Cuap.II.] UNHEALTHINESS OF THE SETTLEMENT. 45) 
Valley” already noticed, was another most un- 
healthy spot. One of my fellow-passengers, Mr. 
Dyer, and his partner, who came out with high 
hopes of succeeding in business under the new 
regulations, went to live in this place, where, in a 
few days, they were seized with fever, and in a few 
more they had both gone to “that undiscovered 
country from whose bourn no traveller returns.” In 
other parts of the island, which were at that time con- 
sidered more healthy, fever prevailed to a great ex- 
tent. Among those who were carried off, and whose 
death caused the greatest regret, were Major Pot- 
tinger and the Honourable J. R. Morrison, Chinese 
interpreter, son of the celebrated Dr. Morrison. 
The former had been only out for a few days, and 
was on the point of returning home with de- 
spatches for the Government. Many other instances 
might be mentioned ; but these are sufficient to show 
the deplorable condition of our new settlement — 
at this time; and so malignant and fatal was this 
disease, that few who were seized ever recovered. 
The only advice the doctors gave, was at once to 
leave the island and fly to Macao. 
The south side of Hong-kong was at this time 
considered much more healthy than the north, 
where the new town of Victoria was being built. 
The prevailing opinion amongst the inhabitants 
then was that the town ought to have been placed on 
having been made there, but if it was necessary to uncover the 
coffins, common decency required that they should be buried 
again. 
