Oh. XVn.] OPIUM-SMOKING. 



283 



mouth shut, he would tell him to cough, when out came the 

 tooth with no further difSculty. I know not what jugglery 

 was used, but these effects were presented to the eyes of 

 attentively watching bystanders. 



Among the phases of Chinese dissipation incident to 

 scenes such as I am describing, of course opium-smoking 

 has its place. This, however, is a subject upon which the 

 opinions of some in this coimtry, who are unacquainted with 

 real facts, are so strong, and their feelings so excited, that 

 it seems desirable to give some trustworthy information 

 which may guide them to a proper appreciation of the true 

 extent of the evil, and may enable them to compare it 

 properly with that vice in this country to which it bears 

 most resemblance — viz., drunkenness. 



It is a common idea that opium-smoking obtrudes itself 

 upon the notice of every traveller in China, and that the 

 debasing and destructive effects of it meet the eye at every 

 turn. This is, however, a great mistake. Opium is an 

 expensive luxury, and the supply, which is equal to, and 

 regulated by, the demand, is very limited. Like all other 

 luxuries it is doubtless liable to abuse, and no one will 

 attempt to deny that, like spirit drinking, it is sometimes 

 carried to excess ; but the cases of confirmed opium-smoking 

 in China bear no manner of proportion to those of excessive 

 drinking in England. This can be easily proved by a 

 reference to the statistics of the opium-market of Hong 

 Kong, through which aU opium except that of native manu- 

 facture must pass. A person not conversant with the value 

 of the drug is surprised to learn that a chest, which contains 

 133J lbs., or one picul of opium, is worth about £150. 



As a general rule a man smokes about 5 mace of opium 

 at a time, or we may say 5 mace per diem for an ordinary 



