i ETNA. 23 



The Cantonese metropolis lies in an extensive, fertile delta of rice 

 fields and orchards, through which in every direction run navigable 

 canals and river branches that form favorite retreats for the Chinese 

 pirates, and the steamers plying on these waterway- are provided with 

 stands of loaded arms and quick-firing guns. Two years ago, after a 

 good deal of travel in the Orient. I found Canton one of the mosl inter- 

 esting places in the world, and a second visit has not led me to change 

 my mind, although many Americans see nothing more in it than a 

 "disgustingly filthy place." 



A chair ride through the streets of this immense metropolis (al- 

 though filthy and as narrow as the alleys of a steamer passage way) 

 presents many curious sights, and suu U est> possibilities of future 

 development along lines favorable to any business in competition with 

 western commerce and manufactures. One can not fail to have forced 

 . upon him the tremendous amount of physical and mental power which 

 lies waiting to be employed in more lucrative occupations than the 

 careful chopping of a sheep's entrails or the making of exquisitely 

 beautiful images of rice paste, which sell for a few cents apiece. 



The precision of movement, the concentration, the earnestness of 

 application, and the continual activity which are now exerted on the 

 pettiest trifles, can not fail, when employed in the manufacture of arti- 

 cles which the white man wants, to have a marked influence upon the 

 market supply of such goods. 



Whether you watch the countless junks or sampans along the 

 waterways, or jostle with the crowds in the narrow thoroughfares, 

 the impression is the same; you are in the midst of two millions of the 

 most industrious, temperate, and philosophically minded people in the 

 world. 



Canton was the home of many an emigrant Chinaman, and his 

 abilities as a workman can be best understood if seen both in his own 

 land and in the countries to which he has emigrated. 



This populous city, which is almost entirely built up in one or 

 two story houses, covers many miles of territory, and is surrounded 

 by rice fields, orchards, taro patches, and groves of guava, while the 

 fertile foothills in the interior are clothed, 1 am told, with orchards of 

 chestnut, peaches, and plums, which supply in their season the fruit 

 markets of the Cantonese. 



Rice is the staple food, and there are many varieties suited to dis- 

 tinctly different uses. They even export to their relatives in America 

 (smuggling it out of Canton because the export of rice is prohibited by 

 imperial law) a variety which they consider superior to any of our 

 home-grown sorts. The gardens of citrus fruits, leitchees, carambolas. 

 and guavas are often surrounded by taro patches and paddy fields. 



Everywhere one is impressed by the quantity of marsh plants cul- 

 tivated. These in their several varieties play a most important role 



