a small island, now a British colony, lying off the coast of China, at the mouth of the Canton River, about 40 miles E. of Macao, in N. Lat. 22° 16' 30", E. Long. 114° 14' 45". It is about 9 miles in length by 8 in breadth, and is separated from the mainland by a narrow strait varying from less than a mile to 4 or 5 miles in width. The appearance of the island is barren and unprepossessing. It consists for the most part of ranges of rocky hills, rising sometimes to the height of 1700 or 1800 feet above the sea. The highest peak is 1825 feet in height. There are no trees of any size on the island, and few valleys of any extent. The rocks of Hong Kong consist of granite intermixed with quartz, mica, and felspar, affording excellent materials for building. Among the vegetable productions of the island are mango, lichee, longan, orange, pear, rice, sweet potatoes, and yams. A small quantity of flax is grown, and prepared for household uses by the villagers. Since the occupation of the island by the English the potato of Europe and the fruits of Canton and Macao have been introduced, and lately many European seeds have been sent out. The land tortoise, a few small deer, and armadillos, and several kinds of snakes, are found on the island.

The climate of Hong Kong, like that of Macao, is not generally unhealthy, though from the numerous deaths that occurred in 1842 and 1843, this was supposed to be the case. Subsequent years, however, have shown that the climate here is no more prejudicial to health than that of any of our other eastern tropical possessions.

Hong Kong was first ceded to Britain in January 1841; and again by the treaty of Nanking in August 1842. The government is administered by a governor, aided by an executive council of three members, including the commander of the troops. There is also a legislative council, presided over by the governor. The government offices are at Victoria. The following table exhibits the progress of Hong Kong from 1848 to 1853, inclusive:

| Year | Population | Revenue | Parliamentary Grant | Expenditure | |------|------------|---------|---------------------|-------------| | 1848 | 21,514 | L25,091 | L25,000 | L62,658 | | 1849 | 29,507 | 23,617 | 25,000 | 38,285 | | 1850 | 33,292 | 23,526 | 29,000 | 34,314 | | 1851 | 32,983 | 23,721 | 15,500 | 34,115 | | 1852 | 37,038 | 21,331 | 12,000 | 34,765 | | 1853 | 39,017 | 24,700 | 9,200 | 36,418 |

With reference to these six years the governor remarks "that the call on the home government for parliamentary grant has been reduced from L25,000 to L8500 (L9200?) for the current year; that the expenditure has been reduced from L62,658 to L36,418; that the number of square-rigged vessels frequenting the port has increased from 700 to 1103, while their tonnage is nearly double; and that the population has in like manner advanced 82 per cent. during the past six years. In conclusion, I have no hesitation in saying that were this colony taxed in the same way as are the settlements in the straits under the government of the East India Company, it could in a year or two be made to pay its own expenses without the efficiency of the government being impaired."

In 1844 the total population (consisting of Chinese) was 19,463; while on 31st December 1853, the Chinese population was 37,536; Europeans and Americans, 476; other races, 1005. In 1853, 1103 square-rigged vessels, carrying in all 447,053 tons, arrived in Victoria harbour. Of these vessels 201 imported, and 154 exported goods into and from the colony, being an increase over 1852 of 74 and 79 vessels respectively; while the total tonnage of vessels arrived as compared with the preceding year shows an increase of 13,670 tons.