The Höng Shán Or Macao Dialect

"The Höng Shán Or Macao Dialect: A Comparative Syllabary of the Höng Shán and Cantonese Pronunciations, with Observations on the Variations in the Use of the Classifiers, Finals and Other Words, and a Description of the Tones"

Com 31 páginas foi editado em 1897 por James Dyer Ball (!847-1919) na tipografia do jornal China Mail em Hong Kong.

Outra obra de J. D. B. - "Things Chinese: Being Notes on Various Subjects Connected with China", de 1892. O autor também escreveu sobre Macau.

"Little Portugal in China"

"Little Portugal in China - Conservation in Macau" é o título do artigo de 4 páginas assinado por Gervase Jackson-Stops publicado numa edição de 1987 da Country Life Magazine.

Voyage en Chine et au Japon (1857-1858)

"Le Tour du Monde - Nouveau Journal des Voyages" é uma obra gigantesca publicada em Paris pela Librairie Hachette et Cie. O feito deve-se a Edouard François Charton (1807-1890). Numa primeira fase entre 1860 e1894 (68 volumes) e entre 1895 e 1914 (20 volumes).

No prefácio Charton explica o objectivo da obra:

"Le Tour du Monde a pour but de faire connaître les voyages de notre temps, soit français, soit étrangers, les plus dignes de confiance, et qui offrent le plus d’intérêt à l’imagination, à la curiosité ou à l’étude. Il admet de préférence les relations inédites, mais il a place aussi pour celles qui, déjà publiées, ne sauraient être omises dans un tableau complet des explorations contemporaines de notre globe. Le Tour du Monde n’est, du reste, destiné à aucune classe spéciale de lecteurs. Il répondrait mal à l’intention de ses fondateurs S’il n’était aussi varié et aussi universel que son objet même, qui est le spectacle vrai et animé de la nature et de la vie humaine sur toute la surface de la terre.
Parmi les voyageurs, les uns représentent la science, les autres l’art, d’autres le commerce ou l’industrie; ceux-ci s’exposent à mille périls pour propager leur foi, ceux-là sont simplement des observateurs, des moralistes ou ne recherchent que les émotions d’une existence errante et aventureuse. Toutes ces préoccupations diverses, même les plus frivoles en apparence, ont leur intérêt et leur part d’utilité: le Tour du Monde n’en veut exclure aucune il n’a d’indifférence que pour les récits sans valeur ou sans sincérité.
Le choix des relations contenues dans ce volume, bien que nous aspirions à mieux encore, sera considéré, nous l’espérons, comme une garantie de nos promesses et de notre désir sérieux de mériter un succès durable." (...)

No primeiro volume desta obra está "Voyage en Chine et au Japon (1857-1858)", testemunho de uma viagem feita por M. le marquis de Moges que chega a Macau no final de 1857. Alfred de Moges (1830-1861) foi um diplomata francês que fez esta viagem no âmbito de um tratado de comércio e amizade que foi assinado com o Japão em 1858.

Excertos do capítulo que inclui referências genéricas sobre o território, o jardim e gruta de Camões, o templo da Barra e o cemitérios dos parses.
"Hong-Kong représente l’avenir et le mouvement commercial; Macao est la ville du calme et du passé. Le temps n’est plus où les intrépides navigateurs portugais étaient les dominateurs de ces mers. Aujourd’hui, leurs descendants dégénérés sont réduits, pour vivre, à chercher un emploi dans les grandes maisons anglaises ou américaines. Le voisinage de Hong-Kong ôte à Macao son importance de port franc, et sa rade s’envase chaque jour davantage, comme tout le côté droit de la rivière de Canton. Les gros navires sont obligés de mouiller à une lieue de terre, et les petites canonnières seules peuvent approcher du quai de la Praya-Grande. Cependant, malgré sa décadence, Macao ne manque point d’un certain charme, le charme des souvenirs. Cette ville a été longtemps l’unique centre de relations des Européens avec la Chine. Saint François-Xavier, le Camoëns, d’autres grands hommes y ont vécu. Ses églises, ses couvents, ses autres monuments publics, noircis par le temps, attestent une splendeur dès longtemps évanouie. Macao a, en outre, un autre avantage sur Hong-Kong, c’est celui du climat. Tandis que cette dernière ville, adossée contre Victoria-Hill, reçoit difficilement le souffle bienfaisant de la mousson du nord-est, Macao, ouvert à la brise de mer, livre passage au vent du nord. Aussi les habitants de Hong-Kong viennent-ils souvent s’y reposer durant les mois de grande chaleur, et le gouvernement français y a-t-il établi son hôpital militaire dès le début de la campagne.
Les préparatifs de guerre donnent en ce moment à Macao une animation inusitée. Chaque jour de nombreux canots amènent à terre les officiers et les matelots de l’escadre française, ravis de secouer enfin la poussière de Castle-Peak-Bay et de voir autre chose qu’un rocher inhabité. Le soir, la gracieuse hospitalité du ministre de France et de Mme de Bourboulon nous réunit dans les salons de la légation. La promenade dans les rues, à la clarté des lanternes chinoises, a aussi son agrément, et l’on circule au milieu des maisons de jeu, des fumeries d’opium, des sing-song ou bruyants concerts que les riches marchands chinois se donnent souvent le plaisir d’entendre. Macao ne compte d’ordinaire que cinq mille Européens et trente mille Chinois: aujourd’hui, par suite des événements de Canton, le nombre de ces derniers est porté à soixante et dix mille.

