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are very frail concerns and would soon be disabled in an action from the recoil of their own guns. They have guns there whose calabre [sic] is 13 inch carrying a ball weighing 275 to 300 lbs. The [sic] appear to be China made guns from the thickness of metal &c. They have but little knowledge of the [crossed out: manner and] quantity of [crossed out: loading] powder. in these guns they use about 50 lbs of powder when about 15 would be quite as much as they would burn, during [crossed out: the nights of] our stay at the Bogue we continually heared during the night the deep sonorous sound of a gong which was answered by gongs from each for it was a melancholy sound it was like the [?lotting? sic for "tolling"?] of some distant church bell. We anchored in Blenheim Reach 15 miles from Canton. The river banks is on both sides very low near the water and are covered with rice fields. At every bend of the river is a strong fort on every hill a Pagoda and in every nook is a village. whilst the river swarms with boats and river craft on each side of the river is a bank or leveé to keep the water [crossed out: out] in on the rice fields on these Levees are planted orange & Bananna trees which add much to the beauty of the scenery one village near blenheim reach is remarkable for its monumental appearance. the houses are all built in such a peculiar tombstone like manner that a strange [sic] would at first sight take it for a grave yard, about half a mile from the river are large green hills all well cultivated and rising as they do add a degree of wildness that well suits the appearance of the villages by the contrast. There are several islands between B Reach & Canton. Canton as every one knows is a very large and wealthy city. the City proper is surrounded by a wall 25 feet high and 25 feet thick many guns are mounted on this wall but the suburbs of Canton are as large or larger than the City, inside of the walls the streets are crooked and narrow and so crowded that one has to walk sideways with one hand on his purse as he goes. at every step he is saluted by boys who cry out Fan-Qui-Low and some times throw stones at Foreigners. There are Many large and fine pubic buildings in Canton the colleges are open to all classes and every year examinations are held for any one who wishes to be examined. Those who pass high are almost sure to receive office. Education is almost universal there is scarcely a man or woman in the Empire but what can read and write. Police offices are very numerous and are efficient