Chap. I.« 



MORTALITY AT HONG-KONG. 



5 



1 have always thought that, although various causes 

 may operate to render Hong-kong unhealthy, yet one 

 of the principal reasons is the absence of trees and of 

 the shade which they afford. In a communication 

 which I had the honour to make to the Government 

 here in 1844 I pointed out this circumstance, and 

 strongly recommended them to preserve the wood 

 then growing upon the island from the Chinese, who 

 were in the habit of cutting it down annually, and at 

 the same time to plant extensively, particularly on 

 the sides of the roads and on the lower hills. I am 

 happy to say that these recommendations have been 

 carried out to a certain extent, although not so fully 

 as I had wished. It is well known that a healthy 

 vegetation, such as shrubs and trees, decomposes the 

 carbonic acid of the atmosphere, and renders it fit for 

 respiration ; besides which there is a softness and 

 coolness about trees, particularly in a hot climate, 

 that is always agreeable. 



Many of the inhabitants have taken up the matter 

 with great spirit, and have planted all the ground 

 near their houses. Some of them have really beau- 

 tiful gardens. I may instance those of His Excellency 

 the Governor at " Spring Gardens," of Messrs. Dent 

 and Co. at "Green Bank," and of Messrs. Jardine 

 and Matheson at "East Point." In order to give 

 some idea of a Hong-kong garden I shall attempt to 

 describe Messrs. Dent's, which was then in the pos- 

 session and under the fostering care of Mr. Braine : — 



This garden is situated on the sloping sides of a 

 valley near the bottom of one of the numerous ravines 



