364 RfeuM^;. 



with all kinds of Japanese productions, from which 

 we could select what we wished, paying a very small 

 price for anything we took. From this period the 

 Dutch traders on the island of Desima led a far happier 

 life. I remember how they hailed with delight our 

 arrival, and told us of the difference that took place 

 in their treatment immediately after our Admiral had 

 acted so promptly and wisely. 



In the days I speak of also — twenty-five years ago — 

 fortunes were made in China rapidly. The chief trade, 

 particularly that of opium, by far the most lucrative of 

 all, was in the hands of a few. Mails from England 

 arrived once a month, and during the interval, rest, 

 shooting, racing, and amusement were the general 

 routine. On the peak of the island of Hong-Kong 

 there was — and still is — a signal-gun to announce the 

 approach of the English mail-steamer, which from this 

 elevated position can be seen at least forty miles off. 

 As the mail-day drew near, the excitement in the place 

 became general ; anticipation was on every one's face, 

 hardly anything else was spoken of, and if a steamer was 

 reported from the peak, heavy odds were freely offered 

 on its being the mail-boat. But directly the boom of 

 the gun sounded from this elevated station, the place 

 appeared like an ant's nest that some one had just 

 kicked. I have seen the male part of the congregation 



