Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 463

VUTT

A

HANOI.

Hanoi, the capital of Tonquin, ouce an independent kingdom, but since 1802 a province of Annam, is situated on the Song koi, or Red River, 110 miles from its mouth. The city is situated hard on the river, here about a mile in width, and, being embowered in trees, presents a pleasing appearance on being approached by water. The citadel occupies the highest site, and is surrounded by a brick wall twelve feet high and a moat. Five gates give access to it, and in front of each is a redan strongly def n led and manned by troops. The Government buildings and barracks are a l inside the citadel. The city is situated between the citadel and the river, and extends beyond the form r in a westerly direction. The principal stree's occupied by Chinese are wide and the houses well built of brick, but in the other quarters of the city the shops and houses are mat erections. The streets, with the exception of the Chinese quarter, are unpaved, and in wet weather are simply impassable on account of the mud. There is plenty of life and business in Hanoi, and the shops and markets are well supplied with native goods and produce. The Cinese, as in other parts of Cochin China, are the leading merchants and traders. They number more than 3,000. The French Settlement is separate from the city proper, and is formed on reclamed land. The buildings in the French Concession are of a very neat appearance and well constructed. The French Consul at Hanoi, as in Haiphong, has no real consular powers. There are 200 French soldiers stationed in the city. Hanoi would be an important centre of commerce under an enlightened Government. The population of the city may be estimated at from 60,000 to 80,000, but anything like accuracy in numbers is difficult to arrive at.

The Song-koi is navigable for ships of light draught as far as Mang-hao, a con- siderable trading city in Yunnan, some 300 miles above Hanoi, but the disturbed condition of the frontier has hitherto pr vented any systematic attempt to open communication by this route with Western China. The French Government has given no encouragement to merchants to try and establish trade in this direction, but it is believed that the prospects would be very favourable. The Tonquinese are indolent and apathetic, averse to any exertion, and totally devoid of enterprise, owing to the oppression they have so long suffered under mandarin rule.

FRENCH CONSULATE,

Consul-Comte de Kergaradec Chancelier-Aumoitte

DIRECTORY.

FRANCO-ANNAMITE CUSTOMS.

Collector Messier

Clerks Astolfi

Merchants, Professions, Trades, &c Deleyre, Madame, storekeeper

Landstein & Co., merchants

E. Constantin

G. Milenowitz

Morice jeune & Bailly, storekeepers

Santucci

Francois

Schriever & Co., merchants and commis.

sion agents

W. Schriever O. von der Heyde

AGENCIES.

Schriever & Co., agents—

North China Insurance Company Union Insurance Society of Canton Second Colonial Sea and Fire Insurance

Company

MILITARY.

Commander of the Troops-Symphor

Captain-Du Boulet de Bonneuil

Lieutenant-Scheineder

Sub-Lieutenant-Denès

Ferrin,

restaurateur

Paymaster-Joubert

Surgeon-Hamon

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