160 The Gardens of the Sim. [en vn. 



to an enterprising native or Chinese merchant, and the 

 revenue thus obtained is often enormous as compared 

 with that on spirits and tobacco, or other duty-paying* 

 goods. 



An opium-smoking establishment consists of a few 

 gloomy rooms furnished with cane -bottomed couches, 

 and on little stands are the pipes, tiny lamps, and other 

 implements used by the smokers. The smell is generally 

 sufficient to deter Europeans entering an opium-smoker's 

 haunt from motives of curiosity ; or if under guidance 

 one does venture into the ill-ventilated and mal-odorous 

 apartments behind, it is with feelings of relief that the 

 sweet outer air is again gained. The smokers lie on the 

 bamboo couches, and a little stand is brought, on which 

 are one or two flute-like pipes, a pill or two of the drug, 

 and a little glass lamp. In some cases an attendant 

 manipulates the drug and fills the pipes ; as a rule, how- 

 ever, this is done by the smokers themselves. There is 

 no mistaking an habitual opium smoker ; his eyes are 

 dull, his complexion sallow, and in general a listless 

 bearing, with a frame more or less emaciated, betokens 

 his being a degraded victim. Without a supply of his 

 favourite drug he is miserable ; and when under its influ- 

 ence he is useless. Here he lies holding a morsel of the 

 black drug on a needle over the flame of the lamp, twirl- 

 ing it round and round, and toasting it in the flame until 

 the proper consistence is attained. It is then introduced 

 into the pipe, and the needle, on being withdrawn, leaves 

 a tiny air-hole through the mass as it fits like a plug in 

 the bowl. The smoker now holds the bowl to the lamp, 

 and obtains a light, and then he draws a long whift' or 

 two as the burning morsel of opium rapidly decreases in 

 the bowl. 



