Sketches from Formosa.

FAR AFIELD NORTHWARD 49
fellowship when we do happen to come together. It
took some time to have my cases of books and other
things brought ashore ; but, in a few hours, the native
assistant, my servant-boy, and myself, felt very com-
fortable in every way, and thankful that our seven days'
tossing had come to an end.
Tamsui, the north-western port of Formosa, was
opened to foreign trade by the Treaty of Tientsin in 1860,
and a few European places of business have been erected
there, the residents being about equal in number to
those in the southern port of Takow. Lofty hills on
each side of the estuary at once attract the visitor's
attention. The harbour is entered through a deep, but
narrow channel, which opens out into a broad, lagoon-
like river. At first sight, the place might be taken for
some district in Perthshire, but a nearer look dispels the
illusion. Over there, nestling among the broad banana
leaves, the peculiarly pointed roof of the Chinese josshouse
presents itself, clumps of waving feathery bamboos
are seen higher up ; while the people, and all the
surroundings of the dirty little village, at once reveal
that this is not one's own dear native Scotland.
Mr. Mackay arrived in Formosa a short time after
myself. The Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian
Church of Canada having given him liberty to fix
on some eligible field of labour in China, his attention
was turned to this Island, whilst sojourning with our
English Presbyterian missionaries at Swatow. A decision
in favour of North Formosa was made during his sub-
sequent stay at Takow, where full advantage was taken
of the opportunity for linguistic study, and becoming
acquainted with all practical details of the evangelistic,
pastoral, educational, and medical work carried on there.
It was a great joy to Mr. Ritchie and Dr. Dickson that
they were able to accompany him, and see him com-
4