447
"every resident of every nationality is "more or less a bird of passage, from the wealthiest merchant, whether "European or Chinese, to the poorest Coolie. It ought not, therefore, "to be permissible for one section or other of the community to convert the colony into a pest-house for the purpose of realizing possession of the Almighty Dollar more speedily than legitimately."6. taken as a fair type of the state of things prevailing in the cities of China. Mr. Chadwick observes on this subject (paragraph 146). "The type of house in Hongkong is quite different to that in use on the neighbouring mainland; and I am certain that the lower-class population is more densely packed together in Hongkong, and worse provided with appliances for cleanliness than they are in Canton."
Again, it is incorrect to allege that the present sanitary condition of Hongkong should be taken for granted. Upon inspection, it will be recollected that I recently visited Canton, with the object of examining this statement, and that reported in my despatch M.47 of the 30th May ultimo that my own observation fully corroborated the assertions of Mr Chadwick.