CO129-262 - Governor Sir Robinson Acting Governor O-Brien - 1894 [1-4] — Page 193

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

191

Social duties do parents, wife, children, and friends, as well as to society at large

may

The Chinese smokers opine (4) &

And do not as a rule eat it or drink it. It may be remarked... that smoking is more seductive owing both to its lasting relish as well as more wasteful of time and money than swallowing the drug.

(5) Habitual Opium Consumers

Almost always become slaves to the drug.

There are some Consumers who might be said to be moderate as to the relative quantity they consume, being limited by the necessities of life and means, perhaps by their own moral force; they are slaves to their daily allowance. In their case the evil effects are also relating to their daily consumption.

Moderate,

(6) It is correct to say there cannot be such a thing as moderation in habitual Consumption of opium except in the sense explained under the section. The slavery is analogous to that of drinkers, only it tends to be more dangerous and more sedative and more apt to be injurious even in so-called moderation. I do not think a majority of any class in Hong Kong consume opium habitually, except perhaps Coolie handlers, and ricksha coolies who do their work by spurts.

In general, the opium habit incapacitates for steady work and hinders it. I have travelled in China and learnt by experience to avoid Chair-bearers that smoke opium. The hunger for opium is much more keen and difficult to satisfy than hunger for food, and is inconvenient to the employer, for the convenience of the Coolie.

(8) The use of alcohol in excess is so rare among the Chinese here, that no Comparison can be made between that and opium-smoking. The obvious difference, however, between the two is that an occasional use of alcohol adds to the animal spirits and energy of a man for the time being, whereas occasional doses, even to a poor smoker, would have the contrary effect (depression followed by partial exhilaration like a bewitching railway); and also that habitual opium smoking tends to enfeeble and deplete the system, so that the total energy is reduced obviously below the average. A British sailor who takes his grog would appear to an ordinary observer to be better above the average, while being drunk.

Seafaring men tell their Highland tale "of the grog that makes them 'arlot'...

(9) The habit of consuming opium is...

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191 Social duties do parents, wife, children, and friends, as well as to society at large may The Chinese smokers opine (4) & And do not as a rule eat it or drink it. It may be remarked... that smoking is more seductive owing both to its lasting relish as well as more wasteful of time and money than swallowing the drug. (5) Habitual Opium Consumers Almost always become slaves to the drug. There are some Consumers who might be said to be moderate as to the relative quantity they consume, being limited by the necessities of life and means, perhaps by their own moral force; they are slaves to their daily allowance. In their case the evil effects are also relating to their daily consumption. Moderate, (6) It is correct to say there cannot be such a thing as moderation in habitual Consumption of opium except in the sense explained under the section. The slavery is analogous to that of drinkers, only it tends to be more dangerous and more sedative and more apt to be injurious even in so-called moderation. I do not think a majority of any class in Hong Kong consume opium habitually, except perhaps Coolie handlers, and ricksha coolies who do their work by spurts. In general, the opium habit incapacitates for steady work and hinders it. I have travelled in China and learnt by experience to avoid Chair-bearers that smoke opium. The hunger for opium is much more keen and difficult to satisfy than hunger for food, and is inconvenient to the employer, for the convenience of the Coolie. (8) The use of alcohol in excess is so rare among the Chinese here, that no Comparison can be made between that and opium-smoking. The obvious difference, however, between the two is that an occasional use of alcohol adds to the animal spirits and energy of a man for the time being, whereas occasional doses, even to a poor smoker, would have the contrary effect (depression followed by partial exhilaration like a bewitching railway); and also that habitual opium smoking tends to enfeeble and deplete the system, so that the total energy is reduced obviously below the average. A British sailor who takes his grog would appear to an ordinary observer to be better above the average, while being drunk. Seafaring men tell their Highland tale "of the grog that makes them 'arlot'... (9) The habit of consuming opium is...
Baseline (Original)
191 Social duties do parents, wife, chib - drew, and afriends, as well as to society at large may The Chinese smothe opineur (4) & And do not as a rule eat it or drieck it. It be remarked... that smoking is more beductive owing doth of lasting relish as well. as more waitiful to time and mo than swallowing the drug. and money (5) Stabitualopium Consumers Almost always be me habituel become slaves do. the drug. There are He who Consumers who might be said to be moderate as to the relative quantity they consume, being limited By the necesetter of life and means, Therhaps bey their own moral fact they are slaves to daily allowance. In their case the coil effects are also relating Couras daily their Moderate, (6) It is correct. To say there ation on the there cauriot be such a thing as moderation habitual Consdimiption of opium_ex cept in the sense explained under ression. The clavery is analogus So that I do bares, only, it to heedles more dangerated and more- sedilation and brore apt to be in- Jurious wen in so called moderation_ I, I do not think a majority of any dass in Hong Hong Lo (۶) opium habitually, encept perhaps Coal headers, and ricksha cookie who dotheir work by spruty and In gefieral, the raid- mcapacitates for m habit. for steady work and hin ders it - I have drabelled in Chica and and learnt by experience to avoid Chair-bearers that Sake opium. The hunger for opium to much more began and difficult to satisfy thaw hlunger od and the employer, for wait the Convenerice of the Coolie. (8) The use galcohol mi lucess is so rare among the Chuiese here, that ho Comparison Cau be made between that and opiumising thing. The obvious difference, however, between the two is that an occasional use of alcohol adds to the animal spirits aud of a man for the selve being course face occasional dipe to a pour smother, would have the Contrary effect (depression followed by partial elevations like a bewitch back railway and also that habitual oping sino ting deuds to infeeble & deplete query the Septtin, so that the total.. je te mother is reduced obvious thelow the Average British factor who tatres his te would appear to an ordinary wer So beretter above the average Saturate the Cliccare with openen & quispun While Seatch men their Highland gell " bretory is wow. that "arlot ( 9 ) The habit - 17 Consuming opiceni is
2026-05-27 09:20:40 · Baseline
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191

