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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-14 20:12:05 -0700 |
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diff --git a/39180-h/39180-h.htm b/39180-h/39180-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c580e4 --- /dev/null +++ b/39180-h/39180-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,18681 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of + Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh; The History Of The Ti-Ping Revolution + by Augustus F. Lindley + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.tnote { + border: dashed 1px; + margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; + padding-bottom: .5em; padding-top: .5em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh, by Augustus F. Lindley + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh + The History of the Ti-Ping Revolution (Volume I) + +Author: Augustus F. Lindley + +Release Date: March 17, 2012 [EBook #39180] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TI-PING TIEN-KWOH *** + + + + +Produced by Moti Ben-Ari and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<a name="frontpiece" id="frontpiece"> </a> +<a href="images/i001.jpg"><img src="images/i001-t.jpg" width="400" height="238" alt="" title="" /> +</a><br /><br /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<a href="images/i002.jpg"><img src="images/i002-t.jpg" width="286" height="400" alt="COMMISSION Received By The Author From HIS HIGHNESS, +LE, CHUNG-WANG (Faithful Prince) +COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE TI-PING FORCES. &c +A Translation will be found immediately after the Title page" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption"><br />COMMISSION Received By The Author From HIS HIGHNESS, +LE, CHUNG-WANG (Faithful Prince)<br /> +COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE TI-PING FORCES. &c<br /> +A Translation will be found immediately after the Title page</span> +<br /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>真忠軍師忠王 李 為</p> + +<p>給憑事茲有洋兄弟呤唎前往上海寧波一带 +操办兵船凡是經過地方隨時接濟米粮油塩柴 +伙等件不致缺乏為要一經办就即駕至嘉興郡 +交與 聽王查收並付給價值可也再仰 沿途把守 +關卡官兵騐明放行並准其往来毋阻切切此 +憑</p> + +<p>天父天兄天王太平天囯癸開十三年十月廿六日</p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> +<img src="images/i003a.jpg" width="300" height="86" alt="" title="" /> +<br /><br /> +</div> + +<div class="center">囯天平太</div> + +<h1> +TI-PING TIEN-KWOH;<br /> +THE HISTORY OF<br /> +THE TI-PING REVOLUTION,</h1> + +<div class="center"> +INCLUDING<br /> +<br /> +A Narrative of the Author's Personal Adventures.<br /> +<br /> +BY +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 150px;"><br /> +<img src="images/i003b.jpg" width="150" height="118" alt="" title="" /> +<br /> +</div> + +<h2>唎 LIN-LE.</h2> + +<div class="center"> +FORMERLY HONORARY OFFICER, CHUNG-WANG'S GUARDS; SPECIAL AGENT OF THE TI-PING<br /> +GENERAL-IN-CHIEF; AND LATE COMMANDER OF THE "LOYAL AND FAITHFUL<br /> +AUXILIARY LEGION."<br /> +<br /> +<br /> +LONDON:<br /> +DAY & SON (LIMITED), LITHOGRAPHERS & PUBLISHERS,<br /> +GATE STREET, LINCOLN'S INN FIELDS.<br /> +1866. +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +COX AND WYMAN,<br /> +ORIENTAL, CLASSICAL, AND GENERAL PRINTERS,<br /> +GREAT QUEEN STREET, LONDON, W.C. +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +<span class="smcap">The General of the Chin-chung</span> (truly faithful) <span class="smcap">Army,<br /> +Chung-wang Le</span> (The "Faithful Prince" <span class="smcap">Le</span>), +</div> + +<p>Hereby certifies that the undermentioned Foreign Brother, <span class="smcap">Lin-le</span>, aforetime +traversed the country between Shanghai, Ningpo, &c., conducting and +managing military affairs (or ships of war).</p> + +<p>He has traversed the whole country, and from time to time has been +actively engaged, and has collected commissariat (or military) stores, neither +sparing pains nor valuing difficulties, but directly managing the affairs.</p> + +<p>After this he proceeds to Kia-hing (or Cha-shing) prefecture to conduct +operations (with regard to organizing an auxiliary force, &c.), and to +receive and use, from Ting-wang, certain moneys for affairs in which he +succeeded (or may succeed).</p> + +<p>We therefore hereby command those in charge of the military posts on +the frontier to examine this closely, and to allow him to pass to and fro +without let or hindrance.</p> + +<p>This is an Express Commission!</p> + +<div class="right"> +Dated: The Celestial Kingdom of Ti-ping<br /> +13th year, 10th month, 26th day. +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +"<span class="smcap">Ti-Ping</span> <i>is pronounced</i> Tye, <i>or</i> T'hi-Ping; <i>the first word</i>, Ti, <i>going into the broad +English sound like the noun eye</i>, <i>or as</i> ti <i>in</i> ti-tle. <i>The pure Chinese tone rather resembles</i> +T'hi <i>than</i> Tye." +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"> +TO<br /> +Le-Siu-Cheng, the Chung-Wang,<br /> +"Faithful Prince,"<br /> +COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE TI-PING FORCES,<br /> +This Work is Dedicated,<br /> +IF HE BE LIVING;<br /> +AND IF NOT, TO HIS MEMORY. +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span></p> + +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p>This work has been written in accordance with +instructions received from the leaders of the great +Ti-ping Revolution in China.</p> + +<p>Besides an account of my own personal adventures +and practical experience during four years' military +service and social intercourse with the Ti-pings, the +following pages contain:—</p> + +<p>A complete history of the Revolution: its Christian, +political, military, and social organization; an accurate +description of its extraordinary leader, Hung-sui-tshuen, +and his principal chiefs; the rise, progress, and present +circumstances of the movement, together with its bearing +and influence as well upon the welfare of the 360 million +inhabitants of China, as on the general interests of Great +Britain; with a thorough review of the policy of the +British Government towards China; including the intervention +with and hostilities against the Ti-ping patriots, +who, by accepting Christianity and abandoning idolatry, +revolted against the Manchoo-Tartar Government.</p> + +<p>In writing this work I have been prompted by feelings +of sympathy for a worthy, oppressed, and cruelly-wronged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span> +people; as well as by a desire to protest against +the evil foreign policy which England, during the last +few years, has pursued towards <i>weak</i> Powers, especially +in Asia.</p> + +<p>As a talented writer has just proved,<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> "It is not +once, nor yet twice, that the policy of the British +Government has been ruinous to the best interests of the +world. It is not once, nor yet twice, that British deeds +have aroused the indignation and horror of 'highly +civilized and half-civilized races.' Disregard of international +law and of treaty law in Europe—deeds of +piracy and spoliation in Asia—one vast system of wrong +and violence have everywhere for years marked the +dealings of the British Government with the weaker +nations of the globe."</p> + +<p>Entertaining similar opinions to these, I have endeavoured +to produce a complete history of the wonderful +revolution in China, and an accurate narrative of +the forcible intervention of the British Government +against it. As this subject has never been properly +placed before the people of England; as it forms one of +the last acts of interference with the internal affairs +of another State which was undertaken by Lord +Palmerston's Administration; and as I have had peculiar +opportunities of becoming acquainted as well with the +Ti-pings as with the terrible effects of British intervention +in this instance,—I feel it my duty to afford the fullest +information to my countrymen, so as to assist them in +forming a correct opinion on a question of such vast +magnitude.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span></p> +<p>Deploring, as I do, the apathy with which the great +majority of Englishmen regard the foreign policy of their +rulers, and lull themselves into a self-satisfied and indolent +state of mind, because of the <i>present</i> internal +prosperity of their country, it is with hope of some good +result that I offer my testimony against an hitherto +uncondemned national crime; and, by illustrating the +iniquity of our last hostilities in China, join the small +array of those who strive to arouse their countrymen +from what may prove a fatal lethargy.</p> + +<p>During the last thirty years, all the great nations of +Europe have acted in a way more or less antagonistic to +the only principle which insures the peace of the world, +viz., that "No State has a right <i>forcibly</i> to interfere in +the internal concerns of another State, unless there exists +a <i>casus belli</i> against it." Consequently it is apparent that +the existence of international and treaty law must be in a +very precarious position.</p> + +<p>When we consider British armed intervention in the +internal affairs of the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, +Turkey, Afghanistan, &c.; the three wars with China; +the wars with Burmah, Persia, and Japan; together +with the forcible demonstrations against Ashantee, +Greece, Siam, and Brazil; it cannot fail to be seen +that England has not been the most backward in +violating the above true principle of international law, +nor the least guilty in following up unjustifiable impositions +upon unoffending belligerents by actual <i>force</i>.</p> + +<p>It is not, however, with the cases here mentioned, but +with the late unproclaimed war against the Ti-pings, and +with the general effect of the policy in question, that +this work is concerned.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> + +<p>With regard to the first subject, it is shown that +British interference has caused a tremendous destruction +of human life; that it has been carried on with +fire and sword against the first Christian movement in +modern Asia; that it has been directed against a mighty +national religio-political revolution which in no way concerned +England; and that every incident of this forceable +intervention, from beginning to end, was totally unjustifiable +and iniquitous.</p> + +<p>With regard to the second subject, if the explanation +of the first be considered together with the general effect +upon the world which has been produced by England's +policy towards some of the States mentioned as those with +whom she has interfered during the last thirty years, it is +probable that further light may be thrown upon "two +remarkable phenomena which now puzzle this nation," +described at p. 270, part iv., of the admirable work +entitled "Intervention and Non-intervention," as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"(1) That the reign of force, without any real moral antagonism, is +now established throughout all the four quarters of the globe.</p> + +<p>"(2) That Great Britain is no longer honoured and trusted as she +was, her statesmen having lost that moral influence which, quite as much +as physical fear, serves to restrain unscrupulous governments in a career of +wrong-doing."</p> +</div> + +<p>He will indeed be a bold casuist who can dispute the +truth of the above propositions, or the fact that they +are the natural consequence of such acts as the intervention +against the Ti-pings, &c., which have been perpetrated +for the sole object of forwarding our <i>own</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> +interests and "commercial transactions," without the +slightest regard for the principles of right, justice, and +international law.</p> + +<p>The history of the world proves that every great +nation which has been founded by aggression and the +sword has ultimately fallen, notwithstanding its power +and grandeur, through the exercise of the same +illegal violence against itself. Now those who utterly +condemn any political action having for its basis expediency, +temporary interest, commercial extension, +place-holding, or any other mercenary or selfish motives, +at the sacrifice of rigid equity and honour, believe that +under Providence England will never fall from her +exalted position while adhering unchangeably to the +eternal principles of right and justice. If the future and +the ultimate fate of a nation be not preordained, but are +really dependent upon itself, let us believe that its +destiny will be determined by an immutable law which +only rewards or punishes according to deserts. Then +will all who love their country be jealous of its +honour, whilst those who are rather intent upon immediate +and personal aggrandizement will imitate the +acts of the robber, who cares not for the crime so long as +he can enrich himself.</p> + +<p>Mingled with the more serious parts of this work, the +reader will find much information regarding the vast +Chinese empire; the character, customs, and position of +its interesting people, especially so far as the Ti-pings are +concerned. As these are subjects which have come +largely under my personal observation, I have connected +them with my own travels and adventures in the form +of a narrative, so that each alternate chapter should treat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span> +exclusively of the history of the Ti-ping Revolution until +both could be combined together.</p> + +<p>At present civil war is raging in every part of China, +and if the natives—as represented by the Ti-ping, Nien-fie, +or other insurrectionists—should succeed in overthrowing +their Manchoo oppressors, a vast field will be thrown +open to European enterprise, and the opportunity that +will exist for civilizing and Christianizing the largest +country in the world cannot be exaggerated.</p> + +<div class="right">A. F. L.</div> +<p> +<i>London, 3rd February, 1866.</i> +<br /><br /><br /> +</p> + + +<div class="center">ERRATA.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>P. 546, <i>For</i> the word "whom" <i>read</i> "with."</p> + +<p>P. 689, <i>read</i> last paragraph, commencing at the twenty-seventh line, as follows:—"Yet, +on the other hand, there are people who have the obstinacy to review this and +similar affairs, and observe that in other parts of the world a very different policy has +been enacted, where it could be done with impunity, which affords sufficient evidence +that the pretended adoption of a non-interfering policy is neither more nor less than an +unprincipled truckling to strong powers, and an aggressive bullying of the weak."</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> "Intervention and Non-intervention," by A. G. Stapleton.</p></div> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[xiii]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS OF VOL. I.<br /></h2> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">CHAPTER I.</div> + +<div class="right">PAGE</div> + +<p>Arrival in Victoria.—The Happy Valley.—Hong-Kong.—Tanka +Boat Girls.—Chinese Boatmen: their Evil Propensities.—Captain +Mellen's Adventure.—Canton Girls.—Amusements in China.—Cafés +Chantants.—The Exhibition.—Temple of Lanterns.—Chinese +Character.—Piracy in China.—The "North Star."—Fate +of the Crew.—Tartar Cruelty.—Adventure with Pirates.—Sporting.—Duck-shooting.—Chinese +Hospitality.—Mandarin +Barbarity.—Whampoa.—Marie the Portuguese.—Marie's +History: her Escape.—Description of Marie: her Excitability: +her Jealousy</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER II.</div> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen.—Clanship in China.—Hung-sui-tshuen's Genealogy: +his Education.—Extraordinary Visions: Description of them.—Description +of Hung-sui-tshuen: his Early Days: his Visions +Explained: his Conversion: how effected.—Hung-sui-tshuen's +Preaching: his Religious Essays.—The God-worshippers.—Destruction +of Idols.—Progress of God-worshippers.—Numbers +increase.—Hostilities commence.—God-worshippers Victorious.—"Imperialist" +Cruelty.—Bishop of Victoria.—Chinese Dynasty +proclaimed</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_31">31</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER III.</div> + +<p>The Manchoo Party.—The Ti-ping Party.—The Ti-ping Character.—Conflict +with Manchoos.—Chinese Gunboats.—First Ti-ping +Position.—Its Appearance.—Ti-ping Hospitality.—Ti-ping +Country described.—Effects of Intervention.—San-le-jow.—Ti-pings +Superior to Imperialists.—Ti-pings and Chinamen.—Ti-ping +Costume.—The Honan Ti-pings.—The "Chinese Paris."—Interview +with Chung-wang: his Appearance: his Religious +Feelings: his Penetration: his Policy.—Commission from +Chung-wang.—San-li-jow.—A Ti-ping Army.—Its Friendly +Bearing.—Arrival at Shanghae</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_55">55</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER IV.</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[xiv]</a></span></p> + +<p>Organization of the Ti-pings.—Hung-sui-tshuen's Manifesto.—Hung-sui-tshuen +Emperor.—Proclamation of Rank.—Ti-ping Titles.—Siege +of Yung-gnan.—Ti-ping Successes.—Their Moderation in +Victory.—King Yang's Proclamation.—Tien-Wang's Proclamation.—Cruelty +of Imperialists.—Cause of the Revolution.—Chinese +History Reviewed.—Corrupt Government.—Tartar Rule.—Manchoo +Barbarity</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_81">81</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER V.</div> + +<p>Shanghae to Han-kow.—River Scenery.—Silver Island.—The Salt +Trade.—Nin-gan-shan.—Tu-ngliu.—Its Auriferous Soil.—Kew-kiang.—River +Scenery.—The Yang-tze River.—The Braves +of Han-kow.—Chinese Politeness.—Manchoo Policy.—Fire and +Plunder.—A Chinese Rudder.—Scenery around Ta-tung.—Appearance +of the Country.—Chinese Chess.—Perilous Adventure.—Crew +of Mutineers.—Critical Position.—Gallant Rescue.—Explanation.—Alarm +of Pirates.—Plan of Operations.—Its +Advantages.—The Result.—Another Alarm.—"Imperialist" +Pirates</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER VI.</div> + +<p>Fall of Nankin.—Manchoo Cowardice.—Immense Booty.—Sir George +Bonham's Arrival at Nankin.—"The Northern Prince."—The +Ti-pings fraternize.—Sir George Bonham's Dispatch.—The Ti-ping +Reply.—Further Communication.—Its Friendly Nature.—Ti-ping +Literature.—Its Religious Character.—Bishop of +Victoria and Dr. Medhurst's Opinions.—Ti-ping Publications.—The +New Testament.—Monarchy Established.—Occupation of +Nankin.—A Fatal Mistake.—Imperialist Advantages.—Advance +of the Ti-pings.—Manchoo Operations.—The Tsing-hae Army.—The +Retreat.—Tien-wang's Mistake—His Opportunity Lost.—Manchoo +Tactics.—Imperialist Outrages.—Ti-ping Moderation.—The +Triad Rebels.—They evacuate Amoy.—Captain Fishbourne's +Description.—Triads capture Shanghae.—Imperialist +Aggressions.—Jesuits' Interference.—The French attack the +Triads.—Shanghae Evacuated.—British Interference.—Its Consequences</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_136">136</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER VII.</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[xv]</a></span></p> + +<p>Home.—Its Desolation.—Intelligence of Marie.—Consequent Proceedings.—Preparations +for Pursuit.—River Tracking.—In +Pursuit.—The Lorcha Sighted.—Stratagems.—Alongside the +Lorcha.—On Board the Lorcha.—Critical Position.—A Friend +in Need.—Failure.—Lorcha again Reconnoitred.—Increased +Difficulties.—Another Attempt.—Alongside the Lorcha again.—Marie +discovered.—Marie rescued.—Safe on Board.—Marie's +Explanation.—The Lorcha in Pursuit.—She gains on us.—The +Lorcha opens Fire.—Safe among the Ti-pings</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_177">177</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER VIII.</div> + +<p>Ti-ping Operations.—Chinese Apathy.—The Ti-ping Difficulty.—Popular +Feeling.—Opposed to the Ti-pings.—England's Policy.—Her +Motives.—Dr. Bridgman describes Ti-pingdom.—His +Description of the Ti-pings.—X. Y. Z.—Ti-pingdom in 1857.—Its +Internal Economy.—Lord Elgin at Nankin.—Gallant Exploit.—Its +Interpretation.—Hung-jin arrives at Nankin.—Hung-jin's +Adventures.—Mr. Hamberg's Narrative.—Hung-jin's Pamphlet.—Hung-jin +Prime Minister.—Nankin Invested.—Resumption +of Hostilities.—"Indemnity" demanded.—Conditions of Peace.—Cause +of Wars with China.—England's Foreign Policy.—The +Opium Wars</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_204">204</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER IX.</div> + +<p>The Sz-wang's Domestic Life.—Approach to Nankin.—Interior of +Nankin.—A Ti-ping Banquet.—Maou-lin, the Chung-wang's Son.—The +Chung-wang's Palace.—The Chung-wang's Levee.—Ti-ping +Chiefs.—Chung-wang's Appearance.—Council of War.—The +Review.—Cum-ho.—The March.—The Ti-ping Army.—Its +Organization.—Selection of Officers.—Equipment of the Army.—Its +Formation.—The Enemy in View.—Their Retreat.—Preparations +for Attack.—A Night Attack.—A Stockade +carried.—Charge of Manchoo Cavalry.—The Repulse.—The +Enemy retreat.—The Pursuit.—Complete Rout of the Manchoos.—Maou-lin's +Bravery.—Return to Nankin</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER X.</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[xvi]</a></span></p> + +<p>Prospects of the Ti-pings in 1860.—Their Operations.—Relief of +Nankin.—Rout of the Imperialists.—Ti-ping Successes.—British +Interference.—Ti-pings advance on Shanghae.—The Chung-wang's +Address.—Mr. Bruce's Notification.—Mr. Bruce's Despatch.—The +Future of China.—The Chung-wang's Despatch.—Mr. Bruce's +Inconsistency.—Missionary "Holmes."—His Statement.—His +Uncourteous Behaviour.—His Inconsistencies.—Suppressed +Missionary Reports.—Rev. Griffith Johns' Report.—Newspaper +Extracts.—The Shanghae Massacre of Ti-pings.—Newspaper +Extracts.—The Author's Reflections thereon</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_266">266</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER XI.</div> + +<p>Ti-ping Polygamy.—Ti-ping Women.—Their Improved Position.—Abolition +of Slavery by the Ti-pings.—Its Prevalence in China.—Moral +Revolution effected by Ti-pings.—Their Religious Works.—Their +Conduct Justified.—Jesuit Missionaries.—Consul +Harvey's Despatch.—Apathy of Missionaries.—Its Consequences.—Chinese +Antipathy to Christianity.—Christianity of the +Ti-pings.—Their Forms of Worship.—Ti-ping Marriages.—Religious +Observances.—The Ti-ping Sabbath.—Its Observance.—Their +Ecclesiastical System.—Forms of Worship.—The Mo-wang.—Ti-ping +Churches</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_300">300</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER XII.</div> + +<p>Ti-pingdom in 1861.—Its Armies.—The Foreign Policy of England.—Its +Consequences.—Admiral Hope's Expedition.—Comments +thereon.—Its Results.—Lord Elgin's Three Points.—Official +Communications.—Secret Orders.—Evidence of such.—Their +Object.—Official Communications.—Mr. Parkes' Despatch +analyzed.—Newspaper Extracts.—Official Papers.—Mr. Parkes' +Measures.—His Arrogant Behaviour.—Result of the Yang-tze +Expedition.—Ngan-king Invested.—Modus Operandi.—The +Ying-wang's Plans.—His Interview with Mr. Parkes.—Sacrifices +his Interests.—Sketch of the Ying-wang.—Hung-jin's Adventures.—The +Chung-wang's Operations.—The Results.—Siege of +Hang-chow.—Its Capture.—Manchoo Cruelties.—Position of the +Ti-pings in 1861</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_325">325</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER XIII.</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[xvii]</a></span></p> + +<p>Life in Nankin.—Ti-ping Character.—Its Friendly Nature.—Religious +Observances.—Cum-ho.—Curious Adventure.—A +Catastrophe.—Love-making.—Difficulties.—Trip to Shanghae.—Reflections.—On +the Yang-tze River.—Life on the River.—An +Adventure.—The Deserted Lorcha.—The Murdered Crew.—"Mellen's" +Fate.—Arrival at Shanghae.—Return Voyage.—Sin-ya-meu.—A +"Squeeze Station."—The "Love-chase."—Fraternizing.—Wife-purchasing.—The +Grand Canal.—China +under Manchoo Rule.—Its Population.—The Manchoo Government</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></div> + +<div class="center">CHAPTER XIV.</div> + +<p>Ti-ping Revolution in 1861.—Official Correspondence.—Its Review.—Professions +of Neutrality.—How carried out.—Captain Dew's +Interpretation.—Ti-ping Remonstrance.—Cause of British +Hostility.—Mr. Bruce's Assertions.—Mr. Bruce's Second +Despatch.—Mr. Bruce's Difficulty.—His Inconsistency.—Despatch +No. 3.—Inconsistent Statements.—Ti-pings approach +Ningpo.—Interview with Ti-ping Chiefs.—Mr. Hewlett's +Interview with "Fang."—General Hwang's Despatch.—General +"Fang's" Despatch.—Capture of Ningpo.—British Intervention.—Ti-ping +Moderation.—Open Hostilities commenced.—Commander +Bingham's Despatch.—Ti-ping Reply.—Commander +Bingham's Rejoinder</p> +<div class="right"><a href="#Page_392">392</a></div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[xviii]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[xix]</a></span></p> +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">CHROMOLITHOGRAPHS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chinese Commission</td><td align="right" colspan="2"><i><a href="#frontpiece">Frontispiece</a></i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Hong-kong Boat Girls</td><td align="right"><i>to face page</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_6">6</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Marie (<i>portrait</i>)</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ti-ping Army going into Action</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_68">68</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Silver Island</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_108">108</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ke-tow</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Escape from the Lorcha</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">The Chung-wang's Council of War</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Defeat of the Tartar Cavalry at the Battle of Hu-kau </td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_261">261</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sale of a Chinese Girl, as witnessed by the Author, at</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> Etching, on the river Yang-tse-kiang</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_304">304</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Teaching the Lord's Prayer in a middle-class Ti-ping</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> household</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_318">318</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Map, showing the position of the Ti-pings at the close</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> of the year 1861</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_359">359</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Ti-ping Church</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Mast-head view of Nankin from the river, as it</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> appeared on the morning of departure</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_372">372</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3"> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="3">WOOD ENGRAVINGS.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Sing-song Girl</td><td align="right"><i>page</i></td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chung-wang's Head-dress</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ti-ping <i>versus</i> Imperialist</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chess Board</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_123">123</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Chung-wang's Crown</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_244">244</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Ti-ping Ladies of rank</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_324">324</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">A Manchoo Squeeze Station</td><td align="right">"</td><td align="right"><a href="#Page_384">384</a></td></tr> +</table> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xx" id="Page_xx">[xx]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<h2>THE TI-PING REVOLUTION.</h2> + +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>Arrival in Victoria.—The Happy Valley.—Hong-Kong.—Tanka Boat +Girls.—Chinese Boatmen: their evil propensities.—Captain Mellen's +Adventure.—Canton Girls.—Amusements in China.—Cafés Chantant.—The +Exhibition.—Temple of Lanterns.—Chinese Character.—Piracy +in China.—The "North Star."—Fate of the Crew.—Tartar Cruelty.—Adventure +with Pirates.—Sporting.—Duck-shooting.—Chinese +Hospitality.—Mandarin Barbarity.—Whampoa.—Marie the Portuguese.—Marie's +History: her Escape.—Description of Marie: her +Excitability: her Jealousy.</p> +</div> + + +<p>In the summer of 1859, I arrived before the town of +Victoria, on board the good ship <i>Emeu</i>, and cast +anchor in the blue waters of its shaded harbour. Victoria +is the only town in the island of Hong-Kong, and, +viewed from the bay, presents a very imposing appearance, +in many respects resembling Gibraltar.</p> + +<p>Like the city of the "Sentinel of the Straits," it is +built from the very edge of the sea to some considerable +distance up the mountains which constitute the principal +portion of the island, and is almost entirely hemmed in by +towering masses of time-worn granite, that constitute a +grand and effective background to its princely buildings. +Many of these noble edifices—the dwellings of European +merchants and officials, and the British Government +works—in the higher parts of the town are well ornamented +by gardens; which, with several verdant little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +valleys in the hollows of the mountains, some low hills +covered with a feathery semi-tropical foliage—Green +Island, with its dense bushes on one hand, and Jardine's, +crowned with a noble mansion of that firm, on the other—together +with the multitude of junks and European +shipping at anchor, and those under weigh crossing and +enlivening the scene, afford a charming and picturesque +tone to what would otherwise be the unrelieved massiveness +and sterility of the place.</p> + +<p>There is one particularly beautiful spot in the "Island +of Sweet Waters," as it is poetically termed by the +Chinese, that well repays the trouble of a visit. It is +situated some five or six miles from the town, and is +named Happy Valley. It is surrounded with luxuriant +Asiatic foliage, from the midst of which occasional farm-houses +peep out. A fine grassy level forms the centre of +the valley, around which is constructed the Hong-Kong +racecourse, and this is bounded by a broad carriage-road +completely encircling the whole plain; while on the edges +of the distant rising ground the burial-place of those +Europeans who never return to their home rears above +the surrounding evergreens its monumental sculpture.</p> + +<p>Happy Valley is surrounded by mountains whose +sloping sides are thickly clothed with vegetation; the +trees, although of a stunted species, are thickly interlaced +with undergrowth and an innumerable variety of evergreen +bushes, through which murmur many mountain +springs, that become in the rainy months swollen into +torrents. Although a favourite resort of European +residents, I hardly consider Happy Valley a good sanatorium; +for, when visiting it at early sunrise, I invariably +found thick, damp vapours shrouding it, slow to be +dispelled by the morning sun, and strongly significant of +fever, and "Hong-Kong fever" in particular.</p> + +<p>The colony of Hong-Kong represents most perfectly +the success of British enterprise in commercial matters; +and, what is far more important, points to the true mode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +by which Christian and civilized nations may communicate +with the Pagan and semi-civilized ones of Asia.</p> + +<p>The less said about the cession of the island to England +the better; for, although in the year 1841 the Imperial +Commissioner, Keshen, coerced by the presence of +British troops, agreed to cede it, his Government repudiated +this unauthorized agreement, and yet the British +made that a <i>casus belli</i>, and afterwards compelled them to +sanction and endorse the concession. Many people will, +doubtless, say that England was compelled to make war +upon the Chinese at that time, in order to defend her +subjects and protect their trade and property; but it does +not appear that either trade or property had ever been +threatened, except through the nefarious opium traffic. +The Chinese Government took the best measures to +prevent the introduction of this injurious drug into their +empire, but the British Government laid themselves open +to the charge of wishing to protect the smugglers and +forward the lawless trade.</p> + +<p>The colony of Hong-Kong is in many respects to be +admired, and it is to be regretted that the ministers of the +present day do not appreciate its many advantages. In +former days England possessed more statesmen and fewer +politicians than now. Of all the blunders which have +recently marked her foreign policy, the late intervention +in China is the worst; there we find neither the courage +nor intellect which, in former ages, by talent, energy, and +success redeemed even acts of aggression; neither do we +perceive any desire to forego that system of unjustifiable +interference which is so much calculated to render this +great nation contemptible.</p> + +<p>Hong-Kong is a free port, and in that lies the secret +of how to establish relations with the Chinese, Japanese, +or any other exclusive Asiatic people. As the late Mr. +Cobden very correctly stated, during the debate upon +China in the House of Commons (May 30, 1864), "We +have only to establish free ports on the coast of China,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +withdraw ourselves altogether from political contact with +the people, and we shall have a trade with them quite as +much, if not more, than if we penetrate into the country +and assist in destroying their civilization in a vain attempt +to plant our own, for which they are not yet fitted." +There is no necessity whatever to <i>force</i> trade, and when +such policy is persisted in, the results are always calamitous. +To apply the idea personally: How would any +of us like a stranger (foreign to us in every respect) to +come and thrust himself into our house, determined to +<i>compel</i> us to trade with him, openly professing his intentions +to alter our religion, ancient institutions, &c., with +his goods in one hand (principally a poisonous drug) and +a sword in the other? But let the stranger establish +himself close to our house, without aggression or loud-mouthed +professions of interference with our domestic +and public policy, and then, whenever we become aware +of the benefit to be derived from him, is it not certain +that we should flock to him willingly, and take him +amongst us as a friend?</p> + +<p>I caught the first glimpse of real Chinese life directly +the anchor fell from the <i>Emeu's</i> starboard cathead; for +although at Singapore and Penang there are many +"Celestials," yet their peculiar manners and customs do +not forcibly obtrude themselves upon the notice of a +"bird of passage." They seem, at both places, to be +leading a subdued, unnatural, very un-Celestial sort of +existence; and, besides, very few Celestial ladies are to +be seen about. The <i>Emeu</i> was scarcely moored when I +was startled by the appearance of those amphibious +creatures, the Chinese boat and laundry women. The +Tanka (boat) girls lead an almost entirely aquatic life, +and are actually born, live, and die, on board their floating +homes. Their time seems fully occupied in rowing, or +sculling with a large oar over the stern of the boat; and +this incessant labour makes them strong and well-figured. +Until married, it cannot be said they are either paragons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +of virtue or modesty; but when married, or betrothed—that +is to say, bought by a long-tailed Benedict—they, at +all events, seem far less amiable towards the exiled +"Fan-Kwei" (foreign devil), as, in common with most +Chinese, they politely designate all foreigners.</p> + +<p>The personal charms of these first seen of the Chinese +fair sex are by no means so contemptible as Europeans +generally imagine. Their long and intensely black hair, +brilliant and merry though oblique black eyes, light-yellowish +brown and often beautifully clear complexion, +and lithe robust figures, constitute a charming and +singular variety of feminine attraction. They are a gay +thoughtless set these boat-girls; unfortunately, to mar +what would otherwise often be a very handsome face, +many of them have the flattish nose typical of South +China, though the high and more European formed one +is by no means uncommon. Through constant exposure +to the sun, they are mostly tanned to a regular olivaster +gipsy hue, and wicked little gipsies they often are, +especially when making a young greenhorn, fresh from +his mamma in England, pay six times the proper fare.</p> + +<p>The Tanka girls are free in all things unconnected +with their work; but, as many are purchased by aged +individuals, owners of boats, they are slaves in so far as +their occupation is concerned. Very different is it with +their unfortunate sisters, the slaves of the washerwomen, +who are bought when quite young, and trained to an +evil life.</p> + +<p>It is a usual thing to see, the moment a ship has +anchored, several old laundry hags, each with an attendant +retinue of fascinating nymphs, "taking charge" +and establishing themselves in possession of all quarters +of the vessel, from the skipper's cabin to the black cook's +galley. Of course, these little witches make sad havoc of +the sailors' hearts, and generally of their clothes.</p> + +<p>It is a singular fact, but no less singular than true, +that invariably upon pay-day the number and affection of +these pretty damsels seem to increase and multiply in a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +surprising manner; and by the very perceptible metallic +chinking when they take their departure by the gangway, +it would appear that their sweetness of disposition had +not been exerted unsuccessfully.</p> + +<p>The boat and laundry women are peculiar to the +South of China, being only met with at Macao, Canton, +Whampoa, and Hong-Kong. They seem to have +become a distinct part of the population of China +since the arrival of Europeans to its shores, as employment +by the latter affords their principal means of +livelihood. Throughout the year they constantly amuse +themselves in the water, swimming and disporting themselves +about the above-mentioned harbours, like so many +young porpoises in a gale of wind.</p> + +<p>Besides the Tanka boats, there are others at Hong-Kong +manned by Chinamen; but until quite lately, and +until the establishment of a water-police, they formed a +very dangerous mode of travelling at night, the crews +having frequently robbed and murdered their passengers.</p> + +<p>A friend of mine was once very nearly killed by a +boat's crew when being taken to his vessel by them; and +although, as it will appear, upon that occasion he managed +to escape, he was afterwards brutally murdered by the +Chinese. But that terrible affair I will relate at its +proper place; for I found his mangled corpse, together +with those of his wife and child, some years afterwards, +in another part of China.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<img src="images/i029.jpg" width="900" height="529" alt="HONG-KONG BOAT GIRLS. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption">HONG-KONG BOAT GIRLS.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>My friend Mellen was captain of a vessel belonging +to himself, and, just after the last Canton war, was at +anchor in Hong-Kong harbour. Returning on board late +one night, the boatmen—seven in number, six pulling +and one in the stern-sheets steering—soon after leaving +the shore, instead of steering directly towards his ship, +seemed to be keeping away from her. He, of course, +endeavoured to make them steer in the right direction; +but with that half-complying, half-defying shuffling of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +your true Chinaman, they managed to persist on the +wrong course until reaching some little distance outside +all the shipping. At this moment, and while still a considerable +way from his own vessel, which happened to be +lying outside all the others in port, he was suddenly +struck with some heavy weapon by the man behind him, +who was steering. Through a forward movement which +he made, the blow luckily missed his head and struck +him on the shoulder. Mellen very fortunately had a +small revolver with him, and at the moment when the +rest of the boatmen started from their seats and rushed +to attack him, he turned and shot his first assailant, +had just time to face them, firing again and wounding +the foremost, when they were upon him, armed with +formidable knives and the heavy thole pins used to fasten +the oars. In an instant he received several wounds, +though providentially his assailants were too much in +each other's way to use their murderous weapons +effectively; but his revolver being self-acting, without a +pause, he was enabled to shoot dead another, and severely +wound a fourth. At this, seeing four of their +number <i>hors de combat</i> almost within five seconds, two +of the remaining robbers lost heart, and jumped overboard +to swim for it; the last, a large powerful fellow, +closed with Mellen in a fierce and deadly struggle. My +friend's revolver was empty; so, abandoning the weapon +that had already rendered such good service, he grappled +with his adversary, endeavouring to wrest away the knife +with which he was armed.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the reports of the pistol and the +noise of the struggle had reached the wakeful ears of my +friend's wife, who was by good chance on deck, waiting +and watching for her husband's return. Piercing the +darkness of the night with eager eyes, she faintly +discerned a boat in the distance, outside all the other +ships, and naturally concluded it must be bound for their +vessel. In agony for her husband's safety, she aroused<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +the crew, seized a pistol from the cabin, and set off in +the gig to overhaul the boat which had attracted her +attention. The gig's crew pulling fast, arrived at the +scene of conflict not an instant too soon; for Mellen +being in weak health, was succumbing to the superior +strength of his antagonist, who, with one hand grasping +him by the throat, was making fierce efforts to release +the other, and plunge the dagger it held into my friend's +breast.</p> + +<p>Just at this critical moment, Mrs. Mellen and her +boat's crew arrived alongside, and, seeing all the danger, +she presented the pistol at the Chinaman and fired; +the ball passed directly through his head and laid him +lifeless at her husband's feet. This gallant act was but +one of many instances in which that courageous woman +had saved her husband's life, and in defending which she +eventually lost her own—a fruitless though noble sacrifice.</p> + +<p>After landing and reporting myself at head-quarters, +I finished my first day in China by seeing as much of +Celestial life as my uninitiated state permitted. A sedan +chair, the usual and aristocratic style of travelling in +China, was hired, which for upwards of three hours +transported me all over the town. The Chinese—their +country—in fact, all about them—will afford an observant +stranger an inexhaustible fund of study and amusement; +yet, as a rule, Europeans are singularly neglectful of the +country and most interesting traits of the peculiar people +they sojourn amongst. They go to China with the sole +idea of making a fortune, and too often in its blind +pursuit all other principle is sacrificed. Their whole +existence seems a feverish dream to obtain dollars enough +to return home wealthy; and very seldom, if ever, are +any found sufficiently disinterested or philanthropic to +study the welfare and future of the immense Chinese +empire.</p> + +<p>At first, as foreigners generally are, I was considerably +disgusted by the unnatural appearance of the men my lot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +was cast with, consequent upon the shaved head and +monkey appendage. This frightful custom in no slight +degree adds to the naturally cruel expression of their +oblique eyes and altogether peculiar features; in fact, hair +is absolutely required to tone down the harsh and irregular +contour of their faces.</p> + +<p>While wandering through the town, I was much +struck by the appearance of many Chinese girls wearing +European shoes on naturally formed feet, and head-dresses +of brilliant Manchester pattern, in the form of handkerchiefs, +folded diagonally and once knotted under the chin, +the ends projecting on either side by a particular and +almost mathematical adjustment. I soon became convinced +that the European proclivities of the Canton girls +went much further than this. These young ladies, before +marriage or obtaining a "massa," wear their front hair +cut short and hanging over the forehead, which gives +them an expression between that of a London street-preacher +and a person just dragged through a haystack; +their back hair is gathered together and plaited into a +long tail, which, when loose, strangely resembles the tail +of a black Shetland pony. To the best of my knowledge, +the Chinese women never cut their hair, and their system +might be beneficially imitated by foreigners, for their +tresses are certainly much longer and more luxuriant than +those of the women of Europe.</p> + +<p>I arrived during the Chinese New Year holidays, +which, throughout China, are celebrated with extensive +merry-making. At Hong-Kong the new year is welcomed +with much festivity, and during many days the cracking +of fire-crackers, the roar of petards, and the clanging of +gongs is incessant; which, being continued all night, +renders sleep difficult.</p> + +<p>I visited numberless sing-songs, or theatres, in all of +which I found the most persevering of instrumental and +vocal performers. Some exclusively confined themselves +to musical (Chinese) entertainment, while others were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +devotees of the Chinese Thespis, and, of the two, I think +the latter preferable; for, although their principal hits +consist of a tremendous crash of gongs, drums, horns, +&c. (which invariably places the audience in ecstasies of +delight), there is not so much of the shrieking falsetto of +the singers, or the scraping of that excruciating tympanum-piercing +instrument of torture—the Chinese fiddle. +The nation has certainly obtained its knowledge of musical +concord from the vicinity of Pandemonium, its idea of +discord must come from somewhere considerably beyond +that place.</p> + +<p>Some of the sing-songs combined creature comforts +with those more intellectual; but these were permanent +institutions, and not simply for the occasion. These establishments +are open free of charge, but care is taken to +have a select audience. The female performers considerably +outnumber the male, and have the cramped small +feet. After shrieking themselves hoarse, in a higher +pitch of voice than I ever heard before, they approach the +visitors to receive largess. Now, their manner of doing +this I denounce as the most revolting specimen of self-distortion +and pedestrianism imaginable. I can think of +no juster simile than a frog trying to walk upright with +half its hind legs amputated and stilts fastened to the +stumps. Why the deformed feet should ever have been +termed "small" I am at a loss to imagine, all that I have +seen being quite the reverse. The bottom of the foot, it +is true, is bandaged, and compressed into a hoof-like +smallness, with the toes all forced into the sole, and on +this the shoe is fitted; but look at the ankle, instep, and +heel, and you will see nothing but an immense shapeless +mass, closely resembling the foot of an elephant.</p> + +<p>Whenever the Celestial vocalists have hobbled up to +you and taken a seat,—perhaps on your knees if they +should happen to take a fancy to you,—the polite thing +is to order supper for the company <i>ad libitum</i>, and by this +means the proprietors and musical talent of the establishment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +recompense themselves; for although there is no +entrance-charge, by George! they <i>do</i> make you pay for +supper.</p> + +<p>It is a pity some of the members of teetotalism do not +undertake a proselytizing expedition to China, for in these +intellectual entertainments of the people they would find +a fair field for their labour. The etiquette of the sing-song +is that a man must never refuse the wine-cup from +the hand of one of the attendant sirens, and I am quite +sure the sirens use the strongest persuasion and their +most fascinating arts to ply it. It sometimes unfortunately +happens that a victimized Chinaman becomes unduly +elated, and attempts to steal a kiss; and when this +happens, as the ladies are thickly befloured and daubed +with paint, the poor fellow quickly assumes a floury +appearance, while the lady's countenance becomes variegated +with irregular lines of commingled colour.</p> + +<p>The Chinese have another polite mode of making +beasts of themselves, consisting of a sort of forfeit game, +in which one holds up his fingers and the other, before +seeing them, quickly guesses the number held up, the +loser's penalty being to swallow a cupful of wine or +<i>samshoo</i>, and then, to show his superior breeding and +capacity, to hold it aloft, bottom up, after each draught.</p> + +<p>The professional ladies are always open to an engagement, +and are usually invited to attend evening parties, +to enliven the guests by their melody and flirtation. +Upon these occasions each siren carries a fan, upon +which is inscribed her list of songs, and this is handed +round the company to select from. The wives and +daughters of the host are never present at these <i>soirées +musicales</i>, for they, poor creatures, being only upon a par +with the goods and chattels, are considered unworthy to +mix with their lords in public. In all affairs but the most +private domestic ones they are entirely ignored, and it +would be the greatest breach of good manners for one +Chinaman to ask another after his wife's health, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +would be vulgar to talk of female relatives at all. Of +course, where woman occupies such an inferior position, +her rights are frequently usurped; and it is no uncommon +thing for one of the singing ladies to monopolize a man +with several wives.</p> + +<p>While at Hong-Kong I had the satisfaction of visiting +a grand New Year exhibition that only takes place once +every ten years. It consisted of an immense building of +bamboo and matting, after the general style of Chinese +theatres. The people excel in this style of building, and +will finish one of these temporary structures in a few +days, and without using a single nail in the work. The +walls and roof are simply bamboo, lashed together with +rope, then thatched with rushes, and covered with matting; +the whole completely watertight, and strong enough to +resist the wind and weather. That which I visited was +designated the Temple of some long-named Chinese +divinity, and was of vast extent, covering several acres of +land. The interior contained a little of every production +of China, a fair sprinkling of European articles, and an +endless variety of shows and amusements. Some parts were +devoted to stalls of raw produce, while others contained +every kind of manufactured article. One of the most +attractive scenes for the Chinamen was a show of models +of a great variety of wild animals, comprising almost +everything, from a mouse to a camelopard. Although +this dummy menagerie gave the greatest satisfaction and +elicited numberless "Hi-ya's!" from the astonished +Celestials, I am pretty certain that many of the supposed +representations could never have found an original, and I +am quite sure that had a tiger seen the tremendous +monster intended for himself, it would have certainly +frightened him. Theatres, sing-songs, lecturers, quack-doctors, +mountebanks, tumblers, jugglers, fortune-tellers, +all were to be enjoyed for the sum of two dollars paid at +the door.</p> + +<p>The Temple was said to contain 1,000,000 lanterns,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +and was altogether remarkably well got up. I met the +Chinese jugglers for the first time at this place, and I +must say they are remarkably dexterous. One of the best +tricks I saw them execute is this—the performer, after +showing the audience that he has nothing concealed about +him and going through a series of gymnastics to convince +them, will suddenly stop, stoop down, and from under his +ordinary Chinese robe produce an immense bowl filled to +the brim with water; so full, indeed, that the slightest +movement would spill some, yet the trick is executed +without a drop falling to the ground.</p> + +<p>While lounging through the "palace of 1,000,000 +lanterns," I found the first opportunity to study that +absurd jargon, "pidgeon English." I was watching one +of the most expert jugglers, when a fine, portly, +evidently well-to-do Chinaman came up, and addressed +me with—</p> + +<p>"Hi-ya! this piecee man belong numbah one. Can +do so fashon? ga la!"</p> + +<p>More by good luck than comprehension, I happened +to hit upon his meaning that the man was very clever, +and his inquiry as to whether I approved of the trick. +After a few more general and equally ambiguous remarks, +in which some of my interlocutor's friends joined and +made a worse confusion, he thought we had had enough +of the wizard, and invited me to partake of some Chinese +good cheer in these words:—</p> + +<p>"S'pose you no wantche look see, mi wantche you +come along mi catchee samshoo."</p> + +<p>Having nothing better to do, and thinking it a good +opportunity to ascertain a little of Chinese character, I +accepted his proposal, and we adjourned to a restaurant +department close by, where I spent a short time very +pleasantly—telling the Chinamen about railways, balloons, +submarine telegraph, &c., and receiving in return +copious information upon <i>pidgeon</i> (business) and the +Chinese politics of Hong-Kong. My friends were loud<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +and unanimous in praise of the colony, and declared it, +and all pertaining to it, "numbah one;" while they quite +as heartily expressed their dissatisfaction with the state of +their country and its Manchoo Government. At last, I +was obliged to leave them in a hurry, having a confounded +middle watch to keep, and we parted with mutual protestations +of good will, amidst which might have been +prominently distinguished, "Engleman numbah one," +"Chinaman numbah one," "Chin-chin, ga la!" &c.</p> + +<p>Hong-Kong is highly appreciated by the Chinese, who, +to escape from the tyranny and rapacity of their Manchoo +rulers, stifle their national pride, and flock to it in great +numbers. Those who have preferred British jurisdiction +to the unendurable state of their own country are mostly +respectable men; but, of course, there is another and a +disreputable party. Hong-Kong, besides affording shelter +and advantages to the honest and worthy, has been quite +as useful to bad characters and criminals from the mainland; +and as these latter have not been slow to avail +themselves of its protection, the result is that gangs of +robbers and pirates have become located amongst the +large native population. Until quite lately, a walk at +evening, outside the precincts of the town, was likely to +terminate unpleasantly, as these fly-by-night gentlemen +were often hanging about with an eye to business. Many +Europeans have returned from a late walk considerably +edified upon this point; some have never returned, for +the Chinese marauders are particularly unscrupulous. +A couple of philanthropists one night thought to relieve +me of the burden of my purse while I was taking a moonlight +stroll barely beyond the houses of Victoria; but the +arguments of a Penang lawyer proved so effectual—thanks +to Sergeant-Major Winterbottom and its own toughness—that +they were glad to forego their unwelcome attentions +and decamp, leaving a memento of the meeting in the +shape of an ugly-looking rusty knife.</p> + +<p>This sort of thing, however, is becoming less frequent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +in consequence of the increased police force; but there is +another and a much greater evil, almost as bad as ever—that +is, piracy. The whole coast, for several hundred +miles north and south, is infested with pirates, and the +peculiar formation of the land about Hong-Kong, (with its +many bays, creeks, inlets, and rivers of every description,) +affords them a rendezvous with the most perfect means of +concealment. Many piratical craft carry on their depredations +quite within sight of the colony; some vessels +have even been plundered, and their crews massacred, +upon its waters, with a large fleet of British gunboats +lying uselessly almost within gunshot-range. Some of +the wealthiest Chinese in Hong-Kong have been discovered +to be in connection with the pirates, and even +Europeans have been implicated.</p> + +<p>About five years ago a large English brig was captured, +and many of her crew murdered, in full sight of +the signal-station at Victoria Peak. This case happened +to come under my own observation.</p> + +<p>The <i>North Star</i> sailed from Hong-Kong early one +morning, bound for Japan, in ballast, but carrying some +12,000 dollars in specie. Her crew consisted of seventeen +persons all told, including two passengers, to whom the +treasure belonged. The wind being very light, the vessel +made but little progress, and towards evening became +nearly becalmed about seven miles from the anchorage. +About this time the Chinese pilot left, and was observed +to communicate with a native junk which had followed +in the wake of the brig all day, unfortunately without +exciting the apprehension of those on board.</p> + +<p>Soon after the pilot's departure, the Chinese steward +brought the captain his revolver, and asked him if he +wished it to be cleaned; unsuspectingly he discharged all +the barrels and returned it to the steward. At this +moment the junk—which had gradually been edging +down, the light airs sensibly affecting her broad lateen +sails, though the brig was almost stationary—having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +approached within fifty yards, suddenly became alive +with men, although only two or three had previously +been visible. Putting out large sweeps they commenced +pulling rapidly towards the brig.</p> + +<p>The captain of the <i>North Star</i> perceived the danger +too late, and rushed to the cabin for a musket (four of +which comprised the whole armament), calling upon the +crew to arm themselves as best they could, and get the +watch below on deck. The pirates crashed alongside, +and instantly cast a shower of stink-pots on the deck of +their prey, killing the man at the wheel, and severely +burning two others of the crew. Fore and aft the pirates +boarded in overwhelming numbers. The captain ran on +deck with a musket, and with him, similarly armed, the +two passengers and the second mate. At the same time +the mate, in the fore part of the vessel, had snatched up +a deck handspike, the carpenter an axe, and the rest of +the crew whatever they could lay their hands on. The +captain and his supporters levelled their pieces, and with +care and coolness pulled the trigger, the caps snapped—but +that was all. The steward, after so cunningly +inducing the captain to empty his revolver, had filled the +nipples of each musket; he was, of course, the accomplice +of the pirates, and jumped on board their junk directly +she touched the sides of the vessel he had betrayed.</p> + +<p>In a moment the captain, second mate, and one of the +passengers were cut down, shockingly wounded by the +swords and spears with which the pirates were armed, +while the remaining passenger jumped overboard. Meanwhile, +overpowered by numbers, and without arms to +defend themselves, the remainder of the crew, with the +exception of two or three who escaped, had been massacred. +The mate, after desperately defending himself +with his heavy handspike, and breaking the skulls of +several assailants, received a fearful gash across the face, +destroying both eyes. The carpenter buried his axe in +the brain of one pirate, but, before he could recover<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +himself, was cut down by another. In a similar way all +the crew, except two men and a boy, were stretched dead +or dying on the deck. The three who escaped and +afterwards gave evidence, saved themselves by climbing +up the forestay and hiding in the top. They were +part of the watch below, and directly they emerged from +the hatchway saw one of their shipmates lying half under +the fore trysail (the halyards of which had been let go +by the pirates while seeking ropes to make their junk fast +alongside) weltering in his blood; this, and the horrid +noise of the slaughter taking place abaft, warned them to +seek safety aloft, while the trysail screened them from +observation.</p> + +<p>After getting the treasure on deck, and placing it on +board their junk, the pirates plundered the <i>North Star</i> of +everything of value, and then left her, sweeping themselves +rapidly to seaward. When the junk was a long +way off, the three survivors descended from their place of +concealment, did all they could to alleviate the sufferings +of the few yet alive on deck, and steered in for the +harbour with a light breeze that had sprung up. After +midnight the wind fell again; and, lowering a small boat, +two of the three got into her, and pulled for the shipping. +They reached my ship first; and, sending them on to the +next vessel (H.M.S. <i>Impérieuse</i>) for a surgeon, we manned +a cutter, and set off for the <i>North Star</i>. We soon reached +the unfortunate bark, and then gazed upon a fearful +scene of butchery. The mate and three of the crew were +still living, but appeared too horribly mangled for any +chance of recovery; the rest were all dead, some being +literally hacked to pieces. The boats from the <i>Impérieuse</i> +soon arrived, and we took the brig in tow. The surgeon +pronounced every case but one hopeless. Out of the +sixteen Europeans on board at starting, only five escaped; +the four sailors, and the passenger who jumped overboard. +The escape of the latter was something marvellous; while +in the water, the pirates threw three bamboo spears at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +him, which did not strike him, but even furnished a +means of support. They then paid no further attention +to him; so, swimming close under the stern of the brig, +he remained there perfectly hidden for some time. Being +a capital swimmer, he at length determined to push off +and attempt to reach the shore, although fully seven or +eight miles distant. He did so; and, after being in the +water for nine hours, reached land, and was carried to +Hong-Kong by fishermen.