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CHINA AND ITS OPEN PORTS.
Canton proper extends to a breadth of about two miles, is about six miles in circumference, and is enclosed by walls about twenty feet thick and from twenty-five to forty feet high. The suburbs spread along the river for nearly five miles. The entire circuit including the suburbs is stated by Williams to be nearly ten miles, the walls enclosing about six miles. What is called the New City now was formerly known as the Southern Suburb. The Western Suburb stretches for miles along the river. The gates by which entrance is gained into the city are sixteen in number, and two water gates. Canton contains great attractions for foreign visitors in its numerous temples, pagodas, &c., and in the many curio shops to be found there.
When the foreign merchants went back to Canton to establish trade after the capture of the city by the English at the close of 1857, they found the Factory and the buildings along the river in ruins. Recourse for accommodation was consequently had to warehouses on the Hona'n side of the river. Considerable discussion subsequently took place as to the selection of a site for a permanent British settlement, and it was eventually determined that an extensive mudflat known as Shamien should be filled in and appropriated. In 1859 an artificial island was created there, a canal constructed between the northern side of the site and the city, and solid and extensive embank- ments of masonry built. It took about two years to complete this undertaking, and cost no less than $325,000. Of this sum four-fifths were defrayed by the British, and one-fifth by the French government, to whom a portion of the reclaimed land was given, but they have never built on it.
In consequence, however, of the subsequent decline in the importance of Canton as a place of trade, caused principally by the opening of some of the northern ports, the Shamien site has been availed of but by few, and many of the merchants by whom lots were purchased there in 1861, at enormous prices, have withdrawn from Canton altogether. The trade now transacted there by foreigners is limited. Tea and Silk are the staple exports. The total export of Tea for the year ending 31st December, 1875, was 11,343,872 lbs.; and the quantity of Raw Silk exported during the same period was 18,191 piculs. The import of Opium in 1875 reached only 938 piculs. The purely native trade of Canton still enjoys a high degree of prosperity. The total annual revenue of the port for 1875 was Tls. 991,007, as compared with Tls. 914,552 in 1874. The population is estimated at 1,500,000.
Ample means of intercommunication exist between Canton and Hongkong, a distance of about ninety-five miles, in foreign steamers plying daily, and a large number of native craft. Steamers also run regularly between Shanghai, Hongkong, and Canton. There is a safe and commodious anchorage within 150 yards of the river wall of Shamien. Only steamers go to Canton; sailing vessels never ascend beyond Whampoa, owing to the difficulties of navigating a crowded river.
MACAO.
Macao is situated in 22 deg. 11 min. 30 sec. N. latitude, and 113 deg. 32 win. 30 sec. E. longitude, on a rocky peninsula, renowned, long before the Portuguese settled on it, for its safe harbour. The Portuguese, who had already settled on the island of Lampacao, first took up their residence at Macao in 1560. Soon after their arrival, adventurers from the neighbouring islands continually molested the settlers; in fact they were so troublesome that the Portuguese determined to exterminate them. A war ensued with the potentate of the island of Heang-shan, in which the Portuguese were the victors, and the town of Macao soon afterwards began to rise. The terms on which the Portuguese secured the place were never published, and historians are divided in opinion as to whether the possession of the island is due to Imperial bounty or conquest. There can be no doubt, however, that it was held at a rental from the Chinese until Governor Amaral refused to pay it any longer.
The settlement is separated from the large island of Heang-shan by a wall drawn across the neck of land from shore to shore. Two principal ranges of hills, one running from south to north, the other from east to west, may be considered as forming an angle, the base of which leans upon the river or anchoring place. The public and private buildings, a cathedral, and several churches, are raised on the declivities, skirts,