and rapid fortunes were made in supplying house accommodation to the Chinese, who flocked thither lor protection. The relief of Soochow, however, by the troops under Colonel Gordon, brought with it a time of reaction, as the new Chinese quarter was deserted by the refugees, and the houses left tenantlcss. The place, however, soon recovered itself, and has since continued to progress. The published trade statistics show that the commerce of Shanghai has been steadily on the increase. The nature of the trade has, however, changed, as a part of the foreign trade is passing into the hands of Chinese merchants, who have readily adopted the use of telegraphs and steamers in carrying on their business operations. No. 7 shows the condition of the Bund in front of the British concession in 1869. It has been much improved since that time by the erection of imposing buildings, and by the laying-out of a public garden on the waste land in the foreground. The foreign houses, when seen from the river, present a very striking appearance, partaking, as they do, of a variety of massive and graceful designs. The British concession occupies a space nearly square, facing the stream, and surrounded by creeks; the roads run almost parallel to the Bund, and have others which cross them at right angles, and thus the actual settlement is divided into all but rectangular blocks. The roads parallel with the Bund are now named after the provinces of the Empire, in proper order from east to west, while the cross streets are called after the chief cities, following in similar order from north to south. Thus we have the " Flowery Land " in miniature, with these important differences — good roads, properly paid officials, and a responsible and efficient local government The American concession is contained in a strip of land on the north, to be approached by a bridge over the Soochow Creek; while the French are found on a plot to the south between the British concession and the native city. The settlement has now extensive suburbs dotted with picturesque villa residences standing in their own garden ground. It also boasts a splendid club, and other societies of various sorts for the promotion of art, science, literature, and good fellowship. During the proper season, shooting is a favourite pastime among the residents, as the surrounding country abounds in hares, pheasants, partridges, quails and snipe, while water fowl may be met in numbers on the creeks and inland lakes. During the winter months the climate is cold and bracing; in summer the temperature averages go Fahrenheit. Shanghai, notwithstanding the summer heat, is in all respects one of the most agreeable ports in China.
Note. — I am indebted to Mr. Smith, of the Shanghai American Mission, for a translation of facts connected with the early history of Shanghai, taken from the Chinese work, " The Mirror of History."
