Five of the number of deaths shewn in the foregomg Table, were by vio lence, viz-two prisoners were shot by the sentry, attempting an escape from prison; and three were killed by a fall of stone, while at work on the roads. The Table exhibits the number of persons who have reported themselves sick during each month, and who have consequently been visited by the Colonial Surgeon. In most instances, it should be observed, (and this is especially the case amongst the Indian policemen) the sickness was so slight as to require only for its cure a night's undisturbed rest. Amongst the prisoners, the prevailing complaints were of Itch, Secondary Venereal Eruptions, and Scorbutic Ulcerations of the legs, toes, and fingers. The Table, therefore, records a greater number of cases of sickness than really deserved the designation. The aggregate of the monthly returns of sick, both as regards the Police and the Prisoners, would afford a very faliacious estimate of the number of men actually sick, inasmuch as severe or chronic cases remain on the report from one month to another, and would count as separate cases. To obviate a misunderstanding on this point, the following Table is annexed. TABLE NO. 2.- Shewing the number of Policemen, &c., and Prisoners actually Sick in 1847; the number of Deaths, and the per centage of Deaths to the number of cases of Sickness. TABLE No. 3-Shewing the number of Policemen, &c., employed; the number of Prisoners the number of Deaths and the proportion of Deaths to the number of persons in 1847. Total No. of Total No. of Prisoners 57 87 24❘ 86 102 318 674 19 2.70 It will be seen that Table No. 2 shews a greater number of sick, amongst the Indian police than, by Table No. 3, appear to have been actually employed. This discrepancy is accounted for by the fact of frequent changes occurring in this part of the force, by dismissals or resignations. TABLE NO. 4.-The number and proportion of Deaths of all those employed by Goverment; including Government Officers, Policemen, their Wives and Chi'd ren, Overseers of Roads, and Prisoners, in Hongkong, during the year 1847 Total No. of Persons Year The foregoing Table must be regarded as uncertain. The attendance on the heads of departments has been withdrawn from the Colonial Surgeon; and the subordinate officers are required to pay for their own medicines. A few of the latter, I believe, consult other medical men, who are willing to include in the price of medicines supplied to their patients, their advice. Thus a large proportion of Government officers are withdrawn from the attendance and cognizance of the Colonial Surgeon, whose only information, regarding the nature and progress of their diseases, is deduced from rumour. TABLE NO 6-The entire population of Hongkong, and proportion of Deaths amongst people of all Nations, in the year 1847. Entire No. of Deaths of Per- Proportion of 23,872 282 TABLE No. 6-Shewing the fixed European population in Hongkong, during the year 1947, and the proportion of Deaths. 1,14 per Cent. TABLE NO. 7.-The comparative Sickness and Mortality. for the last three years amongst persons employed by Government; including Policemen, &c, and Pris oners. The last Table (No. 7) exhibits the numerical mortality in maximum, and the population in minimum. This arises from the migratory habits of Indians, who triple the fixed returns of numbers of souls annually. Notwithstanding this unfavourable calculation, it will be observed, that there is in 1847 a decrease of 50 per cent. of sickness, amongst persons employed by Government below the two preceding years, and a considerable diminution in the rate of mortality. From the European population and deaths, given in Table. 6, I have excluded the seamen, who have no claim to be regarded as constituting a part of the fixed population of this colony. The deaths invariably occur in those who arrive in this port sick, and they die from sickness contracted on their voyage. It must be admitted that the Tables cannot lay claim to great accuracy; yet they will afford, it is hoped, a very fair criterion of the state of health and disease in the Colony during the last year. In the Table No. 7, a very large allowance has been made for sickness in that class of which no record of sickness has been kept.-the Civil officers of Government; notwithstanding this extended calculation, a remarkable impro vement in the health of this department is shewn. Referring to Table No. 5, which must be regarded as the most important of the whole, it will be seen, that the rate of mortality, in proportion to the whole population of Hongkong in 1847, was i 14 per cent. In the year 1841, the rate 2.7. of mortality in the county of Cumberland, was 2.1 per cent.; and in Middlesex The proportion of deaths throughout England and Wales in 1839, was 2.1 per cent, or nearly double that of the Island of Hongkong in 1847, whose insalubrity has been the theme of universal invective. .. There can be no doubt that the first colonization of this Island was attended with disastrous consequences to our countrymen and soldiers; and the ravages of the "Hongkong Fever"-in my opinion a modified form of Cholera-were as fearful as similar visitations have been in other parts of the world. The idea of this fearful epidemic being the product of malaria from decomposing