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PRINCETON, N. J.
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Division
Section ^
Number
see #10,961 V.15
The ehinese repository
THE
CHINESE REPOSITORY.
VOL. XV.
FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER. 184G.
CANTON, CHINA:
PRINTED FOR THE PROPRIETORS.
1 8 46.
r
m? ID la ^ .
Aged, the support of 406
Aman, annual provision for 306
Amoy, Christian missions at. . . . 160
Amoy, notices of the city 36*2
Amoy, population of 363
Amoy, Prote.stint missions at. . . 355
Amoy, the dispensary at IBl
Amoy, port duties at 479
Anderson, Rev. R.’s sermon.,. . . 481
Apples from Boston, u s. a 2*24
Architecture of the Chinese. . . . 229
Ba.ngkok, ophthalmic hospital.. 80;
B'enevolence, Hall of United .... 402
Bettleheim, Rev. Dr. B. J. . . . 160,576
Besi, letter of bishop 250
Bible, Chinese version of the. ... 161
Bible, revision of Chi. versions. . 108
Bills, or promisary notes 210
Bishop of Cochinch n i 117
Borneo, Brit, authorities in 498
Borneo. Dutch j;oss ‘ssions in. . . 504
Bradley, Death of Mrs 83
Bridge, at Fuhchau 187
Bridgman, Rev. James G. ordina. 3*28
British authorities, corr. with 512,534
British tonnage dues 150
British trade at the five ports. . . 386
Budha, an image of 474
Budhistic print, notice of .351
Burial-grounds, notice of 407
Canto."?, a missionary field 67
Canton, character of the people.. 57
Canton, description of 57
Canton, its foreign commerce. . . 59
Canton, its native trade 59
Canton, entrance to the city .... 110
Canton ought to be opened 63
Canton, prohibitions at 561
Canton walk around the city. . 59,317
Canton, foreign residents at 4*26
Canton, entrance to 278
Canton, foreign trade at 292
Calendar for the year 2
Calendar of the Chinese 44
Callery’s notices of Gonsalves. . 69
Catholic missions in China. .. 39,250
298,400
Catholic missions in Manchuria. 453
Catholics atFuhcha\i
Catholic missions in Corea ,591
Chapels of the Chinese Chistians 252
iChinese priests, arrival of 328
ICliolera morbus, the cure of 39
iChristianity, toleration of. 154
jChusan, restored by the English. 376
!Chusan to be surrendered 277
jChusan, the island restored 432
'City, foreigners allowed to enter 46,61
ICoast, navigation of the Chinese 99
ICochinchina, notices of 113
iCoffins, preparation of 40*2
C jffined dead, notices of 313
jCollege of Rizzolati ;... 40
C )inmercial houses, list of 3
|Commission, the Swedish 10
, Compton, case of Mr. C. S 554
Confucian tract, notice of 377
Consulate at Fuhchau 191
Consular establishments, 9,10
Consuls, foreign, in China 110
Converts, Chinese at Amoy 357
Cooper, capf. visits Japan 172
Corea, Catholic mission in 504
Corea, missions in 453
Corea, the king of 277
Cormorants, notices of 207
Correspondenc e, withBrit. res. 512,534
Customs of the people 44
Da.nish Man-of-war, notice of.. . 461
Dean, death of Mrs 527
Dead, a pile of remains 320
Decapitations at the Potter-field. 2*24
Democracy of the Chinese 57
Dialects spoken in the country. . 66
Diseases in Hongkong 124
Dyer% epitaphjof Rev. S 108
Earthquake at Ningpo 477
Emperor’s autograph assent.... 277
Epitaphs on Morrison’s graves. . 105
Everett, arrival of commissioner. 527
Everett, U.S.A. minister to China 158
Everett’s interview with Kiying. 624
Examination of officers 276
Examination, the triennial 527
Factories, th^ irteen 37*2
Feuds among the villages at Amoy 69-3
Fire, means of extinguishing. . . 409
Fire-places, notices of 195
Foreigners, relief of sick 432
Foreigners, pop. feeling towards . 157
Foreigners, their freedom 46
French commercial regulations.. 10
IV
rKD*«.
FVench lejrntion 158
Fuhchan, foreign trade at 297
Fuhchau, indemnity obtained at. 47t
Fuhcbau, notices of 225
F'i'adnu f'u, notices of ] 1 5,20b
Fuhshan, a visit to 64
Gazettes, the Poking 221
Genii, hill of the nine 197
Golathea, Danish man-of-war. . . 461
Gonsalves, Biography of C9
Gon.alves, his writings 71
God, words for, in Chinese. . 163,31 1
464,568,577
Grain, Fcarcity of 223
Halt, of United Benevolence. . . 402
Kedde’.s notices of Cochinchina. 113
Killier, C. B. marriage of 328,
Hines, remarks on Oregon 84'
Hobson, death of Mrs. B 224[
Manners of the people
-McClatchie, Rev. T. Marriage of
Medal for British soldiers
Med. M. Soc. hospital Shanghai.
Meteor, notices of
Mien-kai honored with an l.ei;. .
.Military uniform, its style
Min, scenery of the
Min, navigation of the
Missionaries at the five ports. . ..
Missionaries, two French
Mission, the theory of
.Missions at Shanghai
.Missionary station, Fuhchau. . . .
Mohammedan buildings
Mohammedans, notice of
Mohammedans at Fuhchau
.Mohammedani.cm practiced
Monetary system at Fuhchati. . .
Morrison Education Society
Morrison Ed. Soc. Fund
Hongkong, colonial govt, of 8
Hongkong, diseases. &.c. in.... 124
Hongkong, houses. &c. in 135 Morrison’s epitaphs
Horsburgh, monument of capt. J. 101 !|Morrison, painting of Dr. R
Hospital at Shangliai 281 orrison, but of the hon. .1. R.. .
H )s|’ital, Med. Mis. at .\’ingpo. . 342 [Mulberry tree in Cochinchina. ..
Hot spring at Fuhchau 200 |Mulbery t ee. in .Manila
Humanity, remarks on 329 'Murderous attack on foreigners.
Hunts’ Merchant’s Magazine. . . 345 Museum, Cliinese in Boston. . . .
I'Li.vs temple, notices of. 319 Mythology of the Chinese
Into.'cicating liquors, notice of. . . d.3.‘l Nemesis, the baik
Japa.v, Cooper’s visit to 172 |New year, its p ospects
Jews, few in China 43'Ningpo, foreign trade at
Jin, signification of 329 |Ningpo, Missions at
KiD.NAPPi.vG in China 327 Ningpo, missionary
King, Charles W. notice of 346 Officess, the meritorious
Kiying, a Chinese vessel 6 4 Ordination of a Chinese, evang..
Lama, a singular species of.... 43 Oregon Territory, notice of....
Leo-ation, the French 9 Fa re.vts, worship of the deceased
Legation, the U. S. A 10||Peking Gazettes, 221.273 321,3^4
Light-house on Ilo.nan.a. 1 102, Peninsular &. Orie. Steam Com.,
Lightening, death by 223
Lin Tsehsli promoted 274
Liquors, notice of intoxicating. . 433
Lisiang, king of Corea 277,
Literati at Fuhchau '.. 2l3
Lockhart, Dr. VV. Rcpo,-t 281
Lucky-cloud, empe.-or’s horse . 376
Macao, disturbances in f2 »,
Macao, Port regulations 325'
Macao, made a free port Hlj
Micgowan’s Med. report 342
Magazine. Hunt’s Merchant’s. . . 3d5
M ifadministration, notices of. - . 475
Manchuria, missions in 4.5:'
M inchu pop. at Fuhchau IDt
Manifesto, exciting riot 41
Piracy, a case of noticed
Placards, exciting riot
Plover, the .surveying ship
Pluto, the stearn-shit)
Polytheism of the Chinese
Portuguese govt Macao
Prefect of Canton’s office
Prefect of Canton, Liu
Premare’s Notiiia Lin. Sinicee.. .
Prohibitions at Canton
Proverbs, a list of Chinese
^uee.v-dowager, the august. . .
Residents, list of foreign
Rates of Freight
.lat'es 'qf Passage
iiates of Postage
44
328
159
281
280
222
45
225
2S0
110
528
481
476
217
3C0
323
2C4
43
210
601
56
105
56
56
115
529
431
34;^
41
445
1
297
477
342
276
528
84
42
,473
619
326
4d
159
445
41
10
219
1.57
140
561
140
160
3
622
621
630
CONTENTS
Residences of foreigners... 260,324
Riot notice of in Canton 346'
Riot of January in Cantui 46
Rizzolati, letter of the Rl. Rev.. 3iJ
Salote on Sabbath days RTO,
Seamen’s Hospital, Hongkong. . 159|
Secret societies at Singapore 300,400
Sermon by Rev. K. Anderson. . . 481
Sermon by Rev. G. Smitli 234
Shanghai, notices of the city . . . 466
Shanghai, thermometer at 282
Shanghai, foreign trade at 296
Shanghai, port regulations at. . . 566
Snipping at Canton 166
Siam, missionary labors in 80
Siewfv, the brig 445
Silk, export of, to the U. Kingdo n 38 )
Silk, export of. to the U. S. A . . 40ii
Smith, sermon by Rev. G 2.34
Smith, Journal of Rev. G 185
Spirit, remarks on the word 161
SteamB s, commercial 277
Storms of rain and thunder 223
Snme-lables and pestles 471
Su Aman, statements reg rling. 307
Sub.scriptions, node of obtaining 415
Superstitions among the people. 478
|Superintendency of British trade 8
Synoptical tables of trade 291
Tariff, the Chinese 262
iTeas export of, to the U. Kingdom 386
Teas, expirt of, to the U. S. A.. 396
1'he twonty-one millions paid. . . 55
Tonnage dues on Brit, vessels., 150
Tonnage, foreign, statement of - 165
Traditions, the worship of 45
Treaty, with England, indemnity 55
Treaty with the French 10
I’sing Lien Kan. noticed 274
I’nron, notices cf 114
I'yfoon, notice of a 445
U. S. A. Trade in China 400
Vacci.vatio.n, remarks on 285
Vessels, British tonnage due.s. . . 150
Ves el, foreign, in Ciiina 165
Vocabulary, Pdi g'isb and Chinese 145
War, civil, in T'ulikien 476
War, the effects of the late 6.5
VViicli-towers. notice of 194
Wheat for rations 471
Widows, support of 402
VViiliams’ Vocabulary 14.5
Wolcott, H. G. u. s. A. consul . . . 224
Vangtsz’ kiang, navigation of. . 99
C O N 'F E N T S .
No. 1.
Art. 1. The new year: prospects and desiderata; comparative Chinese
and Erglisli Calendar for the current year ; list of commercial houses
a; d foreign officers in China, 1
Art. II. Treaty between his M.ajesty King of the French .and the
Emperor of China, signed in the French and Chinese languages. 10
Art. 111. Notices of the Catholic rellirion in China, in a letter from the
Rt. Rev Joseph Rizzolati, vicar apostolic of Hdkw ng, 33
Art. IV. Riot ill Canton ; proclamation allowing foreigners to enter the
city; counter proclamations by the gentry and people; placard before
the prefect's gale ; demolition and burning of his offices by the popu-
lace; further proclamations from the lii^ h author. ties toquiet the people. 47
Art. V. Jo urnal of Occurrences : popular disturbances hushed ; payment
of the twentv-one millions completed; new prefect; ships of war at
Whampoa; difficult questions; Lin TsihsU made governor-general;
nothern ports, Shanghi;, Nino-po, Fnchau, Amoy; Hongkong;
Chinese new year ; proteslant mission ; Morrison Fund, 55
No. “2.
Art. I Description of the city of Canton; number and character of the
inhabitants; its commerce; walks around the walls and into ihe adja-
cent country ; ingress to ’ . city ; note to the governor from Sir John
Francis Davis ; trip to F ulisli.v.t ■ait-tFects of the late war ; different dia.
lects; a missionary station 58
Art. II. Notice Biograpliiqne sur le pere .1. A. Goncalves, comprising
an account of his life with notices of his various sinolog-ical productions. 69
Art 111. .Missionary labors in Siam: ophthalmic hospital in Bangkok;
death of Mrs. Bradley ; schools and present prospect of the mission.. 80
Vl
CONTENTS.
Aiit. IV, Oregon Territory ; its topography, climate, production*, popula-
tion, political relations, &c. By Rev. Gustavos Hines 84
Aar. V. Navigation of the Chinese seas : mouth of the Yangtsz’ kiAng ;
Whsung river and port of Shanghai ; light-house ui the memory of
Horsburgh proposed to be erected on Romania Outer Island 93
Art. VI. Epitaphs on the graves of the Rev. R. .Morrison, n. n., the hon.
J. R. Morrison, and the Rev S Dyer, in the English cemetery, Macao 104
Art. VII. Chinese versi ms of the Holy Scriptures : need revision; list
of words claiming particular attention ; proposed meeting of delegates 108
Art. VIII. Journal of Occurrences : foreign consul ; protestant missiona-
ries in China ; discussion regarding foreigners entering the city
suspended ; renewed ; Macao to be made partially a free port 110
No, 3.
Art, I. Notices of Cochirichina, made during a visit in 1833, by I. Iledde 113
Art II Review ofdiseases incidental to Europeans in China, particularly
in Hongkong and for the year 184.'>, e.xhibited in public papers 124
Art. III. List of houses and public buildings on the island of Hongkonir,
with statements of the revenue and expenditure of the colony during
the year ending 31st December, 184.5 135
Art. IV. Chinese proverbs, selected from a collection in the English
version of P. Premare’s Notitia Lingmn Sinicas 140
Art. V. Ying Hwa Yun fa Lih-kitii, or an English and Chinese Voca-
bulary, in the court dialect ]45
Art. VI. Statement of tonnage dues, import and export duties, paid by
British vessels in the port of Canton from 1st Jan. to 31st Dec., 1845. 150
Art. VII. An imperial decree providing for the further toleration of
Christianity, g.anting the restoration of real estate to Christians
through the empire 154
Art. VIII. Journal of Occurrences ; memorial regarding the late prefect
of Canton ; proclamation by the present prefect : popular feeling to-
wards foreigners; the Frencli Legat on ; Mr. Everett; the China
Medal ; Seamen’s hospital in Hongkong; Morrison Education Society ;
Sabbath day salutes; the Plover; Amoy ; Liilchu ; &c., &c 157
No. 4
Art. I. Revision of the Chinese version of the Bible ; remarks on the words
for God, Father, Son, Spirit, Soul, Prophet, Baptism and Sabbath 161
Art. II. Statements ofthe number, tonnage, &c ,of the merchant vessels
of different nations in the port of Canton, for the year 1845 165
Art. III. Some account of Captain Mercator Cooper’s visit to Japan in
the whale Ship Manhattan of Sag Harbor. By C. F. Winslow, .m. d. 127
Art. IV. Report of the Dispensary at Amoy, from the 1st of February
1844, to 1st of July 1845. By. J. C. Hepburn, ,m. d 181
Art. V. Notices of Fuhchau fo, being an extract from the Journ.al of the
Rev. George Smith, M. A Oxon ; during an exploratory visit and
rasidence at the five consular ports of China 185
Art. VI. Destruction of the prefect’s office, reported to the emperor in a
memorial from the governor-general and governor of Canton 219
Art. VII. Extracts from the Peking Gazettes, Nos. 1 to 4 for the twenty-
sixth year of the reign of his imperial majesty TaukwAng a. d. 1846. 221
Art. VIU. Journal of Occurrences : scarcity of grain ; rain and thunder
storms; hail ; deaths by lightning; Kiying’s interview with governor
Davis ; imperial presents ; review of troops; public executions ; com-
modore Biddle and the U. S. A. Legation ; new consul at Shanghai ;
the five ports; Macao; death of Mrs. Hobson 223
No. 5.
Art. I. Notices of the city of Fuhchau, the News of the World, with
remarks on the navigation of the river M’ln, by capt. R Collinson, R n. 225
Art. II. An address on the subject of Christian Missions; being two
sermons preached in the Colonial Church, at Hongkong, on Sunday. 234
Art. III. I jetter of bishop Besi, apostolic vicar of Shantung to the Di-
rectors of the Work (In Italy). Dated Nanking, .May, 15th, 1843. 250
CONTENTS. Vll
Anr. IV. Thf tariff of duties to be levied on merchandise imported and
exported (by citizens of the United States) &.c., &c 262
Art. V. Extracts from the Peking Gazettes, Nos. .5 to 8 for the twenty-
sixth year of the reign of his imperial majesty Tkukwdng, a. d. 184.5. 273
Art, VI. Journal of Occurrences : the island ofChusan to be immediately
made over to the Chinese ; commercial steamers allowed to carry mer-
chandise ; correspondence regarding Hongkong ; a meteor , the for-
eign residences at Canton, their limited e.xtent, &c 277
No. 6.