Débarcadère de Macao. Dessin de Grandsire, d’après M. de Trévise

Si la mer est belle, on peut aller en tanka à la pagode des Rochers, et revenir à pied par la route. Ce temple est mal tenu, dégradé; il n’a pas l’aspect riche et imposant de la grande pagode de Singapore: mais sa situation est des plus pittoresques. À ses pieds se déroule le port intérieur avec sa légion de jonques et de tankas; à son sommet s’élèvent de gros blocs de granit et des arbres séculaires dont les racines vigoureuses rampent entre les rochers; à mi-côte s’étagent des kiosques et de petits oratoires en l’honneur des divinités inférieures, car le dieu principal reçoit les hommages des fidèles dans le sanctuaire de l’entrée. Ce doit être une divinité protectrice des matelots; sur le portique se trouve une vaste jonque peinte en rouge, avec une inscription chinoise sur le rocher voisin.
Le jardin de Camoëns est aujourd’hui une propriété particulière. Il appartient à un Portugais, M. Marquès; mais l’entrée en est ouverte à tous les étrangers. Nous nous promenons longtemps, sous ces frais ombrages, si rares en Chine. Nous admirons la grotte de Camoëns et l’endroit où ce grand homme aimait à se retirer, loin du bruit, pour composer ses Lusiades. Nous lisons différentes citations du poëte incrustées dans le marbre, puis, avec encore plus de plaisir, des vers français, composés par un admirateur du poëte et du jardin. Nous nous plaisons, du haut d’une petite terrasse, à contempler le port intérieur, éclairé par le soleil couchant Nous écoutons les cris des tankadères, le bruit cadencé des avirons et l’affreux vacarme d’une jonque, prête à partir, qui invoque la divinité de la pagode, et s’efforce d’éloigner d’elle les génies malfaisants, en faisant retentir le ciel du bruit de ses gongs.
Le cimetière des Parsis qui s’élève en gradins au-dessus de la mer, les petits forts portugais bâtis en nids d’aigle, l’île Verte, la campagne chinoise, l’étroite langue de terre qui réunit Macao au Céleste-Empire, sont tour à tour visités par nous: ou bien, du haut du balcon de Duddel-hôtel, nous contemplons le mouvement de la rade, et nous jouissons du plaisir de respirer enfin la brise fraîche du nord.
Le 11 décembre, toute l’escadre française quitte la rade de Macao pour remonter la rivière de Canton. Nous partons dès l’aube, remorquant la Némésis, et, vers deux heures, nous mouillons à Bocca-Tigris, au milieu du gros de l’escadre anglaise. Jusqu’au Bogue, le voyage n’offre rien d’intéressant; la rivière est trop large, c’est encore la mer ; mais, à cet endroit, elle se resserre brusquement, et l’on passe entre deux rives hérissées de petits forts chinois. Jadis, ils se présentaient avec orgueil aux navires étrangers; mais les canons anglais en ont fait bonne justice, et maintenant ils jonchent le sol de leurs ruines.

La pagode près des rochers, à Macao. Dessin de Doré, d’après M. de Trévise.

Le lendemain, nous franchissons heureusement la première barre de la rivière, en profitant de la marée haute. Il y a eu un moment critique, où nous n’avions juste que notre tirant d’eau sous la quille. Nous avions porté notre artillerie sur l’avant et déchargé notre charbon sur les lorchas. Nous sommes venus mouiller à la pointe de l’île Danoise, en vue de l’île Française, attendant la grande marée du 19 décembre pour gagner Whampoa. 

Nous sommes environnés de pauvres gens, dans une foule de mauvais bateaux, remplis de femmes et d’enfants. Ces derniers, montrant leur ventre, puis leur bouche, nous font signe qu’ils meurent de faim. À l’aide d’un filet attaché au bout d’un bambou, comme pour prendre des papillons, ces pauvres gens recueillent les morceaux de pain, le biscuit, les peaux d’oranges qui flottent le long du bord, et s’en repaissent. On ne saurait s’imaginer une pareille misère. Nous voyons, à chaque instant, passer des bandes d’oies et de canards sauvages. Les canonnières anglaises s’amusent à tirer dessus à mitraille, et en abattent chaque fois un certain nombre; mais l’amiral Seymour leur interdit bientôt ce genre d’exercice. Le pays est riant: les villages entourés d’arbres s’élèvent au milieu des grands champs de riz ; une foule de canaux aboutissant à la rivière portent des jonques dont on ne voit que les voiles, et qui semblent naviguer au milieu de la campagne. Les canonnières anglaises vont et viennent sans cesse de Bocca-Tigris au fort Macao, devant Canton, pour maintenir libre le cours de la rivière. Nos compradors circulent d’une rive à l’autre, achetant sans trop de difficultés des vivres dans les villages.

Une tankadère (batelière chinoise). Dessin de Doré, d’après M. de Trévise.

