islands are fortified by stone forts + walls behind which cannon are hidden. Pirates still infest the river + altures, plunder small steamers & river boats but no longer attempt to rob the large steamers which have their pilot houses sheilded in armor plate. Laying at anchor in the river opposite Shameen were 2 American gun boats & 6 cruisers + 2 British Cruisers but no other nations were thus represented. Canton is by far the most interesting Chinese city I have seen + is well worth several days exploration. One of the peculiar sights of the Canton River is the steam wheel paddle jumps worked by man power by tread-mill