Hongkong, 27th February.
The Past Week has boon devoted in great part to the annual Race Meeting, which is the one great holiday of the year in this colony, and which leads to suspension of business not less general than that indueed by China New Year. This year it was generally observed, partly because business is so dull that the seeker after the merry Mexican was glad of an excuse for directing his attention from a somowhat wearisome task The Races, which were held on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th inst., were very successful and were largely attended. The ladies mustered strongly, and their bright costumes lent colour to the scene in the enclosure. The contre was well filled with natives, but for some reason the attendance of the soldiers and sailors was scanty, and fow uniforms wore visible. The weather was glorious throughout, and the "off day" (to-day) will certainly be no exception, being very fine and a trifle warm. The most suocessful stable was that of Mr. Buxey, who was fortunate enough to score ten wins, including the Derby. and the Champions. The Ladies' Purso fell to Mr. John Peel, who won with Set, Mr. Johnstone being up. The latter rode in very easy style and scored one win on his own account, namely the Professional Cup on Wednesday. Mr. Paul, a now aspirant to fame, carried off the German Cup with Fiscal, and the same pony won another race, Mr. Master secured two of the Waler Races. The fields were good in almost every instance and many of the finishes close and exciting. Altogether excellent sport was afforded.
The arrangements were excellent and everything went well, bit one blemish must be recorded, which I may remark was much noticed by visitors from your port. I allude to the presence in the enclosure of a large number of coolies, amahs, and natives of doubtful character, who made themselves more prominent than was either desirable or agreeable. There is no reason why well-dressed and well-behaved Chinese, should not be admitted to the enclosure, but their servants and coolies should not be allowed there, much less to push to the front among' those who have paid for admission. I am told you manage these things better in Shanghai, and I can well believe it, for we are oxceedingly lax in our management of. the native mob. If there is a review on, or some distinguished visitor landing, the gamins are allowed to take charge, and the guardians of the peace look indulgently on. So badly was, the Emperor of China's brother mobbed when he landed here to go to the Chinese Club that I am assured he objected to face the ordeal a second time. It is all very well to treat the Chinese with kindness, but the mob—a very rude one—should least be kept within limits and taught to respect their superiors. I put this down to the absolute want of all respect for those in authority innate in the Oantonese. The mandarins endeavour to implant it—with small success—by tho.aid Of the lictors. We calmly give up the task.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.