</p> + +<p>During some months I made voyages on the north-east +coast of China, from Hong-Kong to Swatow, Amoy, +Foo-chow, and Shanghae. I mixed as much as possible +with the natives at each place, and found all alike heartily +disgusted with their present rulers. Much of the cruelty +and duplicity generally attributed to the natural character +of the Chinese is the consequence of the evil government +of the Manchoo dynasty.</p> + +<p>From infancy the people have become habituated to +scenes of blood and torture, similar to those inflicted upon +their ancestors during the last two centuries by the Tartar +conquerors. Made callous and degraded by the ceaseless +persecution of their authorities; unnaturally branded +with the shaven-headed badge of slavery; their spirit +broken and debased by a system of grinding tyranny; their +lives and property at the mercy of the most merciless +officials in existence, and of judges solely influenced by +bribery; "cut into a thousand pieces," according to law, +or otherwise cruelly tortured to death for any rebellion +against their foreign Emperor's unrighteous sway; frequently +decapitated upon bare suspicion, but always if +related to a rebel—how can it be a matter of surprise if the +Chinese seem imbued with cunning and deceit, the usual +resource of the weak and sorely oppressed?</p> + +<p>Since the colony of Hong-Kong was founded, the +natives, through intercourse with foreigners, have become +acquainted with the superior laws, governments, &c., of +those they have been taught to consider "outer barbarians."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +This has tended to make them more dissatisfied with their +own national constitution; can we, then, feel astonished +at the exclusive policy of the Manchoo government? +Why, seclusion is their salvation; too surely they know +that their power consists in the weakness, ignorance, +superstition, and degradation of their Chinese slaves. +The great Ti-ping revolution proves their fears are well +founded, from the fact of its originating entirely from +the contact of Christian civilization with China.</p> + +<p>As for fishermen, pirates, and wreckers, the whole coast +of China is as thick with them as the fabulous Straits of +Baffleman is with monkeys—where they say a ship's yards +cannot be squared on account of them. Upon one occasion, +while anchored in foggy weather off the island of Namoa, +close to Swatow, I had a capital opportunity of noticing +the remarkable keenness with which those light-fingered +gentry are ever on the alert for plunder. Early in the +morning, before daylight, while in charge of the deck, I +suddenly heard a distant and wide-spread splashing of +the water. At first I naturally supposed it to be a shoal +of porpoises; but as the noise became more distinct, I +fancied I could distinguish the regular sound of oars. +Directly I became convinced of this, I made the gunner +load a couple of guns, and turned all hands out. In a +few minutes the fog cleared a little with the dawn of day, +and I was able to discern an innumerable fleet of boats +pulling and sailing rapidly towards the ship. I had +scarcely discovered them when they suddenly ceased +rowing, and rested on their oars, having, I fancy, perceived +the smoke issuing from our funnel. Seeing their +hesitation, we gave them a blank cartridge, and this, with +the noise of our men at the capstan weighing anchor, +frightened them off; for they immediately "topped +their booms," and soon disappeared in the surrounding +mist.</p> + +<p>In the neighbourhood of Swatow the people are much +excited against their government, and at one place—within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +twenty miles of that city—they have been in open +rebellion for many years. The Viceroy of the province +having several times had his troops defeated by them, +found it much easier to make an arrangement by which +they were to govern themselves, while nominally under +the Manchoo <i>régime</i>; therefore, at the present day, the +Goo-swah men, who inhabit a mountainous part of the +sea-coast, live, to a certain extent, independent of the +Manchoo rule.</p> + +<p>While thinking of the north-east coast, I must not +forget the capital shooting I have had at Foo-chow. Wild +water-fowl are found at this port in vast quantity, in fact, +in numbers such as I have never seen equalled in any +part of Europe, Asia, Africa, or America, that I have +visited. The whole river and surrounding country +literally swarm with an infinite variety of wild swan, geese, +duck, curlew, and water-fowl of every description. During +six months of the year, sometimes more, this game is +found in plenty, generally appearing about the commencement +of October, and departing by the end of +March. The best shooting-ground about Foo-chow +was the false mouth of the river and the adjacent country. +This became my favourite haunt, and comprised a broad +sheet of shallow water full of mud and sand-banks; low +land on each side, marshy and intersected by creeks and +canals, with many bamboo or reed swamps, and here +and there a few hills. I generally started from the ship, +at the anchorage, about midnight, in a covered native +boat, with two or three Chinamen to work her, my +Chinese boy, and a Malay, as body-guard and general +assistant in the work of slaughter upon the feathery tribe. +Reaching my destination generally before daylight, I +had ample time to make all preparations, amidst the +quacking of ducks and the constant rushing sound of +innumerable wings. At the earliest peep of dawn, +or a little before, I got ashore upon the sand-bank +to which the boat might be fastened, and almost always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> +found myself within shot of immense flocks of wild +fowl.</p> + +<p>Sometimes I had the misfortune to land upon a bank +of treacherous consistency, and upon such occasions +became stuck fast in the mud; and Chinese mud is of a +wonderful stickiness and tenacity, as those who have had +experience of it can well testify. There is often considerable +danger in such a fix, for every effort to extricate +oneself simply tends to make a deeper immersion. The +only sure plan is to use a plank on the surface of the +mud; so that I always carried several with me for emergencies +of such a muddy nature. For the first shot I +usually had a long musket, loaded with grape cartridge, +and a wire one; the effect of this amongst a closely +packed flock, often within sixty yards, may be easily +imagined. I frequently bagged five or six brace of duck, +or several geese, as a commencement. The swans and +geese were generally off, after the first alarm; but I often +had several shots, with the double-barrel which my Malay +carried after me, amongst the ducks or teal. As for snipe +and curlew, I have many a time seated myself in the +centre of a sand-bank, and, with the Malay loading my +guns as fast as he could, kept up an incessant fire upon +them in flocks eddying round and round the shoal, +but unwilling to leave it, until the rising tide compelled +their flight, or my guns exterminated them. After this I +would return to the boat for "Chow-chow," and when it +was despatched, cross over to the mainland, probably +getting a few brace of widgeon on the way. Early +morning, or about twilight, I always found the best time +for sport; during the day the birds are very wild. I +have tried all sorts of dodges to get close. I have dressed +as a Chinese field-labourer—umbrella hat, rush waterproof, +and everything; but although such a Chinaman +can be seen working within thirty yards of the birds, I +could never get so close by a long way. The abundance +of game about Foo-Chow is almost incredible. I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +sometimes shot curlew in the dark, guided by the noise +they made, and finding them by the cries of a wounded +bird. I have shot wild swans so large, that when a +Chinaman carried one with the head over his shoulder, +its feet draggled on the ground; and very seldom +returned to my ship without a boat literally loaded with +spoil.</p> + +<p>During shooting excursions and my frequent intercourse +with the Chinese country people, I have nearly always +found them exhibiting traits of character we give them +little credit for; but only when they are completely by +themselves, and none of the Manchoo troops, officials, or +<i>employés</i> of any description are in the vicinity, have I +found them particularly friendly to foreigners—very inquisitive, +although not so outwardly, by reason of their +great politeness and calm behaviour; hospitable and +obliging. To qualify this, yet to render still more +interesting the <i>natural</i> disposition of the people, it is +easily perceived they have a sort of undefined dread of, +and dislike to us, caused by the lying teaching and bitterly +hostile reports circulated by the entire body of Manchoo +officials concerning the "foreign devils," which, for my +part, I have always done my best to expose wherever I +have wandered amongst the deeply interesting natives. +But few Europeans are aware of the entire misrepresentations +the Manchoo Government circulate about foreigners, +much less of the monstrous atrocities attributed to them; +and I dare say, if propriety allowed me to mention some I +have been told by the Chinese, most people would disbelieve +them, especially since the British Government has entered +into <i>alliance</i> with the Manchoos.</p> + +<p>I was eye-witness to a fearful specimen of the so-called +"paternal" Government's displeasure at Foo-chow some +years since. It appears the Viceroy of Fu-keen issued an +edict to prevent the Cantonese ascending the river to trade, +for some fault they had committed. Before, however, this +edict could have become generally known, three Canton<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +lorchas sailed up the river laden with merchandise. They +were fired upon by the batteries about the mouth of the +river, yet, regardless of this (for the Cantonese are a brave, +obstinate race), they passed up and arrived within a short +distance of the European shipping. At this point, about +sixty of the Mandarin gunboats (row-galleys), without +any warning or communication whatever, opened fire +upon and pulled for the lorchas. Apparently, the first +two allowed them to board unresistingly; and this no +sooner took place than a savage slaughter of their helpless +crews commenced. Some were cut down and brutally +mutilated upon the decks, their heads being chopped off +and their bodies thrown overboard; others jumped into the +river, only to be there killed by the soldiers in the gunboats, +who followed them wherever they swam, spearing +them, and thrusting them under water. The crew of the +third lorcha, seeing the terrible fate of their comrades, endeavoured +to prevent the government troops from boarding, +and made a gallant resistance. Their defence, however, +though desperate, was unavailing. The gunboats surrounded +them, and poured in showers of grape and +canister; the lorcha had but three guns of small calibre +to reply with, and soon lost so many men that those +remaining could no longer beat the enemy off. At last, +being boarded, some of her defenders jumped overboard, +and the rest, fighting and disputing inch by inch, were +quickly dispatched. Some of the European shipping sent +boats to try and rescue the poor wretches from the water, +and, fortunately, managed to save a few. Thus, for +breaking a proclamation of which, very probably, they +were ignorant, these unfortunate men were all massacred, +and the ships, with their cargo, confiscated to the Mandarins.</p> + +<p>After some voyages upon the coast, my vessel was +ordered to Whampoa, to be dry-docked and her bottom +overhauled. Before entering the dock, and while lying at +anchor on the river, I was one evening surprised to see a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> +san-pan (literally three planks, <i>i.e.</i> a little boat) containing +two Chinese girls, and a third, neither Chinese +nor European, hanging about the ship; its occupants +evidently desirous to communicate something, yet half +fearful to venture. The lady of the unknown nationality +seemed endeavouring to attract my attention. I was +alone on the quarter-deck, with the exception of an old +weather-beaten quartermaster. I beckoned her to come +alongside, and descended the gangway ladder. As I was +going over the side, the old quartermaster came up to me +and exclaimed—</p> + +<p>"Keep your weather eye lifting, sir; she's a pi-ar +Portuguee."</p> + +<p>"Well," I replied; "what if she is?"</p> + +<p>"Well, d'ye see, sir, them Portugees is awful wild +craft. I've got a remembrancer here," touching his ribs; +"one of 'em gave me in Rio, just because she thought I +was backing and filling with a chum of hers."</p> + +<p>"If a Rio girl fell in love with you, and you made +her jealous, you old sinner, what has that to do with a +Whampoa girl? Besides, we shall have no time for +falling in love here."</p> + +<p>"Ay! ay! you don't know 'em, sir; the breed's the +same all over; and, as for time, why, they'll be in love +with you afore you can say 'vast heaving there."</p> + +<p>"You're out of your reckoning for once, quartermaster; +call Mr. ——, if I am not on board by eight bells;" and +with this I disappeared over the side.</p> + +<p>Directly I jumped into the boat, it was shoved off, and +dropped astern with the tide.</p> + +<p>My attention was, of course, directed to the lady +designated a "pi-ar Portuguee" by the quartermaster; I +at once discovered that she was a Macao Portuguese, very +handsome; and, to all appearance, in great affliction. For +some time she made no reply to my inquiries as to what +was the matter, but commenced sobbing, and crying +as if her heart would break. At last she ceased,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +and related the cause of her trouble to the following +effect:—She was the daughter of a rich Macanese, who +was principal owner of one of the Whampoa docks, and +was also Portuguese consul at that port. Her mother +was dead, and her father had determined to compel her to +marry a wealthy Chilianian half-caste; in fact, everything +was arranged for the marriage to take place in ten days' +time. She hated the fellow, in spite of his dollars, +which, it appeared, was her father's idol, and was resolved +to suffer anything rather than submit. She came off to +my ship to try and obtain a passage down to Hong-Kong, +where she had friends who would take care of her. +Here was the deuce to pay, and no pitch hot, as the +sailors say. In a moment, almost, I was to become the +champion and protector of this forlorn damsel. However +selfishly I tried to reflect, I could not help being sensibly +impressed with her extreme beauty and utter wretchedness. +The <i>piquante</i> style of her pretty broken English, +as she implored me to give her a passage to Hong-Kong +and save her; the knowledge of the cruel fate +which awaited her—the entire confidence which she was +only too willing to repose in me—her unprotected position +and passionate, ingenuous, ebullition of feeling—all conspired +to interest me deeply in her favour.</p> + +<p>The longer I listened the more interested and determined +to help her I became. She was very young, and +it seemed irresistible to sympathize with and pity her. +At last, in the midst of a protestation of assistance on +my part, and of fervent thanks on hers, we were interrupted +by one of the China girls thrusting her head +under the mat cover of the boat, and exclaiming—</p> + +<p>"Hi ya! missee! more bettah go shore,—belong +shih tim cheong" (ten o'clock).</p> + +<p>The poor girl seemed quite alarmed to find it so +late, and told the boatwomen to pull ashore as fast as +possible.</p> + +<p>We soon reached the bank, but my interesting friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +would not allow me to land with her, stating she lived +close by; however, she promised to meet me at the spot +we then occupied, the next evening. The China girls +quickly pulled me off to my ship, and then I was alone +to think over the singularity and probable issue of the +adventure.</p> + +<p>Poor Marie! would that I had never met her—that +she had accepted the Chilianian, or some prophetic +spirit had whispered a warning in time to save her from +her sad fate. However, it was ordained otherwise, and all +that is left me is her memory. True to her promise, she +saw me the following evening; then the next; and so for +several consecutive days. It happened that, fortunately +for the fulfilment of our appointments, Marie's father +never returned from the docks, at the opposite side of +the river, till late in the evening. We were thus constantly +thrown together, and who can wonder that we +insensibly allowed ourselves to become deeply attached?</p> + +<p>Upon the ninth day after our first meeting, my ship +was undocked, and prepared to sail for Hong-Kong in the +morning; the morning, too, that, as Marie told me with +tears in her eyes, would usher in her bridal day. Although +Marie and I had never till then spoken of love, we both +knew that it was mutual, and at this moment of peril +and uncertainty we threw off all disguise and expressed +our true feelings for each other. She felt no regret at +sacrificing all other ties for my sake—I was but too +anxious to risk anything to save her. On the evening of +this, the last day that was to separate us, Marie entered +her cruel father's dwelling for the last time; and, +having quickly made some slight preparations, rejoined +me in the boat with which I awaited her.</p> + +<p>This boat was the same in which I had first seen her, +and the poor girls who worked it being slaves of one of +the old Whampoa laundresses, I determined to rescue them +from their doubtful future, and prevent them making +any disclosure as to Marie's escape, by carrying them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +down to Hong-Kong with her, and there giving them +liberty.</p> + +<p>I had already made every preparation on board, and +had taken the gunner and carpenter into my confidence, +as I had decided to stow them away in the sail-room; +and to do this rendered it necessary for them to pass the +berths of those officers. About midnight, sending the +quartermaster of the watch off the deck upon an errand +to get him out of the way, I smuggled the girls aboard +and secreted them at the back of the sail-room well hidden +by spare topsails, &c., piled up before them.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning we lighted fires, and soon after +daybreak, with steam up, commenced to get under weigh. +Just then, as I fully expected, off came Marie's father +and the old laundress—the one to look for a daughter who +vanished on her bridal morn, the other for her poor slave +girls—with warrants from the British consul for the +delivery of the three girls if found on board. I was in +charge of the deck, and took care to receive the bereaved +parties at the gangway. After hearing their complaints, +I reported the case to the captain, and received his orders +to have the ship searched. This duty I took upon myself, +rousing all hands out, and searching every part of the +ship except the sail-room, which I took care to allow no +one to approach. By the time the unsuccessful search +was concluded, the anchor had been weighed, and we +immediately commenced to drop down the river.</p> + +<p>When we reached Hong-Kong, Marie landed and went +to reside with her friends. She had become my betrothed, +and seemed truly happy in the thought that nothing now +could cause our separation. Little either of us thought +at that happy time how ruthlessly all these bright prospects +would be altered, and what sadness was yet in store for +us. Alas! how little at that happy time either thought +how soon the ruthless destroyer would annihilate a bond +we had sworn should last for ever.</p> + +<p>Marie was very lovely. Rather darker than the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +generality of Macao women; her complexion was a beautifully +clear deep olive; the skin delicately soft, with the +rich blood mantling through upon the slightest emotion; +her eyes large, jet-black, lustrous, and almond-shaped, as +those of the Spanish creoles of South America—eyes +which can form a language of their own, so deeply expressive, +so ever changeful, and heart-speaking—were exquisitely +fringed with long silken lashes and arching brows; +her hair, dark as the raven's wing, waved in rich profusion +round her finely tapered shoulders; the Grecian +nose and delicately formed nostrils spoke of her high caste; +while a short full upper lip, so richly coloured, adorned a +mouth small but singularly expressive, and studded with +teeth of pearly whiteness. This young creature, nurtured +in a southern clime, could scarcely number sixteen summers, +and yet her <i>petite</i> figure, lithe and graceful as it was, had +attained its full development. She was, in truth, an +unsophisticated child of nature—ardent, passionate—the +very creature of impulse.</p> + +<p>In a small secluded dwelling, shaded by evergreen +foliage, in one of the prettiest parts of Hong-Kong, every +moment I could spare from my ship was devoted to Marie. +We were supremely happy. We had no thought or +care for the morrow, we were too fully absorbed in the +present. The old quartermaster's warning proved his +experience, although, with one exception, it was unnecessary +in my case, yet the exception was sufficient.</p> + +<p>To many of those warm impassioned temperaments of +the East love becomes as necessary as life itself. Marie +was one of these. Natures like hers could be moulded by +love to any form. The house of Marie's relatives was one +of two built together; but for this it would have been in +total seclusion, the bend of the hills it rested on hiding +all other buildings in the distance, and entirely screening +it from observation. The next door and only neighbours +consisted of two Portuguese sisters and an Englishman, +the husband of the eldest.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<img src="images/i053.jpg" width="513" height="456" alt="MARIE. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption"><br />MARIE.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> Portuguese being natives of Macao, were slightly +acquainted with Marie, and we gradually became intimate +with them. The youngest of the sisters was +very good-looking, and being of a very merry disposition, +we often had great fun. Now, it so happened that +Marie's love was so intense, so selfish, and so exacting, +she could not bear me to pay the slightest attention to +another. So at last, to realize the old adage, that "true +love never did run smooth," she took it into her passionate +little head to become jealous. This jealousy may be a +very mild affair amongst our colder Northern women, +but with a fiery little piece of impetuosity like Marie +it was more serious. With such temperaments, jealousy +instantly generates an all-consuming passion for +revenge.</p> + +<p>For a little while I had noticed Marie's more than +usual excitability, accompanied by occasional bursts of +grief, without any apparent cause; but, knowing her +extreme sensitiveness, I thought but little of it. At last +the cause was revealed, and this history nearly terminated +in its revelation.</p> + +<p>The house had a verandah in front, connecting it with +that adjoining, from which it was simply divided by a +wooden partition. One evening I and Theresa, the unmarried +Portuguese, were conversing from the respective +balconies. I fancied Marie had received me rather crossly +that day, and to vex her thought I would have a little +fun with her pretty neighbour. This thoughtlessness +very nearly resulted in a tragical termination. After +laughing and chatting with Theresa for some time, I went +close up to the partition between the verandahs; and, +leaning round it, pretended to kiss her. Instantly I +heard Marie, with an exclamation, rush towards me. As I +withdrew, I fortunately caught the shadow of an uplifted +hand on my own side of the partition; and, while turning, +I rapidly threw up my arm, just in time to arrest the +descending blow, aimed by Marie with a stiletto. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +received but a slight scratch, and soon took the weapon +from my fierce little love, who instantly, with characteristic +revulsion of feeling, threw herself into my arms +in a passionate burst of grief. We were soon reconciled; +this was Marie's first and last jealousy.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/i056.jpg" width="386" height="600" alt="SING-SONG GIRL—page 10." title="" /> +<span class="caption"><br />SING-SONG GIRL—page <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Hung-sui-tshuen.—Clanship in China.—Hung-sui-tshuen's Genealogy: +his Education.—Extraordinary Visions: Description of them.—Description +of Hung-sui-tshuen: his Early Days: his Visions Explained: +his Conversion: how Effected.—Hung-sui-tshuen's Preaching: +his Religious Essays.—The God-worshippers.—Destruction of +Idols.—Progress of God-worshippers.—Numbers increase.—Hostilities +commence.—God-worshippers Victorious.—"Imperialist" Cruelty.—Bishop +of Victoria.—Chinese Dynasty proclaimed.</p></div> + + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen is a name now familiar in +most parts of Europe as that of the chief—or King, +as his followers term him—of the great Ti-ping revolution +in China. Unfortunately much misapprehension exists as +to him and his cause. Such information as I may give my +readers, that has not come under my personal observation, +has been derived from the actors themselves, especially all +relating to the origin of the Ti-pings, their progress until +I met them, and the description of their great leader—in +fact, my knowledge of Hung-sui-tshuen has been obtained +principally from his Prime Minister and cousin (Hung-jin), +his chamberlain, and many of his chiefs and own clan. +Since my return to England, I have had the pleasure to +peruse, for the first time, the admirable little work of the +late Rev. Theodore Hamberg, missionary of the Basle +Evangelical Society to China—"The Visions of Hung-sui-tshuen, +and Origin of the Kwang-si Insurrection." +This, and the pamphlet entitled "Recent Events in +China," by the Bishop of Victoria (published some nine +or ten years ago), coincide in most particulars with the +information I have gathered from direct sources; and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +as all my journals, notes, and memoranda fell into the +hands of the Imperialists during my service with the Ti-pings, +I have found them very useful in recalling facts I +might otherwise have forgotten.</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen was born in the year 1813, at a small +village in the Hwa district,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> some little distance from the +city of Canton. His ancestors, originally from the north-east +boundary of the Kwang-tung province, soon after the +complete subjugation of the Chinese by the Manchoo +Tartars, <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1685, with many other families loyal to the +Ming, through the persecution and exactions of the +invader, abandoned their homes and sought refuge in the +southern parts of Kwang-tung and Kwang-se, the two +most southerly provinces of China. Here, to the present +day, their descendants are known by the name of Hakkas +(settlers) by the Punti people (natives of the soil).</p> + +<p>The genealogy of Hung-sui-tshuen's family is one of +the most ancient in China. During ten centuries, until +the era of the present dynasty, they trace members of +their house occupying the most exalted stations in the +empire. So far back as the Sung dynasty, <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1000, +many of the Hungs were prominent literati; from that +time till the Manchoo invasion, numbers of them have +been members of the Han-lin College—the highest literary +rank in China. For many generations the dignity of +Minister of State was attained, and this was particularly +the case throughout the sovereignty of Sung. During the +Ming dynasty (the last Chinese one) likewise, the Hungs +invariably numbered men of renown and literary attainments +among them. They became allied to the Imperial +family by marriage; and it was one of the Hungs who, as +generalissimo of the Chinese forces, fought the last battle +in defence of Nankin and the Ming prince. The prince +was treacherously killed by some of his own followers, +while the general perished with the greater number of his +troops, being totally defeated by the Tartars, who thus +destroyed the last attempt to keep them north of the river +Yang-tze-kiang.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span></p> +<p>Like most countries, China has had her feudal period, +the earliest and last authentic records of which refer to +the ninth and tenth centuries. In this, as in many +important events, the Chinese have been before western +nations, their feudal system having terminated anterior to +the meridian of that of Europe. A system of clanship, +however, prevails in many parts of China; all persons of +the same surname, though frequently numbering tens of +thousands, being considered near kindred; and, singularly +enough, not being allowed to marry amongst themselves. +I am inclined to believe this is much lessened at the +present day, for I have generally found that members of a +clan or kindred do not reverence any one head of the entire +name, but one much more nearly related to themselves, +and who is seldom elder, or chief, of more than some +hundreds. Previous to the incursion of the Manchoos, +Hung-sui-tshuen's kindred formed a vast and powerful +body; their stanch support of the last struggles for the +Ming dynasty, and the sanguinary persecutions they, in +common with other obnoxious families, suffered from +the invader, greatly reduced their number. Upon the +outbreak of the Ti-ping revolution, the Hung clan was +supposed to number upwards of 20,000 persons; subsequent +to that event the greater part were massacred by +the Imperialists, simply because they were the connections +of a rebel! Of Hung's immediate relatives, who, to the +number of five or six hundred, peopled his native village +under the authority of his father, not one remains; men, +women, and children, all who were unable to join him, +were mercilessly slaughtered by the ruthless Manchoo, +and their very dwellings swept from the face of the +earth.</p> + +<p>Now, although the honourable and ancient lineage of +Hung-sui-tshuen has never been disputed, some persons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +with a mendacity truly astonishing, have amused themselves +by designating him the "Coolie King." Not only +was Hung of good family—a secondary consideration in +China, where personal rank is everything<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a>—but his own +position, as a member of the literati, was one of the +most honourable. These are qualifications, it is probable, +the persons who styled him "Coolie King" do not +possess.</p> + +<p>For many generations Hung's progenitors had been +the chiefs or elders of their clan. His father fulfilled +this capacity, and governed the affairs of his own and +many surrounding villages. In spite of Hung's line of +ancestry and his father's eldership, they were far from +being well supplied with the good things of this life; in +fact, their freehold was barely sufficient to support them. +The family mansion was by no means suitable to the +former dignity of the name. An ordinary Chinese +farmer's cottage, containing nothing but the simplest +articles of use, was the birthplace of one of the greatest +men the empire has ever produced. At the earliest age, +Hung exhibited a remarkable aptitude for study, became +an inmate of the village school at seven years of age, and +in less than twice that time had become proficient in the +usual course of Chinese education; besides which, he +studied by himself the history of China, and the higher +branches of Chinese literature. Even at this early period, +he was universally distinguished for his extraordinary +talents, which were so highly appreciated by his teachers +and relatives, that they united in defraying the expense +of his further education. At sixteen years of age the +want of means put an end to his studies; within a year, +however, a young fellow-student took him as a companion. +After this, when eighteen years of age, he was appointed +schoolmaster of his native village, by the unanimous wish +of the people.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> +<p>About this time Hung commenced to attend the +public examinations at Canton. These examinations +confer upon successful candidates one of four literary +degrees, commencing with a district examination, leading +to a departmental one, to a provincial one, and finally to +a Pekin examination, from which members of the Han-lin +college are selected.</p> + +<p>Although Hung-sui-tshuen was always one of the +most distinguished at the district examinations, through +the corruption of the Manchoo officials, to whom bribery +alone is a passport, he was unable to obtain his degree. +At last, upon another visit to the public examinations, +about the year 1836, an event took place that ultimately, +in no slight manner, affected his future career. This I +cannot do better than give in the words of the Rev. +T. Hamberg:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In the streets he found a man dressed according to the custom of the +Ming dynasty, in a coat with wide sleeves, and his hair tied in a knot upon +his head. The man was unacquainted with the Chinese vernacular tongue, +and employed a native as interpreter. A number of people kept gathering +round the stranger, who used to tell them the fulfilment of their wishes, +even without waiting for a question from their side. Sui-tshuen approached +the man, intending to ask if he should attain a literary degree, but the +man prevented him by saying, 'You will attain the highest rank, but do +not be grieved, for grief will make you sick. I congratulate your virtuous +father.' On the following day he again met with two men in the Siung-tsang +street. One of these men had in his possession a parcel of books +consisting of nine small volumes, being a complete set of a work, entitled, +'Keuen-shi-leang-yen,' or 'Good Words for Exhorting the Age,' the whole +of which he gave Hung-sui-tshuen, who, on his return from the examination, +brought them home, and after a superficial glance at their contents, +placed them in his bookcase, <i>without at the time considering them to be of any +particular importance</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Once more, in the year 1837, Hung-sui-tshuen attended +the examinations. Upon this occasion, after +being placed high on the list, his rank was afterwards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +lowered. This, with the gross injustice and partiality of +the examiners, so affected him, that he returned home +very ill. His illness lasted for a considerable time, +during which he underwent a marvellous series of visions +or dreams.</p> + +<p>In the account of Hung's visions and earlier life, it +will be necessary to quote frequently from Mr. Hamberg's +little work, he having received in detail many important +facts I only had in substance from Hung-jin. I feel the +more confident of the indulgence of my readers from the +fact of the interesting nature of all I shall quote, and, +moreover, the absolute necessity of doing so in order to +enable them to form a correct judgment of the noble +character and almost superhuman career of the Tiping-wang.</p> + +<p>It must be remembered that in a country like China, +where literary distinction, until Manchoo corruption +altered it, was the recognized path to honour and fame, +everything tended to excite the hopes and ambition of +Hung-sui-tshuen, who was more than usually intellectual, +and whose failure to attain eminence, through the degenerated +policy of the Manchoo dynasty, who no longer +observe the rights of the literati in their selection of +public officers, must have been accompanied with a degree +of mortification and bitterness never experienced by +Europeans, who have a variety of paths to distinction.</p> + +<p>The visions of Hung-sui-tshuen, as related by Hung-jin, +are thus published in Mr. Hamberg's account:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He first saw a great number of people, bidding him welcome to their +number, and thought this dream was to signify that he should soon die, +and go into the presence of Yen lo-wang, the Chinese king of Hades. +He therefore called his parents and other relatives to assemble at his +bedside, and addressed them in the following terms:—'My days are +counted, and my life will soon be closed. O my parents! how badly have +I returned the favour of your love to me! I shall never attain a name +that may reflect its lustre upon you.' After this he lost all strength and +command over his body, and all present thought him about to die—his +outward senses were inactive, and his body appeared as dead, lying upon +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span>the bed; but his soul was acted upon by a peculiar energy, so that he not +only experienced things of a very extraordinary nature, but afterwards +also retained in memory what had occurred to him. At first, when his +eyes were closed, he saw a dragon, a tiger, and a cock entering his room, +and soon after, he observed a great number of men, playing upon musical +instruments, approaching with a beautiful sedan-chair, in which they invited +him to be seated, and then carried him away. Sui-tshuen felt greatly +astonished at the honour and distinction bestowed upon him, and knew +not what to think thereof. They soon arrived at a beautiful and luminous +place, where on both sides were assembled a multitude of fine men and +women, who saluted him with expressions of joy. As he left the sedan, +an old woman took him down to a river, and said, 'Thou dirty man, why +hast thou kept company with yonder people and defiled thyself? I must +now wash thee clean.' After the washing was performed, Sui-tshuen, in +company with a great number of virtuous and venerable old men, among +whom he remarked many of the ancient sages, entered a large building, +where they opened his body with a knife, took out his heart and other +parts, and put in their place others, new and of a red colour. Instantly +when this was done, the wound closed, and he could see no trace of the +incision which had been made.</p> + +<p>"Upon the walls surrounding this place, Sui-tshuen remarked a number +of tablets with inscriptions exhorting to virtue, which he one by one +examined. Afterwards, they entered another large hall, the beauty and +splendour of which was beyond description. A man, venerable in years, +with golden beard, and dressed in a black robe, was sitting in an imposing +attitude upon the highest place. As soon as he observed Sui-tshuen, he +began to shed tears, and said, 'All human beings in the whole world are +produced and sustained by me; they eat my food and wear my clothing, +but not a single one among them has a heart to remember and venerate +me; what is, however, still worse than that, they take of my gifts and +therewith worship demons; they purposely rebel against me, and arouse +my anger. Do thou not imitate them.' Thereupon he gave Sui-tshuen a +sword, commanding him to exterminate the demons, but to spare his brothers +and sisters; a seal, by which he would overcome the evil spirits; and also a +yellow fruit, to eat which Sui-tshuen found sweet to the taste. When he +had received the ensigns of royalty from the hand of the old man, he +instantly commenced to exhort those collected in the hall to return to their +duties to the venerable old man upon the high seat. Some replied to him, +saying, 'We have indeed forgotten our duties towards the venerable.' +Others said, 'Why should we venerate him? let us only be merry, and +drink together with our friends.' Sui-tshuen then, because of the hardness +of their hearts, continued his admonitions with tears. The old man said +to him, 'Take courage, and do the work; I will assist thee in every +difficulty.' Shortly after this, he turned to the assemblage of the old and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>virtuous, saying, 'Sui-tshuen is competent to this charge.' And thereupon +he led Sui-tshuen out, told him to look down from above, and said, +'Behold the people upon this earth! hundredfold is the perverseness of +their hearts.' Sui-tshuen looked, and saw such a degree of depravity and +vice, that his eyes could not endure the sight, nor his mouth express their +deeds. He then awoke from his trance, but still being under its influence, +he felt the very hairs of his head raise themselves, and suddenly seized by +a violent anger, forgetting his feebleness, put on his clothes, left his bedroom, +went into the presence of his father, and making a low bow, said, +'The venerable old man above has commanded that all men shall turn to +me, and all treasures shall flow to me.' The sickness of Sui-tshuen continued +about forty days, and in vision he often met with a man of middle +age, whom he called his elder brother, who instructed him how to act, +accompanied him upon his wanderings to the uttermost regions in search +of evil spirits, and assisted him in slaying and exterminating them. +Sui-tshuen also heard the venerable old man with the black robe reprove +Confucius for having omitted in his books clearly to expound the true +doctrine. Confucius seemed much ashamed, and confessed his guilt.</p> + +<p>"Sui-tshuen, while sick, as his mind was wandering, often used to run +about his room, leaping and fighting like a soldier engaged in battle. His +constant cry was, 'Tsan-jau, tsan-jau, tsan-ah, tsan-ah! Slay the demons, +slay the demons!—slay, slay; there is one, and there is another. Many, +many cannot withstand one single blow of my sword.'</p> + +<p>"His father invited magicians, by their spells, to drive away the evil +spirits he thought possessed his son; but Sui-tshuen said, 'How could +these imps dare to oppose me? I must slay them, I must slay them! +Many, many cannot resist me!' As in his imagination he pursued the +demons, they seemed to undergo various changes and transformations, at +one time flying as birds, at another time appearing as lions. Lest he should +be unable to overcome them he held out his seal against them, at the sight +of which they immediately fled away.</p> + +<p>"During his exhortations he often burst into tears, saying, 'You have +no hearts to venerate the old father, but you are on good terms with the +impish fiends; indeed, indeed, you have no hearts—no conscience more.' +He often said that he was duly appointed Emperor of China, and was +highly gratified when any one called him by that name; but if any one +called him mad, he used to laugh at him, and to reply, 'You are, indeed, +mad yourself; and do you call me mad?' When men of bad character +came to see him, he often rebuked them and called them demons. All the +day long he used to sing, weep, exhort, reprove by turns, and in full +earnest."</p></div> + +<p>The following is the description of Hung-sui-tshuen, +given by his cousin Hung-jin, upon his return to health:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sui-tshuen's whole person became gradually changed, both in character +and appearance. He was careful in his conduct, friendly and open in his +demeanour; his body increased in height and size; his pace became firm +and imposing, his views enlarged and liberal. His friend describes him as +being, at a later period, a rather tall man, with oval face and fair complexion, +high nose, small round ears, his voice clear and sonorous. When +he laughed, the whole house resounded; his hair was black, his beard long +and sandy, his strength of body extraordinary, his power of understanding +rare. Persons of vicious habits fled from his presence, but the honest +sought his company.</p> + +<p>"From his youth, Hung-sui-tshuen was generally liked by all, because +of his open and straightforward character. He was gay and friendly, but +not dissolute. Being superior in talent to most of his fellow-students, he +often used to make sport of them, and cause them to feel his sharp wit; but +still, his friends were fond of listening to his remarks, as they generally +contained true and noble ideas, and acknowledged his superior intellect. +After his sickness, his whole person became changed, his manners noble +and dignified. He sat erect upon the chair, his hands placed upon his +knees, and both his feet resting a little apart, but never crossed upon the +ground, without leaning backwards or to either side; and, though sitting +for hours, he never appeared fatigued. He did not look aslant or backwards; +his pace in walking was dignified, neither quick nor slow; he now +spoke less and laughed seldom. After he had begun to worship, he was +very strict in regard to his own conduct. In his words he was often +severe, and easily offended others. He liked to sit down and talk with +honest and sincere men, though they were ever so poor and of low estate; +but he could not bear with the profligate, even if they were ever so rich +and high in station."</p></div> + +<p>The visions of Hung-sui-tshuen, marvellous as they +were, and deeply significant upon many important points, +could never have led to any earthly result but through the +medium of some earthly key. This came at last, and the +whole train of circumstances admit of no other interpretation +than the will of a divine, inscrutable Providence. +It is doubtful whether any one impressed with a sense of +the awfully mysterious power of an Almighty Creator can +dispute the cause of Hung-sui-tshuen's visions, conversion, +and ultimate career; or that they rival many of the +miracles of old which have been handed down to us, +dimmed by the obscurity of time, and rendered difficult of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> +comprehension by the subtleties of language as well as +by the figurative style of the ancients.</p> + +<p>For several years Hung-sui-tshuen continued his +studies and acted as village schoolmaster. On one occasion, +while engaged as teacher at a village some ten miles +distant from his native place, a cousin, Le, while searching +his bookcase, chanced to come across the small volumes, +"Good Words for Exhorting the Age." Le inquired the +nature of the works, but Sui-tshuen was unacquainted with +the contents and lent them to him to read. It is stated +by the Rev. T. Hamberg:—"These books contain a good +number of whole chapters of the Bible according to the +translation of Dr. Morison, many essays upon important +subjects from single texts, and sundry miscellaneous +statements founded on Scripture."</p> + +<p>Le read the books and returned them, stating their +contents were very extraordinary, and differed entirely +from Chinese books. Sui-tshuen then took the books +and commenced reading them closely and carefully. He +was greatly astonished to find in these books what he +considered an explanation of his own visions of six years +before, and that their contents corresponded in a singular +manner with all he had experienced at that time. He +now understood the venerable old one who sat upon +the highest place, and whom all men ought to worship, to +be God the Heavenly Father; and the man of middle age, +who had instructed him and assisted him in exterminating +the demons, to be Jesus the Saviour of the world. The +demons were the idols, his brothers and sisters were the +men in the world. Sui-tshuen felt as if awaking from a +long dream. He rejoiced in reality to have found a way +to heaven, and a sure hope of everlasting life and happiness. +Learning from the books the necessity of being +baptized, Sui-tshuen and Le now, according to the +manner described in the books, and as far as they understood +the rite, administered baptism to each other. They +prayed to God, and promised not to worship evil spirits,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +not to practise evil things, but to keep the heavenly +commands; then they poured water upon their heads, +saying, "Purification from all former sins, putting off the +old, and regeneration." When this was done they felt +their hearts overflowing with joy, and Sui-tshuen composed +the following ode upon repentance:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"When our transgressions high as heaven rise,<br /> +How well to trust in Jesus' full atonement;<br /> +We follow not the demons, we obey<br /> +The holy precepts, worshipping alone<br /> +One God, and thus we cultivate our hearts.<br /> +The heavenly glories open to our view,<br /> +And every being ought to seek thereafter.<br /> +I much deplore the miseries of hell.<br /> +O turn ye to the fruits of true repentance!<br /> +Let not your hearts be led by worldly customs."<br /> +</div> + +<p>They thereupon cast away their idols and removed the +tablet of Confucius, which is generally found in the +schools, and worshipped by the teacher as well as the +pupils.</p> + +<p>In a little while Hung-sui-tshuen returned to his +native village. He soon converted to the religion his +cousin Hung-jin, and an intimate friend, Fung-yun-san, +also a teacher.</p> + +<p>While at home, Sui-tshuen and his friends attentively +studied the books, which Sui-tshuen found to correspond +in a striking manner with his former visions—a remarkable +coincidence, which convinced him fully as to their truth, +and that he was appointed by Divine authority to restore +the world—that is, China—to the worship of the true God.</p> + +<p>I must particularly recommend to the notice of my +readers the sound reasoning and wisdom of Hung-sui-tshuen's +own explanation, and the high and exalted +determination his subsequent acts have so nobly fulfilled.</p> + +<p>"These books," said he, "are certainly sent purposely +by Heaven to me, to confirm the truth of my former +experiences. If I had received the books without having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +gone through the sickness, I should not have dared to +believe in them, or have ventured, on my own account, +to oppose the customs of the whole world; if I had merely +been sick, but had not also received the books, I should +have had no further evidence as to the truth of my visions, +which might also have been considered as merely productions +of a diseased imagination."</p> + +<p>Then he raised his voice and spoke in a bold manner:—</p> + +<p>"I have received the immediate command from God +in His presence: the will of Heaven rests with me. +Although thereby I should meet with calamity, difficulties, +and suffering, yet I am resolved to act. By +disobeying the heavenly command, I would only rouse the +anger of God; and are not these books the foundation of +all true doctrines contained in other books?"</p> + +<p>Under this conviction, Sui-tshuen, when preaching the +new doctrine to others, made use of his own visions and +the books, as reciprocally evidencing the truth of each +other. He revered the books highly, and if any one +wished to read them, he urgently told them not to +alter or mark them in any manner, because, said he, +it is written therein, "Jehovah's word is correct" +(Ps. xxxiii. 4).</p> + +<p>The small volumes, "Good Words for Exhorting the +Age," that have exercised such a wonderful effect upon +a great proportion of the Chinese, through the individual +acts of Hung-sui-tshuen, were the production of Liang +Afah, one of Dr. Milne's Chinese converts. Consequently +it may be argued that contact with Europeans +has been instrumental in producing the great Ti-ping +revolution, and that to Dr. Milne and his convert, Liang +Afah, may be attributed the honour of being agents in +converting Hung-sui-tshuen and in originating the first +Christian movement in modern Asia.</p> + +<p>Although, through the foreign idiom, want of commentaries, +and use of pronouns (unintelligible through the +absence of the relative), Hung-sui-tshuen, as well as his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +earlier converts, misunderstood some parts of Liang Afah's +volumes, still it is indisputable that the grand truths of +Christianity were fully and completely appreciated by +them. As the Bishop of Victoria has written:—"Stung +with a sense of injustice, and feeling the full weight of +disappointment, he found his knowledge of Confucian +lore no longer the road to office and distinction. It was +at such a critical season of the future <i>hero's</i> career that +the truths of the Holy Scriptures were presented to his +notice, and the pure doctrines of Christianity arrested his +mind."</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen, after some time, again returned to +his teachership in the other village, leaving Hung-jin to +expound and study the new doctrine. Sui-tshuen's own +relatives were soon converted from idolatry and received +baptism.</p> + +<p>With his few followers he now experienced the usual +worldly effects of devout opposition to the sinful and +idolatrous practices of neighbours. Hung and his friends +lost their scholastic employment and became very poor. +Unable longer to maintain themselves at home, they determined +to visit other districts and preach the true doctrine, +hoping to support themselves by the sale of a few articles +they carried with them for the purpose.</p> + +<p>Hung, Fung-yun-san, and two other friends left their +native villages and started upon a proselytizing mission +to the independent tribes of Miau-tze. Passing through +the village of Hung's relatives, the Le family, they converted +and baptized several of them. Afterwards Hung-jin +was engaged as teacher at this place (Clear-far), and +in course of time baptized upwards of fifty persons.</p> + +<p>Sui-tshuen and his friends continued their journey, +everywhere preaching the new doctrine, teaching men to +worship the one God, Jehovah, who sent his Son to atone +for the sins of the world; and in every place they found +some willing to accept their words. Into the wild and +mountainous regions of the Miau-tze, Hung and Fung-yun-san<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +journeyed alone, their friends having left them. +They were fortunate enough to meet with a teacher who +kept a school for Chinese instruction to the aborigines. +Being ignorant of the Miau-tze dialect, after converting +the schoolmaster and leaving a few tracts with him, they +continued their journey to a part of Kwang-si where +Hung had relatives.</p> + +<p>Hung at last reached the village of his cousin Wang, +and at this place preached with such devout eloquence as +not only to convert hundreds to Christianity, but to cause +many to believe that he and Yun-san were descended from +heaven to preach the true doctrine.</p> + +<p>To relieve his cousin from the support of so many +guests, two converts of the Hung family having likewise +arrived, he ordered Yun-san and the others to return to +Kwang-tung. Fung-yun-san, however, was moved to +continue teaching the Gospel; therefore, although the two +returned, he remained preaching by the roadside. Meeting +with some workmen he knew, he journeyed with them to +a place named Thistle Mount, where, assisting them in +their work, he at the same time taught them the way to +immortal life.</p> + +<p>Some of the workmen, convinced by Yun-san's +preaching, went to their employer and informed him. +The master engaged Yun-san as teacher of his school, and +was himself soon baptized. Yun-san remained in the +neighbourhood of Thistle Mount several years, and +preached with great zeal and success; so that a large +number of persons, whole families of various surnames +and clans, were baptized. They formed congregations +among themselves, gathering together for religious +worship, and became soon extensively known under the +name of "the congregation of the worshippers of God." +In the meanwhile Hung-sui-tshuen returned home, and +greatly displeased Fung-yun-san's relations by having +returned without him. During 1845-46 Hung remained +at home, employed as village teacher. He wrote many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +essays, discourses, and odes upon religious subjects, all of +which were afterwards improved and printed in the +"Imperial Declaration of Ti-ping," at Nankin.</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen unceasingly continued his preaching +of Christianity, baptizing many people who had learned to +believe in God and our Saviour. He often met Hung-jin, +still a teacher at the village Clear-far, once expressing +his hatred of the tyrant Manchoo thus:—</p> + +<p>"God has divided the kingdoms of the world, and +made the ocean to be a boundary for them, just as a father +divides his states among his sons; every one of whom +ought to reverence the will of his father, and quietly +manage his own property. Why should now these +Manchoos forcibly enter China, and rob their brothers of +their estate?"</p> + +<p>Again, at a later period he said:—</p> + +<p>"If God will help me to recover our estate, I ought to +teach all nations to hold every one its own possessions, +without injuring or robbing one another; we will have +intercourse in communicating true principles and wisdom +to each other, and receive each other with propriety and +politeness; we will serve together one common heavenly +Father, and honour together the doctrines of one common +heavenly Brother, the Saviour of the world; this has been +the wish of my heart since the time when my soul was +taken up to heaven."</p> + +<p>It is a pity the monarchs of Europe and their statesmen +possess not the sentiments of the "Coolie King."</p> + +<p>In the latter part of the year 1846, a Chinaman named +Moo arrived at Hung's village from Canton. He informed +him missionaries were preaching the true doctrine in that +city. Sui-tshuen and his cousin Hung-jin were unable +to visit the city, being engaged by their schools. Moo, +upon his return to Canton, mentioned to a Chinese +assistant of Mr. Roberts (missionary) the existence of +the God-worshippers. This assistant having written and +invited Hung and his cousin to Canton, in 1847 they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +visited that city, and studied Christianity under Mr. +Roberts and other missionaries. Upon the expiration of +one month they returned to their village with two converts; +they all preached here a short time, and then went back +to Canton, Hung-jin remaining at home. For some time +Hung-sui-tshuen continued his studies in Canton; but at +last, through the intrigues of some of Mr. Roberts' +assistants, who became jealous of his superior talent, he +left that city, and started upon a tour to Kwang-si, in +search of his friend Fung-yun-san.</p> + +<p>After a journey of much suffering, by reason of his +poverty, Sui-tshuen at last reached the abode of his +cousin Wang. He soon heard of Yun-san's earnest +and successful career at "Thistle Mount;" and, rejoicing, +joined him, preaching the Gospel and teaching everywhere.</p> + +<p>These primitive Christians soon numbered two +thousand, and were increasing day by day. Rapidly the +surrounding country came under the influence of the new +doctrine. "Men of great influence, and graduates of the +first and second degrees, with great numbers of their +clans, joined the congregation."</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen, upon his arrival, immediately +replaced their former books with copies of the Bible he +had brought from Canton; reserving only such parts as +were of the New Testament.</p> + +<p>Ere long commenced the iconoclastic impulse that has +since proved one of the greatest characteristics of the Ti-ping +revolution. In the department of Siang, Kwang-se, +an idol named "Kan-wang-ye" had long been celebrated, +the natives far and near believing in its power. Hung-sui-tshuen +becoming acquainted with their grossly superstitious +and ignorant veneration for this idol, was greatly +enraged, and with three friends, including Fung-yun-san, +started for the temple. Reaching the place, they found +the idol of a dreadful and imposing aspect; nothing +daunted, Sui-tshuen with a stick dashed the idol to pieces,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +destroying its fine raiment and the vessels of spices and +incense.</p> + +<p>When the people became aware of this desecration of +their idol, they set about apprehending the perpetrators. +A young boy becoming, as they thought, possessed by the +demon, told them not to molest the destroyers. The +people therefore desisted, and this event greatly advanced +the reputation of Hung-sui-tshuen, soon leading to an +important addition to his followers.</p> + +<p>The iconoclastic zeal thus introduced was quickly followed +up by the destruction of many images. Upon +this the officials, for the first time, came into contact with +them, and Fung-yun-san and another were imprisoned, +mainly through the malignancy of a rich graduate named +Wang, who bribed the magistrate for that purpose. +Eventually, the God-worshippers induced the same +official to release their friends, but only Fung-yun-san +was restored to them; the other had expired in prison, +through the brutal treatment of his Manchoo jailers.</p> + +<p>About this time—the latter part of 1848—Hung-sui-tshuen's +father died, at the age of seventy-three. He had +long given over the errors of idolatry, and had received +Christian baptism. Upon his death-bed he admonished +his children, saying:—"I am now ascending to heaven: +after my decease, you must not call any Buddhist priests, +or perform any heathen ceremonies, but merely worship +God, and pray to him."</p> + +<p>At the end of 1848, Hung-sui-tshuen and his friend +Fung-yun-san left the congregation of God-worshippers +at Thistle Mount, and returned to their homes.</p> + +<p>About the middle of 1849 they again set out for their +friends in Kwang-si. At the end of this year, during his +absence, the first son of Hung-sui-tshuen was born; at +the instant of his birth the following singular circumstance +took place:—"Thousands of birds, as large as +ravens and as small as magpies, made their appearance. +They continued long hovering about in the air, and finally<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +settled in the trees behind the dwelling of Sui-tshuen. +These birds remained in the neighbourhood of the village +about one month, to the astonishment of the people, who +said that the crowd of birds came to do homage to the +new-born king."</p> + +<p>Upon their arrival, Hung-sui-tshuen and Yun-san were +joyfully received by the God-worshippers. They now +heard of singular occurrences having taken place among +the brethren during their absence. It appeared that, +often while engaged in prayer, one or other of them was +seized by a sort of fit, and falling to the ground in a state +of ecstasy, was moved by the spirit, and uttered extraordinary +words of exhortation, reproof, or prophecy. The +more remarkable of these rhapsodies were noted down, and +reserved for the inspection of Hung-sui-tshuen. Those +he principally pronounced as true were uttered by +one Yang-sui-tshin, who afterwards became one of the +principal Ti-ping chiefs. This same Yang was said to +possess the power of healing sickness by intercession for +the afflicted, many having been cured in a wonderful +manner, after prayer to God.</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen compelled his followers to observe +strict order, and although Fung-yun-san was the original +chief and founder of the congregation, they all, with one +accord, acknowledged the superiority of the former; +electing him as their leader, as well for his personal merit +as his extraordinary ability to command and organize a +strict discipline among so heterogeneous a multitude as +themselves.