Among the Celestials : vol.1 / Page 97 (Grayscale High Resolution Image)

0097	Among the Celestials : vol.1

CHAP. iv.] AN INDUSTRIOUS RACE.

If in addition to these many natural advan-

tages, the country were also blessed with

mineral wealth, etc., its future would indeed

be assured, but as yet we have in this respect

only indications and no certain facts. This

much, however, I can say, that in several

different parts we heard of gold as well as of

coal, and that in one place we found gold,

silver, coal and iron within a few miles of one

another. That little has so far been heard of

the mineral wealth of Manchuria is due to the

fact that the Chinese Government absolutely

prohibit mining by private individuals.

This fertile land, blessed as it is with a favour-

able climate, navigable rivers and capacious

harbours, possesses the further all-important

advantage that it is populated by an advanced

and industrious race. Of the twenty million

inhabitants, probably ninety-five per cent. are

Chinese, and the remainder of that race which.

two and a half centuries ago conquered the

whole of China and nominally rule it to the

present day. The industry and intelligence

of the Chinese are proverbial, and in Man-

churia, both Mr. James and I were especially

struck with the energy they showed as pioneers

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