Art. I Report of the Medical Missionary Society’s hospital at Shdnghfii. 281
Art. II Synoptical tables of the foreign trade at Canton for the year
ending 31sl December, 184.5, with returns, »tc., of the trade at Shang-
hai, Ningpo, Fuhchau, and Amoy 291
Art. III. Roman Catholic missions in China, with particulars respecting
the number of missionaries and converts 293
Art. V. SU Ainiin : annual provision for the support of his widow and
mother, voluntarily made by the person who caused his death 306
Art. VI. Terms for Deity to be used in the Chinese version of the Bible :
the words Shangti, Tien, and Shin examined and illustrated 311
Art. VII. walk around the city of Canton : houses of the coffined dead ;
the riing temple: Mohammedan buildings; scenery on the north ;
forts ; an old citadel ; a remarkable burial place ; &c 317
Art. VIII. King Pau or Peking Gazettes : with extracts and notices from
No. 9th March 3d to No. 16th March I7th 1846 321
Art. IX. Journal of Occurrences : residences for foreigners; renting of
houses and ground; review of troops ; the U. S. A. squadron; Macao
port regulations ; piracies ; kidnapping ; admiralty court at Hongkong ;
English troops at Chusan ; two Chinese catholic priests; «&c. &c.... 324
No. 7.
Art- I, On the signification of the character jin : jin chi nan yen 329
Art. JI. Report of the Ningpo missionary hospital, to the Medical Mis-
sionary Society of China 343
Art. III. Hunt’s Merchant’s Magazine; commerce a liberal pursuit:
commerce of China ; China and the China peace ; Chinese Museum. 345
Art. IV. Translation of a Budhistic print, (descriptive of the) one thou-
sand handed, and thousand eyed goddess of mercy To-lo-ni 351
Art. V. Amoy : memoranda of the Protestant missions from their com-
mencement, with notices of the city and island 355
Art. VI. Notices of the riot in Canton, which occurred on the evening
of July 8th, 1846 364
Art. VII. King Pau or Peking Gazettes : with extracts and notices from
No. 17th March 19th to No. 32d April 19th 1846 374
Art. VIII. Journal of Occurrences : triennial examinations in the eighteen
provinces : restoration of Chusan : colonial church, at Hongkong, relief
for destitute foreigners ; opium farm ; typhoon in the Chinese seas ; &c 376
No. 8.
Art. I. A Confucian tract, exhorting mankind al .vrys to preserve their
celestial principles and their good hearts 377
Art. II. Particulars of the export of Teas and Raw Silk to the United
Kingdom in each vessel from 30th June, 1845, to 1st July, 1816 886
Art. III. Export of Teas to the United States from 30th June, 1845, to
1st July 1846; with export of silk and sundries 396
Art. IV. Notices of the Roman Catholic missions in the province of
Sz’chuen, in letters translated by a Correspondent, 400
Art. V. Regulations, &c., of the Hall of United Benevolence for the
relief of widows, the support of aged, providing of coffins, tic 403
Art. VI. List of foreign residents in Canton, August, 1846 426
Art. VII. Journal of Occurrences ; the late riot ; a murderous attack ; the
- Nemesis ; Chinese soldiers ; vagabonds and foul condition of the streets ;
chaplain for Whampoa; annual meeting of the Morrison Education
Society; relief of destitute sick foreigners in China; consulates; eva-
' '•uation of Chusan; Ningpo; Roman Catholic missionaries; &,c 431
Vlll
COKTK!»TS
No. 9.
Art I Chinese views of intoxicating liquor, as described in an address
by one of the ancient kings, extracted from the ShQ King
Art.. II. Particulars of the tyfoon, in the Chinese seas, encountered by
the steam ship Pluto, the bark Nemesis, and the brig Siewa
Art. III. Missions in Manchuria and Corea. Letter of my lord Verroles,
apo. vie. of Man. to the members of the central councils of the work
Art. IV. Notices of the Danish man-of-war, the Galathea, now on a cruise
round the world
Art. V. Remarks regarding the translation of the terms for the Deity in
the Chinese version of the Holy Serpitures
Art. VI. Notices of ShknghAi : its position and extent ; its houses, pubic
buildings, gardens, population, commerce, &c
Art. VII Peking Gazettes : notes and extracts from the No. 33d for
April 2t)th to No. 45th for May loth lti46
Art. Vi I. Journal of Occurrences : facilities for intercourse and business
at Shangh.ii : fearful omens and earthquake at Ningpo; indemnity for
losses at Fuhehau ; affairs at Amoy, Hongkong and Canton ; &c
No. 10.
Art. I. The theory of Missions to the heatlien : a sermon preached at the
' ordination of Mr. Edward Webb, as a Missionary to the heathen
Art. II. British authorities in Borneo: forcing the Bruni river, the
capture of forts and of the town of Borneo (Bruni)
Art. hi. Government of Borneo and its Dependencies, a proclamation
by the governor-general of Netherlands India, published at Buitenzorg.
Art. IV. Roman Catholic .Vlisslons in Corea : Letter of M. Ferreol, bishop
&c., and apostolic vicar of Corea, to the Directors of the Seminary of
Missions Etrangeres
Art. V. Local Correspondence, between II. B. M. con. Mr. Maegregor
and Brit, residents in Canton, regarding public Nuisances, etc
Art. VI. Journal of Occurrences : disturbances in Macao ; arrival of the
U. S. A Commissioner; return of Rev. .Mr. Dean ; new .Missionaries;
death of Mrs Devan ; local correspondence ; Peking Gazettes ; trien-
nial examination ; drought ; Christian ordinat on of a Chinese preacher :
two Roman Catholic missionaries from Tibet ; missionaries from Siam.
No. 11.
Art. I. On the Multicaulis or Mulberry tree at Manila By M. I. Hedde.
Art. II. Local Correspondence between her Britannic .Majesty’s consul
Mr Maegregor and British residents in Canton
Art. III. The Queen v. Compton, before the t«upreme Court, Hong-
kong, Tuesday the twenty-fourth November, 1S46
Art. IV. Prohibitions, forl.i Iding all foreign ts, except those actually
engaged in trade and their assistants, to reside at Canton
Art. V. Port Regulations of Shangh li, drawn up by H. B. Majesty’s
Consul, Rutherford Alcock, Esq and dated November 6th, 1846
Art. VI. Remarks on the words and phrases best suiterFto express the
names of God in Chinese
Art. VII. Journal of Occurrences ; Kying; military reviews and exa-
minations; examiners and new literary chancellor; literary banquet;
^ Mr. Everett; the Nemesis; military guards; their inefficiency; ill
treatment of English seamen; letter from captain Pickin ; &c., &c...
No. 12.
Art. I. Remarks on the words and phrases best suited to express the
• names of God in Chinese
Aru. 11. The Eighth Annual Report of the Morrison Education Society
for the year ending September 30lh, 1846
Atr. III. Steam communication between China and the west as main-
tained by the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company and the Brit-
ish Lords of the Admiralty ; rates of postage, passage, Slc ...
Art. IV. Journal of Occurrences : Peking Gazettes ; feuds among the vil-
lages at Amoy ; Sh4ngh.ai, Amoy and Fuhehau ; public affairs at Hong-
kong and Canton; the Chinese vessel Kfying; arrival of missionaries
433
445
435
461
464
466
473
475
482
4'J8
504
507
512
526
529
534
55
561
566
.563
574
577
601
6' 8
tv
ill
THE
CHIXESK 11 EPOS I TOUT.
VoL. X\\ — SEPrE!»iBEK, 1846. — No. 9.
Art. I. Ckinr.se. views of intoxicating liquor, as described in
an address by one of the ancient kings, extracted from the tShu
King or book of Records.
Mr. Editor, — I herewith send you, for the Repository, the original
and a translation, both literal and free, of an address on wine, which
has occurred in the course of reading the Shu King “stand-
ard book” of the Chinese, and one of the celebrated five classics. The
occasion of the speech is this. About the year 1 15') b.c., China
was tyrannised over by Chait~sin, the last king of the
dynasty, and one of the greatest despots ever clothed with autho-
rity. He was deposed by Wd w'ing, the founder of the
Chau, )pl, dynasty, who appointed his younger brother Kdng-shuh,
to fie governor in the capital city of Mei
As might be expected, the region of the metropolis was far more
corrupt than any other part of the dominions, inasmuch as the inha-
bitants had seen, and been influenced by the vicious example of the
wine besotted Chau-sin ^;J- Hence it was necessary to issue
special instructions on the subject of the many irregularities and vile
practices existing there ; and Wu w-ng, is represented as making the
following harangue to the young governor on that occasion.
There is so much good sense in it, that, though delivered nearly
3,000 years ago, it may furnish many useful hints to persons wlio
boast of far more civilization than the Chinese. This also must be
taken as embodying the standard views of the whole nation down
to the present time, on this subject; inasmuch as the Shu King
VOL. XV. .NO. IX, 55
434
Chinese Views of Intoxicating Liquor.
Sf.p.
is the most ancient and sacred of all their books. It is regarded as
containing, in embryo, every thing worth knowing, and every son of
Han holds it in as high estimation as the Christian does his Bible.
It cirn'tains “ the quintessence of Chinese literature and the great
mass of native writers have formed their diction according to its
pattern.”
The term used for wine, tsiu, 'ij^, is applied to all kinds of intoxi-
cating liquor, not excepting beer, cider, &.c. Distilled spirits, made
from a species of glutinous rice, called ii6-mei appears to
have been known early in the history of the Chinese, as is evident
from the mention of that liquor, and its disastrous eflfects in the old
records of the empire. The Ydu Hioh, ascribes the making
of wine to Tii Kang, j^. Among the outside nations, the
honor of this invention is awarded to foreigners in the northen regions,
who flourished in the time of Td Yii, jx, or Yu the Great, b.c!
2205. Another account mentions the name of I-tik,
the inventor. The history of it is thus laconic and prophetic. “ In the
time of Yu-, I-tih invented wine ; Y li drank it. He had no sooner tasted
it, than he banished I-teih, and prohibited the use of wine, saying, af-
ter-ages will make use of it to ruin the country.” Never was prophecy
more true or striking. Almost every page of Chinese history is a com-
mentary on this sage remark of the celebrated Yii. The best part
of the story is, that he himself ever after abstained from the use of
wine. Mencius, who flourished 1766 years after Yii, in praising the
worthies of antiquity for some one particular virtue, selects this as
the theme of his praise of the celebrated Yu. His language is, “ Yii
detested the taste of wine, but loved virtuous words.”
The arrack or snn shu at present in constant use among the peo-
ple is distilled from rice, and seems to be used in moderation. Very
seldom is a drunkard seen reeling alotig the streets of China. There
are no wine-shops or taverns where the people may resort for intoxica-
tion. All the drinking is done at home, in private circles of
friends and acquaintances. The great source of intemperance is
opium, the use of which is increasing to an alarming exent, and
plunging hundreds and thousands into irretrievable ruin. The disas-
trous effects of the use of opium, in a country so thickly settled as
China, must be great, beyond all calculation. We see but little of
Its doings, because we are so much shut out from the people. Could
we have constant intercourse among all classes, go into families, enter
private abodes, we would no doubt find that a large amount of tlie
Chinese Vinrs of Tnfoxicat jUg Liquor.
A'.i:,
pauperism, crime, disease and death may be traced to tliis prolific
source. And I entertain not a doubt that you and your reailers will
unite with me in the opinion that it is only by banishing the “ black
mud ” from China, together with the whole family of intoxicating
liquors, that we can hope for success in introducing true knovtdedge,
science, and the Christian religion among its multitudinous inha-
bitants.
As a specimen of the style of the Shu King, I send a literal transla-
tion of the text. This may be of use to students of Chinese, while the
more free rendering will serve for the general reader. I also add so
much of the commentary as is necessary to elucidate the tex*t. In many
places the meaning is very clear, while in others the sense is obscure
in the extreme. This is the fault of the whole work, and would lead us
often to suppose that the Chinese characters comprising it were thrown
together at random, or that tho'prince of Chinese literature, Confuci-
us, who composed it from ancient records, performed the stupendous
work in a very summary way. However that may be, the work should
be read by every Chinese scholar as containing a “ vast variety of
original ideas and principles which to the very end of the existence
of human society, will continue to constitute the basis of good go-
vernment. M. N. N''
Canton Sep. 1st 1846
0) ii
The Wine A n n o l n c e .m f. n t .
(2)i ^0 A T Wc
The king thus said, “ Make clear the great order in Met
Text.
1. The wine announcement, or speech of W^ii w ang on wine, n c.
1 120.
2. The king addressing Kdngshuh, or Fung, said to this effect.
“ Make clear manifestation of (ruy) great injunction to the city of
Mei.
Com .m k n t a r V .
1. Chdu, of tlip Slidng dynasty bocoine maddened with wine, and the em-
pire was corrupted by him. Mei-tb the capital city of Shdng was the more
deeply polluted with this wickedness. Wu wdng took this territory, and
ferred it on Kangshuh. Hence he composed a warning to instruct him.
■ 2. Mei pang is what the book of Odes called Mi i hiung.
con-
4^6 Chinese I’jVws of Intoxicating Liqvor Sep
(3)T;
city. Your
venerable
predecessor Wan
wiing.
founded
m
±
a kingdom in
the western
land, and announced
a warning (to) all
It
±
S 9
'if'
Jr.
SP
the states, all the offices, together with the assistants (&,) managers
'41 la ^0 f£ IS p
of business, morning evening saying, (for) sacrifices, (is) this w'ine;
'It If ^ it ^ ^
only Heaver^ sent dow'n the decree at first (for) my people
ifi 7C E (4) K # ^
on account of the great sacrifices. Heaven’s sending dow'n inflictions
K 111 fIL # #. W-
(on) my people (&) causing great rebellions destruction of virtue, also
i£] # m fi n ii /]' A #ii
not is it not wine only does it? And small large states
ffl 5T' ra # p #(»)*
being lost, also not is not wine the sole fault? Wan
3. “ Your venerable predecessor, Wan wdng, founded a kingdom
in the western land, and warned and cautioned all the states, all the
officers — together with the assistants and managers, morning and
evening, saying, in sacrifices use this wine. Heaven only sent down
the decree at first for our people (to make wine) on account of the
great sacrifices.
4. “ Heaven’s sending down inflictions on our people, and causing
formidable rebellions (among the people), and the destruction of
virtue, is invariably on account of wine : only that does it. Atid the
cause of the ruin of small and large states (by princes) is also
invliriably on account of wine. That is the sole fault.
3 Wan wang morning and night warned them saying : in arranging
sacrifices, then use tlii.s wine. Heaven originally permitted people to invent
wine only on account of the great sacrifices. All the stales of the western
regions were far removed from the capital of ShAng. Wan wSng in his warn-
ings also repeatedly making wine the subject of bis cautions, then we may
know what kind of a city the capital of Shang was. Wan wang was western
lord, and hence he warned all the states.
4 The calamitv which wine causes men is considered as heaven’s inflic-
tion Trouble and disorder are also perfected by heaven. The destruction
of virtue by the people, and the rum of stales by princes are both caused by
Wide
1846.
Ohinese Vieu's oj Intoxicating I.iquor.
43
I fx 'l^ -T-
w.ing announced instructions to the small children
^4 $ IS ^ ii /iS IS
have business. Do not forever wine it and all states drink
■B fiE B
only at sacrifices. Virtuously take it. Dont get drunk. Also said,
ft K iS 'b iF 'It ± i;
my people lead on little children, only land things to esteem
M m m Hi lifi ^
and heart correct. Readily listen to ancestor
t}\\ A- "aU fh
instructions and small
great
virtue, little
children, only
0)#
m
one.
Mei
land continue
your legs
arms
magnify
M V-
m
the
art millet
grain.
Hurry
run to serve
your
fathers
5. “ Wan wang instructed the youth, the office-holders, and men of
business, thus; “Dont be constantly guzzling wine. And let the
occasion of a national drinking be when sacrifices are offered, and
then use it moderately so as not to become into.'cicated.”
