A HAPPY CITY

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 137, 18 March 1872, Page 3

A HAPPY CITY

Hon. Jamks Brooks writes to the New York J'J.rprrss that —Canton is the happiest looking city 1 have seen in China, and everywhere the people seem ready for fun. Children are born in the boats, and the mother of them often rows or sculls with a child strapped to her back. Upon some of these children are tied bamboo floats, so that if the darling tumbles overboard it is easily fished up and in. Then there are grand boat restaurants, where parties go, us to Dclmouico's, to feast, free from the dead air of the narrow streets, and enjoying the free air of the river. At night the river is gayer than the city, for the gates of the city—gabs by the scores within the great wall of the city—obstruct ail night locomotion, while the river is open and free*. I loved fo revel in a house-boat at night, breathe the good air, hear tiie squeaking guitar or harp of the Chinaman, see his lire crackers, peep into his restaurants, hear the babies squall, and the mothers and fathers snore. Canton ciiv is divided by its streets into hundreds of compartments at night, and in or over each compartment is a gate, closed at night. For order ami peace every little community is responsible to the authorities, for there is no local police. The system works well—shuts up simps at dark, sends people to bod early, thus prepares them to rise early ; stops all night gabbing, all theatre going, ail soirees and evening parties, all courting and hiding and cooing, brings home husband early and keeps him from straying at night. There is a river doliee, which cruises about the river at night, and bangs into you if you do not sail straight.