CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 294

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behold Japan, with its pagan millions, so long shut out by exclusive jealousy from intercourse with Christendom, within little more than two days' sail with a favourable breeze.

On the other hand-

NINGPO, lying about a hundred miles to the south of Shanghai, and enjoying most of its advantages in a modified degree, possesses additional independent facilities.

1. The population, from the limited extent of its foreign commerce, is less exposed to the disquieting, contaminating influences on their simplicity.

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2. Its situation on the mainland, opposite to Chusan, and within easy access of a few hours, invests it with an important character under various future contingencies, of which it places us in a position to avail ourselves. In the event of recurrence of hostilities-which most expect before many years have passed; but which may God avert ! Chusan would probably, as in the last war, be immediately occupied by British Troops; and once re-occupied, it requires no prophetic wisdom to predict its permanent retention, and its substitution for Hong Kong as the base of British power. This would open Chusan to Missionary efforts, and Mission- aries from Ningpo speaking the same dialect, would be ready at once to enter on this most fertile, salubrious, and populous Island, without destroying, but rather cementing, the com- pactness of the two other Stations.

3. In this event, Chusan would afford to Ningpo, at all times, an immediate refuge from the storms of persecution

or war.

4. In the failure of health, the vicinity of Chusan presents a valuable sanatorium, easy of access.

As the British cede the Island to the Chinese in a few months, it is uncertain how far the Native authorities will allow foreigners to reside or even to visit the Island.

5. It is the usual point of access to Hang-chow-foo, distant 60 miles, the great terminus of the Grand Canal, and inferior in importance to Loo-chow-foo.

6. Ningpo also possesses an extensive Native trade with the interior.

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Viewing Shanghai and Ningpo conjointly—

1. Missionaries are permitted by the boundary regulations fixed by arbitation to go from either Station, as far as they please into the surrounding country, on condition of their returning for the night to the city; i. e. they may go half a day's journey into the interior.

2. In both places the people are civil and friendly to foreigners, and destitute of that proud arrogance which has so long distinguished their countrymen in the South.

3. The climate is said to be salubrious, though, during two or three summer months, the heat is greater than in other parts of China, and the thermometer stands for weeks above 100.

4. The Mandarins exhibit at present no disposition to oppose, but rather court the acquaintance of Missionaries. 5. Each place is in a different province, Shanghai being situated in the south-east extremity of Kiangsoo; Ningpo occupying the north-east extremity of Chekiang province, which, joined together with Fokien province, forms the distinct government of a different Tsung-Tuh, or Governor General. Thus in the event of one set of Native authorities in one place becoming hostile or opposing a particular measure of Missionaries, there remains the hope of the other Station, within easy reach, and under a different régime, being exempt from such local impediment.

6. The dialects at either place approximate more than elsewhere to the Court dialect, which, in spite of local corrup- tions, is generally, with certain limitations, intelligible in all parts among the higher classes, the literati, and the Goverment officials.

7. Again, though the dialects of each place differ consider- ably from each other, they are said to resemble each other more than is the case in any other two consular ports. Should unforeseen circumstances therefore lead to a change of scene of Missionary labours from one place to the other, the incon- veniences under this head would be considerably diminished.

Viewed, therefore, as combining in themselves the several distinct advantages of salubrious climate, eligible residence, and friendly disposition of inhabitants-direct communication