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Letter to Editor
September 5, 1878
Ellsworth American
Ellsworth, Hancock County, Maine
What is this article about?
Extract from a letter by J.W.C., an Ellsworth sailor boy, to his father from Hong Kong on July 14, 1878. Describes a 64-day voyage from Newcastle, NSW, arrival, local market observations, planned purchases including an oil painting, Chinese coal workers and customs, warm healthy climate, and awaiting mail.
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Extract from a letter of an Ellsworth sailor boy:
HONG KONG, July 14, 1878.
Dear Father: We arrived here the 12th inst., after a passage of 64 days, from Newcastle, N. S. W., which is considered very fair for the time of year. With the exception of a gale on the coast of Australia, we had light winds and the passage was a very pleasant one.
We are now lying about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and boats with pearls everything that can be bought in this vicinity, come alongside every day. I do not intend to buy anything of much value, until I go on shore and look around a little. My first purchase will be an oil painting from Bertie's photograph. One artist has taken it on shore to take a sketch of it in order to show me about the size, style and so forth. He offers to paint it for $4.00. I am told that a silk dress pattern of twenty yards will cost here only $5.00.
A crowd of Chinese came on board to-day and discharged two lighters of coal for coaling a steamer. I think that they will discharge the whole of it - at any rate, I hope so.
It is quite warm here, but the climate seems to be good, and so far as I can learn, it is always healthy. If you could see the Chinese going around here with the hair all shaved off the top of their heads, you might forget that the sun casts no shadow here at noon. These "heathen Chinee" are queer looking coons. The "big-bugs" have finger nails about an inch long, and eat with "chop-sticks." They will take a dish of rice, and gobble it down with their two sticks like a turkey eating hot meal.
"The Lord," they say, "is good, and will not hurt us; but it is necessary to keep on good terms with the Devil!" To keep on the right side of him they throw their best victuals overboard for Devil rations, and live on rice themselves.
The U. S. mail steamer arrived to-day, but brought no mail for us. I shall expect letters former Shiah is due the 15th.
J. W. C.
HONG KONG, July 14, 1878.
Dear Father: We arrived here the 12th inst., after a passage of 64 days, from Newcastle, N. S. W., which is considered very fair for the time of year. With the exception of a gale on the coast of Australia, we had light winds and the passage was a very pleasant one.
We are now lying about a quarter of a mile from the shore, and boats with pearls everything that can be bought in this vicinity, come alongside every day. I do not intend to buy anything of much value, until I go on shore and look around a little. My first purchase will be an oil painting from Bertie's photograph. One artist has taken it on shore to take a sketch of it in order to show me about the size, style and so forth. He offers to paint it for $4.00. I am told that a silk dress pattern of twenty yards will cost here only $5.00.
A crowd of Chinese came on board to-day and discharged two lighters of coal for coaling a steamer. I think that they will discharge the whole of it - at any rate, I hope so.
It is quite warm here, but the climate seems to be good, and so far as I can learn, it is always healthy. If you could see the Chinese going around here with the hair all shaved off the top of their heads, you might forget that the sun casts no shadow here at noon. These "heathen Chinee" are queer looking coons. The "big-bugs" have finger nails about an inch long, and eat with "chop-sticks." They will take a dish of rice, and gobble it down with their two sticks like a turkey eating hot meal.
"The Lord," they say, "is good, and will not hurt us; but it is necessary to keep on good terms with the Devil!" To keep on the right side of him they throw their best victuals overboard for Devil rations, and live on rice themselves.
The U. S. mail steamer arrived to-day, but brought no mail for us. I shall expect letters former Shiah is due the 15th.
J. W. C.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Reflective
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Hong Kong Arrival
Sailor Voyage
Chinese Customs
Local Purchases
Coal Discharge
Heathen Chinee
What entities or persons were involved?
J. W. C.
Dear Father
Letter to Editor Details
Author
J. W. C.
Recipient
Dear Father
Main Argument
reports on safe arrival in hong kong after a pleasant voyage, describes local commerce, chinese customs and workers, and the healthy climate while awaiting mail.
Notable Details
64 Day Passage From Newcastle, N.S.W.
Plans To Buy Oil Painting For $4.00 And Silk Dress Pattern For $5.00
Observations Of Chinese Shaving Heads, Long Fingernails, Chopsticks, And Superstitions About The Devil
U.S. Mail Steamer Arrived Without Letters