"You ted States. But they begin to feel the com- them cards. I imagine I hear him. mercial effects of these periodic arrivals of want-she crape shawl? sil-ek dress? chessearly information from the western world; man? ivory thing? me talkey true? What they perceive that foreign factors sometimes thing you want-sh-e? You come my shop, await these arrivals to determine their pur- suppose you looky you no buy, mas qui. My chases of silks, teas, &c., or their sales of card, number 1 New Cheena street." Thus drills," "Spanish stripes," lead, gingseng, he solicits the custom of new comers, who &c., and the time is not far distant, perhaps, sometimes pay well for their experience in when merchants of all nations in China will, Chinese shopping. participate in the excitement produced by the arrival of the "overland mail." Next, note the slender, neat-limbed Hindoo in gay colored skull-cap, broad trowsers and I was sitting on the veranda about three short tunic of white muslin, following, pero'wreck, P. M., when the "Straits' Times" haps, his Hindoo master, distinguished by his Came to hand. I was soon alone; the peru- turban and the length of his tunic. Next we sal of the little paper occupied only a few have a Chinese house servant, arrayed in a minutes. I looked out on the avenue or pas- white tunic or jacket falling to the hips, full sage in front of the factories and on the breeches, muslin stockings or gaiters, secured American Garden. In the latter the effects by silk garters below the knee. These are of the late arrival on the few Americans and tidy looking persons, but among foreigners English there, was perceptible by the accel- they are reputed to be not very cleanly. lerated step and more animated gesticulation Next you are surprised to see some Ameriof the walkers than is common-but I did can or English resident in white jacket and not perceive any change in the gait of the heavy black felt-hat walking rapidly: fashAsiatic dramatis persona. Here may be ob- ion has condemned them to black hats, which served men from various eastern as well as are certainly not a very eligible cover for western countries, differing as widely from the head under a tropic sun. Near the gareach other in complexion and garb as they den gate, under the shade of the wall, sits a do in political and religious opinions, to each woman on a low stool busily sewing; her of which they respectively adhere with equal deformed extremities-the little feet-peeptenacity. Arguments will as readily induce ing from below her dress. One is shocked them to abandon one as the other; the tail of the Chinaman and the tall cap of the Parsee are as important to them as the dogmas of their respective religious creeds. by this barbarous custom of crumpling the foot into a sort of ball, by the continuous application of bandages from an early age, before the bones attain their full degree of hardSeptember is a sultry month at Canton: ness. Near by walks another of her sex, the light air which prevails from the north- mincing along as if she had suffered ampuward comes over the land heated by a pow- tation at the ankles and painfully stepped on erful sun, exposure to the rays of which is the extremities of her leg bones. It is astonvery injurious, and sometimes fatal to for- ishing to newly arrived Europeans that these eigners. The costume varies with the sea-little-foot women" can walk at all, and son. Now, let us note the passers-by as they they are not less astonished when they see present themselves to view. them bearing a child, or other considerable There, is a respectable Chinese shop-keeper burthen on their backs, or engaged in field or merchant in a long robe or tunic of white labor. Their gait, however, is very insegrass cloth-Chinese linen-his glossy queue cure. Fashion condemns some females of or tail eked out to his heels with silk braid or all classes to be thus deformed in the proribbon, and his well-shaved head shaded by vince of Canton; but, I am told, this cusa fan. Here, we have the captain and mate tom prevails to a much less extent at Shanof some English merchant ship, in white ghai and in northern sections of the country; jackets and trowsers, and hats cased in white some resident has assured me that, even muslin shaded by an umbrella; they are fol- here, public opinion is forming against it. lowed or attended by a Chinaman, very polite The compression of the feet is begun at difand obsequious in his manner, who offers ferent ages, from one or two to eight or ten 1 years, and is effected by the application of a I was here interrupted in my remarks by fillet or bandage, so arranged that the bone the appearance of my friend, announcing the of the heel and toes are made to approach receipt of a letter sixty five days from Boseach other, the former being made to form a ton. Such speed is almost incredible even continuous line with the axis of leg bones. now; twenty years since it could not have The bandage is constantly worn.