A recent missionary tour to the districts of Nanchuanhsien and Fuchou has revealed, the fact that opium is now being cultivated almost' universally in those' bedutiful'regions. Within the writer's memory tha Production ofthe poppy must have doubled, and it is small wonder that the price of food keeps high. As for the city of Fuchor, itself; it is true that all the decent, inns within the city walls have been converted into" Tu Hao, and the local' trade in the drug must be immense. A yamen official, supplied the information that in Fachou alone during the past twelve months no leas in 28 roan of silver (Tls. 280,000) had been paid in the form of likin upon opium exports from the district! Add to this the quantity that is smuggled: (which, however, no one can accurately determine), and the further quantity that is honestly passed. through the foreign Customs, and. one.may fairly stand aghast at the terrible wth of this baneful trade. It is alleged that not less than 80 per cent of the population in these two districts are given. over to the habit, and from what was seen on the tour referred to, there is every reason to believe that itis not an exaggerated estimate. Old and young are addicted to the pipe, and some' of the cases which fell under the traveller's own observation were very pitiful and very sad. It is now in the writer's judgment more clear than ever that this province is. fast going to the dogs just because of its opium. cultivation. The district is, altogether lovely, and ought to produce men and, women ofa higher stamp then opium cata! There, is no time to speak of the few other
jand resin sticks for night lights. The such as ploy manuel pa er thods, industries that were to be seen in progress,
first two count for little in the district, everywhere. Large pine, trees are. barked, but, He. ae would seem to, and the pine trees in the neighbourhood are very fine and' very numerous, an the resin allowed to ooze. out when, it is, collected and smeared on sticks which, when dried, are sold for so many cash per bundle of twenty. The resin stick is. quite the favourite night light of the district, Its use is.universal. Your readers. probabl know the method by which rough paper is. made by the nation. The operation has been elsewhere described, and is altogether most primitive and interesting, But there. is very little. of it made in. the district of, Nanchuan which relies upon Chungking for ita chief essentials. The whole scenery of the place would do. no discredit tothe Highlands of Scot
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.