The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-12-23
THEIR HOMES ON BOATS.
THE GREAT RIVER POPULATION OF
THE CITY or HONG KONG.


One of the most interesting sight
around Hong Kong is the river popula
ton and its city boats. This floating
city is estimated to number somethins
over 100000 people who recognize M
other home than these boats, and who's
lives are spent from birth upon thu
river; in fact, they are not permitted t.
know any other habitation. These boa
homes are of different sizes and various
shapes, the larger number being sampani
or slipper boats, about twenty feet long
with movable telescope roofs of BAN
boo covering them for about one hall
their length AS small as these boat
are, they not only accommodate one fam
lily but, frequently, that Of the sons
space being economIzed in the most in
genious manner, and in decided contrast
to the dwellings on shore, they are kept
scrupulously clean. .,.ssrs a... -.
A great majority Of the men 60 Oh
shore during the day for employment,
leaving the wives and children to work
the oars and ply the trade of boatmen,
and it must be said they do it with great
satisfaction to those who have the need
Of water carriage. The mother of the
family is found frequently rowing with
one baby strapped to her back, while
alongside of her is the next in age, learn
ing to row and preparing to add to the
resources Of the family. The children Of
the family, many of whom are babies,
play around the boats as carelessly as
though they were in nursery on shore,
and to prevent accident from drowning
among the very young boys they have a
float attached to their waists, in the
shape of small piece Of bamboo, so that
IT they fall over and drop into the river
they may be easily fished out again.
Since girl babies are not considered Of
very much Importance in China, it is
rather matter of indifference as to
whether they drown or not.
The boats composing this floating city
are all moored closely together, each
with its appointed anchorage, forming
long water lanes or streets, through
which the traffic of the community
takes place. They have their municipal
regulations, which are strictly enforced
by river police, as must necessarily be
the case with such a large population,
and every condition of life on shore has
a similar condition on the water. To
supply the necessities of life they have
floating stores and market boats for the
sale OF meat, fish, and vegetables. and
almost everything that household re-
guires is brought from boat to
boat in these water streets by red
lers and tradesnen. Then there are Aoat-
ing Kitchens connected with other boats
known as flower boats, which are mot
floating Conservatives, as their names
might imply, but restaurants or dining
balls 'gsaFgecnsly fitted up with Guided
adornments Of many kinds, handsome
wood carvings embroidered silken hang
ings, and brilliant illuminations. These
are for the purpose of giving dinner
parties, and are used by the weather.
Cinnamon to entertain their friends.
During the interval between the courses
the guests are RECALLED with the per.
Torrance of number of handsomely
attired Sing Song" girls, the profess
sional lyric artists of China, who delight
the ears of the Chinese guests, but to
European the sounds given out by these
sirens are torturing to the extreme.
Shooting in among these river lanes is
the river doctor, in his small boat, and
calling attention to his whereabouts by
ringing bell, so that those requiring
his services can readily find him, and in
70 ma troy aJc no l>o h.
q busy vocation, his services being in
continual demand. The priests are not
even left out in this community, for.
although there is little space usually al
lotted in each boat for shrine, there is
quite an amount of public worship me-
cessitatlng the service of a priest, such
as marriage ceremonies, burials, etc
consequently they have church boats
fitted up with ali the paraphernalia of
their faith
But of all the odd boats in this molly
group perhaps the most singular are
those in which they rear ducks and
geese, many of them containing as many
as several hundred in one boat The
ducks are sent out usually twice day
by the shore, and they are recalled by
signal from Il whistle, At this sound
the feeding instantly ceases, and they
return TO their respective boats with a
promptness that is simply astonishing.
The latest arrival is always taken up and
given beating with the bamboo, and on
the next recall that duck is invariably
the first to come on board, thus showing
the wonderful efficiency of the bamboo
in intoxicating punctuality.
In the midst of this gay life may be
seen the funeral boat passing silently by
crowded with mourners; in the centre
the coffin, covered with heavy pail and
trimmed with green branches. This is
one occasion when member of this
colony takes to the land. During life
they may have no home on shore, but
they cannot be refused a grave in the
earth
In almost every way the land and
river population are utterly distinct; the
former looks down upon the latter as an