* Early information as to the changing condition of the markets in Europe and America is very important to merchants in China. It is not more than ten years since it was not uncommon for ships arriving at Canton after a short passage of, say 120 days, to retain all letters brought by her, excepting those for the commercial house to which she was con been conjectured that a letter would ever be Here we have a cooley or porter bearing conveyed from the United States to Canton heavy buckets of water suspended from the in a few days more than two months. But ends of a bamboo supported on his shoulder. Boston and Canton will be still more closely A single garment, a pair of scanty breeches, approximated in point of time, when a railconstitute his entire costume. He moves in road connects the Atlantic and Pacific coasts a sort of trot; the water is prevented from of the United States and a system of steam splashing out of the buckets by an inner navigation is established across the Pacific, hoop, or a piece of board floating on its sur- between California and China. face. There, is a fine looking man whose erect carriage, nicely trimmed black mustaches, head and shoulders thrown backwards indicate that the external world has not his exclusive esteem or approbation. A tall chocolate-colored turban of muslin, long pointed shoes, white pantaloons and surtout of muslin complete the costume of the Parsee merchant. He is a follower of the creed of Zoroaster. There are a number of this sect resident here from Bombay and other parts of India engaged in various branches of commerce. They have their sacred animals and their servants of their own castes, whose costume consists of a close skull cap, and thin, loose shirt and trowsers. They may be seen occasionally bringing water. from the river in white copper urns or jars. We see too, among the pedestrians, the eastern Jew in heavy turban and white tunic girded around the loins with a cumerband or girdle, and Hindoo and Lascar sailors from the Calcutta ships. A little removed from the woman sewing by the gate, sits an old Chinaman on a stool and before him a basket of broken glass and china ware. signed, until her cargo was purchased and stowed, in order that she might reach home, and enter the market with less competition. So much advantage was derived frequently in naval architecture which resulted in the from this policy, that it led to experiments construction of several fast sailing vessels for the Chinese trade, among the most fa mous of which is the Sea-Witch of New York, a ship that sailed from Canton to New York, a distance of about 15,000 miles in 77 days, or an average of nearly 195 miles a day. The admirable performance of these vessels excited a rivalry among British mershe is said not to equal in speed her Americhants, and they have built a Sea-Witch, but can namesake. Beside him is a small box containing As long as there was no means of conveythe tools with which he repairs lamp-shades, ing information with equal or greater rapidity finger-glasses, tumblers, teacups, &c., not by than by these clipper ships, their owners cementing the pieces, but by metal rivets. possessed, to a considerable extent, the adA drill grasping at its point a minute piece of vantages of a limited monopoly of the trade corundum, forms holes for the rivets which with China. The improvement in the conare driven by a small hammer. The charge struction of ships led to another change in for this work is ten rivets for four "cash," this trade. Ten years ago it was deemed which is now equal to about three mills of impracticable to pass through the China seas our money. The vessels thus repaired are against the monsoon; but now we find ships tight and as useful, though not as perfect in sailing to and from Canton every month in appearance as previous to fracture. the year, and making as good time against the monsoon as they did formerly, when *See, Williams,-Middle Kingdom. they always passed through the China sea in comparison with the mercantile marine of with a fair wind. other countries, not from the want of proBut the establishment of the overland mail tection, but I regret to say from evils inhehas curtailed the advantages derived from rent in its constitution, which no amount of the clipper ships, because it gives to all in- protection will cure, but which, on the conterested, equally early information of the trary, I believe the removal of protection condition of the markets at home. In this will have a great tendency to eradicate. We view it increases the number of competitors, find that while the character of British saiand probably lessens the profits of the trade lors, so far as skill in the handling of ships to the larger houses, because those of com- goes, stands as high as ever, the character of paratively small capital are enabled to share British shipmasters is at a low ebb, partly on the business with better prospect of success. account of their want of nautical skill, and Still, the clipper ships can convey their car- partly owing to their low moral characters. goes earlier to market and obtain all the ben- Owing to these causes, our ships are fast efits which may be derived from any unusual losing their character in the commerce of the demand in the markets, although the knowl- world. I must say, I think it is better to edge at home of the slower vessels being on look these evils in the face than endeavor to their way must of course, in some degree, dismiss the truth from our minds. The conaffect the value of the clipper ships, because sequence is, that merchants prefer, in too they carry comparatively less than slower many instances, to trust their cargoes to vessels of equal custom-house measure- American, Bremen, Swedish, and other vesment. sels, rather than to British ships, because of A considerable period must elapse before the injurious effects produced in respect to the British commercial marine can rival that the latter by the want of professional capaof the United States in the qualities of ves- city and of proper moral conduct on the part, sels and ability and skill in their manage- in too many cases, of