Smyrna times., 1863-02-26
CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER FROM CHINA.

Rev. Stephen L. Baldwin and his wife,
formerly Miss Ettie E. Jerman, of this town,
have arrived safely in China, after a passage
of over four months. They sailed from
New York, it will be recollected, the middle
oflast June The following are extracts of
long and descriptive letters from Mrs.
Baldwin to her relatives in this town, which
will, no doubt, be read with interest by her
mzny acquaintances
FUII CHAU, Nov. 18th, 1862.
At last I write to you from Fun Chau-
our home that is TO be. God, in great
mercy, has led us through the porS of :.
long voyage, and after all our wanlcrnps
IN different places, we are now at our desti-
nitlon. Sly last letter to you was mailed
Oat, 3lst, shortly after our arrival at Hong
Kong OF four stay IN that place, our visit to
tn great city OF Canton, and of many other
eYeiitS | can only give you a brief sketch.
We found a pleasant home with Mr..
CongT the American Consul at ITonp
hong, and while there made the acquai1ance
OF many fnrcign"rs. THURSDAY, Nov. 9Th
Mr. Baldwin received letter from Rev.
''<ii''''' NiNli.3 US " ' ISL juetl ~
their home in Canton aud as there is much
to.be scen IN this noted old city, we deter
mined to go. At o'clock the next morn
ing we took the steamer LLEaEo: bound for
Canton.
The scenery along the river was very
hne-mOuntains rose on all sides. some Of
them almost barren rocks, others with con-
siderable verdure. AS we drew near the
city the scenery was varied by level plains.
eYideRtly under cultivation and dotted with
pleasant looking villages, cozily ensoonced
among the trees; We saw several tall paro-
das. from the terraces of which to the very
tops were growing trees and shrubbery.
We reached our anchorage before 3 p
NJ, and the steamer was Immediately sur
rounded BY Chinese junks-there must have
been hundreds around it, packed so closely
that their sides touched. Some were rowed
by men, many by women, with their babies
tied to their backs-we entered one fthesc
boats, rowed by two women, and were soon
at the house of Rev. Mr. Vrooman, where
we received a cordial welcome.
After dinner we took boat and went to
see Pun-tin-qua's gardens. Pun-tin-qua is
one of the great men Of China, but his
greatness seems to consist mainly in his vast
wealth.
These gardens and the residence to which
they are attached belong to his favorite
wife-he has eighteen, and this fortunate
lady is the ninth. Early on Saturday morn.
ing we were on our way to the celebrated
gardens of lIOw-qua; here we saw trees
and plants trained into the forms of animals
houses, boats, and many other shapes-it i,
really wonderful how exactly they represent
what is intended
In the afternoon we went into the cit,
proper. Only a short time ago, no foreicne
could enter within its walls, but at the risl
Of his life now it is open to all nations.
1t woald be vain 70 attempt description
Of all that meets the eye of a STRANGE
everywhere in the city of Canton. Tn
narrow streets-ahout wide enough for
large arm chair to be carried throurh-th
gatly decorated stores, the temples. tn
shrines, the constant rush of Chimes. wer
all objects of novelty aud curiosity.
One Is obliged to visit Canton, in orde
TO form just idss, of Chinese life. Hon
Kong belongs to~he English, is Europea
an style; but Canton is Chinese in all Il
features. Bright and early Monday morn
lng we took the steamer White IgouI fc
Hong Kong, and after one more pleasar
day with our friends there, we turned on
faces towards Fuh Chau.
Rev. Mr.. Gibson and family. returnin
from Japan, were among our fellow passer
gers. The North East Monsoon wg
against US, and our voyage up the Chin
oea was very rough but after tossing to
aiiu ITO Tor several days, we at length er
tered the river Min on Sunday, Nov. 1Gtl
1he scenery along the river Min is subl;m
and beautiful beyond description--;t ;s caI
ed the Hudson of thsEast." We arr;vo r. w..
at Fuh Chau about o'clock p. M.-too
chairs and went at once to " Chonc Sane
the hill on which our mission lies. III
reaae at present with Rev Mr. Martin
ola scheolmate of Mr.. Baldwin's-and wi
10 20 ior some months. Our mission
considered strong and successful one
those into whose houses we can e,,tor ,,.I Oag
out going beyond the wall that ;noInsoS ~lUl ~
mission are-Revs. Mcssrs. Gibson R;O1 ~
ley, Maclay and Martin, with their ra.,,a ,.,lli
tive families, and the Misses WooIstori
have seen no place since left Amer;ca y,
nke 90 well for home as Fuh Chan.
HI1SsI~ I~xfsx Ia. "a Au--. - sssAsts - -