</p> + +<p>At this time, Hung prohibited the use of opium, and +even tobacco, and all intoxicating drinks, and the Sabbath +was religiously observed. About the same period he +sent to Kwang-tung for his whole family, giving as his +reason, that a pestilence would shortly visit the earth, and +carry off the unbelievers. Singularly enough, some parts +of Kwang-si were visited by a malignant distemper, +whereby the number of his adherents was greatly increased,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +many believing they escaped disease merely by +joining the God-worshippers.</p> + +<p>About the end of the year 1850, a civil war broke out +between the Punti men and the Hakkas. Although at +first the Hakkas were victorious, being a more hardy and +adventurous people than the Puntis, the superior numbers +of the latter soon prevailed, who, not contented with +defeating the enemy, followed up the victory by even +destroying their habitations. In dire distress, the Hakkas +sought a refuge among the God-worshippers, willingly +adopting their religion.</p> + +<p>So great a celebrity had the God-worshippers +attained in Kwang-si, that not only the Hakkas came to +them, but many outlaws, who refused allegiance to the +Manchoo; and all persons in distress, or in any way +afflicted, together with their families.</p> + +<p>With a far-seeing discernment, Hung-sui-tshuen had +long expected the course of events that at last resulted +from the presence of so many various elements, for the +most part obnoxious to the Government. His plans were +arranged, his resolution fixed, and he only awaited a +favourable opportunity to act. The following ode, which +he composed about this time, affords an index of his +intentions:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"When in the present time disturbances abound,<br /> +And bands of robbers are like gathering vapours found,<br /> +We know that heaven means to raise a valiant band<br /> +To rescue the oppressed and save our native land.<br /> +China was once subdued, but it shall no more fall.<br /> +God ought to be adored, and ultimately shall.<br /> +The founder of the Ming in song disclosed his mind,<br /> +The Emperor of the Han drank to the furious wind.<br /> +From olden times all deeds by energy were done,<br /> +Dark vapours disappear on rising of the sun."<br /> +</div> + +<p>This ode is highly significant to the Chinese. Hung +alludes to the many bands of robbers rising like the +vapours on the mountain tops; he expresses his intention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +to allow them to fight and fatigue each other, when he +would easily become their master,—such being the plan +expressed by the founder of the Ming dynasty in his +song—comparing himself to the aster, a flower that only +begins to blossom when others have passed away; and, +after they have ceased to contend, remains undisputed +master of the field.</p> + +<p>The defeat of the Hakkas ere long realized Sui-tshuen's +predictions. The God-worshippers gradually became +involved in the quarrels of their new allies, and at last +were not only accused of annoying the worship of others, +and destroying their idols, but also of helping the outlaws +and fostering rebellious intentions against the usurping +dynasty. Sui-tshuen and Yun-san at this period left +"Thistle Mount," and retired to the privacy of a friend's +house situated in a mountainous recess. The Manchoo +soldiers were sent against them here; but, afraid to enter +the glen, contented themselves with blockading the pass, +sure of the ultimate capture of the inmates. "At this +critical moment it is reported that Yang-sui-tshin, in a +state of ecstasy, revealed to the brethren of Thistle +Mount the impending danger of their beloved chiefs, +and exhorted them to hasten to their rescue." A considerable +body marched against the soldiers who watched +the pass, routed them with ease, and Sui-tshuen and Yun-san +were carried off in triumph.</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen now concentrated all his followers, +who had already converted their goods into money, and +formed a common treasury. They were thus prepared, if +necessary, for the emergency of flight. Fear for the safety +of themselves and families quickly brought the entire +congregation of the God-worshippers together. "Old and +young, rich and poor, men of influence and education, +graduates of the first and second degrees, with their families +and adherents, all gathered round the chiefs. Wei-ching +alone brought with him about one thousand individuals of +his clan."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span></p> + +<p>Previously to this, the God-worshippers had suffered +much persecution from the local authorities, many being +imprisoned and killed by want and ill-treatment. Soon the +jealous fears of the Manchoo officials led them to send +troops against a native movement which they knew full +well they had good cause to dread by reason of their own +tyrannical rule.</p> + +<p>Hostilities having once commenced, a bold and energetic +course became imperative. A strong body of soldiers +being on the march for their present position, Hung-sui-tshuen +prepared to receive them. Abandoning Thistle +Mount, he took possession of the market-town Lieu-chu, +close at hand. This small city was surrounded by +a broad river, protecting it from sudden attack, which +Sui-tshuen soon fortified so strongly that, when the +soldiers arrived, it was impregnable. From this place +Sui-tshuen sent messengers into Kwang-tung, calling upon +the remaining relatives of the two clans, Hung and Fung, +to join him in Kwang-si. Before they could do this, Sui-tshuen, +from want of provisions, was compelled to move +his camp. This he effected in a fine strategic manner. +To deceive the Imperialists as to his real intentions, he +placed a number of women and boys belonging to the +town in a house close to the river, and in the direction of +the besiegers' camp, ordering them to beat the drums +throughout the following day; while he, with his entire +force, evacuated the place at night without giving the foe +the slightest suspicion of his movement.</p> + +<p>The Imperialists, as soon as they discovered the trick +that had been played upon them, detached light troops in +pursuit; but these, venturing too closely upon the rear of +the retreating forces, were repulsed with severe loss. +The Imperialists now, according to their usual habits, +commenced to vent their cowardly rage upon the unoffending +inhabitants by burning several thousand +houses, and plundering indiscriminately.</p> + +<p>They slaughtered numbers of the townspeople upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +the slightest suspicion that they were God-worshippers, +or even friendly disposed towards them.</p> + +<p>"Many of these unhappy victims evinced great self-possession, +and resignation to their fate. One named +Tsen said to the soldiers, 'Why do you delay? If you +are to kill me, then do so,—I fear not to die.' He, with +many others, refused to kneel down, and received the +death-blow in an upright posture. These cruelties greatly +incensed the populace; and many, who otherwise would +have remained quietly at home, desirous to worship God +without taking part in the insurrection, were thus forced +to leave their abodes and join the army of Hung-sui-tshuen."</p> + +<p>After evacuating the town of Lieu-chu, Hung took up +his new position at a large village, Thai-tsun, and at this +place received very considerable additions to his force. +Two <i>female</i> rebel chiefs of great valour, named respectively +Kew-urh and Szu-san, each bringing about two thousand +followers, here joined him, submitting to his authority +and adopting the religions opinions of his people. About +this time eight chiefs of the San-hoh-hwui, or Triad +Society—a confederation of many years' standing, sworn +to expel the Manchoos and free China of their hateful +presence—entered into negotiations with Hung-sui-tshuen +to join his army, which he agreed to upon condition that +they would conform to the worship of the true God. He +sent teachers to them, and when they were sufficiently +instructed, permitted them to join him.</p> + +<p>Unfortunately, it now happened that out of sixteen +teachers, one of the number was found guilty of peculation, +by having withheld from the public treasury his share of +the presents they had received from the Triad chiefs for +their instruction. Having often before been convicted of +violating their regulations, this last offence was no sooner +proved against him than Sui-tshuen and his own relatives +condemned and punished him, according to the full rigour +of their law, by decapitation. When the chiefs of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +Triads found that one who had just been their teacher was +capitally punished for so slight a transgression, they +became uncomfortable, and said:—"Your laws seem to +be rather too strict; we shall, perhaps, find it difficult to +keep them; and upon any small transgression you would, +perhaps, kill us also."</p> + +<p>Upon which, seven of them departed with their men, +and afterwards surrendering to the Imperialists, turned +their arms against the God-worshippers. One chief—Lo-thai-kang—preferred +remaining with the latter.</p> + +<p>The varied elements of his followers—the simple +God-worshipper, the discontented Hakka, with Triads, +outlaws, and other known opponents to the Manchoo rule—were +all destined, by Hung-sui-tshuen's comprehensive +mind, soon to establish for themselves an important +political existence. The Bishop of Victoria wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The literary talent, the moral greatness, the administrative ability, +the mental energy, the commanding superiority of the latter soon won for +him the post of leader and director of the movement; and Hung-sui-tshuen +became, by universal consent and the harmonious deference of Teen-tih +(Fung-yun-san) himself, the chief of the insurgent body. He found in the +tumultuous bands, who, inflamed by civil discontent, had been engaged in +hostilities with the provincial rulers, the nucleus and the body around +which the persecuted <i>Christians</i> gathered as a place of refuge and safety. +He transformed a rebellion of civil malcontents into a great rendezvous +and rallying-point for his oppressed co-religionists. He rendered the insurrection +a great religious movement—<i>he did not transmute a Christian +fraternity into a political rebellion. The course of events, and the momentous +interests of life and death—the dread realities of the rack and torture, +imprisonment, and death—drove him to use in self-defence all the available +means within reach, and to employ the resources of self-preservation</i>. He +joined the rebel camp, preached the Gospel among them, won them over to +his views, placed himself at their head, and made political power the means +of religious propagandism.</p> + +<p>"The adoption of the Imperial style, at so early a period as 1850, +shows the grand projects and the vast designs which speedily unfolded +themselves to the view of the new leader. Nothing but an expulsion of +the hated Man-chow tyrants, the subversion of the idolatrous system, and +the incorporation of the whole nation into one empire of 'universal +peace,' as the servants of the one true God, and the believers in the one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span>true Saviour Jesus Christ, with Taeping-wang himself, the political head +and religious chief of the whole—could henceforth satisfy minds inflamed +by enthusiasm and animated by past success."</p></div> + +<p>Before the close of the year 1851 the standard of a +national revolt was raised, and a Chinese dynasty proclaimed. +Hung-sui-tshuen again moved his camp, +marching upon and capturing the city of Yung-ngan. +He was here elected Emperor by the enthusiastic acclamation +of his followers. It is said Sui-tshuen offered the +supreme dignity to each of the four chiefs, Fung-yun-san, +Yang-sui-tshin, Siau-chau-kwui, and Wai-ching (the +last, a powerful leader of some thousands of his own +clan); and that, only after their refusal and unanimous +election of himself, he accepted power, appointing them +princes of the four quarters; the position in which they +afterwards became known to Europeans. From this +period the style God-worshippers became relinquished in +favour of the title of the new dynasty, Ti-ping-tien-kwoh.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> <i>See</i> Map of China.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> The Chinese place little value upon hereditary rank; but, in lieu +thereof, have the extraordinary custom of ennobling a meritorious or successful +person's ancestry, though the honours are not inherited by his +descendants.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Manchoo Party.—The Ti-ping Party.—The Ti-ping Character.—Conflict +with Manchoos.—Chinese Gunboats.—First Ti-ping Position.—Its +Appearance.—Ti-ping Hospitality.—Ti-ping Country described.—Effects +of Intervention.—San-le-jow.—Ti-pings Superior to Imperialists.—Ti-pings +and Chinamen.—Ti-ping Costume.—The Honan +Ti-pings.—The "Chinese Paris."—Interview with Chung-wang: his +Appearance: his Religious Feelings: his Penetration: his Policy.—Commission +from Chung-wang.—San-li-jow.—A Ti-ping Army.—Its +Friendly Bearing.—Arrival at Shanghae.</p></div> + + +<p>About the beginning of the year 1860 the rapid success +of the Ti-ping revolution excited considerable attention. +From the unfavourable impressions I entertained +with regard to the Manchoo Imperialists, I felt very +desirous to become acquainted with their adversaries, +whose professed intention was not only to subvert the +tyrannical foreign dynasty, but to overthrow national +idolatry and establish Christianity throughout China. I +therefore determined to relinquish my profession for a +more unfettered life on shore, which would afford me an +opportunity of seeing something of the Ti-pings—a resolution +which gathered strength from the fact that Marie +and her relatives were about to leave Hong-Kong and +take up their abode at Shanghae.</p> + +<p>I had long observed that although the majority of +people condemned the revolution, they were infinitely +less worthy of credence than those who supported it.</p> + +<p>The anti-Ti-ping and pro-Manchoo party comprised:—All +persons who were in any way connected with the iniquitous +opium traffic; all British placemen and officials who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +represented Lord Elgin's politics or Chinese treaties; all +foreign mercenaries, whether interested in the Chinese +customs or army; all Roman Catholics, but especially +Jesuits and French; all missionaries who felt jealous of +the Ti-ping Christianity, because they could not arrogate +to themselves a <i>direct</i> credit for its propagation; and, +lastly, all merchants and traders, who, trusting to make a +fortune in a few years, and, being philosophers of the +"After me the Deluge" school, cared not at all for the +future of China, or the vast question of its regeneration +and Christianity, because the execution of those glorious +reforms might interfere with their traffic.</p> + +<p>The friends of the Ti-pings comprised:—Many humble, +devout missionaries, who rejoiced at the result of their +<i>indirect</i> contact with the Chinese; many large-minded, +large-hearted men, who admired the cause of a people and +the welfare of an oppressed nation more than the favourable +articles of the Elgin treaty; all persons who deprecated +Europeans becoming the hired mercenaries of the +most corrupt Asiatic despotism in existence; and all +merchants not addicted to opium-smuggling, but satisfied +with more honourable and righteous branches of commerce.</p> + +<p>I thus found that interested persons were adverse to +the revolution, while those who were favourable to it were +disinterested. This is no psychological phenomenon. +The explanation is very easy. It was simply a question +of selfishness and dollars <i>versus</i> philanthropy and liberality. +I must confess that, until I became personally acquainted +with the Ti-pings, the reports of their maligners (preposterous +and exaggerated as they were) made me very +suspicious of the people they abused, although I had +already begun to sympathize with them.</p> + +<p>Before resigning my appointment, I obtained a berth as +chief mate in a small steamer which was under the command +of an old brother officer of mine, who had lately +quitted the same service. I consequently embarked and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +proceeded with Marie and her friends to Shanghae. The +little steamer I joined was employed upon the inland +waters of the Shanghae district, trading to the Ti-ping +territory for silk, so that my wishes for a meeting were +soon to be gratified. The owners of the steamer were +Chinese, though nominally British, in order to obtain a +register, and so we had things very much our own way on +board.</p> + +<p>The evening before we were to start for the interior, +a boat-load of cargo came alongside—at least, what I +imagined to be such. To my utter amazement, when I +mentioned its arrival to the skipper, I found out that the +cargo was no other than boxes of specie.</p> + +<p>"What!" I exclaimed, "carry treasure amongst the +rebels?"</p> + +<p>"Why, of course we do; what in the world should +prevent us?" said the skipper.</p> + +<p>"Well," I replied, "it <i>is</i> singular for any one to send +boxes of dollars right into the hands of people they term +'hordes of banditti,' 'bloodthirsty marauders,' 'desolators,' +&c."</p> + +<p>"My dear fellow, that's all bosh: don't you see if outsiders +are made to believe the Ti-pings to be so bad, they +will not trust themselves, or their money, amongst them; +so those who know better are able to monopolize the silk +trade."</p> + +<p>"What! are all those reports about the Ti-pings false, +then?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"To be sure they are, or how do you suppose any silk +could be obtained?"</p> + +<p>This reply satisfied me completely. If the Ti-pings +were "desolators," it was certain no silk could be left, or +produced, while, if they were "marauders" and "brigands," +it was equally certain no one dare carry large +sums of money into their territory to trade. I was not a +little pleased with this conclusion; before long I had +ample proof of the total injustice and gross falsehood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +of nearly every charge brought against the revolutionists.</p> + +<p>I received on board about 40,000 taels (over Ł13,000 +sterling) during the evening, with a Chinaman to negotiate +for the purchase of the silk when we should arrive +in the silk country.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning we got under weigh, and proceeded +on our voyage, past Shanghae and up the Wong-poo +river. We no sooner got clear of the shipping and +crowd of junks anchored above the city, than I received +orders to have all our armament put in order and ready +for immediate use. For so small a vessel she was very +well armed with a 9 lb. pivot gun on each broadside, a +swivel 4 lb. in the bow, and another right aft. Our crew +consisted of eight European seamen, myself, captain, +second mate, and engineer; besides four Chinese firemen, +a Chinese engineer, a cook, and our European steward; +we also carried a member of our European firm as +supercargo.</p> + +<p>The Wong-poo river for some fifty miles preserves an +average breadth of about 250 yards, after which it rapidly +decreases, and loses itself in a series of interminable +lagoons. The whole country in this direction (due S.W. +of Shanghae) is flat and alluvial, everywhere intersected by +creeks and canals, and mostly in a high state of cultivation.</p> + +<p>The tide being strong against us, we did not reach the +last imperialist city, Soong-Kong, about twenty miles +from Shanghae in a direct line, till mid-day. Soon after +leaving port, the Manchoo troops commenced their +annoyance. Every station we passed the gunboats would +come off and attempt to stop us, their crews shouting and +yelling like fiends, sometimes even firing blank cartridge +to arrest our passage. One squadron, bolder than the +rest, after we had passed Soong-Kong and were approaching +the limits of Imperialism, thought fit to send us a +dose of iron, and although we took the previous saluting +very quietly, this was rather too striking an example of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +their favour to pass without return. I therefore brought +one of our 9-pounders to bear, and gave them its warning +message just over their heads, not wishing to hurt them +unless compelled, especially as all their shot passed wide +of us, excepting one that cut a funnel stay. Not satisfied +with this, the whole squadron—some seven or eight—put +off from the bank and pulled after us, each opening fire +with its bow gun. Our captain called all hands to their +stations, those not employed at the guns being armed with +Sharp's rifles; and, suddenly changing our course, we put +right about, gave a cheer, and steamed at the Mandarin +boats full speed. Directly this was done, and the +Imperialists saw so many Europeans, and heard our +terrific yell, they thought no more of "loot," or seizing +us; but round they went, turned tail, and pulled off as +desperately as they could, while those astern dashed to +the bank and tumbled ashore one over the other in +dire confusion and alarm, leaving their boats to take +care of themselves or become the prize of the "foreign +devils."</p> + +<p>To give them a lesson, we contented ourselves by +taking all their flags; and, setting the boats adrift on +the stream, proceeded on our course.</p> + +<p>These Chinese gunboats, when well manned, form very +effective mosquito flotillas. They are about fifty feet +long and seven broad, are manned by about twenty-five +men, and pull from ten to twenty oars a-side. They are +usually armed with a gun (from 4 to 24-pounder) mounted +upon a platform in the bow, and another in the stern. +They are very shallow, sit light upon the water, and pull +very fast; they are also furnished with the usual bamboo +sails, but only go well before the wind. These war-boats +are almost innumerable, being found in large numbers all +through the rivers and inland waters of China; and +since the British arsenals have been thrown open to the +Manchoo government, they have become formidable from +the guns they have been supplied with, and the instruction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +their crews have received from English artillerists in +using them.</p> + +<p>When we came to the narrow part of the river, we +were exposed to continual insult and annoyance from +the Chinese on the banks, who, not content with assailing +us with every opprobrious epithet in their vocabulary—the +least being "Yang quitzo" (foreign devils), frequently +pelted us with mud and stones. Soldiers, gun-boat <i>braves</i>, +and villagers seemed striving to emulate each other in +illustrating their hatred of the foreigners who, having +allied themselves to the Manchoo government, had only just +succeeded in driving the Ti-pings away and re-establishing +the rule of the Tartars; placing our miserable assailants +in possession of territory they could never have reconquered +themselves—and this is how they displayed their <i>gratitude</i>!</p> + +<p>The British and French had but lately made war upon +the Ti-pings, having driven them from Shanghae and its +neighbourhood, therefore the least we might have expected +was common civility from our allies; they, however, +seemed to think otherwise, by treating us as enemies.</p> + +<p>Towards dusk we approached the last Imperialist station, +between which and the first Ti-ping outpost stretched a +neutral ground of a few miles. As we could not reach the +Ti-ping territory before dark, it was necessary to anchor +for the night; but this we dare not attempt while in the +Imperialist jurisdiction. Since the reinstatement of the +Imperialists, piracy had become incessant, so much so, +that a silk boat could scarcely ever make a trip without +being attacked, many having been plundered and the +Europeans in charge murdered. The whole country +swarmed with robbers, and the river with pirates; the +first being the Imperialist soldiery, and the latter mostly +Imperialist gunboats. In consequence of this, we determined +to reach the neutral ground, the commencement +of which was a small and shallow lake, where we could +lay comparatively safe from enemies, whereas, if we remained +on the river, we should be at the mercy of any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +who might attack us from its banks, here scarcely sixty +yards apart.</p> + +<p>Amidst the curses and yells of the last outlying picket +of Imperialists we shot into the lake, and anchored in its +centre to wait for daylight. The night passed over without +any particular excitement, though the watch on deck +had frequently to warn off with a shot or two some boats +hovering about. Getting under weigh in the morning, +we soon came to the first Ti-ping position—a few houses +with a palisade round them, and a gingall battery held +by a small detachment of troops. I was much struck by +the pleasant style in which they communicated with us. +In place of making an offensive demonstration of force, +and conducting their inquiries with the gross and insulting +arrogance of the Imperialists, they simply put off a small +boat, from which one officer boarded us, who behaved in +a strikingly friendly and courteous manner while pursuing +his investigations. When satisfied as to our intentions, +he gave us a pass to proceed, and took his departure, +leaving me with a very favourable impression of my first +interview with a real, live Ti-ping.</p> + +<p>After passing several small villages, in all of which +the inhabitants were busily at work gathering in their +crops, and apparently much better off than the Imperialist +peasantry on the other side of the lake, we came to the +extensive village of Loo-chee, some sixty miles from +Shanghae by the river. At this place there seemed a +large and varied trade. Silk boats, country boats, and +Shanghae boats, were moored off the village in great +numbers, all filled with merchandise, for which there +seemed a good and ready market. The crowds of people +about were all well dressed, the shops were fully stocked, +and in every way the village seemed in a most flourishing +condition. One singular circumstance which I noticed +was the total absence of mendicants; though an ordinary +Chinese market village of the same extent and prosperity +would have swarmed with them, here not one was to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +seen. Outside the village, the fields were alive with +labourers gathering in the rich and heavy crops, it being +harvest time; while far as the eye could reach stretched +plains covered with the ripe grain, glistening and golden +in the morning sun. In vain I gazed around for some +trace of the "desolaters." If I looked to the village, I +saw nothing but crowds of well-to-do, busy, complacent-looking +Chinamen, and great piles of merchandise just +landed from the boats; if I looked to the country, I perceived +nothing but the richness and beauty of nature; yet +this was a part of Ti-pingdom, and all the people I saw +were Ti-pings or subject to them. At last, a little outside +the village, I noticed a heap of bricks, such as the +Chinese build their houses with; going up to it, I found +the track of the "desolaters" after all; for this proved +to be the remains of an immense joss-house they had +destroyed—not a stone was left standing upon another; +in their iconoclastic zeal they had literally crushed the +Buddhist temple into the dust, for I could not find one +whole brick amongst the <i>débris</i>, although it covered more +than an acre of ground. Here and there, amongst the +tall, rank grass, peeped out the mutilated remnants of the +former divinities of the temple. I began to think this +"desolating" and "murdering" <i>ŕ la</i> Ti-ping not quite +so bad as some parties had represented.</p> + +<p>We remained at Loo-chee a few hours, while our +supercargo and interpreter made inquiries about the silk. +I observed but few Ti-ping soldiers in the village; the six +or seven who rowed an officer off to us constituted quite +half the garrison. They were all attached to the Loo-chee +custom-house, and the officer who boarded us was +<i>le chef de la douane</i>. While strolling through the village +I was astonished by the very friendly and unrestrained +manners of the people; I was seized upon and carried into +many houses to partake of tea and Chinese wine, the +Ti-pings actually struggling with each other to get me +into their respective dwellings. The kindly behaviour of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +the soldiers was the more remarkable from the totally +opposite conduct of the Imperialist <i>braves</i>, whose feeling +towards us we had so lately experienced. Yet the Imperialists +were our allies, and we were assisting them against +the Ti-pings. It was even possible that friends or relatives +of these Ti-ping soldiers had been killed by the +British and French before Shanghae; still, anomalous and +incredible as it must seem, our friends, the Imperialists, +treated us as though we were enemies, and our enemies, +the Ti-pings, treated us as friends.</p> + +<p>At last, amid the hearty <i>adieux</i> of the natives, we +steamed away from Loo-chee for another village, some +twelve miles farther inland, where we expected to find +silk.</p> + +<p>Some three years later I visited Loo-chee again. A +letter which I wrote upon the occasion appeared in the +<i>Friend of China</i>, a Shanghae newspaper, and in the month +of October, 1863, was reproduced, accompanied by the +following observations:—</p> + +<p>"At this juncture, when Gordon declares the Taepings +to be incapable of government (he never had an opportunity +of judging, or knowing anything about them, except how +they could fight), it is not out of place to reproduce the +writing of the only respectable foreigner we know in the +Taeping fighting service—a service of which, in so far +as intercourse with the Taeping goes, he has had several +years' experience."</p> + +<p>The letter referred to was as follows:—</p> + +<p>"The general appearance of the country lately wrested +from the Ti-pings by the British, and again given up to +Imperial rule, cannot be passed without a feeling of pity +for its sad alteration. Throughout the whole extent of +this country, Europeans are now exposed to insult, the +natives being as constrained and repulsive as is usual in +Mandarin localities. Indeed, they are a vagabond and +scanty lot, many large villages now exhibiting hardly one +person to each house. The crops alone are in a flourishing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +condition—reared by Ti-pings for the Imperial commissariat—a +rich harvest indeed.</p> + +<p>"Custom-houses, or rather squeeze-houses, are springing +up in every direction, and the poor Chinese trader is +in a perfect whirlwind of mystification as to whom he +ought to pay and whom not. The baneful effect of all +this is very visible. There is an indescribable gloom and +stagnation over the land, and everything on it. Even the +birds appear less happy, for they do not chirp as of old. +Of trade—there is none. The extensive village of Loo-chee, +about sixty miles from Shanghae by water, is the last +Imperialist station in this direction. When I was last +here, some two and a half years ago, all was joyous as a +marriage feast. It was a place of much trade and importance; +now the only things to be remarked are a few +piratical war-boats, with their usual villanous-looking +crews, under the Imperial flag. Where formerly exuberant +life and happiness were found, all now is wretchedness. +Between Loo-chee and the nearest Ti-ping station +comes a neutral ground of some ten miles in extent. This +is almost a desert, and well it may be, when the Imperialists +scour over it. At last we reached the first Ti-ping +outpost. What a contrast! Now, indeed, all is smiling +happiness. In place of insult we meet kind looks and +salutations of welcome. Even the children run along the +banks with cries of delight. Poor little things, they know +not but that they may soon be homeless, bereft, perhaps, +of parents, or even life itself."</p> + +<p>When the above letter was written, the Imperialists, +with the assistance of foreigners, had only lately succeeded +in recapturing the village of Loo-chee; shortly +afterwards I again passed the place, and the only change +to be observed was a new Buddhist temple in course +of erection upon the ruins of the old. A striking +example of the effect of British intervention: the Ti-pings +destroy the heathen temples and establish the Holy +Scriptures on their sites, but the Manchoos build them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +up again, and exterminate the worshippers of the True +God.</p> + +<p>So great a confidence had my friend, the Captain, in +the Ti-pings, that directly we came to their territory he +told me I might discharge and clean all our arms, and put +them away until we re-entered the Imperialist lines.</p> + +<p>Before arriving at our destination, we passed many +villages, all thriving and apparently doing considerable +trade; one especially attracted my attention—it was a very +large walled village, named San-zar, and seemed to be the +centre of an immense commerce. This place was fortified +and well garrisoned. We stopped there and took in a +supply of provisions, which were very cheap. I particularly +remember San-zar, because I found in it the best +sponge cake I ever tasted in China. The village was very +extensive, containing upwards of five thousand houses; +the shops were numerous, and at the time I first visited it +every article of Chinese consumption was to be found in +abundance. I passed through it lately—upon my return +to England—and found everything sadly changed; the +Imperialists were close at hand, and the inhabitants had +fled away; the shops were closed, excepting here and there +where some trader, more venturesome or avaricious than +his fellows, seemed determined to drive his business till +the last; the streets were silent and trafficless; in some +parts the depopulation was so complete as to strongly +remind me of Goldsmith's "Deserted Village."</p> + +<p>Shortly after leaving San-zar, we arrived at San-le-jow, +the termination of our voyage, a fortified position, +three Chinese miles (one English) from the city of Pim-bong. +San-le-jow is situated within the silk district, into +which we should have proceeded further, but the creek +was spanned by a bridge too small for our vessel to pass. +We were therefore compelled to remain at anchor, and +send boats in for the silk. All the specie was placed in +them, comparatively unprotected, only the supercargo +and two of our crew going in charge of it; and yet it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +was taken into the very heart of Ti-pingdom in perfect +safety.</p> + +<p>We remained about three weeks at San-le-jow, while +our supercargo was absent purchasing silk; and during +this time I determined to see as much of Ti-pingdom and +the Ti-pings as possible. I constantly visited the neighbouring +villages to endeavour to ascertain what feeling the +country people entertained for the Ti-ping rule. I was +pleased to find them in every instance completely happy +and contented; and was particularly struck by the gratified +manner in which they would attract my notice to +their long hair—the emblem of the Ti-ping and freedom, +as opposed to the Manchoo and the shaven-headed, tail-wearing +badge of slavery they inflict upon the Chinese. +During my rambles I took my servant, A-ling, with me, +and, as he was a capital interpreter, I was enabled to fully +investigate all I cared for or found interesting.</p> + +<p>As San-le-jow was only about twenty miles distant +from the important provincial capital, Soo-chow, I engaged +a boat, took A-ling with me, and, reaching the city, +spent seven or eight days there very pleasantly.</p> + +<p>I have visited many parts of Asia, but never in my life, +not even amongst people of my own race, have I met with +the kindness, hospitality, and earnest friendship I experienced +from the Ti-pings. I shall never forget the deep +impression I received at the moment I first met them: it +was instantaneous, I required no further knowledge or +explanation; I felt a mysterious sympathy in their favour, +and, from that day to this, my frequent intercourse with +them has only strengthened and cemented my first +opinions.</p> + +<p>The testimony of persons who have themselves seen +the Ti-pings is unanimous as to their striking superiority +over the Imperialists. Not only is their personal appearance +infinitely more pleasing, but their entire character, +physically and morally, exhibits the same wonderful superiority.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>All Europe has for many years considered the Chinese +the most absurd and unnatural people in the world; their +shaven head, tail, oblique eyes, grotesque costume, and +the deformed feet of their women, have long furnished +subjects for the most ludicrous attempts of caricaturists; +while the atmosphere of seclusion, superstition, and +arrogance, with which they delight to surround themselves, +has always excited the ridicule and contempt of Europeans. +Now, among the Ti-pings, these things, with +the exception of the physiognomy, have all disappeared, +and even their features seem improved—probably through +their mental and bodily relief from thraldom.</p> + +<p>One of the most remarkable contrasts between the +Ti-pings and their enslaved countrymen, the Imperialists, +and the first to attract the observation of foreigners, +is their complete difference of appearance and costume. +The Chinese are known as a comparatively stupid-looking, +badly-dressed race; the disfigurement of the shaved +head not a little causing this. One presents a type of the +whole—a dull, apathetic countenance, without expression +or intelligence, except what resembles the half-cunning, +half-fearful manner of slaves; their energies seem bound, +their hopes and spirits crushed by wrong and oppression. +The Ti-pings, on the other hand, immediately impress an +observer by their intelligence, continual inquisitiveness, +and thirst for knowledge. It is, indeed, utterly impossible, +judging from their different intellectual capacities, to come +to the conclusion that they are both natives of the same +country—a difference more marked cannot be conceived. +The Ti-pings are a clever, candid, and martial people, +rendered peculiarly attractive by the indescribable air of +freedom which they possess. Where you would see the +servile Tartar-subdued Chinamen continually cringing, +the Ti-pings exhibit, even in the face of death, nothing +but the erect, stately carriage of free men.</p> + +<p>It is a singular fact that the handsomest men and +women in China are to be seen in the Ti-ping array. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +may possibly be partly the result of their difference of +dress and of wearing the hair, but the main cause is +undoubtedly the ennobling effect of their religion and freedom. +The dress consists of very broad petticoat trousers, +mostly of black silk, bound round the waist with a long +sash, which also contains their sword and pistols; a short +jacket, generally red, reaching just to the waist and fitting +tight to the body, forms their upper garment. But it is +the style in which they wear their hair that forms their +principal ornament: they allow it to grow without cutting, +it is then plaited into a queue at the back of the head, into +which is worked a tail of red silk cord, and it is always +worn wound round the head in the form of a turban, the +end, a large tassel, hanging down on the left shoulder. +Their shoes are of varied colour, with flowers and embroidery +worked all over them (the boots of Imperialists are +quite different, being not only slightly of another shape, but +always plain).</p> + +<p>During my subsequent intercourse with the Ti-pings +I found the above costume the summer one of the +soldiers; the body-guards of the different chiefs wear +their own particular colours, the edges of the jacket being +always embroidered and braided with a different one, +forming a regular uniform. In the cold weather they +mostly wear fur-jackets, or other warm garments. The +colours of their clothing vary much, in some cases +the jacket being black silk and the trousers white, and in +others blue, black, white, red, or yellow, according to their +different corps. Yellow is the colour of only the highest +chiefs, or of their king. The chiefs all wear long outside +dresses, reaching to nearly the feet, of either blue, red, or +yellow silk, according to their rank. On the head they +wear a silk scarf, or hood, with a jewel fastened to the +front as the badge of their position. In hot weather one +and all wear large straw hats very prettily embroidered, +the crown quite small, and the brim about a foot broad, +which gives them a very gay and singular appearance. +The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> great chiefs, who are titled Wang (generalissimos, or +governors of districts), have a much more costly and +elaborate dress. Upon all occasions of importance they +wear their state robes and coronets, and the appearance +they present when so arrayed is really magnificent. Being +almost invariably men of a very energetic and expressive +mien, when attired in their long robes, covered with +ancient Chinese designs, fabulous animals, or fancy +patterns, all worked in gold, silver, and jewels, with +their jewelled coronets, and with their gold embroidered +shoes, it would be utterly impossible to imagine a more +splendid or effective costume.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/i095.jpg"><img src="images/i095-t.jpg" width="600" height="375" alt="A TI-PING ARMY GOING INTO ACTION. +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">A TI-PING ARMY GOING INTO ACTION.<br /> +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH.</span> +</div> + +<p>Many of the Ti-pings come from the province of +Honan, and the Chinese say the natives of that part are +the handsomest in China. The truth of this I fully believe, +for having made it a particular point of inquiry to +ascertain the native place of every Ti-ping I have met of +more than ordinary appearance, I have invariably found +the best-featured were either Honan men or came from the +hilly parts of the Kiang-si province. Honan forms a +central portion of China, and has long been remarkable +for producing some of the best soldiers; but it is +especially its <i>braves</i>, who man great numbers of the +Mandarin gunboats which are used all through the +inland waters, that are celebrated for their courage. The +Honan people are easily distinguished by the lightness of +their complexion; the shape of their nose, which is high +and well-formed like the European; the largeness, and +little approximation to the oblique, of their eyes; and their +superior stature. In a few cases I have met men not +inferior to any race in the world for beauty, while it would +be difficult to imagine a more picturesque bearing than +they present with their dark massive hair wound around +their heads by scarlet silken fillets, so as to form a shade +for their expressive eyes and animated countenances. +Some of these youthful Honan Ti-pings are as well featured +and handsome as an Andalusian beauty, their black<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +eyes and long lashes, olive complexion, and beardless faces +rendering the resemblance more striking.</p> + +<p>Upon my arrival at Soo-chow I received the kindest +reception, and obtained an audience of several of the +principal chiefs in the city. But little trace of the +former magnificence of the "Chinese Paris" remained; +its present possessors had only captured the city a few +months, and the sad traces of civil war were everywhere +around. The Imperialist troops had themselves burned +and devastated the once rich suburbs, and the Ti-pings, +in their usual manner upon the capture of a city, had +destroyed all public and private buildings of the Manchoo +construction, or any that tended to remind them of the +hateful Tartar occupation. New suburbs, however, were +springing up in every direction, and a considerable +trade likewise, all commerce being carried on outside +the walls. Within the city itself, the destruction had +been extensive, and numberless workmen were employed +erecting handsome new dwellings, those for the principal +chiefs being of the best description. No trade was permitted +within the walls, a very necessary precaution in +China, for otherwise the place would be instantly filled by +numbers of the enemy disguised as traders, &c. In this +the Ti-pings have only acted as every other dynasty during +its commencement, all (the present Manchoo included) +having pursued the same policy. Many persons ignorant +of this, after visiting Ti-ping cities, have reported that the +inhabitants never return to them from fear of the new +rulers; but we must remember the late war in America +and the occupation of Atlanta by the Federal troops, who +<i>compelled</i> the inhabitants to leave the city; it will then be +seen that the military occupation of fortified towns by the +Ti-pings is much about the same as it is with people of +our own race. Outside the ramparts a crowd of soldiers +and labourers were hard at work throwing up fortifications, +while, inside, others were converting the remaining streets +into extensive barracks.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p> + +<p>I found the chief in command was the Chung-wang, +Le, who for the last few years had held the supreme +position of Commander-in-Chief of all the Ti-ping forces. +He very kindly granted me an audience, and made +me live in his palace while I remained at Soo-chow, +although he had only lately been driven from Shanghae, +and hundreds of his men killed (rather say murdered, for +they were slaughtered without the slightest justification) +by the British.</p> + +<p>I had long felt a desire to behold the celebrated leader +of the Ti-ping forces, who, until the intervention of England, +had been invincible, and now my wish was gratified. +I no sooner found myself before the Chung-wang than I +respected him—he appeared so unmistakably a master +spirit, with the innate nobleness of presence of one born to +command and govern.</p> + +<p>For a chief of so exalted and powerful a position, and +who, moreover, had received ample provocation to treat +Englishmen as his deadliest enemies, Chung-wang received +me with remarkable condescension and kindness. Whereas +the meanest official understrapper of the Manchoo government +would with the most insulting hauteur receive any +foreigner (unless under coercion, as when the treaties +have been arranged), and consider himself degraded by any +contact, the Chung-wang, generalissimo of some four or +five hundred thousand men, second personage in the +Ti-ping government (being only inferior to the Tien-wang, +the king), and Viceroy of the whole territory (at that +period more than twice the size of England, and containing +more than 70,000,000 inhabitants), advanced from his vice-regal +chair, and shaking me by the hand in English style, +made me be seated close to himself. He seemed about +thirty-five years of age, though the trace of arduous mental +and physical exertion gave him a rather worn and older +appearance. His figure light, active, and wiry, was particularly +well formed, though scarcely of the Chinese +middle height; his bearing erect and dignified, his walk<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +rapid but stately. His features were very strongly marked, +expressive, and good, though not handsome according to +the Chinese idea, being slightly of a more European cast +than they admire; the nose straighter than usual among +Chinese; the mouth small, almost delicate, and with the +general shape of the jaw and sharply chiselled lips, +expressive of great courage and determination. His complexion +dark; but it was his brow and eyes that at once +told the observer he beheld a great and remarkable man. +It was not alone his singularly high and expansive forehead, +but the eyebrows and eyes, which, instead of being placed +obliquely, as is the usual characteristic of the Chinese, +were quite dissimilar: the eyes were nearly straight, the +only Chinese part being the shape of the eyelids; and the +brows, placed high above them, were almost even, the +inner, in place of the outer, ends being slightly elevated. +This peculiarity I have never seen so prominent in any +other Chinaman; I have seen a few natives of Honan +approach to it a little, but it gave the Chung-wang an +un-Chinese look.</p> + +<p>His large eyes flashed incessantly, while the lids +were always twitching. From his very energetic features, +and the ceaseless nervous movement of his body +(some part being continually on the move and restless, +either the legs crossing or uncrossing, the feet patting the +ground, or the hands clasping, unclasping, or fidgeting +about, and all by sudden starts), no one would imagine he +could possess such perfect coolness in battle; yet I have +often since observed him in action, when, in spite of his +apparent excitability, his self-possession was imperturbable, +and his voice—always low and soft, with a musical flow +of language, slightly affected by a wound he received from +a piece of a British shell before Shanghae, in the month +of August, 1860—unchanged, save being more rapid and +decisive in moments of the greatest danger. When I +obtained my first interview with the Chung-wang, I found +him rather plainly dressed. Instead of the long robes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +and large coronets, constituting the state dress of all the +superior chiefs, he was simply attired in an ordinary scarlet +quilted jacket. On his head he wore a scarlet hood, +of the usual shape, surmounted by a kind of undress +coronet peculiar to himself, consisting of a large and +valuable jewel in the front, with eight curious gold medallions, +four in a row on each side.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 391px;"> +<img src="images/i101.jpg" width="391" height="400" alt="CHUNG WANG'S HEAD-DRESS." title="" /> +<span class="caption">CHUNG WANG'S HEAD-DRESS.</span> +</div> + +<p>While in Soo-chow I became one of the congregation +of Ti-pings during their performance of divine service on +Sunday. The Sabbath is observed not upon the same day +as in Europe, theirs being the Saturday of our reckoning. +My interpreter was with me, and translated every part +of their service. Their numbers, and apparent devotion, +could not have been objected to by the most orthodox +Christian.</p> + +<p>I shall ever remember with feelings of the liveliest +pleasure the first few days I spent with the Ti-pings at +Soo-chow. I could not move through its streets without +experiencing the excessive friendliness of these warm-hearted +converts to Christianity and civilization, thousands +of whom were afterwards destroyed by a nation whose +religion and civilized institutions they were earnestly +striving to imitate.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>Nor can I ever forget the eager manner with which, the +moment I was seated in his house, my entertainer for the +time being would give a copy of the Bible to my servant—waiting +impatiently with the book in his hands till +the etiquette of presenting me some tea had been +observed,—asking if it was the same as mine; and his +satisfaction, when, after hearing parts of it translated, I +assured him that it was.</p> + +<p>The conversation I had with the Chung-wang naturally +touched upon his late repulse from Shanghae by the +British and French. He seemed to feel that event very +deeply, and deplore the suicidal policy of those he had +always striven to make his friends. The points of his +communication were:—Why had the English and French +broken faith with him? the English particularly, whose +solemn written guarantees of neutrality the Ti-ping +government held. The Ti-pings and the English worshipped +the same God and the same Saviour, and were +consequently of one religion and brotherhood, why, +then, did they assist the common enemy, the Manchoo +imps—the idol-worshippers and enemies of our +Heavenly Father and Jesus the heavenly elder brother? +By what right or law did the English soldiers take charge +of the native city of Shanghae, preventing him, their +friend, from capturing it, and defend it for the very +Manchoos with whom at the time they were themselves +at war?</p> + +<p>Neither shall I ever forget the noble, enlightened, +and patriotic designs, which absorbed them:—to propagate +the Bible, to destroy idols, to expel the Tartars +from China, and establish one complete and undivided +native empire; to become brothers with the Christian +nations of the West, and introduce European sciences +and manufactures—seemed always their principal wish +and determination.</p> + +<p>He continually inquired: "Why are the English +inimical to us? Have we ever done them the slightest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +harm? Have we not always acted with good faith and +friendship?"</p> + +<p>"Cannot your foreign nations see," he said, "that the +imps of Hien-fung (the Manchoo Emperor of China), +knowing you are of the same religion and family as +ourselves, are plotting to establish a connection with +you in order to produce trouble, misunderstanding, and +separation between us? To do this they will tell many +lies, pretend to be very friendly, and for the time let you +do much trade to fool you."</p> + +<p>This observation of the Chung-wang's is a good proof +of his penetration and judgment; he only forgot to notice +the fact that the Manchoo government had been compelled +to pretend friendship, to allow increased trade, &c., +by the British occupation of Pekin, in the first place; +he was, however, undoubtedly right as to their after +intrigue.</p> + +<p>Another very important remark the Chung-wang +made, was:—"If you take Shanghae and a few <i>le</i> round +it into your protection, how will you be able, in such a +limited space, to dispose of your merchandise, or carry +on any traffic with the interior, if I, in retaliation, choose +to prevent you?"</p> + +<p>When I told him any such policy on his part would +probably lead to a war with the English, he replied:—</p> + +<p>"Never! unless you reckon upon my forbearance; I +have all the silk and many tea districts in my possession, +and I can stop all your trade in a moment if I am so +inclined. If I beat you, in event of hostilities, I shall +then make you reasonable and cause you to mind your +own affairs without interfering in our endeavours to expel +the Manchoo; but if, on the other hand, you beat me, +who can prevent my destroying all the silk and tea +plantations, and so removing for ever the only thing you +come to China for, and the only cause you would fight +about? My soldiers are brave and innumerable, they +cover the silk and the tea lands."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span></p> + +<p>These arguments of the Chung-wang were perfectly +just and unanswerable. What honest-minded man really +acquainted with the facts of the case can deny it?</p> + +<p>With all his shrewdness and foresight, the Chung-wang +was himself too enlightened and large-hearted to hit upon +the true reason for British hostility. It did not occur to +him that at the close of an expensive war which had +resulted in the legalization of the opium trade, and had +otherwise benefitted the English, it would not suit their +policy—however beneficial it might prove to the Chinese—however +imperatively it might be demanded by the +sacred voice of humanity, to interfere with the advantages +derivable from the Elgin treaties, the indemnity, and the +traffic in opium—the use of which is prohibited upon pain +of death by the Ti-pings.</p> + +<p>The kindness I experienced was disinterested, genuine, +and without a motive. Though some persons have considered +their striking friendliness to foreigners has been +the carrying out of a plan in order to secure the non-intervention +of the European powers, all I saw of the +Ti-pings, their earnest religious enthusiasm, patriotism, +and generally noble sentiments, impressed me seriously. +Before leaving Soo-chow I became warmly attached to +their cause, than which—all my future intercourse has +convinced me—a more righteous, or holy, never existed +upon earth, and I therefore determined to aid and advocate +it to the utmost of my power.</p> + +<p>When upon the point of returning to my vessel, I +informed the Chung-wang of my intention, and volunteered +my services, at the same time requesting him to furnish +me with some document or pass that would enable me +to return, or travel, to any part of his dominions. The +Chung-wang, after a short conversation with some of his +chiefs, told my servant to inform me he would give me an +honorary commission upon his staff, and then I should be +able to act in whichever way I might find best, and to +traverse every part of Ti-pingdom without let or hindrance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span></p> + +<p>At last my commission was made out, the Chung-wang +affixed his seal, and amidst the congratulations of the +surrounding chiefs I became an honorary Ti-ping officer. +I afterwards learnt that in consideration of my being a +foreigner, and the nature of the commission, the usual +formalities of investiture had been foregone; such as +examination upon the Bible, swearing allegiance to the +Ti-ping wang, and to expel the Manchoo.</p> + +<p>After taking leave of my new friends and comrades, I +discharged the boat I had arrived in, taking my departure +on board a gun-vessel the Chung-wang had kindly placed +at my disposal. While on my passage, I observed many +people apparently returning to their homes in the neighbourhood +of Soo-chow; I halted at some of the villages on +my route, and found in all of them huge yellow placards, +which my interpreter read as Ti-ping imperial proclamations +calling upon the people to return to their homes +without fear, to remain quiet, and lawfully to render a +certain amount of tribute (a little over a third of the +Manchoo taxation) to the Ti-ping general treasury. At +the gateways of Soo-chow, and at several villages I passed, +I saw heads hung up with notices attached, stating they +were those of soldiers decapitated for plundering the +country people, one for smoking opium, and another for +carrying off a villager's daughter.</p> + +<p>It was a singular fact that about every fourth village +had been completely burned and destroyed. Sometimes +I passed three villages, the two outside ones perfect +and the central one entirely gutted. Upon inquiry, the +country people said the Imperialists had been the destroyers; +others said the inhabitants having run away +and gone off with the "imps" (Imperialists), they had +punished them by burning their habitations; while some +said the destroyed villages had been fortified and defended +by the Manchoo troops, and so, when captured by the +Ti-pings, had been destroyed. This last I had reason to +believe the correct account, for I noticed in all the ruined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +villages various traces of strife, and some seemed to have +been surrounded with a wall or stockade and the houses +loopholed; while, here and there, half hidden among the +<i>débris</i> and tall rank weeds, lay some human skeletons.</p> + +<p>When I reached the steamer, no silk having arrived, I +had time to see more of the country. In one direction, some +few miles from San-li-jow, I found a considerable tract of +land perfectly desolated, not a dwelling nor habitation of +any sort standing, and the fields untended, with the rice +or paddy growing wild.</p> + +<p>It appeared this part had been severely contested by +the Ti-ping and Imperialist troops, and between them it +had become a solitude. I made several trips to this +locality with my gun, and always returned well recompensed +with golden plover and pheasants, which I generally +flushed among the ruins of what had once been houses. +The paddy-fields about here were impenetrable, being +mostly a perfect jungle six or seven feet high, and full +of ugly-looking green and yellow diamond-speckled +snakes.</p> + +<p>In the villages around San-li-jow I particularly noticed +the exactitude with which the Ti-ping soldiers paid the +country people for everything they required. I was told +in one that a soldier dare not so much as take an egg +without paying for it, and the villagers all stated it was +"good trade" with the Ti-pings, because they gave a +better price than the Imperialists.</p> + +<p>In a few days after my return from Soo-chow the silk +arrived, and while we were busily employed taking it on +board, a large Ti-ping army came in sight. Some were +marching along ashore, but by far the greater number +were being transported by water; for miles, as far as the +eye could reach, the sinuosities of the creek were covered +with the sails of the vessels. I counted the number of +boats passing within half an hour at one hundred, and the +numbers in each at a fair average of twenty; therefore, +the flotilla continuing to pass for seven hours, I estimated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +the approximate strength of the army at 30,000 men, +including those ashore. Many of the leaders came alongside +in their boats, and spent a few minutes on board +with us; amongst them I found one or two I had met at +Soo-chow, who informed me they were proceeding to +attack the important provincial capital, Hang-chow. All +who boarded us were very eager to purchase firearms, +and I was sorry we could not muster half a dozen stand +for them altogether. Many brought guns on board with +the locks out of order, and by repairing these our engineers +reaped a munificent reward. During the whole time the +flotilla was passing we received many salutations and +friendly remarks, and I did not hear a single insulting or +depreciating expression made use of towards us; whereas, +amongst Imperialist troops it would be impossible to +venture without being subjected to the grossest insult and +contumely.</p> + +<p>It has been the invariable habit to immensely exaggerate +the strength of the Ti-ping armies, and this force upon the +march for Hang-chow was supposed by Europeans to +number several hundred thousand. It was commanded +in chief by the Ting-wang, Prince of the Eastern Provinces.</p> + +<p>When all our silk had arrived, we gave the chief of +San-li-jow a farewell dinner on board, he having treated +us with much hospitality and kindness during our stay; +and after an exchange of presents (we gave him a few +bottles of cherry brandy, some boxes of percussion-caps, a +couple of muskets, and a few other things; and in return +received a present of some pigs, fowls, ducks, and pieces +of silk, a much more valuable one than ours) started for +Shanghae.</p> + +<p>We returned to the Wong-poo river, and Imperialist +territory, by a different route to that by which we had +left it, and in this direction, likewise, found one of the +most prominent changes in the country—the total destruction +of the idols and Buddhist temples. The desolating +traces of civil war were also more visible.