DECADBNCE OF MACAO, 



29T 



The Commodore's residence at Macao gave him an opportunity of extending his ohservationa 

 of that place, heyond what had been offered by his jirevious casual visit. 



Macao, once so famed for its extensive and profitable commerce and for its wealth, is now entirely 

 divested of them, and seems to be sustained only by a small coasting trade, the expenditures of 

 a limited garrison, and those of the families of the English and American merchants who make 

 it a summer resort, and, having abundance of money, freely disburse it. The Portuguese 

 jurisdiction is confined within very narrow limits. The Chinese settlements seem to be fast 

 absorbing the wliole place ; in fact, the larger portion of the population of the town is already 

 composed of China men and women, who perform most of the menial duties in the domestic 

 establishments, both of the Portuguese and of other foreigners. 



Chinese Barber — Macao. 



The Chinese are also the shopkeepers, tlie mechanics, and the market people. What the 

 native Portuguese have to do it would be difiicult to conjecture. They are, with some exceptions 

 38 J 



