eighty-one miles long has been built. Educational institutions
have been founded, and schools opened for the instruction of young men
in several foreign languages. The increasing consumption of opium, which
seems to have been placed in the way of the people by the action on the
part of England, is a cause for great regret among the friends of China.
I have said too much already, and I know you must be very tired. I thank
you for bearing with me so long; and I will promise not to do so again,
at least so far as China is concerned. China is at peace with all the
world, and I leave her so."

The professor retired with even greater applause than in the forenoon.
Since he spoke, China has been engaged in a great war with Japan; and
possibly his account of the country will assist those who are yet to
read the history of the conflict.

CHAPTER XXXIV

SIGHT-SEEING IN HONG-KONG AND CANTON

After the conclusion of the lecture in the afternoon, the passengers of
the two ships had another frolic, as Captain Ringgold called it, and
then dined in the cabin; after which those from the Blanche "went home,"
as the ladies termed it.

Towards the close of the following day, while the passengers of the
Guardian-Mother were seated on the promenade, the lookout forward
shouted, "Land, ho!" The announcement caused a sensation, as usual,
though it was an old story. It was reported off the port bow; and the
captain said it was Lema Island, a considerable distance from Hong-Kong.

"The Chinese name of Hong-Kong is Hiang-Kiang, which means 'sweet
waters,'" said the commander. "It is a ridge of rocks, the highest point
of which is over eighteen hundred feet above the water. It is ninety
miles south by east of Canton. The island has an area of twenty-nine
square miles, and is not more than half a mile from the main shore. It
is a barren rock, and you will hardly see a speck of vegetation on the
whole of it. In the south-west corner of the island is the city of
Victoria, with a population of two hundred and twenty-one thousand; and
it is one of the great centres of trade with Western nations. The
principal import is opium, and the principal exports are tea and silk.
We shall anchor soon in its splendid harbor."

An English pilot was taken; and at sunset the ship was at anchor, and
the party had abundant occupation in observing the rugged shores, the
shipping that filled the harbor, and especially the Chinese boats, in
charge of boat-