6. “ Also he said, “ Let our people lead on their children only to
esteem the productions of the soil, and their views will be correct.
Let them attentively listen to the constant instructions of their pre-
decessors, and let the youth look upon virtue in small and in great
matters as only one and the same.”
7. “ Oh ye inhabitants of Mei, exert yourselves in magnifying the
art of raising millet (husbandry). Hasten to serve your fathers and el-
5. “ Little children ” is a designation of young persons. Because their
blood and breath are not settled, and they are more easily deluded by wine to
the ruin of their virtue, therefore Wan wang, especially announced instruction
to them.
6. Wan wang says, our people also should constantly instruct, and lead on
their sons and grandsons to regard only the productions of the soil, to be dili-
gent in sow'ing and reaping, and cultivating the land, without doing any
thing else ; then what their hearts maintain will be correct, and virtue will
daily increase. Those who are sons and grandsons should also wholly
obey the constant instructions of their grandfathers and fathers. They should
not regard care in wine to be a small virtue, i. e. a virtue in a small matter.
7. This is Wu wang instructing the people of the land of Mei. He says
that the people of .Mei should continue the strength of their four limbs and not
’s constant
^ 'li
iE
have correct
438
Chinese Vitios of Intoxicuting Ijlqnor. Si:p.
and elders. Be diligent in leading carls & buffaloes. Go far
to do business &
trade. Use filial
piety to support your
father
JC
mother. Your
father
mother
joyful, yourselves
wash.
fl* Sc
S
(8> B ± M
IE
abundantly so as
to use
wine.
All officers have correct
p
±1: m
11^ ^ ^
and all seniors superior men.
(If) you constantly
heed
Ifcl
■k % ^
■P
my instructions
you largely able to support the aged.
even
^ 1
n
# W ft
the prince, you
then drink then
eat them to satiety. Largely
1# B 1
then say you able ever
to look
examine (&,) inaction
attain
M M II
to hit virtue. You perhaps able to nourish (&,) present food
ders. Be diligent in leading carts and buffaloes, go far to do busi-
ness and trade, .so as filially to support your parents. And your
parents being happy and joyful, then you can cleanse yourselves
(wash your hands in innocency) and be liberal in the use of wine.”
8. “ Oh ye gentlemen, all who hold offices, and all ye chiefs, supe-
rior men, if you constantly heed my instructions, you will be abun-
dantly able to support the aged with meat and drink in overflowing
abundance. You will have abundant reason to say that you are able
always to look within and examine yourselves, and in action can
attain to hit (the correct standard of) virtue. Perhaps you will be able
be idle In extensively cultivating the nrt of husbandry. They should run to
serve their parents and elders, some should be diligent in trade, in driving
carts and going far to do business, so as filially to nourisli their parents, &c.
How he instructs the ministers.
8. We find from the foregoing that when their parents were joyful they
■were permitted to drink wine, that when they were able to nourish the aged,
they were permitted to drink wine, that when they presented offerings and
eacnfices to the gods, they should drink wine. At first he wished to forbid,
and put an end to their drinking Now he reverts to and opens out the principle
which is that of “ interdictin t what is not interdicted," or “forbidding things
amopg things not forbidden." If the instructions of a sage are not too press.
184G.
Chinese Views uf Into'xicaling Liqnor.
-i:{9
ifiG B
sacrifices to tlie ^ods you
n it 1ft I.
Pj ^ it
then
JF.
self help to use ease. Tlius
fft 15
you truly become royal regulating business ’s minister.
# ^ ^ fl ^
Thus
T-
also only celestial accord with original virtue. For ever not
£ tE ZE # <9) i El ft g§
forgotten in royal family. The king said, Fung! our western
±
111
fa
W w #
land assist formerly states princes managers &. youth perhaps
fil * 3E Mk T' i! T
were able to practice Wan w.'mg’s instructions, not besotted in
m & ft ¥ T 4" ^
wine therefore I reaching to present am able
to receive
if -« f41
m z H
the Yin s decree. The king said Fung!
El it t f'A ft If 3E
said formerly Yin’s preceding wise bring carried out a reverence
I hear it only
•TL
T<
to present food and sacrifices to the gods, and help yourselves to the
enjoyment of ease and pleasure. Thus you will truly become royal
regulating ministers. Thus, too, you will accord with the original
virtue conferred by heaven, and be held in everlasting remembrance
in the royal family !”
9. “The king (Wn w.ingjsaid. Oh Fung (Kingshuh), in our wes-
tern land the youth, officers and princes of the states who assisted on
a former day, were perhaps able to practice the instructions of Wan
wing, and were not besotted with wine. Therefore I, reaching to
the present time, am able to receive the decree of the Yin (i. e. the
Sang) dynasty.
10. “The king said, “Oh Fung! I have heard it said that formerly
the preceding wise king of Yin (Tang) carried out a reverence of
heaven, and illustrated it among the lower people. Unchanging was
iug (ultra) the people will follow them. Filial support of parents, nourishing
the aged, and frequent offerings and sacrifices are all the exhibitions of a
good heart (or conscience), and interest leads ns to them. The man who
truly can fully perform these three things is furthermore a gentleman of per-
fect virtue, and how can there he grief at his becoming immersed in wine ?
10. Here he quotes the princes and ministers of Shang, who were dili"-en<
and devoid of luxurious ease, to warn Kangshuh. ■
440 Chinese Views of Intoxicating Liquor. Sep.
%
(W:
M
for Heaven illustrated (it to)
1 the little people
constant (his) virtue
ifr
tl «!
% ^
firm his grasp
of intelligent
from the accomplished Tang all
t 21 fi
reaching to
Tl Yih perfected royalty reverenced prime ministers
m fip
1
m ^
thus the managers (were)
their assistants
had reverence not
* f
f lil'f
S_ IS
EJ
presume on self laziness.
sell indulgence
how much less say
m
1
n
they dared
to exalt drinking ! And in
the outside
tenures
# 111
M fS
Hau Tien
Nan Wei
states chiefs
and in the inside
HR If
fff. P
It
35
tenures the 100 cotemporaries all officers both
secondary
1# »
and subordinates adoring work together with the 100 surnames (and)
|£1
SS:
i
village
dwellers
not
dare
to be besotted
in
wine. Not
t.
T. ®
#
m
Hi
only
not dare
also
not
idlers.
but
assisted
to complete
m
r
A
royal
virtue’s
display &l
aided
magistrates
to reverence
his virtue, and firm his grasp of intelligent men From the accomplished
Tang to Tl Yih (.575 years) (the princes)perfected royal virtue, and
revered their prime ministers. Hence their ministers were faithful
aids, and did honor (to them). They did not dare to be lazy bodies
nor self-indulgent. How much less can it be said that they presumed
to do honor to drinking!
1 1. “ And in the outside tenures the chief of the states of Ilau, Tien,
N.in, Wei, and in the inside tenures all the contemporaneous officers
both the secondary and subordinates, together with all the inhabitants
and villagers, none dared to become a wine besotted drunkard; and
not only did they not presume on this, but also were diligent, only
assisting to perfect the display of royal virtue, and aiding the magis-
trates to reverence the prince.
IS46.
441
Chinese Views of Intoxicating Liquor.
/«■' ti 0 ^
the prince. I hear also only said in present after succeeding
ZE Sit 3c OR II
king steeped his person, his orders not plain to peop e,
k fR '?s
reverently maintained only tnurniurings not change, great
im «E ® ® Ml
only, his loose practices lusts pleasures in not lawful. Practiced
Ik
}
1^ 4^ S
ease
ruined
dignity & manners. People
not not sickened
•1 T' it
wounded in heart.
still overwhelmed in
wine, not even
1&
n
pc 'M.
himself cease
his
indulgences.
Their heart sick embittered.
ffl.
PC
®
not
able to fear
death, the crimes in
Shang city, though
M if
m
-i «
Yin
kingdom destroyed not
sorry.
Not also virtue’s
1?
T ^ P
odoriferous
sacrifices, ascend
heard of
in Heaven, great
-ft
w
iS Bi
were
people’s
; murmurings. Ail
host self
wine, polluted deeds
12. “I have also heard it said that the recent king (Chau) steeped
his person in wine, and his orders were not made plain to the people.
What he reverently maintained produced murmurings, and yet he did
not reform, but gave great licence to unlawful lusts and pleasures.
He practiced ease, and ruined his dignity of manners. The people
were universally sickened and wounded at heart. Still he was over-
whelmed in wine, and never even thought of ceasing his indulgences.
I’heir hearts were so embittered and daring that they were unable to
dread dying. Though the crimes of the city of Shang (Mei) ended
in the destruction of the Yin kingdom, no one was sorry. He did
not possess the virtue of odoriferous sacrifices, sending up a report to
heaven. Great were the murmurings of the people. All the host of
12. Here Wfi wSng refers to Chau of the Shitig dynasty being over-
whelmed in wine, to warn KAiigshuh.
o(»
voi, .\\ . No i.\.
442
Chinese Views of Intoxicating Liquor. Sur.
M & ± li 1^ 51 -T is
reported on High. Therefore Heaven sent down ruin on Yin
H t T 15 # 3i Jv #
Not take pity on Yin. Only excess (did it). Heaven not
ii S: S *(13)£
severe, only people themselves precipitated crime. The king
s if -T
'If
m #
said, Fung! I
rrot
only
thus
these many
exhortations.
tir A
m
5
E?
A, 5a
1>\
Ancient man
have
word say.
y men not
in
water
Jill
PI
rnr.
'i
reflect themselves.
outjht
of
people
make a mirror.
Now
only
® 1 «!
1 '
~k
Yin lost the decree.
I
he should
not
great
S IS
— 1--
J
El
vk
mirror to soothe
in
(our)
time ?
I also
say.
you
m
.E
4a|
exert yourself to '
warn
Yin’s
good
minister (and).
Hau
Tien
13 f#
%
-k.
3k
tL
N in Wei,. How much more the great historian (your) friend.
his wine besotted and foul deeds were reported on high. Therefore
heaven sent down ruin on Yin, and took no pity on it. The sole
cause of all was luxurious ease. Heaven was not severe. It was only
because the people (i. e. the prince and ministers) (were besotted in
wine), that they speedily precipitated themselves in crimes.
18 “ The king said, ‘‘ Fun-g, it is not because of multiplying words
that I thus speak (of Tang and Chau). But the ancients have a pro-
verb which says, “ Men should not make a looking-glass of the water,
they ought to ntake a mirror of the people.” Now the Yin dynasty
have lost the decree, should I not make a great mirror of them, to
soothe (the people of) these times?
14. “I now say, “ You ought to exert yourself to caution the good
ministers of Yin against wine and (the neighboring) tenures of Hau,
Tien, Nan and Wei. How nruch more (should you caution) the great
historian, and the internal historian, you friends, together with the
14. Tills section procoeds from the distant to the near, from the mean to
the honorable and ascends by degrees. Tiien he wislied that tlie reformation
184G.
Chinese Views of Intoxicating Liquor.
44:i
i M ®
the internal historian (your) friend, together with llie good
Bi W X ^1 -i
ministers, the 100 honored workers. How much more even
^ UK # m ^ ^51
your servers, the instructers and workers? How much more
It Pi ^ X
even as it were (your) comrades, the regal-territory Father
•^fe 5&- lift XJ*
M ^ /pc X.
who expels the disobedient, the father of agriculture
who renders obedient & preserves men, the superintending land
X ^ %\ 'i* ,
father who fixes the laws. How much more you yourself
il
-r
® (15)^
rigidly repress yourself in regard to
wine.
He perhaps
PP
tl
n-
announced
saying
carousals for drinking
you
do not
fife m
ii
g
-T
fail, entirely
to grasp
and apprehend
so as to
return (th
lem to
1^(16) X
Z
Chau (me).
I them
kill. Further also
Yin ’s
leaders
(internal) good ministers and all great officers? How much more
(should you caution) those who serve you, the ministers of instruction,
and the ministers of business? How much more should you caution
your associates, .such as the general of the royal domain whose duty
it is to expel the disobedient, and the father of agriculture, who pre-
serves men’s lives, and the land superintendent whose province it is
to fix the land regulations? How much more should you yourself
rigidly repress the lust of wine in your own person.
15. Thus he announced saying. “ In respect to drinking carousals
don’t fail to grasp and apprehend every member in order to return
them to Chau (me), I will probably punish them with death.
should begin from Kangshuh’s own person, and be carried out into govern-
ment. Who would oppose him.^ And more especially, how should he cau-
tion them on the influence of wine guzzling or the nature of wine.
15. The people of Slicing herded together to drink, and practice intrigues
and crimes.
1 1 Chinese Vie^vs of Intoxh etting l.iqnor.
Sm>.
^ X
7'j
iffl
all ministers &. 100 workers.
if them
besotted
in wine,
''7J B #
lit
Dont use kill
them, merely
only instruct them. Have
tiff H)1
/>
-ik
this (I) clearly
enjoy'(them).
If they
not practice my
S
J IS
—
A %
instruction language, ^even I
the one
man not
sympathize
tjr C
151
-T
not clear your
affairs. At that time
the same
as regards
(18) 3E
0
ii.
Hi
killing. The king said, Fung!
do you
constantly listen to
Wf
n
n
K
my warmings.
If not regulate
your
officers,
the people
710 f
besotted in wine.
16. “Further, all the officers and ministers of the Yin dynasty
(wliom Chau has) led astray, though they may be besotted with wine
(yet not being able quickly to reform, and not forming drunken
cabals), do not inflict capital punishment on them, but merely teach
them to reform, ir urge them to become sober useful officers.
17. “ Should they retain these admonitions, (and be no longer wine
drinking sots) then I will in an illustrious manner enjoy their services.
But if they do not practice my instructions, I, the single man (the
emperor), will neither sympathize with you, nor clear your adminis-
tration. And thus you will be accounted as equally worthy of death,
(with the members of bacchanalian clubs).
13. “ The king said, “ Fung ! I warn you constantly to listen to my
instructions. If you fail in regulating your officers (on the subject
of wine drinking) the people will become bosotted with wine.” ”
The law of death was established to awe the people, and keep them from
presuming to transgress.
17. Should Kdngshuh neglect to regulate the excessive wine drinkinj of
all his officers and ministers, he can never restrain the people from becoming
stupid sots.
184<i,
I'ljfodll
41'.
Art. II. Particulars of the tyfoon, in the Chinese seas, encoun-
tered by the steam-skip Pluto, the hark Nemisis, and the brig
Siewa, June 1846.
The following particulars we select from the friend of China and
Hongkong Gazette. They will serve to show the character of those
fearful storms which have destroyed so many vessels and so much
property on the coasts of China. Similar particulars are to be found
in almost every volume of the Chinese Repository. For additional
notices of the storm in 1841, see our tenth volume, page 422. The
first two paragraphs refer to the “ Pluto.”
“ Left Hongkong at 6 a. m. on the 27th June, 1846, with a fresh
steady wind at E.S.E. steaming and sailing to the southward ; on
Sunday the 2Sth at noon observed in latitude IQ"* 49’ N., hauled up S.
by E.; fine weather with a fresh wind ; at sunset observed the barometer
fall one tenth (20° 90); furled the foretopsail ; at 8 moderate and cloudy ;
at midnight squally. Bar. 29° 68; carried away the main gaff; took the
sail in, double reefed the foresail, and stowed the jibs; split the fore
stay sail, hauled it down and stowed the foresail; at 4 a. m. 29th
all the sails stowed. Bar. 29° 54 ; squally weather ; washed away the
first cutter on the weather side, carrying with her foremast davit
roughtree rail, stauncheon, lashing and all that was fast to her ; wind
increasing to a gale with a heavy sea and tremendous heavy rain ; got
the starboard cutter and jolly boat on deck; Bar. 29° 26. Carpenters
employed battening the hatches down, ship pitohirag and laboring hea-
vily, gale increasing ; at 9 the inner jib blew out of the gaskest to
pieces, the after deck houses on both sides washed and blown aw'ay ;
at 10 the foremast deck houses blew away, with a portion of the paddle
boxes, and native cook house, the ship pitching and rolling heavily,
the engines scarcely moving round, ship drifting W.S.W. about
miles by the log per hour. Carried away the iron tiller in the round
of the rudder head; prepared lashings but of no use ; at 1 1 Bar. still
falling, tremendous gale with a cross sea, laboring heavily; ship
buoyant with no appearance of straining; at noon nothing visible but
foam, rain, and spray, the rudder knocking about very much, Latitude
by account 18° 22' N., Longitude 1 12° 48’ E.
