cent. on the profits of such share of the adventure, generally a considerable one, in which they are concerned. The pilot receives for the voyage 200 dollars of wages, and 50 piculs of freight out and home. The helmsman has 15 piculs of freight and no wages. The captains of the anchor and the hold have 9 piculs of freight each; and the seamen 7 piculs each. None of these have any wages. The officers and seamen of the colonial junks are differently rewarded. In a Siamese junk, for example, trading between the Siamese capital and Singapore, of 6,000 piculs burden, the commander and pilot had each 100 dollars for the voyage, with 12 piculs of freight apiece. The accountant and helmsman had half of this allowance, and each seaman had 13 dollars, with 5 piculs of freight.

"In construction and outfit, Chinese junks are clumsy and awkward in the extreme. The Chinese are quite unacquainted with navigation, saving the knowledge of the compass: notwithstanding this, as their pilots are expert, their voyages short, and as they hardly ever sail except at the height of the monsoons, when a fair and steady 7 or 8 knots' breeze carries them directly from port to port, the sea risk is very small. During 13 years' acquaintance with this branch of trade, I can recollect hearing of but 4 shipwrecks; and in all these instances the crews were saved.

"The construction and rigging of a Chinese junk may be looked upon as her proper registry, and they are a very effectual one; for the least deviation from them would subject her at once to foreign charges and foreign duties, and to all kinds of suspicion. The colonial junks, which are of a more commodious form and outfit, if visiting China, are subjected to the same duties as foreign vessels. Junks, built in Siam, or any other adjacent country, if constructed and fitted out after the customary model, are admitted to trade to China upon the same terms as those built and owned in the country. If any part of the crew consist of Siamese, Cochin Chinese, or other foreigners, the latter are admitted only at the port of Canton; and if found in any other part of China, would be seized and taken up by the police exactly in the same manner as if they were Europeans. The native trade of China conducted with foreign countries is not a clandestine commerce, unacknowledged by the Chinese laws, but has in every case at least the express sanction of the viceroy or governor of the province, who, on petition, decides the number of junks that shall be allowed to engage in it; and even enumerates the articles which it shall be legal to export and import. At every port, also, where such a foreign trade is sanctioned, there is a hong or body of security merchants as at Canton; a fact which shows clearly enough that this institution is parcel of the laws or customs of China, and not a peculiar restraint imposed upon the intercourse with Europeans.

"The Chinese junks properly constructed pay no nieasurement duty, and no cumshaw or present; duties, however, are paid upon goods exported and imported, which seem to differ at the different provinces. They are highest at Amoy, and lowest in the island of Hainan. The Chinese traders of Siam informed me that they carried on the fairest and easiest trade, subject to the fewest restrictions, in the ports of Ningpo and Siang-hai in Chekiang, and Soutcheon in Kiannan. Great dexterity seems every where to be exercised by the Chinese in evading the duties. One practice, which is very often followed, will afford a good example of this. The coasting trade of China is nearly free from all duties and other imposts. The merchant takes advantage of this; and intending in reality to proceed to Siam or Cochin China, for example, clears a junk out for the island of Hainan, and thus avoids the payment of duties. When she returns she will lie 4 or 5 days off the mouth of the port, until a regular bargain be made with the Custom-house officers for the reduction of duties. The threat held out in such cases is to proceed to another port, and thus deprive the public officers of their customary perquisites. I was assured of the frequency of this practice by Chinese merchants of Cochin China, as well as by several commanders of junks at Singapore. From the last-named persons I had another fact of some consequence, as connected with the Chinese trade; viz. that a good many of the junks, carrying on trade with foreign ports to the westward of China, often proceeded on voyages to the northward in the same season. In this manner they stated that about 20 considerable junks, besides a great many small ones, proceeded annually from Canton to Souchong, one of the capitals of Kiannan, and in wealth and commerce the rival of Canton, where they sold about 200 chests of opium at an advance of 50 per cent. beyond the Canton prices. Another place where the Canton junks, to the number of 5 or 6, repair annually, is Chinchew, in the province of Canton, within the Gulf of Pecheley, or Yellow Sea, and as far north as the 37th degree of latitude.”—(Appendix, Report of 1830, p. 295.)

