225
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Population.
Each of the villages contains about 250 inhabitants, thus making the total popu- lation of the Nam How group about 1,000 people.
Houses Stockaded.
The villages themselves are not walled, but each house is surrounded by its own tockade of stones, and jealously cut off from its neighbours.
Government--Patriarchal.
The Government of these villages appears to be purely patriarchal, each family being regulated by its own immediate head.
No Headship exercised over Neighbours.
The men who came forward to receive me in each village were probably the most influential members of their own community, either on account of their age, intellect, or possessions, but they one and all repudiated the idea of exercising any headship or authority over their neighbours.
Resemblance of Natives to Japanese.
The natives are a cheerful, good-looking class of people, much more cleanly than populations of the same type in China proper. They have far more resemblance to the Japanese than to the Chinese, both in their dress, and manner of living; whilst their boats are sculled in the same way as the Japanese boats.
Method of wearing their hair.
The elder men wear their hair done up in a knot under the usual Corean hat. The younger men wear their whole head of hair, but part it in the middle, and plait their back hair into a tail somewhat after the Chinese fashion.
Women timorous. The women never appear, but run away in dismay the far distance.
Fish abundant.
as soon as a foreigner is seen in
Fish is said to be abundant in winter, and is caught both with hooks and in nets. They do not, however, appear to make use of the fishing-stakes, that form such an impediment to navigation on other parts of the coast of China.
Cultivation.
The islands are fairly well cultivated, and yield rice, oats, sweet potatoes, &c., in sufficient quantity to supply all the needs of the inhabitants.
Salt.
Salt is obtained by boiling salt water; and their taxes are partly paid in this commodity.
Fuel.
Although large wood is scarce, there is a quantity of thick bush all over the hills, which appears to form the fuel used in preparing the salt, cooking, &c.
Seaweed.
A great number of people are employed in collecting seaweed, which is used to manure the fields.
Clothing.
Clothing is brought from the mainland; the richer people appear to buy their own clothes, but they informed me that the poorer were supplied with necessary garments by their Governor on the mainland. The community, on the whole, were comfortably
lad, and appeared to be well-fed and healthy, and remarkably contented.
5
Not often visited by Foreign Ships.
They do not often receive visits from foreign ships: an American man-of-war had been there this year, probably in the summer.
They were familiar with the Russian and Japanese ensigns, but the Chinese they did not seem to know.
Japanese not liked by Natives.
They do not care about the Japanese, and call themselves Chinamen. This state- ment, however, may have received some colour by the medium of interpretation through which it reached me.
Occupation of Villagers,
When I asked some of the villagers how they spent their time, they replied, in fishing, managing their fields, and teaching in their schools.
Education.
important position
This latter employment may seen a remarkable one to occupy an amongst such a humble and isolated labouring community as that which I am describing. It was, however, wonderful how many of the very commonest-looking fishermen were able to read and write; and I was surprised at their houses containing so many books.
Jealousy shown in admitting Foreigners to their Houses.
They have an absurd prejudice against allowing foreigners into their houses, though they were quite ready to flock on board the gunboat, and invade every hole and corner
in her.
Even when going with some of their principal men to visit their own villages, they requested me to land beyond the precincts, and instead of inviting me into their houses, spread a mat for me.outside under a tree.
It was only after cordial relations had been established, that I was able to explain to them how different our English notions of hospitality were, after which I was taken into the house of one of the fathers of the village, care having previously been taken to send messengers ahead to warn all the ladies to hide.
General Characteristics.
On the whole these natives appear to be docile, cleanly, as far as their lights lead them, patient, moral, and hardworking, and are of a far higher intellectual stamp than one would expect from their condition and situation; whilst their insular prejudice, which is the chief drawback in dealing with them, would probably fine away if they were brought much in contact with a European nation of a just and temperate disposition.
NAVAL AND MILITARY MATTERS, INCLUDING EXISTING DEFENCES.
Nothing observable of a Warlike Character.
I have thought it better, although very few words will dispose of the subject, to treat of the naval and military condition of Port Hamilton under a separate heading, in order to emphasize most clearly and distinctly the fact that, from the time of the "Merlin's" sighting the port to the time of her leaving, no single object, animate or inanimate, presenting the slightest warlike indication was observed.
No traces of Fortifications.
The hills do not show signs of a fort ever having been traced on them, and not a single gun of any type could be seen anywhere.
Inhabitants Peaceable and Unarmed.
I could not
The inhabitants appear to be of the most peaceable disposition. observe that they carried either swords or knives; iron implements even seemed very scarce amongst them; I believe it would not be very far from the truth, if it were asserted that there was not a single fire-arm in the place.
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PUBLIC RECORD.OFFICE
Reference :-
CPELLCO.537
33
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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