440
Tj/foon .
Sep.
June 29th, P. M. tremendous gales with rain and spray flying over
the ship, labouring heavily ; 12. 10 typlroon blowing, ship pitch-
ing, bows under, swept the decks forward of the gig, forge, hencoops,
figure-head, head rail, and every other moveable, also injuring several
of the crew, the foremast carried away above the eyes of the rigging,
carrying with it-the fore-top mast, topsail yard, and fore yard, jib-
boom &-C ; filled the engine room to a dangerous state, which stopped
the engines; at 12. 25. the typhoon lulled, got the engine to work
and pumped the water out of the ship, and got the decks partly clear-
ed ; at 1 the wind shifted to S.W. and increasing again to a hur-
ricane, ship on the starboard tack ; the barometer fell in less than half
an hour to 27° 55 the sea foaming and breaking on board in every
direction ; at 1. 14 the Bar. began to rise slowly ; at 4. 20 it had risen
to 27. 96. At 5. 80 to 28° 22 and continued rising during the night
but blowing tremendously heavy, the sea washing some of the hatches
off, and the water forcing down below, at 9. 30, the weather roughtree
rail gave way, to which the fastenings of the funnel were secured, so
that the funnel and steam pipe, blew over on the port paddle box and
bridge forcing the steam chest from its place; stopped the engines,
drew the fires immediately, the sea breaking on board rendering the
safety of the ship very doubtful, in consequence of the large opening
left by the removal of the steam chest. On the 30th, at 2. a.m., the
wind moderated a little, employed fitting a tiller for the rudder-head,
out of the broken fore-top mast, at 8. 20 the gudgeon and pintles of
the rudder broke off, and went down, the wind moderating, employed
clearing the decks; at 11. 30 set a storm stay sail ; at noon observed
in latitude 20° 00' N., Longitude 1 12° 37' Bar 29. 20. Grand ladrones
" N.N.E. ^ E. 137 miles.
“ The following extracts from the log of two ships overtaken by
the late typhoon, in the China sea, in which the Pluto, steamer, suf-
fered so considerably, have been obligingly forwarded to us, and we
proceed to lay them before our readers, with such deductions as
may be drawn from them regarding the extent and direction of the
typhoon.
Extract from the log of the hark Nemesis,
Robert Deus, commander.
"On Saturday the weather was fine and clear, wind from the S.W.
light, the barometer ranging from 29° 57' to 29° 53', which may be
said of the three previous days, 4 v. m. being the minimum.
iS4r).
447
Tyfoon.
“The following observiitions will show the state of the atmos-
phere, the course of the winds, &c.
h.
liarom.
Symp. Ther.
8. A
M. 29.54
29.76
83.0
NW . by \V.
10.15
29.49
29.72
84.0
Nthvdr.3pts.
11. „
29.45
29.66
84.2
N.N.W.
noon
29.41
29.63
84.5
do.
12.50
29.38
29.58
84.2
N.W.
1.30 p
M. 29.30
29.49
84.5
do.
2.10
29.22
29.42
83.8
6. lowest 28.78
28.97
83.5
W. bv N.
10.40
28.88
29.08
84.0
S.W. byW. ^
midn.
29.12
29.32
84.6
S.S.W.
, 2. A
M. 29.22
29.44
85.0
do.
3.15
29.24
29.47
85 0
do.
4.
129.25
29.17
84.5
do.
8.20
29.40
29.60
84.0
South
11. „
29.38
29.60
83.8
S.S.E. 1
noon
29.38
29.59
84.0
do. 1
1. p.
M. 29 ..38
29.60
83.7
do. •;
5.
29.40
29.62
84.0
do.
6.
29.42
29.63
83.5
do.
8.
29.41
29.63
83.3
S. by E.
midn.
29.41
29.63
83.2
do.
J Varying in strength, moder-
ate, cloudy and showery.
Fresh breezes cloudy and
fair.
Increasing, heavy clouds
from N.E. no rain.
Fresh gale, cloudy no rain.
.\ strong gale, heavy threat-
ening clouds.
J Increasing, heavy short sea,
very confused.
From 2.30 P. lu. till 8. a. m.
29th a perfect hurrciane,
veering round without any
diminution in strength,
the sea raging awfully and
could not say from any
particular direction — in-
cessant rain a flash about
6 p. M. and at 2.30 A. i«.
no thunder. Sea fell fast
after 4 A. M. Ship on the
laro’d, tack all the gale.
From 4 till about 9 a.m wind
lulled, and at the latter
hour again freshened to a
strong gale, very squally,
much rain.
From 5 p . M . very stormy
appearance, blowing a fr-
esh gale, heavy masses of
black clouds overcasting
the sky, and frequent fla-
shes of lightning.
“ Steering north from 4. a. m. 29th, — the gale moderated at 4 a. m.
30th — and the barometer only reached to 29. 53 at 19 a. m. of that
day : barometer at Hongkong on the 3rd inst. was 29.72, at 10 a, m.
28th at noon Lat. 16.39' N. d. r. Long. 113.57' E.
29th „ „ „ 17.22' „ „ 114.29'
30th „ „ „ 18.59' ob. „ 114.38'
We had no observations on 26th, and on Saturday 27th we found
a difference of 45 in the Latitude — supposed to be caused by a;
southerly current — which also set us 5'. to the westward.
Extracts from the log of the brig Sieiea,
J. C. Rundscn, commander.
“ Sunday, 28th June, at noon. Lat. obsvd. 17'’ 21' N., long chr.
] 13. 38' east, strong breeze w’ith sharp squalls, handed the top gallant
sails and sent the yard down, single reefed the top sails. At sunset
gloomy with a fiery red sky, the sea running very high and irregu-
lar, handed the jib and main sail, gale increasing. Pumped ship at
\
4i8
Tyfooti.
Sep.
6 inches in the well. At 11 p. m. strong gale with an increasing and
turbulent sea, double reefed the main top sail and handed the fore
top sail, pumped ship every two hours at 6 inches. Midnight; gale
still increasing, vessel shipping much water fore and aft. Monday
29th; 7 A.M. close reefed the maintop sail and stowed the fore sail,
vessel pitching and labouring exceedingly, the sea making a clean
break over her, stowed the fore topma.st stay sail, one pump con-
tinually going; 9 a.m. finding it blowing a complete typhoon and the
vessel not being able to rise on the seas on account of the load of
water constantly on her decks, came to the resolution, in order to
save vessel and crew, to throw over board cargo, set all hands to
throw rice over board. Noon, Lat. b.r. 18. 8' North, l.,ong. d. r.
112. 32' east, the hurricane blowing harder than ever. Shipped
a heavy sea which filled the whole waist and part of the Cabin, cut
up studding sail gear and other spare rope, to throw round the
yards as preventer gaskets, the sea shipped washed away part of
the top Gallant bulwark and washed from off the long boat a top-
mast and top gallant steering sail which were carrried over the lee
rail. 3 p.m. wind suddenly chopjied round to the N. West, wore
ship to the N.N.E. sea running mountains high the vessel laboring
exceedingly and shipping much water; 4 p.m. the main top sail
blew away, clewed up the remains and stowed it, constant rain, one
pump constantly going, hoisted a spare sail in the main rigging to
keep the ship too; running gear constantly giving way : sunset; a sea
struck the larboard quarter boat, one of the davits gave way, found
It necessary to cut the bo.at away, before she should damage the
ship’s side, sea and gale as before. Midnight the wind veered round
to the south west more moderate, shipping much water. Tuesday
June 30th; at 1.30 a. m. single reefed the fore sail and set it, whilst
pulling up a preventer fore brace the fore top man boang fell from
the fore yard over board, the sea at the time running very high,
could render him no assistance. Day light; more moderate, set
the main sail, out reef of the fore sail, pump constantly going; one
of the main shroud shackles carried away, and all sails bent were full
of holes by the constant friction of the gaskets ; at 8 a. m. set the sin-
gle fore top sail, sent down main top sail, employed getting another
ready to bend ; noon strong breeze, heavy sea, ship rolling heavily.
“Lat. obs. noon 18. 37' north, long, by chro. 112. 40' east.
“ The following is an analysis of the above observations, and also
of the II. C. Steamer Pluto's.
1 840.
Tyfoon.
14'J
E =
3 C S
C C <U
• — 55 £
X UJ 5
«3 ^ £
'cq
First Indication
of Storm
Fuist Period of Typhoon.
Commenced
Ended
1 Nemesis,
2 Siewa,
3 Pluto,
Wind
Wind
Wind
.71)
N.
28th Jun.
10 A. M.
N. W.
28th Jun.
2 P. M.
S S.W.
29th 4
A, M.
2Slh Jun.
28th Jun.
N. W.
29th 3
Sunset
Midnight
P. M.
2.45
E.S.E.
28th Jun.
6 P. M.
E.
29th Jun.
4 A. M.
29th
about
noon
Anahjsis continued.
Period
Second Part
OF Typhoon.
Duration
of Typhoon.
of
Calm
Commenced
Ended
1st
period.
2nd
period.
Wind
Wind
I Nemesis,
29th 4 to
9 A. M,
S.
29th 9
A. M.
S.b.E.
39th 4
A, M.
Abt,
14 hs.
Abt.
19th lis.
2 Siewa,
None
S W.
29th 3
P. M.
S, W.
29tli
Midn.
Abt.
15 hs.
Abt.
9 hs.
3 Pluto,
29th from
1 2th 25m.
to 1 P. M.
S. W.
i
s. w.
29 th
Midn.
Abt.
8 hs.
Abt.
12 hs.
i
The time in the above analysis and observations, is reduced to civil time.
“ The following abstract will shew the positions of the 3 ships in Lat. and
Long, on the three days, from which their relative situations may be ascertained .
28th Sunday
29th Monday
30th Tuesday
ne.mesis. Bark.
SiEAVA, Brig.
Steam Ship, Pi.uto.
Lat.
1G.39 N.
17.22 N.
18. .59 N.
Louu-.
1 13..57 E
114.29 E,
114.33 E
Lat. 1 Long.
17 21 N.413 38 E
18.8 N 112 32 E.
18.37 N. 3 12.40 E.
Lat.
19,49 N.
18 22 N.
20 00 N.
Long.
113 30 E.
112,48 E.
112.37 E.
“ The Nemesis being farthest to tlie south first cauglit the typhoon,
which reached her about 2 p. ni. on Sunday the 2Sth. In the insta-
nce of this ship, ci)lonel Reid’s theory is proved in a beautiful man-
ner, and the regular retrogression of tlie wind from N.W. througli the
intermediate points to S.S.E. is very remarkable, shewing that she
must have struck the circle on the lower limb on its S.W. side, and
have left it on the upper or N.W. side, the wind then blowing from
i’yl
VOl,. XV. NO. IX.
•1.-.0
Tyjooii.
Sli’.
llie S.S.E. One lia!f of the circle of the whirlwind must have passed
the ship before striking her, which it did in its S.W. descent, whilst
the course she was enabled to steer through the remaining half of the
circle, was that which was most favorable for avoiding the oincnrd
course of the typhoon, and of getting clear of its track. The diame-
ter of the circle through which she passed appears not to have ex-
ceeded 100 miles.
“ The Sicwa being perhaps 100 miles N.W. from the position of the
Nemesis, although in the direct track of the advancing typhoon, was
not apparently overtaken until 8 or 10 hours afterwards. It seems to
have struck her less favorably than the Nemesis, and she consequently
appears to have suffered considerably more; for she must have been
compelled to run several hours in the onward direction of the whirl-
wind, until in its rotatory descent from W. to S. and the consequent
change of the wind to the N.W., and then in the ascent from S. to
E. with the wind at S.W., she was enabled f:y a change of course
eventually to get clear of its track. The observations of this vessel
although defective in several respects, as regards wind, barometrical
observations &,c., as far as they go, give the fullest corroboration to
the rotatory theory.
“ The Pluto being about 60 miles to the north of the Sietoa did not
receive the first impression of the typhoon until 4 hours later, when
it liad of course acquired accumulated force and extent, and then
striking her on the ascending part of the gyrating circle, between the
the N.E. and N. making the wind east, the most unfavourable posi-
tion for avoiding its track, she was drawn into the very center of its
vortex, as we have described in a former paper, and without the pos-
sibility of taking any other course, than one which would keep her
in the center of its track, until its whole fury had passed over her in
all its terrific violence. The vortex in which these two ships, the
Pluto and Siewa, were thus entangled (the Pinto being in its centre
and the Siewa at the same time perhaps not more than 30 miles
distant) appears to have been of less extent than l.fiO miles diameter,
as far as can be deduced from the scanty data afforded by the obser-
vations of two ships only, one of them being defective.
“The direction of the typhoon is clearly ascertained from the com-
bined observations of the three ships, viz. their respective positions in
latitude and longitude, times of contact &c., to have been, as we be-
fore surmised, from S.E. to N.W. At the time the Pluto got clear,
the typhoon was driving with headlong violence towards the northern-
Tfijoon.
ir.i
extremity of Hiiitvaii. It would be interesting to asccrUin witli wiint
degree of violence it was felt there, and on the neighbonring coast
of China, and whether any recurve took place on its reaclung the
coast, as is usually the case.
“ There is one point worthy of remark, viz. the slow rate at which
the typhoon progressed in its direct course, compared with its rotatory
motion. It is of course difficult to obtain the precise times of contact
— but taking them approximately as given above, — the rate is not
more than 10 or 12 miles an hour in the first, and about 15 miles in
the second instance, when it may be supposed to have acquired ad-
ditional force. The greatest depression of the barometer was on
board the Pluto, being 2.45 inches, arising from her being in the
centre, which is in accordance with previous observation.
“ An extract from the Log of the Bark Jane has also been forward-
ed to us, but too late for publication ; she appears to have been some-
what further to the south than the Nemesis bark, her position being
probably nearly the same during the typhoon, and which striking her
in the same favorable manner, viz., on the S.W. quadrant of the
circle (wind N.W) she was consequently able to clear its track with-
out injury. The same retrogression of the wind, during a period
of 18 hours, in which it gradually and regularly veered frem the N.
W. to the S.S.E., is noted by this ship, as was experienced by tlie
Nemesis bark, at about the same time; affording additional confirma-
tion of the correctness of tlie rotatory theory.
“ Upon a consideration of the phenomena attending this typhoon,
the attention is at once arrested by the extraordinary fall of the ba-
rometer from whicli the intensity of the typhoon may be estimated.
The mercury fell so suddenly that for a time it was imagined the
insframent had received some damage. Colonel Reid in his essay
on storms quotes 28.20 as tlie lowest range of the barometer during a
typhoon in the China sea, and 28 inches as the lowest range during a
West Indian hurricane. Two instances however are on record, and It
is believed the only two, in which the range is given lower than in the
recent typhoon. . Both cases are recorded by Ilorsburgh, the one on
the coast of Japan, Bai. 27 in., the other in the neighbourhood of
the Bashee islands. Bar. 27. 5J. Every reliance may be placed upon
the barometrical observations made on this occasion, as they were
taken with great precision and accuracy by Mr. Dearlow surgeon of
the Pluto.”
“ We have been favored with the observations made on board the
4.V2 Tyfoon. Sep.
steam ship Nemesis during tlie first of the two typlioons that occur-
red at this place, in July 1841, exactly five years ago: and as we
believe the particulars have not before been published, and some of
our readers may feel interested in them ; they are subjoined.
Wednesday, July 1841, steam-ship JVe7nesis, Hongkong, harbor.
h.
Uarom.
Sump. ^^'ind.
4 .\ M. squally and cloudy with heavy rain at
times. Uay light proceeded up the harbour
.. on Oft
anchored at 7 under C'owloon with both an-
8. A
1
chors ; heavy gales, down topmasts and
lower yards, braced topsail yard to
the
1 wind.
OQ Q*7
9 A.M. typhoon at its height. Two junks
O../0
29.10
Z\).o 1
drifted close to; one with foremast gone.
9.30
29.5
28.85
N.N.E.
■ 10 A.M. junk cut away remaining mast. One
N.E.byN.i E.
of the junks foundered with all hands.
10.
29.
28.82
Observed ships drifting in all directions ;
some dismasted others foul of each other.
10.30
28.89
28.82
do.
11.
28.99
28.81
N.E.
ll.,'!0
29.1
28.86
E. by S.
ll.'i.'l
29.4
28.89
do.
12.
29.8
28.92
S.E.
12 o’clock typhoon still raging.
12.30
29.13
28,95
S,E.
1.
