CUM, SING, MOON. 21 



to the northward of Macao, arid distant about 

 eighteen miles from that settlement. The 

 " Cap, sing, moon," has some towering ver- 

 dant mountains, with fertile valleys, and little 

 thatched cottages of fishermen and others, peer- 

 ing through a thicket of foliage. This is con- 

 trasted at another part by barren hills, destitute 

 of any beauty, excepting what may be scantily 

 imparted by a few stunted shrubs or ferns. 



Well may this be called a celestial empire, 

 wherein moons and stars condescend to take up 

 their local habitation. It is ludicrous to hear 

 the inhabitants talking of having intercourse 

 with the celestial people in the different moons, 

 " Where did you come from last?" " I came 

 from the other moon," was a very common ques- 

 tion and answer. 



On the 14th of September we sailed over to 

 the " Cum, sing, moon,"^ and anchored at six 

 o'clock, P.M. ; this possessed far more extensive 

 and picturesque beauties than the harbour we 



* The definition of this harbour in the Chinese language 



is as follows : — 



Kum, Sing, Moon, 



Gold, Star, Gate. 



" Gold Star" among the Chinese is the planet Mars, so that 



this place is named Margate. 



