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CANTON

of the French while the remainder is governed by the British.

Before the French and British engineers began their task of improving the island and making it habitable for foreigners, Shameen was a low sand bank in the river and hardly in the category of places fit for human residence. But the ingenuity of the engineers transformed the island into a healthful, beautiful, residential district, and Shameen is now considered the best section of Canton, although as far as the picturesque is concerned it is surpassed by the native districts of the city.

Shameen is well protected against possible attacks by bandits or river pirates. The bridges leading to the island from the mainland are guarded day and night, while barbed-wire entanglements stand on the shores, evidently for the purpose of discouraging marauders from among the river population.

Natives are forbidden to go on the island unless permission is granted by the British or French, and the few natives who pass back and forth are searched for weapons by the guards at the bridges. Europeans, however, are seldom stopped by the sentries.

Probably the best view of Canton is obtainable from the island of Shameen, and many travelers prefer to see the city from across the river, rather than mingle