Long before we reached Shanghai, the discoloured state of the water reminded us that we were approaching the mouth of the Yang-tze-Kiang, one of the great rivers of the world, and which places within reach of the coast immense districts of Central and Western China. After entering the river, there is for a long way but little to interest the passenger beyond the enormous stretch of yellowish-brown water, faintly outlined, where the coast is visible, by low-lying land, hardly distinguishable from the river which it bounds. After steaming up the Yang-tze-Kiang for some distance, we came to the mouth of the Hwang-poo, on which Shanghai is situated. Having a small draught, we had no difficulty in crossing the bar at Woosung, and we pursued our voyage without interruption for about ten miles, when we were unmistakably reminded that, though we were on a Chinese river, we were drawing near to a great foreign settlement. As we moved on we met with multiplying proofs of the fact that Western, and especially British, wealth, energy, and enterprise had been doing their accustomed work.

Shanghai, approached by the river, presents a very striking appearance, and there are many things so home-like that one can scarcely believe that it is a Chinese river. But, amid all the signs of Western civilization, there are many things to convince you that you are in China still.