Near the mouth of the Bocca Tigris is the Island of Macao, separated from the continent only by a narrow river channel. It was once a place of high importance whence the Portugese in the days of their pride carried on most of the commerce between Europe and China. It has more than shared however in that supine sloth and decay which have involved all their Eastern empire.
The town contains at present a population of about 12000, including about 4000 Portuguese who still fit out a few vessels or give their name to those whom it benefits in trading with this jealous government. Thirteen churches, four convents and fifty secular ecclesiastics are supported by this decaying town.
Excerto de Pictorial National Records - Embracing Descriptions of European and Asiatic Nations, W. O. Blake, 1863
Nota: A ilustração não faz parte da obra referida; foi publicada na década 1860.
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