MACAO.
Macao is situated in 22 deg. 11. min. 30 sec. N. latitude, and 113 deg. 32 min. 30 sec. E. longitude, on a rocky peninsula, renowned, long before the Portuguese 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 there, the difficulty of residence at Canton greatly contributing towards it. The East India Co. and the Dutch Co. 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 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 murdered near the Barrier of Porta Cerco and his head was taken to Canton. The sovereignty of Portugal over the peninsula was, however, formally recognised by China in the Treaty signed with Portugal in 1887.
The colony is separated from the large island of Heang-shan by a wall built across the narrow coureeting sandy isthmus. Two principal ranges of hills, one running from south to north, the other from east 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. da 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 low hills, Macao is extremely picturesque. The public and private buildings are gaily painted and the streets kept very clean.
After the cession of Hongkong to the British, the trade of Macan declined rapidly, and the coolie traffic subsequently developed there 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, brick and cement works, and other factories have also been established. The commercial activity of the place, however, 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 business men 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 cele- brated 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, accessible by steam launch. In winter snipe are plentiful in the neighbourhood and afford good sport.
The Hongkong, Canton, and Macao Steamboat Company ruus a daily steamer (Sundays excepted) between Macao and Hongkong, leaving the former port at 8
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