April 27, 1857.] AND THE EAST COAST OF CHINA. 335 



better for some experience of our power ; for in consequence of those 

 obstacles to the spread of intelligence already adverted to, the 

 people retain some of their original ignorance regarding foreigners, 

 and have besides much of the turbulence and ferocity of character 

 attaching to their neighbours the Cantonese ; to whom, however, 

 they bear a deadly dislike, and with whom they have a perpetual 

 feud. It was here that an attempt was made to persuade me that 

 our Consul at Foo-chow-foo must be excluded from the interior of 

 the city, as he was at Canton ; but I treated it as a mere pretence — 

 which it really was — and had the satisfaction of establishing him in 

 a good position within the city, soon after the opening of the port. 

 This place was not promising at first as a port of trade. The river, 

 which is picturesque and beautiful as a natural object (being rapid 

 and rocky like the Ehine, but much more shallow), is on that 

 account of difficult and dangerous navigation, and the anchorage 

 besides is 10 miles below the city. The natural advantages, how- 

 ever, as a mart for black teas (being so near the place of their pro- 

 duction), have conquered other disadvantages, and the exports of 

 tea from Foo-chow-foo have of late years become considerable. 



Ningpo-foo, the next of the new ports, lies as far as 270 miles to 

 the north of this, and afforded winter-quarters to our invading force 

 in 1841. The union of power and clemency, which the people of 

 this place experienced from us at that time, has been followed by the 

 best effects, and at no spot have foreigners enjoyed more comfoi't 

 and liberty in their movements than here. As a place of trade, 

 however, it has failed. This must be attributed to the near vicinity 

 of Shanghae, by far the best port of all, which by its superior advan- 

 tages and attractions has drawn away nearly all commerce from 

 Ningpo. The embroidered silks of K ingpo, and the ingenious works 

 in inlaid wood, constitute the principal native productions. 



Opposite to the river's mouth, at the distance of some 50 miles, 

 lies the island of Chusan, with its chief town Tinghae. It is well 

 known that we had possession of this fine island for about five years 

 in all, during four of which it was retained as a security for the 

 payment of the war indemnity of 21,000,000 dollars. It was my 

 fate to resign it with some regret, on the payment of the last instal- 

 ment in 1846 ; and as this Society has done me the honour to place 

 a Memoir and Map of the island in its 23rd Volume, there is the less 

 need to say anything more concerning it on the present occasion. 

 Chapoo, a port pertaining to the famous city of Hang-chow-foo, 

 was visited by our war-expedition ; but the tides and eddies of the 

 dangerous estuary prevented the squadron going up to "the town. 



We lastly come to the very important and flourishing port of 



