Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1884-12-11
Foo-Chow.

FOO Chow, the scene of the OPENING
olhostilities between France and China
is called by the natives Hokchiu, or
Happy City. 1t lies in latitude 26 dc.
crees 5 minutes north, and longitude
ll9 degrees 20 minutes east, on the
northern side of the Min, thirtv-four
miles from its mouth and nine from
Pagoda Island. The city is situated in
plain, surrounded by hills, forming
natural and most magnificent amphi-
theater of vast dimensions, whose fer
tility emulates and adds to its beauty.
Suburbs extend from the walls three
miles to the banks and stretch along
on both sides of the stream. They are
connected with each other, and a small
islet in the river, by stone bridge
built in the eleventh century. The
scenery is bold, and such parts of the
surrounding hills as are not cultivated
or used for graves are covered with
pines. Some of the hills north of the
city are 5000 feet high. Opposite Foo
Chow the land is lower, and the suburb
is built upon an island formerly the
division of the main channel. seven
miles above the city. The branches
reunite at Pagoda Island. This island
and the plain on each side form 81 large
basin, twenty miles long by fifteen
wide. The river is crowded with float
ing habitations, ferry-boats and trading
craft, rendering its surface an animated
and noisy scene. The flowers grown
in pots in the boats and those usually
worn by the boatwomen in their hair
all assist in imparting pleasing aspect
to the lively sight.
A CHARMING PROSPECT.
The walls are about thirty feet high
and twelve wide Mt the top. The gates,
seven in number, are overlooked by
hirh towers; smaller guard-houses
stand upon the walls at short intervals,
in which few soldiers lodge, and
where two or three cannon indicate
their object The city is divided into
wards and neighborhoods, each Of
which is under its own police and head
men, who are responsible for the peace
in their respective districts. From the
Wa-shiu-shan, an eminence on the
north side of the city. the view is ex-
tensive, and presents great diversity
of charming objects. The square battle
ments OF the wall are seen extending
in q devious and irregular circuit for
more than eight miles, and inclosing
most of the buildings, except on the
south. On the southeast q hill rises
abruptly more than 200 feet, its ridge
built up with interspersed dwellings,
and another on the extreme north of
the city, surmoanting q watch-tower,
closes the prospect in that direction.
Two pagodas within, and fantastic
looking watch-towers upon the walls,
large, regular built granaries, and
vast number of flagstaffs in pairs, in
dicating temples and offices, and con-
tribute to relieve the otherwise dull
monotony. which is still further divers
flied by many large trees. Several
lookout houses are placed on the streets
or upon buildings for the accommo-
dation of watchmen, one of which inn
mediately attracts the attention OF the
visitor from its height and its clock
dial with Roman letters. Few vacant
spaces occur within the walls OF the
city, which is everywhere equally well
built
THE SOUNDS OF A BUSY LIFE.
Serpentine canals divide the country
round about into plats of greater or
less extent, of every form and line,
while they help to drain the city and
provide channels for boats coming from
the yer These parts of the landscape
are dotted with hamlets and cottages
and where the ground is higher, with
graves and tombstones. To one seated
on this eminence, says DR.. 5. w.
Williams, in The Middle Kingdom"
the confused hum of mingling cries
ascending from the town below-tho
beating of gongs, cracking OF fire.
works, reports of guns, vociferous cries
of hucksters and coolies, combining
with the barking of dogs and other
domestic sounds, as well as those from
the crows, tish-hawks and magpies
nearer by--inform him In the liveliest
manner that the beautiful panorama
he is looking down upon is filed with
teeming multitudes in all the tide OF
life. On the western side of the city
is a sheet of water called ST HUI, or
West Lake, with n series of unpretend-
ing buildings and temples lying along
its margin, bridge crossing its ex-
panse and fishing nets and boats float
ing upon its bosom. The watehtower
on the hill in the northern part of the
city is upon the wall, which runs near
q precipice 200 feet high; it is most
conspicuous object when approaching
the place.
Mr.. William Z. Cramer, the venerable