Opium Smoking Parlour

Eight page brochure issued to accompany the Hong Kong 'Opium Smoking Parlour' exhibit at the Earl's Court exhibition in 1899. The brochure is printed with an introduction to the practice of opium smoking together with a description of a New York smoking parlour. The author also compares the Chinese custom of smoking opium with the European preference for alcohol and concludes that: 'It is in fact admitted that opium is of actual benefit, enabling every one to do an increased amount of labour with a less amount of fatigue. So far as outward appearance and demeanour go, the moderate opium smoker is a far less objectionable person than even the moderate drinker.'
On the front cover is printed an illustration of three Chinamen smoking opium and details about the exhibit described as 'the greatest novelty in London'.

The exhibit was located in the Western Gardens of Earls Court and the parlour open every day. Visitors paid 6d to enter and view demonstrations of opium smoking by 'living Chinamen' in a reconstructed smoking parlour 'true to every detail'.