Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-21


city-Boston Daily Advertiser
CANTON, MARCH lS47
DEAN O.: You say truly that there are thousand
everyday occurrences and sights in foreign land which, if
described in familiar manner, would give you home
more correct idea of ones of living and the customs of
the place than you could possibly geanreenng China
from any works upon the subject The long dry disser
tatons we SO often with in books of travels tending
eucidate absruse point perhaps in the civil religious
history of the country described endeavorng unrave the
hidden meaning Of embemac characters very tresome
me- and think be to any but the historian anti
quarry. frequently find myself excaming such dry
morses What in the name OF sense the driving at
and Of what possible interest be to the general reader
the settlement if satisfactory Of the point in question
Generally speaking, in this country the author makes flying
visit. He finds every thing here peculiar, and different
from what he has with before that his senses in
whir Of excitement. He is confused with wonder, and
only describe such things most prominent from their
and These consequently force their impressions
upon his mind to the exclusion Of much that is apparently
insignificant but which would prove interesting folks
home than descriptions of things with which they pro-
baby familiar As for residents, they become, after short
me accustomed to these things objects lose their strange
ness and suppose, they think of them all they think
that what is SO common themselves will prove the
distant friends, else is not worthy OF description. These
take be of the why in notices of foreign
places there little of the Insignificant nothings which
add to the interest Of book, and which would form such
agreeable seto the important something's with which
people nowadays think it necessary to fill them in order to
give them character.
There have been but few modern works of merit written
concerning China Some Of those which have appeared
within the last few years have been d, not hesitate say
imposons upon cedulous public. TIER chief and almost
only excellence consists of interesting exacts and quotations
from the works of the Jesu and in later days from such
"Staunons Embassy" and 6 Daviss Gina" Even this
excellence is in many undeserved, acknowledge
mens made of the from whencesuch information
is derived ecoect instance where tn, writer huddled
together his first ideas and Impressions and without waiting
to ascertain their correctness, committed them paper Sew
eal of the young gentry Of Canton taking advantage Of his
ceduly, favored him with considerable infornaon and,
you may fancy, imposed upon him most egrsgousy. A
knowledge Of many expressions in his book would convince
its author Of their misaPpcaon and could he lut know the
rdcue TO which they have exposed him, would him
inconsiderable amount of shame.
hope you do not think contemplate such undertaking
work upon China. assure you never entertained the
most distant idea of such thing, though, to say truth, if
not modest and dfident of my ability, should
like nothing better for am convinced could say nothing
sufficiently peposterous for Bother Jonathan dsbeeve,
especially if had had the honor be attached Embas
sy, clothed my remarks in the wild extravaganza Of fana-
csm How hollow, inncere, and unjust is the world when
buttons and hypoctes obtain crdence and followed and
patrnized by crowds, to the neglect of real merit.
sat down with the intention of giving you little
ton of everyday appearances here but have wandered into
this dgresson which has been drawn forth partly account
Of questions and remarks in your letters shall make
excuse for its length You wish to tell you of the
"
doubt if succeed your satisfaction. Onewho looks upon
Chinese pictures of the Hongs and adjacent enclosures cannot
obtain very idea Of them owing to the absence OF
perspective. The buildings situated in the suburbs,
short distance in westerly direction from the city walls
What generally called the American Hongs have small
frontage of three four hundred feet and face the river
from which they distant perhaps hundred yards They
occupy, with the square, obong shaped area, bounded
the sides and by Chinese Streets while the flows
along 'front.' and hears upon its rapid waters such ncon-
dows not able any water in front of u.s. Above
and below, however, where the view is extended
catch occasional gmpses of it. do not pretend any
curacy my distances indeed they all guess work. and
beg you will bear mind throughout that speak of things
they appear to me- and do not aim at staca
On side is I" Old China street, and the other Hog
Lane. Directly before the factories is avenue,
which extends along their whole 'front.' and communicates
with the above streets by gate at either end Ex-
cepng gate two the of the buildings, these
the only by which foreigners obtain to the Chi
streets aude TO communication by land This
also a horoughiare Cinnamon, being short
and though keepers stationed at each end for the
purpose Of refusing admance to idle characters there gen
orally sufficient number Of them congegated before the
houses watching the movements Of the Fagutes, to afford
very satisfactory illustration of their pyng disposition and
dirty habits
Separated from this passage by brick wall is the Square,
the which several gates mostly opposite the
entrances to the Factories The "Square enclosed by high
and substantial brick walls, extending from the buildings
the water at which place two landings for boats
On the east and separated from the American Hongs by
Hog Lane the English Factories including the Con-
ulae This is the ground formerly tenanted by the Hon.
East India Company and the buildings which
it are the finest foreign residences erected in Canton and
may say in China, If except few erections In Hong Kong
Among the most noted Of the latter the magnificent and
pncey residence of H. E. Sir John Davis, the Governor Of
Hong Kong There he presdes in style Of gubernaorial
muncence and profusicn which, while marks and dgni6es
his exalted station parkes somewhat Of the character and
cuiartes of the wealthy proprietor In his entertainments
perhaps the animal made too subseent to the intellectual
to suit the general taste but chdcun a son govt
While on this subject | cannot withhold my modicum Of
praise from the general commentator bestowed upon that
beautiful emanation the English Church
am sorry for your sake that not sufficiently
with the techncales Of the to give you description Of
it. though think should be order to be appreciated
Truly Englshmen in Hong Kong should be proud Of such
beautiful exempifcaons Of Church and State But have
forgotten all about Canton let back to the Factories
In front of the English Factories Hong there also space
bordering the water for recreation and exercise though is
much inferior in size to the "Squae"
Beyond old China street. on the west, the French
and Danish Factories. Within the years there have
been built IN this decon-at the lower end of the above
named street, fronting and opposite the walls Of the "Squae,
and along the rver-many houses which occupied
by foreigners without distinction Of nation Now my dear
you have about good idea f the situation Of the
Factories as can give you In the block generally though
not properly, called the American Hont there six build
ngs which extend through the Chinese in the
Each Hong for the sake Of hight and convenience divided
into several buildings which numbered from front to rear
number one, two three, four &C. With the exception Of
the Office dnng-ioom, &c. the Building divided into sleep
ing rooms and here It is that we poor unfortunate scbes