29.15
28.96
East.
1 o’clock weather do.
1.30
29.20
29.
S.E. by E.
o
, 2 o’clock weather do. with occasional
3
2.
29.23
29.2
E.S.E.
' lulls.
o
3
2.30
29.26
29.6
S.E. by E.
(9
.‘3.
29.28
29.7
do.
3 o’clock more moderate.
n
3.30
29.29
29.8
do.
ff
4.
29.30
29.10
E.S.E.
4 o’clock do.
’1
4.30
29.33
29.13
do.
b.
29.35
29.14
S.E.
5 o’clock moderating.
3^
5.30
29 37
29.14
do.
ti.
29.39
29.15
S.E.
6 o’clock squalls with heavy rain.
6.:>0
29.40
29.15
o
7.
29.41
29.16
7 o’clock more moderate.
7.30
29.45
29.19
South
V
< 8 o’clock moderate and cloudy with
p
8.
29.50
29.25
do.
1 heavy rain and squalls at times.
“ The period of the greatest violence of this typhoon appears to have
been about G hours, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The greatest depression
< f the barometer being 28.89 at half past 10 a.m., from which point
the mercury rose gradually, although the typhoon continued to rage
for several hours after — a fact which has been previously observed,
and is noticed by colonel Reid.
“ The barometer had evidently fallen before 8 a.;u. when it is first
quoted above at 29. 25. Assuming it to have stood at its average
height, the maximum depression probably did not exceed .8 of an
inch. The most remarkable circumstance attending the typhoon-
is the well attested fact (see log) of the gyrations of the whirlwind
being, for several hours, direct (i. e, moving in the same direction ns
I81G.
Mis sio7is in Munchinia mid Corea.
ihe hands of a watch) instead of retrograde according to all previous
observation. The observations how'ever being made from one point
and that being stationary, sufficient data does not e.xist and no general
inferences can be drawn on this subject, or of the extent and direc-
tion of this typhoon.”
Art. III. Missions in Manchuria and Corea. Letter of my lord
Verroles, apost. vie. of Manchuria to the members of the two
central councils of the work. Annales de la prop, de la Foi.
March 1844. (Trans, by A. P.)
1-chau Lia’tiwig May 25//i, 1843.
Gentlemen : — It is w ith great joy 1 have received many and rich
alms, allowed by your work to the recently established mission of
Manchuria. We are separated from you, it is true, by an immense
extent of country, and exposed, to all the rigors of the seasons in
these extremities of the earth ; but the divine charity embraces all
the world, the Scythian and the barbarian, from the Ichthyophagi
of Saghalien to the Negro of Niger. Admirable association for the
propagation of the faith, which makes the entire universe one family
in Jesus Christ.
Be pleased then, gentlemen, and all the members of our holy
work, to receive in my name, in that of all the sheep committed to
me, and in the name of all my barbarians, the expression of my
grateful acknowledgments. We are able only to return you prayers,
and you may rest assured that I have not failed since I entered Liaur
tung to celebrate, with all the pomp our poverity permitted, the annual
mass for our deceased associates.
I send you some details of our situation, and of this region unknown
to the rest of the world ; perhaps they may be interesting.
It was about the close of 1838 that the Holy See dismembered the
ancient diocese of Peking and created this apostolic vicarage. The
bulls which named me to this new post were remitted in February
1840. I was then in Sz’chuen, having charge of the college of that
mission which is located, as you know, in Tibet, on the frontier of
China. I resided there four years. It then became necessary, will-
ing or unwilling, for the orders of the Holy See were pressing, that
I should tear myself away from my sweet solitude and leave my dear
pupils.
Mi iision^ in Manchuria and Corea.
Sr.p.
4.-j4
?■ The work of God, messieurs, is slowl}’ accomplished and always
amidst many obstacles; thus, ever since the reception of the bulls
to this day, I have been attended by an uninterrupted succession of
oppositions and unexpected afflictions of all kinds. Blessed be the
Lord it is so! And may his holy will be accomplished. And this
will be a consolation to^me, that though afflicting me he does not
leave me, nor will I oppose the will of the Holy One. I left Sz’chuen
in September IS40, and traversed the vast plains of Snensi and Shan-
si and the immense and arid plains of Mongolia. From what others
have written of traveling in China, you know it is not a very easy or
agreeable thing. The war with the English and the strictness of the
search for the contraband opium added almost infinite dangers to
the toil and fatigue of so long a journey. The good Lord, who has
always been our guard, preserved me from all accidents. I arrived
in health and safety in the midst of my flock in May 1841. Man-
churia is divided into three large provinces. Liautung on the south,
Kirin in the centre, and Saghalien in the north. This immense
country stretches from about 40° to 56° N. lat. and from 118° to
143 E. of Greenwich.
The west part of Manchuria is in general a flat country; the im-
mense plains of Mongolia border upon it; this region is well culti-
vated for the Manchus are husbandmen atul not nomade as the Mon-
golians. In the middle, which is generally more mountainous, the
forests are full of tigers, bears, chamois and stags of a fine and elegant
appearance. These forests, which cover the greater part of the sur-
face belong to the emperor : no one is permitted to enter them
under pain of death, and numerous sentinels are placed to guard
them. They border upon Corea and extend far to the north. It is
here that the yearly imperial cha.se takes place. The province of
Likutung has to furnish, as its contingent, twelve hundred stags, that
of Kirin is taxed six hundred, and Saghalien the same number. The
emperor leaves the horns and the body to the hunters, and only
reserves for himself the fleshy part of the tail. This tit-bit, regard-
ed by the Chinese as very delicate and strengthening, is very dear
and it sometimes sells for thirty francs and more.
The time for the chase is fixed for the 2d of November, and con-
tinues to the 5th of December. During this short space of time the
Manchus are easily able to furnish the required number of deer.
Indeed they light upon innumerable herds, and they only have to
attend their ambuscades and they can kill as many as they wish.
1H16.
Ml sstons in Manchuria and Corea.
'I’his annual expedition is an affair of state. The first mandarins
from each province are accustomed to direct it. The hunters, who
are a well armed corps — the elite of our brave Chinese, emulate
their superiors, and are able, with greater impunity than with the
English, to make an essay of their martial intrepidity.
Above the summit of these mountains, almost all wooded, hovers
the condor. I have seen the carcase of one of these fierce birds —
which, though it was said to be a small one, was enormous. If we
are to believe the inhabitants, they have sometimes found in the
nests of these birds the bones of calves, of asses, (they have in this
country a species of the ass which is very small) and of men — and
bars of silver; for in their voracity they carry off everything they
find. They pounce upon their prey with great impetuosity; and
what they are not able to carry away, they tear to pieces. It is said,
that a traveler’s safety is only found in being well armed.
The sable is still found in these forests, called by the natives
tiau-chau, because the fur is so precious : the emperor and some
great mandarins, whom he permits, are clothed with it : the people
only line the collar and the end of the sleeves therewith.
'I’he rivers of the north, especially the Songari and the Saghalien,
in Chinese, the lick lung kiting, “the river of the black dragon” are
full of the beaver and otter; they also find pearls in great quantities.
The number is said to be very great: but the difficulty in procuring
them arises from the imperial monopoly.
Here is also found that famous plant, thfe ginseng which is with-
out contradiction the best tonic in the universe. When the vital
forces fail and are totally exhausted, and when the patient is about to
die, give a few grains of ginseng, and he will be recalled to life;
continue it each day, and his vigor will be renewed and he will be
able to survive many months. The price of ginseng is eacor bitant,
almost incredible; more than fifty thousand francs per pound!
The Chinese say, the oldest is the best; it cannot be cultivated; and
hence that which comes from Corea, wdiich grows by culture, is of
extremely inferior quality. At the annual fair in Corea it is sold in
fraud with the knowledge of the mandarins, who shut their eyes.
The price of the Corean ginseng is more reasonable although it is
still very dear, about two hundred francs per pound. The root only
is used. I have endeavored to procure the seed, in order that
Europe might possess this admirable jilarit. It is not able to increase'
in the north of Manchuria on account of the coldness of the clinui'e;
456
Missions in Manchuria and Corea.
Skp.
I have passed this winter in the south of Liautung about the 40th
degree — the latitude of Naples and Madrid; and we have had ’26
degrees (centigrade) of cold, and the season, the inhabitants say, has
been milder than usual, the mean temperature is about 30 degrees,
nearly the temperature of Moscow !
Towards the north there is another singular thing. Here in the
south, the earth does not freeze more than three feet deep ; but in
Kirin, where I passed the winter of 1341, it froze seven feet in depth.
Not liaving then a thermometer which would descend lower than
16 degrees of Reamur, during many months I was not able to mark
the degrees. You are ready to say, messieurs, that such rigor of the
climate is impossible; the air appeared to cut like a razor; one
would say that you tore off the flesh of the cheeks with pincers. The
21st of last January was extremely cold in the south of Liautung :
it blew a strong north-east wind, which raised, as by a whirlwind,
the snow which was so fine as to penetrate the clothes, the hat, and
even the lungs. The eyebrows were a mass of ice, the beard was
an enormous flake of ice ; my eyelashes were frozeti and stuck toge-
ther, so that I could not open my eyes ; such cold ! But if we re-
move towards the Russian frontier, upon the right bank of the
Saghalien or Amour near the large island of the same name and to
the west of this river among the Poukoey, or among the Mantcheou-
petonos a little to the south, there is no longer terms to express the
degree of cold.
The Ichthyophagi, or rather the Yuphatatsi, live upon fish as
their name indicates : I think that it is the seal or river cow. They
are yet in a savage state, nomads, and lost in the midst of the trees
and forests. Strangers to agriculture, they are occupied during
the summer in fishing, whence they derive their means of sustenance
and clothing. Daring the winter they live together in the woods,
erect their tents around a large pile of wood, an enormous pile
which they build with entire trees. Each year they come, at an ap-
pointed time, to tratfic with the Cliinese, to exchange their furs of
beaver, otter, sable, &.C., for cloths, tea, rice, &,c. They do not
permit the su'.>jects of the emperor to go among them.
The Manchus generally, from the south of Liautung to the
Russian frontier, are divided into eight orders, or distinct classes,
wliich have each their peculiar dress and color: it is these who are
called the “ soldiers of the eight bamners,” «>r thep.'(-Ad, who form the
elite of the Chinese soldiery, or the first troops of the celestial em-
1816
Missions in Manchuria and Corea.
1;)7
pire : for this famous militia, when truly considered, is a ridiculous
affair, they are as brave as children : as they gave proof in the war
with the English. Then they prepared themselves seriously for war
in case of a descent upon the shores of Liautung : but I declare to
you I have never seen anything more strange or comical. Some of the
Christians are soldiers — and they showed me the official instructions,
whicli were from Peking. That you may not be incredulous,
I will cite the text. “ When you see a barbarian ship,” says one of
these circulars, “ give attention ; if you see black smoke, be reassured,
for infallibly the enemy will not disembark, they depart. If on the
contrary, the smoke is white, be on your guard ! they come.”
I’here was sketched in miniature, or I might better say, a grotes-
ejue figure, which they said was an European vessel, a ydng-chuen.
I could never have imagined what it was intended to represent. In
this sketch they had placed the tables upon the top of the masts, and
upon these tables the carriages .of the cannon. But adieu to the
p;'ih-ki !
These Manchus who are all soldiers, are under the more direct su-
pervision of the mandarins, and are organized by tens. As do all people
who settle among the Chinese, these have felt their influence and
embraced their customs : but more, in Liautung and even to the
middle of Manchuria, they are forgetting their own language, they
are obliged to learn it as we do Greek and Latin. The etiquette of
the pretorium requires them to speak Manchu. But the mandarins
themselves are forgetting the national idiom ; they limit themselves
only to speak from time to time some words for the sake of form.
Notwithstanding this, this language is much superior to the Chi-
nese , which is only a pitiable jargon. In the north they do not
speak the Manchu.
llow shall I describe the poverty of our Chri.stians? It is extreme.
I cannot say more; in the south it is as cold as at Moscow; and the
greater part have only rags to cover their nakedness, and these raus
are their cover by night as well as by day ; for they have no covering
to their beds. One sees the whole family lying extended on a large
furnace, wliich divides the chamber lengthwise from one side to the
other. Almost reduced to starvation by hunger how could they be
expected to clothe themselves? This country is anything else than
the land of promise, which flowed with milk and honey : the heaven
is iron, the earth is frozen during eight months, thfere is no spring or
autumn. An almost sulfocating bent immediately sirccecds the thaw,
,i8
VOI, XV. \0. IX.
IHissions in Mandturia and Corea.
Sep.
4,>8
the winds, or better said-, the tempests are perpetual, the famines
frequent ! Every thing is very dear, and the administration of tlie
Christians is very expensive. During the rains and inundations, which
last from July to October, it is impossible to travel, the roads are
sloughs without bottom, where horses sometimes disappear.
I have said it was a heaven of iron : nevertheless, it would be to be
blessed a thousand tifnes, if men, although contrary to their inclina-
tions, were wise to disregard their exile, and turn their regards towards
the country of eternity. But alas! it is here as everywhere ; the same
folly, the same excessive thirst and love of the riches and pleasures
of this world. All this is the same among the Christians. The evil
times, which paralysed the efforts of the missionaries, also effaced
the trace of their labors; the great evil, a wasting lethargy, charact.
erized the state in which I found my flock.
Nevertheless we do not lose courage. The almighty God, our
glorious Saviour, is still able to raise from these stones children to
Abraham! Your prayers. Messieurs, the associates of the holy work,
your solicitude for us, work miracles of grace, and restore life to the
dead. Already great changes have been accomplished ; the Christians,
by the fortunate arrival of new pastors, have been preserved from
entire destruction: The living temples of Jesus Christ have been
purified; the poor succored; the grace of baptism has been afforded
to the'ehildren of unbelievers, in danger of death, to increase the
number of the happy ; the frozen shores of L'autung long silent have
again resounded with the chant of our songs, and reechoed the holy
names of Jesus and' Mary !
And Corea! At the mention of this name your hearts are moved
with solicitude. Alas! Messieurs, what news I have to communicate!
Bishop de Capse and his two associates are no more ! On the 2 1st of
September 1839 these generous missionaries were put to death, and
about one hundred martyrs have been crowned in the space of eight
months?
Bisliop Imbert was born in Aix of Provence. He manifested from
his infancy a great aptitude for letters and the sciences, and finished his
studies witli distinction. He departed for the mission in 1820, and
was not able to enter Sz’chuen till 1835. The persecution which came
to desolate this church, the death of the messengers sent to conduct
him into China, obliged him to go three years into Tungking, where
there was then peace. 'Phe insalubrity of the climate caused a malady
which a Chinese physician regarded as hepatic; and from which he
184G.
Missions in Manchuria and Corea.
459
suffered much. Having arrived at Sz’chuen, he acquired the lan-
guage, which he spoke very well, in a very short time; and had also
a perfect knowldge of the Chinese characters, which are so difficult
to learn. Pious, active, industrious and laborious to the extent of
his strength, he was an accomplished missionary. The Christians
of Sz’chuen long regretted his departure. We bade him adieu in
1837, when he left for Corea. Two years after he died in the flower
of manhood — aged fortyfour years; it was not till this event, that he
was manifested to this new world, where his indefatigable zeal had
availed to extirpate so many briars and to gather so much of the fruit
of salvation ! “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his
saints.” But we must return to our martyrs; you will be desirous
of details.
[Here follow sixteen pages of details of the sufferings and tortur-
ing of many native Christians; which, as they possess much sameness,
recording on the one hand the cruelty of the persecutors, and on the
other the general constancy of the Christians, would not be so interest-
ing, are omitted. We notice the deaths of the bishop and the two
European priests. Trans.^
The persecution commenced in April 1837. M. Chastan arrived
at the bishop’s on the 24th of July and M. Maubant on the 29th.
His grace had invited them to meet and to deliberate what was to
be done in so critical a position. The fact that Europeans were there,
had been communicated to the persecutors; and they had given orders
to their satellites to search for them. At first it was thought that
it might be best to flee, and to go to the coast of China, or to that of
Liautung: and thus momentarily yielding to the storm ; and that only
one should deliver himself up.
The bishop wished that this should be himself, because he said it
is proper that the first shepherd should give his life for the sheep :
MM. Maubant and Chastan claimed this honor each for himself: M.
