long ago two vessels were wrecked, and their crews made prisoners. The
natives marched them off to their capital, somewhere in the middle of
the island, several days' journey from the coast, and there they kept
them prisoners for many months. Some were Englishmen, others Lascars,
to the number of forty or fifty. The lives of a few were saved, but
they cut off the heads of all the others, declaring they were those of
barbarians killed in warfare; and it is said that the chief officers who
commanded this massacre gained great credit, and many rewards for their
bravery. The others were carried away to Nangking, and were there going
to be killed; but the English expedition came out, and were just in time
to save their lives.--I don't like the Chinese," continued the captain.
"They are treacherous, conceited, inhospitable to strangers, grossly
superstitious, heartless, and cruel, though perhaps they may not be said
to be bloodthirsty. Their streets are dirty in the extreme, and their
houses are not much better. However, it cannot be denied that they are
very industrious and persevering, and that a Chinaman will make a living
where a man of another nation will starve."

Note. The English have now a settlement in Formosa.

"Perhaps, when we come to know them better, we may find exceptions to
this description," observed Mr Hooker. "Probably we shall discover
noble and high-minded men, according to the light that is in them, in
China as elsewhere. I do not know that all English towns are models of
cleanliness; and certainly, if left to the care of the ordinary
inhabitants, many would be found as bad as those in China."

At length the high land of the south end of Japan hove in sight. As the
ship stood on towards the harbour of Nagasaki, we were all eagerly
looking out on the beautiful scenery which presented itself. In many
parts the coast is bold, in other places it rises from the beach in
gentle hills covered with apparently impenetrable forests. The narrow
entrance to the harbour now appeared, between lofty overhanging hills
covered with rich vegetation. As Captain Davenport had been there
before, and the wind was fair, we stood boldly on till a pilot appeared,
when sail was shortened to allow him to come on board. On either side,
wherever the ground would allow it, the land seemed cultivated to the
summit of the highest hills. Here and there, however, the muzzles of
guns were seen protruding from amidst gre