The New York herald., 1868-05-04

Others, descanted upon what everybody knew
viz, the great civizing power OF the Scriptures. IL
would almost appear 20 be decided conviction, ON
the part OF foreigners here set their face against
missions ana mission work. but II is great mistake
10 run away with such an idea. The problem OF con-
verting the mind Of nation like THAI OF China from
their priced system of thought cannon he done in q
day nor generation; hence great measure Of the
mdinerence some nave TO missionaries. To make
mass OF people SO bent upon Old established ideas
are the Chinese IL matter which does not
cessful undertaking TO the eyes OF the fast headn
notions OF our times hence the doubts and suspicious
which hang around all efforts TO ciyilize the China
man. Even the Bible is looked upon by many as
throWn away upon the Celestials who inhabt this
heavenly empire, and the great point regarding the
formation OF the present society is the probability
that the hands OF lis promoters will be tied by the
policy OF the parent society in London; and many
who wish wen 20 mission work object much and
wisely 10 many OF the means used to accomplish the
END IN view. with discretion the society may do
much good
The route now occupied by the Pacific Mail Com
pany appears 10 be fast becoming a favorite one,
and people who formerly went as matter of course
bi the Pen;nsuar and oriental Company's steamers
'at between TWO opnIonsn and often get out OF the
dillcdity py procuring passage ticket ior the
England.
Like many others at q distance whose actual
knowledge OF this colony may be tinged with the
sentiment of the song. .You may Go to Hong Kong
Tor Me- you may probably be not little surprised
were you 10 read the Colonial Surgeons report re-
Gently published on the mortality OF the settlement.
Last year the medical officer described 1866 az the
mildest and most healthy which the colony had eX-
perienced Tor q long PERIOD and this year he piles
on not the agony, bu the pleasure ana satisfaction
to this eflect.i find mysell abe 10 state that 1867
has surpassed Us predecessor In salubry nearly as
much as 1866 hal exceeded 1862 Indeed 1t is very
gratifying to iLd the deaths of only tysix residents
recorded, giving the low ratio OF mortality OF 260 per
cent, or little more than half OF the average rate of
tne last ten years, or than onethrd OF the average
or three causes why this should not be SO very
surprising TO those who know the colony. Most OF
tue foreigners resident are in good situations, anu
"iive in cover' as to good living, while they cut
away home as soon as sickness assumes serious
aspect, many dying before they arrive or so soon as
they step on home soil. But on the other hand as to
living, there are many slower places than Hong
Kong and to the story OF Pat is often appropriate
many take sick and die and then "write home and
Say IL WAS tne bothern climate that killed them"
Notwithstanding all this, however, you must admit
that Hong Kong presents very favorable blu OF
nSaltn, anu VlsllorS need not now be kept BACK by
the oppressive notion that they are under any press
ing obligation TO leave their bones in this particularly
barren part OF the world. One curious fact Is dwet
upon at some length in the Health Report alluded
toviz., the extreme decacy Of the Chinese splcen."
That subject comes under the colonial surgeons OBJ
serVation, fancy, from the fact OF two murders or
nansaughters occurring last year from that cause;
ana IL Is curious thing that the spleen OF China
man is like IN consistency to o rotten apple that
the least direct violence often causes rupture and
Almost certain death. II appears that other Asiacs
have the same constitutional popularity
From topics OF perhaps purely local interest must
now slip into more commercial groove, and begin
by reference to meeting held lately by the Chamber
head S OF Messr az wo S .ne o m
member or committee. Notice was taken OF the I'M
portnt fact that the VicerOy Of India had authorized
tse preparation OF an expedition ut Rangoon to pro-
ceed through Burmah for the purpose OF exploring
the country between the frontier Of Burmese terri
tory and Yun,ln in Western China Another eX-
ploring expedition to Hainan and the western coast
of China by Mr. Consul Swinhoe, the eminent natu-
raiist for long time British Consul at FormOsa, in
order to ascertain the capabilities OF that almost un.
known portion OF the empire for trading purposes,
was likewise drawn attention to and approved by
the commercial body referred to- But Hong Kong
merchants not famous for doing much In the way
OF such enterprising ideas beyond quiet approval.