A Chinese ship or junk is seldom the property of one individual. Sometimes 40, 50, or even 100 different merchants purchase a vessel, and divide her into as many different compartments as there are partners; so that each knows his own particular part in the ship, which he is at liberty to fit up and secure as he pleases. The bulk-heads, by which these divisions are formed, consist of stout planks, so well caulked as to be completely water-tight. A ship thus formed may strike on a rock, and yet sustain no serious injury; a leak springing in one division of the hold will not be attended with any damage to articles placed in another; and, from her firmness, she is qualified to resist a more than ordinary shock. A considerable loss of stowage is, of course, sustained; but the Chinese exports generally contain a considerable value in small bulk. It is only the very largest class of junks that have so many owners; but even in the smallest class the number is very considerable..

Population of China.-The most conflicting accounts have been given of the population of the Chinese empire. According to the statement of the Chinese authorities, it was found, by a census taken in 1813, to amount, for China Proper, to 367,821,000! Vast as this number must certainly appear, it does not, taking the prodigious extent of territory over which it is spread into account, give more than 268 individuals to a square mile,—a density inferior to that of several European countries. It is said that the inhabitants are in the practice of under-rating their numbers in their returns to government.-(Companion to Anglo-Chinese Calendar, p. 156.) We are, however, wholly without the means of coming to any positive conclusion as to the degree of credit to be attached to the census.

Price Current.-A perusal of the subjoined Price Current, published at Canton, the 1st of December, 1832, will give the reader a tolerable notion of the various articles and their prices in the Canton mar ket, at the very height of the shipping season.

[We find the following account of the Teas and Silks exported from Canton to the United States between June 30th, 1837, and the same date in 1838.

The above amount of teas is stated to be about 10,000 chests less than the average of the six years preceding.-Am. Ed.]

CANVAS (Fr. Toile à voile, Ger. Segeltuch; It. Canevazza, Lona; Rus. Parussnoe poletno, Parussina; Sp. Lona), unbleached cloth of hemp or flax, chiefly used for sails for shipping. Masters of ships are required to make entry of all foreign-made sails and cordage, not being standing or running rigging, in use on board their respective ships, under a penalty of 1001. Sails in actual use, and fit and necessary for such ship, are imported free; but when otherwise disposed of, they are liable to an ad valorem duty of 20 per cent.—3 & 4 Will. 4. c. 56.) It had been the practice for a considerable period to grant bounties on the exportation of canvas or sail-cloth; these, however, finally ceased on the 1st of January, 1832. By an act passed in the reign of Geo. 2., new sails were ordered to be stamped with the maker's name and place of abode; but this regulation was repealed by the 10 Geo. 4. c. 43. § 9.

CAOUTCHOUC. "This substance, which has been improperly termed elastic gum, and vulgarly, from its common application to rub out pencil marks on paper, India rubber, is obtained from the milky juice of different plants in hot countries. The chief of these are the Jatropha elastica, and Urceola elastica. The juice is applied in successive coatings on a mould of clay, and dried by the fire or in the sun; and when of a sufficient thickness, the mould is crushed, and the pieces shaken out. Acids separate the caoutchouc from the thinner part of the juice at once, by coagulating it. The juice of old plants yields nearly two thirds of its weight; that of younger plants less. Its colour, when fresh, is yellowish white, but it grows darker by exposure to the air. The elasticity of this substance is its most remarkable property; when warmed, as by immersion in hot water, slips of it may be drawn out to 7 or 8 times their original length, and will return to their former dimensions nearly. Cold renders it stiff and rigid, but warmth restores its original elasticity. Exposed to the fire, it softens, swells up, and burns with a bright flame. In Cayenne it is used to give light as a candle."-(Ure's Dictionary.)

