Directory_and_Chronicle_1886 — Page 355

MACAO.

Macao is situated in 22 deg. 11 min. 30 sec. N. latitude, and 113 deg. 32 min. 80 sec. E. longitude, on a rocky peninsula, renowned, long before the Portugueso settled on it, for its safe harbour for junks and small vessels. The Portuguese, who had already settled on the island of Lampacao, and frequented for trading purposes Chin-chew, Lianpo, Tamao, and San-choan (St. John's island, where St. Francis Xavier died) first took up their residence at Macao in 1557. Shortly after their arrival pirates and adventurers from the neighbouring islands commenced to molest them. The Chinese authorities were powerless to cope with these marauders, who went so far as to blockade the port of Canton. The Portuguese manned and armed a few vessels and succeeded in raising the blockade of Canton and clearing the seas. The town of Macao soon afterwards began to rise, and during the eighteenth century trade flourished wonderfully, the difficulty of residence at Canton greatly contributing towards it. The East India Company and the Dutch Company had establishments in Macao.

Historians are divided in opinion as to whether the possession of Macao by the Portuguese is due to Imperial bounty or to right of conquest. There can be no doubt, however, that it was held at a rental of 500 taels a year until Governor Ferreira do Amaral in 1848 refused to pay it any longer and forcibly drove out the Hoppo or Chinese Custom-house, and with it every vestige of Chinese authority. This bold stroke cost him his life in August, 1849, for he was waylaid and barbarously mur- dered near the Barrier of Porta do Cerco and his head was taken to Canton. On the Chinese troops at the Barrier showing fight and massing in great numbers, the Portuguese troops gallantly advanced, took the fort of Passaleão, and drove the Chinese from their positions.

The settlement is separated from the large island of Heang-shan by a wall built across the narrow connecting sandy isthmus. Two principal ranges of hills, one running from south to north, the other from cast to west, may be considered as forming an angle, the base of which leans upon the river or anchoring place. The public and private buildings, a cathedral, and several churches, are raised on the declivities, skirts, and heights of hillocks. On the lofty mount eastward, called Charil, is a fort, enclosing the hermitage of Na. Sra. de Guia, and westward is Nillau, on the top of which stands the hermitage of Na. Sra. de Penha; entering a wide semi-circular bay, which faces the east, on the right hand stands the fort San Francisco; and on the left, that of Na. Sra. de Bom Parto. Seen from the roads or from any of the forts crowning the several hillocks, Macao is extremely picturesque. The public and private buildings are gaily painted and the streets kept very clean.

Since the cession of the island of Hongkong to the British, the trade of Macao has decreased considerably, and the coolie trade gave it an unenviable notoriety. This traffic, pregnant with abuses, was happily abolished in 1874. Tea continues to be an article of export, showing the value of from $700,000 to $800,000 a year. Essential oils are also exported to some extent. There is likewise some trade in opium. Silk filature and other factories have also been established.

The terrific typhoon of the 23rd September, 1874, which swept across Hongkong and the Southern Coast of China with such force, laid a considerable part of Macao in ruins. During the full violence of the wind, and fearful rise of the tide, a fire took place which consumed the best houses in the parish of Santo Antonio, the ruins of many of these buildings still marking the site of the disaster. With its trade gone and consequent departure of many of its residents, the activity of the place is a thing of the past. Owing to its pleasant climate and the quietude always prevailing, Macao has become the occasional retreat of invalids and busy workers from Hongkong and other neighbouring ports.

In the town there are several places of interest apart from the Fan-tan or gam- bling saloons. The gardens and Grotto of Camoens, once the resort of the celebrated Portuguese Poet Camoens, are worth seeing, as also the noble facade of the ancient Jesuit church of San Paulo, burnt in 1835. Pleasant excursions can be made to the Hot Springs of Yô-mak, about sixteen miles from Macao, easily reached in about