granite," is founded on an ignorance of both Chemistry and Geology. It is much more reasonable to ascribe it to the influence of an atmosphere, which had never been subjected to the purifying influence of civilization and animal reapiration; to the unprotected state of the inhabitants; and the physical exhaustion of the soldiers, after a long campaign, in a burning sun, and undrained swampy country. Since these times, the merchants and others have protected their own healths, and those employed by them, by houses constructed, without regard to expense, in a manner in every respect calculated to counteract the inju rious influence of the climate. The ground on which they stand has been perfectly drained and thus these princely edifices have contributed in a great degree to the general salubrity of Hongkong. The soldiers, too often the sources of epidemics, have become here remarkable for their healthfulness; and, this improvement is to be ascribed in a great measure, if not entirely, to the magnificent construction of the Barracks and Hospital, which will remain as lasting monuments to the ability, liberality, and efficiency of the military government of Major General D'Aguilar and his staff. Dr Young, my predecessor in office, informs me that all diseases in the colony have appeared, during the last year, in a mitigated forin, and their prevailing character has been Hepatic. Fever has presented no local peculiarities and its type has been generally mild The colony has been entirely exempt from epidemics. My short experience corroborates Dr. Young's statement. Hepatitis, either acute or subacute, the immediate consequence of the poison of malaria, has, according to Dr. Young's observation, been the prevailing malady; and he has remarked, that it has invariably terminated in general symptoms of fever or dysentery. This latter disease certainly presents itselt in this climate in a most alarmning and unyielding character, and is the most serious consummation of the disease of the liver, alluded to by Dr. Young. It may not. I hope, be irrelevant to offer the conjecture, that symptoms, too often referred to functional disorder of the liver, should be more correctly as cribed to the commencement of lesion in the centre of the sympathetic system of nerves, the "Semilunar Ganglion" I refer to the opinion to shew the foundation of my belief that mercury is too freely used by the Eastern practitioners in the treatment of disease. A careful perusal of the statistics embodied in this report, will, I trust, establish the comparative salubrity of this colony, and tend, amongst other advantages to relieve the life insurence offices in England from those embarrassments which they experience when application is made to them by persons about to proceed to Hongkong, and induce them to reduce their rate of pre mium The improvement I have indicated must be ascribed in a great degree to the sanatory measures which have been taken by government. The admirable drains which intersect this town, have converted the very sou ces of disease These works have certainly been costly yet iminto accessaries to health provements made with the view to the preservation of the public health, are economical at last, if they be well done at first Every public institution, constructed with a view to the iminediate saving of money, has been, and will continue to be, productive of ulterior expense. I am sorry to classify the jail and police stations under the failures alluded to. The climate of this Colony is, with such precautions as people may avail themselves of or the government afford, one of the most salubrious in the East. Improvements are yet required. The bold and efficient system of draining which has been commenced, inust yet be, extended and especially in the western part of the town, where the Chinese whose habits are most uncleanly, principally reside. It is a well known principle in physiology, that there is an intimate relation and dependence subsisting between animal and vegetable respiration. It may be stated as a general rule, that where there is a relative sufficiency of animal and vegetable life, the products of the respiration of the former are consumed and appropriated by the latter, and vice versa. By this beautiful relation of influences, the air is kept in a perpetual state of purity. When either remark. ably preponderates, the air becomes loaded with poisonous gases. I would, therefore, presume to suggest that the practice of planting rows of trees along the sides of the roads, already commenced in Victoria, has been most insuffici ently craried out, and that the health and comfort of the community will be greatly promoted by more attention to this point. WILLIAM MORRISON, F.R.C.S. Victoria, Hongkong, Feb. 26, 1848. ATR. IV. Journal of Occurrences; general remarks; government notifications: robbery and executions; transport of grain; nautical observation; deaths. Our dates from Shanghái are to June 6th. The weather was still cool, although there had been a few hot days. The British consul was experiencing some embarrassment in consequence of certain of H. B. M.s subjects having gone into the country beyond the prescribed limits. At Wisung the holders of opium, it was said, had been receiving large sums for the drug-$900, and upwards, per chest. The