Still, little by little, the Potomac crept towards the north, until Saturday, the twelfth, when a brisk breeze from the southwest came curling along the ocean's surface, and the water was once more seen foaming around the bows of the Potomac. Hitherto, the sick-list had continued on the increase, and dreary indeed was the prospect which the gundeck presented, with its double row of cots. Few that have not been on the lone ocean, with a malignant disease raging on board, can form any just conception of the scene of misery that five hundred souls, cooped up in the narrow limits of a ship, in such a climate, presents! Ever and anon, the dreary sound of the boatswain's voice could be heard, calling all hands to bury the dead. This at-all-times-melancholy note, was dreadfully so, when each day another and another was added to the list of those who had already fallen victims to the relentless disease.

The Potomac was this day in latitude 10° 45′ north, and, for the first time on this lingering passage, the tedious monotony under which every one languished was relieved by the exhilarating announcement from the mast-head, of "Sail, ho!" A sail is always a grateful sight at sea; and, at this time, it was rendered doubly so from the dreariness of the Potomac's passage. "A sail!"-What emotions are called forth at the sound!-what a tumult of feeling! A fellow-pilgrim on the great highway of nations-perhaps from home-from our own dear native land.. May she not be the bearer of letters-news-something to excite, to relieve the mind? But there was nothing of this to call up our softer feelings at this time. She was a stranger-but a stranger on a weary voyage, like that of the Potomac-and this alone was sufficient to call forth the kindred feelings of fellowship.

Reader, in order to appreciate the feeling, it is necessary to be placed, at least in imagination, in a similar situation. Seest thou that small white speck on the distant horizon, rising and falling like some small sea-bird?-It is the bark of the daring sailor!Mark the white folds of her upper canvass! The breeze is fair, and on we dash to greet her. Now, her topsails, courses, and all her high and tapering spars, stand forth in perfect symmetry! From her peak flutters, in deep red folds, her brightly-gleaming ensign! It bears the cross of St. George! It is the flag of Old England.

The Potomac approached the stranger in a gallant and courteous style, and the customary salutations were mutually interchanged. She was a fine, fast-sailing bark, built in Calcutta, and expressly intended to encounter the contrary currents and monsoons of these seas. Again were the sails of the Potomac filled by the freshening breeze, and as she waved a graceful adieu, her band on deck saluted the stranger with "God save the King." This passing compliment was received with an enthusiastic burst of feeling. In an instant the bark's numerous passengers swarmed upon deck-every hat was off-her topsails were lowered, as a mark of reciprocal courtesy-as the stars and stripes waved closely past her, the music ceased, and three hearty cheers from the stranger were as cordially reciprocated from the American frigate.

These little incidents and nautical civilities, though trifling in themselves, are not unimportant in their effects; as they tend to smooth down the rough edges of national prejudice. In addition to this, the excitement was highly pleasing, and a great relief to that apathy of feeling which was so generally experienced by all on board the Potomac.

The breeze continued faithful, so that on Wednesday, the sixteenth, the Potomac was in latitude 19° 3' north, longitude 115° As the sun's north declination was also this day 19° 3', at twelve meridian, the Potomac was under a vertical sun. On the following day she made that point of land which is generally the first seen on a passage to Canton, known by the name of the Ass's Ears; it derives that appellation from two peaks rising from a small island, which, seen at a distance, bear a strong resemblance to the ears of a donkey.

On Friday, the eighteenth, the Potomac passed near the Ladrone Islands, in front of Canton Bay, that celebrated haunt of robbers and pirates, so long the dread of merchant vessels bound to Canton. Soon after, a boat came alongside with a Chinese pilot, to whose professional guidance the charge of the ship was partially given up. He could speak English, and called his name Jemmy Thompson.

The entrance into Macao Roads is neither dangerous nor difficult. As the frigate advanced, numerous islands opened to view, not elevated, and mostly barren, with only here and there a few

green patches, which afforded a great relief to eyes that had so long no object on which to rest, save the smooth deep or the rolling billow. Numerous boats were now seen lying on the water, or moving from one island to another, and crossing each other's tracks in a thousand directions. Long before midnight, the Potomac was in the midst of a numerous fleet of boats; and as they were constantly in motion, it required the utmost attention from the lookout and helmsman to avoid running them down. Indeed, such an accident could not have been prevented, had the night been obscure or dark, instead of a brilliant moonlight. It was twelve at night before the frigate came to anchor in Macao Roads.

