1832,] 
CANTON POLICE. 
351 
every year. It appears to be founded on a tradition handed 
down almost from time immemorial. It appears that once upon 
a time, as our nursery stories begin, a Chinese of great rank, who 
had distinguished himself by his wonderful talents and exploits, 
among which he is said to have confined the river Tigris to its 
banks ; after conferring many benefits upon the nation, and achiev- 
ing many wonders, scarcely inferior to Hercules himself; from 
some cause (which he never made known, or if he did, it has 
been lost in travelling down the mist of past ages) he leaped into 
the river, and was never more seen. He promised, however, to 
return on the anniversary of that day, but unfortunately neglected 
to mention the year of his intended resurrection. In order to 
meet him on his return, each year these snake-boats commence 
their research three days beforehand ; during two of these days 
our officers were in Canton, and were not a little amused in wit- 
nessing the effect of this singular superstition ! The first of June 
is the anniversary, and the boats are said to be patronised by the 
government. Numerous flower-boats, richly gilt and painted, 
covered with beautiful mats, and filled with ladies and gentlemen, 
were plying about the river at the same time, giving additional 
life and variety to the scene. 
The police of Canton cannot but strike the attention of every 
one, as it is unquestionably among the best regulated in the world. 
Spies are distributed in every part, and watch the actions of every 
one ; particularly, the foreign residents. In every square, at every 
hour of the night, may be heard the watchmen with their heavy 
bamboo clubs, striking the pavement. The streets are very 
narrow; and the houses being lofty in many parts, make them 
appear like narrow lanes ; some exceedingly filthy, even to offen- 
siveness, while others are kept in better order. At every square 
there is a gate, which is closed every night at ten o'clock, and 
guarded by a watchman ; and every individual foreigner passing 
after this hour, must carry with him a lighted lantern, with his 
name in legible characters painted on it. Should any alarm be 
given, these gates are instantly secured, enclosing all offenders, so 
that any one guilty of breaking the peace, or of any crime what- 
ever, may easily be taken ; indeed, escape is utterly impossible. 
The residence of foreign merchants, or, as more generally 
termed, factories, are mostly very splendid buildings, and form by 
