smoked. by individuals. Twenty years ago one who used two or three mace per diem was in Soochow considered a "heavy smoker"—moderate smokers used much less—now that amount is not considered extraordinary. Three or four mace is not spoken of as high and half-an ounce is nob uncommon. Six and seven mace are sometimes mentioned. When men are able to purchase opium by the ball and prepare it at home, as a general rule, they smoke inordiuatel 'A short time since at 5 p.m. I called on 'a young man of wealth, who, two years ago employed a foreigner to teach him English at $100 a month for two hours each afternoon. He is not up yet," said the janitor. "Is he sick "No; he smokes opium all night." How much 7" "An ounce a day." This would make two and one-half pounds avoirdupois a month, and that by one of weak constitution. A'short time afterwards I was in the house about sunset, and his wife said it was no uso trying to wake him; that his sleep was so sound, it amounted almost toa torpor prefiguring the sleep of death. How lon before the undertaker will be called in it is hard to say One of long experience affirms: The average daly consumption, tis increased three-fold within the last forty years and apparently it is to go on increasing." Used by the wholesale, opium is a dangoroup, commodity.
THE EASE WITH WHICH THE HABIT 18 YrxzD is also to be considered. Suppose at home our young men who with convivial companions make merry over the wine cup were to become habitual drunkards in a. couple of months' time, what would be the condition of England and Americn? This is frequently, yes, most generally the case, with those who visit the smoking dens for pleasure. In a brief period, quicker than most of the vices that are the bane of the human race, opium rivets its chains, and the habits clings to the victim for li A few years ago friends met at the teashops and sipped the national beverage, which, as they say, makes the eyes so bright;" now, the. invitati tothe opium den. Then men transacted business in the teashops; now they settle their affairs in the opium dons. Then a cup of tea was offered in the reception-hall; now, the opium pipe. "Treating" makes the fifth among the relations in China, that of friend to friend," a very dangerous one, as in this way temptation is constantly thrown in the path of persons of all ages.
Ifa man has been absent from the city, on his return the salutation ho receives the first day from a dozen friends, Have a whiff of opium?" "TI do not smoke." "But come, you must; we are all friends. Till pay for it." 'Thus many currents unite in sweeping the frail Lark of Chin manhood into the deep waters of an uncontrollable habit, 'The servant lies opposite his master and fills his pipe; the' son stands beside his father's divan, and
as well. imbibes the fumes and alas! the craving
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.