the shipmasters. One ment. At sea American ships out-sail the can scarcely read a page of the document I British, and in port their cargoes are dis- have just referred to without being struck by charged and loaded in very much less time. the painful description of those masters." This may possibly depend upon those habits Mr. Labouchere is correct in the advice of rapid eating with which British travellers he gives: "it is better to look evils in the in the United States have taken so much face than endeavour to dismiss truth from pleasure to charge us. Be this as it may, it our minds." But, before the class of British is very certain that the gastronomic habits ship-masters can compete with the class of of English and American ship-masters, as American ship-masters, it must be made their classes, are very different; the latter are ab- interest to make practical experiments on stemious men, both in food and drink, and the effects of temperance in food and drinks, very few American merchant vessels supply and learn the value of general information their seamen with grog, which seems to be and high moral tone, which they very much the source of the evils complained of in the need, in the opinion of Mr. Labouchere. British commercial marine. In the navy of Our own ship-masters have only to pursue the United States grog is the cause of much the course they are now in to maintain the unhappiness, crime and disease; I hope the character which they owe to their merits, time is not far distant when the spirit ration both professional and moral. It is pleasant will be abolished. That the moral character to know that in event of emergency of any of the British commercial marine is inferior call for a sudden and great increase in our to that of the United States, we have British navy that there is a class of men in our testimony. In a speech delivered, on the commercial marine from which efficient naval 15th of May, 1848, in the House of Com- officers may be speedily formed. They are mons, on the proposed abrogation of the already experienced in the affairs of life, of Navigation Laws, Mr. Labouchere, the Pre- the world, are able navigators and skilful sident of the Board of Trade, said, seamen; that they possess moral integrity "Our mercantile navy suffers exceedingly may be inferred, from the trusts reposed in them by merchants and capitalists, who con- Canton exerted more influence over the Chifide ships and cargoes to their guidance and nese mind than correspondence and diplodisposal. The administrative faculty in- macy carried on for weeks. Indeed, it was volved in command of men has been already jocularly said, "the cocked-hats carried the acquired to a considerable extent on board day for the ministry"-the Spanish envoy of merchant vessels. The naval officer re- has not been received, although he has quires all the qualifications above alluded to, been waiting several months; it is very cerand, in addition, a knowledge of the purely tain that the presence of a Spanish frigate military part of the profession, including or two would command for him immediate gunnery and naval tactics, which may be ac- attention. quired by a few months study and practice, In a speech delivered in the Senate of the to the extent necessary to maneuver and United States, on the 15th May, 1848, when use efficiently a ship's battery. In a word, the occupation of Yucatan was under conship-masters are already able to navigate and sideration, Mr. Miller, a senator from New sail ships; they require to know how to fight Jersey said, "The control of our commerce, a ship's battery to render them efficient offi- or of the commerce of the world, does not cers. That no very long time is necessary depend upon positions on land, upon towers to acquire this knowledge of gunnery, may and fortifications overlooking and commandbe inferred from the history of our privateers ing narrow straits and narrow isthmuses. It in the war of 1812-15. It requires a con- is not Gibraltar, nor Malta, nor the Mossiderable time to make skilful seamen; hence, quito coast, nor any other position on land as our navy is kept, small circumstances that secures to England the control of commight arise calling for its rapid augmentation, merce. It is her power and position on the and I repeat, it is satisfactory to know we broad sea which gives her the advantage. have a class of citizens already so far in- The nation that would control the world's structed that they could be at once convert- commerce must control the element upon ed into masters and lieutenants in the navy, which it floats. The mistress of the sea will provided they could be brought to accept ap- be the mistress of commerce. England may pointments of the kind, for many are not seize upon Cuba; she may cover the isthwilling to believe that years spent in lawful mus of Yucatan all over with threatening commerce, has rendered them unfit to com- fortifications, yet, as long as our proud navy mand in military expeditions, or made them, can ride in triumph 'o'er the dark blue sea,' in any point of view, the social inferiors of I fear no evil to our commerce." naval officers. Our commerce has grown more rapidly But let us hope that, while they may ever than our navy; a much larger force could be be ready to obey, it will never be necessary advantageously kept afloat, and in no part of to call officers of our mercantile marine from the world could vessels of war be more benthe peaceful pursuits of commerce to serve eficially employed than in the East Indies, as officers on board