Le 19 décembre, nous mettons sous vapeur pour changer de mouillage, ainsi que tous les bâtiments de l’escadre, se remorquant les uns les autres. Nous franchissons la seconde barre sans accident, grâce au célèbre pilote chinois de l’amiral Seymour, que nous avons à bord. Manœuvrer une masse comme l’Audacieuse dans un espace si étroit, au milieu d’un chenal variable et sinueux, n’était point chose facile. Le pilote s’en est tiré à son grand honneur. Nous échangeons ainsi le mouillage de Blenheim-Reach contre celui d’American-Reach. Nous jetons l’ancre à la pointe Jardine, vis-à-vis l’île Danoise et l’île Française, devant Whampoa. Pour premier plan se trouvent un village sur pilotis, complétement abandonné de ses habitants, des champs de cannes à sucre, les deux pagodes de Whampoa-Island, d’où l’on aperçoit les forts de Canton; à l’horizon, une chaîne de collines, premiers échelons de la montagne du Nuage-Blanc; derrière nous, les contours de French-River, si gracieux qu’on les prendrait pour la conception d’un paysagiste, et une colline en gradins, peuplée de tombeaux. Nous sommes à une trentaine de lieues au nord de Macao, et à environ neuf milles de Canton."

"No Largo da Sé" por Henrique de Senna Fernandes

"No Largo [da Sé], todo rodeado de casas assobradadas, ainda adormecidas, escutavam-se os primeiros pregões do vendedor de pão fresco e o encarregado da iluminação pública apagava os últimos candeeiros de petróleo. Havia poucos madrugadores na missa. Só algumas mulheres de do, correndo as contas do rosário ou debruçadas sobre o confessionário, e ainda grupos que iriam passar o domingo em piqueniques, na terra-china, ou à Praia da Boa Vista, à Areia Preta, ou à Praia de Cacilhas, famosa pela transparência das suas águas. O chique era a missa das onze horas e depois o passeio à Rua Central onde os mouro-mouros tinham os seus estabelecimentos, pejados das últimas novidades da moda, e dali se descia a Calçada de Stº. Agostinho, mais conhecida pela Travessa das Onze Horas, para a Praia Grande".
Henrique de Senna Fernandes*飛歷奇 (1923-2010) in "Uma Pesca ao Largo de Macau" - Nam Van.

* A 15 de Outubro celebra-se o centenário do nascimento.

A impressora móvel de P. P. Thoms

A History of China translated from the Chinese of Choo Foo Tsze by P. P. Thoms, many years resident at Macao, in China, is announced for early publication. It is stated to commence with the reign of Fuh He, according to Chinese chronology BC 3000 and to reach the reign of Minthe, AD 300, including a period of 3300 years.

Publicado na The Atheneum, Boston, 1830.

Trata-se do britânico Peter Perring Thoms (1791-1855). Thoms chegou a Macau a 2 de Setembro de 1814 trazendo consigo de Londres uma impressora europeia, de caracteres móveis, paga pela Companhia das Índias Orientais para ajudar na impressão do A Dictionary of the Chinese Language de Robert Morrison, que continha o maior número de caracteres chineses impressos até o momento e ficou pronta em 1816. Teve ainda a função de tradutor do chinês tendo estado algum tempo em Cantão. Regressaria a Londres em 1825.

Um trabalho de P. P. Thoms impresso em Macau no ano de 1817.

Venda de "Caza Forte de S. Lourenço"

Em Janeiro de 1825 a Gazeta de Macao publicava um aviso/anúncio sobre a venda em praça (leilão) da Caza Forte de São Lourenço "avaliada em 1,500 patacas".

As Casas Fortes eram nada mais nada menos que quartéis da Polícia. Foram fundadas em 1719. A Casa Forte da freguesia de S. Lourenço situava-se junto à actual Rua da Casa Forte cm a entrada virada para a Rua de S. Lourenço. 

Existiram três em Macau: nos bairros de S. Lourenço, Santo António e Sé. Em cada uma existia um capitão que comandava uma força de sete elementos. Em Dezembro de 1753, a pedido do Leal Senado, foi extinta a Casa Forte de S. Lourenço. As restantes seriam extintas um ano depois. Os patrulhamentos passaram a ser feitos pela chamada tropa regular, até ser criada a Polícia do Bazar em 1857.

Na toponímia local existe o Pátio e a Rua da Casa Forte - perto da igreja de S. Lourenço - que relembra esses tempos.

Profissões da população chinesa em meados do séc. 19

Entre os muitos dados do recenseamento da população chinesa de Macau feito em 1867 - total de cerca de 80 mil habitantes* - indica-se que existiam 14 fábricas de chá, uma fábrica de tijolo e telha, 11 fábricas de tabaco, 4 fábricas de cal, 13 fábricas de pivetes, 33 "pharmacias chinezas", 272 boticários, 154 "pintores e photographos", 202 ourives, 54 carteiros, 116 empregados da "illuminação pública", 30 taberneiros, 342 alfaiates, 271 costureiras, 441 pedreiros, 171 mainatos (lavadeiros), 236 doceiros, 1171 cules e condutores de cadeirinhas, 1867 meretrizes, 3833 criados e criadas de servir, 805 carpinteiros, 86 algibebes, 84 músicos, 34 soldados alistados no corpo de Polícia, 296 agricultores, 2823 lojistas, 52 curandeiros, 20 tintureiros, etc...

* não inclui os que viviam em embarcações e que se dedicavam sobretudo à pesca.

Regressado do Oriente Gomes da Costa ao "Diário de Lisboa": 1924

Entrevista publicada na última página do Diário de Lisboa a 8 de Maio de 1924 em que o protagonista é o militar português Gomes da Costa. Um documento precioso para quem se interessar pela história militar de Macau no primeiro quartel do século 20. 

Nota: Clicar na imagem para ver em tamanho maior.

