In the last particular we are not
deceived; in all else, yes. But I wont anticipate.

In this little book I shall not be able to tell you a tithe of what may
be told of this land did I feel competent to do so. Volumes have been
written on the subject, and still the half has not been said. I purpose,
therefore, henceforward to intersperse with the narrative of our own
doings, just so much of the manners and customs of the Chinese and
Japanese, as every sailor possessed of the ordinary powers of vision may
see for himself.

January 4th.--The harbour of Hong Kong is reached from the sea by means
of a rather long and tortuous passage, with bleak barren heights on
either hand,--the channel being in some parts so narrow that there is
scarce room for the ship to turn.

The island itself--rendered either "_red harbour_" or "_fragrant
streams_," which you prefer, though neither seems applicable, certainly
not the latter if by _fragrance_ is meant what we mean by it--lies on
the southern seaboard of China. It became British in 1842, on the
conclusion of the first Chinese war. The city of Victoria is situated on
its northern side, and stands on a beautiful land-locked harbour, formed
by the island on the one hand and the peninsula of Kowloon (also
British) on the other a sheet of water which always presents a gay and
animated appearance, from the thousands of vessels and boats which cover
its surface like a mosaic.

It is not without some difficulty that we push our way through the
thronging craft, principally little boats termed "sampans," to our
moorings abreast of the Dockyard. Curious craft withal, and serving a
double purpose; for besides their legitimate one, whole families live
and move, are born, and die in them; the necessary accommodation being
furnished by an ingenious arrangement of hatches, floors, and
partitions, and, as it seems highly fashionable that the Chinese mammas
should be making constant additions to the population, the squalling of
the young celestials betrays a healthiness of lung, and a knowledge of
its capabilities, scarcely to be credited of such small humanity.

The earlier fate of these infantile members of the boat population is
sad. They are exposed to a "rough-and-tumble" existence as soon as they
are ushered into the world, especially should the poor innocent have the
misfortune to be born a girl baby, for in that case she has simply to
shift for herself, the inhuman parents considering them