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>We anchored for the night preceding our re-entry into +the Imperialist lines, getting all our arms in readiness. +Starting early in the morning, we fortunately caught the +ebb tide, and so, after running the gauntlet past our <i>allies</i>, +reached Shanghae safely the same afternoon.</p> + +<p>Of course, my first moment was devoted to Marie. The +relations she was living with—the poor relations of the +family—acted with great kindness towards us; they were +completely estranged from Marie's miserly father, and +looked favourably upon our attachment. Fortunately my +occupation was very much of a sinecure; so, often during +the day I found time to fulfil our almost hourly assignations. +Each night I returned to my ship with Marie's +whisper "Till to-morrow" dwelling in my heart.</p> + +<p>A short half-month of unmingled happiness soon +passed away, and again came the hour of separation. We +were to part—not with the whispered promise upon our +lips, not with the anticipated pleasure of the morrow in our +hearts; but for long weeks, perhaps even months: the +very uncertainty was painful.</p> + +<p>Mournfully sounded the last "adios" from the shore, +but more mournfully still the echo that followed me over +the waters from the little boat fast disappearing in the +gloom of night, as we steamed out of the harbour—"adios!"</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/i108.jpg" width="500" height="229" alt="TI-PING versus IMPERIALIST." title="" /> +<span class="caption">TI-PING versus IMPERIALIST.</span> +</div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Organization of the Ti-pings.—Hung-sui-tshuen's Manifesto.—Hung-sui-tshuen +Emperor.—Proclamation of Rank.—Ti-ping Titles.—Siege of +Yung-gnan.—Ti-ping Successes.—Their Moderation in Victory.—King +Yang's Proclamation.—Tien-Wang's Proclamation.—Cruelty of +Imperialists.—Cause of the Revolution.—Chinese History Reviewed.—Corrupt +Government.—Tartar Ride.—Manchoo Barbarity.</p></div> + + +<p>The Ti-ping Revolution, even during its earlier stages, +when emerging from the obscurity of mere local +insurrection, was conducted in a very systematic and +organized manner.</p> + +<p>Just four months after the first outbreak, and four +months previous to the capture of Yung-gnan, the Manchoo +governor of the province (Kwang-si), whose letter +is translated and quoted by Consul Meadows, wrote as +follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Both Hung-sui-tshuen and Fung-yun-san are skilled in the use of +troops. Hung-sui-tshuen is a man of dangerous character, who practises +the ancient military arts. At first he conceals his strength, then he puts +it forth a little, then in a greater degree, and lastly comes on in great force. +He constantly has two victories for one defeat, for he practises the tactics +of Sun-pin (an ancient Chinese warrior and celebrated tactician). The +other day I obtained a rebel book, describing the organization of one army. +It is the Sze-mar system of the Chow dynasty. A division has its general +of division; a regiment has its colonel; an army consists of 13,270 men, +being the strength of an ancient army, with the addition of upwards of a +hundred men. * * *</p> + +<p>"The rebels increase more and more; our troops—the more they fight +the more they fear. The rebels generally are powerful and fierce, <i>and they +cannot by any means be likened to a disorderly crowd, their regulations and +laws being rigorous and clear</i>."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus it appears that even before the rebellion +attained a political status, its organization was perfect, +and that, too, within four months of its commencement. +In spite of the mass of trustworthy evidence on this point, +and the latterly improved constitution of the Ti-pings, +some persons have foolishly declared the Ti-pings possess +no organization whatever. The partisan spirit of such +people carries them altogether beyond their mark; for +any one, <i>not totally ignorant of Chinese character</i>, is perfectly +well aware that for any body of Chinese to exist +without organization is impossible. We have only to look +towards Java, Australia, California, India, or wherever a +body of Chinese may be found separate, to see they are +invariably organized. The colonies formed in the above +countries are all governed by chiefs of their own electing. +At Batavia and various other parts of Java, Borneo, &c., +these chiefs and their inferior officials, hold a recognized +position in the Dutch administration. From their very +cradles precepts of order and submission are so well engrafted +and inculcated, that no nature is so amenable to +control as a Chinaman's.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a></p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen, previous to the capture of Yung-gnan, +issued the following reply to the celebrated Commissioner +Lin's summons to surrender:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Manchoos who, for two centuries, have been in hereditary +possession of the throne of China, are descended from an insignificant +nation of foreigners. By means of an army of veteran soldiers well trained +to warfare, they seized on our treasures, our lands, and the government of +our country, thereby proving that the only thing requisite for usurping +empire is the fact of being the strongest. There is, therefore, no difference +between ourselves, who lay contributions on the villages we take, and the +agents sent from Pekin to collect taxes. Why, then, without any motive, +are troops dispatched against us? Such a proceeding strikes us as a very +unjust one. What! is it possible that the Manchoos, who are foreigners, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span>have a right to receive the taxes of the captured provinces, and to name +officers who oppress the people, while we Chinese are prohibited from +taking a trifling amount at the public cost? Universal sovereignty does +not belong to any one particular individual, to the exclusion of all the rest. +And such a thing has never been known, as one dynasty being able to trace +a line of a hundred generations of emperors. The right to govern consists +in possession."</p></div> + +<p>In this manifesto the insurgents claim the throne, from +the fact that, being Chinese, to them by right it belonged.</p> + +<p>This document, from which the above is an extract, +proved such an effective and injurious one to poor Commissioner +Lin, that he never rallied from the shock. +Before dying, he memorialized his Emperor, informing +him the rebels professed Christianity, and derived their +origin from the hated "barbarians" (Europeans).</p> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen effected the capture of the city of +Yung-gnan by a very extraordinary stratagem:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The insurgents advanced quickly to the walls, which are not very +high, and by throwing an immense quantity of lighted fire-crackers into +the town, the continued explosion of which brought confusion among the +soldiers within, and caused them to retreat, they easily succeeded in scaling +the walls and entering the city."</p></div> + +<p>Hung-sui-tshuen was no sooner proclaimed first +emperor of the new dynasty of Ti-ping (Extreme Peace), +with the title of Tien-teh-Ti-ping-Wang (Heavenly Virtue +Extreme Peace King), than he immediately issued his +manifestoes in imperial style.</p> + +<p>During the first two months, the framing of new regulations, +electing of officers, and bestowing rewards upon +those who had previously distinguished themselves, were +attended to. Proclamations calling upon the soldiers to +fight bravely, and promising them reward, were issued, +in one of which the seventh commandment is rigorously +enforced by the following passage:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There shall assuredly be no forgiveness, and we expressly enjoin upon +the soldiers and officers not to show the least leniency, or screen the +offenders, lest we bring down upon ourselves the indignation of the great +God our Heavenly Father."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following is the proclamation bestowing upon the +five principal leaders their rank and title:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Our Heavenly Father, the great God and supreme Lord, is one true +Spirit (God); besides our Heavenly Father, the great God and supreme +Lord, there is no Spirit (God). The great God, our Heavenly Father and +supreme Lord, is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent—the supreme +over all. There is not an individual who is not produced and nourished +by him. He is Shang (Supreme). He is the Te (Ruler). Besides the +great God, our Heavenly Father and supreme Lord, there is no one who +can be called Shang, and no one who can be called Te.</p> + +<p>"Therefore, from henceforth all you soldiers and officers may designate +us as your lord, <i>and that is all</i>; you must not call me supreme, <i>lest you +should encroach upon the designation of our Heavenly Father</i>. Our Heavenly +Father is our Holy Father, and our Celestial <i>Elder Brother</i> is our Holy +Lord, the Saviour of the world. Hence our Heavenly Father and Celestial +<i>Elder Brother alone are holy</i>; and from henceforth all you soldiers and +officers may designate us as your lord, <i>and that is all; but you must not +call me holy, lest you encroach upon the designation of our Heavenly Father +and Celestial Elder Brother</i>. The great God, our Heavenly Father and +supreme Lord, is our Spiritual Father, our Ghostly Father. Formerly we +had ordered you to designate the first and second ministers of state, together +with the generals-in-chief of the van and rear, royal fathers, which was a +temporary indulgence in conformity with the corrupt customs of the present +world; but, according to the true doctrine, <i>this was a slight encroachment +on the prerogative of our Heavenly Father, for our Heavenly Father is alone +entitled to the designation of Father</i>. We have now appointed the chief minister +of state and general-in-chief to be designated the Eastern King, having +charge of all the states in the Eastern region. We have also appointed the +second minister of state and assistant general-in-chief to be designated the +Western King, having charge of all the states in the Western region. We +have further appointed the general of the advanced guard to be designated +the Southern King, having charge of all the states in the Southern region. +And we have likewise appointed the general of the rear guard to be +designated the Northern King, having charge of all the states in the +Northern region. We have furthermore appointed our brother Shih-tah-kae +to be assistant-king, to aid in sustaining our Celestial court. All the kings +above referred to are to be under the superintendence of the Eastern king. +We have also issued a proclamation designating our Queen as the lady of +all ladies (Empress), and our concubines as royal ladies. Respect this!"</p></div> + +<p>The above document was translated by Dr. Medhurst. +All words commencing with a capital letter are placed in +the proclamation certain degrees higher than the rest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +All words used to denote the Almighty being elevated +<i>three</i> spaces, those denoting the chiefs <i>one</i> space.</p> + +<p>By observing the passages in italics, it cannot fail to +be understood that the appellation "Elder Brother" has +not the blasphemous tendency some persons have imagined. +Even had it, is that a reason why thousands of Christians +in error should be slaughtered by a cruel intervention? +Why, the very idea is monstrous! Yet some have been +found who made the term "Elder Brother" an excuse +for exterminating the Ti-pings, instead of doing their duty +by teaching them better if necessary. There is another +and more important reason why, had Hung-sui-tshuen, or +rather the Tien-wang—as we shall for the future, in conformity +with his title amongst his followers, term him—literally +called himself the brother of our Saviour, Englishmen +should be the last to throw stones at him; for have +they not their Unitarians, <i>who deny his divinity altogether</i>? +Why, then, do these war Christians go to China to defend +the <i>name</i> of the Saviour, when here in England their +zeal is more required. If people are to be massacred for +making a wrong use of the attributes of our Saviour +(when they do so through ignorance), then the slaughter +should commence at home, with those who have every +opportunity of acquiring a more correct knowledge. It +would be as reasonable to suppose that Hung-sui-tshuen +arrogates to himself the attributes of God by his title +Tien-wang (Heavenly King), as that he considers himself +the equal of Jesus, and one of the Trinity, by his style of +"Younger Brother."</p> + +<p>His titles, Tien-wang, Younger Brother, &c., are no +more to be literally understood than any of the extravagant +designations of the Manchoo Emperor (Celestial +Ruler, Monarch of the Universe, Brother of the Sun, &c.), +the Llama of Thibet, or any other Asiatic ruler; but is +only the usual Chinese metaphorical style of naming their +princes, and setting forth their dignity and high position. +The Ti-pings are themselves the very last to entertain any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +other idea; and often when I have questioned them, they +have ridiculed such an heathenish and absurd belief as +that their chief was more than mortal. Their replies have +always been essentially practical; such as—"He is but a +man like themselves, though a very great one." His prophecies, +however, were believed to be inspired; his divine +commission to earthly sovereignty and propagation of the +Faith was likewise universally believed, though the blasphemies +attributed to him, and circulated by interested +European maligners, are without foundation. "Younger +Brother" is the usual and touching Chinese figurative +style of expressing an affectionate and dependent situation. +The Tien-wang, when using it, simply expresses that relative +position he wishes his people to believe he occupies, +as our Saviour's faithful servant and disciple.</p> + +<p>The Ti-pings, as we may now fairly call them, were +allowed but short respite in the city of Yung-gnan. A +large army of Imperialists, under the command of a celebrated +Tartar general, Woo-lan-tae, invested the city upon +every side, reducing the besieged to fearful extremities; +till, at last, death by famine or the sword seemed their +only fate. During November, 1851, all their outposts +had been driven in with great loss, their spirits were +damped, and the close of their existence seemed near at +hand.</p> + +<p>At length, after enduring incredible sufferings from +famine and sickness, and a close siege of five months, +during the night of the 7th of April, 1852, the Ti-pings +sallied out from the city in three divisions, and after +severe fighting, in which their losses were very heavy, +succeeded in cutting their way through the besiegers and +marching to the north-east, unfortunately leaving many +of the sick and wounded prisoners, all of whom were +barbarously tortured and put to death. Shortly after +their escape from Yung-gnan, the Ti-pings laid siege to +the provincial capital, Kwei-lin, but being unprovided +with guns or sufficient powder to mine the walls, after a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +month spent before the city, they raised the siege, and +marched into the adjoining province of Hoo-nan. At this +time the total strength of the Ti-pings, men, women, and +children included, numbered less than ten thousand +persons. After capturing the city of Taou-chow, in the +southern part of Hoo-nan, during the next three months +they pressed steadily northward, capturing many cities on +the way, and overthrowing all opposition. Early in +September they arrived before the capital city of the +Hoo-nan province, Chang-sha, and intrenching themselves, +commenced a regular siege, which lasted more +than two months. Upon this important place all the +Imperialist forces were immediately concentrated, and +the plains before the city became the battle-ground of +many severe actions, generally favourable to the Ti-pings. +During the months of September, October, and November, +the latter made several attempts to carry the city by +assault, but were each time severely repulsed by the +garrison, who held out with determined bravery. Upon +the 29th of November, the last assault upon Chang-sha +was repulsed with heavy loss to the besiegers, and upon +the following day the siege was abandoned, and they +moved off in a north-westerly direction.</p> + +<p>The next movement of the Ti-pings was attended with +better fortune, for, reaching the Tung-ting lake, they +carried the city of Yoh-chow, which was situated at the +junction of the lake with the river Yang-tze-kiang, by +storm. Considerably enriched by the granaries and +treasury of that city, they changed their line of march +and proceeded in a north-easterly direction, down the +course of the Yang-tze, conveyed by the large fleet of +junks and war-boats they had captured on the lake. Upon +the 23rd of December they reached the city of Han-yang, +upon the north bank of the river. Capturing this place +with but slight opposition, they crossed to the south side, +and invested the vice-regal city Wu-chang-foo. After +mining the walls and making a practicable breach, upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +the 12th of January they assaulted and carried the city, +the lieutenant-governor of Hoo-nan falling in its defence, +together with a large number of his officers and troops. +Collecting immense booty from these two cities and the +adjoining unwalled emporium, Han-kow, early in February, +with a vast fleet loaded with men and stores, they proceeded +down the river. On the 18th, the large and important +city of Kew-kiang, situated close to the junction of the +Poyang lake with the river, fell before their arms. The +city of Ngan-king, capital of the province of Ngan-Hwui, +was captured on the 25th. On the 4th of March Wu-hoo +was taken, and on the 8th the Ti-ping forces sat down +before the walls of Nan-kin.</p> + +<p>These successes of the insurgents were followed by the +degradation of all Imperialist leaders who should have +prevented them. The court of Pekin deprived the imperial +commissioner Keshen of his rank of Lieutenant-General +of Tartar bannermen; Sae-shang-ah, the general +of the Imperialist troops in Hoo-nan, was sentenced to be +decapitated; Sin, the Viceroy of the two Kwang, was +deprived of his vice-royalty and two-eyed peacock's tail; +while all their property was confiscated to the government. +Meanwhile the Ti-pings, by their moderation and success, +by their kindness, and protection of the country people +who did not oppose them;—by controlling their troops +and followers from committing the usual excesses and +crimes—the scourges of war, even in civilized countries; +had obtained for themselves the goodwill and confidence +of the people in a very large degree. Reinforcements +poured in from every side; all those in local revolt, or in +any way aggrieved by their tyrannical authorities; all who +were in any manner dissatisfied with the foreign dynasty, +or felt a spark of patriotism, flocked to the Tien-wang's +standard. And now, as the Bishop of Victoria has said, +before the ancient capital of the empire, a body of some +100,000 men, bound together by one religious hope and by +one political aim,—the highest and most noble purposes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +of human ambition—those of civil and religious liberty—were +congregated; following implicitly the guidance of +a leader they believed sent by divine authority to expel +their foreign masters, and overthrow idolatry throughout +the length and breadth of the land. Marvellous and +unparalleled beyond conception was this rising-up of the +people,—as a psychological phenomenon it stands unrivalled +in extent and magnitude in modern history. To +behold leagued together, not only the effeminate Chinese, +but even their women,—wives and daughters fighting by +the side of their husbands and fathers, inspired by one +common hope and ardour—all animated by a great religious +and political object, for the attainment of which +they had suffered and fought many years,—is an event +never before realized in the history of China.</p> + +<p>The Bishop of Victoria thus writes of them:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Throughout their long line of march, for 1,500 miles, over fertile and +populous districts, plunders, murder, and rape, the usual attendant curses +of Asiatic warfare, were denounced and punished by death. With more +than Puritanical strictness, they waged an internecine war with the most +dearly cherished sensual habits of their countrymen. The ten moral rules +of the Decalogue were enforced, <i>and a stricter interpretation attached to its +terms</i>. Amorous glances, libidinous songs, and all the common incentives +to profligacy, were prohibited and abandoned. The drinking of wine, the +smoking of tobacco, gambling, lying, swearing, and, above all, <i>indulgence in +the fumes of opium</i>, were denounced and abolished with a moral determination +which permitted no half measures."</p></div> + +<p>During the triumphant march of the Ti-pings from +the city of Yung-gnan, many proclamations were issued +by the Tien-wang and his chiefs, to justify their rebellion +and inform the people. The earliest and most important +was the following, issued by Yang, the Eastern King:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We hereby promulgate our explicit orders in every place, and say, +Oh, you multitudes! listen to our words. We conceive that the empire +belongs to the Chinese, and not to the Tartars; the food and raiment +found therein belong to the Chinese, and not to the Tartars; the men and +women inhabiting this region are subjects and children of the Chinese, and +not of the Tartars. But, alas! ever since the Ming dynasty lost its +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>influence, the Manchoos availed themselves of the opportunity to throw +China into confusion, and deprive the Chinese of their empire; they also +robbed them of their food and clothing, as well as oppressed their sons and +ravished their daughters; and the Chinese, notwithstanding they possessed +such an extensive territory and multitudinous subjects, allowed the Tartars +to do as they pleased without making the least objection. Can the Chinese +still deem themselves men? Ever since the Manchoos have spread their +poisonous influence through China, the flame of oppression has risen up to +heaven, and the vapour of corruption has defiled the celestial throne, the +offensive odour has spread over the four seas, and the demoniacal influence +has distressed surrounding regions; while the Chinese, with bowed heads +and dejected spirits, willingly became the servants of others. How strange +it is that there are no <i>men</i> in China! China is the head, Tartary is the +feet; China is the land of spirits, Tartary the land of demons. Why may +China be deemed the land of spirits? Because the true Spirit, the great +God, our heavenly Father, made heaven and earth, the land and the sea +(and the Chinese honour him); therefore from of old China has been +termed the land of spirits. Why are the Tartars to be considered demons? +Because the devilish serpent, the king of Hades, is a corrupt demon, and +the Tartars have been in the habit of worshipping him; therefore may the +Tartars be considered demons. But, alas! the feet have assumed the +place of the head, and demons have usurped the land of spirits; while they +have constrained our Chinese people to become demons like themselves.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> +If all the bamboos of the southern hills were to be used as pens, they +would not be enough to detail the obscenities of these Tartars; and if all +the waves of the Eastern sea were to be employed, they would not be +sufficient to wash away their sins, which reach to heaven. We will +merely enumerate a few general circumstances that are known to all men. +The Chinese have a form peculiarly their own; but these Manchoos have +commanded them to shave the hair round their heads,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> and wear a long +tail behind, thus causing the Chinese to assume the appearance of brute +animals. The Chinese have a dress peculiar to themselves, but these +Manchoos have caused them to wear knobs on their caps, with Tartar +clothes and monkey caps,<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> while they discard the robes and head-dress of +former dynasties, thus causing the Chinese to forget their origin. The +Chinese have their own laws and regulations; but the Manchoos have +manufactured devilish enactments, so that our Chinese people cannot +escape the meshes of their net,<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> nor can they tell how to dispose of their +hands and feet,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> by which means our young men are brought entirely under +their control. The Chinese have their own language; but the Manchoos +have introduced the slang of the capital, and interfered with Chinese +expressions, designing thus to seduce the Chinese by their Tartar brogue. +Whenever drought and inundations occur, the government manifests no +compassion; but quietly sees our people scattered abroad or dying of +hunger, until the bleached bones are as thick as jungle, by which the +country is depopulated. The Manchoos also have allowed corrupt +magistrates and covetous officers to spread themselves over China, flaying +the skin and devouring the fat of our people, until both men and women +meet and lament by the roadside to see our fellow subjects reduced to want +and poverty. Offices are to be obtained by bribes, crimes are to be bought +off with money, rich fellows engross all authority, while heroes are filled +with despair, by which means all the noble spirits in the empire are overwhelmed +with despair, and die. Should any, animated with a patriotic +feeling, seek to revive China from its ruins, they are accused of fostering +rebellion, and their whole race exterminated, by which means all heroic +ardour is repressed in China. But the ways in which the Manchoos have +deluded China, and abused it, are too numerous to detail, for they are +cunning and artful in the extreme.... These Tartars, forgetting +the meanness and obscurity of their origin, and taking advantage of Woo-san-kwei's +introduction, have usurped dominion in China, where they have +carried their villanies to the utmost. Let us for a moment look into the +origin of these Manchoo Tartars. Their first ancestor was a cross-breed +between a white fox and a red dog, from whom sprang this race of imps +that have since increased abundantly. They contract marriages without +ceremony, and pay no regard to the relations of life or the rules of civilized +society. At a time when China was destitute of heroes, they seized upon +the government of the country; the wild fox thus ascended the imperial +throne, and these unwashed monkeys, having put off their caps, rushed +into the royal court, while our Chinese people, instead of ploughing up +their holes and digging down their dens, have allowed themselves to be +taken in their devices, to be insulted over by them, and to obey their +command; and what is worse, our civil and military officers, coveting the +gains of office, have bowed down in the midst of these herds of dogs and +foxes. A child three feet high is generally esteemed very ignorant; but if +you were to tell him to make obeisance to a parcel of dogs and swine, he +would redden with indignation. And what are these Tartars but dogs and +swine? Some of you have read books and are acquainted with history: +and do you not feel in the slightest degree ashamed? Formerly +Wan-theen-seang<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> and Sea-fang-teh<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> swore that they would rather die than +serve the Mongols. Sze-ko-fah<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and Ken-shih-see<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> swore that they would +rather die than serve the Manchoos. These facts must be familiar to you +all. According to our calculations, the Manchoos cannot be above a +hundred thousand, and we Chinese amount to more than fifty millions; +but for fifty millions to be ruled over by a hundred thousand is disgraceful. +Now, happily, a retributive Providence being about to restore the country +to its rightful owners, and China having some prospect of a revival, men's +minds being bent on good government, it is evident that the Tartars have +not long to rule. Their three times seven, or 210 years' lease, is about to +expire, and the extraordinary personage of the five times nine has already +appeared.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> The iniquities of the Tartars are full; high heaven has +manifested its indignation, and commanded our celestial king sternly to +display his heavenly majesty and erect the standard of righteousness, +sweeping away the demoniacal brood, and perfectly cleansing our flowery +land."</p></div> + +<p>After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> exhorting the Chinese to join the rebel forces, +the proclamation concludes thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You, our countrymen, have been aggrieved by the oppressions of the +Manchoos long enough: if you do not change your politics, and with united +strength and courage sweep away every remnant of these Tartars, how can +you answer it to God in the highest heavens? We have now set in motion +our righteous army, above to revenge the insult offered to God in deceiving +Heaven, and below to deliver China from its inverted position, thus sternly +sweeping away every vestige of Tartar influence and unitedly enjoying the +happiness of the Ti-ping dynasty."</p></div> + +<p>In contemplation of making an immediate attack +upon Nankin, during the march towards that city the following +proclamation was issued by the Tien-wang:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Hung, Captain-General of the army, having entire superintendence of +military affairs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> and aiding in the advancement of the Ti-ping, or Great +Pacificating Dynasty, in obedience to the will of Heaven, issues this +important and triumphant proclamation, to announce that he has punished +the oppressors and saved the people.</p> + +<p>"It appears that, throughout the empire, rapacious officers are worse +than violent robbers, and the corrupt mandarins of the public offices are +no better than wolves and tigers, all originating in the vicious and sottish +monarch at the head of affairs, who drives honest people to a distance, and +admits to his presence the most worthless of mankind, selling offices, and +disposing of preferments, while he represses men of virtuous talent, so that +the spirit of avarice is daily inflamed, and high and low are contending +together for gain; the rich and the great are abandoned to vice without +control, whilst the poor and miserable have none to redress their wrongs, +the very recital of which exasperates one's feelings, and makes one's hair +to stand on end. To refer to the case of the land revenue in particular, it +appears that of late the exactions have been increased manyfold, while the +taxes due up to the thirtieth year of the last king's reign were at one time +said to be remitted, and then again exacted, until the resources of the +people are exhausted, and their miseries grown to excess. When our +benevolent men and virtuous scholars contemplate these things, their minds +are deeply wounded, and they cannot restrain themselves from rooting out +these plundering officers and wolfish mandarins of each prefecture and +district, in order to save the people from the flames and floods in which +they are now involved. At the present moment our grand army is +assembled like clouds; the province of Kouang-se has been settled, and +Chang-sha (the capital of Hoonan) tranquillized; and being now about to +proceed towards the region of Keang-see (Keang-nan? that is, the province +of which Nankin is capital), we deem it necessary to announce to the +people that they need not be alarmed; while agriculturists, mechanics, +merchants, and traders, may each peacefully pursue their occupations. It +is necessary, however, that the rich should have in readiness stores of +provisions to aid in the sustenance of our troops; let each clearly report +the amount of his contributions to this object, and we will furnish him +with receipts, as security that hereafter the money shall be all repaid. +Should there be any bold and strong men, or wise councillors among you, +let them with one heart and effort aid us in our great design, and, when +tranquillity is restored, we will have them promoted and rewarded according +to their merit. All the officers of prefectures and districts who resist +us shall be beheaded; but those who are ready to comply with our requisitions +must forthwith send unto us their seals of office, and then they may +retire to their native villages. With regard to the rabble of wolfish +policemen, we shall, as soon as we succeed, hang up their heads as a warning +to all. Being now apprehensive lest local <i>banditti</i> should take occasion +from our movements to breed disturbances, we wish you people clearly to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span>report the same, and we will immediately exterminate them. If any of +the villagers or citizens dare to assist the marauding mandarins in their +tyranny, and resist our troops and adherents, no matter whether they +reside in great or small places, we will sweep them from the face of the +earth. Be careful. Do not oppose.</p> + +<p> +"A special proclamation." +</p> +</div> + +<p>Another proclamation was issued on the march by the +Eastern Prince:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Yang-sui-tsing, especially appointed General of the Grand Army +engaged in sweeping away the Tartars and establishing the new dynasty, +issues this second proclamation:—</p> + +<p>"I, the General, in obedience to the royal commands, have put in +motion the troops for the punishment of the oppressor, and in every place +to which I have come, the enemy at the first report have dispersed like +scattered rubbish. As soon as a city has been captured, I have put to +death the rapacious mandarins and corrupt magistrates therein, <i>but have +not injured a single individual of the people</i>, so that all of you may take +care of your families and attend to your business without alarm and trepidation. +I have already issued proclamations to this effect, with which I +presume you are acquainted. I have heard, however, that throughout the +villages there are numbers of lawless vagabonds, who, previous to the +arrival of our troops, take advantage of the disturbed state of the country +to defile men's wives and daughters, and burn or plunder the property of +honest people. I, the General, have already apprehended some of these, +and decapitated about a score of them; now, because their localities are +somewhat removed from the provincial capital (Ngan-king), these persons +flatter themselves that I, the General, am not aware of their proceedings, +<i>which are very much to be detested</i>. I have, therefore, sent a great officer, +named Yuen, as a special messenger, with some hundreds of soldiers, to go +through the villages, and, as soon as he finds these vagabonds, he is commissioned +forthwith to decapitate them, while the honest inhabitants have +nothing more to do than to stick up the word 'Shun' (obedient) over their +doors, and then they have nothing to fear.</p> + +<p> +"A special proclamation." +</p> +</div> + +<p>While the number and moral power of the Ti-pings +increased together, those of the Imperialists as rapidly +declined; their extortion and cruelty driving numbers of +the people to the ranks of the insurgents. Captain +Fishbourne, (Impressions of China, p. 83,) has observed:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We know that the authorities at Canton were taking heads off by +forties and sixties a day, and the Viceroy admitted that he had taken off +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>three hundred in one day. I visited the execution-ground, and saw pools +of blood from recent executions, and the heads were piled up in old bottle-racks. +If these were the numbers for two or three provinces, what must +those have been for the other provinces in addition? And yet, as the +march of the insurgents was so triumphant, <i>these all could not possibly be the +heads of insurgents, or even people remotely connected with the movement</i>. +It is much more probable that they were the heads of <i>helpless and unoffending +people</i>, that were taken off to satisfy the Emperor that Lin, the Viceroy, +was making some progress against the insurgents."</p></div> + +<p>These horrible atrocities of the Manchoo rulers were +continued for years, and every province the Ti-pings had +visited became drenched with the blood of innocent +victims. Not only were the entire relatives of any man +who had joined the rebellion slaughtered, but many +thousands even upon mere suspicion. Do we not remember +the brutal Commissioner Yeh's boast, that he had decapitated +upwards of 70,000 rebels in one month, in the province +of Kwang-tung alone? And these were peaceful +villagers dragged from their homes without any crime on +their part (for at that time the Ti-pings were far away), +and without even knowing what had become of the +relative for whose fault they suffered. This being only +the slaughter effected by one mandarin, what must have +been the enormous number massacred in cold blood by +the numerous button, feather, and tail-dignified Manchoo +butchers, sent to perpetrate their horrid revenge +upon the helpless women and relatives of the men they +have never been able to withstand in fair fight, and would +never have been able to resist, even in their walled cities, +but for the foreign assistance they received.</p> + +<p>Almost the first point to be considered with regard to +the Ti-ping revolution is its cause, and whether the cause +justified rebellion. But few persons have ever denied +the existence of ample grounds for the Chinese to rebel +against the Manchoo dynasty; their bloodthirsty, murderous +rule, their gross tyranny and corruption, their +unrighteous usurpation and possession of the Chinese +throne, being pretty generally acknowledged. I am no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +advocate of revolutionary principles or outbreaks against +constituted authority, but we must always distinguish +between the laws of a country and the unrighteous +decrees of a tyrant usurper. Moreover, the progress of +liberty and right has always been maintained through +collisions with oppressive ruling powers; and the great +leaders of the people may be the rebels of to-day, and +yet should the morrow crown them with success, they +may become the heroes and patriots of the age.</p> + +<p>The state of China previous to the Ti-ping rebellion +was deplorable in the extreme: the grinding oppression of +nearly two centuries had apparently obliterated all that +was good and noble in the land, and the debasing influence +of the Manchoo invaders seemed likely to consummate +the entire destruction of the moral, social, and +political condition of the Chinese. To form a proper +judgment upon the state of affairs, it is necessary to +review Chinese history from the period of the Manchoo +invasion.</p> + +<p>The last Emperor of the last Chinese dynasty—the +Ming—was driven to commit suicide through the success +of an insurrection of the people, caused by his misrule, +<span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1643. Upon the death of the Emperor, the insurgent +chief met with universal submission, both at Pekin and +in the provinces, and proclaimed himself Emperor. Woo-san-kwei, +however, the general of an army employed in +resisting an attack of the Manchoos, refused to acknowledge +him. The newly made Emperor immediately set +out for the city held by Woo, carrying with him from +Pekin the latter's father in chains. The usurper having +put him to death, to revenge that of his father, as well as +that of the late Emperor, Woo-san-kwei made peace with +the Manchoos and, calling them in to his assistance, soon +defeated the would-be Emperor. When, however, the +Tartar king found himself in Pekin, he instantly seized +upon the sovereignty, and no effort of the Chinese was +able to drive him from the throne, or defeat his hardy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +and veteran troops. Dying almost immediately after this +acquisition, he appointed his son Shun-chy as his successor, +<span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1644; and so commenced the Manchoo +Tartar dynasty, the seventh emperor of which is now +reigning. A great portion of the South held out against +the foreign government for many years, especially the +maritime province of Fo-keen. In Kwang-tung and +Kwang-si provinces, the Manchoos were often severely defeated +by the natives, who, to the present day, hate them +with intensity, and it was not till <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1654 that these +provinces were subdued. In many other parts the Chinese +still struggled gallantly against the invader; but dissensions +amongst themselves, and a general want of combination, +proved fatal to their cause. But for this singular +want of accord it is probable the Manchoos would +soon have been driven back to their native wilds.</p> + +<p>A.D. 1669, with the exception of Fo-keen province, +the islands of the coast, and mere local opposition, the +whole empire was subjugated by the Manchoos. To +maintain their power, all the principal cities were garrisoned +by Tartar troops of the Eight Banners (a regulation +still observed), and these being constantly drilled and +kept in a good state of efficiency, together with the main +body stationed at Pekin, have succeeded in suppressing +the patriotic efforts of the Chinese. At last, in 1674, +Wu-san-kwei attempted to remedy his error of calling in +the Manchoos, by raising the National standard and +declaring against them. The southern provinces, and +especially Kwang-tung and Kwang-si, constituted the +area of the struggle. Wu-san-kwei dying soon after the +outbreak, the national party were unable to find a single +person competent to replace him, and although for nine +years they successfully resisted the power of the Manchoos, +after a long struggle without any combined action, +they were compelled to submit. During the general +dispersion of the patriots, the last of the Ming princes +fled to the kingdom of Pegu for safety, but being delivered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +up to the Manchoos, was by them put to death; he was +the last of his race, for man, woman, and child, every +scion of the Ming, had been ruthlessly slaughtered. This +was the last national effort of sufficient strength to +endanger the power of the foreign dynasty, although to +the present day many thousands of Chinese exist among +the fastnesses of the mountainous regions of Kwang-si, +Kwei-chow, Yun-nan, and Sze-chuan, who have never been +subdued, or submitted to the badge of slavery—the +tonsure—imposed upon their countrymen by the Tartars. +Many of these having fled to the aboriginal independent +tribes, have been included in the general term Miau-tze, +and in Kwang-si alone they number upwards of 400,000 +persons. Besides these, secret societies were formed, +whose members were sworn to attempt the subversion of +the Manchoo dynasty; but none have been able, hitherto, +to carry out their designs; not even the celebrated +"Triad Society," at present existing, or the equally +extensive one, "The Association of Heaven and Earth."</p> + +<p>Upon the defeat of Wu-san-kwei's movement, the +slaughter of the Chinese was immense, the province of +Kwang-tung was nearly depopulated, upwards of 700,000 +of its inhabitants having been executed within a month. +This is vengefully remembered by the Cantonese even yet. +Many thousands of Chinese families left their country +in the course of the struggle, and not less than 100,000 +are stated to have emigrated to Formosa, where they +resisted the Manchoos till the year 1683.</p> + +<p>To completely destroy the patriotic element, the Manchoos +compelled the conquered Chinese to shave the thick +tresses they had been accustomed to wear as a cherished +ornament from the most ancient times, and to wear a tail, +and in other respects to adopt the Tartar style of dress +upon pain of decapitation. Many thousands are stated +to have preferred death to this national degradation: an +alteration of national costume is of all others the most +open and crushing work of conquest; and in China it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +undoubtedly had the effect of breaking the spirit of the +people—all who would not suffer thus, losing their heads. +The ancient Chinese costume is now resumed by the +Ti-pings, but previous to their outbreak was confined to +the Miau-tze and refugees, and to a very exact representation +upon the stage of the Chinese theatre.</p> + +<p>So prompt and merciless have been the punishments +inflicted by the Manchoo government, upon the slightest +suspicion of rebellion, that, until the Ti-ping insurrection, +they have successfully extinguished every outburst of +national hatred. In 1756, during the reign of Kien-loong, +fourth emperor of the Manchoo dynasty, a great rising +amongst the Miau-tze, and descendants of the refugees, +occurred; but, after several years' war with no material +advantage upon either side, they relinquished their aggressive +movement and contented themselves with their +independent position. In 1806, a great combination +amongst the hardy inhabitants of the southern sea-board—the +provinces of Fo-keen and Kwang-tung—took place; +a large fleet of more than 600 Ti-mungs (sea-going war +junks, generally carrying about twelve guns) was organized, +and for some years waged a successful war +against the Manchoos, at one time seriously threatening +the dominion of the latter. At last the usual cause of +failure to all former and future national efforts—internal +dissension—proved fatal to their cause. The two principal +commanders having disagreed, led their respective +divisions to a bloody combat. The Manchoo government +now, with their usual policy of treacherous conciliation +where they cannot conquer, commenced intriguing +with the weaker of the two divisions, and eventually +induced it to accept a general amnesty to such as would +submit and return to their allegiance, at the same time +rewarding the leaders with bribes of rank and riches. +The insurgents who had submitted were then allied to the +Tartar forces, and employed by the crafty government +against their former comrades, who in a short time were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +compelled to surrender and accept the proffered amnesty. +And now, throughout the land, the treacherous ferocity of +the Manchoos ran riot. Hundreds of the deceived +patriots were distributed over the numerous execution +grounds, and, fed by the perfidious diplomacy of the +government, the sword of the executioner terminated an +association that at one time promised the liberation of the +country.</p> + +<p>This great naval rebellion was not the only endeavour +made by the Chinese to break the foreign yoke. +During the reign of Kea-king, the fifth Manchoo emperor, +many formidable revolts had taken place, but +again the want of unity proved fatal to their success. +In 1813, the dissatisfied Chinese endeavoured to finish +the Manchoo dynasty by assassination, many members +of the insurrection having sacrificed themselves in the +attempt. At the termination of Kea-king's reign, in the +year 1820, all extensive rebellion had been suppressed. +The reign of his successor, Taou-kuang, was, however, +marked by more revolt and insurrection than had been +known since the time of the first Manchoo usurper. In +1832, a great rising took place among the Miau-tze, whose +leader accepted the designation of "Golden Dragon," +assumed the yellow (Imperial) dress, and announced his +intention to overthrow the foreign dynasty and establish +a native one. This rebellion had a wide-spread, though +secret organization, but the outbreak not being simultaneous, +the partisans in distant provinces were all cut off +in detail; while the rising in Formosa failed owing to the +dissension of its leaders. After successfully resisting the +Manchoo troops, and several times defeating them with +immense slaughter, the want of unanimity and simultaneous +rising upon the part of the confederates induced +the main body of insurgents to make favourable terms +with the government, and retire unimpeded to their +independent regions.</p> + +<p>Slowly, but surely of late, the Chinese nation has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +recovering from the crushed and subdued condition to +which the sanguinary invasion and iron despotism of the +Manchoos had reduced it. Gradually, as returning vitality +and patriotism increased, opposition to the oppressor multiplied +and became more formidable and portentous. As +the Chinese have gained strength, so their masters have +lost it; the power and resources of the latter have long +become overgrown and exhausted, and nothing but the +broken-spirited and abject state of slavery they had reduced +the nation to could have prevented their expulsion +long since. At length, during the reign of the last +emperor, the national feeling could no longer be controlled, +and in the year 1850 the great Ti-ping rebellion burst +forth—so marvellous in every phase of its commencement, +organization, and progress, that ere now, but for the unjustifiable +meddling of England, it would have resulted, +not only in the subversion of the Manchoo dynasty, but, +in all human probability, the establishment of Christianity +throughout the limits of the immense Chinese empire. +Sir John F. Davis has observed:—"Distinctions sufficiently +broad are still maintained to prevent the amalgamation +of the original people with their masters;" these, combined +with the intense hatred caused by the horrible cruelties +inflicted upon the people during the troublous times of +famine and disturbance preceding the Ti-ping rebellion, +undoubtedly tended to promote the success of the latter, +and alienate the best disposed from the Manchoos. +During the years 1838-41, many parts of the empire +became plunged in misery and want;—so severe was the +famine, that many thousands perished, while multitudes +were driven to insurrection. The government, in order +to quell the natural results of the distress, resorted to the +most barbarous measures; it has even been stated by the +Roman Catholic missionaries who were on the spot,—"that +after suffering severe torture, many of the people +were burnt alive!" The war with Great Britain, in 1841, +added to the miseries of the Chinese, for the Manchoo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +government, the weaker they became, were the more +savage and ruthless in suppressing every indication of +disaffection.</p> + +<p>Mr. Tarrantt, editor of the <i>Friend of China</i>, and a +resident in China for a quarter of a century, in 1861 +wrote thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"THE WICKED AND CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OF CHINA.</div> + +<p>"So little is known of the machinery of Chinese government that +ignorance of it is the best, if not the only excuse for the countenance given +by Western nations to the Manchoo dynasty. Conservative as we are in +political principle, largely imbued with a feeling of veneration for what is +ancient, if at the same time honour deserving, and desiring above all things +peace on earth and goodwill amongst mankind, the repugnance which we +entertain towards the Pekin government, and sympathy with those in arms +against it,<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> has been solely produced by long observation of the thorough +worthlessness of the rulers, and the impossibility for them to become better. +We old-fashioned moralists of the West, in our ideas of the uses of a +government, give some consideration to the feelings of the mass; and no +officer may fatten himself with impunity on the public purse, unless he +give some show of service for the public weal. Here in China, on the +contrary, extortion by officials is an institution; it is the condition on +which they take office; and it is only when the bleeder is a bungler that +the government, aroused by the victims' cries and riotings, step in to check +the depletion. Are our readers aware of the smallness of the established +salaries of provincial officers—of the two Kwang, to wit? Can they +believe that the Viceroy, ruling over a country twice the size of England, +is allowed as his <i>legal</i> salary the paltry sum of Ł60—say $25 a month—not +even the pay of four of his chair-bearers and an ostler? How does he +live, then? will be the question. The answer is, by extortion, by selling +justice. Fees of office would be the most polite term, perhaps, to apply to +the thing, the average sum total of these per annum being Ł8,333.</p> + +<p>"The system adopted throughout the empire is this:—You, the son of +Dick, Tom, or Harry, get your qualification as a scholar, bring it to me at +Pekin, fee the chancellerie, and then you shall have a post. Directly you +have that, squeeze away right and left, and when you have enough to buy +a higher post, you know where to come for it. As we said some years ago, +when writing on the subject, 'it flourishes on its own rottenness,' the +chances which high and low alike possess of fattening on the public vitals +being the greatest support the Manchoo dynasty possess. Next to the +Viceroy, or governor-general, is the governor, whose salary is Ł50, increased +with <i>fees</i> averaging Ł4,333 a year. Each of these officials possess power +of life and death without reference to the government.... The +creature who—mayhap before he got into office, neglected by all his relations—luxuriated +on a miserable dole of rice and greens, and would no more +think of paying a couple of mace<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> to chair-coolies to carry him, than he +would think of flying, from the day he receives his diploma cannot walk a +hundred paces on common earth if he were paid to do it. He rises with the +sun from the couch of his speedily increased harem, either to receive the +morning call of some other 'useless,' or to be borne in his chair, followed +by pipe-bearer and card-deliverer, to make a round of calls on brother +officials of similar uselessness. How is the work of the Mandarinate +performed? we hear some say. Performed? By underlings who hold the +entrée by the back stairs, and <i>sell</i> justice or service to each suitor according +as he can pay for it.... And these are the <i>things</i> who govern the +empire."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> +<p>During the month of July, 1863, issues of the same +newspaper—then established at Shanghae—contained +the following statements; and statements that no person +with the slightest knowledge of the position and history +of China can deny:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Our local readers must be as able as ourselves to form an opinion on +passing events; and hardly one of us, we think, but must be satisfied that +we are on the eve of a crisis in the affairs of the great nation on whose +borders we dwell. Let us take a hasty glance at the position. A little +over two hundred years ago, the Manchoos, under an ancestor of the +present incumbent of the throne, overran the country. The cruelties +which these savages perpetrated were of the most horrid description—in +Kwang-tung alone over seven hundred thousand people—man, woman, and +child—being massacred within a month.</p> + +<p>"The Chinese, prior to this inroad, were a rich people, the houses of +the better classes being buildings of convenient formation and durability. +There is not much apparent wealth among the Chinese now, any sign of it +being a temptation to government officers to extort from the holders. +From the day these Tartars came into the country, China has been steadily +deteriorating, and now the people may best be likened to herds of grovelling +swine, living merely for the day, stultified in intellect by the most degrading +superstition. Under the Manchoos, in fact, China exhibits to the world +the saddest of all spectacles—the spectacle of a people unable to raise themselves +in the social scale, to attain the full stature of man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> To keep themselves +on the throne, the Manchoos determined on three courses:—</p> + +<p>"<i>First.</i> To make every Chinese shave the front of his head, and wear +a tail. Those who would not do this were deemed rebels, and decapitated.</p> + +<p>"<i>Second.</i> They declared it treason in all those who met secretly.</p> + +<p>"<i>Third.</i> They vested all elevation to civil office in the sovereign +himself, at Pekin, making the language of the court the official medium, +and guarding against local faction by permitting no one to hold office in +the district in which he was born. Every civil officer of the Manchoo +government, in short, is a stranger to the people he rules over; he knows +none of the ties of friendship for his flock. And, further to widen the +breach between ruler and ruled, the sovereign allows his officers little or +no salary; but, in its place and stead, sanctions—directs—as full a +bleeding of the people's purses as said people can bear without open +revolt.</p> + +<p>"And these three courses have been as effectual as could be possibly +anticipated.</p> + +<p>"It was a long while before the Manchoos succeeded in the head-shaving +and tail arrangements, especially about Shou-shing, in Che-kiang, +and down south, in Kwang-se, where there are people (Miau-tze) who have +never submitted to the badge.</p> + +<p>"The secret meeting interdict, again, has met but small favour, and it +was only last week that the Chinese newspaper, published at the N. C. +Herald Office here, had a notice in it of the apprehension, by the Manchoos, +of Messrs. Quan, Wan, and others, <i>within the British concession</i>, ostensibly +because they were in league with the Soo-chow rebels, but really because +they are leading men of the San-hoh-hwae (Triad Society, sworn to put +down the Manchoos).</p> + +<p>"The office-granting scheme has met the greatest success. The ambition +of every petty farmer in the country is to train a son who is clever at +his books, and, aided by his richer clansmen with the means to travel to +the capital, has a chance of becoming one of the country's grandees; and, +by a far-seeing device, the emperor grants antecedent honours; so that if a +son is honoured, the father is honoured—that is to say, if a Chinese, by +merit and skill, succeeds in raising himself to a mandarinate of the +highest class, becomes, to speak equivalently, an earl or a duke, the father +of that fortunate grandee, although performing on the homestead the +functions of a cow-herd, becomes ennobled also; the honours, in short, are +retrospective from the son to the father, not forward, hereditarily, from +the father to the son.</p> + +<p>"And it has been by these means that the system of Tartar rule has +become to be liked by the people. They overlook the villanous extortions +which the sons have to practise on the people to elevate themselves. They +are blind to all, and simply determine that the end justifies the means. +There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> is a general fling around of stolen sugar-plums, he being happiest +who, in the scramble, gets the largest handful."</p></div> + +<p>The enormous multitude of victims slaughtered during +the progress and maintenance of the Manchoo dynasty +will never be known by Europeans; though—judging by +all authentic records of their invasion of China, its constant +rebellions against their authority, and the murderous +rule they have exercised—the destruction of life considerably +outnumbered the hosts sacrificed in the track of +the greatest destroyers of the human species upon record, +from Alexander the Great to Genghis-Khan. The barbarity +of the Manchoo rule is unparalleled in ancient or +modern history; while the fiendish nature of their punishments +by torture—especially those for treason—and +the records of the "board of punishments," instituted by +them, constitute the blackest spot in the annals of +mankind.</p> + +<p>Upon the character of the last great rising of the +Chinese against their oppressors, the Ti-ping rebellion, +the Bishop of Victoria, in 1854, wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The finger of Divine Providence appears to us signally conspicuous +in this revolution. The moral, social, and political condition of China was +almost hopelessly wretched and debased. Its whole system of government, +of society, and religion, was to be broken up, remodelled, reconstructed, +and renewed. In looking about for an agency available for such an end, +the mind was depressed and perplexed. The government was corrupt, the +scholars were feeble and inert, the gentry were servile and timid, the +lower classes were engrossed in the struggle for subsistence, the whole +nation seemed bound hand and foot, with their moral energies paralyzed, +their intellectual faculties stunted, and their civil liberties crushed beneath +the iron gripe of power and the debasing influence of sensuality. Political +subjection to an effete despotism, and addiction to opium, had enervated +the national mind, and rendered the Chinese helpless as a race.</p> + +<p>"From themselves no reformer seemed likely to arise. Their canonized +virtue of filial piety was perverted and abused as the grand support of +despotism. But it is in this state of perplexity and despondency that we +turn to survey the present movement, its chief actors, and its accomplished +results; and beholding we admire, and admiring we thank God for what +our eyes are privileged to see."</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> This strong tendency of the Chinese to combine and organize is well +noticed in "Impressions of China," by Captain Fishbourne, at pages 415 +to 418.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Alluding to the establishment of the Tartar Budhism.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> The badge of slavery imposed by the Manchoo Tartars upon their +conquest of China.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> The form of head-dress and insignia of nobility introduced by the +Manchoos.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Referring to the elaborate and merciless laws of treason and disaffection +established by the Manchoos.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Wan-theen-seang would not submit to the Mongols, and was slain +by Kubla Khan.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> One of the adherents of the Sung dynasty, who, on being seized by +the Mongols, refused to eat, and so died.