THE AUTHOR PROCEEDS TO SAIGON.--RIVER OF SAIGON.--SAIGON.--SUPERSTITIOUS EMBLEMS.--M. DIARD.--COCHIN CHINESE FEMALES AND MORALITY.--MARKETS.--MANUFACTURES.--BINGEH AND SAIGON.--FORT.--CONFERENCE RESPECTING THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’S LETTER.--RETINUE OF THE MANDARINS.--HOSPITALITY OF THE CHINESE SETTLERS.--AUDIENCE OF THE GOVERNOR OF SAIGON.--COMBAT BETWEEN A TIGER AND ELEPHANTS.--PROCEED TO TURON.--COAST OF COCHIN CHINA.--FISHING TRIBES.--BOATS.--TURON BAY.--GEOLOGY, &C.--VISIT TURON.--A LIMITED NUMBER ALLOWED TO VISIT HUE.--WRETCHED ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE PASSAGE.
At six, P.M., we left the ship, a salute being fired on the occasion, and the ship’s crew giving us three cheers. The barge selected for our accommodation was comfortably as well as elegantly finished. Continuing to row all night, notwithstanding that it rained incessantly, we were at day-light but a short way from Saigon, and reached it at nine, A.M. Each boat is furnished with a suitable number of officers. The discipline of the men rests chiefly with the second, whose rank may be equal to that of serjeant or corporal. He cheers the rowers by the repetition of a few wild notes, which can scarce deserve the name of a song; and he beats time to the stroke of the oar by means of two short sticks of hard wood. The discipline of these soldiers is severe, for even this petty officer has the power of inflicting several hundred lashes of the rattan for slight offences. The rattan is kept in constant exercise, as we found on our arrival at the town.
The river of Saigon is about the size of that of Siam, but appears to carry a greater body of water. It is navigable to ships of all sizes. It is less tortuous than most rivers, and its waters are less turbid. Its banks are mostly covered with mangrove. We found amongst them a very elegant species of Rhizophora, but observed no cultivation until we were within twenty or thirty miles of the town. The number of boats that were passing and repassing was but infrequent. As we approached the town, we were surprised to find it of such extent. It is built chiefly on the right bank of the river. We had already passed a distance of several miles, and were still in the midst of it. The houses are large, very wide, and for the climate, very comfortable. The roof is tiled, and supported on handsome large pillars, of a heavy, durable, black wood, called Sao. The walls are formed of mud, enclosed in frames of bamboo and plastered. The floor is boarded, and elevated several feet from the ground. The houses are placed close to each other, disposed in straight lines, along spacious and well-aired streets, or on the banks of canals. The plan of the streets is superior to that of many European capitals.