Increase in Junk Traffic 247 



the shore in the tranquil bights below the rapids. Of the 

 value of accurate statistics, the Chinese have not the 

 sUghtest idea, and hence it is impossible to speak accurately 

 on this or any other point in China where numbers are in 

 any way concerned. However, one thing is certain — there 

 is no insurance among the Chinese, so that the losses, when 

 they do occur, are often ruinous. Hence there is little 

 doubt that steamers would be welcomed by the merchants, 

 and that, were a line once running to Chung-king, the 

 uninsurable junks would be gradually abandoned; then, with 

 reduced freights, and the regularity of steam, the Szechuan 

 people would ship to the east their varied and inexhaustible 

 suppUes of produce in largely increased quantity, thus 

 enabling them materially to augment their purchases of 

 foreign manufactures in return. The junks would soon 

 find compensation in the increased traffic that steamers 

 on the main river would bring to its numerous and extensive 

 afiSuents. This has proved itself in a remarkable manner 

 on the Lower Yang-tse. Since Hankow was thrown open 

 to steamers in i860, the direct traffic has increased until 

 now it employs a daily steamer of 2000 tons, and nine- 

 tenths of the traffic between that port and Shanghai is now 

 carried on by steam ; yet there are more junks on the river 

 than ever. These are engaged in transhipping produce 

 landed by the steamers at the seven river ports — to which 

 steamers are at present confined — to remoter districts, 

 accessible by means of the numerous lakes and large river 

 systems communicating with the Yang-tse. 



Judging by recent articles in the London press, it seems 

 to be believed at home that the Chinese are turning over a 

 new leaf, and welcoming Western progress. My own ex- 

 perience is that the desire of the officials to avail them- 

 selves of our superior mechanical appliances is confined to 