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Killed himself when the Ming dynasty was irretrievably lost.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Lost his life in fighting for the Ming cause (1644).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> "Allusion to an expression in the Book of Diagrams, under the +Këen diagram, or five and nine, where it is said that 'the dragon flies up +to heaven,' which means that a new monarch is about to ascend the throne +of China.—<i>Translator.</i>"</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The Ti-pings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> A mace is worth about 5<i>d.</i></p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Shanghae to Han-kow.—River Scenery.—Silver Island.—The Salt Trade.—Nin-gan-shan.—Tu-ngliu.—Its +Auriferous Soil.—Kew-kiang.—River +Scenery.—The Yang-tze River.—The Braves of Hankow.—Chinese +Politeness.—Manchoo Policy.—Fire and Plunder.—A Chinese +Rudder.—Scenery around Ta-tung.—Appearance of the Country.—Chinese +Chess.—Perilous Adventure.—Crew of Mutineers.—Critical +Position.—Gallant Rescue.—Explanation.—Alarm of Pirates.—Plan +of Operations.—Its Advantages.—The Result.—Another Alarm.—"Imperialist" +Pirates.</p></div> + + +<p>After remaining two idle weeks at Shanghae, our +vessel was ordered to Han-kow. This coincided +exactly with my wishes, for, as we should pass Nankin, +and possibly communicate with its garrison, it would be a +good and early opportunity for me to become acquainted +with the position of affairs, and the best and easiest +method of fulfilling the object of my commission from +the Chung-wang. Accordingly, with a limited cargo, and +a good supply of coals, we weighed anchor again, and +started upon our voyage up the great river, "the Son +of the Sea."</p> + +<p>We had but a rough time of it at first, for after leaving +the mouth of the river—so wide that, but for the large +island of Tsung-Ming in the centre, land is not visible +from either side—we only reached the Lang-shan crossing, +the most difficult navigation of the river, at night. It +therefore became necessary to anchor, and a gale coming +on from seaward, what with its fury, and the strength of +a four-knot flood tide, we passed a remarkably unpleasant +night; and, after continual apprehension of parting our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +cables and drifting ashore, found in the morning that we +had dragged our anchors nearly a mile.</p> + +<p>The banks of the river about its embouchure are +bordered by highly-cultivated fields, in some parts covered +with low wooded land. The banks are increased and +elevated under a regular system, the peculiar formation +of the overhanging trees giving a pleasing and verdant +aspect to the country. The numerous sand-banks about +the Lang-shan hills on the north bank, and the town and +hills of Fu-shan on the south, render that part of the +navigation of the river (known as the Lang-shan Crossing, +the channel taking a sharp turn towards the Lang-shan +hills) particularly dangerous. Several fine vessels have +been lost, and one, the <i>Kate</i>, a new steam-ship, became +a total wreck there while engaged upon her first voyage. +She ran ashore, and in a moment the immense strength of +the tide capsized her, when, sliding off the sand-bank, she +sank in deep water, many of the crew and passengers +losing their lives, while the whole valuable cargo, including +a large amount of specie, went to the bottom.</p> + +<p>The dangers of the deep, or rather the shallow, are +not the only perils of this part, for it is infested with +pirates and robbers of every description. Sometimes they +are rebels, sometimes fishermen, and sometimes large +piratical vessels from the coast; but more frequently still +they are Imperialist war-junks, whose crews, though consisting +of government troops and sailors, are pillagers of +the most ruthless description. At the time I made my +first voyage up the Yang-tze-kiang, piracy, and murder of +the crews, of the smaller European vessels engaged in the +river trade, were of frequent occurrence. In fact, a ship +scarcely ever made a voyage without being attacked.</p> + +<p>The river scenery from Lang-shan to the city of Chin-kiang +(115 miles), the first of the river treaty ports, for +the greater part is flat, the surrounding country being +of a low alluvial soil. It is, however, of a much more +attractive description than might be supposed. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> +cultivated parts are embedded amongst luxuriant foliage, +and the infinite variety of the smaller species of tree gives +a variegated and shadowy appearance to the scene.</p> + +<p>I have found some parts of really exquisite beauty. +A thick border of trees, bushes, and bamboo seems to +form a complete barrier to approach from the river, but at +last a small creek appears running directly through this +wall of vegetation: for some little distance this is completely +shrouded and arched in by the luxuriant growth +of osier and small weeping-willows; but then a break in +the vista discovers, through a network of foliage, a small +lake of pure limpid water, whose sides are bounded by +fruit-trees and highly cultivated gardens; while a snug +little homestead, enveloped in flowering creepers, and +half-buried by shrubs of Asiatic beauty, peeps out from +amidst the surrounding mass of forest. I have come +unexpectedly upon many little nests like this; the very +suddenness with which they burst upon one being of itself +charming.</p> + +<p>At Chin-kiang the current is of great velocity; and, +while attempting to steam round the south end of "Silver +Island," we were literally overpowered by its strength, +and swept down the river; but, trying the north end, +we found a little more protection, from the formation of +the river bank, and managed to pass the critical point.</p> + +<p>Silver Island is a most picturesque and exquisite spot. +It rises directly from the centre of the river to a height +of some 400 feet. It is completely covered, from the +river's brink to its very summit, with a rich display of +every variety of Chinese vegetation. One of the most +important Joss-houses (Budhist temples) in the empire +is situated at the foot of this island, the interior filled +with images of every devil and divinity the Chinese +religious calendar contains; and besides all these monstrous +representations, a modelled menagerie of every +kind of wild animal known to the Chinese zoographer. +A goodly number of Budhist priests are attached to this +place, whose time is principally devoted to the cultivation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +of the island (the whole of the trees, plantations, and +flowers having been raised by them), and to keeping up a +ceaseless beating upon several drums to soothe the great +fish they believe carries the world on its back, and so +prevent it wriggling and producing earthquakes; which +are caused, they say, whenever the drums throughout the +world are silent, and the "Joss" fish cannot hear the +beat of one.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<img src="images/i137.jpg" width="900" height="526" alt="SILVER ISLAND. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption">SILVER ISLAND.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>At Chin-kiang is established a corps of the foreign +mercenaries of the Imperialist maritime customs, an +organization patronized by the British government as a +means of securing the indemnity money guaranteed in +payment of the British expenses for a war undertaken to +avenge the capture of the opium-smuggler <i>Arrow</i>, and +apparently to facilitate the opium trade in general.</p> + +<p>Upon an island a few miles above Chin-kiang I found +some capital deer-shooting. I brought down several, and +found them of the hog-deer species, with large tusks. +Great flocks of wild duck and teal were plentiful all over +the river, and our guns kept the table well supplied.</p> + +<p>Some eighteen miles above Chin-kiang we came to a +great salt mart, a large village on the north bank, named +E-ching. On the opposite side of the river we observed a +considerable body of Ti-pings marching in the direction of +Chin-kiang, which city was already invested. Although +many hills in the neighbourhood of Chin-kiang were +occupied by the Ti-pings, I was unable to communicate +with them, our stay at that place being so short. E-ching +is the emporium for the salt trade with the interior. +Here the large junks from the coast discharge their +cargoes, which are then stored ashore, and when disposed +of to merchants from the distant provinces, re-shipped +in river junks, and carried up the Yang-tze.</p> + +<p>The salt trade is a government monopoly, from which +they reap enormous profits; and if the British government +had made war upon China for the purpose of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +establishing a trade in that article, and not in opium, +they would, instead of destroying and demoralizing them, +have conferred a vast benefit upon the Chinese, and +benefited themselves.</p> + +<p>Salt at E-ching, upon an average, is of the same +price as the common rice (the staple article of food in +China), seldom selling for less than three taels (one +pound sterling) per picul (130 pounds weight). A few +hundred miles farther up the river, though of the commonest +and dirtiest sea description, it is frequently sold at +more than double that price. Of course, where an article +of such immense and important consumption is declared +contraband, and monopolized by the government, a large +amount of smuggling exists. Until the Yang-tze-kiang +was opened to foreign trade, little, if any, smuggling was +effected upon its waters; but upon the advent of Europeans, +many of them made large profits by secretly +conveying salt, even sometimes in their steam-ships, +while numberless sailing craft—usually the semi-European, +semi-Chinese lorchas—were solely occupied in this +illegal traffic.</p> + +<p>Soon after passing E-ching we came upon the Ti-pings +at a place in the vicinity of Nin-gan-shan, a village some +short distance inland, formed by a sharp bend of the +river to the northwards. This elbow they had just fortified +with a rather heavy, formidable-looking battery. +The guns, however, were very inferior, being of the usual +clumsy Chinese make and fitting. The river at this point +was considerably reduced in width, being little more than +half a mile across, and the south bank being formed of +cliffs, some two hundred feet high, and being also in the +hands of the Ti-pings, rendered the position highly +favourable. From this point both sides of the river were +in Ti-ping possession; therefore, whenever we required to +stop we could do so, and land with perfect safety and +immunity from insult.</p> + +<p>Above Chin-kiang the country gradually assumes a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +more massive and imposing formation. High ranges +of mountains are visible inland, and in some places +descend even to the river's edge; while generally the +country becomes of a more undulating, diversified appearance. +In the neighbourhood of Nin-gan-shan the hilly +part of the soil presents strong indication of auriferous +qualities. I afterwards went over the spot with an old +Californian miner, who declared the place was full of +gold; but, unfortunately, we had no time to try it.</p> + +<p>At Nankin I remained but a short time, barely +sufficient to obtain the necessary permit from H.M.S. +<i>Centaur</i>, stationed there to represent the British interests +at the Ti-ping capital. The <i>Centaurs</i> seemed on good +terms with the Ti-pings, for their ship was crowded with +them. Several boats put off from the shore with provisions +for sale, and one official came on board with a +request for us to remain and trade. This was impossible, +for though we much wished it, and though the foreign +merchants were entirely dependent upon the Ti-pings for +silk, and a great proportion of tea, yet the British government +in its Elgin treaty (June 1858, by articles IX. +and X.), had completely placed a veto upon trade with +them; though afterwards they asserted that the Ti-pings +would not trade. Of course, had we attempted to trade +as the Ti-pings desired, we should have been seized and +prevented by H.M.'s representative on board the <i>Centaur</i>, +for breaking the treaty with the Manchoo emperor of +China.</p> + +<p>After purchasing a few fowls and some eggs, we proceeded +on our voyage to Han-kow.</p> + +<p>Some forty miles above Nankin we passed between +the East and West Pillars, two immense masses of rock +nearly a thousand feet high, and projecting, with a sheer +descent, some little distance into the river. Both were +in the possession of the Ti-pings. The summits were +fortified, and at the foot of each strong batteries were +erected. These two giant sentinels are termed by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +Chinese the gates of the upper river; beyond them the +flood tide ceases to be perceptible.</p> + +<p>When off the city of Tu-ngliu some 380 miles from the +mouth of the river, we were compelled to seek a sheltered +anchorage, and to remain there several days through +stress of weather. Even at such a considerable distance +inland, the storms are sometimes so violent, and the +waves of the river so disturbed, that smaller vessels are +unable to brave their fury; the swiftness of the current +adding considerably to the danger.</p> + +<p>The sheltered nook we sought already contained a +weather-bound vessel. Our fellow-captive proved to be +an English schooner upon a trading cruise about the +river. She was manned by Chinese sailors, but the +owners and another European were in charge. The three +days we remained at anchor passed pleasantly enough, +our position being perfectly sheltered, and the boisterous +state of the river affecting us but little; while each day +we visited the schooner's people, or they came to us.</p> + +<p>I made several shooting trips ashore with our companions, +and we always returned well rewarded for our +trouble, the place literally swarming with pheasants. +The country was mostly of a low hilly formation, and +being uncultivated, the hills, full of low shrubs and gorse, +made a capital cover. We shot pheasants even in the +farm-yards of the few houses about, and the inhabitants +told us we might catch them at night roosting all round +their dwellings. My companions from the schooner, who +had been in California and Australia, declared the hills +about Tu-ngliu contained gold; they also stated the +whole river was full of it, and showed me some large +specimens they had washed at a place named Hen +Point, some twenty miles below the city of Ngan-king.</p> + +<p>We fully intended to test the Tu-ngliu soil, but the +weather clearing rendered necessary our immediate +departure.</p> + +<p>Some miles before reaching the treaty port of Kew-kiang,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +we passed a remarkable rock termed the Little +Orphan. Several hundred yards in circumference at the +base, at the distance of thirty fathoms from the north +bank of the river it rises perpendicularly about four or +five hundred feet. The summit is crowned by Budhist +temples and idols, the only communication being by +means of a stair cut in the sides of the rock by the +priests. When passing this singular place once afterwards, +my Chinese crew informed me no European could +ascend the rock and live, it being protected by some +Chinese demon, or genii, peculiarly averse to "foreign +devils."</p> + +<p>A few hours before arriving at Kew-kiang we passed +the entrance to the Poyang Lake, a channel considerably +broader than the river itself. The clear transparent +waters of the lake afforded a pleasing contrast to the +thick and muddy current of the river, and we steamed +about a mile into it, for the purpose of obtaining a good +supply and filling all our available casks. The appearance +of this lake is magnificent in the extreme. Lost in +the far distance, its limpid surface is surrounded by tall +impending cliffs, in some places terminating abruptly at +the margin of the water, while in others the intervening +space is filled up with a most luxuriant growth of under-wood, +overshadowed by the bending branches of gnarled +and giant trees. The numerous valleys formed by the +hills contain the summer resting-places of many of the +Chinese nobility, whose handsome palaces fill every +appropriate situation. The cloud-enveloped summits of +one high range of mountains on the western shore, are +crowned with eternal snow, presenting a most fantastic +appearance, and affording many a wild and weird theme +to Chinese romancers.</p> + +<p>Kew-kiang we found in the direst state of confusion. +The Imperialist troops had declared their determination +to massacre the hated "Yang-quitzo," or drive him off +their soil; and all the European residents were blockaded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +in their quarter. An English gunboat, and one of the +large merchant steamers, were lying off the concession, +prepared to render their assistance and protection, and +when we arrived, at the request of the consul—who +expected his consulate would be attacked again that +night,—we moored in a position where our guns would +prove effective in case of danger. The night, however, +passed off pretty quietly, and the braves only made a +further demonstration by smashing the few remaining +panes of glass they had left whole upon a former assault. +A day or two previously they had made a grand attack +upon the settlement, destroyed several new buildings of +the merchants, and very nearly demolished the British +Consulate; but when the residents, in self-defence, were +compelled to shoot a few of them, they retreated for the +time. The mandarins, as at all the river ports, pretended +they could not control their soldiers; whereas, they +deliberately set them on, to try and prevent the settling +of the Europeans, and the fulfilment of the treaty.</p> + +<p>Some of the river scenery between Kew-kiang and +Han-kow is wild, and really sublime in its grandeur. In +many places huge masses of mountain rise steeply out of +the channel to more than a thousand feet. At one part +an immense cliff, named Ke-tow (Cock's Head), overhangs +the stream, its base washed by the waves; while, moving +under its shadow, innumerable flocks of shag, startled by +the passing vessel, rose from their nests in the time-worn +crevices, and eddying round and round overhead, +produced a loud rushing noise from their myriads of +wings, while the shrill discordant cries they uttered, +increased by the singular note of the great "Bramley +kites," reverberated with a thousand echoes from the perforated +and honeycombed face of perpendicular rock. If +a musket be fired near Ke-tow, the very air becomes +blackened by an immense multitude of birds issuing from +the cliff, while the noise of their cries is perfectly deafening. +Their number is so prodigious that one might fairly +suppose all the birds in China were congregated together +at this place.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<img src="images/i145.jpg" width="900" height="524" alt="KE-TOW. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption">KE-TOW.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>A <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>little further on, another magnificent view of the +river is found, where, between high impending mountains, +at Pwan-pien-shan (the Split Hill) it is darkly imprisoned. +The hills in this neighbourhood are covered with wild +tea, and numerous limestone quarries are burrowed along +their sides. Wherever the mountains retreat from the +river the intervening country is profusely cultivated, and +the sloping sides of the hills, covered with a rich and +varied semi-tropical foliage, sweep down to the low land. +The distant pagodas, marking with their carved and +many-storied, time-worn, monumental sculpture, the +site of some town or anciently celebrated locality—the +occasional village, partly hidden in some half-sequestered +spot—the curious but ingenious apparatus of the fisherman +on the river's brink, with his reed hut here and +there peeping through the rushes of the bank—the +peasants toiling and irrigating the paddy-fields—the +bright Eastern sun, and clear sapphire sky, above the +changeful bosom of the "Son of the Sea," now rushing +between massive rocky walls, then bursting into lake-like +fulness, studded at intervals with a low and feathery +reed-topped or cultivated rice-waving island—and the +waters, tipped with the snowy wings of the passing +vessels—all these are objects which produce a landscape +surpassingly beautiful. China has been termed "a vast +and fertile plain;" but, I believe, a trip up the Yang-tze +will show as diversified and grand a scenery as almost +any part of the world.</p> + +<p>But then comes a dark side of nature, for this is truly +a land where "all save the spirit of man is divine." +Throughout all these beauties of country one must tread +with care, for it is a land of enemies; all through the +Yang-tze's course we experienced nothing but aggravating +annoyance and insult from the Imperialists; wherever +they were, landing became not only disagreeable, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +dangerous. This was a drawback of serious importance, +but one which would have ceased to exist were it not for +the policy of the British government, which, by preventing +the success of the friendly Ti-pings, and strengthening +the Imperialists, has perpetuated the evil.</p> + +<p>In order to avoid the strength of the tide, we were +obliged to keep close in to the bank, while at the same +time we kept a stand of muskets and fowling-pieces well +loaded to check our dastardly aggressors.</p> + +<p>Although Kew-kiang was bad enough, at Han-kow +we found confusion worse confounded. It was simply +impossible to pass through the streets except in parties of +four or five, well armed. The British consul, Mr. Gingall, +had gone out with some of the petty local authorities to +mark a ground for the consulate and British concession, +but with his marine guard received such a heavy stoning +from the <i>braves</i> and populace, that they were compelled +to beat a speedy retreat. A placard had been posted by the +<i>braves</i>, threatening to massacre all the European residents +upon a certain date; this was succeeded by an official +proclamation from the Chinese governor, calling upon +the soldiers to remain quiet, because the "foreign devils" +were to be "hired and used" to fight the Ti-ping rebels, +after which his excellency would employ his <i>braves</i> to +drive those "barbarians" out of China. At the time, I +paid but little attention to this, looking upon it as a piece +of the usual Chinese bravado; recent events, however, +have led me to think otherwise. One part of the proclamation +has been fulfilled, it remains to be seen whether +the other will succeed.</p> + +<p>While passing through a public street one evening, a +<i>brave</i> made a spring at me from a narrow side alley; +fortunately, I carried a coat on my arm, and throwing +this up, received the blow of his short sword without +injury. I was of course armed, and before my assailant +could repeat the blow, his arm was arrested by a Colt's +revolver ball. Several <i>braves</i> were collecting, but when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +they saw the fate of their leader, and found me armed, +they "skedaddled" pretty sharply.</p> + +<p>Some Europeans did not escape so easily, but were +brutally murdered. Nearly a year later affairs were but +little improved, for a Mr. Little, of Dent & Co.'s, was +severely maltreated without having given the slightest +provocation; and several of the firm's junks were seized +and carried off by the <i>braves</i>. This was avenged by +H.M. gunboat <i>Havoc</i> seizing and burning the gunboat +whose crew had beaten Mr. Little. The Chinese officials, +with their usual policy of exciting the people against +Europeans, posted proclamations, and gave out as a fact, +that the English had fastened all the <i>braves</i> they caught +to the gunboat, and burnt them alive. I explored the +country in every direction, within a radius of twenty-five +miles around Han-kow, upon shooting excursions, and I +invariably found, that wherever the natives were distant +from Imperial troops, or officials, they were kind and +courteous to Europeans. I entered numerous villages to +rest and obtain refreshment, and at many received polite +and dignified invitations from some of the people to enter +their dwellings. I must say, the Chinese are one of the +most polite and well-behaved people I have ever met. +Although bursting with curiosity to ascertain my country +and business, I never found them guilty of the slightest +rudeness, or annoying inquisitiveness; upon the contrary, +they would wait until their etiquette of presenting tea, +etc., had been observed, and then, pretending to be unconcerned, +commence their inquiries indirectly. With all +this, I could not fail to notice the half-dubious, half-disliking +style of their manner;—the universal result of +their government's misrepresentation, and the stringent +orders which they received to treat Europeans as barbarians +unworthy of civilized (Chinese) treatment or consideration. +Can we not remember the sort of treatment +foreigners received till lately in China, upon the following +Manchoo maxim of intercourse with Europeans?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The barbarians are like beasts, and not to be ruled on the same +principles as citizens. Were any one to attempt controlling them by the +great maxims of reason, it would tend to nothing but confusion. The +ancient kings well understood this, and accordingly ruled barbarians by +misrule. Therefore to rule barbarians by misrule is the true and the best +way of ruling them."</p></div> + +<p>It was on this principle that all the benefits of Chinese +law were denied Europeans; so that, even in cases of +<i>accidental</i> homicide, they were required to be delivered +up, not for trial, but execution.</p> + +<p>Sir John Davis, formerly governor of Hong-Kong, +wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The rulers of China consider foreigners fair game; they have no +sympathy with them, and, what is more, they diligently and systematically +labour to destroy all sympathy on the part of their subjects, by representing +the strangers to them in every light that is the most contemptible and +odious. There is an annual edict or proclamation displayed at Canton at +the commencement of the commercial season, accusing the foreigners of the +most horrible practices, and desiring the people to have as little to say to +them as possible."</p></div> + +<p>Although at the present time British subjects are not +delivered up to be executed by Manchoos, and although +Europeans are not defamed and attacked so openly as +was the case previous to the late wars, the government is +every bit as industriously maligning them to its subjects, +and striving <i>all in its power</i> to prevent free trade or intercourse. +Why are the Manchoos so inveterately embittered +against foreigners? is the natural question. Certainly +not because they are unable to appreciate the benefit of +trade; they love their own interests too well to be averse +to the only remaining prop to their rule—trade with +foreigners, and consequent help to crush the rebellion. +But the truth is, with unmistakeable foresight they see +that the free contact of their Chinese subjects with European +nations will eventually ruin <i>them</i>; they know their +rule is hated and unrighteous, and they know that +wherever the people become enlightened and improved, +<i>their</i> murderous gripe will be torn from the throat of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +nation. While liking our trade, they hate our communion! +The latter they have reason to dread, though not if they +can always succeed in obtaining our military aid against +the effects of our intercourse, as they have done in the +case of the Ti-ping rebellion.</p> + +<p>At Han-kow I left the steamer, to take command of a +new schooner belonging (nominally) to the same owners. +As her interior accommodations were not quite finished, I +took a small house until such time as she should be completed. +While residing ashore, I suffered from an attack +of fever—a complaint very prevalent amongst Europeans +in China—that at one time seemed almost certain to +destroy my life.</p> + +<p>One night when convalescent, but still very weak, I +was aroused by a strong smell of fire; in a moment +almost, thick volumes of smoke rushed into the room, and +I heard the loud crackling of burning wood close at hand. +Getting from my bed, and hurrying some clothing on +as quickly as possible, I got to the door of my house, and +found the next one in a complete blaze, and my own just +igniting. My servants no sooner opened the back door +and attempted to save my property, than a crowd of <i>braves</i> +rushed in and commenced to plunder all they could lay +hands on. I was too weak to do much, but, taking a +sword, endeavoured to drive them off; I followed one a +few paces from the door, and thrust at his body, but was +too weak to hurt him much, and the point of my weapon +glanced on his ribs; the fellow did not even drop his +booty, but successfully made off with all the bedding. +Fortunately at this juncture assistance from some neighbouring +European residents arrived, or I should have lost +everything. With their help and that of the coolies, the +greater part of my things were saved, but much had been +carried off by the "Imps." The origin of the fire was attributable +to the incendiary acts of the Imperialist soldiers, +who had set fire to the adjoining house, as also to an European +dwelling, out of malice, and hatred of the "foreign devils."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span></p> + +<p>For the few days before taking up my quarters on +board the schooner, a friend kindly accommodated me. +I then engaged a Greek seaman as mate, shipped a +Chinese crew, a Malay boatswain, and prepared to leave. +Our voyage progressed very favourably until we reached a +place a little below the treaty port Kew-kiang, where, +although hitherto dropping down with the tide at the +rate of three or four miles an hour, my course was +abruptly arrested for several days. Between Kew-kiang +and the mouth of the Poyang Lake is situated a large +island, and instead of taking the usual channel, my stupid +Chinese pilot preferred the other side of the island. In +consequence of this, when about half-way past, stem on +we went, and stuck hard and fast aground. After a tiresome +day's work we managed to get afloat again in about +six inches more water than the schooner was drawing, +and then made fast for the night. In the morning, after +sounding in every direction, and finding the only channel +very shallow, and as intricate as the maze at Rosherville +Gardens, I obtained a fisherman from the shore, who, for +the consideration of a few strings of cash, piloted us out; +our own pilot being perfectly ignorant of his duties. I +have since found it a common thing for Chinamen who +have spent all their lives sailing about the Yang-tze river, +to be utterly unacquainted with its pilotage.</p> + +<p>Through this affair, the vessel's rudder became injured, +and we had barely cleared the island, making sail to a +fresh breeze, when away it went.</p> + +<p>It now became necessary to bring up for repairs: so +picking out a creek with a village named Chang-kea-kau +at its entrance, I ran the schooner into it, anchored, and +sent ashore for carpenters to make a new rudder. In +about a week's time, the village blacksmiths and carpenters +managed to turn out a contrivance they termed a rudder; +but of all the rudders I ever saw it beat them hollow. +They could neither make round bolts, nor long bolts: so +instead of bolting the rudder together, they fastened the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> +first part to the rudder-post with huge square nails (they +could only cut square holes in timber, having no tool to +bore large round ones), and the second part to the first, +and the outside piece to the second, with huge iron clamps +driven on at the sides: the whole concern stuck and +plastered together with lumps of iron bands and braces +in every direction, in a way that none but a Chinaman +could contrive.</p> + +<p>With immense exertion of mechanics, I managed to +get this monster shipped in its place, after which I was +enabled to make sail and proceed.</p> + +<p>At the city of Ta-tung, about 150 miles above +Nankin, and fifty below Ngan-king, the capital of Ngan-whui +province, I anchored for three days. This city is the +chief salt mart up river, all the salt from E-ching coming +there, previously to being distributed over the country. +The scenery about Ta-tung is very fine—lightly wooded +hills gradually rising, range after range, far into the interior. +I took a ramble ashore with Philip, my mate, to +hunt up some game; our way lay over ridges of low hills +covered with a forest of dwarf firs, none over six feet +high, mingled with specimens of the smallest of all small +trees, the dwarf oak. This Lilliputian forest was succeeded +by a tangled undergrowth, and fine plantation, which compelled +us to pursue the narrow tracks leading through it. +During our progress we were often startled with the loud +whirr of the pheasant springing from almost under our +feet, and although the high cover made it difficult to get +a shot, we obtained several brace. At last we came to a +more open part of the hills, where the forest was succeeded +by wild flowers and shrubs, while small lakes were frequent +in the valleys below us. The hills became higher +and more rocky, the few trees about them being of large +size,—in fact, the tallest I have seen in China. From the +rocky nature of the country, and the running appearance +of the chain of lakes, I fancied a large spring was somewhere +in the neighbourhood, and I was right; for, after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +following a beautiful and gradually ascending valley some +distance, we came to a cold mountain spring of the purest +water I ever tasted in China. We threw ourselves upon +the grass and drank the pure mountain draught to our +heart's content, and, while resting ourselves, inhaled the +powerful aromatic odour of the wild magnolia growing in +profusion around. The magnolia is the only flower I have +found in China possessing fragrance, all others, however +beautiful, being without perfume. Whilst rolling on the +turf we had observed some birds, apparently of the duck +species, fly overhead in the direction of some tall trees +through a gorge on the hills; it being the middle of summer, +these birds excited our curiosity, and we determined +to follow them and if possible get a shot. When we +arrived at the foot of the trees, to our surprise we saw +many of these duck-like birds flying in and out of nests +among the branches; we shot three brace and a half, and +found them to be the beautiful and delicious little wood +or summer duck. When I returned on board, I instantly +sent some of my crew ashore with a small cask to fill at +the spring, and ever afterwards I remembered that cool +water and its romantic valley.</p> + +<p>The few villages about seemed very poor; they had +continually been visited by Ti-ping or Imperialist soldiers, +and this, of course, had proved disastrous to the inhabitants, +for we all know what hungry <i>disciplined</i> troops are +in an enemy's country, but few of us realize the effect of +<i>undisciplined</i> Chinese. The houses, however, had not +been destroyed, and the only mark of the Ti-pings was +the remains of a large Budhist temple, each separate +brick, as usual, being broken to pieces, so that nothing but +heaps of rubbish remained. The people spoke very vengefully +about the visits of the Imperialist troops, who, they +said, had used their women shamefully, and killed several +of the husbands and fathers who had attempted to defend +them. The Ti-pings, they informed me, had treated them +well, and had only made them contribute provisions for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +the army; one soldier having used violence to a girl, had +been decapitated, and they showed me the place where +his head had been exposed. They also spoke very kindly of +one leader of the Ti-pings, the Ying-wang, who had allowed +nothing to be taken from them without payment for it.</p> + +<p>During my voyage in the schooner, I became acquainted +with the Chinese game of chess, which, although +resembling that of Europe in a few pieces, and the object +of the game, is in every other particular totally different. +I had several Chinese on board, passengers to Shanghae, +and they taught me how to play.</p> + +<p>The board, instead of being divided into black and +white squares, as with us, is of one colour—generally +black—and divided by lines on which the pieces stand, +and move as shown in the following rules and annexed +diagram:—</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/i155.jpg" width="600" height="635" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">King</span>—Can only move one square at a time, and only straight or sideways +as a castle, neither can he move outside his nine points, nor into a +square exposed to the adverse king from the opposite side of the board, +without any intervening piece.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="smcap">Mandarins</span>, or <span class="smcap">Shields</span>—Can only move within the nine points, one +at a time, diagonally, as a bishop; they take the same way.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Bishops</span>—Can only move upon their own side of the ditch, always +move two points at a time, and take the same way. Their move is +diagonal.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knights</span>—Move and take the same as with us, go all over the board, +but cannot move when the angle at the first point of the move is occupied +by another piece. They cannot jump over a piece as with us, but must +have the road clear.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Castles</span>—Move and take, and have entirely the same value as with us.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Guns</span>—They move only as a castle, but can only take by jumping over +an intervening piece.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Pawns</span>—Move one point at a time, straight forward, take the same +way, and when they cross the ditch, can take and advance, forwards or +sideways, like a castle; but still only one point at a time. They cannot, +however, move backwards. It requires a move of the pawn, and half a +move of the knight, to cross the ditch. Castles and guns can go as far +beyond as willing in one move.</p></div> + +<p>I passed close to the Nankin fortifications, but did not +anchor, as I saw quite sufficient to guide me in joining +the Chung-wang there without stopping; the place being +evidently open and easy of access.</p> + +<p>At Chin-kiang I heard terrible rumours of pirates, +about the Lang-shan crossing and entrance of the river; +and the more the deeds of the pirates were talked about, +the greater embellishment they received from the imagination +of the narrator, so that, at last, bad as they certainly +were, the deeds attributed to them would never have been +recognized by the perpetrators themselves.</p> + +<p>With all the exaggeration, the danger was really too +great to be despised, and I made arrangements to sail +down to Shanghae in company with two European vessels +also bound there, one a fore and-aft-French schooner, the +other an American lorcha.</p> + +<p>The first night after leaving Chin-kiang, being in +advance of my consorts, I observed an English schooner +right ahead, with her ensign flying union down. At +the time I made her out she was scarcely half a mile +distant, and the moon shining brightly upon her, with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +my glasses I easily distinguished her signal of distress. +As we approached each other from opposite directions, in +a few minutes we had closed to within speaking distance; +so, rounding to, I hailed to know what was the matter. +I could only faintly distinguish, in reply, "Come on +board; I will anchor."</p> + +<p>After passing me by a few hundred yards the +strange vessel brought up, and lowering a boat, I +proceeded to board her, leaving my Greek mate to +bring the schooner a little closer, and then anchor. +Before getting alongside I noticed two Europeans on +the quarter deck of the schooner, waiting to receive me, +and to my surprise saw they were both armed. As this +looked suspicious, when under the shadow of the vessel's +side I loosened my revolver in its sheath. When I +reached the gangway, I observed many of the Chinese +crew watching my approach, and all, apparently, in a +state of excitement. This put me upon my guard still +more, for it was evident something was wrong; and, +coupling the appearance of things with the signal of +distress, that something was most likely dangerous. +I ascended the gangway ladder with caution, and well I +did so, for my head had scarcely appeared above the rail +when a Chinaman made a rush at me with both hands +stretched out, evidently intending to push me overboard. +Thanks to my watchfulness and sailor training, I was +able to meet this attack successfully, in spite of my +awkward situation. Clinging to the side ladder with my +knees, I quick as thought ducked my head and shoulders +inboard, seized my assailant round the waist before he +could take hold of me, and, aided by his own impetus, +threw him clean over my head into the river. He uttered +one cry as, plunging into the fierce and turbid tide of the +Yang-tze, he disappeared for ever. This passed within +two seconds, and, drawing my revolver, I sprang on board +before several other Chinese rushing to the gangway could +reach me. The sudden display of the hollow barrel within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +a couple of feet, and pointing straight at the head of the +foremost, checked them, and at that moment the whizzing +of a bullet amongst them, accompanied by the sharp +crack of a rifled pistol, and followed by the appearance of +the two Europeans at my side, drove them back.</p> + +<p>The whole crew, however, seemed springing from +every direction, some from the hatchways, some from +forward, and some from aft; and with the usual gesticulation +of Chinese about to fight, commenced stripping +themselves of their outer clothing, and uttering fierce +crys and yells to encourage each other.</p> + +<p>I had barely a moment to receive the explanation of +the schooner's captain, who thrust a spare cutlass into +my hand—that a mutiny had taken place, and having +secured the ringleader he wished me to carry him down +to Shanghae in irons—when the crew were upon us. +Jumping and yelling like a legion of fiends let loose, they +hurried towards us, brandishing the bamboo spears and +the knives they had armed themselves with. For a +moment we hesitated to fire upon them, but that +moment's delay very nearly cost us our lives. Thinking +they possessed no firearms, we believed we could awe +them into submission with our revolvers. Suddenly one of +them jumped forward and discharged two heavy horse +pistols point blank at me and the captain of the schooner. +The din of the report, the smoke, and our surprise, combined +with an indefinite sort of feeling (upon my part at +least) that we were half blown to pieces, caused a moment's +inaction almost fatal to us. The whole of the crew, some +eighteen or twenty, rushed forward. Fortunately the +captain (who I imagined was the mate) of the vessel, +being farthest away from the discharge of the pistols, +was not in the least startled, but firing at the man who +held them, brought him to the deck, and then discharging +several shots amongst the crowd, gave me time to recover +myself.</p> + +<p>I did not feel wounded. My next perception was, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +I was engaged with half a dozen men pushing fiercely +at me with their spears. For some seconds I defended +myself desperately with the cutlass, successfully warding +all their thrusts, actually forgetful of the revolver I held +in my left hand. I was soon reminded of its use by +another man coming towards me, pointing a huge pistol +like the first two that had so nearly finished me. This +entirely recalled my presence of mind, and bringing my +revolver into play, I had the satisfaction of seeing him +fall in the smoke. At the same instant, however, the +slight distraction had nearly proved successful to my spear +assailants; one transfixed me, as I thought, though afterwards +it appeared I was barely scratched, and the transfixing +sensation was caused by the spear tightly pinning +my clothes, while before I could parry it, another made +a thrust full at my breast. With no time to sweep my +cutlass round, I dropped it, and seized the spear-haft +within an inch of my body, at the same time using my +revolver and shooting the man. Before I could level at +another enemy, the man whose spear was fast in my +clothes abandoned it and closed with me. Over and over +we rolled on the deck. I was unable to use my pistol, +and he to use his knife. My left wrist was firmly grasped +by his right hand, while my right hand was fully engaged +restraining his left, armed with a large dagger.</p> + +<p>While struggling on the deck I saw several Chinamen +approaching with uplifted spear, to slaughter me in my +helpless condition, but each time I had seen the schooner's +mate jump over me, exclaiming, as he thrust with his +sword, "Lā, lā," and each time I had seen an enemy fall. +At last I received a severe blow on the head, and, half-stunned, +felt my antagonist releasing his left hand. Just +at this moment I was sensible of some one dragging himself +along the deck close to me, and ere I could distinguish +who or what it was, my revolver was taken from my hand, +the Chinaman who had hitherto been holding it abandoned +his grip, and knocked my right hand from his left.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> +Instead of feeling his knife pierce me, a pistol was discharged, +so close that the flash singed my hair, and the +Chinaman fell motionless across me.</p> + +<p>From the effect of the blow I had received, and the +shock of the near report, I lay for a moment unable to +move. I was then aroused by the mate of the schooner +dragging the Chinaman off me and assisting me to rise, +exclaiming, "Eh, monsieur capitaine, hope I, be gar! +vous have no die—Zese sacré—all dead, all run down le +fond de calle—de hole, be gar!"</p> + +<p>When I recovered my feet, I saw the deck was +deserted, except by ourselves and seven or eight Chinamen +lying dead or wounded, and the captain of the +schooner, who was sitting on the deck with my revolver +in his hand—for he it was who had so opportunely +rescued me from my antagonist.</p> + +<p>Upon examining the captain, we found he had received +a severe-looking wound from the first discharge, a ball from +one of the horse pistols having struck his breast, and then, +glancing, passed through the fleshy part of his left arm.</p> + +<p>Of the prostrate Chinese four were dead and four +severely wounded. All this happened in far less time +than it takes to read it, and just as it was all over +my two consorts arrived, and the vessels being anchored +close alongside, their owners came on board to ascertain +the cause of all the noise and firing.</p> + +<p>The Frenchman whom I had taken for the mate of +the schooner, proved to be part owner of her. She was +from Shanghae, and bound to Chin-kiang with a cargo of +sundries and opium. When close to the Lang-shan crossing +the crew were observed to be acting very suspiciously, +and the <i>lowder</i> (Chinese captain) having altered the course +of the vessel, to steer her away to the northern entrance +of the river, a favourite haunt of pirates, the captain +and owner at once determined to seize and make him a +prisoner, rightly suspecting that they had shipped a crew +in league with the pirates.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> + +<p>Arming themselves, they went on deck and immediately +seized the <i>lowder</i> at the helm, one making him +fast while the other threatened him with instant death in +case of resistance. Directly the crew saw this they seized +up boarding-pikes, hand-spikes, &c., and commenced +rushing aft to attack them; but while the captain kept +them off with a levelled rifle, the owner, putting his +revolver to the <i>lowder's</i> head, swore to blow his brains +out if the crew advanced another step.</p> + +<p>This had the desired effect, for the <i>lowder</i> quickly +called to his colleagues to desist, who at once retired to +the fore part of the vessel, leaving their leader in the +hands of the Europeans.</p> + +<p>After they had been sailing for several hours up the +river in this position, they met me; and during their +occupation, when I was boarding them, the crew had +managed to release the <i>lowder</i>, and made the attack upon +us to try and capture the vessel, well knowing the fate +which awaited them at Shanghae as pirates.</p> + +<p>Had it not been for the prowess and dexterous swordsmanship +of the owner, the Chinamen, although with great +loss, would undoubtedly have overpowered us. The +Frenchman had been maître d'armes in a French regiment, +and more than nine killed and wounded were due +to his sword, for, besides those left on deck, five or six +who had fled below were wounded. Poor fellow! some +little time afterwards he was killed by pirates, almost +upon the scene of our encounter, when, after bravely +defending himself alone on the deck of his vessel against +a host of assailants, and killing sixteen with his own +hand, the pirates, unable to overcome his splendid swordsmanship, +retired to their own vessel and killed him by +throwing stink-pots<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> upon him.</p> + +<p>We dressed the captain's wounds as well as we were +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span>able, and after throwing the dead overboard, and permitting +the Chinese to dress their own wounds, we made +them all fast; and, remaining by the schooner all night, +we had the satisfaction of seeing her taken in tow for +Chin-kiang, by a passing river steamer, in the morning.</p> + +<p>After this, in company with my consorts, I weighed +anchor and proceeded on my voyage to Shanghae. Towards +dusk we came within sight of the Lang-shan hills, +and as it would have been dangerous to attempt the +crossing at night, especially in the vicinity of pirates, we +determined to anchor until daylight.</p> + +<p>About midnight, I and the mate were alarmed by the +look-out man, who rushed into our cabin, singing out—"Jen-dow-li! +Jen-dow-li!" (Pirates coming! Pirates +coming!)</p> + +<p>Jumping out of our berths we hurried on deck, turning +all the crew out to get the schooner under weigh.</p> + +<p>Rather more than a quarter of a mile up river we +observed two heavy junks, and as we were lying to the +ebb tide, they were right straight ahead. As they were +so distant, and apparently peaceful, people not so experienced +as ourselves would never have taken the slightest +alarm, and consequently would have become an easy prey.</p> + +<p>I perceived at a glance the <i>modus operandi</i> of the +junks ahead—they had anchored exactly abreast of each +other, but some distance apart; they had then run out a +stout rope from the bow of one to the other, and having +waited for a dark and favourable opportunity, had weighed +their anchors and were now dropping down upon us with +the tide, rapidly and noiselessly, hauling in the rope on +board either vessel as might be necessary, intending to +let it catch across our bows or cable, and thus be swept +alongside instantaneously by the strong tide, when their +crowds of men could board and make short work of us. +Many a vessel unsuspicious of this cunning device has +been easily captured, when otherwise she might have +beaten off the pirates, or escaped through superior sailing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>Getting under weigh, I determined to drop down with +the tide according to the plan of the pirates, as it was +likely by that means my movement would for some little +time remain undiscovered and give me an opportunity to +close with my consorts, anchored more than a mile +below.</p> + +<p>The moon having just gone down, and the night become +quite dark, my design succeeded admirably, and I +lessened the distance between myself and allies by at +least three quarters of a mile before the pirates gave any +sign that they had discovered they were not closing with +me. At last, however, we could dimly discern their +spreading foresails through the darkness, as they made +sail in chase; I was not slow to follow their example, and +Philip and myself having armed, prepared to go on board +our consorts, they carrying guns, while our vessel mounted +none. The only danger was, that our friends might +not be keeping a look-out, and that we should have +no time to prepare them for defence, or get the guns +ready.</p> + +<p>We were soon relieved on this point, for our pursuers +had the kindness to open fire upon us, and so effectually +arouse the crews of the other vessels.</p> + +<p>From the loudness and rapidity of the reports, I knew +our antagonists were of the formidable west coast class +(Ti-mungs), mounting ten or a dozen 12 to 32-pounders. +I had but little fear of the result, however, if once on +board our friends' vessels, for I knew they each carried +two long nines, which well worked—and two of us were +good gunners—would soon put the pirates to flight.</p> + +<p>The cannonade had only lasted a few minutes, when I +perceived the sails of my two consorts close by. I instantly +put the <i>lowder</i> in charge of my vessel, and +directing him to steer directly after us, took six of my +best men in the boat, and pulling to our allies, left my +mate and three of the crew on board one of them, and +took the other three on board the second with myself.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>According to pre-arrangement, I took charge of the +operations. The plan I determined upon was to concentrate +our fire upon one of the attacking vessels, and to +manœuvre so as to bring her into the centre of a circle, +the radius of which would be described by our two vessels +and the other pirate ship. If this could be carried out, +we would be in a position to keep one of the enemy's +vessels in the way of the other,—or that one which might +be in the centre of the circle, between the fire of its consort +and our vessels. Hailing my schooner, I ordered her +to keep away in the opposite course until I should open +fire, and then to sail back and follow in my wake. This +ruse had the desired effect, for while one Ti-mung bore +away to engage the schooner, the other seemed inclined +to follow our two fighting ships, and act as a cover to her +consort's attack.</p> + +<p>In a short time we had the satisfaction to bring the +two Ti-mungs nearly in a line; and to prevent my own +vessel getting too far away and thus running the risk of +being carried by the board before we could come to her +assistance, we opened fire immediately. The advantageous +position we had obtained soon became evident; our opponent +mounting about ten broadside guns could of course +only fire five at a time, and as both the vessels under my +charge carried swivel guns, we could reply with four; the +only chance the pirates possessed to overmatch us, was by +engaging each of our armed vessels, when the odds would +have been more than double in their favour. This, however, +they neglected to do, and while one was chasing my +schooner,—that now having tacked was following us +round in a circle,—and unable to bring a gun to bear on +her, having nothing but broadside guns mounted, we were +particularly engaged with our more immediate adversary, +and completely sailing round her. The pirates' firing +was bad and ineffective, not one shot in twenty striking +us. I knew that, generally, vessels of the Chinese could +only fire their guns with any aim when directly abeam;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +therefore the continual change of position I compelled +her to observe, sadly interfered with their shooting.</p> + +<p>In a short time the accuracy of our firing commenced +to tell, and our antagonist hauled off to join his consort, +making signals to her at the same time. The latter at +once abandoned the chase of my schooner, and bore down +to assist her companion. I now saw a good opportunity +to finish the combat; both vessels were approaching us, +and we were steering straight to meet them; I therefore +loaded with a double charge of grape and canister, and +running down upon them, when within fifty yards, luffed +right across their bows, and with our heavily charged +guns raked them fore and aft.</p> + +<p>It was too dark to see the result of that discharge, +but we heard quite enough yelling to convince us it +had proved sufficiently destructive to both vessels. The +pirates, after a confusion in which it would have been easy +to carry them had we had any men to board with, hauled +off, and crowded on all sail to escape. This they might +not have been permitted to do so easily; but while following +them to bestow a few parting shots, the vessel I +was on board ran bang ashore. This at once put an end +to further pursuit; besides, the Ti-mungs could float in +less than half the water we could, by reason of their flat +and shallow build. I warned off our other two vessels, +and both instantly lowered their sails and anchored while +they could. Running a line out to one of them, we soon +hove off the bank; as we were getting amongst the Lang-shan +shoals, the only thing to be done was to remain at +anchor quietly till daylight. We came out of the action +with a loss of only one man killed,—his head had been +smashed with a round shot,—one wounded by a splinter, +one with a grape-shot lodged in his seat of honour, and a +pet monkey, belonging to the captain of the vessel I was +on board, missing. The loss of the pirates must have +been heavy, especially from the salvo of grape and +canister at close quarters.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>The engagement had barely lasted half an hour, and +upon its favourable termination we spent the remainder +of the night, or rather morning, in glorification, winding +up with a well-spread morning supper. We might fairly +have expected we had had enough of pirates for one +voyage, yet it was not so, and we were to see more of +them before reaching Shanghae.</p> + +<p>The morning broke dim and foggy, so thick, in fact, +that we were unable to weigh anchor and proceed till late +in the day. In consequence of the thick weather, we +chose the north channel to pass the Lang-shan crossing, +as there we could find good soundings to steer by. We +had been following this for some time, and the day had +become one of that unsettled changeable kind, leaving +us at one moment in the centre of a dense fog, and anon +in the midst of a perfectly clear spot surrounded by thick +banks, when, during a momentary glimpse of clear +weather, a large fleet of Chinese trading junks passed us +on their way up the river from Shanghae.</p> + +<p>These junks reported that they had been attacked +by pirates only a mile or so below, and that two of +their number had been captured; the pirates, they said, +were in long low boats, imperceptible in the fog until +right alongside. This put us upon the <i>qui vive</i>; +Philip and myself still remained on board the armed +vessels, and sending my schooner on ahead, we followed +her, one on each quarter. The fog again closed in upon +us, and we had progressed but a very short distance when +we heard a tremendous outcry from on board the schooner +just ahead: it was so thick, that we were unable to discern +anything, but we could plainly hear the Chinamen +yelling out that they were attacked by "Jen-dow."</p> + +<p>I was just about ordering a gun to be fired to frighten +the pirates off, when, before I could give the order, we +heard a splashing of oars, and the next minute bang +went a gun within half a dozen yards, and a charge of +grape or canister hissed and hurtled about our ears. I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +barely time to jump off the gun I was sitting upon, depress +it to the lowest limit, and fire it off with the cigar +in my hand, when the long narrow boat I had laid the +gun for—just issuing from the dense fog into the space of +a few feet, within which anything could be distinguished—crashed +alongside, full of the dead and dying. Every +man in that boat seemed stricken, but we had no time for +observation, for the instant she touched our side—probably +torn to pieces by the grape and langridge—she +turned over and sank. From the noise of oars all +round us, it appeared as though many boats were rapidly +pulling away; only one more came in sight, just sufficiently +to receive a dose from the foremost pivot gun, after +which she disappeared in the mist. In a few minutes +the fog considerably lifted, and there in the distance we +saw a squadron of the Imperialist gunboats—of the +smallest size—pulling inshore as fast as they could. If +instead of employing British gunboats against the Ti-pings, +the British authorities had sent them against these, +they might have rendered a real service, for many a poor +fellow has lost the number of his mess, slaughtered by +these murderous wretches, who subsequently became the +comrades of British officers and sailors in the waters of +both Ningpo and Shanghae. The fog clearing, without +further adventure or mishap, we safely reached our +destination.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> An earthenware jar filled with a suffocating combustible, forming +a very formidable weapon. It is thrown as a hand grenade.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Fall of Nankin.—Manchoo Cowardice.—Immense Booty.—Sir George +Bonham's Arrival at Nankin.—"The Northern Prince."—The +Ti-pings fraternize.—Sir George Bonham's Dispatch.—The Ti-ping +Reply.—Further Communication.—Its Friendly Nature.—Ti-ping +Literature.—Its Religious Character.—Bishop of Victoria and Dr. +Medhurst's Opinions.—Ti-ping Publications.—The New Testament.—Monarchy +Established.—Occupation of Nankin.—A Fatal Mistake.—Imperialist +Advantages.—Advance of the Ti-pings.—Manchoo Operations.—The +Tsing-hae Army.—The Retreat.—Tien-wang's Mistake.—His +Opportunity Lost.—Manchoo Tactics.—Imperialist Outrages.—Ti-ping +Moderation.—The Triad Rebels.—They Evacuate Amoy.—Captain +Fishbourne's Description.—Triads Capture Shanghae.—Imperialist +Aggressions.—Jesuits' Interference.—The French attack the +Triads.—Shanghae Evacuated.—British Interference.—Its Consequences.