New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-11

In spite OF tie peDaittes attached " by (hlnese
law, the smoking OF opium IL scarcely concealed
practice at present have it carried on in open
shops in Shanghai, where there some streets
which never free from the sckcning smell Il had
always been my intention to make trial of the prac
tlce, IN order to learn it's effects by personal expe-
rience, and being the eve OF leaving China.
spilled TO gentleman residing here, to put me in the
way OF enjoying pipe or two. lie was well
qusDted with Chinaman whois addicted to the prac
tice, and by an agreement with him, took me 20 his
house last evening We usherei into long room
with diyan, platform about three feet high at the
further end. Several Cinnamon in the room and
one, stretched out on the platform preparing his
pipe al lamp. The host invited to stretch myself
opposite 10 him. and place my head upon OF those
cane head stools which serve the Chinese in lieu of
pillows.
The opum.ppe il bamboo stick, about two feet
long, having small drum Inserted near the end, with
an aperture in It's center. piece of opium, about
twice the size Of pins head is taken up slender
wire and held in the flame of the lamp until t bos or
bubbles up when ii is rolled into cylindrical shape
the drum by the aid OF the wire. IL loses its dark
color by the heating ard becomes pale and soft Hay
Ing been sufficiently rolled it is placed over the aper
ture and TIE wre after being thrust through its center,
10 allow the air 10 pass into the pipe, is withdrawn.
The pre is then held to the flame, and the opium
burns its fumes drawn into the lungs by strong
and loDg-continued Inspiration In about half min
ute the portion is exhausted and the smoker is ready
for a second pipe.
Tony surprise found the taste OF the drug as deli.
cous as its smell is disagrceable II leaves sweet
rich favor, Ike the finest lquorice, upon the palate
ard the gentle stimulus II communicates to the blood
in tie lungs blis the whole body with sensation oil
warmth and strength The fumes 0t the opium are no
more irritating to the windppe or bronchial tubes,
than common air while they seem inbuei with rich.
ness Of vitality far beyond our diluted oxygen had
supposed that opium smoked entirely Tor the plr-
p,se mental oxharaton and that 10 the smokers as
TO many who ntoxcate themselves With ardent spirits
there sensual qualification in the mere taste OF
the article The reverse is undoubtedly the truth, and
the practice therefore is doubly dangerous. Its We
tim becomes hcpelessly involved in its fascinating u
usOns, ard an awiul death, such as witnessed not
long since, is sure, or later. 10 overtako him
who INDUCES TO have pgetty strong conf
dence in nv own power of resistance but nothing
could induce me 10 make the experiment second
time.
Be, ond the feeling Of warmth, yigor and increased
vitality soened by happy consciousness of repcse,
there was no effect until after finishing the sixth pipe
Ny spirits then became j0y0usly excited, with
slant disposition 10 laugh; brilliant colOrs hoated be-
fore Ivy ewes bur in confused ana cloudy way, some
times cOLycrcnc into spots ike the eyes peacocks
tail but oitenest melting into and through each other
like the hues ofchangeabe silk. Had the physical ex
citement been greater, they would have taken form
and substance but after smoking niEc pipes dessted,
through fear Of ,ubecting myself to unpleasant
after.eect Our Chinese host informed me that he was
obliged to take twenty pipes, IN order 70 elevate HIS
mind to the pitch OF perfect happiness. went home
feeling rather giddy, and became 80 drOwsy, wth sgnt
oualms of the stomach that went 10 bed ut an early
hour had made an arrangement to walk around the
walls Of Canton this morning, with Alr. Bonney, and
felt some doubt as TO whether | should be able to
undertake it but, after deep and refreshing sleep,
arose at sunrise, feeling stronger and brighter than
had done for weeks past.
The walls OF Canton are about eight miles in circuit
This is but limited extent for city which contains
upward of million OF inhabitants, and more than half
the population probably live without the walls on the
l.. ~. 1..ts .t..a aLal
streets which lie behind the Factories, the swarm of
human beings is uninterrupted from the earliest dawn
untl late in the night. We set ont at an hour when
few of the Europeans were stirring anf the streets
were already so crowded that il was difficult to avoid
contact with the pOrters and contact
TO be stunned at all hazards Though there less
noisome filth thsn in the streets of Shanghai, more
scnses than were offended, and ieit much re-
lieyed when after a ak of more than two miles, We
came into less thicby settled quarter. Chinese
city is the greatest OF all denominations, and
TO wonder at the ply steal detorty or the monstrous
forms OF liccntiOu5lcss which are 10 be found among
the lower classes of the natives, when he has seen the
manner in which they live.
Our road in many place skrted the WALL which is Of
brick about twenty y-iye feet high, and with macico
lated parapet At the angles there ia sometimes rude
square bastiOD, surnOuned by an ornamental edice-
probably pleasure hOuse belonging to gardens within
We passed several gates into all OF which looked, but
could not zee that tho streets within differed In tho
least from those without. Near the south eastern
ner Mr. Bonney entered suddenly, following, and we
passed across the angle and out another gate, without
any one attempting to hinder us. While we were in
the neehbofbood Of the factories, were allowed to
pursue our way unnOtced, but in the struggling sub
rbs on the eastern side trel ucntly hailed with
the insulting cry OF FaR-qai" (foregn DeyilD One
old man, who was ut work in his shop, made an excla
nation as we passed, which Mr. Bonney translated
thus lifted up Iay eyes, and behold. devils su
"denly appeared before me-" Oae Of these devils,
however belied the character given him, by carrying
with him bundle OF Christian tracts which he dis
trbuted with a liberal hand, every one Old or young
male or female, accepting them with great Willingness
They are too willing in fact. The carelcssness with
which they take every thing that is offered hem shows
lack OF respect for their own ialth On absence OF
that Inherent devotional spirit which alone serve
as the groundwork Of their Christanizatlon.
At gate near the northeastern corner We stopped
at teahouso, to take some refreshment. company
OF Chinese Of the middle class, in tho white garb OF
mourning were waiting there TO attend the funeral OF
some friend Tie host brought US steaming cups OF
tea OF rather tea stew, very strong and inygorang,
end crisp sort Of cake seasoned with pork and sugar
Some of the Chinese entered into conversation with
Mr. Bonney in good. .humored, friendly way, but one
young dandy stretched himself upon the bench beside
our table and INDUCED in some cOntemptn0us remarks
on foreigners. / was well satisfied to be ignorant OF
the language, for hs manner 80 insolent that
could not have replied with the saIo dness and pru-
dence as my companion.
The suburbs now ceased, and the open, cultivated
country reached to the foot Of the city wall To the
eastward extended fertile pan dotted with villages,
as far as the White Cloud Hills, whose barren submits
arose in the distance We kept on, up little valley,
to some springs under bill the northern sdo OF the
city, which supply the only good water TO be had.
They gush up, strong and abundant, from the bottom
of the dell which was crowded with water carriers,
4 ip *