CHINA AND ITS OPEN PORTS.
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and heights of hillocks. On the lofty mount eastward, called Charil, is a fort, enclosing the hermitage of Na. Sra. de Guia; westward is Nillau, on the top of which stands the bermitage of Na. Sra. de Penha: entering a wide semi-circular bay, which faces the east, on the right hand we have the fort San Francisco; on the left, that of Na. Sra. de Bom Parto. In the vicinity of the town are several places of interest, among which may be mentioned "Camoens' Grotto," which is said to have been the favourite resort of the Portuguese poet Camoens during his banishment here. To the east is a field, "Campo," which stretches itself out to the very boundary wall that encloses the prison of Macao. The territory is scarcely eight miles in circuit, its greatest length, from north-east to south-west, being under three miles, and its breadth less than a mile. The Hot Springs of Yung Mak are situated in a valley about 20 miles N.N.W. from Macao. They can be reached by steam launch in about four or five hours.
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During the eighteenth century trade flourished wonderfully at Macao. East India Company had an establishment there, and the difficulties of foreign residence at Canton greatly increased its importance. In the early years of the present century it was a busy place, but the cession of Hongkong to the British proved fatal to commerce at Macao. Tea is still an article of export, but the quantity shipped annually is very small. Opium is imported to some extent, but as no trade returns are available it is impossible to give figures. In 1848 the coolie trade was established and continued to exist for about a quarter of a century. This traffic gave to the place an unenviable notoriety. The system on which it was carried on was pregnant with abuse and gross cruelty, and its evils were exposed and denounced by the Hongkong press in vigorous and unmistakable terms. The result was that early in 1874, the Portuguese government abolished the trade entirely.
The typhoon of September, 1874, which swept across Hongkong and the southern coast of China with such terrible violence, almost laid Macao in ruins. Its recovery from the effects of this dreadful storm has been but slow, and many shattered buildings still testify to the terrific force of the gale on that memorable night. With its trade gone, and the consequent departure of many of its residents, the activity of the place is entirely a thing of the past, and numberless beggars are what meet the visitor of to-day in the otherwise deserted streets of the Holy City.
HONGKONG.
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Hongkong is one of a number of islands called by the Portuguese "Ladrones,' or Thieves, from the notorious habits of the old inhabitants. It is situated off the south-eastern coast of China, at the mouth of the Canton River, about 40 miles east of Macao, between 22 deg. 9 min. and 22 deg. 1 min. N. lat., and 114 deg. 5 min. and 114 deg. 18 min. E. long. This island is an irregular ridge, stretching nearly east and west; its broken and abrupt peaks rising to a great height above the sea level. Its length is about 11 miles, its breadth from 2 to 5 miles, its area rather more than 29 square miles. It is separated from the mainland of China by a narrow strait, known as the Ly-ee-moon Pass, which does not exceed half a mile in width. The opposite peninsula of Kowloon was ceded to Great Britain by a Treaty entered into by Lord Elgin in 1861 with the Government of China; and now forms part of the colony. The general aspect of the island is extremely beautiful. It possesses one of the most magnificent harbours in the world, the picturesque hills which surround it rising between 3,000 and 4,000 feet high, the whole offering a coup d'œil which blends the wild scenery of Scotland with the classic beauty of Italy. The City of Victoria extends for four miles at the base of the hills, which protect the south side of the harbour, and contains upwards of 6,000 houses of stone and brick. The residences of the foreign merchants are numerous, and most of them are large and handsome mansions. Being built on the slope of the hills facing the sea, the general aspect of the town is perhaps more striking and picturesque from the water than that of any other city in the east, whilst many of the streets are now shaded with well-grown and handsome trees.