Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-09-24
For the Sentinel.
Picturesque Maeao-Portugal in China.

Hong Kong is name doubtless familiar
ana TO many 1t represents the whole Of
China, but nothing will excite the patriotic
Englishman to quicker wrath than that little
word "China" affixed to that big word "Hone
Kong" for Is not Hong Kong British pos
session, and what can be more insulting to
British blood to suppose to the contrary?
But Macao, or Macau, as the Portuguese
write it, belongs to Portugal and one does not
think OF China in connection with this un
mistakably Portuguese possession. For the
historical story of its occupation refer you
TO the histories, have to do with pictur-
esque Macao only.
Situated on half-moon promontory
thrown out into the water from the south
eastern corner of Heung Sham fragrant
Mountain) district of Southern Canton, 1t is
peculiar in many respects, one being that
from my little hired house here, perched up
on hill, l can see the water on both sides,
and the neck of land is so narrow that one
may walk across it in fifteen minutes
The point that projects into the ocean
was formerly used as sanitarium, and the
queer, oldtashioned house there is still oc.
cupied by business men from Hong Kong.
Surrounded by trees, with garden sloping
to the sea, there is no more delightful place
In China to spend the hot summer months.
A high macadamized terrace looks out on
the rocks against which the waves dash in
ceaseless rhythm. A dip into the salt water
may be had at the foot of the steps leading
down to the little harbor just below.
But such luxures are for those who can
afford them, and we are quite happy in our
little two roomed house half way up the
hill to the convent which crowns the crest,
and looks down in peaceful contemplation
upon the busy, bustlng streets below.
AS gaze wistiully up to its high walls
above, long to dwell thus lifted above the
cares and noises of the world, but know
that is only possible in the heights of the
Upper Kingdom.
The black robed sisters come down often
to dwell among the haunts of men, and
minister to the sick and sorrowful.
There are churches and churches and
churches in Macao, and magnificent cathe-
drals as we'll. The matin and vesper bells
are heard from many directions, and there
is never lack of worshipers. There are
several convent schools, some for the
Chinese, and the class of Chinese youths
studying for, the priesthood seems to increase
each year.
The Governors palace is built in Spanish
style and occupies prominent position
near one end of the Praya or bund, which
is high and secure against the waves, though
at times they dash across the wide prom
enade to the very steps of the houses facing
the sea.
Last year during the dreadful typhoon,
(Which word is corruption they say OF the
Chinese for "big wind" dye fung) the boats
that were dragged up on shore for safety
were floating as high as our windows on the
water that flooded the lower stories of the
houses. The big wooden doors, with iron
o1n yun hrpRan n hU wind a nd w
and the force of the tempest broke the glass
doors in our second story rooms. On the
same floor the salt water was blown in
through the double wooden shutters, with
glass windows inside,) of the large windows
across ten foot room into the bed rooms.
Though beautiful in the calm summer
weather, Macao can be most boisterous in
stormy times. There is absolutely no pro-
lection against the great ocean cyclones tina t
sweep with such fury down the China coast
The roof OF the little house in which l
sit writing was blown completely off last
July, and had it been occupied death to the
people must have been the result. The
family had returned to Canton the day be-
fore.
But should you come to Macao you will
surely wish to visit three or four places Of
interest which l must not fail to mention ::
First, you will ride in riksha round the
Cliff Road, where you are hundreds of feet
above the sea, which dashes noisily on the
rocks far below. The white specks you see
down there is the wash of some enterprsing
Chinaman, who has found a clear water
spring, and deems it easier to go there with
his immense baskets of clothes than TO carry
the water to his distant home. Walk on a
mile farther and you may stand in the two
kingdoms of Portugal and China, at "The
Barrier" which is gateway through which
| no Chinaman may go without examination
by the customs officer, who fears smuggling
from Hong Kong and other places. Then
there is Robert Morrisons grave, and the
poet Camoen's gardens.
If you do not mind the rough sea on the
coast, you may visit on st. Johns Island
the tomb of st. Francis Xavier, to which
pigrimages are often made
But If you have come to Macao for a
months rest and have several large pack
ages of unanswered letters, and a long list
of unfulfilled promises for newspaper arti-
Giles, reports, journals to societies, and other
such matters to attend to, and If the tropical
sun burns fever into your tired brain, you
will be content to only hear of many things,
and be glad to enjoy the cool sea breeze
while you finish up long neglected writing.
Or, perhaps you may add sea bathing to
your pleasures, and after sunset spend the
long bright twilight in the water.
l most like sitting at my window and
gazing out upon the hills, mountains and
sea, watching the fading light, and seeing
the lamps, like stars, beginning to glow all
over the city, first below, then slowly climb
ing the Fort Hill opposite, till darkness set,
ties over all, and the refreshing night breeze
woos me TO gentle slumber, and l know
nothing more till the sun "strikes" my eyes
wide open to morrow morn.
Yours sincerely,
CLAUDIA j. WHITE