Caoutchouc promises to become an article of very considerable importance. M. de la Condamine, who was one of the first to communicate authentic information with respect to it, mentions, that, owing to its being impervious to water, it was made into boots by the Indians.-(Voyage de la Rivière des Amazones, p. 76.) It is now employed in a similar way here. Means have, within these few years, been discovered of reducing it to a state of solution; and when thin filaments of it are spread over cloth, or any other substance, it is rendered impervious alike to air and water. Air cushions and pillows are manufactured in this way; as are water-proof cloaks, hats, boots, shoes, &c. It is also extensively used in the manufacture of braces and other articles which it is desirable should possess considerable elasticity; and there can be little doubt that it will be employed still more extensively, and in a still greater variety of ways.

Previously to 1830, the importations of caoutchouc were comparatively inconsiderable. In that year they amounted to about 52,000 lbs; while, during the year ended the 5th of April, 1833, the quantity entered for consumption amounted to 178,676 lbs. Its price varies from 6d. to 2s. 6d. per lb. The duty has been judiciously reduced from 5d. per lb. to 1s. per cwt.

CAPERS (Fr. Capres; Ger. Kappern; Du. Kappers; It. Cappari; Sp. Alcaparras; Rus. Kaperszü; Lat. Capparis), the pickled buds of the Capparis spinosa, a low shrub, generally growing out of the joints of old walls, and the fissures of rocks, in most of the warm parts of Europe. Capers are imported into Great Britain from different parts of the Mediterranean; the best from Toulon in France. Some small salt capers come from Majorca, and a few flat ones from about Lyons. The duty of 6d. per lb. on capers produced, in 1832, 1,553l. 5s. 4d. nett, showing that 62,130 lbs. had been entered for home consumption.

CAPE-TOWN, the capital of the British territory in South Africa; lat. 33° 55′ 56′′ S., long. 18° 21′ E. It lies at the bottom of Table Bay, about 32 miles north from the Cape of Good Hope; and on the western side of the territory to which it gives its name. The

town was founded by the Dutch in 1650; and remained, with the territory subject to it, m their possession till it was taken by the British in 1795. It was restored to the Dutch by the treaty of Amiens; but being again captured by the British in 1806, it was finally ceded to us in 1815. The streets are laid out in straight lines, crossing each other at right angles; many of them being watered by canals, and planted on each side with oaks. The population in 1829-30 amounted, according to the statement in the Cape Almanac, to 13,103 free persons and 5,838 slaves, making together 18,491. The town is defended by a castle of considerable strength. Table Bay is capable of containing any number of ships; but it is exposed to the westerly winds, which, during the months of June, July, and August, throw in a heavy swell, that has been productive of many distressing accidents. This in fact, is the great drawback upon Cape-Town, which in all other respects is most admirably fitted for a commercial station. At the proper season, however, or during the prevalence of the easterly monsoon, Table Bay is perfectly safe; while the cheapness and abundance of provisions, the healthiness of the climate, and above all its position, render it a peculiarly desirable resting place for ships bound to or from India, China, Australia, &c.

The subjoined plan of Table Bay is taken from the survey of the Cape of Good Hope, executed by Lieut. Vidal and others, under the direction of Captain Owen.

References to the Plan.-A, light-house, furnished with double lights. They may be seen clearly off deck at 16 miles' distance; but they do not appear double till within 6 or 7 miles to the westward; from the northward only one light is seen. B, Lion's Rump. C, Table Mountain. D, Devil's Peak, in lat. 33° 57′ 2′′. E, Robbin Island. F, Salt River. The figures denote the soundings in fathoms. Port Instructions.-Art. 1. On the arrival of merchant vessels in Table Bay, a proper berth will be pointed out to the masters thereof by the port captain, when he boards them; and no master of a merchant vessel shall shift his berth without permission from the port captain, unless in case of extreme emergency, when he must report his having done so as early as possible at the Port-office.

