Directory_and_Chronicle_1877 — Page 817

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CHINA AND ITS OPEN PORTS.

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which shows an increase on previous years. The total revenue of the port for 1875 was Tls. 744,769, as compared with Tis. 664,113 in 1874. The population of Swatow is estimated at 20,000.

AMOY.

Amoy was one of the five ports open to foreign trade before the ratification of the Treaty of Tientsin. It is situated upon the island of Haimun, at the mouth of the Dragon River, in lat. 24 deg. 40 min. N., and long. 118 deg. E. It was the scene of trade with western nations at a very early date. The Portuguese went there in 1544, but in consequence of their cruelty towards the natives, the Chinese authorities forcibly expelled them and burned thirteen of their vessels. The English had commercial dealings there up to 1730, when the Chinese Government issued an edict prohibiting trade with foreigners at all ports except Canton. They made an exception as regards Spanish ships, which were allowed to trade at Amoy. The vessels of other nationa- lities, however, continued to visit the place, and did so till the city was captured in 1841. The Treaty of Nanking was signed soon afterwards, and foreigners have since been allowed to live there in peace and security.

In describing Amoy, Dr. Williams says:-"The island (upon which Amoy is built) is about forty miles in circumference, and contains scores of large villages beside the city. The scenery within the bay is picturesque, caused partly by the numerous islands which define it, surmounted by pagodas or temples, and partly by the bigh barren hills behind the city. There is an outer and an inner city, as one approaches it seaward, divided by a high ridge of rocky hills having a fortified wall running along the top. A paved road connects the two. The entire circuit of the city and suburbs is about eight miles, containing a population of 300,000, while that of the islands is estimated at 100,000 more. The harbour is one of the best on the coast; there is good holding ground in the outer harbour, and vessels can anchor in the inner, within a short distance of the beach, and be perfectly secure; the tide rises and falls from fourteen to sixteen feet. The western side of the harbour, here from six hundred and seventy- five to eight hundred and forty yards wide, is formed by the island of Kulangsu. It is a picturesque little spot and maintains a rural population of 3,500 people. Eastward of Amoy is the island of Quemoy or Kinmun (Golden Harbour), presenting a striking contrast in the low foreground on its south shore to the high land on Amoy."

There is little to be said about the city. It ranks as a third class city in China, but it bears no comparison to Canton. It is considered, even for China, to be very dirty, and its inhabitants are unusually squalid in their habits. There are several places of interest to foreigners in the vicinity, and excursions are made to Chang-chow- fu, the chief city of the department of that name, and situated about 35 miles from Amoy. The island of Kulangsu is about a third of a mile from Amoy, and the residences of nearly all the foreigners are to be found there, although most transact business on the Amoy side.

There has always been a comparatively good trade done at Amoy. In 1864 the rebels captured Chang-chow-fu, and the commerce of the port was greatly interfered with. There are a number of steamers from Hongkong which touch here regularly, and communication with the port is thus very frequent. The total export of Tea for 1875 .ras 118,451 piculs, and of Sugar for the same period 249,198 picul. The net importation of Opium for that year was 3.892 piculs. The total revenue of the port for 1875 was Tls. 59,581, against Tls. 582,851 in 1874. The population is estima ed at 350,000

TAKOW, TAIWAN-FU, AND TAMSUI.

Takow is a port in Formosa, and is situated in lat. 22 deg. 38 min. 3 sec. N., and long. 130 deg. 16 min. 30 sec. E. It was thrown open to foreigners in 1864. It is only a small place, occupied chiefly by Chinese fishermen, and, excepting the beautiful scenery surrounding it, it possesses no features of interest. The appearance of the place and its vicinity from the sea is very pleasant. Ape's Hill is seen rising on the left and the Saracen's Head on the right. Between the two is the channel which