Chap, XVII. NATIVE TKADE OF FOO-CHOW-FOO. 
285 
each containing guns ; some of which, according to the 
writings on them, were cast about the commencement of 
the last war. A small area between the south and 
north gates is not built upon ; but the greater part of 
the space within the walls is densely covered with 
houses. There are two rather handsome pagodas, and 
some small hills on which temples are built, and where 
a good view of the town and suburbs may be obtained. 
On one of these hills the British Consul has his resi- 
dence. 
The streets in all Chinese cities have much the same 
appearance: some are a little wider than others, and 
have better and more attractive shops ; but by far the 
greater part of them are narrow and dirty, and Foo- 
chow-foo certainly forms no exception to the general 
rule. A large trade appears to be carried on here in 
copper, judging from the number of shops filled with 
manufactured articles of that metal, particularly of 
gongs, of which I observed an immense number of all 
sizes. This copper is brought here principally in junks 
from Loo-choo. They also bring a considerable quantity 
of gold. Both metals are said to be originally the 
exports of Japan. I went on board two of these junks 
at the mouth of the Min, which were bound to Loo- 
choo, and were loaded with tea-oil, which they told me 
they had taken in exchange for their copper. A great 
quantity of iron is manufactured here, and wire-drawing 
is carried on extensively. The great export trade of the 
port, however, is in wood, which is floated down the 
Min in large quantities, and covers many acres in the 
suburbs near the river-side. Hundreds of junks from 
