1841.
Reminiscences of Chusan.
497
houses, with nothing but devastation and misery on every side, Chu- san was sadly lowered in one's estimation, and was looked upon as the most miserable place in all this wide world. But when a man in health and spirits, ascended the mountains and crossed the vallies teeming with abundance, he soon changed his opinion. With the exception of the northwestern part of the island, the whole is very fertile, producing rice, wheat, cotton, indigo, &c., in great abun- dance. Every one of these articles is of good quality; the vegeta- bles are in the highest state of perfection. Many flowers grow wild. One romantic scene follows the other, and the traveler seems to be on enchanted ground. These charming groves of bamboo, the stately trees, the murmuring rivalets, and the perfumes that refresh the senses, have an indescribable effect, and are in strong contrast with what one observes when landing at Tinghae. How often have the hearts of tourists bounded with joy and adoration on perceiving such beauties, all the handy works of the great Creator!
Chusan has great resources in itself, and, were proper duties le- vied on merchandizé, could easily support a government. Its valleys, teeming with plenty, are cultivated by a stout industrious race of laborers. The only beggars seen were a few cripples. The disad- vantages of this unfortunate island, so much talked of, were mostly of our own making. An impartial writer would find few causes for complaint, either in its situation, soil, climate, or productions. The capital, Tinghae, is indeed placed in the poorest valley, so far at least as salubrity of situation is concerned. The many instances of ele- phantiasis we saw, and the raging of the fever subsequently amongst the native population, sufficiently attest the unhealthiness of the place. It is indeed worse than Batavia throughout the whole sum- mer and Autumu; and this we learned to our cost. Many were sick under their tents, and the majority not in the most enviable situa- tion. We flattered ourselves, however, that as soon as the poor suf- ferers could be properly located in the city and regularly attended to, there would be some abatement of their diseases. In this we were' greatly deceived. The foundation of a destructive evil had been al- ready laid, all the strength of the sick men was gone, and in rapid succession they sank into the arms of death. The large pawnbroker's' shop was the hospital of the 26th, and there were at one time more ' than 400 patients crowding its spacious rooms. It was heart-rending to see so many young men stretched out on the floor, pale and ema-' ciated, and past recovery. On many a morning, from three to seven` - were carried out to be buried on the hill, where they had previously
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