Maubant supposed he had special reasons why this happiness should
be adjudged to him. Admirable contention ! Our faith. Messieurs, is
worthy of being embraced. At last, when tliey could not agree upon
this point, they abandoned the project of delivering up one and the
others fleeing : they especially feared to expose to danger, by their dep-
arture, the family that might aid their escape. It was then resolved
that they should continue to conceal themselves in Corea. They
separated the 30th of July : MM. Maubant and Chastan returned
to the south of the mission. Upon their route, notwithstanding the
4t)0 Missions in Manchuria and Corea. Sf.p.
storm, they visited three small churches; and if at length they might
be able to find an asylum in the family of a brave neophyte. M.
Chastan had already found a refuge, and M. Maubant had prepared
to return, when a message came from bishop de Capse, which invited
them to come and join him in prison, and to deliver themselves to
their executioners. Our dear associates received this message with
a holy joy, and thought they heard the voice of Jesus Christ himself,
who called them, through his minister, to receive the crown of mar-
tyrdom. A price having been placed upon their heads, M. Maubant
said, that what they wanted they would have, cost what it would.
Bishop de Capse thought that, considering the circumstances, it was
better to sacrifice the pastors to spare their flock from many and great
vexations. Up to this time, i.e. to the 7th of September, M. Maubant
had taken great care of all the prisoners. — Here ends the journal of
bishop Imbert ; and there remain only incomplete notes from w hich
to compile the account of the persecution. The letters from Corea
which I have .received of the date of 1842 do not give the name of
the different martyrs, and mention nothing in detail. They only an-
nounce that our dear associates were put to death on the 24th of the
8th moon or 2lst September 1839. The holy prelate delivered himself
lip on the 11th of August and had to submit to the cruel and bloody
bastinado. MIVL Chastan and Maubant were taken prisoners the 7th
of September. You see that their captivity was not long; would that
at least one of these had remained to dry our tears and to restore the
ruins of this desolate church! Their precious remains were cast
into one common grave : and the king placed a guard around the
tomb. Nevertheless, three months afterwards, the Christians were
able to remove them secretly: but it was impossible to distinguish
thein ; they were there united for eternity. Illustrious Israelites!
“ they were luuclij and pleascint in their lives, and in death they were not
divided.” Already new apostles are ready to march upon the bloody
traces of their predecessors. Bishop Ferreol the new apostolic vicar
has not yet received the imposition of hands. Wandering hither and
thither upon these desert plains without lodging and without refuge,
we have not as yet been able to meet. However I hope to arrange,
an interview with him to perform the consecration during the next
winter. M. Maistre is also ready to enter Corea.
'I'his letter. Messieurs, is already very long, and I hasten to con-
clude It. All! without doubt the love of Jesus Christ, which unites
your hearts to us will render you sensible to our afflictions- \yithout
1846.
Notices of the Danish mtm-of-war .
•161
doul)t the simple narrative vvliich I have made will be to you and to
all the associates of your holy vvork a subject of admiration and of
prayer. In effect what beautiful e.\amples ! What generous faith in
these forsaken neophytes, remaining so many years without pastors^
as if lost to the other part of the world! What intrepidity! The timid
virgins and feeble infants becoming heroes! More powerful than
death, the church of Jesus Christ triumphs to the end of the world
over hell and its rage. “ Ai],d this is the pictory thaf overcomes
the tvorld, your faith.” The Christian religion begins to grow
old, say the infidels of Europe, and Thai^ks to our divine
Savior, who, by his victorious grace, does not cease to preserve in
her, and to renew each day, the vigour of its youth !
I have the honour. Messieurs, to be, with a respectful affection and
the most distinguished regard, your very humble and obedient servant.
Emmanuel J. F. Verroles, bishop of Colombie and
Apostolic vicar of Manchuria.
Art. IV. Notices of the Danish man-of-ioar the Galathea now on
a cruise round the world.
Portuguese ships, it is well known, were the first to lead the way to
China. They arrived as early as 1516. lyjen-of-war aiid merchant-
men came together. The Spanish, the French, the Dutch, the Eng-
lish, the Swedes and Danes followed in close succession. The
Dutch trade commenced in 1601 ; the Eiigjish about 1635; and that
of the Swedes in 1732. The Danes seem to have come to Cantop
somewhat earlier ; but the year in which their trade here began we
cannot ascertain. Previously to 1745 the Danes had sent to China
thirty-two ships, of which only twenty-two returned — so difficult and
dangerous was the navigation of these eastern seas in those early
times. In 1751 there were at Whampoa eighteen European ships; 9
English, the Esse.x, Centurion, St. George, Caesar, True Briton,
Triton, Hardwick, Elizabeth, and the Success Gaily (a country
ship); 4 Dutch, the Constancy (commodore’s ship), Friburgh, Am-
sleveen, and Geldarmousen ; 2 /’/•cncA, the Duke of Chartres and
the Duke of Monteran ; 2 Swedish, the Gothic Lion and the Prince
Charles; and 1 Danish, the Queen of Denmarl^.
402 Notices of the Danish man-of-war. Sep.
The Danish ships seem always to have come as merchantmen :
the Galathea, so far as we know is the first man-of-war that ever
came to China from Denmark. This vessel was originally a frigate,
but was afterwards altered to a corvett and her number of guns
reduced to twenty-six. The object of her present cruise is both
scientific and diplomatic.
The Galathea, bearing the Danish flag, is commanded by captain
Steen Andersen Bilk, chamberlain to her royal highness the princess
Caroline of Denmark and commander of the order of Dannebrogue.
The following are the names of her officers and scientific corps,
when she left Copenhagen; captains Aschlund and Fknsborg ; lieu-
tenants Rothe sen., Bruun, Hedemann, Colsmann, Roepstorff, Ravn,
and Rothe jun.; doctors Matthiessen acting first physician, Rosen
acting second physician and zoologist, and Diedricksen acting third
physician and botanist ; purser Blankensteincr ; chaplain the Rev.
Akth Hansen ; zoologists, professor Dr. Behn, Mr. Reinhardt, and
Mr. Kiellerup ; mineralogist 3fr. Rinck ; first botanist 3Ir. Bernhard
Kamphovener ; general painter Mr. Plum; and painter for the depart-
ment of natural history Mr. Thormann ; with a crew of two hundred
and thirty men.
The Galathea, after having been visited and inspected by his
majesty the king of Denmark, the duke of Schleswig and Holstein,
and the royal family, left Copenhagen June 24th 1845. Through
the Kattegat and North seas she experienced heavy gales, and on the
9th of July touched at Plymouth, whence dispatches were sent home
reporting her progress and safety. Taking her departure on the 1 1th
{after a stay of only two days) she arrived at Madeira on the 20th
July, and sailed again on the 27th, and reached Tranquebar October
12th. On the IGth she sailed for Pondicherry; on the 17th for
Madras; and on the 22d for Calcutta, where she remained from the
7th of November till the 25th of December. While there many of
the crew were sick, and three died.
During the corvett’s stay at Tranquebar and Calcutta, a formal
transfer was made of the Danish po.ssessipns on the mainland to the
British authorities.
Before leaving Calcutta the expedition was joined by a commer-
cial agent, who had been appointed by his Danish majesty and had
arrived via Suez. This gentleman, Mr. W. H. Nopitsch, and
Dr. Behn, are both Germans from Holstein.
From CaIcnUa the steamer Ganges, purchased, on account of the
184G.
Noticca of the Daniih iiian-qf-war.
K);{
Danisli governmeiil, from tlie honorable tiie east India Company, was
placed under the command of captain Ascldund with lieutenants
RoepstorfT and Rotlie jun, and dispatched to Pulo Penang to carry a
number of Chinese lal)orers to the Nicobar Islands. These officers
with a nuTnber of seamen and Mr. Rinck, tlie mineralogist, were to
remain at the islands. From Calcutta also some transports were
sent for coal, and to bring up his excellency, governor Hansen, from
Tranquebar to the Nicobars.
Having touched at the “Barren Island,” — where the scientific
gentlemen went on shore to examine the volcanic soil, — the Galathea
reached the Nicobars on the 6lh of January and remained there till
the 25th. During this interval, every effort was made to explore
these long neglected islands. The results of these researches were
committed to Dr. Philippi, a Prussian botanist, who while at Calcutta
volunteered to join the expedition, and now to carry the results of
the exploring parlies, on the Nicobars, to the government of Den-
mark. These results, it is expected, will soon be published.
The search for coal, made by the mineralogist Mr. Rinck, is said
to have been successful.
At Penang the Galathea remained from the 7th to the 21st of March,
and her crew regained the health which was wanting on their arrival,
though a few of them died, and Mr. Kamphovener was obliged to
return to Europe on account of his indisposition.
Eleven days were passed at Singapore, when on the 9th of April
the corvett weighed for Batavia ; and after a stay there of 21 days she
proceeded on her voyage to Manila, where she remained from the
5th till the 10th of June. She reached Macao on the 21st, and
Hongkong on the 23d of June, and Whampoa on the 10th of July.
Her marines came soon after to Canton, in consequence of the late
riot. So much for the outward voyage of the Galathea.
From Hongkong she sailed about the end of July, intending to
visit Amoy, Shanghai, the Sandwich Islands, Sydney, the west coast
of Atnerica, pass round the cape to Rio and then back to Copenhagen,
where she is expected to arrive about the end of next year, 1847.
While in Canton captain Steen Bille had an interview with the Chi-
nese authorities, and arrangements were made for hoisting the Danish
flag, by a consular authority, which we see lias been carried into
e fleet.
While they remained in Canton we had the pleasure of an introduc-
tion to se\ eral of the gentlemen, and have to regret that their stay
Tn-ms for the Deity.
4(54
SiiP.
here was so short — too sliort for the accomplishment of their scien-
tific objects. They spoke iti tlie liighest terms of the kind and gene-
rous recei)tion given them at all the places where they had touched
on their voyage. The crew as well as the officers were, while here,
in good health and high spirits. Tlie Galathea had on board a band
of excellent musicians, but as they did not come up to the city we
had not the pleasure of hearing them perform. Wliile at Whampoa
an old Chinese made his way on board, speaking the Danish language,
and was found to have been once compradore to the old Danish
Asiatic Company’s ships.
Art. V. Remnrka regarding the translation of the terms for the
Deity in the Chinese version of the Holy Serpitures. By a cor-
respondent.
Mr Editor : Your correspondent about the Chinese terms for Deity
has proved to every impartial reader, that Shnng ti, , is the
most apposite term for rendering the word God into Chinese. If he
had quoted Milne’s cogent reasons, which were republished in the
Repository a few years back, and numerous other native passages, in
which “omnipotence,” “omnipresence,” and “omniscience” are
ascribed to Shdng ti, he would have rendered the case still stronger.
He might have added, that the best educated Chinese of the present
day, when making a solemn appeal, always appeal to Shdng ti, the
God of all.
To the wellwishers for the advancement of the knowledge of (he
true God in this country, the writer has done a great service. For
the grief one feels, when Shin, Tjj^, is used both in writing and in
speaking, on seeing the natives point to their own gods, is such as
almost to dishearten one in the circulation of tracts. Did there exist
no other reason, but the use of this word Iieing the same as that which
designates idvds, this would be snflicient to expunge it from every
page of Christian books, as conveying the idea of the. only true God.
Still it has been retained, and even Shin ming, j|i|^ have been
n.sed for God, the creator of the world. Such being the the case, i.s
this not inculcating reverence for the gods? Can any pagan jud-fe
rStherwise from the literal meaning of the word ?
1S46
465
Terms for the Deity.
In some instances vve would differ with the translator. Under
Wan loang chi shin, ^ notliing more or less is under-
stood, than the spirit of that renowned king. According to Chinese
ideas every man, as long as he lives, has a shin, The Com-
mentator of the Chung Yung means quite different thiticrs from what
the writer of the article tells us. But we enclose the original with
this, and beg an impartial translator to render it into English, always
keeping in mind, that the question turns upon the dual principle ; that
skin and Jc2oei are analogous to ki, an ethereal fluid
or the air; but that hod shin, are demons and spirits; in
the end they are indeed one and the same thing ^j|X ^
rifj
The inferences drawn from this passage stand on a par with the
writer’s conclusion to recommend Shin, j|jl|l, as the most eligible
term, — certainly for spirit, spiritual essence, subtle, fine, gods and
idols, — but not for what he intends. The argument obtains double
strength by the writer’s own quotation, shewing that Shang ti is the
true term, and that Shin can never convey the idea. Here perhaps,
the matter will rest, and the term Shang ti, be adopted by
every man who wishes to glorify Jeliovi.h, the God above all, through-
out eternity.
I remain, Mr. Editor, Yours X. Y, Z.
The “original” from the Commentator on the Chung Yung,
enclosed by our correspondent, we here subjoin :
t f + $ $
a -Jt ® ^ f • Is "f- 0 1 X
2 iff SS it it 2 Mi m T 0 rX - ft Vi
IJI # Pt # -2-
ll'i "P iiB 1*1’ # ij # iffi I'iii I' H — ih
Ho £
After his strictures on the translation of a former correspondent,
we arc surprised that X. Y. Z. did not himself undertake to act the
part of “an impartiaf translator.” We shall shortly return to this
subject, which demands the mtost careful consideration, and shall
endeavor to show that Shin, and not Shang-ti, is the proper word
for (Jros. A correspondent writing us on this subject says, “ we are
VOL. XV, NO. IX. 69
4G6
Aoticca of ShiUig-hdi.
Si;p.
lieRrtily sick of tlie phrase Sh ing-ti. If is not the right one, for no
sooner do we pronounce it, than every tiody around us cries out,
“Oh you mean Yah liwdtig td t‘, 'rfl , and it takes us
more time lo convince them that we do not mean their Shdng-ti
tlian it would to teach them a new term.” This fact, that there are
more Sh ing-ti than one, though not the principal objection to llie use
of tlie phrase, is a very serious one indeed. But our limits will not
now allow us to enter on this discussion.
Art. VI. Notices oj Shang-hai : its position and ertent ; its houses,
public buildings, gardens, population, commerce, ^'c.
ShTng-ha'i hif.n, or the district of Shing-hai, belongs
to Sungkiang fii, ir or the department of Sungkiang.
The city of Shing-hii is in lat. 31° 2T 29'^ N., long, 121° 32' 02''
E. and distant, in a direct line, from the mouth of the rivet Wusung,
about seven miles. The place was visited bv Messrs. Lindsay and
Gutzlaff in the"^ord Amherst in 1832; in 1835 again by Messrs
Medhurst and Stevens: and in 1842 by the British military and naval
forces. By the latter we gained the following facts. “The wall is
miles in extent; that of Ningpo is 5J; but its suburbs are more ex-
tensive than those of Ningpo. The gardens of the ching hwdng midu
are spacious and well built, with many summer and grotto-hou.ses.
Gardens, yielding most excellent fruit, are generally attached to the
houses. Farmsteads and hamlets diversify the landscape around the
city ; and the grounds, as ftir as the eye can see. are entirely flat.
I’he distinct separation of the layers of deposited soil, on the banks
of the river, strongly reminded those gentlemen who had been in
Egypt, of the Nile.”
The following |)articulars we borrow from the Hongkong Register;
they were, we believe penned by a Spanish gentlemen, who visited
Shing-hVi in 1843.
“ The city of Sh^inghal is situated about fourteen miles from the sea
and on the right bank of a river of the same name, which flows into
the Y^ngtsz’ kiang at a small distance from its mouth. Ships of the
largest size can a.scend the river and anchor in front of the city,
althomdi a pilot is sometimes indispensable, and it is difficult lo avoid
getting on shore. Captains, experienced in these seas, say nolr
184(5.
Noiicra of Skung-h(U .
4(57
vviihstanding that the approach and entry of tlie river present no less
difliculty. The city has a rampart or wall with a circuit of five or
six miles. It has many embrasures where cannon might be pointed,
but it is so narrow, in some places, that it would be impossible to
manage artillery on carriages. The w'all is without bastions, exterior
defences and ditches. The houses of the suburbs, moreover, which
form whole wards on some sides, are built close to it. It has five
entrances, each consisting of two gates, but without drawbridge or
other defense. The streets are narrow and filthy to a degree difficult
to be imagined. Shops of all kinds are numerous, or to speak more
correctly, every door is a shop. The city contains at least 300,000
souls. Along the river the houses are washed by the water.
“Shanghai is truly the port of the city of Siichau, which is about
150 miles distant by the river. Suchau is considered by the Chine.s'c
as the paradise of their country. Those who have succeeded to an
inheritance, those who have obtained sudden riches, in a word, those
who wish to spend some thousand dollars merrily, betake themselves
to Suchau. Here are found the best hotels, the pleasure boats are
the most sumptuous, the most pleasant gardens, the fairest ladies.
