Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1883-12-13
THE CITY OF CANTON.
Historical Sketch of q Famous City OF
China
and P0pulation---Its CONNER.
cial Importance, Indus.
tries and Growth.
lRostnn Heraldl

In view of the fact that the Chinese Nm
perial government is reported to he actively
preparing to close the port of Canton, some
thing in regard to this city and its commerce
may perhaps be Of interest to the world at
large. The time was, however, when the
closing of this port would have been equiva-
lent to stopping all foreign trade with China,
but since then there have been opened a mum.
Der of other ports, SO that very largo amount
of the export trade of Canton is done by other
cities. Its closure, therefore, will have no ma
terial effect upon the foreign trade of Canton.
Indeed, such is evidently not the intent OF
the Chinese government IN the steps said to
have been taken, the same being, no doubt,
in the ilue Of strategic policy, i'll view OF
lortending difficulties with France, which
aims to secure the integrity Of tho important
but assailabe points Of the empire against
foreign invasion and conquest. Tho city OF
Canton is tho capital of the province OF
Kwangtung, one of the western provinces OF
China. 1t is situated on the south bank OF
the Pearl river, in north latitude % degrees
z minutes 10 seconds and east longitude BIZ
degrees IA minutes so seconds nearly parallel
with Havana, Muskat, and Calcutta: but its
climate is colder than any of these. 1t lies
at the foot of the White Cloud hills, along
the banks of the river, about seventy miles
north of Macys in direct line, and ninety
miles northwest of Hong Kong
cANToNs ANTIQUITY.
The earliest notices of the city date back
two centuries before Christ, but traders were
doubtless located there prior to that time. 1t
grew in importance as the county became
better settled and in A. ID. zoo regular
market was opened, and collector of GUS
toms appointed. When the Machoos over
ran the country in 1850, this city resisted
their utmost efforts to reduce it for the space
of eleven months, and was finally carried by
treachery. Martini states that 10000 men
were killed at its sack, and the whole number
that lost their lives at the final assault and
during the siege was 100000, according to
the native accounts Since then it has boen
rebuilt and hns increased in prosperity until
it is regarded rs the second city in the enquire
for numbers, and is probably at present the
first in wealth. The foundations Of the city
walls are of sandstone, their upper part being
brick. They are about twenty feet thick,
and from twenty-five to forty feet high, hav-
ing an csplanade on tho inside, and pathways
leading tO the rampant on three sides. The
houses are built near the wall on both sides
OF it, SO that, except on the north, it can
hardly he seen when walking through the
city. There arc twelve outor gates, four in
the partition wall, and two water gates,
through which boats pass into the mont east
and west. A ditch cnco cncompasscd the
walls, but it is now dry on the northern side.
On the other three, and within the city, 1t
and most of the canals are filled by the tide,
which, as it runs out, does much 10 cleanse
the city from its sewage. The gates are all
shut at night, and guard is stationed near
them to preserve order.
A VIEW OF TIE CITY.
The appearance of the city, when viewed
from the hills to the north, is not at all invlt-
ing. Icing an expanse of reddish roofs, often
concealed by frames for drying or dycing
clothes. or shaded and relieved by few
large trees, and intersie1sed with high, ipd
poles used for flagstatfs Two pagodas shoot
up within the wallis far above the watch tow
ers on them, and, with the fve-storied tower
near the northern gate, form the most con-
spicuous objects in the prospect. 70 tho
spectator, at this elevation, the river Is q
prominent feature in the landscape, as tt
shines ont, covered with a great diversity OF
boats of different colors and sizes, solno
stationary, others moving, and all re-
sounding with the mingled hum of la
borers, sailors, musicians, hucksteIs, chill
dren, and boatwolnen, pursuing their sew
eral sports and occupations. On a low sand
stone ledge, in the channel off the city, once
stood the Sea Pearl fort, called Dutch Folly
by foreigners. Beyond, on it's southern shore,
lies the suburb and island OF Honam, and
green fields and low hills are stsn still farther
in the distance. At the western angle Of this
island the Pearl river divides, at the Macao
passage, the greatest body Of water flowing
south, and leaving comparatively narrow
channel before the city. The hills on the
north rise POO feet, their sides for miles be-
ing covered with graves and tombs the
metropolis of this vast city. The streets are
generally narrow, being from six to ten feet
wide, and are about six hundred in number,
and have names in the Chinese language
.ignifying, such as Dragon, New Green Pea,
Physic, Spectacle, and Old Clothes streets,
STREETS AND BUILDINGS.
Unlike other Chinese and eastern Cities
the streets of Canton are paved with fiat
granite blocks, and the sewerage is concealed.
The houses are generally built Of dark brown
brick, one or two stories high; are without
'erandas, and are entirely open in front,
closed only by suspended bamboo screens.
The windows are small and rarely furnished
with glass-paper. mica, and other transpar-
ent substances being substituted. The roofs
are of unequal height, from a Chinese super
stition tilnt i'll luck follows caves which con-
meet with each other The houses
contain from three to six apartments
The dwellings of the poorer classes
are seldom moro than mud how
els, containing but single apartments
Stone is seldom used except about the gate
ways The shops are comnlodious and we'll
stocked with goods, and in the busy part,
every house is a shop Eating houses are
numerous, and furnish a great variety of
made dishes, in which rice, pork, puppies,
cats, rats, and geese are the staple ingre-
dients. The houses along the water side are
built upon piles, and these portions of the
city are subject to foundations. About four
miles from the city is anchored the boat
town, OF the 10000 covered river boats,
which are the constant homes of about
800, 900 people, called Tankin, strange,
amphibious, outcast race, who s,,bsst by
fishing, carrying goods and passengers,
and various other occupations They
are are also, on occasions, pirates
THE TEMPLES.
The temples and public lildings of thecity
are numerous. Among the religious houses
there existed up to a late date tbe monastery
of Chong g-showsz, or temples of longevity.
founded in 1873, and occupying spacious
grounds In tho first pavilion were three
Buddhas In the second-a seven story, gilt
pagoda-were seventy nine images of Buddha.
In the third pavilion was all image of Buddha
reclining, and in merry mood This temple
was destroyed in November, 1881, by a mob
which was iEcensed at the alleged misbe-
havior Of some of the priests toward the fe-
raale deyotecs. Near tits stands tho templs