 

"Big Macao Explosion": 1939

Na edição de 27.12.1939 o The Hong Kong Telegraph noticiava uma "grande explosão" no hotel Central. O incidente ocorreu num sábado, dia em que o hotel estava repleto de hóspedes. Depois da explosão no primeiro andar seguiu-se o pânico.

Excerto de "Macau 1937-1945: os anos da guerra":

Atentado à bomba no hotel Central. No jornal “Hong Kong Telegraph” pode ler-se “uma terrível explosão de bomba no Hotel Central, onde se encontra estabelecida uma das mais populares casas de jogo de Macau”. O engenho explodiu no 1º andar e “a multidão fugiu para a rua, interrompendo o trânsito, tendo algumas pessoas ficado feridas durante a fuga”.

Desde o início do ano que se registam incidentes deste tipo  (...) o jornal “A Voz de Macau” só se irá referir alguns dias mais tarde dizendo que se tratou de “uma explosão tão insignificante que nem lhe fizemos referência”. 

Eram outra vez as seitas em acção contra os proprietários do hotel, Kou Ho Neg e Fo Tak Iam, e da concessão do jogo no território. Pouco tempo depois a polícia iria prender cinco chineses alegando estarem envolvidos no atentado. 

As explosões no Hotel Central voltariam a repetir-se. Em Março de 1940, por exemplo, o alvo foi a sala de jogos.

História resumida da Ponte Nobre de Carvalho

década 1980

Medalha comemorativa: 5 de Outubro de 1974

A Ponte Nobre de Carvalho ou a Ponte Macau‐Taipa, como também é conhecida, liga Macau peninsular, junto ao edifício do Casino Lisboa, à Ilha da Taipa, junto à colina norte. Denomina‐se Nobre de Carvalho em homenagem a José Manuel de Sousa e Faria Nobre de Carvalho, governador de Macau entre 25 de novembro de 1966 e 19 de novembro de 1974.

Tomando a forma sinuosa do dorso de um enorme dragão, com o Casino Lisboa representando a cabeça e a Taipa Pequena a cauda, acentua a sua expressiva presença na paisagem como algo de singular e específico, contribuindo para que seja reconhecida com um valor cultural de pertença pela comunidade, que a considera património histórico de Macau, e passando a concentrar em si o valor de símbolo do lugar.

Foi durante muito tempo a ponte mais longa do mundo. Projetada no final da década de 1960 pelo engenheiro Edgar Cardoso (1913‐2000), a construção iniciou‐se em junho de 1970 e a inauguração teve lugar a 5 de outubro de 1974. Com um comprimento de três quilómetros e uma largura de nove metros e vinte, o trainel da ponte é elevado numa pequena parte formando um arco triangular agudo que atinge a altura máxima nos trinta e cinco metros, garantindo assim a necessária passagem de barcos.

A Ponte Nobre de Carvalho constitui um estimulante desafio técnico, que dá forma e responde genialmente a questões e requisitos complexos resultantes da articulação do vão a vencer, com os condicionamentos ao traçado em perfil e aos gabaritos de navegação e de modelação dos vãos e pela provocação da convexidade da super‐estrutura. Para além da resolução brilhante dos aspectos formais, a obra representou na época aspectos inovadores também no quadro do desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia de pré‐fabricação importante.

No dia da inauguração: 5.10.1974

Os cerca de três quilómetros de extensão são resolvidos com apenas três juntas de dilatação, integrando um viaduto contínuo em peça monolítica com mais de um quilómetro e um vão central com setenta e quatro metros, elevado trinta e cinco metros sobre o nível médio das águas. Mas é também na tecnologia da pré‐fabricação que residem os aspectos mais inovadores da obra, com a aplicação inovadora de resinas epoxídicas na ligação de elementos pré‐fabricados de betão e aço. A esbelteza da ponte é notável, e o sistema de contraventamento transversal para os fustes dos pilares, idealizado por analogia com os sistemas adotados nas pontes metálicas, uma solução de extrema elegância.

No quadro da obra extraordinária que o engenheiro Edgar Cardoso nos legou, a Ponte Nobre de Carvalho confirma a singularidade e o lado experimental da sua estratégia projetual. Ator privilegiado da transformação do território, modelando em profundidade a paisagem, criador técnico e plástico de realizações que surpreendem – quer pela força escultórica, quer pelo risco assumido na diversidade de soluções trabalhadas – sempre defendeu que “a perfeição técnica de uma obra de engenharia tem sempre reflexo na sua qualidade estética. A simplicidade e a justeza com que foi concebida comandam o grau de emoção que desperta naqueles que a contemplam.” A Ponte Nobre de Carvalho é a prova da sua máxima de que “em todos os rios há um sítio que foi feito para se pôr uma ponte. É preciso é encontrá‐lo!” Primeira ponte construída em Macau, permitindo antever a transformação do território, desencadeou um processo de drásticas mudanças que têm vindo a alterar a dimensão, a forma e finalmente a vida quotidiana, introduzindo um fator multiplicador no tempo e no espaço.

De facto, a abertura da Ponte Nobre de Carvalho constituiu o primeiro ato isolado de um processo de crescimento do território que em breve tomaria proporções impressionantes. Só vinte anos depois seria inaugurada a segunda ponte, integrada agora num vasto plano de investimentos, e mais tarde a terceira. Taipa sempre foi uma ilha pouco povoada, mas esta situação mudou quando a Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho foi concluída. A partir desta data, a ilha iniciou um processo de grande desenvolvimento, aumentando substancialmente de população e constituindo hoje uma grande área residencial. Réplica moderna das tradicionais pontes asiáticas de bambu, justamente comparada a um corpo de dragão que repousa sobre o estuário do Rio das Pérolas, a Ponte Nobre de Carvalho é hoje um ex‐líbris da cidade, um símbolo perene e belo de Macau como se dela fizesse parte, fisicamente, como uma segunda natureza.