</p></div> + + +<p>Upon the 19th of March, 1853, after a short siege of only +eleven days, Nankin, the ancient capital of China, fell +into the hands of the Ti-pings. Considering the importance +of the city, and the strong garrison it contained, its capture +was effected very easily. It was attacked from the river, +upon the northern side, and while one division sprang a +mine under the north-east angle of the wall, another blew +down the I-Fung gate, both storming together and carrying +the city with but little resistance. The Chinese troops +in garrison are stated to have numbered about 15,000, +though, considering the unusually large proportion of +Tartar troops, it is probable their strength must have been +greater. They made scarcely a show of opposition to the +stormers, many taking to flight and escaping through the +south and west gates, or surrendering and joining the +Ti-pings. The Manchoo troops of the Eight Banners are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> +estimated to have mustered at least 8,000, and including +their families, not less than 20,000. Yet these men, who +had already, in the wars with Great Britain, shown they +could fight well and bravely, and who were now in a +position to offer a stubborn defence, were killed with +hardly an effort to defend themselves. It might naturally +have been expected that, for the honour of their nation, +for their emperor, for their wives' and their children's, +and their own lives, in fact, for everything dear to them, +they would at least have made a determined resistance. +They well knew from the insurgents' proclamations, and +their previous acts, that they would meet with little +mercy, but seemed to have been completely paralyzed, +and neither able to fight nor flee, throwing themselves on +the ground before the victorious Ti-pings and crying +"Oh Prince, Prince, spare us! spare us!"</p> + +<p>Two days after the capture of Nankin, the Tien-wang +announced by proclamation that he had established his +court and seat of government there.</p> + +<p>It is believed the Ti-pings were materially assisted in +the capture of the city by confederates within the walls, +who lighted signal fires and created confusion; while the +fact of their finding confederates everywhere, even in the +Imperialist camps, to post their proclamations with +impunity, proves the wide-spread popularity of the movement +at that time. With remarkable celerity, within +twelve days after the capture of Nankin, the principal +adjoining cities were taken and garrisoned. Chin-kiang, +Yang-chow, and Kwa-chow fell into the hands of the +Ti-pings without opposition, the garrisons having fled with +precipitation on their approach.</p> + +<p>The capture of these important cities was even of more +moment than that of Nankin; for Chin-kiang being +situated at the southern entrance of the Grand Canal into +the Yang-tze, and Kwa-chow at the northern, gave them +entire command of the canal itself, the great medium of +communication between the southern provinces and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +capital, and the route by which all the grain supplies were +conveyed to the north. Immense booty was captured at +these places, and conveyed to Nankin. At the latter city +the military chest that fell into their hands alone contained +about Ł120,000 sterling; while the stores of rice +and provisions were enormous. At Kwa-chow they captured +more than a thousand junks laden with tribute +grain on its way to Pekin by the Grand Canal.</p> + +<p>The singular panic of the Manchoos was probably +caused by their fear of a retributive Providence having +overtaken them for the indiscriminate slaughter of the +Chinese by their ancestors; for in no other way is it easy +to account for the helplessness with which they resigned +themselves to their fate at Nankin.</p> + +<p>The Chinese people at this time seemed to look upon +the success of the rebellion as certain. Distant cities +commenced to send tribute to the Tien-wang, and a +deputation from Hang-chow was directed by the Ti-ping +authorities to return, as they were not in want of +money, and did not wish the people of Hang-chow to +become compromised; thus displaying a praiseworthy +consideration for their countrymen, whose fate they well +knew would be sealed if they fell into the power of the +Manchoos after offering allegiance to themselves.</p> + +<p>Exaggerated reports of the Ti-ping successes had +reached Shanghae, and it was rumoured they were on the +point of attacking that city. In consequence of this, and +to undeceive the Ti-pings with regard to the Manchoo +proclamations which were diligently circulated, stating +the foreign "barbarians" were about to send their war +ships against the insurgents at Nankin, Sir George +Bonham, H.M.'s plenipotentiary in China, decided to pay +a visit to Nankin, partly to explain the British intention +of <i>perfect neutrality</i>, and partly to ascertain the extent, +creed, and objects of the revolutionists.</p> + +<p>Before leaving Shanghae a meeting was held at the +British Consulate, to consider the course of policy to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> +adopted in the event of an attack by the insurgents. +Captain Fishbourne, R.N., senior naval officer upon the +station, reports:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The question was raised as to whether we should undertake the +defence of the city. Sir George Bonham, however, decided that it was +incompatible with the line of policy he had determined on."</p></div> + +<p>It is only a pity that later British representatives have +not been influenced by a similar sense of justice.</p> + +<p>With these views Sir George Bonham embarked on +board H.M.S. <i>Hermes</i>, and started for Nankin on the +22nd of April, 1853. The first appearance of the Ti-pings +is thus described by the commander of the ship:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The sight which met our eyes on our fairly opening Chin-kiang-foo to +view was a very striking one. Their scouts had evidently sent forward +the news of the approach of an enemy, which had flown like lightning +almost, and had called up armed warriors in all directions to resist attack. +The river-side for a full mile was lined by batteries and stockades, which +were all occupied by men in red head-dresses—some with red belts, and +dresses made parti-coloured by a large patch on each man's breast and back, +with the badge of the Taeping-wang's army. Thousands, again, were +occupying the heights, waving hundreds of banners in defiance. Many +others were crowding down towards the river-side as if to be the first in +the fight, should we attempt to land, or to support those in the forefront. +Here and there were to be seen men in red or yellow hoods, and capes of +the same colour, on horseback, galloping along the lines, their standard-bearers +and guards hurrying after them as best they could, all evincing an +enthusiasm and a unity of purpose that proved them something more than +mere hirelings."</p></div> + +<p>Upon the arrival of the <i>Hermes</i> at Nankin, she +anchored outside gun-shot from the batteries, in order to +avoid misunderstandings, she having been fired upon at +Chin-kiang by the Ti-ping forts, when she was followed +closely by an Imperialist flotilla, which took advantage of +her proximity to lead the Ti-pings to believe that she was +one of the foreign vessels of war they had stated in many +proclamations were engaged to assist them. Mr. Meadows, +of the consular service, accompanied by Lieutenant Spratt, +proceeded on shore for the purpose of negotiating a meeting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> +between Sir George Bonham and the chief authorities +at Nankin.</p> + +<p>Mr. Meadows was received in the northern suburb of +Nankin by the Northern Prince, and the Tien-wang's +brother, the Assistant Prince. In his report of the communication +with these two chiefs, he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"But I also explained, as authorized, the simple object of his (Sir +George Bonham's) visit; viz., to notify the desire of the British government +to remain <i>perfectly neutral</i> in the struggle between them and the Manchoos, +and to learn their feeling towards us, and their intention, in the event of +their forces advancing towards Shanghae.</p> + +<p>"To all this the Northern Prince listened, but made little or no rejoinder; +the conversation, in so far as directed by him, consisting mainly +of inquiries as to our religious belief, and expositions of their own. He +stated that, as children and worshippers of one God, we were all brethren; +and after receiving my assurance that such had long been our view also, +inquired if I knew the heavenly rules (Tien-teaou). I replied that I was +most likely acquainted with them, though unable to recognize them under +that name; and, after a moment's thought, asked if they were ten in number. +He answered eagerly in the affirmative. I then began repeating the +substance of the first of the Ten Commandments, but had not proceeded +far before he laid his hand on my shoulder in a friendly way, and exclaimed, +'The same as ourselves! the same as ourselves!' while the simply observant +expression on the face of his companion disappeared before one of satisfaction, +as the two exchanged glances.</p> + +<p>"He then stated, with reference to my previous inquiry as to their +feelings and intentions towards the British, that not merely might peace +exist between us, <i>but that we might be intimate friends</i>. He added, we +might now, at Nankin, land and walk about where we pleased. He +reverted again and again, with an appearance of much gratitude, to the +circumstance that he and his companions in arms had enjoyed the special +protection and aid of God, without which they would never have been able +to do what they had done against superior numbers and resources; and +alluding to our <i>declarations of neutrality and non-assistance to the Manchoos</i>, +said, with a quiet air of thorough conviction, 'It would be wrong for you +to help them, and, what is more, it would be of no use. Our Heavenly +Father helps us, and no one can fight with Him.'"</p></div> + +<p>Captain Fishbourne, of the <i>Hermes</i>, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Meanwhile the news soon spread amongst the insurgents that we were +brethren, and numbers came immediately to fraternize. They appeared +much pleased at our wearing our hair long in front like themselves, and +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span>without tails.... Numbers continued to flock on board, and as the +question of friendliness was settled, we weighed, to move closer to the city +walls, whilst many of the insurgents fell into the capstan to assist, and seemed +to enjoy it all as great fun. In a manner <i>quite unlike any Chinese we had +ever met</i>, they at once met us on the most friendly terms, and remained so +the five days we were there. * * *</p> + +<p>"29th (April). Again the decks were crowded with visitors; some, on +going down amongst the men, observed some josses (idols) that they had +picked up as curiosities, some of them from Rangoon, and intimated by +gestures that these were very bad and useless. They conducted themselves +in a frank and friendly way towards all; their bearing was quite different to +that of any Chinese that we had ever met; so much so, that our men remarked +it; and had any one asserted ten days previously that so many hundred +Chinese would have been on board, and yet nothing have been stolen, not +one in the ship but would have said, 'It is impossible.'"</p></div> + +<p>A slight misunderstanding having occurred with +regard to the unceremonious style in which the Ti-ping +chiefs replied to the first letter sent to them immediately +upon the arrival of the <i>Hermes</i>, Lae, a secretary of state, +proceeded on board to arrange matters for Sir George +Bonham's reception. This was settled to take place the +next day; but he, apprehending difficulties in the way of +ceremonial might perhaps interfere with the good feeling +then existing, sent an excuse, accompanied by the following +dispatch, which was delivered by Captain Fishbourne +and Mr. Meadows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +"<i>Hermes</i>, off Nankin, April 30, 1853. +</p> + +<p>"I received yesterday your message conveyed through the ministers +sent on board for that purpose, to the effect that you were willing to receive +me in the city, in the event of my being desirous of paying you a visit. It +was at first my intention to see you on shore, but the weather and other +circumstances prevent my doing so, and therefore I have to convey to you +in writing the sentiments I should have communicated to you verbally, had +I visited you. These sentiments are to the following effect."</p></div> + +<p>After stating the position of the British nation with +regard to the Manchoo government, the existence of the +treaty and trading regulations, &c., the dispatch goes on +to say:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Recently, however, it came to my ears that a contest was going on +between the native Chinese and the Manchoos, and that you, the Eastern +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span>Prince, had taken Nankin. A variety of reports connected with the +subject were in circulation, and certain of the Manchoo authorities had +issued a proclamation to the effect that they had borrowed the services of +ten or more steamers of Western nations, which would proceed up the +Yang-tze to attack your forces. This is altogether false. It is the established +custom of our nation <i>in nowise to interfere with any contests that may +take place in the countries frequented by our subjects for commercial purposes</i>. +It is therefore <i>totally out of the question</i> that we should now in +China lend the services of our steamers to give assistance in the struggle. +Of the lorchas hired by the Manchoo authorities, and the square-rigged +vessels purchased by them, I know nothing. British merchant vessels are +not allowed to hire out their services for such contest; but I cannot prevent +the sale of vessels, the private property of British subjects, any more +than I can prevent the sale of cotton manufactures or other merchandise."</p></div> + +<p>Again the dispatch states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In short, it is our desire to remain <i>perfectly neutral</i> in the conflict +between you and the Manchoos."</p></div> + +<p>This guarantee of neutrality would have effected much +good, and avoided much evil, had it been acted up to; but +unfortunately such was not the case—it did not suit the +policy of England to act on that occasion in the same +manner as when the Confederate steam rams were seized +in the Mersey.</p> + +<p>Sir George Bonham's dispatch was carried ashore by +Captain Fishbourne, who was received by several chiefs, +whom he thus describes:<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The appearance and bearing of all those men gave me the idea that +they were clever, decided, and determined; and from the constant solemn +appeal to heaven to witness their assertion, or in reference to their belief, +they showed themselves to be under a settled conviction that their mission +was from thence."</p></div> + +<p>The following dispatch is the reply of the Ti-ping +chiefs to Sir George Bonham's:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We, Prince of the East, Yang, the Honae teacher, and the master +who rescues from calamity (an ecclesiastical title), Principal Minister of +State, and Generalissimo; and</p> + +<p>"Prince of the West, Seaou, Assistant Minister of State, and also +Generalissimo, both subjects of the Celestial dynasty, now under the sway of +T'aí-ping, truly commissioned by Heaven to rule; hereby issue a decree to +the distant English, who have long recognized the duty of worshipping +Heaven (God), and who have recently come into the views of our royal +master, especially enjoining upon them to set their minds at rest and +harbour no unworthy suspicions.</p> + +<p>"The Heavenly Father, the Supreme Lord, the Great God, in the +beginning created heaven and earth, land and sea, men and things, in six +days; from that time to this the whole world has been one family, and all +within the four seas brethren; how can there exist, then, any difference +between man and man? or how any distinction between principal and +secondary birth? But from the time that the human race has been influenced +by the demoniacal agency which has entered into the heart of man, +they have ceased to acknowledge the great benevolence of God the Heavenly +Father in giving and sustaining life, and ceased to appreciate the infinite +merit of the expiatory sacrifice made by Jesus, our Celestial Elder Brother, +and have, with lumps of clay, wood, and stone, practised perversity in the +world. Hence it is that the Tartar hordes and Elfin Huns so fraudulently +robbed us of our celestial territory (China). But, happily, our Heavenly +Father and Celestial Elder Brother have from an early period displayed +their miraculous power amongst you English, and you have long acknowledged +the duty of worshipping God the Heavenly Father and Jesus our +Celestial Brother, so that the truth has been preserved entire, and the +Gospel maintained. Happily, too, the Celestial Father, the Supreme Lord +and Great God, has now of His infinite mercy sent a heavenly messenger +to convey our royal master the Heavenly King up into heaven, and has +personally endowed him with power to sweep away from the thirty-three +heavens demoniacal influences of every kind, and expel them thence into +this lower world. And, beyond all, happy is it that the Great God and +Heavenly Father displayed His infinite mercy and compassion in coming +down into this our world in the third month of the year Mowshin (1848),<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +and that Jesus our Celestial Elder Brother, the Saviour of the world, +likewise manifested equal favour and grace in descending to earth during +the ninth month of the same year, where, for these six years past, they +have marvellously guided the affairs of men, mightily exhibited their +wondrous power, and put forth innumerable miraculous proofs, exterminating +a vast number of imps and demons, and aiding our Celestial Sovereign +in assuming the control of the whole empire.</p> + +<p>"But now that you distant English have not deemed myriads of miles +too far to come and acknowledge our sovereignty, not only are the soldiers +and officers of our celestial dynasty delighted and gratified thereby, but +even in high heaven itself our Celestial Father and Elder Brother will also +admire this manifestation of your fidelity and truth. We therefore issue +this special decree, permitting you, the English chief, to lead your brethren +<i>out or in, backwards or forwards, in full accordance with your own will or +wish</i>, whether to aid us in exterminating our impish foes, or to carry on +your commercial operations as usual; and it is our earnest hope that you +will, with us, earn the merit of diligently serving our Royal Master, and, +with us, recompense the goodness of the Father of Spirits.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore we promulgate this new decree of (our sovereign) T'aí-ping +for the information of you English, so that all the human race may learn +to worship our Heavenly Father and Celestial Elder Brother, and that all +may know that, wherever our Royal Master is, there men unite in congratulating +him on having obtained the decree to rule.</p> + +<p>"A special decree, for the information of all men, given (under our +seals) this 26th day of the 3rd month of the year Kweihaou (1st May, +1853), under the reign of the Celestial dynasty of T'aí-ping."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> +<p>With a faithfulness above all praise, the Ti-pings +have never broken their promises, and although the +British government have thought fit to repudiate theirs, +still, with an integrity really wonderful, the Ti-pings, +although they might fairly have done so, have never +retaliated. Had ministers of enlightened mind, or even +ministers of honour, taken advantage of that clause of +the Ti-pings' line of conduct—and which in spite of the +British hostilities has remained unaltered—to go "out or +in, backwards or forwards," how great a result would +have been attained for themselves, and how glorious a +future of freedom and Christianity for the Chinese!</p> + +<p>Sir George Bonham, it appears, took umbrage at some +imaginative want of respect in the dispatch of the Ti-ping +chiefs; still, the following extracts from a communication +received from Lo-thai-kang, commander of Ti-ping forces +at Chin-kiang, the Triad chief who joined the society of +"God-worshippers" in Kwang-si, should have appeased +his indignation:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We humbly conceive that when the will of Heaven is fixed, man +cannot oppose; and when views and feelings are correct, corrupt imaginations +cannot interfere therewith; hence it is that honest birds select the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>tree on which they roost, and that virtuous ministers choose the sovereign +whom they intend to serve. But, alas! these false Tartars have displayed +their unruly dispositions, in fraudulently depriving us of our lawful patrimony; +at home they have injured the subjects of our state, and abroad +they have warred against foreign states. On a former occasion your +<i>honourable</i> nation, with upright views, marched into our territory, for +which you had doubtless good and sufficient reason; but the impish +Tartars opposed your entrance, <i>which the inhabitants of China viewed with +displeasure</i>; but now our royal master has received the command of Heaven +to punish offenders, <i>to show kindness to foreigners</i>, and <i>harmonize</i> them with +the Chinese, <i>not restricting commercial intercourse</i>, nor levying transit +duties on merchandise, while he leads forward his martial bands, to the +number of hundreds of myriads, overcoming every opposition; from which +it is clear that the period has arrived when both Heaven and man unite in +favouring his design, and faithful and brave warriors exert themselves on +his behalf. But these fiendish Tartars, finding their strength gone, and +their resources exhausted, have attempted to drive on your <i>honourable</i> +nation to exert yourselves in their behalf, unabashed by the recollection +that, <i>on a former occasion, when matters went easily with them, they made it +their business to oppose you; and now, when they are in extremities, they +apply to you for succour, wishing to set our two nations at variance, in order +to avail themselves of any advantage arising therefrom</i>. This, we presume, +is already seen through by you.</p> + +<p>"We remember, moreover, how on a former occasion we, in conjunction +with Bremer, Elliot, and Wanking (?), in the province of Canton erected a +church, and together worshipped Jesus, our Celestial Elder Brother. All +these circumstances are as fresh in our recollection as if they had happened +but yesterday."</p></div> + +<p>It is utterly impossible that anything could have been +more satisfactory than this first communication with the +Ti-pings. Not only were all their documents couched in +the most friendly manner, affording a striking and total +contrast to those of the Manchoo; but in practice as well +as theory their conduct was excellent. They substituted +for the old and insulting epithets, "barbarian" and +"foreign devil," hitherto applied to all Europeans, the +kindlier appellation of "foreign brethren;" while instead +of assuming the repellant and exclusive manner of the +Imperialists, they evinced the warmest friendliness and +most candid demeanour. So pleasing was their conduct +generally, that all persons having communication with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +them were unanimous in expressing their favourable +impressions. Captain Fishbourne, describing his visit in +the <i>Hermes</i>, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It was obvious to the commonest observer that they were practically +<i>a different race</i>. They had Gutzlaff's edition of the Scriptures—at least +they told us so; we know they had twenty-eight chapters of Genesis, for +they had reprinted thus much, and gave us several copies; and some of +them were practical Christians, and nearly all seemed to be under the +influence of religious impressions, though limited in their amount. They +believed in a special Providence, and believed that this truth had had a +practical demonstration in their own case. That though they had had trials +and incurred dangers, these were to punish and to purify. They had also +successes, such as they could have had only by God's special interference. +They referred, with deep and heartfelt gratitude, to the difficulties they +had encountered, and the deliverances which had been effected for them, +when they were but a few, and attributed all their success to God.</p> + +<p>"'They,' said one, speaking of the Imperialists, 'spread all kinds of +lies about us; they say we employ magical arts. The only kind of magic +we have used is prayer to God. In Kwang-se, when we occupied Yung-ngan, +we were sorely pressed; there were then only some two or three +thousand of us; we were beset on all sides by much greater number; we +had no powder left, and our provisions were all gone; but our Heavenly +Father came down and showed us the way to break out. So we put our +wives and children in the middle, and not only forced a passage, but completely +beat our enemies.'</p> + +<p>"After a short pause he added, 'If it be the will of God that our +Prince of Peace shall be sovereign of China, he will be the sovereign of +China; if not, then we will die here.'</p> + +<p>"The man who, in every extreme, spoke these words of courageous +fidelity to the cause, and of confidence in God, was a shrivelled-up, elderly +little person, who made an odd figure in his yellow and red hood; but he +could think the thoughts and speak the speech of a hero. He, and others +like him, have succeeded in impressing with their own sentiments of courage +and morality the minds of their adherents."</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Hermes</i> brought away from Nankin the following +books, which were published and circulated amongst the +Ti-pings, viz.:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +1. The Book of Religious Precepts of the Ti-ping Dynasty.<br /> +2. The Trimetrical Classic.<br /> +3. An Ode for Youth.<br /> +4. The Book of Celestial Decrees.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +5. The Book of Declaration of the Divine Will, made during the Heavenly +Father's Descent (in the Spirit) upon Earth.<br /> +6. The Imperial Declaration of Ti-ping.<br /> +7. Proclamations from Eastern and Western Kings.<br /> +8. Arrangement of the Army.<br /> +9. Regulations of the Army.<br /> +10. A New Calendar.<br /> +11. Ceremonial Regulations.<br /> +12. Book of Genesis, Chap. I.—XXVIII. +</p> +</div> + +<p>These furnished abundant proofs of the Christianity +of the whole movement. Errors, and some very grave, +undoubtedly existed; but although these have been +sometimes animadverted upon in unmeasured terms, the +grand truth that the Ti-pings admitted and recognized +the principal points of the Christian faith, remained. +Yet some persons seemed to imagine the insurrection +totally unworthy of Christian sympathy and consideration, +because their tenets of belief were not perfect; forgetting +that everything must have a commencement, and forgetting +the universally imperfect commencement of Christianity, +even from the time of the Apostles. Those who have +made the religious error of the Ti-pings an argument +against them are not worthy of the smallest attention; +for, although they have been forward enough to declaim +against the struggling Christians, they have been altogether +backward in the slightest attempt to teach them +better. Their own Christianity is scarcely so faultless that +they can afford to consign tens of thousands of professing, +though ignorant, Christians, to destruction; and were +they ever so correct themselves, still less should they be +guilty of so unchristian an act.</p> + +<p>The earnestness with which the Ti-ping government +endeavoured to promulgate the saving Word of God, is +illustrated by the fact, that then, and ever since, they +circulated the Scriptures and all religious publications +entirely free of charge, a circumstance unparalleled in +the history of the world. Captain Fishbourne reports:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Before leaving Nankin they furnished us with many copies of books +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span>which they had published, and of which they appear to have had a large +store, as they circulated them by every possible means; they were seen by +some officers of the <i>Hermes</i> in boats that they <i>had sent off to drift down the +river amongst the Imperial flotilla</i>."</p></div> + +<p>This singular mode of proceeding seems to imply that +even at that early period they recognized the truth of the +Divine promise, "My word shall not return unto me +void," and with a holy simplicity were acting in full +confidence as to the results.</p> + +<p>The Bishop of Victoria, in his estimate of the books of +the Ti-pings, has used the following language:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There are important questions which we have to consider respecting +the character of the religion of the insurgents; <i>e.g.</i>: Are its +doctrines essentially those of the Christian religion? Do the elements of +truth preponderate over those of error? Are the defects, which may be +observable among them, such as constitute a reasonable ground for condemning +the whole movement as one of unmingled evil, and the work of Satanic +power? Or, on the other hand, are they the natural shortcomings of a +body of imperfectly enlightened men, placed in a situation of novel difficulty, +labouring under almost unexampled disadvantages in their pursuit +of truth, without spiritual instructors and guides, with only a few copies of +the Holy Scriptures, and those apparently in small, detached, and fragmentary +portions, with no forms of prayer or manuals of devotion, having +their minds distracted amid the arduous toil of a campaign and the work +of religious proselytism, with no definite views or clear knowledge respecting +the sacraments, the Christian ministry, or the constitution of a +Church—engaged in a struggle for life and death—and yet, amid all these +hindrances and drawbacks, evincing a hopeful, praiseworthy, and promising +vigour of mind and independence of action, in the great undertaking of a +moral revolution of their country?</p> + +<p>"We <i>do not hesitate to assert</i> that ours is the latter and more favourable +view."</p></div> + +<p>The following are the Rev. Dr. Medhurst's opinions of +the same publications. Of one hymn in particular, from +"The Book of Religious Precepts of the Ti-ping Dynasty," +he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"These lines constitute the redeeming feature of the whole book; they +deserve to be written in letters of gold, and we could <i>desire nothing better</i> +for the Chinese than that they were engraven on every heart. This one +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span>hymn is worth the four books and the five classics of the Chinese all put +together:—</p></div> + +<div class="poem"> +"'How different are the true doctrines from the doctrines of the world!<br /> +They save the souls of men, and lead to the enjoyment of endless bliss.<br /> +The wise receive them with exultation, as the source of their happiness;<br /> +The foolish, when awakened, understand thereby the way to heaven.<br /> +Our Heavenly Father, of His great mercy and unbounded goodness,<br /> +Spared not His first-born son, but sent Him down into the world,<br /> +To give His life for the redemption of all our transgressions,<br /> +The knowledge of which, coupled with repentance, saves the souls of men.'"<br /> +</div> + +<p>Of "The Book of Religious Precepts of the Ti-ping +Dynasty," he further says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"This is decidedly the best production issued by the insurgents. The +reasoning is correct, the prayers are good, the ceremonies enjoined (with +the exception of the offerings) <i>are unobjectionable</i>; the Ten Commandments<a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> +agree in spirit with those delivered by Moses, and the hymns are +passable. The statements of the doctrines of human depravity, redemption +by the blood of Jesus, and the renewal of the heart by the influence of +the Holy Spirit, <i>are sufficient</i> to direct any honest inquirer in the way to +heaven."</p> + +<p>"'The Ode for Youth,'" he says, "gives some admirable lessons regarding +the honour due to God, who is the Creator and Father of all. It sets +forth in very clear terms the coming of Jesus into the world for the salvation +of men by the shedding of His blood on the cross, and then goes on to +detail the duties that are required of us as parents and children, brothers +and sisters, husbands and wives, relatives and friends; concluding with +instructions as to the management of the heart and external senses. Altogether +it is an excellent book, <i>and there is not a word in it which a Christian +missionary might not adopt, and circulate as a tract for the benefit of the +Chinese</i>."<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a></p> + +<p>"'The Book of Declaration of the Divine Will, made during the +Heavenly Father's Descent upon Earth,' details the examination and detection +of a traitor, on whom they were about to confer an appointment, +when the Father is said to have come down from heaven in person,<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> on +purpose to arraign and cross-question the delinquent; and having brought +his reason to light, to have returned to heaven.</p> + +<p>"There is no word of their having seen any form; but the idea of the +Father's presence seems to have been impressed upon the minds of the +bystanders.</p> + +<p>"'The Book of Celestial Decrees' purports to be a collection of communications +from God our Heavenly Father, and Jesus our Celestial Elder +Brother. This is little, if anything, superior to the preceding work.</p> + +<p>"Their almanac appears to be in some measure founded upon that +originally prepared for the Chinese by the Jesuits, but prepared by those +who did not know much upon the subject, and therefore they have adopted +366 days, the almanac copied from having been one for leap-year. They, +however, stated in contradistinction to the ordinary Chinese almanac, that +there are not any such things as lucky days, 'as whoever shall with a true +breast reverence the Heavenly Father, the High Lord God, will be looked +upon by Him with complacency, and whatsoever times such please to attend +to their business, will be lucky and fortunate to them.'</p> + +<p>"The book entitled 'The Regulations for the Army of the Ti-ping +Dynasty' is very remarkable for the <i>complete organization</i> which it shows +to exist amongst them, and for the <i>very enlightened regulations</i> it establishes +for the treatment of the people amongst whom they may be.</p> + +<p>"'The Trimetrical Classic,'<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> so called from each line containing only +three words, is a very remarkable document, as evidencing that the writer, +if there was but one, possessed great knowledge of both Old and New +Testament history, of the plan of salvation, and of practical Christianity. +He appears, also, to have much knowledge of Chinese history, and uses it +to guard against the hostility likely to rise amongst Chinese against the +Western nations, from the idea that they were entirely indebted to them +for a knowledge of the true God."</p></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p><p>Although the above reports are very favourable as to +the Ti-pings' religion, still, upon many vital points they +were undoubtedly defective; but to qualify their shortcomings +they subsequently published the Bible in its full +integrity, Old and New Testaments inclusive, copies of +which, with the Tien-wang's Imperial seal, are in possession +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span>of several gentlemen in England.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> Therefore, to +denounce the Ti-ping movement as evil and anti-Christian, +because there exist <i>some</i> errors of belief, is not only most +unjustifiable, but even implies that a person using such +an argument doubts the promised efficacy and result of +God's Word.</p> + +<p>The information gathered up to this time upon the +religion of the Ti-pings is particularly interesting and +satisfactory; and if all Christian men did not feel disposed +to help them, they at least ought not to have interfered +against them; yet such was not the case, for even at that +early period many misnamed Christians, without in the +least <i>personally</i> knowing anything of the movement, very +loudly decried it. Wrongful as this may seem, it only +forms a part of the great psychological problem—why +it is that the minds of men will always, by a vast majority, +follow wrong instead of right?</p> + +<p>The opposition the Ti-ping rebellion has met with +from those whose profession of Christianity should have +made them its friends, can excite no wonder; for, +throughout the history of the world, has truth, freedom, +or Christianity, ever become manifest otherwise than +through a dismal vista of disbelief and bloodshed? It is +a sad reflection, and a proof of our frail, if not vile, +mortality!</p> + +<p>Some few months after the visit of the <i>Hermes</i>, the +French war steamer <i>Cassini</i> proceeded to Nankin; she +brought to Shanghae a reprint of the remainder of +Genesis, of Exodus, and a portion of the New Testament, +consisting of St. Matthew's Gospel, printed from the +version of the Rev. Dr. Gutzlaff.</p> + +<p>This is the first account we have of the New Testament +being seen amongst the Ti-pings, although in some of their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>previous proclamations it had been referred to: it proves +the progress they were making; for many of their errors +were to be attributed to the fact that their belief was +grounded almost entirely upon the Old Testament. The +Ti-pings have been sadly abused for polygamy, &c., +although I do not remember that such facts have been made +a <i>casus belli</i> against the Imperialists; but it must be remembered +that as their laws were framed and already +constituted when the New Testament first came into their +hands, everything required to be altered; therefore +people should recall the maxim of Bacon, "that nature +should be imitated by politicians, in the <i>gradual</i> character +of her changes," and have the justice to admit, that +Hung-sui-tshuen, having made his laws as to marriage, +&c., could not possibly either overturn them at once, or +see any reason to do so until the truth either <i>gradually</i> +dawned upon him, or was inculcated by <i>some of the many +missionaries</i> who overspread China. It seems very remarkable +that <i>none</i> of them ever entertained this idea, +excepting the American, Mr. Roberts, who turned it to no +advantage.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the possession of Nankin entirely +altered the tactics of the Tien-wang. Instead of continuing +his rapid and triumphant march, overcoming the +Manchoos almost by the terror caused by the advance of +his forces, he settled down at what he had decided should +become the capital of his new empire; gathering together +his followers in and about Nankin and the neighbouring +cities. For a month or two the whole Ti-ping forces were +busily engaged drilling, and fortifying the cities they +retained. During the same period, the Tien-wang and his +chiefs were employed constituting a regular government, +with its attendant courts and tribunals.</p> + +<p>The government instituted was monarchical, Hung-sui-tshuen +(the Tien-wang) being the monarch; the other +chiefs, titled Wang, bearing the same relation to him as +royal princes, that E-ching-wang, the Prince of Kung,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +and the Soong-wang (one of the late Manchoo emperor's +uncles) do to the Manchoo dynasty.</p> + +<p>The five principal leaders, besides their rank of Prince, +constituted both the Privy Council and Ministry. Six +boards were formed, similar to those of Pekin, with an +additional one for Foreign Affairs. Yang, the Eastern +Prince, was appointed Prime Minister; Wei, the Northern +Prince, President of the Board of War; Fung, the +Southern Prince, of the Boards of Justice and Finance; +Siau, the Western Prince, of the Civil Office Board and +Ecclesiastic Court; and Shih, the Assistant-Prince, of the +Board of Public Affairs and the Foreign Office.</p> + +<p>The above arrangement was, however, subsequently +altered, in consequence of the increasing extent of the +revolution. The five princes then resigned their inferior +appointments to others, continuing their duties as Privy +Council to the Tien-wang, and Supreme Generalissimos of +the five military divisions, into which their whole rule and +territory were divided. Other chiefs were elected to the +dignity of Wang, with a rank secondary to that of the +Princes, and the whole formed a sort of parliament. All +the important affairs of state, such as the military expeditions +to be undertaken, plans of defence, &c., had first +to receive the sanction of this parliament, and were then +submitted to the Tien-wang for his approval. To a certain +extent, the Tien-wang was despotic in his government, +for nothing could be undertaken without his special +sanction. This rule, although supreme, was still far from +constituting a despotism; and the ultimate decisions +vested in him, have, singularly enough, never created +dissension in council. This is to be accounted for not +only by the fact that his subjects regarded him as endowed +with theocratical attributes, but also to the wisdom of his +mandates.</p> + +<p>As it was impossible, during their belligerent state, to +give full effect to their Civil Boards or officials, the whole +system of government resolved itself into a military one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +pending such time as peace should be obtained, when they +would be at leisure to cultivate the arts and sciences, and +form a legislature upon an entirely civil basis.</p> + +<p>The occupation of Nankin has proved fatal to the +success of the Ti-pings hitherto. Insurrection, of whatever +kind, to be successful, must never relinquish the +aggressive movement; directly it acts upon the defensive, +unless possessing some wonderful organization, its power +is broken. The principal element of revolutionary success +is rapidity of action, and when once this is forsaken, the +consolidated strength of an established constitution is +advantageously brought to bear against rebellion.</p> + +<p>The Tien-wang, by settling down at Nankin and commencing +to defend his position, committed a vital error, +and one that lost him the empire. If, instead of so doing, +and affording his enemies time to rally and recover from +their wild panic, and concentrate their forces, he had +aimed at the one terminal point, Pekin, beyond all doubt, +the very <i>éclat</i> of his victorious march would have carried +him with an almost resistless triumph into possession of +the capital, and the consequent destruction of the Manchoo +dynasty would have given him the empire. The very fact +that for years afterwards, in spite of this unfavourable +re-action, the Ti-pings have been enabled, not only to hold +their own against the Imperialists, but to have utterly +crushed them—had it not been for the intervention of +England—proves how easily they might have followed up +their first advantages.</p> + +<p>Two courses were open to the Ti-pings, either of which, +judging by their career, would have led to the extinction +of the oppressive Manchoo rule. The first was, without a +pause, to have continued their march upon Pekin, abandoning +each city as they seized it, and while enriching themselves +from the captured stores and treasuries, and strengthening +their forces by the crowds of discontented wherever +they might pass, not to have permitted the slightest reduction +of their numbers by detaching isolated garrisons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second would have been to have abandoned +Nankin, and concentrated all their forces in the southern +provinces,—Kwang-tung, Kwang-se, Kwei-chow, and +Fo-keen,—a part of China, more than any other, bitterly +opposed to the Manchoos, and more important still, the +native provinces of the principal Ti-ping leaders. In this +case, the whole of the country south of the Yang-tze river +could in a short time have been completely wrested from +the Manchoos, and then, if unable to obtain the whole +empire, they would at least have established a southern +kingdom in perfect integrity—and how superior this +course of action would have been to the irregular one +they pursued!</p> + +<p>It was not only a great mistake, but a great absurdity +for the Tien-wang to establish a capital, and set up a new +dynasty before accomplishing either of the foregoing +courses.</p> + +<p>Although for several years numbers continued flocking +to the Tien-wang's standard, still, they were not of the +best material; the wealthier classes, directly they found +the revolution paused, paused too, and time showed them +that the obnoxious element was the Christian religion. +So long as the movement, in the earlier stages of patriotic +excitement, was looked upon as a means of overthrowing +the foreign dynasty, it was a national and a popular one; +but as the foreign derived religious character transpired, +the bigoted and proud Chinese naturally began to eye with +suspicion a movement so vast, aiming not only at the subversion +of the reigning dynasty, but of the time-honoured +superstitions, ceremonies, and faith of the nation. The +stationary phase, prejudicial to any revolution, was doubly +so to the Ti-ping, as it fully displayed that the Christian, +or foreign innovation, was as much their profession as the +popular anti-Manchoo feeling; but for this, the whole +population of China would have risen <i>en masse</i> to throw +off the foreign yoke.</p> + +<p>Through our Faith the Ti-pings have heroically, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +until the British <i>Government</i> added their weight to the +adverse scale, successfully maintained an unequal struggle +for years. Should we not then rather have assisted than +opposed them? Why should we, who pride ourselves +upon our superior freedom, oppose the advance of +Christianity, and perpetuate a most corrupt and barbarous +government in Asia—a government more foreign to the +people whom it crushes than the Russian is to the Poles? +Can the British nation sympathize with the rebels to one +and not with those to the other, particularly when the +latter are endeavouring to propagate the Christian faith? +Can the English nation, one of the most Christian and +enlightened in the world, deny all sympathy to those +carrying on the greatest patriotic struggle on record, a +struggle that <i>would</i>, by the admission of many high-minded +missionaries, have Christianized more than one-third +of the human race?</p> + +<p>The Imperialists gained many advantages through the +stationary position of the Ti-pings. Whereas, before, +they contented themselves with following an advancing +and triumphant army, and occupying the towns and districts +as they were evacuated, they were now enabled to +recover from the demoralizing effects of their numerous +defeats, and to concentrate their efforts upon one or two +points. The prestige of success, a great element with +Chinese troops, was for a time lost to the revolutionists, +and the Tartar forces despatched from the north combining +with those lately following at a respectful distance in the +rear of the Ti-pings, soon invested Nankin and Chin-kiang +with apparently overwhelming numbers.</p> + +<p>The blockade of Nankin, notwithstanding the strength +of the investing forces, was neither close nor effectual. +Several expeditionary armies were formed and despatched +by the Tien-wang to raise the country in different directions. +He seems to have reckoned too much upon the +patriotic spirit of his countrymen, besides committing the +error of settling down and attempting to consolidate his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +own power before overthrowing that of the enemy. It +is even very probable, if all these expeditionary armies +had been combined into one and marched upon Pekin, +that that city would have fallen.</p> + +<p>In May, 1853, a small army of about seven thousand +men crossed to the northern bank of the Yang-tze-kiang, +and after defeating a body of Tartar troops who disputed +their passage, proceeded rapidly in a north-west direction, +through the provinces of Ngan-whui and Ho-nan. Kai-fung, +the capital of Ho-nan, the city containing the +only tribe of Jews found in China, was unsuccessfully +attacked.</p> + +<p>Passing rapidly on, the Ti-pings effected the passage +of the Yellow River, and attacked the city of Hwae-king. +Here they were likewise unsuccessful, and a large army +of Imperialists having collected, some from the north, +some from the neighbouring garrisons, and united with +a considerable force that had been detached in pursuit +from the army of observation before Nankin, the siege +was raised, and the Ti-ping line of march to the northward +checked. Diverging to the westward for nearly 200 +miles, they entered the province of Shensi, and on the +4th of September captured the city of Yuen-keuh. This +was the first city of magnitude taken since leaving Nankin, +and the treasure and supplies found at this place proved +very acceptable to the worn and destitute army. They +once more turned northwards, and marched steadily +forward in the direction of Pekin, capturing many important +cities on the way. Late in the same month they +entered Chih-le, the most northern province of the empire, +and that in which Pekin is situated. Advancing with +rapidity, and capturing city after city, towards the end of +October they reached the Grand Canal, and proceeding by +this, in a few days arrived at and captured the town of +Tsing-hae, distant some twenty miles from the port of +Tien-tsin. Tsing-hae now became the head-quarters of +the Ti-ping army; while the main body occupied the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +place, a column was detached against Tien-tsin, before +which city it appeared on the 30th October; but being +repulsed with considerable loss, the whole army went into +winter quarters at Tsing-hae.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the Manchoo court at Pekin was +seriously alarmed at the progress the Ti-pings were making, +they being now distant but a few days' march. Every +exertion was made to stop their further progress; not only +was the Manchoo garrison of Pekin despatched against +them, but large bodies of Mongols were engaged and sent +before Tsing-hae early in November; and these forces +combining with the Imperialist troops that had followed the +Ti-pings from the first day they crossed the Yang-tze, and +continually receiving reinforcements from every garrison +town they passed, now closely blockaded the Ti-ping position.</p> + +<p>Soon after the departure of the first northern army, +in May, a large force was marched back upon the old +route taken by the Ti-pings in their advance upon Nankin. +Proceeding up the Yang-tze-kiang, Ngan-king, the capital +of the province of Ngan-whui, was captured and made a +base for further operations. Many cities were captured, and +their stores and treasuries convoyed down to Nankin. Two +strong columns were now detached from Ngan-king, one +in a westerly direction, penetrating through the provinces +of Kiang-si and Hoo-nan, while the other started due +north to the reinforcement of the army blockaded at Tsing-hae. +Early in 1854, the western army having passed the +Tung-ting lake, retraced a part of their old line of march, +capturing the numerous cities on the bank of the Yang-tze +river. About May this army arrived before the +three cities of Han-kow, Han-yang, and Wu-chang, the +capital of Hoo-peh, conveying the immense supplies they +had already captured; after a short siege, these important +places fell, thus placing the Ti-pings in possession of all +the principal cities from thence to Chin-kiang, a distance +of more than 450 miles, and comprising the richest and +most fertile portion of the Yang-tze provinces.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the meanwhile the northern column (which left +Ngan-king some time in November, 1853), making +forced marches through Ngan-whui, struck the Grand +Canal in the province of Kiang-su, and rapidly following +its course through Shang-tung, city after city falling +before its victorious march, crossed the Yellow River in +March, 1854, and captured by storm, on the 12th April, +the strongly-fortified city of Lin-tsing, on the border of +the northern province, Chih-le.</p> + +<p>During this time the army at Tsing-hae remained +closely blockaded. While, entirely cut off from all supplies +or reinforcements, it became fast reduced by sickness, +famine, and the sword; the enemy, upon the contrary (but +a few days' march from Tien-tsin, the great northern +commercial city and grain depôt; in the immediate +vicinity of Tartary, and, moreover, hardy and inured to +the keen wintry storms, so trying to the lightly-clad +southerners, comprising the Ti-ping forces) had everything +in their favour. Large bodies of Mongolian troops were +hired and despatched by the Manchoo government against +the blockaded rebels—the Manchoo reserves, and even +a large contingent of volunteer Chinese, were sent to +swell the imperialist ranks; and while time fast reduced +the number and efficiency of the Ti-pings, their foe +day by day became more numerous and formidable. +The small Ti-ping army at the first scarcely mustered +seven thousand strong. Owing to the rapidity of their +march, the numbers who joined them by the way were +inconsiderable, compared with the resources of the +enemy; the only addition they received of any importance +was in the province of Ho-nan, where a detachment +of local insurrectionists, nearly five thousand strong, +joined them; but this reinforcement was more than +cancelled by their losses in battle and from disease. The +courage and discipline of this small army must have been +something wonderful. The steadfast perseverance of their +onward march, in the face of seemingly insurmountable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> +difficulties; their steady resistance to the overwhelming +numbers of the fur-clad hardy Tartar cavalry—an arm +in which they were totally deficient, and could not effectually +oppose; their firm endurance of the rigours of the +northern winter, close to the icy steppes of Tartary, to +which they were unaccustomed, and for which they were +unprepared; their isolated march of more than fourteen +hundred miles; the heroism with which they supported +attack, and finally their successful escape,—all constitute +one of the most remarkable campaigns of modern times.</p> + +<p>During the months of November and December the +besieged made several desperate but unavailing sorties, +the enemy in each case repulsing them with heavy loss. +At last, early in February, 1854, after an occupation of +more than three months, hopeless of success, with famine +in their camp, and no prospect of succour from their +friends, the whole garrison sallied out and succeeded in +cutting their way through the besiegers. With gallantry +hitherto unknown to the Chinese, this small but heroic +band commenced the most arduous operation of any +army,—a retreat in the presence of a vastly superior +enemy. Inch by inch they retired, continually facing +about to repel the pursuing host. Masses of Tartar +cavalry whirled around them, now charging impetuously +on front, rear, and flanks, now hurrying in advance to +dispute some difficult passage; heavy columns of infantry, +surrounding them on every side, rushed incessantly to the +attack, confident in their overwhelming numbers, and +encouraged by the hope of reward; yet never for a +moment did they succeed in breaking the unfaltering +and orderly retreat of the Ti-ping army, which slowly +retired with its face to the foe, until, after three months' +endurance, a junction was effected with the forces which +garrisoned the city of Lin-tsing.</p> + +<p>It is a singular fact that the Manchoo government +dreaded the approach of the small Ti-ping army more +than the advance of the allied English and French upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +Pekin in 1860. An extract from a memorial of the +Board of Censors to the Emperor, found in the Summer +Palace, runs thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In 1853, when the Cantonese rebels overran the country, advancing +impetuously towards the north, the alarm excited in the capital was many +times more serious than that now manifested."</p></div> + +<p>The fate of the Manchoo rule hung trembling in +the balance, and the consciousness of well-merited +destruction struck terror to the hearts of the corrupt +and sanguinary government. A little more energy and +determination at this period would have won the empire; +had the first northern army been able to maintain itself +at Tsing-hae until the arrival of the second, the dynasty of +Ta-tsing would have terminated. The combined forces +could assuredly have captured and held Tien-tsin until +the arrival of further reinforcements from Nankin, even +if the possession of that city, the grand supply depôt of +Pekin, had not caused the fall of the capital. The +extraordinary northern march, and the length of time +that little army was able to retain its menacing position, +afford ample evidence that greater strength would have +ensured its success. Through neglecting that favourable +and momentous opportunity, the Tien-wang forfeited the +grand object of his efforts when open to his grasp. That +his powerful mind was unequal to the occasion is far less +probable than that his expectations of his countrymen +were not realized. It is impossible that he could be +ignorant of the advantages of combination, and it appears +certain that he reckoned upon the general rising of the +Chinese, as well as on the omnipotent assistance of God. +This is, in fact, manifestly plain from his proclamations, +and affords the only reasonable explanation of his sending +several small armies unsupported in totally divergent +courses, rather than concentrating all his available +forces, and aiming directly at the head-quarters of the +Manchoo dynasty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although several smaller detachments joined the +Ti-ping army at Lin-tsing, it was unable to advance upon +Pekin again; the favourable moment having once passed, +did not return. Several severe actions were contested +with no material advantage upon either side, and the +semi-steel-clad warriors of inner Mongolia were well +matched by the undefended revolutionists. Greatly harassed +by the numerous cavalry of the enemy, in May, +1854, the Ti-ping army slowly turned towards the south, +continually engaging the Imperialist forces and capturing +many important cities to the north of the Yang-tze +river.</p> + +<p>It is not generally known that Le-hsiu-ch'-éng, subsequently +famous as the Chung-wang, was the leader of the +first northern expedition; but, during my acquaintance +with him, he has frequently reverted to it. From his +statements I inferred that he received no particular order +to march on Pekin, but simply a general one to conquer +the country, and deliver the people from the Manchoo +rule. The direct march upon the capital was his own +determination, and the reinforcement eventually despatched +to his assistance was not at first intended, but +was sent to him in consequence of the request for more +troops which he forwarded to Nankin by disguised +messengers after his passage of the Yellow River. He +declared that his troops had been within sight of the walls +of Pekin, and that he could easily have captured the city +if the reinforcement had joined him earlier; also that his +retirement from Tsing-hae was caused entirely by the +volunteer troops of the Pekin district, the Mongols and +Manchoos being unable to stand against the attack of his +men. If this be true, it seems a singular fact that the +Tartar dynasty should owe its safety to the Chinese, +although in the Pekin district it may fairly be assumed +that they have long become entirely Tartarized.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the Manchoos resorted to the most corrupt +practices of a most corrupt government, in order to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +obtain the necessary supplies to make their defence. The +sale of titles, offices, and degrees was carried to an enormous +extent. Twenty-three notifications were published in the +<i>Pekin Gazette</i>, putting up for sale every rank, honour, or +emolument in the kingdom. Prisoners were allowed to +purchase their freedom, exiles their return; functionaries +were allowed to buy titles for their maternal relatives, +and any one and every one was allowed to purchase for his +father a rank superior to his own; in short, a system of +entire bribery and corruption was established.</p> + +<p>Posthumous honours were also accorded to those who +had been killed in battle, extending to the fourth, fifth, +or entire generation of their ancestors; while those who +ran away to fight another day received every kind of +degradation; all the complicated details of cunning deception +and bombastic warfare were resorted to by the +Manchoo government in its extremity.</p> + +<p>The following document discloses facts connected with +the troops of the "paternal" government which might +well have aroused the people to join the Ti-ping standard +of freedom.</p> + +<p>Translated by Rev. Dr. W. H. Medhurst, Shanghae, +Nov. 1, 1853:<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The petition of Luh-yu-ch'hang, Yuon-kwei-leang, Yeh-fung-chun, +Chin-sze-hang, Kin-ping-chin, and Wang-keing-chau, with many others +who reside in the various tythings of the 27th hundred, and have to complain +of robbery, rape, murder, and arson, imploring that steps may be +taken to repress further outrage, and save the lives of the people.</p> + +<p>"We, the above-named people, living in the quiet villages of the various +tythings of the 27th, and the 4th tything of the 25th hundred, two or three +miles distant from the city of Shanghae, depend upon husbandry and +weaving for our support, without mixing in any outside disturbances. +But recently, on the 30th of October last, in the afternoon, the volunteer +soldiers belonging to the contingent from Hoo-kwang, came suddenly in a +body, armed with weapons, and rushed upon our villages, entering into our +several houses, to plunder our property; and when we reasoned the matter +with them they answered with scorn, and proceeded to ravish our females; +when we further pointed out the evil of these proceedings, they immediately +beheaded Wang-chang-kin and Wang-keau-ke, while they stabbed +to death Tsien-king-pang, Chang-ko-kwang, and How-seih-ch'hang, besides +wounding nine others, both male and female. They then burnt down our +houses, amounting to seventy-seven apartments, a list of which is appended +to this petition.</p> + +<p>"Our lives are now in the greatest danger, and the cry of complaint is +heard throughout the whole country on this account. We have dared to +prefix our names to the present petition, and pray in a body the great +officers to compassionate the poor people, <i>who are after all the foundation +of the country</i>. We implore your gracious attention to this request, and +pray you to repress these volunteer soldiers, commanding them to obey the +laws and protect the people. A most fervent petition. Hien-fung, 3rd +year, 10th month, 1st day. November 1st, 1853."