CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4] — Page 191

Meanwhile,

189

it is sad to see

their fine houses so long unoccupied

and deserted, and their bright walls and

gay verandahs festooned with tropical flowers, which I had admired

on

my

previous visit, now blackened with smoke

and

tottering to their fall. Many of European families formerly resident at Canton have removed to safer quarters at Hong Kong

and Macao; but the Consuls

of the Great Powers and several of the

principal merchants remain at their posts. It is pleasant to observe the mutual harmony and friendly feeling, strengthened here as elsewhere

by

common peril, of the members of this

little Christian and European community,

dwelling

37