Eleven years ago, following upon the bad season of 1862, a voluntary Sanatory Commission visited Pootoo, with the object of ascertaining its fitness for a sanatorium for residents in Shanghai, The Commission reported favourably, but nothing de finite followed, and only an occasional visitor sought to reap any of the advantages which were offered by the island. Chefoo came more into notice, and though dis tance and expense are against its general enjoyment as a seaside residence, two classes resort to it—first, those who must, as their only safety; and second, those who can and on whom the expense does not bear heavily. By far the larger proportion of Shanghai, however, cannot afford either the time or the money to make a summer trip to Chefoo; and the possibility of finding " place which would offer similar, though perhaps not equal, advantages, in a position admitting of frequent rather than prolonged visits, and attainable at a cost likely torenderit popular, is again being considered. Of the desirability of having such a sanatorium there can be no question.
Shanghai has no doubt improved as a place of residence, but though dangers and désagremens may be diminished, the effect of its summer climate on the foreign constitution must always be enervating. Too often we can note the result in the languid eve, the cheek Deserted of its bloom, the flaccid, shrank, And withered muscle, The claims of business have also become more exacting, while the financial results have as a rule been less satisfactory. The monotony of the mud flat oppresses the resident more than during the winter months; exercise is troublesome, and the relief of short up-country excursions is precluded by the heat. At no season does the unhappy Shanghaite crave and require change more, and at no season is he so restricted. The Band performances in the Garden are perhaps the most agreeable variety in his existence, but though they supply a large fund of pleasure, which in itself is something towards sustaining health, reinvigoration must be sought by actual change. The principle of re-creation in its wider sense, by change of residence, is now regarded at Home osone of the necessaries rather than of the luxuries of life, or at least as one of those things calculated. to conserve a man's health and usefulness; and provident people set apart a proportion of their income for it as they do fora life insurance policy. The rapidly depressing influence of the Shanghai summer it doubly important to the majority who must pass many years on moderate incomes in the East, and to those more particularly with families to provide for, that a seaside sanatorium should be within easy reach at a cheap rate; and to attain this desirable end, certain prominent citizens have lately been bestirring themselves, Following up some observations recently made with the same object in view, a party of twelve or fifteen, comprising Mr. G. Seward, the Senior Consul, who takes much interest in the project, and several other members of the Consular body, sides private gentlemen, have made a visit tothe islands outside Ningpo. By an arrangement with the 8. S. N. Co,'s Agents, the Shanse, which left here on Saturday afternoon, left Ningpo with the party early the following morning, for the islands. Sen house was reached about two o'clock, after run of eight hours against a strong tide, and here the party Ianded and devoted a short time to prospecting. They then steamed back to Napier Island, and anchored in a pleasant landlocked bay formed by the sheltering position of the Rafiles on the north, It was unfortunately low spring tide, but the steamer found good anchorage close to the island, and the party having landed by boat, walked along the ridge, and were rewarded by finding nice patches of beach, likely to tempt the bather, in sheltered situations on both sides of the island. The island itself is low and rolling, with admirable sites for building, in positions where the resident would have the full benefit of the monsoon and be able to command a magnificent sea view. A particularly eligible situation on the West side was found to be occupied by a fishing village of some 50 or 60 huts, the occupants of which civilly gave the information sought froma them, and pointed oura spring from which they got their water supply. Returning to where they landed, the party put the place to a practical test by having a bathe from the beach.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.