98 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA, 
Chap. VII. 
peculiar style, and fit them for the tastes of the people. 
From what we know of the geographical nature of the 
country, there can be no doubt that all the green teas, 
and perhaps the greatest portion of the black, can be 
brought to Shanghae at less expense than they can be 
taken to Canton, or any of the other southern towns, 
except, perhaps, Ning-po ; and as the tea-men incur less 
risk in taking their money home from the north, owing 
to the peaceable nature of the inhabitants, this will be 
another very great inducement to bring their teas to 
Shanghae. The large silk districts of northern China 
are close at hand ; and there can be no doubt that a large 
proportion of that commodity in a raw state will be dis- 
posed of at Shanghae. Taking, therefore, all these facts 
into consideration — the proximity of Shanghae to the 
large towns of Hang-chow, Soo-chow, and the ancient 
capital of Nanking ; the large native trade, the conve- 
nience of inland transit by means of rivers and canals ; 
the fact that teas and silks can be brought here more 
readily than to Canton ; and, lastly, viewing this place 
as an immense mart for our cotton manufactures, which 
we already know it to be, — there can be no doubt that 
in a few years it will not only rival Canton, but become 
a place of far greater importance. And when I add 
that the climate is healthy, the natives peaceable, and 
foreign residents respected, and allowed to walk and ride 
all over the country, to any distance not exceeding 
a day's journey, it will be acknowledged that, as a 
place to live at, it has many advantages over its southern 
rival. 
I have already said that this part of China is a 
