View of Macao from the Water. — Tanka-hoais. 393 



wliilc tlio beautiful Praya Grande, where palaces and im- 

 posing mansions are disposed in long array close along the 

 shore, in order to get the benefit of the refreshing sea-breezes, 

 makes a deep and lasting impression upon the stranger. 

 Churches with lofty double towers shooting into tlie air, and 

 the vast dome of the Jesuit College, at once single the city 

 out as Catholic, and imj^art to its external aspect a^strong co]i- 

 trast with the adjoining English colony. 



Macao is a favourite resort of the foreigners settled in 

 Hong-kong for change of air, which in these latitudes seems 

 to be even more necessary than in Europe.' _ So long as Can- 

 ton was the chief seat of the European traders, the Portuguese 

 settlement was used by them as a summer residence for their 

 families, whither they could themselves occasionally retire 

 from the bustle of Canton, and the attendant insecurity of 

 life, to spend a few days of calm enjoyment with their 

 families. On account of the alarms of war of the previous 

 year, most of the Canton merchants had come down to 

 Hong-kong and Macao to settle, in consequence of which 

 the latter town has an unusually lively appearance, while its 

 trade, which had previously been in a rather languishing 

 condition, has materially imj^roved. 



When the steamer makes its appearance in the roads of 

 Macao, it is immediately surrounded by an innumerable 

 swarm of what are called Tanka-boats, mostly propelled by 

 women, who with yells and shrieks bid for the privilege of 

 conveying the passengers to shore. As there is no suit- 



