New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-02-18
CHINA.
WEEKS RIDE IN TIE provinces G
rra t CANTON.


Ihaye Just returned from an expedition into the
nIerior Of this province, over perfectly untraveed
srsuna, aad am, therefore, little posted" in the
ssents Of the past fortnight; but I believe that
setaipe Of the slightest Importance to foreigners
has occurred within our ken in China during the
hss fortnight t
The journey have just accomplished consisted
n a weeks ride north and east Of Canton during
which the party Of which was member, consist
he Of SIX persons with an equal number Of soldiers,
m mounted, together with a cook, Chinese man
DARN, and baggage coolies, traversed about 100
miles Of ground, three-quarters of which, at least,
had never before been trodden by the foot of for
eiener
The south Of Chipa--in fact, the whole country
AZ far as the northernmost limit Of rice cultivation
almost untitled for travelling il is for military
operations. Wherever the granite hills which
stretch in irregular chains over the entire south,
from the Himaayas to the Pacific inclOse valley,
whether of few acres in extent, or forming an
mmeasurable plain. every rood of available soil
h turned into rice-swamp, and the only means of
intercommunicat0n cOntists in the narrOwest dyke
or causeway on which it is possible for two men 10
walk side by side. Important roads, such as the
great North road, differ only from the remainder in
being paved longitudinaly with rough slabs Of
granite.
Issuing from the North Gate. our party defied,
10 the bright sunshine OF the Canton December,
under the lofty walls of the city, scaling the summit
Of rugged hill, and sustaining, as their highest
point. the huge red harm known as the Fve-storied
pagoda. Once clear of the ruined suburb, we we're
soon trotting in single file along the granite path
way, on either side of which the rice-stubble
stretched away to the utmost verge of sight except
where the bold ridge of the White Cloud trended on
oar left, or where clusters of featbery bamboo
sormed graceful break TO the plain. The country
mr. fifteen miles around Canton has been 80 well
secured BY flying parties of British troops that very
little curiosity is manifested now in the neghbOr-
hood on the approach of foreigners. As we pass
through village after village, however, the excite
ment of the cOuntryolk grew more and greater, and
even the plodding aborers in the fields rested from
their toll 70 gaze at the little company as it swept
by them. The great, mild-eyed bufialOes halted
mstinctiyely with the plOws that they were
dragging through the rich soil of the drained
paddy-felds which during the Winter are cultivs-
ted with vegetable crop; the urchns, padding in
three feet of mud for the roots of the edible lotus
gazed after us in wonder; and even the IN
aescribably filthy females, seated here and there in
rroups around a pile of grOundnut bushes, ceased
their search for the OleagnOus root TO violate pro.
priety. and stare at the foreign devils Until COM
ing to China, had an idea that an Esgainau
woman might carry of the palm OF repulsiven .
over all other daughters of Eve; but the sight Of n
Chinese peassntry has compelled me to acco M /
them this superiority. Whether young or old
4 maiden or grandmother, Chinese paySGHr . - u
most hideOus spectacle that any one but a toisoo
mist can wish to witness. Huddled in rscs NJ,
never knew cleanliness with years Of ~ encrnS
inc face arms, and legs, and with fea z,ras viIi6e
Sy penury and ignorance, they form sad dfs;u
stoxaement from the pretty pastOrals az the Chine
books. One could associate some romance wi
the peasant of ALMOST any other n Itson-ope con
believe in an African Chloe, or A A Fin Pratisk,
but sentiment and China rld .rsoise-no its i,
possible
This depression corresponds. IN some degree wi
our first days march, which Was over a rather n
interesting country, and du ing which l INDUCED
The foregoing reflections. The end of our I'll
stage saw us approaching. by moonlight the ms
Act iowa OF Shih-hu, to reach which we we
Obliged 10 ford broad and not over shallow streal
Here Rad an instance OF the talent of John Chin
man for self-preServatOn. Our friend the mand
rim beipg called to the front to inquire respectir
The depth of water, i, standing near him. held n
reins Of his pony, and the cute white. button too
advantage of this circumstance TO run OYER III
rickety plank bridge while the remainder of tn
party forded. Your correspondent was left in tn
moonlight, holding snOrting Tartar pony. But b.
Vac not to be done; and. after yainly shouting fo
the owner to come and recover his property, ap
pealed to a corporal of marines on the Opp0sit,
bank, who, nothing 10th, gave the defaulter per
sonal hint in the which dispatched him acros
the bridge again. In a few minutes more Ou
whole party was safely lodged in the Commune
Hall of the village, our quarters for the night
Each commune or " township" in China has pub
he building OF this kind, in which the gentry o.
other magistrates of the different villages unite (,
discuss public matters and in which strangers ar,
lodged. The open courtyard of the Kung- kwal
was soon Uttered down for steeds, aud in {;
grlmy little side room six hungry st0machs speedily
did ample justice 10 a dnDer OF cold mutton AM
beer BY O'Clock the floor was covered will
straw, and, wrapped in our several blankets, W,
were snoring i have no doubt, as weary traveller
emily snore. Long before day, nevertheless, tn,
CHEEKY voice Of our chief, the first in waking as il
everything, sounded our reveille; and after some
what shyering wash and a refreshing cup of chocO
hate afterward, we sailed from our resting place
Gam. Tour correspondent had the honor Of be
ing the first foreigner who ever saw the sun ris,
over the mountains Of Shih-hu.
With the whole population of the little square
which formed the village, turned out 70 see US de
part wenarched, leading ponies for the first five
or six miles, over the narrow dykes. We had nov
passed the limit before reached by Europeans ant
cur appearance was everywhere hailed with dem
enstratiOns Of curiosity. Wherever a cluster o
bamboo indicated hamlet, we were sure Of find
ing the road lined with ragamufhn spectators, bu
nov here was the slightest incivility manifested
As We drew toward the north, and approached The
hills the scenery grew infinitely beautiful. No
where but in China have seen such atmospheric
effects in mountain scenery although believe the
eastern front of the South American chains possess
smilar attributes. The rich damp soil, sending
up constant eXhalatioD, clothes the hilsides with
almost perpetual mist, which, intensified by dis
lance and gl0rified by the rays of rising set
ting sum- forms vista beyond vista of gorgeous cloud
land, and amply cOmPensates for the lack Of foliage,