Before Hong Kong was colonized, the various members of foreign commercial houses in the south of China resided at Canton, although, for the benefit of the sea-air, they frequently passed the summer with their families at Macao. But after the English had established a more home-like place of residence at Victoria, they made their principal head-quarters there, and left the junior partners to transact the business at Canton. Hong Kong has therefore become the centre of attraction to all foreigners, as well as the arbiter of style and fashion in China. Like all English colonial communities, precedence in rank and position is closely adhered to, and rules throughout all cultivated society. As we remained in the place only ten days, I could of course know but little comparatively in reference to these matters; although from our friends, who had the _entrée_ to the circle of Lady Robinson, I gained a favorable impression in regard to her ladyship and the society of which she is the centre. Much attention is paid to forms of etiquette among all the foreign communities in China; and the little--but, nevertheless, always agreeable--amenities of life are seldom forgotten. Notwithstanding the great difference in modes of living,--which are totally unlike those of the Western hemisphere,--the structure of society and its conventional rules are thoroughly English. Men of wealth and position live in a very luxurious style,--the East India Company having given a permanent tone to society in general, the effects of which are still manifest in the prevailing habits and customs of the people. Many of the residents of Hong Kong keep European horses, but the climate is so unfriendly to them they survive but five or six years after being brought into the colony. I observed some handsome turn-outs, among which the basket, or “Croyden carriage” appeared to be the vehicle most in use.