Directory_and_Chronicle_1896 — Page 600

Directories & Chronicles 香港指南 All

184

FOOCHOW

quarter of the city, and the wooded hills enclosed by the walls, give a picturesque appearance to the general view. Two well preserved pagodas stand within the city walls. Near the east gate of the city are several hot springs, which are used by the natives for the cure of skin diseases and are believed to be very efficacious. The Foochow people excel in the manufacture of miniature monuments, pagodas, dishes, &c., from what is called “ soap stone," and in the construction of artificial flowers, curious figures of birds, &c. A few miles above the city the river divides into two branches, which, after pursuing separate courses for fifteen miles, unite a little above Pagoda Anchorage. The foreign settlement stands on the northern side of the island thus formed and which is called Nautai. A bridge across the river, known as the Long Bridge or Bridge of the Ten Thousand Ages, affords access to the city.

The climate of Foochow is mild and delightful for about nine months of the year, but in the summer it is rather trying, the range of the thermometer then being from 74 deg. Fahr. to 98 deg. A refuge from the heat of summer can, however, be gained by a three hours' chair ride to the top of Kuliang, which mountain resort is now much frequented by the foreign residents. The thermometer indicates an average of 10 degrees cooler on the mountain than it is in Foochow; the nights are always cool and blankets a necessity for comfort. Sharp Peak also affords a seaside and bathing resort which is much appreciated.

The scenery surrounding Foochow is very beautiful. In sailing up the Min river from the sea vessels have to leave the wide stream and enter what is called the Kimpai Pass, which is barely half-a-mile across, and enclosed as it is by bold, rocky walls, it presents a very striking appearance. The Pass of Min-ngan is narrower, and with its towering cliffs, surmounted by fortifications and cultivated terraces, is extremely pictu- resque, and has been compared to some of the scenes on the Rhine. The Yung Fu, a tributary of the Min, also affords some charming scenery, the hills rising very abruptly from the river bank. The Min Monastery, the Moon Temple, and the Kushan Monastery, all occupying most romantic and beautiful sites, are fine specimens of Chinese religious edifices, and are much resorted to by visitors. Game abounds in all the ravines and mountains in the vicinity of Foochow, while tigers and panthers are common in the more remote hills, and some of these beasts have been killed within ten miles of the city.

On the 1st August. 1895, a fearful massacre of missionaries occurred at Hwasang, a village near Kucheng, 120 miles west of Foochow, nine adults (eight of them ladies) and one child being killed and another child receiving injuries from which it died some days later.

Foreign vessels, with the exception of those of very light draught, are compelled to anchor at Pagoda Island, owing to the shallowness of the river, which has been increasing of late years, and the difficulties of navigation. The limits of the port of Foochow extend from the City Bridge to the Kimpai Pass. The Mamoi Arsenal, near Pagoda Anchorage, is an extensive Government establishment, where several good sized gunboats have been built. The Arsenal was bombarded by the French on the 23rd-24th August, 1884, and reduced to partial ruin, but has since been restored. A small weekly paper called the Foochow Echo is published. The population of Foochow is estimated at 1,000,000 Of Opium 4,511 piculs were imported in 1894 as against 5,004 piculs in 1893. The value of the trade of the port for 1894 was Tls. 13,450,032; for 1893 it was Tls. 13,840,562.

Directory_and_Chronicle_1896 — Page 600

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