1804. The Typa healthier than Anson's Bay. The Typa, (a safe harbour, where CommoDec. dore Anson hove down the old Centurion,) lies between two islands about four miles from Mácào; and here the Dedaigneuse frigate lay, all the time we were in China, without experiencing the least degree of sickness; whereas the Caroline and Grampus had half their men laid up with agues, fevers, and fluxes, at Lintin and Anson's Bay. The Athenian, of 64 guns, which ship arrived in China early in January 1805, suffered still more from sickness than we did. Macao roads are therefore much healthier than any of the anchorages farther up the river, which indeed is generally the case in all rivers of hot countries. Macao road, however, is objected to on account of its openness, should a gale of wind take place; but during the months of October, November, and December, we did not experience any weather that could damage a vessel lying in these roads; and had we lain here instead of higher up, I am convinced we should have evaded great part of the sickness and mor tality that prevailed on board. Macao is the only European looking city we had yet seen in India or China; for the Portuguese, contrary to the practice of most other European settlers in hot countries, make very little difference in the construction of their houses, whether on the banks of the Ganges or the Tagus whereas the people of other nations in general, but the English in par ticular, leave no means unemployed to ob viate the effects of climate, by constructing their habitations in the most airy manner imaginable, Trade and Citizens of Macao. The trade of this place seems now reduced to a mere shadow, the principal branch being that of smuggling opium ashore here, which is after wards sold privately to the Chinese, at a great price; as these people have of late got exceedingly fond of this drug, which they smoke and chew clandestinely, the use of it being strictly prohibited by government*. We could hardly help smiling at the ridiculous figures which the Macao citizens cut, (at' least in our eyes,) while strutting through the streets; barbers, tailors, &c., with long swords, cocked hats, powdered hair, and perhaps no shirts. 66 ———- hîc vivimus ambitiosâ, Juvenal, Sat. III. We spent a merry Christmas at this settlement, and then embarked in our launch for Anson's Bay, landing and shooting on all the intermediate islands; Liutin among the rest, where our old friends the villagers were highly rejoiced to see us, making us a present of a basket of sweet potatoes and other vegetables. 1804. Dec. On the 1st of January, 1805, the Caroline 1805. * The Governor of Canton, after describing, in a proclamation, the pernicious effects arising from the use of opium, observes, Thus it is that foreigners, by means of a vile excrementitious substance, derive from this country the most solid profits and advantages; but that our countrymen should blindly pursue this destructive and ensnaring vice, even till death is the consequence, without being undeceived, is indeed a fact odious and deplorable in the highest degree.' Yet the Governor of Canton very composedly takes his daily dose of opium."-BARROW Jun. 1. Jan. Reflections on leaving China. 1805. dropped down to Lintin, in order to collect the convoy, which was directed to assemble at this place. On the 5th the men of war and merchant ships broke ground, and steered past Macao, with a stiff breeze, that came down cold and dreary from the bleak Chinese mountains. The weather was now so inclement, that we were all heartily glad to take leave of a country which we had approached about three months before, with curiosities so keenly excited, that we thought as many years would scarcely be sufficient to gratify theni, Such is the restless disposition of the human mind; never contented with the present moment, but always looking forward to a long train of pleasures, which imagination is sure to keep painted in perspective, generally beyond our reach; but if haply attained, falling far, far short of what they seemed in anticipation! "Thus with delight we linger to survey Pleasures of Hope. 1 Cape Avarella. CHAP. IX. Sail from China-Some of the Convoy strike on a Shoal -Arrive at Prince of Wales's Island-Topographical Sketch of Pulo Penang-Face of the Country-Popu lation-Climate-Houses, &c.-Romantic Views from the Mountain-Animals, domestic and wild-Trees, Plants, and Shrubs-Fruits, Water, Trade, and Law of the Island-Sketch of the Liver Complaint. 1 WE were no sooner out of sight of the bleak 1805. coast of China, than the skies cleared up, and Jan. the north-east monsoon blew clear and pleasant over the scarcely ruffled' surface of the ocean. We steered a direct course for the Paracels, passing to the southward of the island of Hainan, and crossing the centre of that space in which the Paracels are laid down in the charts, without seeing any thing of them. On the 8th we made the high land of Cochin-China, to the northward of Cape Avarella. As we coasted along in the night, the mountains, which are here very high and rugged, seemed to be in a complete blaze, having been fired by the inhabitants for some purpose or other, exhibiting a grand illumination. Cape Avarella, the highest mountain on this part of the coast, is sufficiently singular to be easily known; but there is on the summit of a mountain near this, a very curious projection, which has exactly the appearance of a gigantic sentry box, and proves an excellent land-mark for mariners. 1805. Strike on Van Holland's Shoal. At half after one o'clock this day, while steerJan. 9. ing along shore with a fine six-knot breeze, the Grampus, Glatton, and Canton, struck suddenly on a shoal about. a musket-shot from us; the whole convoy was now thrown into the utmost confusion, no one knowing which way to steer, as the shoal at this moment was not known. Most of the ships hove to, and those which did not strike, had in general six fathoms water; we observed in a few minutes, that those three ships, after striking several times, (his Majesty's ship Grampus violently,) gradually deepened their water, till at length they passed over the tail of the shoal, and fortunately without receiving any material injury. We now found that it was Van Holland's bank or shoal which the ships struck on, and the following were the bearings, &c. Pulo Cecir de Mer E. S. E. S. Pulo Cecir de Terre Tackow Mountain 12. Latit. Longit. N. 17° E. N. 20° W.. 10 41' N. 108° 44 E. where we came the north side Here we found We this day made Pulo Aore, to an anchor, in a small bay on of the island, for twelve hours. a small village of Malays, who brought us off some cocoa-nuts and vegetables, the principal produce of the island. It is very high, and co vered with a close and lofty wood, which is said to contain several species of animals, that are completely preserved from the guns of the Europeans by the jungle and underwood. At midnight we got under weigh and steered for point Romania, passing through the cluster of isles that form the straits of Sincapore, with a fine |