Texto de Ana Tostões

Flying Around the World

Na década de 1920 vários países, oficial e oficiosamente, empenharam-se nas travessias aéreas intercontinentais. Portugal foi um deles e uma das aventuras, feita sem o apoio oficial do Estado, teve como destino Macau.

Em 1924 - faz no próximo ano um século - dois aviadores militares, José Manuel Sarmento de Beires e António Jacinto da Silva Brito Paes, acompanhados pelo mecânico Manuel Gouveia, fizeram a primeira ligação aérea entre Portugal e Macau.

Num feito notável para a aviação mundial, partiram a 7 de Abril do Campo dos Coitos (Vila Nova de Mil Fontes) e chegaram ao destino a 20 de Junho. Numa viagem muito atribulada e com recurso a duas aeronaves (com o nome Pátria) percorreram 16,760 Km - o dobro da distância da travessia do atlântico sul realizada em 1922 por Gago Coutinho e Sacadura Cabral - num total de 117 horas e 41 minutos de voo.

O excerto de texto abaixo é retirado da edição de Setembro de 1924 da revista Us Air Services.

"(...) The idea of flying around the world is not new it has been the dream of aviators from the beginning and only waited development of a suitable airplane. The United States Army Air Service seriously considered the project in 1921. Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith, the first to fly from England to Australia, also had planned to make the flight in 1921. Major Blake succeeded in reaching Akyab India in his attempt in 1922 when his plane was wrecked and his crew all but lost their lives. With the approach of 1924 came realization of the high hopes of some and the disappointment of others. The stage was set for circumnavigation of the world by air. The plans of three expeditions representing three great nations were completed and the world waited and watched with interest ready to acclaim the first to accomplish this difficult task. The first to start was the English Flight under the leadership of Capt Stuart MacLaren which left Calshot England on March 15. The British Government was not officially back of this attempt which was financed privately by the company which built the plane.

The Portuguese were next to start leaving Lisbon on April 2. This expedition, like the British, was not an official flight of the Portuguese Government being financed by the donation of Major Brito Pais and by popular subscriptions from the Portuguese people. The pilots were Major Brito Pais and Major Sarmento Beires.

The American Flight left Seattle Washington on April 6 1924 and is the only flight that represents the official effort of any of the nations represented in the race around the world. On July 26 came unexpected announcement that Major Pedro Zanni of the Argentine Army had taken off from Amsterdam, Holland to fly around the world making the fourth entry this year.

Stuart MacLaren, the gallant English man, was forced out of the competition when after a series of misfortunes he was trapped in a dense fog while attempting to fly from Petre pavlosk Kamchatka to Nikolski in the Kom andorski Islands of the North Pacific and upon landing near the shores of Behring Island August 2 his plane was hopelessly damaged MacLaren sent the following message to the Air Ministry in London. For the sake of the Royal Air Force I am sorry I failed but conditions here now are im possible for flying

The Portuguese Flight ended after a game fight against continuing misfortune at Shamiehun China near Macao, the Portuguese settlement. These airmen had suc in southeastern China ceeded in attaining their first goal after having traversed 11,000 miles in 118 hours flying time.  The crash of their plane brought to an end the hope that they could circumnavigate the globe this year.

As this is written Major Zanni commanding the Argentine Flight has reached Hanoi the capital of Indo China In attempting to take off he wrecked the plane and was trying to obtain another plane from Japan after which he hoped to follow the same route proposed by the ill fated MacLaren It is hoped he will have better weather conditions than were experienced by his predecessors.

With the landing of the Am erican World Flyers in Labrador their next stop they will again be on the American continent and although they must reach Seattle before their mission is completed they shall have covered 20,091 miles a greater distance than has ever before been flown by a single aerial expedition Though still 5,000 miles away from their goal they have placed behind them the great obstacles presented by the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and we may therefore look forward to a successful completion of their great undertaking.(...)

in US Air Services, Setembro 1924

Monumento construído em 1992 em Vila Nova de Mil Fontes.

"Agente em Macau" do jornal "O Novo Mundo"

"O Novo Mundo: Periodico Illustrado do Progresso da Edade", foi um jornal brasileiro publicado em Nova Iorque (EUA) entre 1870 a 1879. Tinha "Escriptorio no Edifício do New York Times" e publicava-se "mensalmente á sahida do paquete regular da linha do Rio de Janeiro".

Publicado em língua portuguesa, o jornal foi fundado por José Carlos Rodrigues que emigrara para os EUA em 1866 país onde viveu cerca de 20 anos.

Segundo a ficha técnica - imagem acima - o "Agente em Macau, China" do jornal era J. A. Ribeiro Cabral.

João Albino Ribeiro Cabral (1839-1900) nasceu em Portugal e foi para Macau frequentar o Seminário de S. José mas não chegaria a ser padre. No território foi tesoureiro da Junta de Fazenda Provincial e professor no Seminário de S. José e no Liceu de Macau.

