222 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES Chap. XI. 



than when they have to be carried for many miles 

 over mountains on the backs of coolies. And 

 further, the new teas will always arrive very 

 early, if this is an advantage. 



These circumstances will no doubt be perfectly 

 understood by mercliants, and it is for them to say 

 whether the disadvantages which I shall now 

 notice are worth taking into consideration. 



1st. The extensive sandbanks at the mouth of 

 the Min, and the rapid currents in the river itself, 

 have been urged by some as fatal objections to its 

 safe navigation. In support of this view it is 

 stated that since the opening of the trade several 

 vessels and cargoes of great value have been com- 

 pletely lost, and insurance offices have been 

 obliged to raise their rates of insurance. 



At first sight this seems a very grave objection ; 

 but were it worth the merchant's while to conduct 

 a large trade at Foo-chow, the dangers in naviga- 

 tion might be, if not removed entirely, rendered 

 much less than they are, by means of permanent 

 landmarks, buoys, &c. Besides small tug steam- 

 ers would spring up, whose masters would soon 

 gain a knowledge of the different passages, tides, 

 and currents, and be able to take vessels out to or 

 in from sea, in the most perfect safety. It is a 

 disadvantage, no doubt, to have sandbanks, narrow 

 passages, and rapid currents, but in this instance it 

 does not seem to be insujoerable. 



2nd. The port of Foo-chow, although nearer to 

 a black-tea district than any of the others open to 