CHAPTER XVIII.

China-Town of Macao-Lintin Island and Bay-Opium Smugglers-The Commodore's Excursion to Canton-Inhabitants of Lintin-Small Feet of the Chinese Women-Religious Ceremonies-The Potomac ordered to Depart by the Chinese Authorities-Second Excursion to Canton-Passage up the River-Forts, Pagodas, Scenery, &c.-Wampoa, aquatic Population, &c.-Wonderful Skill of the Pilots The Factories at Canton-Hospitable reception of the Party-The great Temple, or Jos-house-The officiating Priests-The Jos Pigs, clerical Cells, Gardens, &c.-The great Bazar-Dramatic Performances-Anniversary of the Snake-boat-Police of Canton-Its Walls and Gates-Forcing an EntranceThe Hong Merchant's expedition in Business-Mode of Computation-Description of Canton-Return of the Party.

THE town of Macao is in latitude 22° 13′ north, longitude 113° 46' east. The city of Canton is about sixty miles further inland, in the direction of north-northwest. The whole bay, or estuary, is thickly studded with rugged and barren islands. Macao is on the west side of the entrance; built on a peninsula, which is almost an island,. being joined to the main by a very narrow isthmus, across which is erected a barrier or wall, about two miles north of the town, being the limit prescribed to the ceded territory, to prevent any intercourse between the Portuguese and the liege subjects and citizens of the Celestial Empire. This barrier was constructed in fifteen hundred and seventy-three, and the heaviest penalties were threatened to those who passed it in either direction. These restrictions, however, have gradually fallen into disuse, and are not at all regarded at present.

This site, for a commercial establishment, was ceded to the Portuguese as a recompense for an essential service they had rendered the Emperor of China. About the year fifteen hundred and thirty-eight, a pirate of notorious daring and success, having under his command a considerable naval force, took possession of this peninsula, and was thereby enabled to block up the southern ports of China, and even extended his audacity so far as to lay siege to Canton !

In this extremity, the neighbouring Mandarins applied for as

sistance to the Portuguese, who had an establishment at Sancian, an island on the coast, with several ships of war in the harbour, which were instantly despatched against the pirates. The Portuguese proved victorious, and raised the siege, and pursued the piratical chief as far as Macao, where he put a termination to his own existence. His band, however, or a nautical banditti of a similar class, long continued to infest the islands, coasts, and rivers in the neighbourhood, even until the year eighteen hundred and ten, when they were effectually subdued by the joint efforts of the Portuguese, English, and Chinese.

When the Emperor of China was informed of the service which the Portuguese had rendered him on this occasion, he bestowed on them the Peninsula of Macao, as a mark of his gratitude. They had long wished to establish themselves upon a footing more solid than the one they had at Sancian;* and now proceeded with avidity to build a town on their new territory, which soon became very flourishing, being most advantageously situated for prosecuting a trade with Japan. It is defended by three forts.

The approach to Macao, from the sea, is very beautiful in the daytime, and is not without its charms by a brilliant moonlight. It was midnight when the frigate came to anchor in the road. The following morning brought with it novelty, if nothing more. The fleet of little boats were all in motion. The land around seemed broken into a thousand hills, covered with stinted verdure. Macao, though distant, looked beautiful and highly picturesque. Every thing was new to the beholder, and strikingly characteristic of a foreign land. One reason, perhaps, why China, and every thing connected with it, imparts the idea of wonderful, is, that each stranger who visits this country is previously determined to be astonished at every thing he sees and hears; nor will strange things be wanting!

Early in the morning, an officer was sent to communicate with the authorities of the town of Macao; and while he was still absent on that duty, the Potomac's anchor was weighed, and her sails loosed. On the boat's return with the officer, the frigate was

Sancian is an island of China, on the coast of Quang-tong (Canton), forty miles in circumference, famous for being the burial-place of Francis Xavier, whose tomb is to be seen on a small hill.

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