Referências ao Grand Hotel e Hotel Central

A par do Riviera e do Bela Vista (do tipo ocidental), o Grand Hotel Kuok Chai e o Hotel Central (do tipo chinês), eram os mais importantes hotéis de Macau nas décadas de 1940 a 1960. Em baixo estão algumas referências  em publicações estrangeiras sobre turismo sobre estes dois hotéis mais frequentados por clientes chineses.

One of the things for which Macao is known far and wide is, of course, its gambling... At nine o'clock one evening, feeling slightly wicked, we took ourselves to the Central Hotel, the center of gambling for the colony (...)

These Awakening Lands of the East, May Worthington, 1955

This street, and much of the city as well, was dominated by the Central Hotel, a big tawdry skyscraper without the form that blessed so much of Macao. It was ten stories high, and there was gambling on three of these (...)

Hongkong, the Island Between, Christopher Rand, 1955

Closer in on the left was the sprawling commercial city of Macao, the old eight - story Central Hotel and the new steel and concrete Grand Hotel (...)

Reports Service, East Asia, American Universities,1956

This hotel and many others are quite die night spots after the sun goes down as gambling is legal and beautifully done in lush (...)

American Motorcycing Jan 1959

Gambling, though not as extensive as in olden days, is still a feature of Macao life. The most active establishment is the Central Hotel which devotes several floors to games of chance, and which also includes restaurants (...)

Far East Travel Guide, 1959

Gaming rooms, which open at noon, occupy four floors of the ten-story Central Hotel. Macao, a Portuguese possession at the mouth of the Pearl River, is the oldest European colony in the Orient (...)

Travel Guide to the Orient and Aorund the World, 1960

Sketches of China: 2ª parte

Gruta de Camões

No carriages of any kind except palanquins are used here and horses only by a few of the foreign residents. To this and the indefatigable labours of the Chinese scavengers who collect the filth for manure the cleanliness of the streets may be attributed Camoens Cave. This celebrated little spot is situated in the large garden grounds of the house called the Casa at the northern extremity of the town and forms one of the interesting sights of Macao from the historical recollections connected with it and the intrinsic beauty of the locality.

Travellers in their narratives have described this as a cave but in reality it is simply a narrow passage between two masses of rock covered at the top by a deep layer of soil surmounted by a pretty summer house of modern date and encircled by a thick growth of trees. A modern Vandal has caused a place to be cut in the rock for a seat on the spot where the exiled poet is said to have reposed and added a most dazzling coat of whitewash to the tablet and bust which is placed against one side of the interior. From the summer house the view is very beautiful and embraces a large portion of the most striking points of scenery in the neighbourhood. 

A walk which leads to the highest part of the grounds overhangs the inner harbour and the view from thence extends further up the river. The house has been lately rented to an English gentleman with a proviso that no proper application to visit the cave and grounds should be refused. No difficulty is experienced when permission is requested in proper form and those who have been disappointed will thank their own carelessness for the mortification. Much good taste is exhibited in the disposition of the grounds and in laying out the walks which were arranged in the English style by a former occupant Large snakes and some of them very venomous are said to have been repeatedly killed in the garden but no mischief has happened in consequence of their being there except the destruction of the poultry. (...)

The wall by which the town is surrounded is composed of stone covered with a thick coat of coarse mortar furnished with a parapet and having square bastionsatintervals. (...)

Temple at Macao / Templo de A-Ma 

(As imagens acima são trabalhos de G. Chinnery e não fazem parte da obra referida)

There is at Macao a temple which faces the inner harbour which in addition to its very picturesque situation possesses an interest as the object of a singular superstition. It consists of several edifices of various dimensions built on points the very abrupt and elevated rock surrounded by trees which conceal them in a great measure from sight. The naked roots cover the rock in many places penetrating the crevices to seek nourishment from the small accumulations of soil which they contain.

Stairs cut in the rock lead in various directions winding round the large masses to terminate at the entrance of these shrines Large inscriptions are deeply cut in the rocks and filled with vermilion. The superstition which has rendered this temple celebrated is as follows. A fleet of boats being about to sail from Füh Kèën a lady appeared in one of them and advised the fishermen to defer their sailing for that in spite of the favourable appearance of the weather a storm was certainly approaching.

Regardless of the warning all the boats composing the feet sailed with the exception of a single one all save this one were lost and every one on board perished. The boat on board of which this lady made her appearance sailed when the tempest had subsided and with her safely reached Macao where on landing she immediately disappeared. This temple is built on the spot where the lady vanished and is called neang ma ko a temple of the queen of heaven.

She is esteemed the protectress of mariners who invoke her in distress crying a ma oh mother.

At the landing place are constantly to be seen fragments of vessels anchors spars & which have been left there in grateful recollection by sailors who have escaped danger by her supposed assistance. On returning from sea it is customary for sailors to repair to this temple return thanks and make an offering of odoriferous matches gilt paper & c which is burnt before one of the altars.

The whole neighbourhood is inhabited by the lowest classes of the Macao Chinese whose collections of houses are the most dirty and offensive that can be imagined. The houses being very small and the inhabitants in most cases very numerous the army of fowls pigs and children which appertains to each is little conducive to cleanliness or quiet.

Sketches of China: 1ª parte

"Sketches of China with Illustrations from Original Drawings" é o título do único livro escrito por W. W. Wood, publicado em Filadélfia nos EUA, em 1830

Num total de 250 páginas William Wightman Wood, norte-americano nascido em 1804, deixa as suas impressões da China que conheceu no início do século 19. 

