236 



NATIVES OF FORMOSA. 



Chap. XI. 



to which we were invited. The houses in the 

 town were generally poor and mean-looking, and 

 there seemed nothing in the shops except the 

 simplest articles of food, such as fish, pork, sweet 

 potatoes and various other vegetables in daily use 

 among the population. However, as I have al- 

 ready remarked, this is only an insignificant sea- 

 port, and gives no idea of the more wealthy towns, 

 which are known to exist inland. 



As several vessels, which have been shipwrecked 

 at different times on the coast of Formosa, have 

 had their crews barbarously treated by the natives, 

 the impression is abroad that it is far from being 

 safe to land on any part of the island. Judging, 

 however, from the short acquaintance I had with 

 the people, I am inclined to believe the impression 

 to be unfounded ; unless, indeed, in cases of ship- 

 wreck, when they may not be trusted. But this 

 is the same in China, — and, perhaps, we might 

 instance other places nearer home. Everywhere, 

 both in the town and also in the country, I was 

 civilly and even kindly received by the people. 

 They begged me to enter their houses and sit 

 down, and invariably set tea before me and offered 

 me anything they had in use amongst themselves, 

 — and, during a day's excursion, I did not hear a 

 single disrespectful word from any of those with 

 whom I came in contact. 



The natives of Formosa are Chinese, and are 

 under the control of the Governor of Fokien, 

 whose head-quarters are in the city of Foo-chow- 



