Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-11
MR.. ALBERT SMITH AT HONG KONG,

Hone KOSG, Aug. 22.-" Here we are, safe
and sound, among them at last, surrounded by
JunkS and pigtails, and noble ladies and ocn-
tiemen- have bought the enclosed pictures
from a splendid merchant who has come off to
the side of the ship on three pIanks, by the aid
OF broomstick. We left Singapore on the 23d
ult. was immensely delighted with tit il
quite q Chinese place. The shed shops are
such rich places, they sell the most wonderful
things m them-toys and gods and lanterns.
and queer crOckery. The filth they eat in the
eating houses far surpssses that cooked at that
Old tEattOTtG at Genoa. II consists for the most
part OF rats, bats, snails, bad eggs and hideous
nsa dried In the most frightful attitudes. Some
OF the restaurateurs carry their cOokshops about
with them on long poles with the kitchen at
one end and the sale a-BaaHgeT at the other.
These are celebrated for a SOUP made should
think, from large caterpillars boiled in n thin
gravy with onions The BARRIERS also carry
their shops about, and shave, cut boards and
syringe ears right in the middle of the street.
A Chinese merchant asked me 10 dinner I
went, OF oJurse; and after dinner we started for
the theatre; They played Chinese opera,
Win about % performers there were lots of
devils in the piece, with bling and fighting
IN every scene. They only had one clarinet and
Two Songs IN the orchestra, but when there was
situation in the piece one fellow knocked two
hollow canes together TO show the audience
W 0ppiauu lQe merchant lives IN
orst rate style, and he, a wonderful garden
All the fruit trees are very small; there were
pines like cabbages, and a quantity of large
creeper called monkey cups because down
tne STALK there are regular pitchers and tops
nlled with water, from which Jaeko refresbes
nimself In the woods. There were also among
nls stock Cashmere goats, porcupines, kanga,
foos, PekIn pigs and Brahmin bulls and in the
jungle across the valley, tigers and all sorts of
novelties. slept on shore that night, or rather
went to bed, but could not sleep, as missed
tne noise OF the screw and the creaking of the
timoers, and the bed was too steady
The last night before We got to Hong Kong
We had an entertainment on board. and I
was stage manager. We made a first rate room
OF sails and flags, and the whole affair went off
espitally There are no hotels at Hong Kong,
but very nice club with bedrooms Twas
proposed and elected as soon as arrived, so
that Is very jolly. To-day they hold Chinese
{ste IN honor Of their dead relations They
keep hring crackers all day in the streets, and
eurn those long pastilles. 1 don't think they
care much about their religion they 90 into
tne temples to get cool, or sit oown, or 20 to
sleep The children are frightened at the
gods, they are so hideous; they roar with ter
TOR when they are placed in front of them The
people walk about with their hats on, and
whistle and smoke, and do what they like. the
merchants selling gilt paper and pastilles. sit
round the sides, and sometimes they beat a
gong to attract customers. Nothing that can
write now can give you the least idea of this
wonderful place; see every hour how faithful
Cooks descriptions wereh 80