The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-04-11
FOO.CHOW AND MT RUSSIAN.
EY THE REV. ROSS c. HoUGHTON.
La IfrkL.Hiak


cry on the river Min, especially about Foo
Chow, the best in China. The broad
mouth of the Min is filled with islands,
some bare and rocky, others green and
carefully titled, and altogether forming
one of the most pctu esque groups upon
the coast. Having fairly entered the river,
we found the banks lined with lofty hills,
separated by narrow but well cultivated
valleys, each with its little village near the
waters edge. Many of the hills are ter
raced and cultivated to their tops; and
wherever a bold promontory jutts out into
the stream, upon its highest point is sure
to be Buddhist temple nesting in grove
of camphor or olive trees. On every hill
side, interspersed with the growing crops,
are seen the famous horse shoe graves
peculiar to Southern China. They are
sometimes called the Omega grave, from
their resemblance to the Greek letter of
that name. They are built of stone with
the coffin deposited in the center and COW
cred with peculiar cement which soon
becomes as hard as the original rock
Some of these tombs are very large, occu-
plying many square yards, and large sums
of money are expended in their construc-
ton. Most of them are carefully white
washed at this season giving to the hills
an interesting and unique appearance
Beyond the hills on each side of the river
is chain of mountains, the highest peaks
of which are from three to four thousand
feet above the sea and present most
grand and imposing appearance. Euro
pean travellers say that the scenery here
resembles that of the Rhine in its pictur
sequences and grandeur. Soon after enter
ing the river it narrows to one fourth of
mile in width, to pass between two huge
granite peaks quite like the famous pass in
the Hudson Just above West Point. At
the foot of Zach rock is 4 Chinese battery
of heavy guns planted behind q miserably
low aud ill-made breastwork, and few
yards up the side are the barracks for the
garrison, each little group provided with
it's Joss-house and shaded by clump of
ancient trees; all very pretty and interest
ing to the tourist, but like all Chinese mil
itary preparations, simply laughable as
means Of defense against the methods of
modern warfare.
A CHINESE NAVY YARD.
TWENTY-FIVE miles from the mouth our
steamer dropped anchor at what is known
Il, a, 1,l
ancient pagoda built upon the highest
point of a large island aud surrounded by
a group of temples which are now used as
business houses by foreigners who have
located here On the same island is an
immense arsenal and navy yard belonging
to the Chinese government, but managed
by agents appointed by the French govern
ment. Here are manufactured large guam
titles of cannon and small arms, and sew
eral large ships of war have been built and
equipped, while three more are on the
sto ks.
Near by is a school ship for the training
of native officers of the navy. Above this
anchorage the water is too shallow for
large vessels to proceed with safety, and all
goods exported from Foo Chow are sent
down to this point in native boats, many
of which are managed by women in short
trowsers, and bare feet, who, however,
make up any deficiency in such particulars
by the most elaborate head dress adorned
with profusion of gold and silver orna-
and even graceful in their movements, very
skillful, very muscular, but very good
natured; and with their husbands and
children, seem contented and happy. The
family have no other house but their boats,
which have the advantage over all Other
Chinese residences that | have seen-of
being clean and well ventilated. An at
tempt at ornament is seen in the gay paint
ing of these craft, while many Of them are
made still more home like by an abund-
ance of Towering plants placed in jars
upon the cabin and in the bow.
At the Pagoda anchorage were twenty
five vessels and steamers of different ma
tionalities discharging and receiving their
cargoes, which, with the hund reds of ma
tive craft of all sizes, from the little sam
pan with one scull to the antiquated junk
of three masts, rendered the whole scene
lively and interesting.
THE CITY OF FOO CHOW.
Our friends at Foo. Chow, twelve miles
above, had been appraised of our arrival by
a carrier pigeon, which was dispatched as
soon as our steamer was signaled, and a
large house-boat was awaiting us, in the
cabin of which our party, with the bag
gage, was speedily slowed; the huge sails
peculiar to these river boats were spread,
and in spite of strong ebb-tide, we were
soon well on our way up the river. Ten
Cinnamon composed the boats crew. All
were captains: and when any manoeuvre
was to be executed, every hand, from the
cook to the cabin boy, gave the necessary
order, all at once, and each at the top of
his voice. Several times we ran aground
upon sand bar, and Immediately the crew
jumped overheard to push us off. Twice a
heavy gust of wind suddenly struck us
when all the canvas was spread, we'll nigh
capsizing us, and then such a running and
yelling and scrambling for the ropes was
never seen or heard on board any but a
Chinese craft. At this point the nominal
commander, who all along sat quietly on
the bow smoking his pipe, thought best to
assert his authority, and sprnging to his
feet lie knocked one man into the open
hatchway and another into the water: this
energetic movement restored order, and
the steady breeze which succeeded soon
brought us to our destination.
Just above the anchorage the Min mar
rows again between high mountain peaks,
which shut the voyager out from a sight of
the country beyond for about half an hour,
when the mountains expand on either hand
to form the walls of vast amphtheater
in the center of which, surrounded by the
most lovely succession of hills and valleys
which fully realize my ideal of oriental
scenery, lies the famous city of Foo Chow,
one of the treaty portS of China and the