Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-07-08

edgments are made of the sources from
whence such information is derived Irec-
olect one instance where the writer huddled
together his first ideas and impressions, and
without waiting to ascertain their correct
ness, committed them to paper. Several of
the young gentry of Canton, taking advan-
tage of his credulity, favored him with con-
siderable information, and as you may fam
cy imposed upon him most eggregiousy. A
knowledge of many expressions in his book
would convince its author of their misappli-
cation, and could he but know the rdicule
to which they have exposed him, would cause
him no uncomfortable amount of shame
hope you do not think l contemplate
such an undertaking as work upon China.
| assure you | never entertained the most
distant idea of such a thing though to say
the truth, if | we're not SO modest and diff
dent of my own ability, should like moth
ing better, for / am convinced | could say
nothing sufficiently preposterous for Broth
er Jonathan" to disbelieve, especially if
had the honor to be attached to an Embas-
sy, or clothed my remarks in the wild ex-
travagance of fanaticism. How hollow, in
sincere and unjust is the world when buff
foons and hypocrites obtain credence, and
are followed and patronized by crowds, to
the neglect of real merit.
sat down with the intention of giving
you some little notion of every day appear
ances here, but have wandered into this di-
erosion, which has been drawn forth, part
ly on account of some questions and re-
marks in your letters, so | shall make no
excuse for its length. You wish me to tell
you of the Hongs. l will try to enlighten
you upon this subject, though l doubt if
succeed to your satisfaction One who
looks upon Chinese pictures of the Hongs
and adjacent enclosures, cannot obtain a
very correct idea of them, owing to the alb
sence of perspective. The buildings are
situated in the suburbs, short distance in
westerly direction from the city wallis
What are generally called the American
Hongs, have small frontage of some three
or four hundred feet, and face the river from
which they are distant perhaps two hundred
yards. They occupy, with the "square,"
an oblong shaped area bounded on the sides
and rear by Chinese streets, while the river
flows along its front, and bears upon its rap
id waters such an uncomfortable number of
craft, that, frequently looking from our win
dows, we are not able to see any water in
front of us. Above and below, however,
where the view is more extended, we catch
occasional glimpses of it.
do not pretend to any accuracy in my
distances indeed, they are all guess work,
and beg you will bear in mind throughout,
that | speak of things as they appear to me,
and do not aim at statistical correctness
On one side is cold China street." and on
the other " Hog Lane" Directly before the
Factories is narrow avenue which extends
along their whole front, and communicates
with the above named streets by gate at
either end. Excepting gate or two in the
rear of the buildings, these are the only
means by which foreigners obtain access to
the Chinese streets. | allude to commune.
cation by land This avenue also serves as
thoroughfare to the Chinamen-being a
short cut, and though keepers are stationed
at each end for the purpose of refusing adj
mittance to idle characters, there is gener-
ally sufficient number of them congrega-
ted before the houses-watching the move
meuts of the Fan-guies-to afford very
satisfactory illustration of their pryng dis
position and dirty habits
Separated from this passage by brick
wall, is the "Square," the entrances to
which are several gates, mostly opposite the
entrances to the Factories. The "Square"
is enclosed by high and substantial brick
walls extending from the buildings to the
water, at which place are one or two land
ings for boats. On the East, and separated
from the American Hongs by Hog Lane"
are the English Factories, including the
Consulate. This is the ground formerly
tenanted by the Hon. E. |. Company, and
the new buildings which now cover it are
the finest foreign residences ever erected in
Canton, and | may say in China, if except
few erectons in Hong Kong.
Beyond "old China street." on the West,
are the French and Danish Factories With
in the last two years, there have been built
in this direction-at the lower end of the a
bove named street, fronting and opposite the
walls of the "Square," and along the river
many new houses which are occupied by
foreigners without distinction of nation
Now my dear G., you have about as
good an idea of the situation of the Facto-
ries as | can give you. In the block gener-
ally, though not properly, called the Ameri-
can Hongs, there are six buildings, which
extend through the Chinese street in the
rear. Each Hong for the sake of light and
convenience, is divided into several build
ings which are numbered from front to rear
as number one, two three, four, &c. With
the exception of the office, dining room, &c.
the building is divided into sleeping rooms
and here it is that we poor unfortunate
scribes luxuriate aud scribble, and take &
philosophical view of the world from the
loophole of our retreat
The Square" is very prettly laid out,
under the superintendent of an American
gentleman, and though custom may have
made its grass-plats and chenammed walks
appear tiresome and formal to most of us
all new corners speak oft with much praise
and think it is deserving of it. 1t con-
tains quite number oftrees, some ofwhich
have attained quite considerable size
These with vines, Towering shrubs, bambc
hedges, and green grass, give to the place d
pretty and inviting aspect.
Years ago, and even until year or two
past, comfort ruled in dress; gentlemen
walked about in white jackets and trowsers
fearless of criticism, and the smoke of theil
cigars whirled idly and without hindrance
into the upper air, while quiet enjoyment
beamed upon the faces of its generators
Where Is nn,v Tint nenligent and comlOrtlu