A principal source of enjoyment in this interesting spot is in going
up Victoria Peak. You take a sedan chair at the landing, four coolies
to each chair, two dollars for each chair. The men bear you cheerfully
along up hill, three or four miles, stopping to rest two or three
times when they come to shady places by the side of a great rock, or
with fine sea views in prospect, till you reach the summit, where
stands a flag staff, to signalize to the town below the arrival of
vessels, a nine pounder being run out to announce a mail steamer, or
distinguished vessels. Going up you are an hour and a half, unless you
pause frequently to look at geological or mineralogical curiosities.
You feel unwilling to quit the enchanted spot, the sea breeze, the
newly arrived ship, the wonderful expanse of ocean on every side; till
the lengthening shadows admonish you that it will be dark before you
reach China town. After that, you take your boat in which your oarsmen
from the ship a half a mile off have come for you, and you reach your
floating habitation after dark.