84 THE RIVER. 



tance, villages, pagodas,* which formed, in com- 

 bination, some very interesting scenery. As we 

 approached Canton, the bustle and multitude of 

 boats increased upon the river : these boats con- 

 tained whole families, who had been born and bred 

 in them. They could often be seen containing 

 the young sprawling infant, just able to walk, the 

 new-born infant, and the aged grandmother, 

 all reared in this confined space ; but at the 

 same time, the people wore an appearance of 

 happiness and content upon their countenances, 

 in spite of their squalid misery. They keep 

 their boats, in a very neat and clean condition, 

 which certainly confers some degree of credit 

 upon the people. The flag-staffs and the 

 noble pile of buildings, forming the factories of 

 the different nations, appeared to our view ; 

 and, arriving soon after, I called upon and re- 



* Several pagodas are seen erected upon elevated situa- 

 tions at certain distances up the river to Canton, and even 

 beyond. Looking from the terrace of the Honourable 

 East India Company's factory, it was observed, that they 

 formed a line of watch-towers, and signals of lights from 

 them could pass with rapidity from one to the other, form- 

 ing excellent means of telegraphic communication, and, from 

 their extending at certain distances up the river as far 

 as the eye could reach, they are no doubt intended for that 

 purpose. 



