NOTES OF TRAVEL IN CHINA. 163 



impetus which is given to their boat from swamping her, and when 

 she has assumed a tolerable degree of steadiness, the pilot pulls him- 

 self up along side and clambers over the sides of the vessel. He 

 presents his credentials for inspection, which generally conclude 

 with an averment that " the bearer is as honest as any Chinaman," 

 and the terms for pilotage being agreed upon, which can invariably 

 be reduced to one half the demand made, a few pieces of junk or 

 salt beef, are thrown over into the pilot's boat, in accordance with the 

 custom of the country, and it is then cast off. The Harbour of 

 Hong-Kong, called Victoria harbour, at all times presents a very 

 happy appearance ; it is about five miles in length, and from one to 

 three in width, hemmed in by islands and mountainous lands so as to 

 resemble a small lake. Steamers of war, sloops and frigates, 

 lie at anchor for the protection of the commerce of the countries they 

 represent, and are among the first vessels which the observer distin- 

 guishes from the hundreds, including the native craft, each contri- 

 buting to the variegated scene which the collection of flags presents. 

 One could easily imagine that they were all lying in readiness to 

 bombard the city, on a signal being given, for every sea-going vessel 

 exhibits from her sides an array of mounted guns, many of which are 

 superstifciously decorated by the Chinamen with pieces of red cloth. 



The Island of Hong-Kong was ceded to Grreat Britain at the 

 conclusion of the war with China by a treaty made in 1842, and 

 though heretofore an expensive appendage to the British Crown, it 

 is hoped that ere long it may become a valuable acquisition to her 

 possessions east of the Cape of Good Hope. 



Being a free port, vessels going to China on speculation, with or 

 without a cargo, make Hong-Kong their place of destination, as 

 they escape all harbor dues and other expenses which would be im- 

 posed on them were they to go to any other port. Sometimes they 

 remain several weeks before they find a market for their com- 

 modities, or procure freight for the homeward passage, and this 

 ■delay entails on them a certain expense by which the colony is 

 benefitted. 



The Island is about twenty-five miles in circumference, very 

 mountainous, and yielding very little produce. The city of Vic- 

 toria is upwards of three miles in length and some of the buildings 

 are large and handsome. The principal public ones are the English 

 Church, Government House and Government Buildings, the Bar- 

 racks, and Club-houses, which are of granite and expensively fur- 

 nished. Prom the commanding position which they occupy, they give 

 the place a solid and wealthy appearance. Many private residences, 



