Letter to Madelina Porcher, 1849 December 29

Headed: "HMS Cleopatra, Hong Kong."

A letter from Porcher to his sister, Madelina, in London. He expresses concern about the cholera epidemic in Europe. He also describes a trip to Canton with some fellow officers, which he obtained leave to conduct. He relates an outsider’s view of the city around the ‘factories’ area, where foreigners were permitted to stay. He also describes Whampoa, the location where foreign boats docked: “This is a very stupid place… As the town is built on piles on a mud flat, but all the merchant shipping remains here, as they cannot get nearer Canton on account of the river being shallow about this.” Hong Kong leisure activities is a topic of interest for Porcher, who lists a dinner with the Governor and the Club as the "chief amusement." However, he is careful to note the danger which the island presents to Englishmen: “it is not safe at present to go far into the country as there have been many murders lately.”