Directory_and_Chronicle_1890 — Page 555

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SHANGHAL

the natives have to be tried by their own authorities, and bribery doubtless works its effects in Shanghai as elsewhere in China, the difficulties of organizing and efficiently working such a small force are considerable. In few places is life and property more

secure.

The climate of Shanghai is generally allowed to be fairly healthy. The death rate amongst foreigners ashore and aflo it during the past seventeen years has ranged from 16.9 per thousand (in 1884) to 30.8 per thousand (in 1881). The rate in 1888 was 21.2 per thousand. Partial outbreaks of cholera have occurred at intervals in recent years, but the great majority of the cases were among the ships in harbour. The number, 25, in 1885 was the highest recorded. Of these 8 were amongst residents. If we exclude non-residents the death rate was 18.5 per thousand in 1888 and has varied, so far as can be estimated in the absence of an annual census, from 14.2 per 1,000 in 1884, to 20 per 1,000 in 1883, a rate which compares favourably with that of large towns in Europe. The Health Officer in a late report says, "out of the seventy-five deaths registered, there were but nine which can in any sense be termed climatic." The Chinese authorities reported 2,065 deaths amongst the natives in the "Anglo-American Settlement" in 1888, which would make the rate 16.5 per thousand, but that is probably under the real uumber: 282 of these deaths were registered as from cholera and 52 from small-pox. The thermometer ranges from 25 deg. to 100 deg. Fahrenheit, the mean of eight years having been 59.2 deg.; winter being 39.1, spring 50.9, summer 78.2, and autumn 62.6. Shanghai approaches nearest to Rome in mean temperature, while the winter temperature of London and Shanghai are almost identical. In the months of October and November there is generally dry, clear, and delightful weather, equal to what can be found in any other part of the world; but when the winter has fairly set in the north-east winds are extremely cold and biting. On January 17th, 1878 the river was frozen over at Woosung. The heat in the summer is sometimes excessive, but generally lasts only a few days at a time. In late years very severe gales have become more frequent. The annual average of rainy days in Shanghai during eight years was 124, the annual rainfall 32.464 inches; 55 wet days occurred in winter, and 69 in summer; the heaviest shower was on the 24th October, 1875, when 7 inches fell in 3 hours. Earthquakes occasionally occur, but have not been known to inflict any serious injury.

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The streets of the English and French Settlements all run north and south and east and west, mostly for the whole length of both settlements, crossing each other at right angles. Notwithstanding the soft nature of the soil they are now kept in remark- ably good order, at least those near the river, the district chiefly occupied by Europeans. Owing to the nature of the ground, expensive piling or concrete foundations are neces- sary before any foreign buildings can be erected, and all stone has to be brought from a long distance. The Soochow Creek, between the English Settlement and Hongkew, is now crossed by six bridges, three of which are adapted for carriage traffic, and the French is connected with the other Settlement by eight bridges. There are several good driving roads extending into the country, two leading to Sicawei, a distance of about six miles, and one to Jessfield by the banks of the Soochow Creek, for about seven miles. Another broad road, more recently constructed, runs by the side of the river for six miles. It is intended ultimately to extend it to Woosung. Several other roads have been proposed, but although foreigners are prepared to pay high prices for the land the opposition of the officials has hitherto prevented their construc- tion. At the time the Taipings approached Shanghai some roads for the passage of artillery were made by the British military authorities at the expense of the Chinese Government, one of them extending for seventeen miles into the country; but ex- cepting those close to the settlement they have now been turned into ploughed fields. An inland carriage road to Woosung, made at the expense of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co. and others, has now also been reduced to a narrow footpath. The foreshore in front of the settlement has been raised, turfed, and planted with shrubs. The trees planted some years ago having now attained a good height, and several more imposing buildings having been completed, the English and French Bunds form as magnificent a boulevard as any in the East.

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