ABSTRACT
I AM sitting on board one of the China Steam Navigation coasting vessels, gazing out over the blue shining mirror of the China Sea. There is not a breath of wind, the air quivers with heat, and the sea-birds which follow eternally in the ship’s wake doze torpidly on their great outspread wings. The passengers have scattered to their respective cabins, and the native crew lie curled up in shady corners to enjoy their siesta. In the distance a coast is dimly visible, so devoid of landmarks that it seems to be the same section of horizon which we have left astern.
