Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-11-09
A GLIMPSE OF H0NGK0NG AND
CANTON.

The island of Hongkong is guarded
on the west by numerous smaller
islands and is approached by a rather
narrow strait. 1t is situated in about
% degrees N. latitude aud about Ia
degrees Z. longitude. The island
rugged with mountains and about %
square miles in area, was originally
not much more than a huge, high
rock rising out of the sea. Its cession
to England by China was confirmed
by the Treaty of Nankin in 1913. 1t
then became a British crown colony
and free port. The official name of
the city is Victoria, but it is usual y
known by the Chinese name of the
island-Hongkong. IL is now the
great traDs-shipping station of the
East. 1t is also a strategic point of
great Importance. Its large harbor,
sheltered by neighboring islands and
protected by low-lying Notifications,
teens with steamers and sailing yes
sells Of all nations. Several British
men-of-war and naval training ships
are usually at hand. A dry dock
affords opportunity for ship repairing.
The city is cosmopolitan. It's in
habitants include small number of
East Indians and Japanese, 1000
Portuguese, 1000 British and Euro
peans Including the garrison), and
100000 Chinese. The streets are wide
and we'll built. The whole side of tn g
mountain is a network of public paths
and roads supported by walls of solid
masonry. The tramway affords an
easy access to Victoria Peak, 1925
feet high, where noticeably cooler
temperature and a magnificent view
of the city and harbor can be OBJ
tanned. Substantial public buildings
are numerous on the lower roads,
while the sides and top of the noun
tain are adorned with private resi-
dences with their gardens, lawns, and
tennis grounds. The water supply is
obtained from numerous mountain
springs, whose waters are collected
in reservoirs and piped to various
parts of the city.
The means of conveyance are seda n
chairs, each supported by two poles
and carried by two coolies; and jim
rikishas, giant baby carriages, each
drawn by a Chinese. The sedan
chairs are necessary for the hill roads
but on level streets the 'rikishas are
preferable, as they are cheaper and
make better time. Visitors to Hong
kong usually take a 'rikisha ride to
Happy Valley, where may be seen
Recreation Ground with it's race
track and golf grounds. The public
gardens are delight to the botanist
or less scientific observer of plants
and trees. They contain sixty speci-
mems in variety of fern species.
Bamboo and cedar, palm and pine
are seen growing side By side.
A force of English and Indian SOL
diers is garrisoned in substantial bar
racks. The city is patrolled by
Chinese and Indian policemen, the
latter being tall, stalwart looking
men, wearing full boards and the
characteristic Indian turban. Board
ing houses and hotels are numerous.
The transformation of this oceanic
rock into the modern, up to- date
colony of Hongkong reflects no
small credit to British perseverance
and enterprise.
Canton is the capital of the Kwang-
tung province, whence nearly all the
Chinese in America have emigrated.
1t is also the political capital of
southern China and the most south
ern of the treaty ports. 1t is situated
on the Chu-kiang or Pearl river and
at the junction with the North river
occupies the rectangular ground be-
tween the two. AS it is distinctively
Chinese city and easily accessible
from Hongkopg, it is annually visited
by many tourists. Two or three lines
of river steamers ply caily between
Hongkong and Canton. The Chinese
steamers are comfortable and the
fare is reasonable. Travellers usually
leave Hongkong in the evening and
arrive in Canton the next morning,
the distance traversed being about
eighty miles. By this arrangement a
whole day may be devoted to sight
seeing-and nearly all foreigners
agree that one day in Canton is
enough to satisfy the ordinary person
and the return trip made on the
same boat in the evening.
After the steamer has gone up the
stream as far as the shallowness of
the water will permit, to within a
quarter of mile of the city, it is
necessary to take a sdnDdn to reach