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22 which twice a day runs in a different direction, as if to assist Chinese activity, that the manufactures which the European ships bring every year to the Celestial Empire, and the precious products which they take back, are exchanged. This prodigious amount of commerce makes the Chinese river one of the most animated water-routs in the world, compared with which the great rivers of France are timid brooks, bearing in their sinuous course a few insignificant cargoes. Six hours before reaching Canton, native vessels of all kinds and sizes are going and coming, amongst which some schooners of light build are seen, and a few steamers, elegantly constructed, and bearing the free standards of England and the United States. Shortly after our departure from Whampoa the flotillas of junks, faï-tings, and tankas, became so numerous that our ship furled its sails of reed, and we only proceeded with the oars, striking from time to time against all kinds of floating machines. At last night came, and half-an-hour afterwards we stopped before an impassable barrier formed by a compact mass of boats. Our men ceased to row, and the anchor was thrown out, and Callery said to me,—

"We are at Canton."

I cast my eyes in every direction. I was anxious to penetrate the darkness which surrounded it, in order to get at least the outline of the celebrated