edge. Many of these dwellings are in a sad state of decay and dilapidation ; and the long, dark, narrow street which runs the length of the settlement is paved with cross flags of stone so worn and loose that they rest for the most part in treacherous pits of mud; and thus, if a foot be placed hastily on the rocking flag, a shower of most offensive dirt is splashed up over one's clothes. Every second shop reeks with a smell of roasting fat and onions. Mangy dogs and lean pigs yelp and grunt as we disturb their occupations : these are the sanitary authorities of the locality and to them the duty falls to clear up the refuse and garbage. Nor were these the only inconveniences ; on nearly every occasion when I waded my way along the unin- viting thoroughfares, I found it blocked at some point by a strolling band of players, hired to perform in public by one of the more liberal-spirited tradesmen. The approach to the foreign merchants' establishments can hardly be accounted better than the miserable Chinese alley which I have just described ; but the offices themselves, when the difficulty of reaching them is over- come, are found to be venerable structures, filled with all sorts of produce beneath, and showing all the evidences of business above.
The trade of this port has grown, and is likely to continue growing, just in proportion as the rich island of Formosa opposite is developed, and its tea, sugar and other products increase. The late transfer of Formosa to the Japanese will alter the conditions of trade, although the Japanese may find it profitable to ship produce to the nearest markets on the Chinese mainland. The import trade and the distribution of foreign goods inland, is pretty effectually choked off by the illegal system of transit duties levied at the various stations, and regulated chiefly by the need or avarice of the local officials at the various points
