Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 258

CANTON

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Canton was menaced with capture in 1841. A pecuniary ransom was, however, received in lieu of the occupation of the city, and hostilities were for the time being suspended. The lesson, unfortunately, was without effect, and the arrogance of the Chinese authorities continued unabated. The British campaign in Central China ensued, and the result was the signature of the Treaty of Nanking (August 29th, 1842), by which what was called the Co-Hong monopoly at Canton was abolished and four additional ports thrown open to foreign trade. Nevertheless, the provisions of the Treaty continued to be ignored in the City of Rams, and foreigners were still denied admittance within its walls. The result of protracted annoyances and insults was that in October, 1856, Sir Michael Seymour, with the fleet, again opened hostilities, and some two months later a mob in retaliation pillaged and burned all the foreign residences. In December, 1857, Sir Charles Straubenzee, in command of an expedition which had been specially despatched from England, attacked the city, and it was taken on the 29th of that month. The French also sent out an expedition, and the city was occupied by the Allied Forces until October, 1861, a period of nearly four years.

The city proper extends to a breadth of about two miles, is about six miles in circumference, and is enclosed by walls about twenty feet thick and from twenty-five to forty feet high. The suburbs spread along the river for nearly five miles. The entire circuit, including the suburbs, is nearly ten miles, the walls enclosing about six miles. What is called the New City now was formerly known as the Southern Suburb. The Western Suburb stretches for miles along the river. There are sixteen gates giving admission into the city beside two water gates. Canton contains great attractions for foreign visitors in its numerous temples, pagodas, &c., and in the many curio shops to be found there. As a specimen of Chinese architecture the Chin Chew Club is well worthy of inspection, and the Examination Hall, the City of the Dead, the Execution Ground, the Gaols, the Arsenal, an ancient Water Clock, and the Mahomedan Mosque are among other show places. The French Mission have erected a large and handsome Gothic cathedral, with two lofty towers surmounted by spires, in the city. The structure is entirely built of dressed granite. A new Mint, constructed by the late Viceroy Chang Chih-tung, and furnished with a very complete plant, has been erected near the North Gate, commenced work in 1889, and now issues a silver subsidiary coinage as well as copper cash. The buildings cover a large area. On the opposite side of the river the Honam Temple and Monastery is the principal attraction. The population of Canton is estimated at 2,000,000, which is the figure given in the last issue of the Customs Trade Reports. A native official report in 1895 gave the population as 499,288 only; but this was exclusive of the boat population and is believed to have been inaccurate as regards the land population.

When the foreign merchants returned to Canton to establish trade after the capture of the city by the English at the close of 1857, they found the Factory and the buildings along the river in ruins. Recourse for accommodation was consequently had to warehouses on the Honam side of the river. Considerable discussion subsequently took place as to the selection of a site for a permanent British settlement, and it was eventually determined that an extensive mudflat known as Shameen should be filled in and appropriated. In 1859 an artificial island was created there, a canal constructed between the northern side of the site and the city, and solid and extensive embankments of masonry built. It took about two years to complete this undertaking, and cost no less than $325,000. Of this sum four-fifths were defrayed by the British, and one-fifth by the French Government, to whom a portion of the reclaimed land was given. Up to 1889 most of the French concession remained unutilised, but in that year a number of lots were sold and are now built upon. The French also received a grant of the old site of the Viceroy's Yamên, on which the Catholic Cathedral has been erected. Shameen is pleasingly laid out, and the roads are shaded with well grown trees. A neat church, called Christ Church, stands at the western end. There is good hotel accommodation. During an anti-foreign riot on the 10th September, 1883, sixteen houses and the Concordia Theatre on the settlement were burned by the mob.

In consequence of the decline in the importance of Canton as a place of trade, caused principally by the opening of some of the northern ports, many of the merchants by whom lots were purchased there in 1861, at enormous prices, withdrew from Canton altogether. The trade now transacted there by foreigners is limited. Tea and Silk are the staple exports. The total export of Tea for the year ending 31st December, 1895, was 10,091 piculs compared with 12,367 piculs in 1894, and the quantity of Raw Silk (exclusive of Refuse and Wild Silk) exported in 1895 was 24,375 piculs as compared with 20,507 piculs in 1894. These figures, however, which are taken from the Foreign Customs returns, do not give the total export, but only those in foreign vessels. Both