ships of war. Our either for the improvement of the navy itself, merchant ships float on every sea, and there or the advantage of commerce. Throughshould be navy enough to protect them out these seas there are innumerable islands, wherever they go, under all circumstances, rocks and shoals of uncertain position which to give them the security and confidence, might be examined and determined by our which the mere presence of our ships of war cruizers. The Chinese sea swarms with piins, ire in the breasts of Americans engaged rates who should be swept from our path. in foreign climes in lawful pursuits. Their Here is employment for several years, worthy presence is most appreciated where civiliza- the ambition of our naval officers, and pertion is least developed. Our diplomatic haps more immediately useful than surveycommissioner in China found that his recep- ing the Dead Sea, or observations at Chiloe tion by the Chinese Governor Seu was accele- to determine the parallax.* rated by the opportune arrival of a sloop-ofwar; the landing of Commodore Geisinger, with a suite of twenty officers in uniform at *In the "Chinese Commercial Guide" for 1848 there is a list of new dangers in the China Sea," which embraces thirty-two rocks and shoals, not set down on Without regard to any other considera- &c., and indirectly, the agriculturists whose tions, the value of our commerce might be stevedores, hemp growers, canvas weavers, urged as a sufficient reason for maintaining products feed all those classes; the tailors, a small fleet of ships of war in these seas. shoe makers and hatters, who clothe them; According to R. Montgomery Martin* the the apothecaries and physicians who serve trade of the United States with China for them when sick; and the clergymen who the year ending June 30th, 1845, was £2,265,- look to their morals,—all are more or less ben885, or, at 4 shillings to the dollar, $9,063,- efitted. To take away the commerce with 540. It may be safely stated that the value China would also lessen the employment of of American trade in China, including im- merchants and their clerks, as well as that ports and exports, is ten millions of dollars, of the lawyers who gain fees from pleading exclusive of the cost of the ships employed. insurance and salvage cases, to say nothing It may be estimated there are forty American vessels engaged in commerce with China, employing eight hundred sailors. of personal and criminal suits growing out of the conflicting interests of so many classes. But this is not all; ladies of all conditions, China receives from the United States spinsters and matrons, young and old must manufactured cottons and cotton yarns, (Mr. be disobliged because crape shawls, and vaMartin says, "In domestics we cannot com- rious silks, fans, &c., which they now delight pete with the United States")†—lead, gin- in would be taken away, and tea, a great seng, a few clocks, which are exchanged for bond of social intercourse would disappear, teas, silks, crape shawls, rhubarb, cassia and with it many of the innocent pleasures and cassia oil, annis and annis oil, camphor, of civilized life. floor-matting, musk, fans, fire-crackers, &c., &c. "Enlivening, mild and sociabletea, Without Thee Damosthetes their laws enacted, acted: With this celestial gift, how strange that we The planters of the south, and miners of the West in furnishing raw materials; the manufacturers of the north and east in producing fabrics, and the agriculturists who supply beef, pork, flour, &c., to feed those who pay them by labor in the cotton fields, lead mines, manufactories, or in loading and Commerce is the great motor power which sailing the ships, which bring something to gives activity to agriculture, mining, manushipwrights and other mechanics in their con- factures, the mechanic arts; and encourages struction and repair-in a word, every class law, medicine and divinity. Commerce then of laboring citizens is more or less interested is one of our cardinal interests; the prosin this commerce, as may be readily per- perity or adversity of which is felt throughceived, if we fancy for a moment that it out the length and breadth of our land. were suddenly abolished. All those em- Surely it deserves to be protected and exployed in the building and fitting out of tended; the government spends no money ships; timber and lumber men, shipwrights, more profitably than that for the interests joiners, blacksmiths, coppersmiths, plumbers, of navigation, surveys, light-houses, and for block and pump makers, rope makers, sail maintaining an efficient navy, because withmakers, caulkers, riggers, ship chandlers, out a navy our commerce would be interrupted, and ships plundered and crews murdered in many parts of the world, where the knowledge of a protecting force being at Horseburgh's charts. All these lie between 5° 41' and 11° 11′ north latitude and between 107° 23′ and 11852 east longitude. They have all been noticed since 1840. China, political, commerical and social, in an official hand, is their only security. It is unwise to report to her majesty's government. By R. Montgomery grudge the money required to support a navy; Martin, Esq.. lute her Majesty's treasurer for the colonial. if the people did not spend money in this way, if, in other words, the navy were abol consular and diplomatic services in China, &c. 2 vols. 8 vo., pp. 432-502: London, 1847. † Since 1849 very little if any lead nas been exported ished, all merchant vessels must be fully from the United States; those employed in the lead works |