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span></p> +<p>The following was the only notice taken of the above +petition by Lew, the Imperial commissioner:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Such things are doubtless very wrong, but they are the work of +idlers and vagrants, who personate my soldiers. I will issue strict orders +to my troops. Now go and be satisfied. <i>I hope a worse thing will not +befall you.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>While this was the common behaviour of the Imperialist +troops in every direction, the Ti-pings were acting +as real deliverers to the people; whatever excesses the +besottedness of their spiritless countrymen may at a later +period have driven their new levies to commit. I cannot +do better than offer the contrast presented by the conduct +of the Ti-ping soldiery, in an account the Rev. Dr. +Medhurst gives, in a letter quoted in "Impressions of +China," by Captain Fishbourne:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Having obtained admission into the city of Shanghae this afternoon, +I proceeded to one of the chapels belonging to the London Missionary +Society, where I commenced preaching to a large congregation, which had +almost immediately gathered within the walls. I was descanting on the +folly of idolatry, and urging the necessity of worshipping the one true God, +on the ground that he alone could protect his servants, while idols were +things of naught, destined soon to perish out of the land; when, suddenly +a man stood up in the midst of the congregation, and exclaimed:—'That +is true, that is true! the idols must perish, and shall perish. I am a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span>Kwang-se-man, a follower of Thai-ping-wang; we all of us worship one +God (Shang-te), and believe in Jesus, while we do our utmost to put down +idolatry; everywhere demolishing the temples and destroying the idols, +and exhorting the people to forsake their superstitions. When we commenced +two years ago, we were only 3,000 in number, and we have +marched from one end of the empire to another, putting to flight +whole armies of the Mandarins' troops that were sent against us. If it +had not been that God was on our side, we could not have thus prevailed +against such overwhelming numbers; but now our troops have arrived at +Tien-tsin, and we expect soon to be victorious over the whole empire.' +He then proceeded to exhort the people in a most lively and earnest strain +to abandon idolatry, which was only the worship of devils, and the perseverance +in which would involve them in the miseries of hell; while by +giving it up, and believing in Jesus, they would obtain the salvation of +their souls. 'As for us,' he said, '<i>we feel quite happy in the possession +of our religion, and look on the day of our death as the happiest period of +our existence; when any of our number die, we never weep, but congratulate +each other on the joyful occasion, because a brother is gone to glory, to enjoy +all the magnificence and splendour of the heavenly world</i>. While continuing +here, we make it our business to keep the commandments, to worship God, +and to exhort each other to do good, for which end we have frequent +meetings for preaching and prayer. What is the use, then,' he asked, 'of +you Chinese going on to burn incense, and candles, and gilt paper; which, +if your idols really required it, would only show their covetous dispositions, +just like the Mandarins, who seize men by the throat, and if they will not +give money, squeeze them severely; but if they will, only squeeze them +gently.' He went on to inveigh against the prevailing vices of his countrymen, +particularly opium-smoking. 'That filthy drug,' he exclaimed, +'which only defiles those who use it, making their houses stink, and their +clothes stink, and their bodies stink, and their souls stink, and will make +them stink for ever in hell, unless they abandon it.'</p> + +<p>"'But you must be quick,' he adds; 'for Thai-ping-wang is coming, and +he will not allow the least infringement of his rules,—no opium, no tobacco, +no snuff, no wine, no vicious indulgences of any kind; all offences against +the commandments of God are punished by him with the severest rigour, +while the incorrigible are beheaded—therefore repent in time.'</p> + +<p>"I could perceive, from the style of his expressions and from his frequently +quoting the books of the Thai-ping dynasty, that he was familiar +with those records, and had been thoroughly trained in that school. No +Chinaman who had not been following the camp of the insurgents for a +considerable time could have spoken as he did.</p> + +<p>"He touched also on the expense of opium-smoking, 'which drained +their pockets, and kept them poor in the midst of wealth, whilst we who +never touch the drug, are not put to such expense. Our master provides +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span>us with food and clothing, which is all we want, so that we are rich +without money.'</p> + +<p>"I could not help being struck also, with the appearance of the man, +as he went on in his earnest strain. Bold and fearless as he stood, openly +denouncing the vices of the people, his countenance beaming with intelligence, +his upright and manly form the very picture of health, while his +voice thrilled through the crowd, they seemed petrified with amazement: +their natural conscience assured them that his testimony was true; while +the conviction seemed to be strong amongst them, that the two great objects +of his denunciation—opium and idolatry—were both bad things, and must +be given up.</p> + +<p>"He spoke an intelligible Mandarin, with an occasional touch of the +Canton or Kwang-si brogue. His modes of illustration were peculiar, and +some of the things which he advanced were not such as Christian missionaries +were accustomed to bring forward. The impression left on my mind, +however, was that a considerable amount of useful instruction was delivered, +<i>and such as would serve to promote the objects we had in view, in +putting down idolatry, and furthering the worship of the true God</i>."</p></div> + +<p>At this time the city of Shanghae was in possession of +the Triad rebels (the society sworn to expel the Manchoos), +who have not unfrequently been confounded with the +Ti-pings, to the prejudice of the latter.</p> + +<p>Late in the summer of 1853, some few months after +the capture of Nankin by the Ti-pings, the Triad society, +alive to the advantages of the movement, rose up against +the obnoxious Manchoos in many parts of the country.</p> + +<p>About the end of July, a body of the Triads succeeded +in gaining possession of the city of Amoy, one of the +treaty ports, meeting with but slight resistance, the inhabitants +being glad to receive them. By their singularly +moderate conduct, the movement became very popular; +in fact, all their supplies were brought in by the country +people, and their principal strength was composed of +these villagers, who remained and fought against the +Imperialist troops as long as the insurrection lasted. +Several cities in the neighbourhood were captured, and +the wealthy classes remained aloof from both contending +parties; their disposition towards the government was +far too adverse for them to assist it; but they contented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +themselves with simply withdrawing their support, well +knowing the savage revenge the "paternal" rulers would +wreak upon them and their helpless families, if they +were to join the rebellion, and it should afterwards fail. +The country people throughout the district remained +hostile to the Imperialists until their recapture of Amoy, +when, to save their own and relatives' lives, they were +compelled to return to the Manchoo slavery, those being +lucky who escaped the indiscriminate vengeance of the +government.</p> + +<p>Captain Fishbourne, senior naval officer on the station, +was present at Amoy when it was captured by the Triads. +He reports:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The insurgents having placed guards over the European Hongs, <i>there +was nothing to apprehend</i>, so we proceeded to Hong-kong, when, after +landing Sir George Bonham, we returned in the <i>Hermes</i> to Shanghae."</p></div> + +<p>Upon the 11th of November the city of Amoy, which +had been for some time besieged by a vastly superior force +of Imperialists, was evacuated by the Triads, who, being +short of supplies, marched out of the city in broad daylight +unmolested by the cowardly besiegers, who then +marched in to perpetrate the most revolting barbarities, +in their ordinary manner, upon the defenceless inhabitants. +A large squadron of pirates composed the naval +force employed by the Imperialists in their siege of the +city, in the same manner as in their attack upon Ningpo +when held by the Ti-pings, on the 10th May, 1862, +although upon this latter occasion the Imperialist pirates +were successful, an alliance having been entered into +between them and the British squadron commanded by +Captain Roderick Dew, R.N.</p> + +<p>Captain Fishbourne, who was an eye-witness of the +return of Amoy to Manchoo rule, thus describes it:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Having engaged pirates, the authority was committed to them, to sanction +the atrocities that these would certainly commit; and, as if that were +not sufficient, they encouraged them to more than they might otherwise be +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span>inclined to, for they promised them six dollars for each head they would +bring in.</p> + +<p>"On the entry of these savages, the first thing they did was to disperse +in every direction in search of heads; regardless of anything save that the +people who possessed them should be helpless; it mattered not to them that +they were equally infirm and unoffending: they had heads—these they +wanted.</p> + +<p>"All found were brought to the Chinese admiral" (it is said, the same +pirate chief who afterwards became Captain R. Dew's ally), "whose vessel +was close to us, so we saw all that was passing. He then issued a mandate +for their destruction. At first they began by taking their heads off at the +adjoining pier; this soon was fully occupied, and the executioners becoming +fatigued, the work proceeded slowly, therefore an additional set commenced +taking their heads off on the sides of the boats. This also proved too +slow for them, and they commenced to throw them overboard, tied hand +and foot. But this was too much for Europeans; so missionaries, merchants, +sailors, marines, and officers, all rushed in, and stopped further +proceedings. The mandarins, executioners, staff and all, took themselves +off very quickly, for fear of consequences they could not calculate upon, +but which they felt they had richly deserved: 400 poor creatures were +saved from destruction; 250 of these were wounded—some with twenty, +others less, but more dangerous wounds. Some had their heads nearly +severed; about thirty died. The Mandarins then removed their scene of +butchery a mile outside the town; and during the next two days, after +having obtained possession, they must have taken off upwards of two +thousand heads, or otherwise destroyed that number of people. For days +bodies were floating about the harbour, carried out by one tide and brought +back by another, each time not quite so far, so that finally they were only +disposed of by being taken to sea.</p> + +<p>"The only feeling the brutal pirates evinced, was that of disappointment +at being deprived (as they said) by us of three thousand dollars.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<p>"Often during the operations, the poor people complained of the +treatment of the Imperialists; and it was certainly pitiable to behold the +needless destruction of property—needless if the Imperialists had been +soldiers or men—such never won or kept an empire; <i>yet none of the +Imperial forces are better</i>.</p> + +<p>"Nor can it be said that these were the acts of subordinates, for which +the government was only remotely responsible, for they were specially +dictated by the Viceroy of the province, who was a Tartar, and an uncle of +the Tartar emperor. He even enjoined the violation of solemn compacts +entered into between the Mandarins and heads of villages, before they would +give up the leaders in the revolt. The Mandarins avowed, that after the +government of Amoy was established, they meant to carry fire and sword +through the surrounding districts, as the people were all tainted with +revolutionary principles."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span></p> +<p>Well may it be asked—Were the people of England +aware of these enormities when they cherished and sustained +the Manchoo? It cannot be credited; and, therefore, +it is well to point out what kind of government they +supported, what description of men they made war upon, +and what were the results of their interference.</p> + +<p>On the 7th of September, Shanghae, another of the +treaty ports, was captured, and several other places in +the neighbourhood were attacked by different bodies of +Triads. At this city also they seem to have behaved with +remarkable moderation, and are said to have found +about Ł70,000 in the treasury.</p> + +<p>Although totally unconnected with the great Ti-ping +revolution, they still looked hopefully towards it, and, after +some little hesitation, sent a deputation, as likewise from +Amoy, tendering their allegiance to the Tien-wang. He, +however, refused to accept them, despite the enormous +advantages he would have derived from the possession of +the treaty ports, until such time as they should understand +and profess Christianity; and it was probably one +of the teachers he sent to them, whose speech was reported +by Mr. Medhurst in the letter quoted from a few pages +preceding.</p> + +<p>Captain Fishbourne reports of them:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They know nothing of Christianity, but are very tolerant, and +allowed the missionaries a latitude in teaching, never before enjoyed. +They have lost all faith in idolatry, and no longer cared to preserve appearances, +by continuing idolatrous worship, though some of them still use +superstitions and idolatries. They have behaved with much moderation, +<i>and the facilities for trade have been even greater than under the Tartar +Imperial rule</i>. Of course the import trade has been limited, because of +the disturbed state of the country; the export trade, on the other hand, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span>had been unusually great, not from any protection or facilities afforded by +the Imperial authorities, but a desire on the part of holders of goods to +realize."</p></div> + +<p>While the Triad insurgents continued to manifest the +most friendly feeling towards the European residents at +Shanghae, the Imperialist troops collecting to the siege +of the Chinese city, in their usual style, became very +dangerous and hostile. It was reported by Captain +Fishbourne:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Thus the Imperial troops made it a habit to place their targets for +ball practice, so that the riding-course and principal place of resort for all +foreigners, should be rendered dangerous, or impassable."</p></div> + +<p>Several times the European settlement was attacked by +them, and was once attempted to be fired; and, at last, so +outrageous had they become, that the British and French +forces—in all less than three hundred men—were compelled +to attack their camp, and drive them further away +from the settlement, inflicting a loss, it is said, of three +hundred killed; losing themselves only two killed and +fifteen wounded.</p> + +<p>As it is universally known these Triad rebels were +in every way <i>inferior</i> to the Ti-pings, and as they were +allowed to capture the treaty ports, and their conduct +was always so friendly to Europeans, and so far superior +to that of the Imperialists, it <i>does</i> seem a little extraordinary +that the British public have not penetrated +the falsity of the statement subsequently urged against +the Ti-pings, in order to attempt the palliation of the +infamous policy of driving them from Shanghae and +Ningpo,—that the treaty ports must be held against the +Ti-pings, because, if the latter were to capture them, an +immense amount of British property and British lives +<i>would</i> be destroyed, &c.</p> + +<p>During the Triads' occupation of Shanghae, a formidable, +though at first secret, opposition was insidiously +at work against them among the European community—the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +hostile intrigues of the Jesuits. These priests, with +a constancy and perseverance worthy a better cause, are +found plotting and making converts to a pseudo sort of +Christianity all over the country. It so happens, that to +propitiate the Chinese, or not to shock them by too great +a departure from "old custom," they are allowed to retain +most of their idolatrous forms of worship, to which are +added the usual figures of the manifold saints, &c., of the +Romish church. Now the Ti-pings, who are strict iconoclasts, +having several times fallen foul of Roman Catholic +establishments in the interior, and in each case mistaken +the figure of the Virgin Mary with a male child in her +arms for the very similar idol of Budha, have naturally +confounded Jesuitism with the Budhism it resembles. +Consequently, the Tartar-worshipping Jesuits are the +most bitter enemies the Ti-pings have ever had, knowing, +as they do, that the success of the latter would entirely +destroy their work, and drive them from the many +positions they hold throughout China. Therefore, when +the Jesuits ascertained the Triads not only announced +themselves as being about to join the Tien-wang, but had +actually sent deputations to, and received instructors +from him, they at once commenced intriguing for their +overthrow. The French consul and the French senior +officer on the station were both priest-ridden and bigoted +men, and eventually, for certain valuable considerations, +assistance was afforded to the Imperialists, and the Triads +were driven out of a Chinese city without the slightest +shadow of justice or reason.</p> + +<p>Both the English and French authorities deprived +the Triads of the duties they were justly entitled to levy +on all export or import trade. At last the French +admiral, appropriately named La Guerre, determined +that the time had arrived to fulfil his own and his +Jesuitical colleagues' peculiarly unrighteous intentions. +The Triads were suddenly attacked (December, 1854) +without having given the slightest provocation, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +several of their men, who were engaged constructing a +battery outside one of the city gates, murdered by the +French sailors. A few days later they surprised fifteen +poor rebels asleep in the same battery, and these were +also butchered. Two days previous to this, Admiral La +Guerre savagely bombarded the city, although it contained +upwards of 20,000 innocent inhabitants, among +whom the shot and shell committed much slaughter. +Allied to the ferocious Manchoo, the French closely +blockaded the city, and cut off all communication.</p> + +<p>Some people delight in terming the Ti-pings bloodthirsty +monsters, &c.; but the following extract proves +that the French not only excelled the rebels, but even surpassed +the Imperialists in wanton cruelty. In "Twelve +Years in China,"<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> by John Scarth, Esq., we find the +following episode of the blockade by the civilized and +most Christian allies of the Manchoo:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The French proclaimed a strict blockade, and shot down all that +attempted to hold communication with the rebels. We <i>saw</i> one evening a +poor old woman that had been attempting to take a basket of food for +some poor person in the city, struck by a ball from the French lines; her +thigh was broken, and she lay helpless on the ground. How horrible did +war appear, when the sentry levelled his rifle again, and fired at the poor +old creature, driving up a shower of earth close to her side. Another shot, +and another, were fired; at last she was hit again in the back! she cried +to us for help, but we could render no assistance, except by sending to +report the circumstance at head-quarters. Shot after shot was fired. +There were some rebels watching the butchery from the walls; they could +see us distinctly. We were within rifle distance; and feeling that if I were +in their position, I would shoot at every foreigner I saw, while foreigners +were committing such acts, I went away really for safety's sake, sick at +heart to see such monstrous cruelty. The woman, it was afterwards reported, +lay on the spot moaning till nearly midnight, when her cries ceased, +and it was supposed <i>some of the rebels</i> had got her into the city out of the +way of further immediate harm."</p></div> + +<p>The French eventually breached the walls, and with +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>their creditable allies assaulted the city, only, however, +to be beaten back with a loss of one-fifth their number. +The Triads were at last starved out, and upon the Chinese +New Year's night (17th February, 1855) evacuated Shanghae, +and cut their way through the Imperialist lines. +Three hundred, who had surrendered themselves to +Admiral La Guerre, were by that officer given up to the +Mandarins, and tortured to death. During three days +every atrocity was perpetrated by the Imperialists upon +the unfortunate inhabitants caught within the city, or the +rebels who were hunted down in the country. Upwards +of 2,000 were barbarously put to death within three days. +As Messrs. J. Scarth, Sillar, and others have written,—"The +Imperialist soldiers even burst open the coffins in +the burial-grounds, and dragged out the rebel corpses and +beheaded them." Women were horribly mutilated and +put to death; rebels were crucified and tortured with red-hot +irons; some were starved to death in the streets of the +city; others were disembowelled, and very many slowly +cut to pieces. When the Triads captured the city, they +killed only <i>two</i> men, tortured none, and respected private +property. The papers at Shanghae stated,—"When the +French and Imperialists got possession of the city, however, +there was something like slaughter. Heads were +hung round the city walls in bunches; the Pagoda +Bridge had nineteen on it, and in some places they were +piled up in heaps!"</p> + +<p>The conduct of those British officials who seemed +anxious to carry out the Manchoo-assisting policy of +Sir John Bowring, Admiral Stirling, and others, is +thus severely reflected on by Mr. Scarth, who was +present:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The very inconsiderate zeal which characterized the conduct of Mr. +Lay, the then acting Vice-Consul, and Mr. Wade, at that time one of the +officials in the Chinese Custom-house service, and the open manner in +which these gentlemen lent their aid to the Mandarins, was strongly commented +on by nearly all the foreign community."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p>At page 217 of his interesting work he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A schooner going from Woo-sung to Hung-kong was suspected of +being about to take Chin-ah-Lin<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> and several other of the city people; +a force consisting of Chinese troops <i>and some English marines, accompanied +by the acting Vice-Consul</i> (<i>who seemed to be imbued with some extraordinary +motives</i>), went down to search the vessel. This was discovered; +but those desirous of preventing further bloodshed quietly continued, notwithstanding, +in the work they were determined upon, getting the unfortunate +men away from danger."</p></div> + +<p>Some who are acquainted with such matters may +understand this "extraordinary" exploit, while those +who know little of Chinese affairs may naturally wonder +whether the "15,000 dollars" offered for Chin-ah-Lin's +head by the Vice-Consul's Mandarin friends had anything +to do with it.</p> + +<p>Not only at the Shanghae massacre in 1855 did +British officials display their taste for the Manchoo alliance. +During 1854-5-6 Englishmen continually interfered +against the rising of the oppressed Chinese. In +1854 Sir J. Bowring allied the British fleet with the +forces of that notorious monster Yeh, and thus contributed +to the extermination which desolated the province +of Kwang-tung. The city of Canton was almost +the only place in the province still held by the Mandarins. +It was secured to them by British means, and its security +doomed to death more than one million innocent people.</p> + +<p>While Yeh busied himself with exterminating man, +woman, and child, and razing to the ground nearly every +village <i>through which the rebels had passed</i>, H. B. M.'s +ships of war chased the rebel squadrons along the China +coast, dealing with them as pirates, because, forsooth, +they were armed, and because they had captured Chinese +vessels when endeavouring to force the blockade of Canton; +H.M.'s ship <i>Bittern</i> and the steamer <i>Paou-shun</i> +hemmed in one division of the rebel fleet in the Gulf of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span>Pe-chi-le, sinking nearly every vessel, and giving up the +crew of the only one captured to the Manchoo executioners. +Two junks escaped and joined another squadron +at Chusan. Yet these vessels shortly afterwards allowed +two missionaries to pass their blockade, because, as the +chiefs said, "they were good men, and preached the +faith of Yesu!" In the harbour of Shih-poo the destruction +of another fleet is described in "Twelve +Years in China":—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The junks were destroyed, and their crews shot, drowned, or hunted +down, until at last the whole number, about 1,000 souls, were sent to their +last account,—the <i>Bittern's</i> men aiding the Chinese soldiers on shore to +complete the wholesale massacre! the <i>whole</i> were not killed; <i>one</i> man was +remanded and kept over for examination! The evidence against the fleet +as pirates, was to be collected <i>after</i> the execution of the victims!"<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a></p></div> + +<p>British policy towards China has, during the last +decade, been influenced by men led by a small party of +Chinese custom-house mercenaries, who, while hired by +the Manchoos, were permitted to bias, not only Sir John +Bowring, but even Lord Elgin. The independent and +honourable policy of Sir George Bonham and his colleagues +gave place to an "interested Mandarin-worshipping" +diplomacy that has made England the ally and saviour +of the most sanguinary, corrupt, and worn-out despotism +in the world. Messrs. Wade and Lay, sometime Lord +Elgin's interpreters, and sometime the custom employés +of the Manchoo, <i>may</i> have thought the views +they imparted to the former were correct; but at all events +they were too much personally interested in the welfare +of their Mandarin friends to be impartial. The principal +effect of this has been that the Manchoo-influenced +officials have united the representatives of England with +the Jesuit-influenced representatives of France in perpetuating +the Tartar cruelties, and in destroying the +Ti-ping attempt to liberate China and establish Protestant +Christianity throughout the empire.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span></p> +<p>At Canton, Shanghae, and elsewhere, in 1854, the +Chinese would have succeeded in their righteous endeavours +to throw off the Manchoo yoke; at Shanghae, in +1860, at Ningpo and Shanghae in 1862, and upon other +occasions, the Ti-ping revolution would have succeeded +but for British intervention. +</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> See "Impressions of China."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Alluding to Hung-sui-tshuen's visions.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> See Appendix A.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Dr. Medhurst here makes a misapprehension. The Ti-pings believe +the Holy Spirit descended into their midst and possessed Yang-sui-tshuen, +the Eastern Prince, who became its mouthpiece and medium. This closely +resembles revivalist meetings in Ireland, &c.; but the religious metaphorical +language of the original Chinese, with its fine subtilty, makes any literal +translation impossible; therefore the most limited signification should be +placed upon any English version of this, the <i>bonne bouche</i> of the anti-Ti-pings.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> See Appendix A.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Copies of the first five books of the Old, and the whole of the New +Testament, printed by the Ti-pings at Nankin, are now to be seen in the +Indian Court of the Crystal Palace (Sydenham), where they are exhibited +by Mr. J. C. Sillar.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Shanghae was at this time in possession of the Triad rebels.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> They received ample satisfaction afterwards at Ningpo, when, allied +with the British, they obtained 3,000 dollars' worth of heads, with full +interest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Page 207.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> The Triad leader.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <i>Hong-kong Gazette</i>, 12th October, 1855.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Home.—Its Desolation.—Intelligence of Marie.—Consequent Proceedings.—Preparations +for Pursuit.—River Tracking.—In Pursuit.—The +Lorcha Sighted.—Stratagems.—Alongside the Lorcha.—On +Board the Lorcha.—Critical Position.—A Friend in Need.—Failure.—Lorcha +again Reconnoitred.—Increased Difficulties.—Another +Attempt.—Alongside the Lorcha again. Marie Discovered.—Marie +Rescued.—Safe on Board.—Marie's Explanation. The Lorcha in +Pursuit.—She gains on us.—The Lorcha opens fire.—Safe among the +Ti-pings.</p></div> + + +<p>Eager to meet my betrothed, I had no sooner moored +my vessel in the Shanghae anchorage, and reported +at the Consulate, than I sought her at her aunt's dwelling, +which was situated at the back of the American settlement, +at a considerable distance from any other European +habitation.</p> + +<p>When I drew near the house, an indescribable presentiment +of evil seemed to possess me,—one of those +prophetic warnings, so common, but yet such a psychological +mystery.</p> + +<p>I walked rapidly along, until the turning of some +rising ground, a little distance in front, brought me +within sight of the house. When I reached the ridge +that had concealed it from view, I paused a moment, +almost expecting to find that the building had vanished.</p> + +<p>There, however, stood the house, safe enough to all +appearance; so, feeling reassured, I walked on. As I +drew close, almost expecting Marie would run forth to +welcome me, I failed to discern any smoke issuing from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +the chimneys, or any sign of life about the dwelling. +My former fear now returned in full force; I was within +a few paces of the house, and it appeared to be uninhabited.</p> + +<p>I hurried forward to the door; it was unfastened; the +lock was wrenched off, and had evidently been broken +open. I passed within, and loudly called upon the former +tenants by name; but echo alone replied. Passing from +room to room, I saw furniture scattered about in every +direction, broken and thrown down. The house presented +a picture of utter ruin.</p> + +<p>I ran through the rooms, still vociferating, and still +mocked by the echo of my own voice. They were silent +and deserted. I was evidently the only living thing within +the walls. At last, hoarse with shouting, I stood in silent +despair, gazing on the destruction around. Marie and +her relatives had disappeared, and the scene of ruin told a +tale of violence.</p> + +<p>For some moments all was still and quiet. At length, +aroused by the sound of footsteps in the lower rooms, a +sudden hope cheered me, and I hurried to meet them. A +glance showed me I had deceived myself; a couple of +Chinamen, with eyes and mouth wide open, gaping at the +broken furniture, stood before me. I questioned them +anxiously, trusting to gain some intelligence, but all to +no purpose. To my inquiries they replied by stating that, +having heard my hallooing, they had come to see what +was the matter. Further questioning simply elicited, +"Gno puh-shettah, gno puh-shettah" (I don't know, I +don't know). Turning them out, I searched every nook +and corner, but without avail. All my efforts were fruitless, +no trace of anything that could enlighten me was +apparent—not a vestige, not a clue, rewarded my long and +anxious search.</p> + +<p>All clothing and personal effects had been removed, +and many light articles of furniture; the heavier ones +were broken and overturned. It was impossible to tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +what might have been destroyed or carried off by thieves +after the house had been deserted.</p> + +<p>At last I was compelled to confess to myself that +further search was hopeless; I had searched diligently, +and could discover nothing. Sorrowfully I turned away +from the house, and proceeded to several Chinese dwellings +in the neighbourhood; but at each received the unsatisfactory +answer, "Puh-shettah, puh-shettah."</p> + +<p>Taking my interpreter with me, I called at many +houses, but without success; not the slightest information +could I gather; the whole affair remained a profound +and impenetrable mystery. Everything led me to believe +some violent act had been perpetrated; besides, I was +quite certain that Marie would never have gone away +willingly without first communicating with me.</p> + +<p>One evening when in my cabin, tired out with the +day's useless searching, and absorbed with bitter reflections, +an old friend of mine, Captain L., erstwhile of the +Turkish Contingent, came on board to see me, having +just arrived from Hankow. After I had related the +mysterious disappearance of Marie, L. suddenly jumped +from his seat with a loud exclamation, and, questioning +me a little further, declared he had obtained a clue as to +her destination.</p> + +<p>It appeared that, while on his passage from Chin-kiang, +the steamer had passed close to a large Portuguese lorcha, +and he had just caught a glimpse of a girl on deck, of +whom he then took no further notice, but who he now felt +sure was Marie.</p> + +<p>I felt overjoyed at the discovery. L., my friend, had +called with me at Marie's relatives' several times, so I had +every confidence that his opinion was correct, and I +determined to follow the trail so singularly found. He +declared he would accompany me, and kindly professed +his readiness to start at once.</p> + +<p>Early in the morning I went ashore to the owners +of the schooner, and gave up the command to a friend.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +Philip, the mate, preferred joining me; he had served +in the Greek insurrection against the Turks, and was a +fine brave fellow.</p> + +<p>Fortunately one of the river steamers—at that time +few and far between—was to leave Shanghae in the afternoon, +so it was just possible I might reach Chin-kiang +before the lorcha's arrival, though that would depend +entirely upon the winds she had experienced. Accordingly, +a few minutes before the bell rang, the whistle blew, and +the skipper gave the hoarse command to "cast off." L., +Philip, and myself, made our way on board the <i>Yang-tze</i> +(named after the river) with our baggage. We each took +an ample supply of everything, as it would be necessary, +in case the lorcha should have left Chin-kiang previous to +our arrival, either to purchase or hire a vessel of some +description to follow her. During the passage to Chin-kiang, +we kept a regular watch the whole time, one or the +other of us never leaving the deck, but, telescope in hand, +keeping a sharp look-out. Heavily hung the time, until +we made Silver Island ahead. I had put every possible +interpretation upon Marie's presence—if, indeed, it were +she—on board the lorcha. I had adopted every imaginable +theory, but all to no purpose; the same idea would +not remain five minutes, and I was forced to give up the +mystery as unfathomable. Silver Island now hove in +sight, and with my friends I waited impatiently on deck, +and scanned the vessels in port, until, steaming slowly +through the scanty shipping, we came to an anchor; +but, although several lorchas were there, my friend did +not recognize the one we sought for.</p> + +<p>As the steamer remained but a short time at Chin-kiang, +and it became necessary to leave her as soon as +possible, I sent my interpreter (whom I had taken, +together with my cook, and a female attendant for Marie +in case I should find her), amongst the numerous junks, +to hire one for us to live in for a few days, as there was +no accommodation on shore. In a little while he returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +successful, and leaving the steamer, we all took up our new +quarters in a large Hankow junk, certainly not the most +comfortable in the world, but still very well under the +circumstances. The worst of it was, my sleeping berth +that night happened to be in the joss-house, a little den +surrounded by a broad shelf filled with the most horrible-looking +small devils, of all colours and monstrosity, starting +forth from red-painted and tinsel-gilded little temples; +and although the crew seemed perfectly oblivious of the +fact, by permitting the gods' or imps' desecration by the +presence of the "foreign devil," a confounded old she-Chinese +disturbed me at frequent periods throughout the +night, by crawling into my place through a little hole at +the back, to replenish the joss-sticks and incense, and to +chin-chin Joss. The witches of Macbeth were nothing to +that old hag, as she stuck herself at my feet, faintly seen +by the dim light of a distant pot of oil burning from the +end of a small piece of pith, and slowly rocked herself +about, muttering some unintelligible jargon, out of which +I could only distinguish, "tomety feh, tomety feh, tomety +feh!"</p> + +<p>From the excited state of my mind; the irruptions of +that aged party—probably the great-grandmother of half +the crew; the surrounding phalanx of little devils, occasionally +lighted up by a red and sudden glow of the +burning joss-sticks; the distant noise of the gambling +crew, in the fore part of the junk (Chinese sailors are +inveterate gamblers, generally spending the whole night +at it when practicable), and the irritable, restless thoughts +all this induced, it may easily be imagined how very delightful +my numerous dreams were that night. It seems a +singular fact that nearly all the Chinese idols are of the most +terrible and demoniacal aspect; it is, however, easily to be +accounted for, as the Chinamen say the beneficent gods, +being good, cannot do them any harm; but the devils +and evil gods being bad, they think it necessary to propitiate +them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span></p> + +<p>Directly we arrived at Chin-kiang, I proceeded to the +Custom-house, and ascertained that a lorcha had passed +up the river only the preceding day. I therefore at +once sent my interpreter to look out for a convenient and +fast-sailing junk, either for sale or hire. The next day +he fortunately succeeded in finding one, a cut-down up-river +junk, of a particularly fast and shallow description; +she had been altered into a semi-European style, +and furnished with a keel, and comfortable cabins inside, +was about 60 tons burthen, and altogether just the sort of +craft I wanted. On the river she would certainly be +faster under sail than the lorcha, and without wind she +could either be tracked along the bank or impelled by the +large sweeps (<i>yulos</i>) she carried.</p> + +<p>As, in the event of rescuing Marie, I determined to +proceed with the vessel to Nankin, the Chinese owner, +who was also skipper, would only come to terms upon my +paying down half the value of his craft, guaranteeing the +remainder in case of loss, and hiring her at a monthly +rate. To this I instantly agreed, and hurrying all the +preparations forward, late on the same evening was enabled +to start in chase of the lorcha.</p> + +<p>A stern chase is proverbially a long one; but in this case +I had means of progressing that the chase had not. The +wind was too light for sailing against the strong current, +therefore I knew the lorcha must either lay at anchor +waiting for a breeze, or, if small and drawing but little +water, progress slowly by tracking along the bank; +while, upon the other hand, with my lighter vessel I +should be able to keep close in to the shore, and track +along at the rate of two or three miles an hour.</p> + +<p>Tracking is a very common operation in China, resembling +our canal tracking, only instead of horses the crew +of the vessel pull her along, a rope being taken ashore +from the mast-head, to which the men yoke themselves +with a bridle having a wooden bar to rest upon the chest; +then away they start, singing in chorus some melancholy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +falsetto monostich, or improvising as they go. At many +parts there are regular trackers, who make it their business. +It is a hard and unprofitable life, and these poor +people, among others, are frequently seized by officials, +and compelled to track government vessels for many +hundred miles without reward, and then left to find their +way home the best way they can, if they do not starve in +the meanwhile.</p> + +<p>The night was fortunately a bright moonlight one, and +I was enabled to make considerable progress. Before +daylight, however, the moon vanished behind the distant +hills, and, with her disappearance, we were compelled to +anchor till morning. At break of day I was up, eagerly +scanning the distant bosom of the river for the bark I was +following. Nothing but the sails of a few Chinese junks +rewarded my long and anxious gaze. Yet it was possible +the lorcha might be hid from view by the first bend of +the river, where, scarcely three miles off, its waters +disappeared behind the land.</p> + +<p>Rousing up my friends, and leaving them to follow +me by tracking slowly along, I dressed myself in Chinese +clothes, put on a broad Chinese hat, took my rifle and a +good glass, and landing with my interpreter, started off +on the scout, making for an eminence some two or three +miles distant, close to the channel of the river. When +arrived at its summit, I found it commanded a capital view +of the water for many miles; a glance told me the lorcha +was nowhere near, neither could I distinguish her in the +distance. Suddenly, my interpreter declared he could see +her. Knowing what powerful vision the Chinese frequently +have, I instantly brought the spot he pointed out—some +eight or nine miles away—again into the range of +my glass. I saw several junks' masts, and after a long +and careful scrutiny, made out a couple much larger than +the rest, which might possibly be those of the lorcha; but +at that distance, with nothing but the bare masts, amongst +others showing over some low land, I could not be certain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +The Chinaman still persisted that he was right; and, trusting +he might prove so, I returned on board.</p> + +<p>During all that day we tracked steadily forward, and +towards evening I had the satisfaction of plainly observing +the lorcha in the distance. She was also being tracked, +but was too heavy to move fast, so that we were rapidly +gaining on her, and in four or five hours ought to be +alongside. The difficulty would be to ascertain whether +Marie was on board, and if so, how situated. When +I reflected that my friend had observed her from the +steamer as he passed, it did not seem improbable that +I might see her also; but her apparent freedom sadly +interfered with the idea that she had been carried off by +force and was detained against her will. Had it been so, +she might have made signs of distress, or called for help, +when the steamer passed so close.</p> + +<p>It was impossible to form any plan, or arrive at any +fixed conclusion. Circumstances alone could guide us. +We had now entered the Ti-ping territory, so I felt +quite confident of safety on shore, whatever might betide; +besides, my commission from the Chung-wang would +doubtless obtain me assistance if I required it.</p> + +<p>It would be quite easy for us to pass right alongside +the lorcha without exciting the slightest suspicion. In the +first place, her people could have not the least idea of our +pursuit; and, in the second, we had but to hoist a Chinese +flag, and if they should happen to take any notice of our +vessel, they would simply think her a Chinese one, while +we could closely observe them from our small cabin +windows.</p> + +<p>It was just about dusk when the lorcha ceased tracking, +and came to an anchor under some steep hills. We +were not more than half a mile astern, so, concealing ourselves, +but making the Chinamen lounge about the decks, +and stick up an old flag full of Chinese characters, without +the slightest hesitation we held on our course. The lorcha +had anchored within thirty yards of the bank, so, giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +our vessel rather a broad sheer into the stream, we passed +close to her, in fact, almost grazing her side. From our +hiding-places we could see that her crew were mostly +Portuguese, and that she was armed heavily enough to +sink our lightly-built vessel in an instant; but Marie was +not visible, neither could we distinguish any trace of her.</p> + +<p>As my friend was positive it was the same craft he had +previously seen, it was quite certain that some woman must +be on board; therefore I determined to ascertain who she +was. Continuing on past the lorcha for nearly a mile, +until the turning of the river hid her behind the hills she +was anchored abreast of, we hauled close in to the bank +and made fast there.</p> + +<p>Besides a larger boat, we carried one of the small +canoes used at some parts of the Yang-tze. In this I +decided to drop down the river whenever the moon should +set, and endeavour to discover whether Marie was on +board the strange vessel.</p> + +<p>To favour my design, towards midnight the weather +became heavy, and the moon soon after sank behind a thick +bank of clouds; not a star could be seen, and the night +was perfectly dark. I now dressed myself with loose black +silk trousers, such as were used by the Ti-pings, tucking +the ends into a pair of soft-soled Chinese boots, a tight +black silk jacket, and a thick black felt Canton cap. I +carried a pair of revolvers carefully loaded in my belt, +placed a coil of rope in the boat, and also a common +Chinese sleeping quilt. My friends desired to come with +me; but I decided otherwise, for it would be desirable to +use stratagem rather than force, and three of us, besides +the man to manage the boat, would overcrowd her. +Neither would I allow them to cast off the vessel and +drop after me; for if I should find Marie and rescue her, +it would be necessary to keep out of the range of the +lorcha's guns. I therefore pressed the hands of my +comrades, took my interpreter, a Canton man, whom +I knew I could depend upon, and, with one of the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +men of my crew to manage the boat, pushed off and commenced +dropping down with the tide. I had scarcely left +my vessel when a sudden thought struck me, so, turning +back, I requested my friends to walk down the bank, take +a couple of the crew with them, all well armed, and +station themselves on the shore directly opposite the +lorcha.</p> + +<p>The strength of the tide swept the frail boat rapidly +along, and soon I found myself abreast of the hills close +to the termination of which I knew the lorcha lay at +anchor. It was so very dark under the shadow of the high +land, that when we discerned the vessel we were within +a few hundred feet of her, and drifting down right +upon her bows. We instantly slipped overboard the +small grapnel made fast to the end of the line I had +placed in the boat, and when it reached the bottom, +held on to it, and waited to make our last preparations +for boarding. I found we were still undiscovered; +indeed, it would have been impossible to distinguish our +little canoe in the surrounding darkness even at that short +distance. After waiting a few moments, I whispered Aling +(my interpreter) to slack away the line, while the man in +the stern steered us as required with his paddle. Crouching +low down in the boat, we slowly glided under the +bows of the lorcha, till we drifted right upon her cable, +grappling which I prepared to mount to the deck. Aling +was to follow me so far, and then remain stationary; he +would thus be able to assist me in case I should retreat to +the bows with Marie, and, besides, would bring up the +other end of the line, after reeving it through a ringbolt +in the stern of the boat, both to secure a good means +of descent and to prevent the boatman, who we knew +had no knife, from shoving off in ease of alarm.</p> + +<p>Slowly and noiselessly I clambered up the cable, and +raising my head above the lorcha's bulwarks peered +cautiously around. At last I was able to distinguish the +forms of many of the crew lying about the deck covered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +up in their quilts. This was as I expected it would be, +and, moreover, I trusted they were the Chinese part of the +crew, for it was winter, and I calculated the Portuguese +would prefer sleeping below.</p> + +<p>I proceeded very deliberately with my investigations, +knowing that I had plenty of time before daylight, and +had no occasion to risk a discovery by being too precipitate. +Aling soon joined me, and I was just whispering +some instructions into his ear, when, with an exclamation, +up started a man within arm's length, until then concealed +by the foresail, upon the opposite side of which he must +have been reclining. For a moment I feared we were +discovered, and sending Aling down into the boat, drew +a revolver, while I prepared to follow him. Instead of +approaching me, the man walked aft. I then knew he +must be the look-out, who, having slept on his watch, had +probably gone aft to ascertain the time. Not a moment +was to be lost if I intended to take advantage of his +absence; softly calling upon Aling to return, I waited +until he had reached me, and then, slipping over the rail, +wrapped my quilt about me and walked aft.</p> + +<p>Carefully stepping over the recumbent sleepers, I had +just reached the main-mast when I saw the drowsy +watchman returning. I instantly threw myself down on +the deck, and, drawing the quilt over me, pretended to be +seeking sleep. The device succeeded famously, for, whether +the man had seen me or not, he evidently considered +me to be one of the crew. Drawing the corner of the rug +from over my eyes, I saw him disappear down the +fore-scuttle. Most likely his watch had expired, and he +went to rouse his relief. Directly his head was below the +combings of the hatch, I started to my feet and continued +getting aft. When I reached the cabin skylight I spread +myself out by the side of it and gazed below. A bright +lamp was burning, and everything inside was plainly +visible. I could see a full musket-rack, table, books, telltale +compass, an open chart, a revolver-case, and all the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +paraphernalia of a nautical drawing-room; but what riveted +my eyes more than all were the sleeping-berths—one on +each side—with their curtains drawn. It was useless +gazing through the skylight; the only plan to see the +occupants of these berths would be to open the curtains +and look in. Another instant and perhaps the fresh look-out +man would be on deck. I had no time to spare. If +the venture was ever to be made, now was the moment to +put it into execution. I hesitated no longer, but, rising +up, stole to the companion and cautiously crept down the +stairs, lifting foot after foot with a noiseless cat-like +movement. When I reached the bottom, I found myself +fronting another berth; but the loud snoring I could hear +satisfied me that she whom I wanted was not there. I +passed on to the cabin door. After listening a few +minutes, I became satisfied the inmates, whoever they +might be, were fast asleep. Little did those wrapped in +the sleep of security dream that one who might prove +their deadliest enemy was in their midst! I must have +strangely resembled the midnight murderer, as with +stealthy step I glided across the cabin, and, reaching the +lamp, turned it low and dim. One of the sleepers moved +uneasily. I shrunk down into the darkest spot under the +table. Again all was quiet. I crawled up to the nearest +berth, moved the curtain half an inch, and peeped in; the +back of a man was visible. Slowly I crossed over to the +opposite side, and, performing the same operation at +the foot of the berth, saw a bearded face on the pillow. +Marie was not in that cabin.</p> + +<p>A small passage led from the after-part of the saloon, +apparently dividing two after-cabins from each other. +I quickly passed into it, and paused at a door upon my left. +I listened for a little while to the profound, oppressive +silence, in which I could plainly distinguish the palpitation +of my own heart; at last I fancied I heard a female voice +within. I was just pressing my ear to the panelling when +a coarse ejaculation in a man's voice proceeding from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +opposite cabin made me start back; the handle was grasped; +I had just time to crouch down at the farthest end of +the passage, when the door was rudely thrust open. A +man came forth, evidently in a state of intoxication, +and, fortunately turning away from my direction, shook his +fist at the door I had just left; then muttering a curse, +blundered into the outer cabin. I could hear him unfasten +a locker, take something forth, and then followed a gurgling, +clucking sound; the bottle was dashed down upon +the table with a clash, and then the drunkard staggered +up the companion-way on deck. Surely I heard a woman's +voice again! I dared not remain to satisfy myself. I +had not a second to lose; if the man should return before +I could escape from the cabin, he would certainly discover +me, and then all hope of rescuing Marie would be at an +end. I hurried through the cabin and up the companion +undiscovered, although an exclamation from one of the +berths made me fear it was otherwise.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching the deck, I found I was safe from any +discovery upon the part of my intoxicated friend, for he +was stretched at full length upon the deck, and already in +the lethargic sleep of drunkenness. I stooped over him +to scan his features, and while doing so plainly heard +voices in the cabin. Undoubtedly I had been noticed +passing through it. As I turned towards the forepart of +the vessel, I saw the watchman coming straight towards +me. He had most likely observed my movements, and +was coming aft to ascertain what I was about, mistaking +me for one of the crew. I snatched up my quilt from +where I had left it, placed it over my head and shoulders, +and pulling my trousers out of my boots, assumed the +Chinaman as much as possible, and walked to meet him. +Fortunately it was the darkest hour of the night—that +immediately before the grey of morning,—and the thick +clouds made it still more sombre. Until close up to me I +did not perceive he was followed by a Chinaman; the +man himself was a Portuguese. I loosened one of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +revolvers, and taking it by the barrel under my quilt, +prepared to fell him. These Macao Portuguese nearly +all speak the Canton dialect, with which I was unacquainted; +and as the Chinese portion of the lorcha's crew +would certainly be Cantonese, I expected he would address +me in their language, and discover me at once. To my +surprise he spoke in the <i>Pidgin</i> English by saying:—</p> + +<p>"What thing wantchee aft side, Jack?" To which I +replied, with indignant emphasis,—</p> + +<p>"<i>Hi-ya!</i> what ting? wantchee look see what-tim, +ga-la!"</p> + +<p>The Portuguese, seemingly dissatisfied, seized hold of +my rug. Just then the Chinaman who had followed him +interfered, and, pulling me away, exclaimed to him,—</p> + +<p>"What for foolo pidgin? No wantchee play ga-la!"</p> + +<p>The Portuguese still seemed suspicious; but, giving me +a pull, Aling—for it was he—laid himself down as if to +repose, and I quickly imitated him. Although this +vigilant look-out now left us, for more than an hour he +continued pacing the deck close by; daylight was fast +approaching, and we were tied to the spot. Aling told +me that when he saw the look-out come aft he suspected +it was to overhaul me, and, thinking the man would +speak to me in Cantonese, he followed him to assist me. +It was principally for emergencies of this sort I had +brought Aling with me.</p> + +<p>At last the watchful mariner moved aft to see what +time it was, I imagine; so, taking the opportunity, we +both got forward, and, casting off the line, descended +into the boat. It was impossible to attempt any further +discovery that night, for although I had not been +followed by the inmates of the outer cabin, it was +evident they had heard me pass, or something had disturbed +and made them wakeful; besides, it was too late +now, for daylight was already breaking. Bitterly disappointed, +I was compelled to order my companions to pull +the boat away from under the lorcha's bows by hauling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +in the line, to weigh the grapnel, and to paddle inshore. +Directly we reached the bank, I was met by my friends, +who rushed forward to inquire what success I had met +with; in a few words I told them all. At first they declared +they would return with me to the lorcha, jump +on board, force the cabin I had heard the female voice +proceed from, and if Marie was there endeavour to carry +her off; soon, however, they decided upon a more reasonable +course. Our boat was too small to carry all; +the sharp look-out would most likely discover us; there +certainly would not be time to paddle the boat, heavily +laden, up stream, and adopt my last manœuvre; and +we were quite unequal to cope with the four or five Europeans +and some ten or twelve Macao Portuguese, besides +Canton men, on board. The thing was plainly impracticable; +our only course was to wait until the next +night, and then try the same plan over again. I had +made several important discoveries. If Marie was on +board, I knew where to find her. I had acquainted +myself with the interior arrangements of the lorcha, and +I was enabled to form a pretty accurate estimate of her +crew; so that I had obtained some valuable facts to guide +me upon a second attempt.</p> + +<p>I returned to my vessel much disturbed in mind; the +menacing gesture of the drunken brute I had seen in the +passage, the voice proceeding from the cabin he appeared +to threaten, the possibility that Marie was the inmate +who had evidently excited and angered him, were painful +reflections.</p> + +<p>Soon after my return on board the day broke, and my +companions retired to obtain the rest they had been +without all night. For my part sleep was out of the +question; I was in a complete fever, and unable to do +or think of anything else than the probable result of my +next attempt to discover Marie. The day was perfectly +calm; undisturbed by a ripple, the broad expanse of the +mighty Yang-tze glided swiftly past, glistening in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +lurid sun like a sheet of liquid gold. Unable to proceed, +through want of wind and the strength of the +current, the lorcha remained at anchor; while many +times during the weary day I landed, and, concealed +amidst the bushes, watched her through my telescope. +I was unable to discover anything. The day was very +cold, and but few of the crew were about the decks. At +last, towards evening, I made my last reconnoitre, accompanied +by my friend and one of our crew,—the latter +for the purpose of acting as a scout upon the movements +of the lorcha; for, a light breeze having sprung up, it was +just possible she might attempt to get under weigh.</p> + +<p>It was upon this occasion I made a discovery that led +to important results. My attention was attracted to her +stern windows. It was a fortunate circumstance that +we had gone rather below the vessel, as otherwise we +could not have noticed them. After closely watching +these ports until quite dark, and observing nothing of the +interior of the after-cabin or its inmates, we returned to +our vessel with sanguine hopes for the issue of the night's +adventure.</p> + +<p>My impatience became gratefully relieved in one way +by the early setting of the moon, but, upon the other +hand, the night continued bright and starlight,—in fact, +so bright that it was evidently impossible to repeat my +<i>modus operandi</i> of the previous night. Here was an +apparently insurmountable difficulty, for I should never +be able to approach the lorcha undiscovered! For several +hours I remained in deep consultation with my friends; +but after discussing every plan we could imagine, the fact +remained patent, that none could be effected without +attracting observation; unless, indeed, I could hit upon the +exact moment for relieving the look-out man at some period +between midnight and the dawn, and when the rest of the +crew would almost certainly be fast asleep. I had almost +decided to adopt this course, when my friend and Philip +proposed another. Their idea was, to get our vessel under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> +weigh in the middle of the night, tack down the river, and +then get athwart hawse of the lorcha, as if by accident; +drop an anchor foul of the lorcha's, and while all hands +would be forward working to get the vessel clear, find +an opportunity to prosecute my search. This certainly +appeared feasible, and almost superior to the other plan; +but, fortunately, while considering which to adopt, I hit +upon something better than either. I suddenly remembered +the ruse the Chinese pirates had attempted with me; +prompted by this, I conceived a plan that in all respects +promised to take me silently and undiscovered to the position +I desired—under the stern of the lorcha. Directly +I unfolded the project to my companions, they agreed +with me that it was impossible to conceive a better.