Os pais era actores famosos na época e ele foi jornalista, empresário, naturalista e poeta tendo vivido vários anos em Macau, Cantão e Filipinas. 

Em Cantão foi um dos fundadores do jornal The Canton Register em 1827 com o apoio da companhia britânica das índias orientais. As críticas que fez no jornal por causa do sistema comercial imposto fê-lo regressar aos EUA mas por pouco tempo e em 1831 estava de volta a Cantão onde passou a trabalhar para a empresa Russell & Co. como secretário de William Henry Low, tio de Harriet Low (1809-1877) que vivia em Macau na altura. Wood e Harriet namoraram e ela até aceitou o pedido de casamento, mas o tio não autorizou a relação por considerar Wood um "aventureiro sem dinheiro".

Não obstante ser proibido a permanência de mulheres estrangeiras em Cantão, Harriet chega a estar lá três semanas até que é descoberta. As autoridades chinesas ameaçam a empresa do tio caso ela não saísse...

Wood ainda cria outro jornal, o The Chinese Courier and Canton Gazette em 1831 e que duraria até 1835. Um ano antes, Harriet partira de Macau rumo aos EUA e Wood parte em 1836 para as Filipinas onde vive sempre solteiro e virá a ter um papel importante na divulgação da fotografia. 

Voltando ao "Sketches of China" começo por explicar por que razão Wood decide escrever. Segundo ele havia nos EUA uma ideia "romântica” da China. Como era constantemente abordado para falar desse país misterioso que conhecera tão bem escreveu e ilustrou Sketches of China (1830), proporcionando uma visão sobre a China no ocidente.

Macau é abordado nas páginas 18 a 30. Destaco entre outros, a descrição do jardim e gruta de Camões, o comércio, a população, os muros da cidade cristã, a Porta do Cerco, etc... 

Excerto:

The approach to Macao from the sea is very beautiful. The town is situated on a peninsula running about N by W and S by E and the front of the town which is built on the shore of the outer harbour looks out east towards the islands and the China Sea.

The walk or esplanade is called by the Portuguese the Praya Grande. The town extends across the peninsula and the back or western side runs along the shore of a branch of the river which forms what is called the inner harbour where the Portuguese and other ships trading to Macao are moored.

The shallowness of the outer harbour and the want of protection from the strong gales which sweep it from the eastward compel ships to shelter themselves in the channel between two islands to the SE called the Typa where the water is deep and the anchorage good.

Heavy vessels are obliged to discharge a portion of their cargoes here previous to going in in consequence of the want of water at the entrance of the inner harbour.

Porta do Cerco

Aided by the neighbouring scenery Macao has a very pleasing appearance as it is approached from the eastward and in fine weather the view of the town and neighbouring islands is extremely beautiful. A nearer inspection however is sufficient to dissipate much of the favourable opinion which a distant view may create but in spite of many faults and disadvantages it is for a place of so mongrel a description less offensive than the filthy habits of the Chinese and carelessness of the Portuguese inhabitants would lead one to imagine.

That part of the peninsula on which the town is situated is not more than half a mile in length and less than a quarter broad but the limit prescribed to the Portuguese territory is the barrier or wall which runs across the isthmus at about two and a half miles distance from the opposite end of the peninsula. A few Chinese soldiers and an officer are stationed here for the purpose of guarding the boundary and preventing any one of either nation passing it. They are very careless and it is not difficult to bribe them or land below the barrier if curiosity leads one to examine it. This barrier was constructed in the reign of the Emperor Wan leih AD 1573. When the grant of land upon which the town of Macao is built was first made to the Portuguese the heaviest penalties were threatened to any one who passed this line.

The law extended both to the foreigners and natives none of which latter were permitted to remain in the town after the closing of the gates at night. By degrees however this discipline relaxed and at the present day the number of native inhabitants considerably exceeds the Portuguese in the town of Macao and some little villages very thickly populated have even been built upon the beach within the walls. (...)

Governo

The government of Macao is vested in a senate or council, a governor and minor officers. The principal negociations with the Chinese are conducted through the Procurador to whom application is always made for permission to proceed to Canton in a licensed Chinese boat.

The license is obtained from the proper Chinese officer by him and transmitted to the parties desirous of going they having previously made application either personally or by letter. A regulation exists in relation to arrivals which is but little attended to every foreigner landing in Macao with an intention of remaining is ordered by law to report himself to the governor and state the time & c of his arrival. Owing to this when a report has not been made it is necessary in making the application to assume the name of some other person who has reported himself on his arrival but who has gone off irregularly that is in a ship or in a smugglers boat by the outside passage. No questions are asked and of course no difficulty experienced as I have always succeeded without the least trouble. (...)

Guarnição militar

The garrison of Macao which is composed of a number of natives of Goa, Macao, Portuguese & c consists of about four hundred men, exclusive of officers. The troops are when on parade tolerably well looking but their arms and accoutrements are in indifferent order and neither the men nor the arms at all calculated for active service.

Fortalezas

Several forts at Macao are furnished with the heaviest artillery and in the St Francis on the left arm of the bay are some old brass guns of uncommon length and weight but which are nearly useless from the bad quality of the powder which is made at Goa and the ignorance of the gunners. During the period of the Ladrone war when the Chinese pirates were so formidable the junks of these marauders would pass within half gun shot of the forts with impunity the balls from the guns always falling short.

