22 



OPIUM TRADE. 



had left.* The entrance is, however, difficult, 

 and even dangerous for strangers ; yet, after 

 having been once, the same person could easily 

 take a ship in or out at any time without risk, 

 taking advantage of the tides. From the land 

 around this place not being so elevated as in the 

 rival harbour, the gusts that descend from the 

 gullies in stormy weather are not so violent, and 

 a ship is consequently not so liable to drive as 

 has been experienced during some severe ty- 

 phoons, which occurred a short time previous to 

 our arrival. 



Many of those outlaw ships that trade in 

 opium, (one of the most important, although 

 prohibited, branches of commerce in the Chinese 

 empire,) remain either in this harbour, or that 

 of the " Cap, sing, moon," during the season of 

 the year that typhoons are expected, and anchor 

 off the island of Lin tin during the fine- weather 

 months. One part of this trade in opium is 

 carried on by the Chinese smuggling boats, 

 which take it from the European receiving ships 

 stationed here, or more properly speaking at 

 " Lintin," (this being merely a temporary place 

 of refuge from typhoons). 



* White porpoises, slightly tinged with pink, are frequently 

 seen tumbling about in the " moons" and sea in the vicinity. 



