The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-07-18
Correspondence OF the p. c. Adyertiser.l
InIcrc-rin. Letter from Chinu.

The following letter, received 10y the last packet
from China. contains many facts IF interest TO our
readers, both here and abroad. 1t seems. how
ever, to have been detained on the passage hiiher;
VICTORIA, (Hongkong,) January. 1851.
This place (Victoria) is better known abroad by
the name Of the island on which it is situated, Hong
kong. As it is built on a hillside, and the residences
of the wealthier inhabitants are situated on the
higher streets, it presents a fine view from the bay.
There are some comparatively level streets near the
water, on which the heavy business i carried on
The streets are generally OF fair width, we'll paved,
and kept clean. There are. however, n number Of
narrow alleys and streets, in which John China
man" carries on almost all kind of trades. The
policemen are generally East Indians-great thieves,
according 70 the reports Of the residents. The gov
eminent buildings are large and substantial. As a
whole. the town makes a good appearance. The
harbor i good, easy Of access, deep water, and mod
eratcly fair holding ground. Vessels load and I'M
load in the bay by lighters'-the small native
vessels can load and unload at the wharvcs. Light
erage i very Cheap boat carrying 100 barrels can
be had for ~ 80 a day. with half a dozen Cinnamon
10 work her. The town may contain 100000 in
habitauts. the great bulk Of whom are Chinese. The
white portion are immensely ]dienided, especially the
mercantile cIaSs-uRIsSS money Is 10 be made out Of
ciraly. The profits OF business must be great to
keep up the expensive style Of living INDUCED in by
the business men.
There are but a small number Of carriages to be seen
in the streets; the 'sedan-chair." carried on the
shoulders Of Chinese ' coolies" affords the usual
mode of trayersing the town and neighbOrhOOd-the
human animal being the cheapest, and easily replaced
when used up Al kinds Of burthens are car
ried on the shoulders Of " John, with the aid Of his
ever present bamboo pole.
The - oa;-population'' has been an almost IN
ceasing subject Of interest 10 me-the tens Of thou
sands Of beings whose home j. literally on the water
To see large families using the "sampan, As they
call It. as a means Of making their bread, as well As
a home. cannot fail to excite interest. They vary in
length from 20 10 so feet, and from > 10 10 in width,
With u covered portion in the center for passengers
during the day, and as q shelter for the family at
night. Their goods and chattels are slowed away in
q. lockers" beneath the deck. In the back part Of
the boat they cook. wash, and, in fact, perform every
household duty, open 10 the observation of the Gu
rious. In this port a &. sampan" can be had for "a
cents to any part Of the harbor, without regard 10 the
number of passengers; by the Day y 90, OF, by the
month. $50 to S25-at your sole disposal from morn
Ing until eight ut night. OF even much later, if you
desire At Canton. they carry Cinnamon across the
river for TWO 81 cash, - equal 70 tw5-dfths of a cent.
Foreigners are eNpectel 20 pay i-u D 70 III cents,
any piece Of silver, but no - cash. The Canton
river i a sight never TO te forgottcn-i;s ,eeming
population crowded and moving, We, no confusion,
or collision. The smaller boats are almost entirely
managed ~ women and children. Il i very COM
mon T. see a woman ~ ;He oar with a child strapped
10 her back; yet they all appear cheerful.
I passed = couple Of days in Canton and ii7nam
a suburb on the opposite side Of the river with
much satisfaction. Travelled in all directions over
the city with a native guide, visited temples, T~agojas,
ioss-houses. gardens, the late residences o: the Chin
ere srjstocrlcy. the tea warohousr- and silk factories,