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

4 a
swept by the rapid current others anchored and waiting for
the flood Fish boats, trade boats flower boats sampans
ankea boats and RATS, all in confused mass, with their
cupan making the best of their lungs and tongues and
ndugng in the cheap luxury Of slang and abuse Of the most
complicated nature What babel OF sounds what confusion
Hero long street Of flower boats moored broadsde to the
current Whata fine they form, compact uniform, and
Good humor and mirh to reign every where,
and their Inhabitants tired of sitting their hams
smoking and screaming and enjoying themselves in the most
enviabe with and at the expense of the ever-vang
hrong There number of naked children the plat
forms, Of all sizes and ages including little that just
otte about There Is one and sitting the very
edge OF the platform, but there danger they born
and brought up these boats and there for aught know,
they die. One frequently children scarcely able
about standing up with their mothers at the oar getting their
hands in, and making believe to To them at the
age of five six Juggling manuly at their little quite
Should they chance fall into the water there is
much danger for they have each goud slung around
them, which would support them till they could be saved,
which would not be long in crowded place. Their pa
seem to be very fond of them and continually hold
ing them mp look the F-gues they pass unfre-
queny prompted such in the hope of receiving
the coveted cunsa. The crime of nfanticide with which
the Chinese frequently charged, is, beve calum
ny. have many corpses floating about the rivers
during my residence here, but those of infants Nor
should have been surprised if had for where there such
population the waters about Canton-whch is estimated
by to be two hundred and fifty thousand- would not
be strange if few of the many children should meet death
by drowning Then again, if am not mistaken, it is not
uneuent for persons who too poor bury their dead to
cast them upon the water there proof that infants
which have been floating about to their end nten
tonaly think that uniavorable conclusion must have
been jumped at without reason, by quick wted travel
Ter who thought himself safe making positive assertions upon
subject Of which nothing decisive could be learned.
Here log-boat, with single inmate, who is dress
ed like Joseph coat Of many coors and who popes his
solitary and isohed home with small paddle. Mark those
tangled dark hair; they lift in wild disorder to
the passing breeze they discover brow and face whose chaky
wheness forms strange contrast to the features
of his counrymel His fantastic head gear, his long beard
streaming down oyer his breast, and his finely outlined form
admirable cturesqueness and keeping He is per-
feet picture and sght of him would send thrill of pleasure
to the heart of iinermpressve and nobe though cloth
ed with rags and misery. But away " Room for the e-
per ~ for he of that unfortunate class upon whom pitt
less mankind hathse its mark There the
ancho Of despair in his glance, and he looks like one,
Willis says swhe heart is with iron put down..
He drags his existence in solitude and is doomed
living DEATH for th boat is his home, and will be his coffin
They subss upon charity, which to be given them
willingly Many these unfortunate outcasts upon
the rivers. One charitable person gives them little food
another few cash. and they spend their days in the midst
of their fellow creatures who avoid all contact with hem and
in the midst of bustk and excitement from which they de-
MED all participation several flower boats in advance
Of us, which dripping down with the tide vii! go
them, that there there catch
glance of them-oo in at the windows pass There
is party board, and men, women, and children
ing about with considerable buse while and the
sharp inpatient squeakng Of fiddle heard accompanied by
few snatches of songs preparatory symptoms of coming
oymen Tables and seats, upon which Of flowers
ranged about the cabins overhead, and hung from the
ceiling, foreign lamps nterspersed with Chinese lanterns
while foreign clock adorns side table In the ater-cabin
of this immense craft several of the fa daughters Of Eve
and voaes of pleasure. Some of them exceedingly
pretty.
up the river the other day in boat and we
alongside of these boats, let down part of the
sail as if accidentally and obliged hold to
L.
down stream by the current We got good view, only
Of the boat but also of its inmates Some of the
painted very highly and had their hair dressed with
white flowers and all seemed to be clothed in their gala
dresses They generally possessed straight finely ached
brows and considerable regularity of features while
two Of them attractive that they would be called beau
fu any where. As far able to judge, standard
Of beauty and that of the Chinese here be pretty much
the same. China woman that would call handsome is
handsome them; and China said to of beauti-
full lady who lived here, "my truly thnkee Cinema no
have got SO handsome"
do not know that small foot is considered as beauty
thought is generally supposed to be- is however honor
and generally desired is the ambition Of every family
have Of its members with small feet why know
not unless be TO make appear that they capable of
supporting who in great helpless and that
gives consequently, character and responsibility such
family. Some persons suppose that the custom ntroduc
ed order place restraint upon the gadng propenses
peculiar females but that could scarcely be the case for
females in respectable life closely guarded, and allow
"Wheh Captain, can put-te-anchor !" Let's go on
deck Is this beautiful sight The confluence Of the
rivers forms beautiful bay, girded in by low and fertile
lands while the view below, at the turn of the Macao pass
age is terminated by picturesque looking fort, planted
little green island in the centre Of the river. The declining
rays Of the setting ngng their furnishing light
the low land, upon the CLASSY waters upon its myriad boats
and creating lights and shades Of meowness and magical
effect. How calm and quiet is the enjoyment Of such
the jar Of the dscodant gong and the shouts Of
the popuace fall upon the soened by distance and min
gle harmonousy with the Of the city, making
A slumberous sound sound that brings
The feeling Of dream''-
and courts the senses to repose.
There the Hong boats anchored and you may
see dashng through the water the boats Of the foreign resi-
dentsgreen gigs white wineries trim sail boats carcenng
the evening breeze with their white sails gstening in the
sunlight There's the Boston Jack" sailing along on her
side the saucy "Amelia, the Grace Darling Raven,
Nautilus and Wave !" and off here is the "Mouse,
which has an odd way sometimes Of beating dead before the
wind but they say "tis a way she has she means
thing by it," Down further there several others that
can't make ou-a, however, looking very prettiy The
twilight and moshetoes be gathering had bet
ter cup anchor and home and get tea You have
not great Zeal to-day but you must come out with me
again, when thee to be seen, and have time
to devote you which will try shall be For the pre-
sent, adieu X.
PATENT RIGHTS IN FRANCE.