Social duties do parents, wife, chib - drew, and afriends, as well as to society at large

may

The Chinese smothe opineur (4) &

And do not as a rule eat it or drieck it. It be remarked... that smoking is more beductive owing doth of lasting relish as well. as more waitiful to time and mo than swallowing the drug.

and money

(5) Stabitualopium Consumers

Almost always be me habituel

become slaves do. the drug.

There are He who Consumers who might be said to be moderate as to the relative quantity they consume, being limited By the necesetter of life and means, Therhaps bey their own moral

fact they are slaves to daily allowance. In their case the coil effects are also relating

Couras daily

their

Moderate,

(6) It is correct. To say there ation on the there cauriot be such a thing as moderation habitual Consdimiption of opium_ex cept in the sense explained under

ression. The clavery is analogus So that I do bares, only, it to heedles more dangerated and more- sedilation and brore apt to be in- Jurious wen in so called moderation_ I, I do not think a majority of any

dass in Hong Hong

Lo

(۶)

opium habitually, encept perhaps

Coal headers, and ricksha cookie who dotheir work by spruty and

In gefieral, the

raid- mcapacitates for

m habit. for steady work and hin ders it - I have drabelled in Chica and

and learnt by experience to avoid Chair-bearers that Sake opium. The hunger for opium to much more began and difficult to satisfy thaw hlunger

od and the employer, for wait the Convenerice of the Coolie. (8) The use galcohol mi lucess is so rare among the Chuiese here, that ho Comparison Cau be made between that and opiumising thing. The obvious difference, however, between the two is that an occasional use of alcohol adds to the animal spirits aud

of a man for the selve being course face occasional dipe

to a pour smother, would have the Contrary effect (depression followed by partial elevations like a bewitch back railway and also that habitual oping sino ting deuds to infeeble & deplete query the Septtin, so that the total..

je te mother is reduced obvious thelow the Average British factor who tatres his te would appear to an ordinary wer So beretter above the average Saturate the Cliccare with openen & quispun

While

Seatch men their Highland gell "

bretory is wow.

that

"arlot

( 9 ) The habit - 17 Consuming opiceni is

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