L think J. drew your attention some time since to
IN interesting commercial "spec" on the part OF the
sugar merchants in the south of China; and as |
have since learned some particulars ABOUT the affair."
they may interest you or your readers One OF the
peculiar features OF the enterprise, in commercial
point OF view ,s that its supporters solely COM
posed OF Chinese merchants, In whose hands the
trade In sugar growing mainly rests in China Manila
ami Forinosa. The extent OF the concern may be
guessed rom the fact that the machinery cost some
where about $l50000, and that the mills, under
European management will produce about $40 pcIls
day, or about thirty-twO tons, of the refined
must cause important changes in the sugar market,
which Is not the least branch by any means of the
China. trade. The cane will be crushed at one or
other OF the ports between this and FOochOw, and
the JUICE sent TO Hong Kong from all directions to be
The fifth yearly meeting OF the shareholders OF the
local BANK was held here on the l4th inst, when
most favorable statement was made by the direct
orS-deputy chairman OF the Court Of which ia Mr.
G.. +. Heard, very popular American senior part
ner OF Messrs. Augustine Heard ~ Co., here. The
net profit was nearly 100000, which provided a
dlVuend or twelve per cent 10 shareholders and left
Sl00O to go TO the reserve fund.- and about S5s 900
to profit and loss accounts. This is not bad out
turn Tor nve years. work, and may give you some
idea OF what vitality exists In the China trade after
all. considerable loss will fall on the bank from
tne oanhruptcy OF Dent Co., IN regard to which an
Chief Justice. IL appears thaG the directors lent
$780, 900 to Dent Co.. and had hastily obtained judg
ment previous to the bankruptcy; but the court re-
strained execution, and has now decided against the
banks application FOR an annulment Of the bank
ruptcy and priority of claim as Judgment creditor
% ian bp ripu uv
noted. In Canton the most Of the remaining stock
has been bought up at rates about one two taels
higher than 1t might have been purchased for tort
night since, and IT would appear that John China.
man always gets the best Of tue foreg gner his bar
gains. Prices range rOm IL 10 ~ taels per picu of
133 pounds At Annoy the season was almost closed
by the despatch on the 7 inst. OF the Surprise for New
YORK with the last cargo Of tea Only 200 packages
or oOlOng remained. The tea market OF FoOchOw was
likewise nearly closed for the season, the Lansdowne
and shakespeare having both sailed for New York.
lire which occurred destroyed a quantity OF the
leaf and slightly affected prices s74 half chests o0Ong
had been sold during the last fortnight at 1S 50 aes
per picu over I0Oo pieces OF gray American drills
have been sold during the last fortnight at S. 20
piece.
In exchange. Bank, six months is quoted at
es. 2}Sd ON London, and as low u.s. al. Bar sil-
yer, which continues In request for Indian remit
tanccs Is quoted al ia per cent premium; sycee az
9 per cent premium. and clean Mexican do lars at
one per cent premium Gold bars % touch ara
quoted at SO Az per tae weight, and ea 100 touch,
Export cargoes for United states:-Galatea for New
York. cleared from Canton, January - 5,lG2 rolls
mating 10 cases cassa OIL. % cases ganlJoye 40
boxes yerniiion, 81 tubs canphor, ia bundles casa
10 cases yellow metal, casks nails $500 boxes Are
crackers 525 cases preserves, 81 bales silk refuse 40
cases raw SIX, IS cases re-reeed silk, l12 boxes
pera tea, 100 cases cassia buds 81 cases china ware
cases woodward and pcul 90 catties marble slabs.
Per Ceres, cleared from Canton for New York Feb
ruay IL, 1000 boxes irecrackers 322 rolls mating
95 cases ooong Tea, lS2 cases orange pekoe tea 50
cases SIX and l,0l5 rolls mating. Per Fidelio,
cleared from Whampoa, bound for New York, l,055
rolls mating 1856 rolls mating ~ packages canes,
1000 packages cassia 10 china ware, IL cases
preserves. Per James Guthrie which left February
Is for san Francisco, 2S,oI bags rice of 90 cattes
each 90 bundles rattans 1856 packages merchandise
95l packages tea 500 packages Drecracker5, A. 70
boxes oil, $50 rolls mating 43S empty quics silver
tasks.