Page:Ling-Nam; or, Interior views of southern China, including explorations in the hitherto untraversed island of Hainan (IA cu31924023225307).pdf/27

 LING-NAM.

—=—— CHAPTER I,

THE ENTRANCE TO CANTON.

HE traveller from the east or from the west usually receives his first im- pressions of south China from the charming and picturesque island of Hong-kong. Entering the harbour of Hong-kong in the early morning, its quiet, lake-like beauty impresses

one favourably, as it lies almost land encircled between

Victoria Peak and the high hills on the mainland opposite.

Its waters, usually placid, but often stirred into wild con-

fusion by the dreaded typhoon and other storms, are well

covered with a busy and animated maritime life. Steamers from all parts of the world come and go incessantly, bearing

a rich and varied commerce. Sailing-ships from Oregon,

New York, Norway, or Australia, bringing cargoes of timber,

kerosene, and other goods that admit of long transit, and

taking matting, rattan, and similar articles in return, lie in the outer circle, Grotesque junks from the north coast of China, on their semi-annual! trips, and an almost endless