Three Years' Wanderings in the Northern Provinces of China Including a visit to the tea, silk, and cotton countries; with an account of the agriculture and horticulture of the Chinese, new plants, etc.

CHAPTER II.

Chapter 280 wordsPublic domain

First View of China and the Impressions produced.--Contrasted with Java.--Land at Hong-kong.--Description of its Harbour.--Town of Victoria.--Chinese Towns, Stanley and Aberdeen.--Description of the Island.--Effects of Rains.--"Happy Valley" noticed.--Chinese mode of "Stopping the Supplies."--Views from the tops of Mountains.--Climate.--Botany of the Island.--Few Animals indigenous.--Unhealthiness of the Settlement.--Its Causes.--Character of the Chinese Population.--Mixed Character of Foreigners.--Remarks on the Settlement as a Place of Trade.