News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1884-09-18
A CHINESE SEAPORT.
The Point Where the French Navy Made
Their First Attack.

Foo-Choo, the point in China where
the first attack Of the French forces was
made, is the capital city of the Province
of Foh-Kien, and one of the few ports in
China open to foreign trade The Chi
nese name of the city is Hok- Chin,
which signifies "harpy region" Foo
Choo is situated in litItude 26 dogs. min.
north and longitude 1l9 dogs. 20 min.
east, about 400 miles northeast of Can
ton. and 375 miles southwest of Shang-
hal. Il stands on a plain about q miles
from the north bank of the River Min,
and 25 miles from its mouth. An amphi
theatre of hills surrounds the city about
4 miles distant, and it is protected by one
of the peculiar walls of China, which is
7 miles in circumference, from 90 to 25
feet high, and from II to 20 feet III
thickness at different points. Seven
gates afford entrance to the city proper
through this high wall, and over each
of the gates is high tower which is
jealousy guarded by Waterman. The
whole district between the city and
River Min, the island of Nantai, and the
southern bank of the river are occupied
by extensive suburbs, and the river Itself
is occupied by large floating popula-
ton, which lives in the boats which
crowd its waters. Communication from
bank TO bank of the river is afforded by
a STONE bridge, which is about quarter
of q mile long, and is supported by 40
piers, placed at unequal distances.
Across these piers are laid immense
stones, 3 feet square and about 40 feet
long, and over these granite platform
extends. This bridge is known to the
natives as the bridge of 10000 ages, and
is said to be over 800 years old. 1t is
lined along the sides with shops, and is
constantly filed with the people of Foo
Choo.
The city proper of Foo-Choo is regu-
larry built but the streets, though paved
with granite, aud in many instances
planted with trees, are filthy, mar. ow,
lation of the city has been variouSly esti-
mated by travellers in China at fro m 600,-
900 to 1000, 900 souls. The most re-
markabIe establishment of the city is the
Arsenal, situated about three miles down
the river Min, at Pagoda Island, where
the seagoing vessels usually anchor. 1t
was founded in 1867, and has been con-
Quoted, under the direction of French
engineers. according to European meth
ods. In 1870 it employed about 1000
workmep, besides so European superin-
tendents. F0o-Choo is known in China
as city of the frst-class, and is the seat
of Viceroy or Governor General, whose
jurisdiction extends over Fokien and
Chekiang, and the province adjoining
Fol1ien to the north. The city is also
a great literary centre, and numerous
gentry who have retired from Office in
other parts of the empire and men of
high literary attainments reside there.
1t has several cotton, paper, and hard
ware manufactures, several hundred
factories for making porcelain, and fac
tories of blue cloth. screens and combs.
Near by are productive lead mines, and
a great tea-growiDg district lies within
70 miles of the city. The commerce of
Foo-Choo is principally with Japan and
the maritime provinces of China. The
chief exports are black teas, timber,
bamboo, fruits, orange peel, tobacco,
potash, spice, grain, copper, and lead.
The imports are opium, which sometimes
amounts s., O0n coo in value for year;
salt, sugar, and European manufactures.