Peasant Cultivators; Religious Beliefs; Theatricals; Famine; Life in Coast Cities; Canton; Guild-Houses; Beggar Guild; Official Reception by Viceroy; Chinese Writing; Life of an Official 72 CHAPTER VI Houses of Wealthy Inhabitants; Flower-Boats; Reform Movement among Chinese Women; Shanghai Women's Convention; Women's Superstitions; Chinese Ladies; Fashions; Visiting 100 CHAPTER VII General Description of Hong Kong; Happy Valley; Peak District; Night View of Harbour; Typhoon; Energy of Survivors; The Streets; Early Morning Life of the City; Chinese Workmen; The Barber; The Sawyer; The Stonecutter; The Coolie; Gambling; Some Street Games 111 CHAPTER VIII Dragon-Boat Races; Festival at Macao; New Year; New Year Customs; Hong Kong Races; Curious Forms of Gambling; Charitable Institutions of Hong Kong; The Future of China 126 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS BY MORTIMER MENPES, R.I., R.E. 1. A SHOEMAKER _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE 2. A QUIET CANAL 8 3. A STUDENT 17 4. SAMPANS 24 5. CHOPSTICKS 33 6. ON THE WAY TO MARKET 40 7. A GRANDFATHER 49 8. A SUMMER HOUSE 56 9. A QUIET GAME OF DRAUGHTS 65 10. WAITING FOR CUSTOMERS 72 11. A CHINESE GIRL 89 12. JUNKS AT EVENTIDE 96 13. A TYPICAL STREET SCENE 105 14. A STREET STALL 112 15. ON A BACKWATER 121 16. A TEMPLE 128 Also 64 Facsimile Reproductions in Black and White _These Illustrations were Engraved and Printed by the Menpes Printing Company, Ltd., Watford, under the personal supervision of Miss Maud Menpes_ CHINA [Illustration] CHAPTER I