346
CHINA.
The following tabular statement gives the quantities and value of the principal articles of British and Irish produce exported from the United Kingdom to China- inclusive of Hongkong-in the year 1864:
Exports of Home Produce from the United Kingdom to China.
Quantities.
Value.
£
Apparel and haberdashery
Falue
44,298
Arms and ammunition.
"
75,223
Beer and Ale
Barrels
11,592
47,117
Coals, cinders, and culm
Tons
145.598
77,732
Copper, wrought and unwrought...
Cuts.
12,612
56,001
Cotton yarn ..
Lbs.
1,961,813
241,942
Cottons, entered by the yard
Yards
73,526,512
2,007.880
at value.
. Falue'
3,287
Earthenware and porcelain....
"
8,925
Glass manufactures
Hardwares and cutlery, unenumerated........
25,808
Cuts.
6,741
31,231
Iron, wrought and unwrought.
Tons
15,519
181,900
Lead and shot...
7,822
170,364
Linens, entered by the yard
Fards
656 651
36,689
Paper of all sorts (including paper hangings)....
Cwts.
1,545
9,083
Pickles and sauces.
Value
21,062
Provisions, unenumerated
"
21,856
Stationery other than paper
6,881
Tin Plates
"J
44,852
Woollens, entered by the yard (including those formerly Fards
16,756,215
1,329,222
at value.
Value
8,269
""
All other articles...
"
261,856
Total.....
4,711,478
China is traversed in all directions by 20,000 imperial roads, most of which, how- ever, are badly kept. There is nevertheless, a postal service, but of a very rude kind. The couriers who are despatched by the local functionaries are allowed to carry private letters for a trifling remuneration. Letters from Peking reach Shanghai in 15 or 20 days, and Canton, in 40, 50, and sometimes 60 days. The postage of a letter from Peking to Shanghai is about fivepence. The couriers change horses every twenty miles. It is expected that the Chinese government will be induced to grant a post- office contract to Europeans, which cannot fail to render great services to commerce.
•
Page 600Page 601