Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 129

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Men and Things in Shanghai.

FEB.

I hear it affirmed that it can not exceed two hundred thousand! Others, again, take a middle course, and say with the utmost confidence, that it can not vary far, one way or the other, from three hundred and fifty thousand. Who is right? And how do these several parties arrive at their various conclusions? One would make out the number of inhabitants by ascertaining the catties of rice daily consumed; an- other would do it by counting the number of coffins sold during a given period, and from this go on to find out the number of the living- men, women, and children; a third would seek to gain the same end by estimations based on the rate of taxes; a fourth would get it by count- ing the barbers, and then the number each could shave in one day, and thence deduce the whole sum total. Many other schemes I have heard discussed; but being unable to solve this grand question myself, I wish you, Mr. Editor, would put the inquiry to your correspondents, at the five ports-What is the population in each of these five cities? And request them, in giving their answers, to give the authority on which they are based.

The tything system is known to be universal in China; and I have been told that each local magistrate throughout the empire is requir- ed to make an annual return of the number of families and individuals in his jurisdiction. If it be so, and these returns are faithfully made, they must afford the best, and the only sure data for an estimate of the sum total of population. Gentlemen who daily pass through the streets of Shánghái, tell me that they have seen numerous copies of the mun-

pái, “door-schedule;” and of the shih kiá mun-pai, †✯ 門牌

"ten families door-schedule," in the houses and shops of this

city. I have myself seen some, and have now before me a proclama- tion from Ping, the chief magistrate, urging the constables and tyth- ing men to press their examination for the

Thú kau

jin ting, [ascertainment of the number of] families and individuals, so that a full census may be made out for government. This proclama- tion is dated January 25th. It is the sequel of some that have preced- ed it; and the parties concerned are charged with delinquencies, and threatened with punishment in case such are repeated.

In

The collection of the taxes on houses is causing the local govern- ment some trouble; and proclamations, accordingly, are issued. one of these, the magistrate asks, "How is it that, while the houses are very many, the taxable deeds are very few?" And then remarks, pertinently enough, that "either the landlords must have a mind to defraud the revenue (by keeping back their deeds), or the police must be guilty of receiving bribes (for not duly reporting them)." Both