To-day, for the first time, we have heard ‘pidgin English’ seriously spoken.  It is very trying to one’s composure to hear grave merchants, in their counting-houses, giving important orders to clerks and compradors in what sounds, until one gets accustomed to it, like the silliest of baby-talk.  The term really means ‘business English;’ and certain it is that most Chinamen you meet understand it perfectly, though you might just as well talk Greek as ordinary English to them.  ‘Take piecey missisy one piecey bag topside,’ seems quite as difficult to understand as ‘Take the lady’s bag upstairs’ would be; but it is easier to a Chinaman’s intellect.

From the Praya we went up the hill to write our names in the Governor’s book.  It was a beautiful road all the way, running between lovely gardens and beneath shady trees.  Government House is a fine building, situated on a high point of land, commanding extensive views in every direction.  After a pleasant chat we descended the hill again, and proceeded to the Hongkong hotel for tiffin.  It does not seem a very desirable abode, being large, dirty, and ill-kept.  At one o’clock a bell rang, and the visitors all rushed in and took their places at various little tables, and were served with a ‘scrambly’ sort of meal by Chinese boys.

After this, a carriage was sent for us, and we drove to the race-course.  This is the fourth and last day of the races, and there is to be a ball to-night to wind up with, to which everybody seems to be going.  The drive was a very pleasant one, the road presenting a most animated appearance, with crowds of soldiers, sailors, Chinamen, Parsees, Jews, all hurrying along by the side of the numerous sedan-chairs and carriages.  We were puzzled to imagine where, on this rocky, hilly island, there could possibly be found a piece of ground flat enough for a race-course.  But the mystery was solved when we reached a lovely little valley, about two miles from the town, where we found a very fair course, about the size of that at Chester, but not so dangerous.  The grand stand is a picturesque object, with its thatched roof, verandahs, and sun-blinds.  The interior, too, looks comfortably arranged, and certainly contains the most luxurious basket-chairs one could possibly desire.  There are a lawn and a paddock attached, and very good temporary stables, over many of which are private stands and tiffin-rooms.

Hongkong races are a great event, and people come down from Canton, Shanghai, Macao, and all sorts of places for them.  Everybody knows everybody, and it seems to be altogether a most pleasant social meeting.  Many ladies were present.  Some of the races were capital, the little Chinese ponies scuttling along at a great pace under their big riders, whose feet seemed almost to touch the ground.  There was also a race for Australian horses.  But the most amusing event of all was the last scramble for Chinese ponies ridden by Chinese boys, in which horses and riders seemed to be exactly suited to one another.