The fashions for the dresses and coiffure of the fair sex change in
China every three years, and these fashions proceed from Suchau
and give the laws even to the ladies of the court. The circum stance
of being so near this city and the mouth of the Yangtsz’ kiang have
made Shanghai a mercantile emporium. The Ydngtsz’ ki.ing is a
river that washes the walls of Nanking and of several other provincial
capitals, without reckoning an immense number of inferior cities,
as it is navigable for large vessels for more than a thousand leagues
into the interior. Indeed the navigation of this vast river is of the
greatest amount. In it there are several ports of great resort. In that
of H.inkau, in the province of Hukwang and situated 600 leagues
from the sea, are found continually assembled from six to eiorht thou-
sand vessels. The river besides receives a va.st numI)erof tributaries,
all more or less navigable, and its mouth, as already mentioned, is
contiguous to Shanghai.
“The vessels which arrive at this port are known, at the custom-
house, as those of the north, of Fuhkiea, and Canton. The vessels
of the north come principally from Kwiintung, Lidutung, I'eintsin,
(at the mouth of the Peiho, the river which p isses Peking,) and from
the province of Shantung. The vessels of Kvvantung and Liantung
are the same as those of Teintsin. Those of Sh intung proceed from
4G8
yvtices of Skilng-hdi.
Sep.
the different ports of that province. Both are known under the name
of vessels of the north ; and all that come to Shanghai annually at the
commencement of the northeast monsoon amount to 900. From
Fuhkien about 300 come annually, but a greater part of them come
from Hni-nan or Formosa, and some from Chusan and Ningpo, also
from Manila, Bali, and other ports prohibited to the Chinese. About
400 come from Canton, a great part proceed from Macao, Singa.
pore, Pinang, Jolo, Sumatra, Siam, and other places prohibited to
the Chinese.
“ The vessels therefore of the outer seas which come to Sh.lnghdi
annually are 1 600, although in some favorable years they have amount-
ed to 1800. Taking these vessels at an average of 200 tons, we shall
have an importation of 300,000 tons. Although the vessels of the
north are 900, and those of the south only 700, these latter have a
gre.rter total amount; among the former are many of only 60 tons.
“ The vessels of the north bring a great quantity of a dry paste,
known under the name of tdnping, the residuum or husk of a legu-
minous plant called teuss, from which the Chinese extract oil, and
which is used, after being pressed, as manure for the ground; great
quantities also of the same plant unpressed, hams and salted meat,
oil, wine and spirits, timber for ship building, wheat, chesnuts,
pears, fruits, greens, &c., come from the north.
“From Fuhkien they bring sugar, indigo liquid and dried, sweet
potatoes, salted fish, paper, black tea, end soap; from Canton sugar,
cinnamon. Canton cloth, fruits, glass and chrystals, perfumes, soap,
white lead, &,c.
“ The vessels arriving from Singapore, Malacca, Penang, Java, Jolo,
Sumatra, Borneo, &c., and which are entered at the custom-house as
coming from Fuhkien or Canton bring European goods of all kinds,
opium, flints, pepper, shark’s fins, deers’ horns, cochineal, hides,
nails, nutmegs, liquid and dried indigo, bicho de mar, birds’ nests,
mother o’pearl, shells, tortoise .shells, ivory, bufTalo’s humps, sugar,
canes, betel-nut, sapan-wood, ebony, iron, lead, gold-thread, and all
kinds of wood for spars, ornamental and fragrant, as well as materials
fur dying and medicine, coming from the Red Sea, the Persian or
Indian seas, and the isles of Polynesia.
“The ships of the north, that is those which return to Kw^ntung,
Tientsin and Liautung, carry away cotton, some tea, paper, silks, and
cotton stuffs from Nanking and Suchau, European goods and flints,
opium, and a great part of the sugar, pepper, bicho de mar and birdq’
1846.
Notices of Shdng-hdi.
46(1
nests, di-c., which the vessels passing under the name of Fnhkien
and Canton bring to Shanghai. Some of them however return in
ballast. These last mentioned vessels return with cargoes of cotton,
earthen ware and porcelain, (especially for Formosa,) salted pork,
green tea, raw and manufactured silks, native cotton cloth, blankets,
hemp, dried pulse of various kinds, fruits, and part of the goods
brought by the vessels from the north.
“ There is besides an interchange of a vast number of articles con-
nected with the coasting trade, such as baskets, charcoal and coal,
wood, straw, pipes, tobacco, gypsum, varnish, umbrellas, mats, lan-
terns, sacks, sponges, fruits, vegetables, &c.
“There come besides to Shinghai by the Ydngtsz’ ki^ng and its
branches, vessels from various ports amounting in all to 5,400 an-
nually. These never put out to sea, but convey into the interior the
goods brought by vessels from the south and the north, as well as
transport from the interior the goods to be despatched by these vessels.
In addition to the vessels employed in the inland navigation and those
which go to sea, amounting as has been shown to 7,000, there are at
Shanghai innumerable boats &, barges employed in fishing and in
conveying passengers and goods.
‘‘It may be inferred from the foregoing description that Sh'mghai
is not only a point of great trade in imports and exports, but also an
emporium where there is an exchange of national and foreign com-
modities between the southern and northern parts of the empire.
“ It would be an object of great interest to form a complete statement
of the imports and exports, but whether it is that they are unwilling
to communicate their information, or that they really have none (and
I rather believe the latter) I found all the Europeans with whom I
was acquainted at Shanghai completely ignorant of this matter.; and
so much so that all assured me there came to that port at the least
•5,000 vessels annually, solely because this number could be counted
in it and even more. But w'e have seen already that the greater part
are only the means of transport into the interior, instead of the carts
and mules employed in other countries, or lands less favoured by
nature than Sh.inghai. My application to the Europeans being
unavailing, I might have turned myself to the rich native merchants
and even the vessels anchored in the river, but this required, amongst
other matters, a knowledge of the language of Shanghai and of the
innumerable dialects which are spoken by the seamen and merchants
who come thither. For such an undertaking I fourid myself very ill
Notice!! of Shdng-hai.
Set.
4:0
prepared. In Manila and Canton I used much diligence in vain to
find some fit Ciiinese who w'ould follow me and act as interpreter.
At Macao even I had difficulty in finding a servant, amongst those
there who speak a kind of English and Portuguese, which it is neces-
sary to study before you can understand it, but in Snangh ii he w^as
scarcely of any use to me, knowung no other dialect than that of
Canton. Aiu)ther whom I took into my service, in the former city,
although he understood a little more of the idioms of the country,
was equally useless to me, because I understood him very irnperfectr
ly. 1 could therefore only avail tnyself of the little which 1 could
speak of the Mandarin dialect of Nanking (the language called the
Mandarin varies not only between different provinces and cities, but
even between the interior and suburbs of the same city); but it was
impossible, with such feeble aid to keep myself afloat in this sea of
difficulties. Another resource w'as left me, and it was to make ap-
plication to the custom-house, but 1 would have been a simpleton to
expect to gain information from the chief men there. Therefore it
was by artful means, and patting in oi)cration resources which rarely
fail of their effect in China, I found access indirectly to a kind of
Register or cash-book, in which was set down daily the quantities
entered for duties received on goods imported. But this book, not
having tables or sums, it was necessary in each article to extract page
by page, the particular quantities, to form a calculation of the whole
sum. And as this was a tedious process, and I feared consequently
that it might cause trouble, I was content to glean the notices
I wished for regarding articles which were of importance to
the commerce of Manila. I found the result that there are yearly
imported into Shanghai 520,030 peculs of sugar, from 25 to 30,000
of sapan-wood ; an equal (juantity of dye stuffs; from 3 to 4,000 of
canes; 1950 of bicho de mar; 1700 of shark’s fins; and 1500 of birds’
nests. This last article is probably introduced in greater quantity
than is entered ; because the first quality pays five taels of duty at the
custom-house, which mu.st be a temptation to the dealers and those
engaged in the office. A rice merchant from Fuhkien assured me
that from 3 to 4,000 piculs of bicho de mar are imported, although
those entered do not amount to 2000. The same amount of fraud is
probably committed in shark’s fins. Dye stuffs pay a duty of 4 mace
per pecul, sapan-wood 1 ; shark’s fins I tael 5 mace; bicho de mar
8 mace; sugar 100 cash.
“All the duties received at this customhouse on Chinese ve.ssels
1840. yotiies uf Shdng-hdi. 4' I
produce a little more tlian $100,000, of which only 80,000 enter liie
imperial treasury.
“There is however cnn.siderable confusion in the money, weights
and measures of Sliangh ii. Money trans.actions are effected in pieces
of silver called sycee, in Spanish dollars of Carolus and Ferdinand.
Silver is reckoned by taels ; 720 taels are ecpi d to 1000 dollars of Fer-
dinand. But these dollars are here almost nominal, since those current
at Sh'inghM are Carolus and bear to the others a premium of from
5 to 15 per cent. At the time of writing this notice the respective
value of dollars was in the following proportion; 100 pure Mexican,
Spanish 05, stamped of Carolus or Ferdinand 90. Sycee is not all
of equal value. Some is in large pieces of the form of a Chinese
shose, and of the weight of 50 taels, others are in small bits of various
figures and weights, each of which has its own denomination, and
they are received at different discounts. 4’he first or large size is
current at Shanghai, and is at a premium of 3 to 4 per cent, above
Spanish dollars, that is above the rate of 720 taels to $1000. At
this moment one tael of such silver is erpial to 1720 cash, one Carolus
dollar to 1280.
“ The measure is the chik equal to 15 inches 2 lines of the foot of
Burgos, and 4 per cent, shorter than the pan of Canton. The ehdiig
is also used, which is equal t(r ten chih.
“The weights are the pecul (tan) and catty (kin). The Chinese
merchants in their purchases and sales of sugar, and some otlyer
articles, make the catty equal to 14 taels 4 mace; from which it fol-
lows that the pecul only weighs 90 catties at IG taels. Or else they
make it of 18^, in which case 100 are equal to 1 10. The first weight
they call shui kwnn tiing, and the second lai yan seng. Besides
these they have the fatie sing, or U<to ping, the catty which is of
16 taels; the sinin ping of 17 ; the kin in pin of 15 taels 3 mace ; and
the un la shui kwnn tsing or shan sho s/iui ktivu fsing of 12 taels 8
mace. Whereas the pecul of rice contains 160 catties, of wheat 140,
of barley 120, of flour 100. Thus do they make the catties larger
or smaller, counting them at the rate of from 14^ to 18^ taels ; also
they have taels of two or three kinds ; for example 19, taels of the
sinia ping are equal to 20 of the shui kwnn tsing ; that is to say, the
weights come to be conventional, but Europeans always bargain for
piculs of 100 catties of the custom-house of Shanghai, which is the
same as that of Canton. This however does not prevent a per.son
making inquires of the natives in order to gaitt commercial informa--
tion to prevent being misled.”
472
Notices of Shdng-hdi.
Sep.
To the foregoing we add a few particulars from Lieutenant Ouch-
terlony’s book, in which, by the bye, are some “astounding errors and
incorrect representations.” For instance, the “Illustration” opposite
page 304 throws up Alpine ridges in the rear of Shang-h^i, where
not a hill or mound of any height is to be seen ! The lieutenant
tells us that the ramparts of the city, though well built, cannot be
accounted strong, by reason of their insignificant height, which
renders them easy of escalade in many points; the gateways, four in
number, are w'ell placed in square bastions, projecting clear of the
main rampart, and having double entrances, so as to isolate the in-
ner gates in the enceinte from the outer opening in the front face of
the bastion. The military establishments were not found to be on an
iinportant scale; the arms and ammunition were poor in quality and
of no large amount. The most remarkable buildings are situated
near the centre of the city, and consist of spacious halls and pagodas,
built in a sort of square of great extent, having in the centre a sheet
of water, with bridges, w^eeping willows, acacias, ornainental stone-
work, &c., &c. The private dwelling houses have usually many
squares included in their range, the whole being walled in by high
brick enclosures, with only two doors for ingress and exit. The
pawnbroker’s establishments, except in style and extent, closely re-
sembled those of England. The lieutenant’s account of these is
amusing, but we must refer our reader for it to his book. The ice-
houses, “ a most welcome discovery,” were very simple in form and
principle of construction, but perfectly efficient, the rays of the sun
being reflected from thick high roofs made of thatch, and the com-
munication of heat to the interior being prevented by thick mud
walls. The ice was abundant. Much of the furniture in the houses
“ was exceedingly solid and good, often elaborotely carved and orna-
mented in a very costly manner.” The slabs of marble were es-
pecially beautiful. “One of these, which was let into the back of a
couch, measured seven feet and a half in length, and fifteen inches
in breadth ; it was white, variegated with veins of different hues, and
presenting a most tasteful and georgeous appearance.”
1846,
Fcktng (jiaztttei.
I-;:!
Art. Vll. Peking Gazettes.' notes and extracts from the numbers
from number thirtu-three for April 20</t to number fortu-five
for May \bth 1846.
We how resume our notices of these state papers: but circumstances,
for the present quite beyond our control, prevent us from giving such
ample notes and extracts as we desire. We look at the working of
the machinery of this huge government with feelings of mixed astonish-
ment and solicitude, for it seems to drag and groan under its own
weight. If it continues to move on, as we hope it may, it must
erelong undergo great changes; and it is high time there were at the
emperor’s court plenipotentiaries from all the other great nations
of the earth. This measure must be adopted, else the Chinese will
soon find “ armed expeditions” on their coasts, making demands for
spoliations, indignities, etc. Although we see only a very small part of
the whole machinery, we see enough to convince us that the present
order of things must be of short duration. But to the Gazettes.
No. 33.
April 20th and 21st. Lin, zealous as of old, appears in this
number as disciplinarian, asking rewards and advancement for the
meritorious, and proposing degradation and punishments for the un-
worthy and the idle and incompetent. He sees — and who does not
see? — the evils that fill the land, and he would fain work a reform,
even as he did in the case of opium — the evils of which, instead
of alleviating, he greatly enhanced. But Lin wishes well to his
country, and is much better qualified to deal with the Chinese than
with “ the outside barbarians.” For the soldiers in the province of
K insuh, he has requested, and the emperor has been pleased to grant,
supplies of siau mek, /b ^ , “ small wheat,” as rations.
In this number, the discovery of some singular articles in Chin-
kiang fii is announced; but in terms so brief as to leave us ignorant
of their precise character. It seems that the governor of Kiangsi,
the province in which are the Poyang lake and its many tributaries,
— found it necessary to improve the navigation of the waters in
Tanyiing, and proceeded thither in person to direct and superintend
the deepening and widening of the vvater-w'ays. In accomplishing
this, the workmen dug up ^ ^ ^ )5/j-
“ stone-tablets and pestles, such as were never before seen.”
So much the Gazette tells us; and we leave our readers as fully in-
formed" as" ourselves, and not more curious to know what the said
tablets may be.
No. 34.
April 22d and 23d. Here we see, first, his majesty and his sons
gi)ing to the temples toolTer incense to the gods ; next we see sundry ul’'
6(1
VOI.. XV. NO. IX.
474
Sep.
Peking Gazettes.
his servants delivered over to the Criminal Board for the maladmin-
istration of the mint, and other public affairs ; next we have the go-
vernors of Chihli and Lin disciplining their subalterns; next, lists of
expectants of office are introduced to his majesty; and finally we have,
a detailed report of those foul deeds of which it is a shame to speak,
but which blacken almost every page of Chinese history.
No. 35.
April 24th and 25th. This number is almost wholly filled with
the details of a case brought forward by Hingan and Kw'anglin,
charging Husungah and others with the crime of having embezzled
the emperor’s property. On trial they were found guilty and sentence
passed accordingly, consigning them to the bamboo and banishment.
No. 36.
April 26th and 37th. Hmgan again appears, requesting that cer-
tain robbers may be delivered over to the Board of Punishments, and
that guards may be placed over a condemned malefactor of the
imperial house to prevent suicide.
No. 37.
April 28th and 29th. Minor matters — reports of audiences, ap-
pointments, and other things of the like sort — fill this number.
No. 38.
April 30th and May 1st. Here we have a long and labored report,
from the General Council, on the memorial of Chu Tsun, regarding
the national currency. We shall publish Chu Tsun’s memorial as
soon as we can get it translated, and parts or the whole of this report
may come along with it.
