Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 132

1850.

Men and Things in Shúnghái.

109

thousand chests, report says, are coming to China this year, one half of which it is supposed will reach this northern market. In this city, both the traffic and the use of opium are in no way concealed. Whole chests are carried through the streets in broad day. The legalization of the traffic is talked of everywhere, not only by those who are en gaged in the trade, but the officers of government. Hü Náitsi and his friends, who brought forward their proposition in 1835, only wait an opportunity to renew their suit. But whether legalized or not, there seems no immediate prospect of arresting the evil,-an evil that is tak- ing away the vital energies of the nation.

How the general commerce at Shanghái and at the other ports will ul- timately be affected by this drug, affords matter for curious speculation. Its bearing at present is such as "to drive every merchant from the port who will not deal in it." This I suppose is true, with one or two exceptions. Be this as it may, no one can doubt that the general com- merce here is steadily increasing, and is likely to increase.

The number of foreign residents, too, is increasing, if the purchase of new sites and the erection of new houses can be received as evi- dence of that fact. Four or five very substantial houses are now being built within the boundaries of what is called the "English Consular grounds." Besides these new foreign residences, and within the afore- said limits, a new Chinese custom-house is very conspicuous and now nearly completed. The roads throughout Yángking Páng have of late been considerably improved; and several substantial stone piers built to facilitate the shipment and landing of goods. All these things be- token an increase of the general commerce at Shanghái.

Three new churches have been erected within the walls of this city during the last twelve months. One of these, called Yésú Táng, i. e. “Jesus' Church," and the property of the English Church Missionary Society, was dedicated on Friday, the 4th instant, to the service of Almighty God-the Rev. T. McClatchie of that Society, and the Rt... Rev. Bp. Boone and the Rev. Mr. Syle of the American Episcopal church, officiating on the occasion. Another, called Kituh Táng, "Christ's Church," was dedicated in like manner and by the same re- verend gentlemen, on Sunday, the 6th. The second is the property of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the money for its erec- tion was given by a gentleman in Boston, U. S. A. The other is called Shinghwui Táng, “Sacred Assembly's Church," and the pro- perty of the Bap. Southern Convention, U. S. A. This is so far com- pleted that it is expected to be dedicated on the coming Chinese new year's day. At Christ's Church, on the day it was opened, and on the