following paragraphs are under date, as above, June 6th "Thus far the results of Mr. Alcock's policy, in sustaining the rights and liberties of his countrymen, are most satisfactory. Kiying is said to have sent him a very saucy note, which no doubt was duly answered. At present the consul finds it no easy matter to keep his own people-I mean the Queen's good and loyal subjects-within the proper limits. These proper limits are, it is very evident, going to be a source of constant trouble. Mark my word. "Regarding the situation of Tsing pú, one thing is certain-it can be visit. ed by parties from Shanghai within the period of twenty-four hours. Several gentlemen, who have visited that city, have assured me that it can be reached in less than twelve hours, and that their visits have been made within the prescribed time-24 hours. I have been told that a servant of Dr. Medhurst, who left Tsingpú as late as three o'clock in the afternoon, of the 8th of March, reached Yangking Páng about midnight, travelling on foot. Foreigners, however, always go in boats, a much more easy and expeditious mode of traveling than on foot or on horseback. One gentlemen has informed me that he has been to "the hills" and back in twelve hours. These hills are some five or six miles this side of Tsingpú. "It is to me a matter of regret that foreign governments have undertaken ty set limits in this manner. However, since the thing has been done, and it is "so written in the bond ", better submit, even if it be to our own hurt. I do not believe the emperor of China has a right to exclude foreigners from the highways and the high seas; but if our plenipotentiaries have negotiated and allowed him so to do-then let us yield to the powers that be, and endure the wrong and not become the transgressors of the laws. "Within a few days I have had a visit from Shanteh, once a student of the Anglo-Chinese college at Malacca, and afterwards interpreter to H. I. M.s government in Peking. He was on his way from Peking to Hángchau, where he is to wait for the office of magistrate, having been thus appointed by the emperor. He was about forty-five days from Peking. When he left there, wheat was selling at 1000 cash a pecul; rice was two taels and one mace. The grain junks of course had not then arrived at Tientsin. He saw no Dollars beyond Chinkiáng fú. In Peking a tael of silver would buy 2200 cash.' The following notices are quoted from the China Mail. GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION. Whereas the attention of His Excellency, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., has been called to the fact that British Vessels have heretofore been employed in convoying Chinese Junks on voyages along the Coast of China, and inasmuch as it has also been represented that acts of very questionable legality have taken place while such convoys were so employed: His Excellency deems it right to direct the attention of the Masters of such Convoys to the serious risk and grave responsibilities to which they subject themselves while engaged in this service on their own authority, and to remind them that they undoubtedly render themselves liable to Actions both of a Civil and Criminal nature for any illegal acts that they may commit, as well as for all consequences that may arise therefrom. By Order, A. R. JOHNSTON. Victoria, Hongkong, 29th May, 1848. British Consulate office, Shanghái, 23d May, 1848. NOTIFICATION. It is reported that more than one party of Foreigners, among whom were British subjects, have recently made excursions, in direct and flagrant violation of the VI. Article of the Supplementary Treaty Such proceedings on the part of British subjects, were they not otherwise aa aimless as they are unlawful, can only tend to place H. M.'s Government in a false position with the Chinese authorities, and deprive the former of the protection claimed for them on the faith of Treaties. It is for the British to set the example of scrupulous respect for the Treaties, under which they clain advantages often repugnant to the Chinese. If H. M.'s Government and their authorities in this country cannot secure this result, and keep within lawful limits and controul one or two hundred individuals, the Chinese Local Authorities may well plead reasonable excuse when they fail in the same duty with millions under their jurisdiction. It cannot be concealed that acts such as those reported are an open reproach to H. M.'s Government; and it is a subject of deep regret to the Consul that any just cause of complaint should be afforded to the Chinese Authorities or People, more especially at the present moment, while the rigorous enforcenent of British Treaty rights at this Port, is still fresh in their memory Nothing could be better calculated to weaken their respect for British honour and nationality, or more effectually serve to diminish the security which is based upon good faith. H. M.'s Consul must hold such bootless infractions the more indefensible, that the tendency of affairs at this Port is gradually to enlarge the limits and remove restrictions by legitimate means-these have indeed been already relaxed by authority on several occasions, upon good and sufficient reason shewn, as exceptional cases. Whatever may be the advantages anticipated from a freer access into the |