No. 39.
May 2d and 3d. We have here a curious note of thanks presented
to the emperor by Chub Kingfan, president of the Board of Rites.
On the anniversary of Chuh’s seventieth birth-day, the emperor took
occasion to confer on his aged minister a variety of gifts, consisting
of scrolls ; beads p and Fan tung wu Hang shau Fuh yih tsun,
llIF ^ which appears to be nothing more nor
less than the immortal Budha in copper, i.e. an idol or copper image
of tint so-called deity. And oh, what thanks and clouds of incense
are offered in return! And what knockings of the head and prostra-
tions of the body ! Our plain Enghish would be but a poor vehicle
for the lofty praises poured forth by the veteran statesman in acknow-
led|gment of “the heavenly favors of the august and high” one.
We have here also a report from the principal officers of Shensi
regarding the severe illness of Tang Tingching — who is now said
to be dead ; but of this we have seen no official report.
No. 40.
May 4th and 5th. This number is filled with matters of no interest
to our readers, such as changes and degradations of the minor officers.
1816.
Peking Gazettes.
475
No. 41.
May 6th and 7th. Hingan, now tsiang-kinn or commandant at
Moiikden, reports the capture of sundry freebooters, and requests
the emperor to give commands for their punis<ament; and, at the same
time, he asks tliat rewards may be bestowed on the captors. Tiiese
robbers resemble the wild Arabs, and carry off horses, cattle, sheep
and whatever may chance to come in their way.
Several pages of this number are filled with the details of a case
of parricide, which occurred in the province of Hon m. The gover-
nor, being unable to decide regarding the criminality of the son,
referred the matter to the emperor, who, in accordance with the
recommendation of the court which sat on the case, gave sentence
that the murderer should be decapitated, and the constable, of the
village where he lived, branded and bambooed.
No. 42.
May 8th and 9th. Here is reported a case of cruel oppression,
brought before the Censorate from the province of Sz’chuen. A
young man was falsely accused and tortured till he died, and for four
full years his brother sought redress in vain in the provincial courts,
and that too where one of the Cabinet ministers was governor-general.
How the case is to end, the Gazettes do not show.
No. 43.
May 10th and Hth. Here we have another case of murderous
oppression, which occured in the province of Chihli. A poor man
is accused of theft, and then tortured to death ; and the tools of the
maladministration are delivered over to the Board of Punishment.
These cases of oppression are said to be very numerous, in all the
provinces. And not the poor only, but the rich also are subject to
these cruelties, and that too solely on account of their riches.
No. 44.
May 12th and 13th. Here is, what the Chinese consider, a most
admirable paper, written by one of the descendents of Confucius. On
the 70th anniversary of the emperor’s mother birth-day, which occur-
red last autumn, his majesty deputed an otHcer to go and offer sacrifices
to the “ master of ten thousand ages.” Hence the paper before us
was written, in acknowledgement of and in gratitude for that “ heav-
enly favor.” To common readers the language is quite incomprehen-
sible. It is redolent with insense, and abounds with expressions
of highest praise, such as we would deem becoming only when ad-
dressed to the governor of the nations — to Jehovah God of hosts.
The emper or receives it all with the usual ^-p , we know it !
No. 45.
May 14th and 15th. Maladministration, maladministration, and
nothing but maladministration seems to be the order of the day, from
north to south from east to west throughout all the emperor’s wide
dominions. The sovereign seems mild and gentle amid all these
Journal of Occurrences.
4 TO
Skp.
disturbances, willing to forgive offenses, and ready to confer favors
and bounties on all who merit or need them. He .has recently direc-
ted 30,u00 taels of silver to be given to his children in Formosa,
who last autumn were deprived of all their property by inundations.
His majesty has sent a special commissioner, post haste, to look
after and regulate the imperial stud in Manchu, and is amusing himself
with the manceuvers of his equestrian archers in Peking.
P S. In an extract from the Gazettes, but without date, we have
an account of a civil war in two of the departments of Fuhkien —
Changchau and Tsiuenchau — in which 24515 houses and 668
cottages were burnt, and 130638 persons were killed or wounded !
These civil wars are of very frequent occurrence among the “ peaceful
Chinese.” A fracas of this sort occurrd a few days since near Can-
ton, between parties of gamblers, ending in the murder of eight men.
Anx. VIII. Journal of Occurrences : facilities for intercourse and
business at Shanghai ; fearful omens and earthquake at Nitigpo;
indemnity for losses at I'uhchau ; affairs at Amoy, Hongkong
and Canton ; triennial examinations throughout the provinces.
From Shangh.m there are recent reports, which indicate that, to the
foreign residents there, the prospects are flattering. In a commercial
point of view, the expectaio^ of the most sanguine are likely to be
realized. If China can be preserved from foreign and civil wars,
the foreign commerce of Shanghai may be, by degrees, increased
many many fold, i.t being, on account of its position, the point from
whence supplies will be earned to jthe central, northern and western
parts of the empire. From all that we can learn, the residences and
the facilities of intercourse are every thing that foreigners can wish.
4’he people make those who come from afar welcome, and their
bearing towards them is mild and peaceable. Dr. Lockhart's assi-
duous labors, as a skilful medical practitioner, have, in addition to the
direct good of healing great multitudes, done much to prepare the
way for the preaching of the gospel. A correspondent, under date of
September 4th, writes: ‘‘Dr. Medhqrst’s new chapel has been open
two Sabbaths; attendance about 300 ; I hope to have one open in
three or four weeks that wijl accommodate about the same number.”
Mr. Walter Henry Medhurst ir. is about to return to England on
sick certificate, and Mr. Harry S. Parkes is to act in his stead during
his absence.
From Ningpo we have recent letters, and give below some extracts.
Mr. Thom, so long and well known as a resident in China, is also
about to return to England on sick leave, and, during his absence,
George Grey Sqllivan, esquire, is to be H. B. M.’s acting consul.
” This place doe.s not seem to attract much trade ; there has been
1810.
Journal of Orriirr.mrrx.
477
but one merchant vessel here this year. The weather has been,
during mid-summer, oppressively warm, the thermometer frequently
standing at 98° and in some houses as high as 103° for hours together.
But the nights are almost always pleasant.”
‘‘ Chusan is given up and the people are again under their own
rulers, and very glad of it — notwithstanding all that has been said of
their desire to be under foreign rule. Under the date of August
4th, Ningpo, a correspondent thus writes.
‘‘ The good people of Ningpo have been sorely troubled with real
and imaginary evils during the present year. First we had a winter
of unusual severity. Then in April such long continued and copiorts
rains as seriously interfered with planting and transplanting the rice.
The kin hi, or prohibition of the slaughtering of pork, was resorted
to, to appease the gods and procure a cessation of the showers, and
finally, as a last resort, the gods were put out in the rain! Then in
the months of May and June and July, when there is usually much
rain falling, the heavens were almost hermetically sealed. The
usually very damp season of June, which is here called ‘‘ the yellow
mould,” passed away as dry as though we had been in the desert of
of Sahara.
‘‘In consequence of the drought, the canals are all dried up, rice
is rising in price, and the supplies that are usually brought froni
near Stichau are unable to arrive. The kin tu has been resorted to
three times to procure rain, but hitherto without success, and should
none fall within two weeks the second crop of rice will be of little
value, and much distress may be expected. In addition to these
evils, the superstitions of the people have caused them no little trou-
ble. First there was in the month of June a report that the poisoners
were abroad, and that many persons had died in consequence of
eating cakes, which had been poisoned and dropped by designing
villains. The remedy proposed for the poison was neither more nor
less than human excrements, to which many actually had recourse.
'I'he panic occasioned by this rumor, (which seems to have origina-
ted in some cases of cholera morbus) was very great, and for awhile
the people were afraid to pruchase any thing from the strolling ped-
lars who hawk rolls and bean-curd and fruit about the streets, and
these poor people, finding their ‘‘occupation gone,” were put to some
distress for a livelihood.
“ Scarcely had this rumor died away, when a more fearful one
came in its place. Some ten days ago a placard was posted up on
the walls and street-corners, warning the people to be upon their
guard, for some of the neighboring cities had been visited by evil
spirits, who went through the streets at night shouting furiously and
entering into houses to harm the inhabitants. These evil spirits
were to be guarded against by charms, on which the mystical charac-
ters, hih, ki , r,huh, ting, were written or printed in red, and also by
strips of red cloth worm around the person. Consequently vast num-
bers of the charms have been sold, and the dealers in red cloth of all
kinds h.ive turned their imeatments to profitable account. It is
478
Journal of Occurrences.
StpT'
said that more than three thousand of these civil spirits (literally
chi jin, f\^ paper men,) have been haunting the city for some
days past, and no little terror has been manifested by old and young
on the subject. It seems that the evil spirits, are arranged under
the banners of the Yin principle; and as tlie sound of brass gongs
and kettles of all kinds belongs to the yung principle, the latter have
been beaten with a hearty good-will, night after night, till midnight,
in hopes of frightening away the evil spirits. This has been an
occasion of no small profit to the dealers in brass, who are said to
have sold olf nearly all the brass gongs they had on hand. Many
persons have been so apprehensive of visits from the spirits that they
have seet up watching all night long and went to bed by day.
“ To crown all, while the apprehensions from the evil spirits were
at their height, we had a visit of an earthquake. Not having had
any previous experience of the effect of earthquakes, I am not able
to say whether it was a “ smart” shock or a “ severe” one, but per-
haps your readers can form some opinion for themselves from the
following account.
“ Aug. 4th. I was awaked shortly after three oclock a. m. by an
earthquake. Having been sound asleep, it was a moment or two
before I became conscious of the real nature of the disturbance.
There was a dull heavy roaring in the atmosphere, (heard also by
several other persons in other parts of the city,) apparently coming
from the north or northwest, and the roof of the house moved as
though it were being gradually lifted off by a heavy wind. Think-
ing it might be a furious tempest, I was about to get up for the pur-
pose of closing the window's, when I found the bed moving violently
beneath me. Jumping up and going to the window, I found the
motion still continued, as the whole house was working w'ith some
violence, and being now aware of the nature of the case, and fear-
ing lest the house should fall, I thought it best to escape into the
open air, but the motion had ceased before I got out. All this took
up the space of about one minute. The motion of the earth and of
house was from north to south, and was felt in some places more
sensibly than in others.
“ The consternation that prevailed in the city was indescribable,
owing to the rumors and panic caused by the story about the evil
spirits, many people were sitting up when the shock occurred, and
it was so severe that it aroused every person else. When it came,
it seems to have been the general impression that the evil spirits
were coming to carry the city by storm. The inhabitants of the
house next door to mine set up a terrific shriek, and in an instant
the whole city rang with the b.eating of gongs, the firing of rockets
and crackers, and the shouts and crying of men and w’omen in terror.
To increase the alarm, a bright falling star shot from the zenith to-
wards the north, bearing a long train of light behind it, and to many
terrified imaginations it doubtless seemed as though the Yang and
Yin principles were wrapped in endless confusion and heavei) and
1846.
Journal of Occurrences.
479
earth about to end. The noise and beating of gongs continued so
long and so lond, that it was impossible to distinguish any other
sounds. I regretted this, for several times I fancied I heard the same
dull heavy roar repeated, and the Chinese, supposing that it was the
shouting of the spirits of darkness, exclaimed, “There they are.
They are coming ! ” It may however have been only the blended
sounds of gongs and rockets and shoutings of men, as they rose on
the night air.
“The Chinese are sorely puzzled to account for these prodigies;
some say tliey are caused by the spirits of the English and Chinese
soldiers, slain in the last war, now fighting their battles over again ;
while others attribute them to the presence of the foreigners, and
especially of the Roman catholics who are just about to rebuild
their long desolate Tien chu tfing.”
In a public “notification to British subjects at Fuhrhau frt hy
Mr. consul Alcock, it appears that $40,000 (forty-six thousand
dollars) have been paid to some few British subjects, for losses oc-
casioned by popular violence. The consul’s object is to warn his
countryman against doing any thing, or allowing aught to be done,
to disturb the public tranquility Under present circumstances
the greatest circumspecti(ui should be observed by all foreigners at
all the ports. But if outrages are committed, and property is destroy-
ed, the emperor’s government must indemnify. The above “ forty-
six thousand” may serve as a precedent, if in future other damages are
sustained. And by the by, we think the local authorities of Canton
are under obligatons to foreigners for what they did on the 8th of
July last to prevent the destruction of property.
From an official notification, we see that Richard Belgrave Jack-
son, esquire, has been appointed H. B. M.’s consul at Fuhehau; and
Mr. Martin Crofton Morrison, interpreter.
Mr. consul Layton has given notice, “ that sugar may henceforth
be imported into Amoy at an ad vedorem duty oi five per cent., and
that peo.9 may be imported /rre of all duty;” and further, that “the
Right Worshipful the Hae-kwan ” has been commanded by his
superiors to return to the consul the sums that had been levied as
imperial duties upon certain parcels of sugar and peas imported from
M anila. Under Mr. Layton’s watchful care, we doubt not that every
thing possible will be done to foster and increase the commerce of
Amoy.
Of the Protestant mission there we continue to receive favorable
reports. The Rev. Alexander Stronach and family, who not long
ago arrived at Hongkong from Singapore, have recently proceeded-
to join the mission there ; and the Rev. Mr. Pohltuan, who has been
at Canton for two or three months for medical aid, has returned to
Amoy ; while Mr. and Mrs. Young, on account of ill-health, have left
for a season to try the climate of Macao.
For increasing the military strength of Hongkong a detatchment
of royal sappers and miners has been ordered. It seems, also,, that' a*
480
Journal of Occurrences.
detatcliment of “ Malay soldiers (volunteers), from the Ceylon rifle
regiment,” is to be sent on under colonel Brereton, of the Royal
Artilery. “ The object of having these volunteers is, for making
them non-commissioned officers in the corps of Malay gunners, which
will be formed and attached to the Royal Artillery in Hongkong, as
soon as a sufficient number of Malays are obtained from Borneo,
arrangements for which are in progress.” The editor of the Hong-
kong Register, in his number for the 15th instant, after remarking
on the recent changes in the Queen’s government, winds up with
the following paragraph.
“ It seems thus not unreasonable to hope that better days are yet in store for
Hongkong. To secure a tlirough change here, his (earl G s) attention requires
only to be called to the imbecility, if not preversity that has ruined a settle-
ment that at first gave promise of a different course, to which the energy of the
settlers secured a progress unexampled in any British colony, so far as they
had only to contend with physical obstacles, though they could not resist the
influence of measures framed, as it had been expressly, to drive Commerce
from our shores. Surely to obtain a change so much to be wished for, no-
thing more should be requisite than a knowledge of the state of blockade in
which we are now placed, where by sea no one dares take a passage in the
usual fast-boats if he have porperty of any value ; and by land whether with
porperty or without, no one can move half a mile beyond the limits of the
town, without almost a certainty of being robbed; and at least one attempt
has been made within the last week to rob a gentleman on horseback even
on the Queen’s Road ; while the government, though supported by a force
both Naval and Military sufficient for a much greater emerrgency, sits by in
listless indolence or indifference, week after week, without even an effort to
put a stop to the pirates and lobbers that hem us in.”
T'be Rev. William C. Milne and Mrs. Milne, with the Rev. Mr.
and Mrs. Cleland, of the London Missionary Society, arrived in
Hongkong on Tuesday the 22d ult. — We see that the Religious
Tract Society, London, has resolved to employ colportures in Hong-
kong and Shanghai; and are glad to learn that the Brit, and Foreign
Bib. Soc. is about to prosecute its good work on a liberal scale in
this country. To give the volume of revealed truth to the people of
any land is truly a good work.
Regarding publit affairs in the provincial city — “ the City of
Rams,’ as the old historians call Canton, we are quite at a loss what
to think or write. Many are anticipating more troubles and new
Out-breaks, there being not a few of the populace who are seeking
revenge for what they suffered on the 8th of July last. The Ne-
mesis, for some days back anchored above the city, in the Macao
Passaore, hits resumed her old anchorage in front of the factories.
At pre,sent (Saturday the 19th) all is quiet; and if proper circum-
spection is observed, we doubt not that peace will still be preserved.
On the 25th instant the great triennial examinations, for the
degree of Kii-jin, will "open in the capital cities of all the eighteen
provinces. These will be continued for several successive days and
with great interest, the number of candidates amonuting to six or
eight thousand in each of the provinces; the examiners are appointed
from- Peking.
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