Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 247

1841.

Journal of Occurrences,

233

succeeded; he inspected the hills and the rivers, and divided the world into nine parts, allowing one to each of the nine persons. All things were now multiplied in great abundance.

Yewchaou and Suyjin next appeared. "In high antiquity, the peo- ple, having dens and deserts for their abodes and dwelling-places, lived in friendship with the brute creation, and there was no disposition to injure or to harm each other." This happy age was not of long du- ration. The

people soon acquired subtilty and wisdom, but were unable to cope with the wild beasts, which had become numerous

and savage.

In this unprotected condition, Yewchaou built log-huts, and caused the people to live in them, so that they might escape from danger. Yet, still ignorant of husbandry, they ate the fruit of trees, drank the blood of animals, and clothed themselves with their skins. In this stage of their improvement, Suyjin, observing the times and seasons, and inspecting the elements, obtained fire from wood, and introduced the art of cooking. At this time there were no letters in use, and Suyjin formed cords, in order to preserve a record of passing events, and to aid in carrying on the affairs of go-

Schools, commerce, &c., also received attention.

vernment.

$

ART. VI.

Journal of Occurrences: return of British merchants to Canton; business of the season; H. B. M.'s plenipotentiary; new commissioners and governor; Keshen's memorial on the defenses of the province; court of inquiry at Hongkong; settle- ment on the island; Chinese troops; British forces; future ope-

rations.

IMMEDIATELY after the opening of the trade at Canton, by proclama- tion of the joint commissioner Yang Fang, and the acting governor Eleäng, on the 20th of March, British merchants with those of other nations repaired to their old residences at the provincial city, and the shipping, so long detained outside the Bogue in Macao Roads and its neighborhood, proceeded to Whampoa; so that at the beginning of this month, the river was again crowded with passers to and fro, and the foreign factories showed signs of becoming again what they for- merly were.

The business of the season, though commenced under many dis- advantages, has steadily increased throughout the month; and confi- dence that no further contest is to be carried on in this neighbor- hood has been daily increasing. Native capitalists and merchants, who had removed from the city, have returned, and their shops and warehouses are being reopened. The new governor has issued a proclamation, requiring the people in the city to remain quiet, advis-

VOL. X. NO. IV.

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