HONG KONG SOCIETY.
We formed the acquaintance of interesting families on shore, from whom we received gratifying attentions, enjoyed their hospitality, were entertained at their croquet parties, some of which were held in high places, on the side of the hill which forms the chief eminence of Hong Kong, affording a picturesque view of the shipping in the harbor. It would be difficult to name any place, where friends assemble to enjoy out-of door sports, more animating than the heights of Hong Kong, commanding views of the ocean in every direction, the sea breeze invigorating the spirits which have felt the heat of the town several hundred feet below.
VICTORIA PEAK.
A principal source of enjoyment in this interesting spot is in going up Victoria Peak. You take a sedan chair at the landing, four coolies to each chair, two dollars for each chair. The men bear you cheerfully along up hill, three or four miles, stopping to rest two or three times when they come to shady places by the side of a great rock, or with fine sea views in prospect, till you reach the summit, where stands a flag staff, to signalize to the town below the arrival of vessels, a nine pounder being run out to announce a mail steamer, or distinguished vessels. Going up you are an hour and a half, unless you pause frequently to look at geological or mineralogical curiosities. You feel unwilling to quit the enchanted spot, the sea breeze, the newly arrived ship, the wonderful expanse of ocean on every side; till the lengthening shadows admonish you that it will be dark before you reach China town. After that, you take your boat in which your oarsmen from the ship a half a mile off have come for you, and you reach your floating habitation after dark.
SHOPPING.
Going ashore to do shopping, you encounter a crowd of chair coolies at the landing, calling to you, pushing each other, contending for your custom. “Here, Missy, you come this side; you belong my; my have you last time;” till you select a chair, when the rest subside, or a sepoy comes and silences them with blows from his billy, which are administered freely. If the two men who carry you do not go fast enough, you call out, “Chop chop;” if too fast, “Man man,” till you get to the store.
Some of the answers from the shop-keepers to your questions are, “Have got;” “no can do;” “Melican like man like this;” “no have got;” “him makee Japan;” “he no sandal wood; cedar wood, sandal wood oil.”
Asking for some music paper I was told, “no got; my makee you some.” A sheet of blank paper was spread on the counter, a ruler which moved on rollers was laid on it, a plate partly filled with india ink was drawn within reach, a camel’s hair paint brush instead of a pen, drew the lines. Much of the work you could not distinguish from music-paper ruled by machine; the distances of some of the staves from each other were not regular; but the lines of each staff were remarkably even. A half quire was ready the next day. The shop-keepers add up the amount of your purchases on frames, such as we see in our primary schools; but the system of numeration I could not understand, the attempted explanation being in confused pidgin English.
REGATTA IN HONG KONG HARBOR.
It was a merry sight on the 15th of November 1870, when boats of all descriptions were gathered for a race, and nine yachts. The shipping, with which the harbor was well filled, was ordered to change moorings, and make a clear passage for the boats. An Order of Exercise was printed for each of the two days, giving information of the names of the Patrons, Committee, Stewards, Judge, Umpire, Starters. The Band of Her Majesty’s 29th Regiment played, the names of the pieces being duly entered on the handsome programme. Single pair sculling boats, to be competed in by men who have never won a sculling race in China or elsewhere; boats pulled by Non-commissioned officers and men of any Regiment or Corps in Garrison, men of war Gigs, Pair Oars, and two Pair Sculling Boats, House Boats pulled by Chinamen, Gig and Punt Chase, Canoes; all open boats, Chinese excepted; yachts not exceeding fifteen tons measurement; the Chinaman’s Cup, The American Cup, presented by the American Community, The United Service Cup, The Canton Cup, presented by the Canton Regatta Club, made up the attractive programme. Some lady recently arrived is chosen to present the prize to one of the winning competitors, with a little speech prepared for her. The honor fell that year to one of our company. The yacht prize was won by the Naiad, belonging to R. F. Hawke, Esq., an honorable citizen of Hong Kong. A sailing match from Hong Kong to Macao was advertised to come off the same season.