2. Should it be the intention of a master of a vessel to discharge or receive on board any considerable quantity of merchandise, a berth will be pointed out to him as close to the jetty, or other landing place, as the safety of the vessel and other circumstances will admit. And the master will then moor with two bower anchors, with an open hawse to the N. N. E., taking especial care, in so mooring, not to overlay the anchors of any other ship, or in any way to give the vessel near him a foul berth. Ships and vessels touching in Table Bay for water and refreshments alone, may ride at single anchor in the outer anchorage; but in this case it is particularly recommended to veer out 80 or 90 fathoms, if they ride by a chain cable, as the liability of starting or fouling the anchor, or breaking the chain, will thereby be greatly lessened; and if riding by a rope or coir cable, to run out a stream or good kedge, to steady the ship; and in both cases the other bower anchor should be kept in perfect readiness to let go. When the vessel is properly moored with bower anchors, or well secured with a bower and stream anchor, and with good cables, buoys, and buoy-ropes, the master will then take the exact place of the ship by the bearings of 2 land-marks, and the depth of the water; and should accident occur, by which the vessel may drift from this situation, or lose her anchors, a good bearing and depth of water must be taken at the time, and the same must be notified in writing to the port captain. It is particularly recommended that vessels be kept as snug as possible, to counteract the effects of the periodical winds, which at times blow with considerable violence.

The district subject to Cape-Town is of very great extent, and contains every variety of soil, from the richest level land to the wildest mountain, and tracts destitute of even the appearance of vegetation. The climate fluctuates between the two extremes of rain and drought. On the whole, its advantages and disadvantages seem to be pretty equally balanced; and the prospects which it holds out to the industrious emigrant, if not very alluring, are certainly not discouraging.

Population-According to the official returns, the population of the Cape Colony, in 1834, consisted of

Whites and Free Coloured.

Males. 60,440

Females,

56,418

Negro Apprentices, formerly Slaves.

Males. 19,580

Females.
16,589

Total 153,027 Produce.-Large quantities of corn of a very good description are produced in the immediate neighbourhood of Cape-Town; but its free exportation is restrained; none being allowed to be sent abroad, except a specified quantity decided upon by government after an investigation into the state of the crops! This restriction, Mr. Thompson tells us (Travels in Southern Africa, p. 395.), has neither produced regular prices nor averted scarcity. It has, however, been in no common degree injurious to the colony; and it is really surprising that systems of policy universally condemned in England should be allowed to exert a pernicious influence over any of our colonies. The Mauritius and Rio Janeiro are the principal markets for the corn of the Cape.

Large quantities of wine, and of what is called brandy, are produced at the Cape; but, with the exception of Constantia, they are very inferior. Objections have been made to the duties recently imposed on Cape wines; but, as it appears to us, without any good foundation. The real effect of allowing their importation at a comparatively low duty is not to occasion their direct consumption, but to cause them to be employed as a convenient means of adulterating others; so that, besides being injurious to the revenue, such reduction of duty promotes fraudulent practices, and detracts from the comforts of the public.

Considerable quantities of hides, skins, and horns are exported. They are principally brought from Algoa Bay, on the eastern side of the colony; and the trade has increased very fast during the last 6 or 7 years. Horses, butter, beef, ivory, whale oil, aloes, argol, and various other articles, are among the exports.

The imports at the Cape consist of woollens, cottons, hardware, earthenware, furniture, haberdashery, soap, paper, books, and portions of most articles used in this country. Piece goods and teak timber are imported from India, tea from China, sugar from India and the Mauritius, &c.

Revenue, &c. The total revenue of the Cape Colony for the year 1832 amounted to 130,808/. 78. 34d.; the expenditure for the same year was 126,8891. Os. 93d.; leaving a balance of 3,9197. 6s. 103d. in favour of the former.

Trade. The trade between the colonists and the independent natives is subjected to various restraints, of which it is not always very easy to discover the policy. The sale of gunpowder and fire-arms to the natives has been prohibited; a regulation which might have been a judicious one, had they not been able to obtain them from any one else. But the Americans have begun to trade at Natal, on the eastern coast, and have liberally supplied the natives with these and various other articles; so that by keeping up the regulation in question, we merely exclude ourselves from participating in what might be an advantageous trade.