The year 1830 was an unprecedented one in the annals of foreign life at Canton, by reason of the coming to the Factories of several English and American ladies from Macao, in 'direct opposition to old regulations.' The Mandarins were thoroughly at their wits' ends by so extraordinary an occurrence. 'Chops' began to circulate freely. The ladies were ordered to leave forthwith, and without one moment's delay, otherwise the 'Son of Heaven,' 'so considerate for all beyond the sea,' would withdraw his compassion, and, and--in fact, had the world been coming to an end, the authorities could not have been more thoroughly alarmed. In a letter written at the time, I find the following, dated April 8, 1830:--
Went in the morning to the 'Company's' chapel with several Americans to hear the Rev. Mr. Vachell preach, and to see the 'foreign devil females,' as the Chinamen call them. They were Mrs. Baynes, wife of the Chief of the Factory, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. Fearon, but _she_ is the beauty of the party! Mrs. B. was dressed in true London style, which, much admired by us, is considered 'frightful' by the Chinese. It was quite a strange thing to see foreign ladies in the 'Celestial Empire,' an occurrence which had never before taken place! After a few days they left, but not until the mandarins threatened to stop all trade!
On November 12 of the same year I find the following:--
What will Canton turn into, and where will bachelors find rest? Nowhere. Mrs. and Miss Low and other ladies are at this moment here! The second day after they arrived several old codgers were seen in immense coats, which had been stowed away in camphor trunks for ten or fifteen years, and with huge cravats on, and with what once were gloves, on their way to make visits!
_13th._--Called on the Tai-Pan's wife and niece, and entertained them with descriptions of local worthies such as 'Houqua,' 'Mouqua,' and 'Gowqua,' 'Man-Hop,' 'Wa-Hop,' and 'Tung-Hop'--a jumble they had never heard of, and names that amused them immensely.
_22nd._--Evening Church service at Talbot's, the Consul, at No. 1 American Hong. The ladies and a good number of gentlemen present. At half-past nine we accompanied the former to show our fashionable street, Old China Street, its shops shut at that hour; but some Chinamen passing began to cry out, 'Foreign devil women!' when instantly every door was opened and lanterns appeared. In less than ten minutes we were completely surrounded, and had to beat a hasty retreat. We were not at all molested; it was simply surprise and curiosity; and on arriving at the gate of the Hong everyone quietly dispersed.