The principal fort which commands nearly the whole town and approaches is that of our Lady the Mount, generally known as the Monté, mounting upwards of forty guns of large caliber and from its situation very strong. The Guier, Bishop's Fort, St Francis, the Water Battery at the guard house in front of the town, and a Semicircular Battery defending the entrance of the inner harbour complete the defences of Macao and would render it in proper hands a post of the greatest strength.

The shallowness of the bay prevents the near approach of heavy vessels in front of the town and the natural advantages of the positions which command the entrance of the inner harbour would make an attempt to land a perilous undertaking if the defence were scientifically conducted. 

Educação

The college of St Joseph is the only public institution for the cultivation of learning and at present enumerates a respectable number of students who are distinguished by a peculiar dress consisting of a long black frock square cap and narrow white muslin band or collar round the neck. The professorships are all filled by clergymen with the exception of the sinecure office of English instructor. I was informed that the library, though considerable, consisted chiefly of old theological works of little value and that the manuscripts preserved there were of no interest but I now regret that I did not apply for permission to examine them as my labours might have been rewarded by the discovery of something valuable in relation to the early history of Macao.

Igrejas

Churches are very numerous in Macao and one of them is of great antiquity its name however. I have unfortunately forgotten In addition to the regular churches there are chapels in all the forts and nunneries so that the good people of Macao have no lack of religious instruction and so frequent are their religious feasts and fasts that it is jokingly said the school boys have two hundred and twenty five holidays during the year.

Bigotry and intolerance are assiduously cultivated and cherished by the inhabitants who are with a few exceptions priest ridden and ignorant to the last degree. Various estimates of the population have been made the most accurate of which is that which gives the number of Portuguese at about three thousand and Chinese four thousand, which does not include the villages near the town but merely the persons who dwell within the walls.

Habitação

The houses of the Portuguese are mostly very 14 spacious but dreary and uncomfortable from the scanty furniture and want of carpets which are not used except in the houses of the richest citizens In place of carpets or mats the floors are covered with several coats of smooth paint varied in imitation of marble. Fires are not used in the winter although many days occur during the season in which a warm room is very desirable and even necessary to those who are suffering from indisposition.

Stoves or grates are always placed in the houses occupied by Americans English & c but either the poverty or avarice of the inhabitants induces them to dispense with this comfort. More care is taken in constructing the buildings of Macao than those of Canton the materials are generally better chosen and the work performed with greater neatness. Some of the private residences are handsome houses such as the Casa as it is called in the garden where the cave of Camoens is situated and some others.

Comércio

The market of Macao is tolerably supplied with provisions the fish are exceedingly plentiful and in great variety. Among them are several species of grouper sole and many delicious kinds peculiar to the river and the China Sea. The price is very low and necessarily so from the inconceivable quantities which are daily captured by the fleets of fishing boats. Upon the Praya Grande is a native custom house where all the fish are landed previously to their being sold and the government duty laid on them by the Chinese officers stationed there for the purpose. In favourable weather the bay is crowded with fishing boats and the scene at this little custom house is the most noisy and bustling imaginable as every one is anxious to have his fish weighed as soon as possible in order to avail himself of the first opportunities of the market.

As soon as the weight of each boat load is noted it is immediately sold in portions to the small dealers who are waiting in crowds at the landing and by them carried off in large round baskets suspended from the ends of a pole or bamboo across the shoulder to supply the inhabitants. Foreign merchandise imported in European ves sels is dutiable at the Portuguese custom house which faces the inner harbour and is really one of the most respectable buildings in the town.

The extent to which smuggling is carried of late years has made considerable inroads into the revenue of this establishment. On coming within sight of the numerous small boats or sam pans which lie moored in front of the town a race commences among the amphibious damsels who navigate them for the honour and profit of conveying one ashore as the water is too shallow at low water to admit a near approach of large boats. These sampans, as they are called, are short broad boats very flat drawing but a few inches water and manned by a brace of Chinese ladies who are quite dexterous in managing them. In addition to a fee of a dollar to these sunburnt viragos for rowing you perhaps twenty yards a further extortion of a dollar as a landing fee is suffered from the mandarins besides unconscionable able demands for baggage.To experience these enormities it is necessary to land from a native boat as in coming on shore in one belonging to a ship no attempt is made to exact this plunder. 

continua...

Uma "notícia" na Gazeta de Macao 1824

Detalhe do Largo da Sé: século 19 versus século 21

 

Em cima foto de 1896 e em baixo uma imagem do século 21. Do lado esquerdo fica a Travessa de S. Domingos.

Em baixo outro pormenor do Largo da Sé em 1896. Do lado direito, vista parcial da fachada lateral do que é actualmente o Cartório da Sé.

Curiosidade:

No Boletim da Província de Macau e Timor de 28 de Junho de 1869 publicava-se a seguinte informação:

"O Juiz de Direito faz saber que mudou a sua rezidencia para a caza nº 19 na rua da Sé. João Ferreira Pinto tem a casa n 19 na rúa ou largo da Sé ás pessoas, que se dignão ser, como sempre, seus amigos."

The Geographical Magazine: March 1967

Artigo "Future for Macao" e foto de capa da edição de Março de 1967 da The Geographical Magazine, revista da Royal Geographical Society (Reino Unido) fundada em 1935 e ainda no activo sob o título "Geographical".

Artes Marciais do estrangeiro em 1966

in Black Belt, Junho 1966

 

Entrada para Jardim Camões/Casa Garden: séculos 19, 20 e 21