though individuals and firms have disappeared, the great field for commercial enterprise is not contracted, and I propose to give here some particulars descriptive of what I call the movement of this Port, because I question if any adequate conception has been formed by the General Public of the large interests centred here, on the extraordinary life and movement, which distinguished this great emporium of Eastern trade - though it seems scarcely noticed by those habitually engaged in it.
It may be conceded that the convenience and importance of a Port are best tested by the number of vessels which find it their interest to resort there. If we judge of Hongkong by this standard, or by the class of vessels which frequent the Port and the value