</p> + +<p>It was already nearly midnight; we therefore commenced +our preparations without delay. Upon this occasion, +I decided to take my friend as a companion; we +each dressed in black clothes, and besides taking our +revolvers, placed a couple of rifles in the boat. In the +meanwhile, according to my instructions, Philip had made +the crew prepare a large drag, in the form of a cross, made +with two short and broad spars, lashed together at their +centres. When this was ready, the end of a long coir +rope was made fast to the middle, the other end being +fastened to our canoe, with a few fathoms to spare, which +were passed ashore. The drag was now placed in our +large boat, and being pulled far out on the river, was +tossed overboard; this was signalled by showing a lamp. +Directly I saw the light, I gave the word to start away: +Philip and three of the crew, well armed, taking the end +of the rope, walked down the bank, keeping our canoe +close under its shadow, and progressing as fast as the +drag at the other end of the rope was drifting with the +current. After proceeding in this order for twenty +minutes, during which we had slowly been hauling +in the line till we had coiled nearly half of it in the +canoe, we arrived fairly abeam of the lorcha, and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +almost immediately afterwards, felt the jerk of the rope +as it caught across her cable. Gradually easing it +out, our companions dragged us carefully past the vessel—scarcely +a hundred feet distant. At length the rope +was all payed out to the bare end, and taking a small +line, one end of which was retained by our companions +ashore, we let go from the bank, and the current quickly +swept us into the stream until we were checked by +it in a direct line astern of the lorcha, now dimly +visible in the distance. We had one Chinaman in the +boat to steer and paddle as necessary, and slowly and cautiously +we began hauling in the rope. We had not proceeded +far, when we came up to the drag towing some 70 +or 80 yards astern of the lorcha. To the upper arm of this +we made fast a lantern with a candle and matches in it +all ready to light in a moment, and then continued hauling +upon the rope, which, as we took it inboard, was passed +over the stern by the Chinaman, and pulled ashore to +Philip and his men, by means of the small line.</p> + +<p>When within fifty feet of the lorcha, we paused +awhile, and watched closely to ascertain whether any of +her crew were visible; we were soon satisfied that our +approach could be conducted with perfect impunity, for +her stern was high, and not only protected us from the +observation of the look-out in the fore part of the vessel, +but would hide us from the view of any one except a person +coming to look directly over the taffrail. We could distinguish +by the light from within, only half-subdued by +thin drapery, four stern ports, two on each side; but to +see who, or what, was in the cabins, it would be necessary +to remove the curtains. Stealthily and silently we now +urged ourselves forward, passing the rope along, hand over +hand, till at last there we lay right under the lorcha's +counter—like a pilot-fish under the lee of a huge shark. +Erecting myself in the boat, I found that my shoulders +reaching just to the sill of the ports, I could easily raise +myself up; but, to my chagrin, found they were too small<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> +for me to pass through. It was evident that originally +only two ports had existed, but they were now divided +into four, by a slight stanchion, or framework, passing +down the centre of each. The curtains of the starboard +side were closely drawn, the glass part of a sliding sash +closed, and it was impossible to see within. Slacking +away the rope a little, I grasped the other part of it, and +changed our position to the port counter.</p> + +<p>The curtains were not so carefully closed at this side, +and looking through the open space I was able to view the +whole interior of the cabin. My first glance was attracted +by the same man I had seen issue from it on the previous +night; he was seated at a table, and I saw directly by his +flushed face that he had been drinking again very freely. +The light from a large lamp was brilliant, and I could +observe his every expression with ease,—he was evidently +labouring under strong excitement, and in a few moments +I saw him pour out a stiff "second-mate's nip" of neat +brandy, and gulp it down. His appearance became, if +possible, still more inflamed, and several times he started +up and went towards the cabin door, snatching up a key +from the table. Upon each occasion, after hesitating and +listening at the open door, with a fresh effort, and a drop +of brandy to obtain resolution, he resumed his seat, gritting +his teeth and clenching his hands savagely. His manner +plainly told of some evil intention, and that he was endeavouring +to raise his determination to put it into +execution. The glass sash was not quite closed, and as +he retired from the door for the last time I heard a bitter +"carajo!" hiss through his teeth with fierce aspiration; +followed by a few words uttered with energy in some +Spanish patois, from which I could gather: "carajo! my +proud beauty—you scorn my love, do you? Wait a little! +wait a little, my lady; we shall change places soon."</p> + +<p>The man's appearance was so unmistakably South +American that I felt no surprise at his language. I +had no doubt that his speech referred to the inmate of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +the opposite cabin, so I instantly returned under its windows +to try and make some opening to see who she was. +L., my friend, handed me a large bowie-knife he had fortunately +brought with him; I managed to pick the window +open with this, and moving the curtain with my fingers, I +peered cautiously through. I had no occasion to search +further—Marie was before me. Yes, there lay my betrothed; +within a few feet, almost within reach of my +hands; yet I could neither touch, or embrace her—she +was in the power of the ruffian I had just seen. My +fingers trembled nervously with the curtain and sides of +the port, while my heart heaved with sudden and powerful +excitement. For some moments I remained thus, riveted +and powerless. At the first glance I saw nothing but +Marie; but when the sudden shock had passed, a single +moment explained the situation. She was sleeping upon +a sofa couch, and the table, chairs, and every moveable +article of furniture in the cabin, were piled against the +door. Her face was turned away from me, but I needed +not to look upon that to recognize her; the graceful form, +perfectly outlined against the white drapery of the couch, +told that it was Marie.</p> + +<p>When my thoughts returned, I became convinced +I could not be better placed for rescuing her. She was +alone, within my reach, and I was at the most concealed +spot about the lorcha to take advantage of the +opportunity. A dark shadow surrounded the vessel, and, +besides this, our little boat was drawn close up under +her stern. Nothing seemed likely to interfere with my +scheme to effect her escape except one thing, and that was, +the ports were too small for egress by them! My friend +took my place in the bow of our boat to survey the situation; +the instant he placed his hand upon the port, he drew +his knife and commenced hacking away at the stanchion: +if this could be removed, there would be room to pass +through the two ports thus let into one. Desperately +my friend slashed away at the woodwork; his knife was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +sharp, and he made rapid progress. Marie still slept on, +and I would not awaken her for fear any sudden exclamation +might startle him in the opposite cabin.</p> + +<p>The observations and action thus described occupied +but a short time. Thoughts are quick, but at such a crisis +they speed like lightning. Our work, too, was rapid, and +soon would be accomplished; and it would only remain +to bring Marie from the cabin to the boat, through the +stern ports of the lorcha.</p> + +<p>The stanchion was about four inches thick, and my +friend had cut it more than half through, when, suddenly +he sank down in the boat, exclaiming, "hish." Reaching +to me, he whispered that some one was unlocking the cabin +door from the outside. I instantly changed places with +him, and, raising myself cautiously to a level with the +port, peeped through. I saw the door slowly opening, +while a hand passed through was holding the furniture +that had been piled up, and keeping it from falling as the +door was gradually pressed inwards. Marie had evidently +fallen into a deep sleep through excessive fatigue, for even +this noise did not wake her.</p> + +<p>Not a moment was to be lost. I turned to my friend, +and whispered him to hand me one of the rifles from the +stern of the boat. Upon receiving the weapon, I placed +its muzzle close to the cut on the stanchion and fired. +Before the smoke cleared away I grasped the sill of the +port, the shattered woodwork gave way, and I raised +myself into the cabin. Directly I was able to discern +anything, I saw that Marie had started from her couch, +and was gazing in a terrified manner in the direction of +the report; but, calling upon her by name as I advanced +nearer, she recognized me and rushed into my arms.</p> + +<p>As I hurried her towards the stern ports, the door was +pushed further open. For a second I paused, and fired +my revolver at the man I had previously seen in the +opposite cabin, just as he appeared in the doorway with +a pistol in each hand. My shot took effect, for he fell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +prostrate across the threshold. Immediately afterwards I +heard the loud shouting of the alarmed crew, and the +noise of hurrying footsteps approaching the cabin.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching the port, I found L. all ready to receive +me, and hastily passed Marie into the boat. Just as we +shoved off, the door was burst wide open, and in rushed a +crowd of men, some holding lights, and all armed. +We hauled in upon the part of the rope fast to the drag, +and, reaching it, set light to the lantern on its upper arm. +Directly this was done we cut each part of the rope, letting +go one end, and thus sending the drag floating down the +river, while the other end was made fast to the bow of +our boat. The lantern was not only intended to throw +the people of the lorcha off our track, but it was to be a +signal to our friends on shore to haul away upon the rope +and pull us to the bank. It had just tautened, and +pulled us out of a line with the drag, when crash went +a volley of musketry from the lorcha, and we heard +the bullets go singing past in the direction of the floating +light.</p> + +<p>Within three minutes after cutting the rope we reached +the bank, and were tracked up stream by Philip and his +men. Before getting abeam of the lorcha we had the +satisfaction to hear a boat pull away from her in pursuit +of the now distant lantern.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching my vessel I took Marie to the best +cabin, and left her with the <i>ayah</i> I had brought to wait +upon and attend to her. For some time I was left to my +own reflections, my friends being engaged getting the +vessel under weigh, and making the crew track her along +the bank.</p> + +<p>At last Marie was ready to receive me, and on my +joining her she gave me an account of all that had happened +since our last parting. It appeared that everything +had gone on quietly and happily until a few evenings +previous to my arrival at Shanghae, when one night Marie +and her relatives were startled by a loud knocking at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> +door. This was no sooner opened than in rushed ten or a +dozen men, led by the one I had shot, who was no other +than Manoel Ramon, the Chillinian I had rescued her +from in the first place at Whampoa. He declared he +intended taking them all to Hong-kong, where he stated +Marie's father was waiting to receive her. He allowed +them to take their clothes and a few light articles; they +were then taken to a lonely part of the river, and carried +on board the lorcha, which directly afterwards weighed +anchor and commenced dropping down the river. Upon +getting well clear of Woo-sung, at the entrance of the +Shanghae river, the lorcha was stopped alongside a junk, +and Marie's two relatives—her aunt and uncle—were put +on board, and the vessels instantly separated. Ramon +then informed her that her father was dead, that he had +been made his heir, and that a settlement had been left +her upon condition that she should marry him. For the +first few days he had renewed his old protestations of +affection, and treated her respectfully; but latterly, finding +her aversion immovable, his bearing had entirely +altered.</p> + +<p>Rapidly flew the time, as, absorbed in our happiness, +we remained unconscious of its flight; at last I was +startled by the increased motion of the vessel, and knew +that a fresh breeze had sprung up. This change had not +lasted long, when my friend L. came to the cabin-door +and beckoned me to go out to him. Wishing Marie good-night, +and leaving her to obtain the repose she needed, I +followed him into the outer cabin, and eagerly inquired +what had occurred.</p> + +<p>"Why, that confounded lorcha's in full chase, and will +certainly overhaul us within three hours," said my friend.</p> + +<p>I hurried on deck with him, and found it was just +daylight, and although we had undoubtedly made considerable +progress before the lorcha had started in pursuit, +yet there she was, some five or six miles astern, and +crowding all sail in chase.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span></p> + +<p>After thinking it over a little while, we decided that +sending the light adrift upon the river had brought about +the pursuit. When the men sent in chase had come up +to it, they doubtless saw at once that it had been sent to +drift down the river, and as it was certain it could not +have been started above the people they were in pursuit +of, it was equally sure that we must be above it. We +had not thought of this at the time; we only valued it as +a ruse to throw off the close pursuit we expected, and so +give us time to return to our vessel undiscovered. So +far we were successful, but the whole style of the drag +proved to the lorcha's people that we must be above them, +and <i>up</i> the river, which caused her to give chase so soon.</p> + +<p>We were at this time some twelve or fourteen miles +below Nankin, and I at once determined to make +for that place with all speed. The sails were wetted +down fore and aft, and everything done to make them +draw as well as possible. The breeze was moderately +strong, but freshening, and the stronger it came the +quicker would the lorcha overhaul us, for being of an +European and heavier build, and spreading loftier and +lighter canvas than we did, it would tell considerably in +her favour. Fortunately the wind was dead aft, so our +flat and shallow bottom was in this case an advantage, +whereas, a beam or leading wind would have made it +quite the reverse. The wind increased so quickly that in +less than two hours the lorcha had rapidly gained upon +us, and was coming up hand over hand in a cloud of +canvas. She was yet more than two miles astern, but +I was still some six miles below Nankin, and although +the breeze was now very strong, I could not, with an +adverse tide, hope to reach that city before we were +within the range of her pivot gun.</p> + +<p>We tried every plan to increase our speed; an old +awning was rigged out as a stun'-sail upon one side, and a +spare tarpaulin on the other, besides which, several large +flags were fastened together, bent to a large bamboo, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +hoisted above the mainsail to serve as a gaff-topsail. It +was now blowing half a gale of wind, and over a three or +four knot tide, the old vessel was staggering along under +a press of sail she had never felt before. Following +directly in our wake, like a sleuth-hound on the trail, the +lorcha presented at this time a striking, though to us unpleasant, +picture. Rolling heavily from side to side, her +snow-white sails pyramid-like in form, and reaching from +the deck to the very summit of her long and taper spars, +now bending like willows to the blast; a long furrow of +foam following in her wake, and two lines of water leaping +from each bow, and tossing high into the air a silver +spray, through which the morning sun formed myriads of +tiny rainbows; the stoop of the vessel, as with a movement +like the bending of a buffalo to the charge, she plunged +forward burying her bows deep into the rushing surge, +and anon raising them high above as though to shake the +dripping element from her head—all these phases in the +appearance of our pursuer made her look a thing of life +and beauty. While gazing and thinking thus, I was +abruptly recalled from the romantic to the stern reality +of the scene. The lorcha suddenly luffed up, puff went a +column of smoke from her lee bow, and while it was +eddying amidst her cordage the splash of a shot a few +fathoms from our stern, accompanied by the booming of a +cannon, told me the danger had now commenced in +earnest, and that our pursuer was aware of our connection +with the affair of the previous night.</p> + +<p>The shot had fallen so close under our stern that it +was certain the next five minutes would find us within +range and entirely commanded by the lorcha's guns. +Upon the other hand, another half-hour might see us safe +under the walls of Nankin, unless some of our spars should +be crippled, or a shot strike us below the water-line. If +either of these misfortunes should occur, before we could +make repairs aloft the lorcha would be alongside; if hulled, +before reaching the Nankin batteries we should sink. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> +therefore made every preparation to run into the bank +and get ashore, in the event of such an emergency.</p> + +<p>I placed Marie in the hold, right upon the bottom of +the vessel, where she would be below the water-line far +enough to be safe from the lorcha's fire. My friends and +self got our rifles and a few things ready in case we should +have to take to the shore. We had the sails continually +wetted, and made the crew run fore and aft the decks to +help the vessel's way. In a few moments the lorcha +luffed up again, bang went her "long Tom," and the shot +came whistling over our heads, passing some yards clear +of our rigging. We were now fairly within range, and +our pursuer fired at us as quickly as the pivot-gun could +be loaded and brought to bear. This kind of work went +on for some time, till at last the outworks of Nankin +showed up only a mile or so ahead. The lorcha had +hitherto fired exclusively at our spars, but directly these +forts opened to view, she began aiming at our hull. +Several large rents were torn through our sails, though +fortunately none of our spars had been struck; but the +gunnery practice of our enemy now became close and +dangerous. Two or three shots hurtled past a few feet +over the decks, but then crash came one right amidships, +tearing in at one side and passing clean through the other, +as we rounded a sand-bank and became nearly broadside +on to the lorcha. As we fell into line again another +smashed through the stern, and, knocking off the helmsman's +head, passed over the bows, raking us fore and aft, +but fortunately killing no one else. The lorcha having to +round-to each time she fired, in order to get her pivot-gun +to bear, her way was checked very considerably; +and to this may our escape be entirely attributed. At +the time our helmsman was struck we had already +reached the first of the Nankin batteries. The people on +board the lorcha now saw their mistake, and, ceasing +firing, kept steadily on in chase. They changed +their tactics—fortunately for us—too late. Hoisting a +flag the Ti-pings had given me when I left Soo-chow, I +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +steered past the point of the island just below Nankin, +and passing the batteries—crowded with soldiery gazing +upon the chase—ran into the creek, leading between some +fortifications direct to the walls of the city, and there +anchored.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<img src="images/i236.jpg" width="900" height="521" alt="ESCAPE FROM THE LORCHA. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption">ESCAPE FROM THE LORCHA.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>Directly I ran up the Ti-ping flag I was boarded by an +officer from the principal fort. To him I showed my +commission from the Chung-wang, and requested protection +from the pursuing vessel. He pulled quickly ashore, +and just as the lorcha was rounding the point of the island +and preparing to follow me into the creek, I had the +satisfaction to see a gun fired across her bows, upon +which she hauled off and gave up the pursuit, her retreat +accelerated by another shot from the fort sent right +into her.</p> + +<p>While watching her through my glass, I plainly observed +her owner, Manoel Ramon, propped up in a chair +on the quarter-deck.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ti-ping Operations.—Chinese Apathy.—The Ti-ping Difficulty.—Popular +Feeling.—Opposed to the Ti-pings.—England's Policy.—Her Motives.—Dr. +Bridgman describes Ti-pingdom.—His Description of the +Ti-pings.—X. Y. Z.—Ti-pingdom in 1857.—Its Internal Economy.—Lord +Elgin at Nankin.—Gallant Exploit.—Its Interpretation.—Hung-jin +arrives at Nankin.—Hung-jin's Adventures.—Mr. Hamberg's +Narrative.—Hung-jin's Pamphlet.—Hung-jin Prime Minister.—Nankin +Invested.—Resumption of Hostilities.—"Indemnity" +demanded.—Conditions of Peace.—Cause of Wars with China.—England's +Foreign Policy.—The Opium Wars.</p></div> + + +<p>Towards the close of 1854, the detached armies of +Ti-pings were gradually compelled to abandon their +isolated positions, and retire closer upon their capital. +During October, after forwarding all the supplies obtainable +to the treasury and granaries of Nankin, the Western +armies evacuated the important cities of Wu-chang, Han-yang, +and Hankow, and collecting the garrisons of the +many others between them and Nankin, retired quickly +upon the latter, the siege of which the Imperialists were +beginning to press with a vigour encouraged by the +weakness of the garrison. This army falling rapidly upon +the rear of the enemy's works, put them to flight with +great slaughter, and completely raised the siege. After +this, another force was marched to the relief of Chin-kiang, +which was also invested by a considerable Imperialist +army. At the close of the year, both Nankin and Chin-kiang +were effectually relieved, and the besieging armies +driven back upon the cities of Soo-chow and Shanghae in +confusion. With the exception of the Northern army, in +occupation of the north side of the Yang-tze from Ngan-king<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +to Kwei-chow, nearly all the Ti-ping forces were +concentrated in and about the cities of Nankin and Chin-kiang, +when, again committing the error former experience +should have taught him to avoid, the Tien-wang +separated his forces, and despatched several armies upon +widely divergent courses.</p> + +<p>The principal operations were conducted towards +the south, in the provinces of Kiang-su, Ngan-whui, +and the borders of Che-kiang and Kiang-si, and towards +the west, along the old route of the Yang-tze +and beyond the Tung-ting lake. Early in 1855 the +Western division, successful in all its operations, reached +the city of Hankow, and Wu-chang, the provincial capital, +was for the third time carried by storm, the Manchoo +defenders suffering fearful loss. The Ti-pings now held +the three cities for a longer period than before; but, +although they obtained numerous recruits, they were +unable to occupy the adjoining provinces permanently +and rescue them from the Manchoo rule. The people at +large, finding the revolution was to a certain extent +stationary, naturally waited for some grand and combined +movement likely to overthrow the Manchoo rule, and, +however much they would have rejoiced at the change, +were careful to avoid implicating themselves against the +government until the prospect of success became more +apparent. The fearful experience of former failures +warned the nation to be cautious—in fact, the cautious +alone remained in the land of the living, the indiscriminate +massacres after the slightest attempt at rebellion having +exterminated nearly every noble and patriotic spirit in +China. Besides, many who might otherwise have hazarded +the venture held back on account of the Ti-ping profession +of Christianity (a change of the ancient national train +of custom and ideas what they not only looked upon with +suspicion, but with actual abhorrence). The hatred of the +Manchoo must indeed have been intense—or rather, the +hand of God powerful—to overcome the old and jealous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +prejudices of more than 2,000 years, and give the Tien-wang +even any adherents.</p> + +<p>The Southern army, breaking into several divisions +during 1855, was mostly victorious; many cities were +captured, and large supplies of every necessary and war +material taken. Partisans were sent into all the southern +provinces and many local insurrections stimulated, but all +too feeble and desultory to be of any real assistance to +the cause; though the prompt and savage punishments +inflicted by the Manchoo authorities undoubtedly proved +very damaging, the fear they inspired awing the people +into submission, and terrifying them from rising in rebellion +again.</p> + +<p>For more than a year the Southern and Western +armies maintained their position; but early in 1856 they +were again forced to retire upon Nankin, which had +become reinvested by the Imperialists. It will thus be +seen that, while the Ti-pings were detaching small armies +just able to overcome the local Manchoo authorities, the +Imperialists, after reinforcing the provincial troops so as +to enable them to dispute the ground with varying success, +invariably concentrated all their reserves and spare forces +before Nankin. Considering that the Imperialists had +vastly superior numbers, and, moreover, held the whole +of the revenue, and completely surrounded the insurgents +upon every side, the greatly superior organization and +courage of the Ti-pings is sufficiently proved by the fact +that they were able to compete with their more advantageously +situated enemy so successfully.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the year, the Imperialists were +attacked by the recalled Ti-ping forces, before the city +of Chin-kiang, and were defeated with heavy loss; about +the same time, their lines before Nankin were assaulted +by another division and completely broken up.</p> + +<p>In this year an event took place, the consequences of +which have proved almost fatal to the Ti-ping revolution. +From a period long anterior to the commencement of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +movement, the position of Europeans in China was most +unsatisfactory. The growing dread the Manchoos entertained +of foreign intercourse urged them to the adoption +of the most repulsive and arrogant behaviour upon all +occasions, and it was just at the period this was becoming +almost unbearable that the Ti-ping insurrection took +place. It was therefore only natural that Europeans +should regard the rising power favourably. Directly the +organization and professions of the Tien-wang became +fully known, it was almost the universal practice to +warmly advocate his cause, and sound thrilling pćans in +his praise. The clergy and religious world went half +mad with joy; the societies for providing Bibles for the +naked savages who could not read them, almost feared +their work was coming to an end; and the mercantile part +of the foreign world entered into the wildest speculations +(excepting the opium smugglers). Eagerly the clerical +expounders of mercy and goodwill wrote home glowing +accounts of the success of their teaching—blessed by an +overruling Providence!—eagerly the whole body of merchants, +officials, adventurers, &c., watched for some +favourable prospect of <i>profit</i>, or, as the thing is speciously +termed, of "placing our commercial and political relations +upon a satisfactory basis"! All these benevolent +and large-minded Europeans waited a little, and when +they found the profitable change would probably take a +long time to perfect, while in the interval their gain <i>might</i> +be diminished, it was absolutely wonderful how their +sympathy—like Bob Acre's courage—oozed out at their +fingers' ends. Events soon occurred that extinguished +the last remnant of philanthropy. The missionaries (only +a certain portion of them, be it remembered) found out +they could not take all the credit of the rebellion to +themselves,—or rather the religious element of it; therefore +they gradually cooled down, and some of them began +to revile it, at the same time taking precious good care +not to put themselves to inconvenience by going to teach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +the Ti-pings where they were in error. The political +and commercial body also found they would have to wait +for their ambitious and profitable projects, which did not +suit them at all.</p> + +<p>It was at such a crisis, the seizure of the opium-smuggling +lorcha <i>Arrow</i> afforded a pretext for an appeal +to arms; and this furnished all those favourable circumstances, +hitherto expected from the Ti-ping movement, +by a shorter and more direct road. It was sufficient +for a portion of the body mercantile, that they +would get their nefarious opium traffic legalized, and +their general trade increased; it was sufficient for the +body politic that they would be able to place their diplomatic +affairs upon a satisfactory standing, and so humble +the power of the Chinese government as to be able to do +with it whatever they liked, <i>compelling</i> it to conform to +their will in every way—and all for nothing, as the +Manchoo government would be made pay the expenses +England would incur by an aggressive war. The Ti-pings +were at once thrown overboard. It mattered not that their +cause was righteous and holy; it was no longer <i>profitable</i> +to the British <i>trader</i> or his <i>government</i>, and with +the usual error of mean selfishness, they took it for +granted that the Manchoos would always remain powerless, +or else forget to retaliate when they became able, +for the gross treatment they had received; neither +could they perceive that although delays might interpose +before the final success of the Ti-pings, yet that, after a +short probation, the willing and unrestricted commerce +the latter would encourage, would be more profitable than +the unwilling and forced trade the Manchoos were <i>coerced</i> +into. Although meanness is generally the result of ignorance, +it seems almost a fatality that so large a portion of +Englishmen should have acted so wrongfully, and have +been so forgetful of their national fair-play. The whole +affair speaks too plainly of avarice and incompetent +statesmanship.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> + +<p>Commander Brine, R.N., in his valuable and fairly-expressed +work, "The Taeping Rebellion," at pages 271-2, +very truthfully observes:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The principal reason for the decline of the popularity of the rebellion +amongst Europeans may be found in the great change that has occurred in +our political relations with the Manchoo government."</p></div> + +<p>Again, speaking of the treaty settled after the "lorcha +<i>Arrow</i> war," he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Two of its clauses, noted below, not only made the further progress +of the Taepings <i>unprofitable</i>, but absolutely made their simple existence +most objectionable to all Europeans who hoped to open <i>trade</i> with those +provinces lying adjacent to the upper waters of the Yang-tze. When Lord +Elgin proceeded to Han-kow, <i>he</i> evidently looked upon them as a mere +body of rebels, sooner or later to be suppressed by government, and that +they in the interval interfered with the due carrying into execution the +terms of his treaty. Consequently he was not inclined to show them +much favour."</p></div> + +<p>In this perfectly true conclusion is concealed the real +motive of the conduct the British <i>Government</i> has pursued +towards the Ti-pings. Not only in China, but over +the whole world—from Denmark to America, from +Abyssinia to Brazil, from New Zealand to Japan,—the +policy of England has been derogatory to her dignity, +and would be calculated to elicit merely feelings of contempt +were it not so dangerous to her future welfare. It +seems, however, that the majority of Englishmen are +satisfied with a course of administration which advocates +"peace at any price," except when war can be undertaken +with impunity, and some aggression committed upon a +weak neighbour, who is then compelled to pay all the +expenses. I, for one, protest against such lowering of +England's dignity and "just influence." I protest against +the sacrifice of national honour to mercenary interest,—of +principle to profit.</p> + +<p>Commander Brine's opinion has been amply verified—he +wrote it early in 1862; since which period England, +regardless of all pledges of neutrality, has deliberately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +upheld the Manchoo dynasty, and made war upon the +Ti-pings, not to support any high principle, but prompted +by regard for the indemnity money to be wrested from the +Imperialists, influenced by the profits of the opium +trade, and anxious to support the Elgin treaty, which +otherwise would have become inoperative.</p> + +<p>It is no less singular than true, that the wars with the +Manchoo government in reality weakened it but very +little:—in the first place, the British troops were always +met by the local forces, none being withdrawn from opposition +to the internal danger, which was dreaded much +more than any arising from the foreign expeditions;—in +the second, the indemnity money being deducted from the +increased duties levied upon the foreign trade, instead of +impoverishing the Manchoo exchequer, was taken directly +from the pockets of the foreign merchants; and although +the exchequer was so much less in hand, it could hardly be +looked upon as a loss, considering that only one-fifth of the +gross customs revenue of the ports open to foreign trade was +taken, and that the trade has enlarged amply enough to +make the returns, minus the indemnity, more than equal +to what they were before the war.</p> + +<p>Subsequent to the visit of H.M.S. <i>Hermes</i>, and the +French steamer <i>Cassini</i>, the next communication between +the Ti-pings and Europeans took place a little more than +a year later, when the American minister visited Nankin +in the U.S. frigate <i>Susquehanna</i>. The few extracts I give +from the accounts of the Rev. Dr. Bridgeman, and +another writer, X.Y.Z., each members of the expedition, +coincide exactly with all opinions ever given of the Ti-pings +by credible people who have held personal intercourse +with them; and it is a singular, if not a sinister circumstance, +that these accounts are <i>all totally different</i> from +the dispatches of Sir F. Bruce (British minister at Pekin), +and consuls of similar tendencies, who have either never +seen the Ti-pings, or at all events know nothing of their +government, life, and manners.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following are extracts from the Rev. Dr. Bridgeman:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"1. Their government is a theocracy, the development apparently of +what is believed by them to be a new dispensation. As in the case of the +Israelites under Moses, they regard themselves as directed by one who has +been raised up by the Almighty to be the executor of his will on earth.</p> + +<p>"5. Their government is administered with <i>remarkable energy</i>.</p> + +<p>"Far in the distance, hovering over the hill-tops—southward from +Chin-kiang-foo, the guardian city of the Great Canal, and northward from +Nankin, we saw encamped small bands of the Imperialists, while all the armed +multitudes in, and immediately around these two cities, wrought up almost +to frenzy, seemed eager to rush forth and take vengeance on them as their +deadly foes,—'fat victims,' said they, 'fit only for slaughter.' They exulted +as they exhibited to us the scars and the wounds they had received in +bloody conflicts with the Manchoo troops, always called by them, 'monster +imps.'</p> + +<p>"6. Their <i>order</i> and <i>discipline</i> are no less remarkable than their +energy. Under this new <i>régime</i>, both tobacco and opium are prohibited.</p> + +<p>"Every kind of strong drink, too, would seem to come into the same +category, and if any is used, it is only by special permission."</p></div> + +<p>At the city of Wuhu:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The people had returned:—whole families,—men, women, and children,—were +seen in their own houses, merchants in their shops, and +market people going and coming with provisions; all most submissive to +the officers and police, as they passed along the streets.</p> + +<p>"It was at their 'holy city,' however, as they frequently called their +new capital, that their <i>order</i> and <i>discipline</i> were observed in the greatest +perfection. Parts of the city were appropriated exclusively for the uses +of the wives and daughters of those men who were abroad, as their armies, +or elsewhere employed in the public service.</p> + +<p>"Everywhere else, as well as in the 'holy city,' extreme watchfulness +was observed in the maintenance of order; and all irregularities, and +infractions of the laws, were rebuked or punished with a promptitude +seldom seen among the Chinese. All persons, without exception, had their +appointed places and their appropriate duties assigned, <i>and all moved like +clockwork</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Their unity of purpose Dr. Bridgeman speaks of as +follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There is no community separate from their one body politic; at least +none appears, and no traces of any could we find."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of their religion he reported:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Christians they may be in name; and they are, in very deed, iconoclasts +of the strictest order. They have in their possession probably the +entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments; and are publishing what +is usually known as 'Gutzlaff's Version' of the same.</p> + +<p>"Their ideas of the Deity are exceedingly imperfect. Though they +declare plainly that there is 'only One True God,' yet the inspiration of the +Holy Scriptures,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> the equality of the Son with the Father,<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> and many +other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> doctrines generally received by Protestant Christians, as being clearly +revealed in the Bible, are by them wholly ignored. True, they have formulas +in which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> some of these doctrines are taught; but then they are borrowed +formulas, and they have used them without comprehending their true +import. So I believe; and I think this is made manifestly plain in the +new version of their Doxology, or Hymn of Praise, where Yang-sen-tsing, +the Eastern King, is proclaimed the Paraclete—the Holy Spirit."<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Bridgeman continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Our Saturday we found observed by them as a Sabbath-day; but +they appeared not to have any houses for public worship, nor any Christian +teachers, ministers of the Gospel so called. Forms of domestic worship, +forms of prayer, of thanksgiving, &c. &c., they have; and all their people, +even such as cannot read, are required to learn and use these. We saw +them repeatedly at their devotions; some of them were exceedingly +reverent and devout, while others were quite the reverse. Most, who +were asked to do it, promptly recited that form of the Decalogue which is +given in their tracts.</p> + +<p>"A form of baptism was spoken of by them; but no allusion was +made by them to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper.</p> + +<p>"We found them, according to their reformed calendar, discarding the +old notions of lucky places, times, &c."</p></div> + +<p>Speaking of the public notices seen on the walls, he +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The distribution of food, of clothes, and of medicines; the payment +of taxes, the preservation of property, the observance of etiquette and +decorum; and injunctions to repair to certain quarters for vaccination,—these +were among the topics discussed in them. One document announced +the names of sundry candidates who had been successful in winning +honours at a recent literary examination in the Heavenly capital."</p></div> + +<p>Thus, it appears, the "ignorant coolies" were literary +coolies. It was late in 1854 when Dr. Bridgeman visited +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span>Nankin, and thus wrote concerning the power and extent +of the rebellion:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Their <i>numerical strength, and the extent of territory under their control</i>, +are by no means inconsiderable. They said they had undisputed control +from Chin-kiang-foo, four hundred miles up the Great River; and that +besides the large numbers of troops garrisoned and intrenched about Chin-kiang, +Kwa-chow, and the 'Heavenly capital,' they had <i>four armies</i> in the +field, carrying on active aggressive operations; two of these had gone +northward, one along the Grand Canal, and one farther westward; they +were designed to co-operate, and after storming and destroying Pekin, to +turn westward and march through Shansi, Shensi, Kians-oo, into Sze-chuen, +where they are expected to meet their other two armies, which from +Kiang-si and the Lake provinces, are to move up the Great River, and +along through the regions on its southern bank.</p> + +<p>"The <i>personal appearance</i> of their men in arms, and of their women +on horseback, was novel. They formed a very heterogeneous mass, having +been brought together from several different provinces, principally from +Gnang-wui, Keang-si, Hoopeh, Kwang-si, and Kwang-tung. The finest +men we saw were from the hills of Kiang-si, and those from Hoonan were +the meanest and least warlike. Their arms and accoutrements were quite +after the old fashion of the Chinese; but their red and yellow turbans, +their <i>long hair</i>, and their silk and satin robes, so unlike the ordinary costume +of the 'black-haired' troops, made the insurgents appear like a new +race of warriors. All the people we saw were very well clad, well fed, +and well provided for in every way. They all seemed content, and in high +spirits, <i>as if sure of success</i>."</p></div> + +<p>It will be seen that Dr. Bridgeman thought—as +every one else did until the arbitrary interference of the +British <i>Government</i>—that the "progress, and ultimate +success," of the Ti-pings was certain, "under the inscrutable +providence of God."</p> + +<p>The following are extracts from the communication +written by X.Y.Z., and published in the <i>North China +Herald</i> at that time.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There is no change of policy or of feeling towards foreigners since the +visit of the <i>Hermes</i>. On the part of the people the same <i>friendly</i> feeling +was manifested that was observed a year ago.</p> + +<p>"The visit of the <i>Susquehanna</i> has put us in possession of facts which +prove that the insurgents have undisturbed control of a large extent of +country, so large as to furnish a guarantee to their ultimate success. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>There seems to be nothing that can prevent their triumph, but internal +dissensions, of which at present no symptoms appear.</p> + +<p>"The city itself (Nankin) is under strict martial law, and indeed is at +present a mere military camp. The <i>most rigid discipline and perfect order +are maintained</i>.</p> + +<p>"In passing through the city, little was seen to distinguish it from +other Chinese cities, except that some of the streets are very wide, and +appear to be kept in a state of cleanliness not often seen in China.</p> + +<p>"Whatever Hung-sui-tshuen may mean by calling himself the brother +of Jesus, it is but justice to say that no evidence was found of its being +insisted on as an essential article of faith among the mass of his followers. +And several officers who subsequently visited the steamer, when asked +what was meant by it, professed themselves unable to give any information +upon the subject. They were so <i>evidently puzzled</i>, that it was plain their +attention had <i>never been called to the matter before</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Speaking of the composition of the Ti-pings, X.Y.Z. +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"A few were from Kwang-se. These latter were all young men of +unusually fine appearance and more than ordinary intelligence, and they +were distinguished by some peculiarities of dress."</p></div> + +<p>Of the civil administration he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The expedition reached the city of Wuhu on Thursday morning. +Here <i>the most cordial feeling was manifested</i> by the authorities and people. +The visit to this place was of great interest, as it afforded an opportunity +of learning from personal observation the character of the insurgent rule +over the people in districts which are no longer the seat of war. The state +of things is entirely different from that at Nankin. <i>The people are engaged +in their ordinary avocations, shops are opened and trade carried on, as +under the old régime</i>, though the former prosperity of the place is by no +means restored."</p></div> + +<p>Upon perusing such statements, the British public +will doubtless wonder at the nature of the reports which +emanated from their government, that "the Ti-pings +destroyed everything and restored nothing,"—were "ruthless +desolaters," "bloodthirsty marauders," "hordes of +banditti," &c. It must, however, be remembered, that the +authors of these statements knew nothing about the +Ti-pings; in some cases had never seen one, and in all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +cases were anxious to meet the views of their official +superiors by prejudicing the public mind against the +Ti-pings, and thereby in some degree justifying the unwarrantable +line of policy which the British Government +had decided on.</p> + +<p>The year 1857 passed over without any important +military movement, and the Ti-ping Government was engaged +in consolidating its power in the districts and cities +it held. The extent of territory and amount of population +entirely under their control was very considerable. +They held possession of about three-fourths of the large +province of Ngan-whui, one-third of Kiang-su, one-third +of Kiang-si, and parts of Hoonan and Hoopeh. In +Kwang-si, Kwang-tung, Fo-keen, and Yun-nan, Ti-ping +agents were actively at work inciting the people to rise.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the administration of their territory +was being perfected;—the title "Wang" was reduced +into a sort of feudal rank, into which all governors +of cities, lieutenant-governors, and governors of provinces, +and generalissimos, were admitted. The whole of their +land was divided into departments, or circles, each department +into four districts, and each district into twenty-five +parishes. After the governors of departments, or +provinces, came the district chiefs, or magistrates; +then the parish magistrates; and then the five village +magistrates, or authorities, appointed over each circle +of twenty-five families. The Ti-ping territory included at +this period not less than 70,000 square miles, with a population +of about 25,000,000. At parts where the Manchoo +troops had been driven out of the country, a regular +system of monthly taxation was established, considerably +more moderate than the old. A tariff for the whole +empire was published; while throughout all their cities, +the machinery of a regular government was constituted, +and the whole conducted with considerable energy and +success. The "Land Regulations of Political Economy of +the Ti-ping Dynasty" were put into force, and a large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +part of China reclaimed to native administration. By +these regulations, all land was divided into nine classifications, +and arranged according to produce. Divisions of +fields were arranged according to the number of persons +in a family, and the whole property was regulated as +the document states, "so that all the people in the empire +may together enjoy the abundant happiness provided by +the Great God, our Heavenly Father and Universal Lord." +Periodical seasons were appointed for the examinations +of literary candidates, and filling of vacant offices. Harvest +regulations and community of interest were thus +provided for:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As soon as harvest arrives, every vexillary must see to it, that the +five-and-twenty parishes under his charge have a sufficient supply of food; +and what is over and above of the new grain he must deposit in the public +granary. This must be done with respect to wheat, pulse, flax, hemp, silk +cloth, fowls, and money; for the whole empire is the universal property of +our Heavenly Father, and when all the people of the empire avoid selfishness, +and consecrate everything to the Supreme Lord, then the sovereign +will have sufficient to use, and all the families in the empire, in every place, +will be equally provided for, while every individual will be well fed and +clothed."</p></div> + +<p>From this system, and the vice-royalty of the governors, +or wangs, the Ti-ping government assumed a patriarchal +feudal constitution. The following regular conscription +was levied:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"If any man throughout the empire has a family, including wife and +children, amounting to three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine individuals, +he must give up one to be a soldier. With regard to the rest, the widowers, +widows, orphans, and childless, together with the sick and feeble, shall +be excused from service, and shall all be fed from the public granary."</p></div> + +<p>Religious observances were thus enjoined, in a manner +which evinces a spirit far different from that which the +world was led to suppose actuated the Ti-pings:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In every circle of five-and-twenty families, the youths must every +day go to the church, where the vexillary is to teach them to read the holy +books of the Old and New Testaments, as well as the proclamations of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>duly-appointed sovereign. Every sabbath the five cinquevirs in the circle +must lead the men and women under their charge to the church, where +the males and females are to sit in separate rows. On these occasions +there will be preaching, thanksgivings, and offerings to our Heavenly +Father, the Great God and Supreme Lord. All officers and people, both +within and without the court, must every sabbath go to hear the expounding +of the Holy Book, reverently present their offerings, and praise our +Heavenly Father." "All the officers throughout the empire, every sabbath +day, must, according to their rank, reverently and sincerely provide +animals, with meat and drink-offerings, for worship, in order to praise our +Heavenly Father; they must also explain the Holy Book. Should any +fail in this, they shall be degraded to the level of plebeians."</p></div> + +<p>During 1858 the Ti-pings continued their work of +organization, and undertook no military movement of +importance. In consequence of so large a concentration +of their forces, supplies began to run short, and +the city of Chin-kiang was promptly abandoned, and a +considerable force detached into the province of Kiang-si. +They still retained possession of both banks of the Yang-tze +for a distance of about 400 miles, and large reinforcements +were sent from Nankin to all their possessions upon +the northern side of that river.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, Canton had been taken by the +English and French forces, the Taku forts had been captured +on the 20th of May, and on the 3rd of July the +Elgin treaty was concluded; a treaty that in all respects +proved nearly the death-warrant of the patriots.</p> + +<p>On the 8th of November, Lord Elgin started from +Shanghae upon the expedition up the Yang-tze-kiang as +far as Hankow.</p> + +<p>On approaching Nankin, the squadron came into collision +with the Ti-pings in a similar, though more serious +manner, than on the occasion of the visit of the <i>Hermes</i>. +Lord Elgin, with the characteristic arrogance of Englishmen +in foreign lands, disregarded the frequently repeated +and urgent request of the Ti-ping authorities; namely, +that to avoid misunderstandings as to men-of-war approaching +their fortifications during a time of battle and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> +blockade (especially considering the Manchoos had engaged +some foreign vessels, and reported continually that +foreign war-steamers were preparing to attack Nankin, +&c.), "a small boat should be detached, to communicate +with the garrison; in which case there would be no chance +of collision." By referring to the visit of the <i>Hermes</i>, +and the correspondence that took place, it will be seen +that she was followed by the Manchoo flotilla, which took +advantage of her presence to engage the Ti-ping forts, +the anxiety of the Ti-ping authorities upon which point +pervades all their communications to Sir George Bonham. +Perfectly indifferent, then, to the observance of a courtesy +which any powerful belligerent in like circumstances to +those of the Ti-pings would have <i>compelled</i>, Lord Elgin +sent the gunboat <i>Lee</i> ahead of the squadron,—"to communicate +if possible," as he reported. But instead of +attempting the only correct mode of communication in +the case, by sending a boat in first, the <i>Lee</i>, by her backing +and filling in front of the batteries and fortified positions, +aided by the presence of a powerful squadron in the +rear, apparently awaiting the result of her reconnoitre, +naturally led the Ti-pings to suppose she was on the scout +from a hostile fleet. In consequence of this, the batteries +opened fire on the <i>Lee</i>, and the rest of the squadron, +<i>prepared</i> for the event, steamed up and opened upon them +with "considerable effect." Not satisfied with this, "they +on the following morning re-descended the stream to +Nankin and bombarded the forts, with but little reply +for an hour and a half." What a gallant exploit for +British seamen! To silence forts which were perfectly +harmless, and slaughter the inmates at their ease.</p> + +<p>The <i>Church Missionary Intelligencer</i> of December, +1860, gives the following account of the transaction:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In the latter end of 1858, a British squadron, with Lord Elgin, passed +up the river as far as Hankow, not without exchanging shots, on more +than one occasion, with the Tai-pings, and a consequent loss of life was +caused, which, by due precautions, might have been avoided. On approaching +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>Nanking, the capital city of Ngan-hwui, the insurgents and +Imperialists were found to be in action. The British vessels were not +recognized by the Tai-pings: they were the first bearing the British flag +which had ascended the stream so far. Under the misapprehension that +they were acting in concert with the Imperialist fleets of junks which +commanded the river, the Tai-pings fired a shot at the leading vessel, the +<i>Lee</i>, and was replied to by the <i>Furious</i>, <i>Cruiser</i>, <i>Dove</i>, and <i>Lee</i>, in full +chorus. The garrison of the forts was soon in flight, the guns abandoned. +A little timely explanation might have prevented this collision. On the +return voyage, when these forts were again approached, such an explanation +was resorted to. The water had fallen so low that the two large +vessels had been left behind, and the two gun-boats were alone on their +way to the river's mouth. To engage the forts on going up, when the +force was strong, was a pleasant <i>divertissement</i>; but to venture on the +same experiment with two gun-boats, was, if possible, to be avoided; and +that the more so, as the nature of the channel compelled them to steer +immediately under the city walls, so that the decks could easily have been +swept by gingalls. On this occasion, therefore, that was done which should +have been done before—a communication was opened with the insurgents, +and the gun-boats passed the forts unmolested."</p></div> + +<p>The first act of the wolf and lamb drama was thus +performed, and "those outlaws," the Ti-pings, who <i>might</i> +possibly "interfere with the carrying into due effect the +terms of his treaty," were reported to head-quarters, as +not only having insulted and fired upon the British +ensign, but having actually violated a flag of truce—but +it was <i>not</i> reported that said flag of truce was unknown +to the Ti-pings, and therefore could not be recognized.</p> + +<p>The affair is thus reported by Secretary Wade:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"My orders were to inform the rebels that <i>we took no part</i> (<i>?</i>) in the +civil war, and interfered with no one who did not molest us. (?) That a +gun-boat had been detached from the squadron before it passed Nankin, +for the express purpose of explaining the object of our expedition <i>had the +rebels desired to ask it</i>; that they had fired eight shots at the little vessel +so detached without a single shot being returned by her; that the forts +which had so fired had been made an example of, and that the fact, +together with the lesson they had themselves received, might satisfy them +of the absurdity of provoking our men-of-war to hostility."</p></div> + +<p>At the time the expedition passed Nankin it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +generally supposed the four principal chiefs besides Hung-sui-tshuen, +the Tien-wang, were dead. The Southern +and Western Princes had fallen in action, and it was +rumoured the Eastern and Northern Princes had lost +their lives in the capital, in consequence of their attempt +to rebel against the authority of their king. I can only +say that the report of the execution of the Northern and +Eastern Princes, together with large numbers of their +particular followers, has been very much exaggerated. +The princes, and some who supported them, seem to have +been put to death for treason.</p> + +<p>The earlier half of 1859 was unmarked by any important +military movement upon the part of the Ti-pings. +The most interesting event of this period was the arrival +of the Tien-wang's relative, Hung-jin, at Nankin, after +many fruitless attempts to reach that place.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that upon the capture of the +first city in Kwang-si, Hung-sui-tshuen had sent messengers +into Kwang-tung calling all his and Fung-yun-san's +remaining friends and relatives to join his standard. +Before this could be effected he was compelled to abandon +the position. Hung-jin, in the meanwhile, had started +upon the journey with some fifty friends of the two chiefs. +Upon approaching the neighbourhood of the place appointed +to effect a junction, they ascertained that the "God Worshippers" +had raised their camp and marched away, and that +the Manchoo authorities were seizing and cruelly murdering +every one connected with them. Hung-jin now sent +back into Kwang-tung all his friends, excepting three, +who, with him, made their way deeper into the country, +and endeavoured to join the army of "God-worshippers." +The Mandarins were, however, so strictly upon the watch +for all travellers or suspected persons, that he found himself +under the necessity of abandoning his attempt and +returning home. Upon reaching the Hwa-hien district, +Hung-jin found that from henceforth home to him was +but a name. The Manchoo butchers were already in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +native village, and he was compelled to seek a refuge +amongst strangers. In a short time he again set forth, +with several relatives of Fung-yun-san, to join the Ti-pings; +but finding the vigilance and cruelty of the Mandarins +still more severe than before, they were obliged to return +unsuccessful. After another fruitless attempt in the beginning +of 1852, the chosen messenger of Hung-sui-tshuen +and his relatives in Kwang-tung, again arrived +with letters calling upon all faithful adherents of the two +clans, Hung and Fung, to join him at the city of Yung-gnan. +Upon this, the old rendezvous at Paddy-hill was +selected as a place for assembling. Before the day appointed +for a general meeting, and when only some two +hundred members of the respective clans had arrived, +Kiang-lung-chong, the messenger, who had grown too +bold and reckless after the easy triumphs he had been +accustomed to with the Ti-pings, acted without precaution +in the gathering, and involved those already present +in destruction. With these insufficient numbers he raised +the standard of insurrection, which being instantly reported +to the district Mandarin, a considerable body of +soldiers were sent against them. The insurgents went +bravely to the fight, but being few and wholly unaccustomed +to warfare, were soon thrown into confusion. +Kiang-lung-chong and a few others were killed, a considerable +number made captive by the troops, and the +rest dispersed.</p> + +<p>Hung-jin with about a dozen friends arrived at Paddy-hill +just after the defeat, being totally ignorant of the +disaster. He and his companions were seized by the +people of the neighbourhood and imprisoned in a house, +previously to being delivered up to the Mandarins. As +the Rev. Mr. Hamberg's narrative states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Hung-jin, lively and enthusiastic, desirous to lead his friends to honour +and to glory, now sat down in the midst of them in deep sorrow and +despair, and would gladly have given his own life to save those whom he +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>had brought with him into distress. Feeling the cords wherewith his +hands were tied together give way a little, after some effort he got them +free, and proceeded to unloose those of his friends who were accessible, +and succeeded in liberating six of his companions from their bonds. After +it had become dark, they opened the door, and in the rainy night hastened +away to the mountains.</p> + +<p>"Hung-jin, whose liveliest hopes had been so suddenly frustrated, who +had drawn upon himself the hatred and revenge of so many involved in +the present disaster, and who had no place of refuge left to himself, now +felt his own guilt and despair too hard to bear. He therefore unloosed his +girdle and was going to strangle himself, when one of the fugitives came +up to him. Hung said, 'Try to escape and save your life, I will put an +end to my existence in this place.' The other then seized his hand and +drew him forward, exhorting him to continue his flight in company with +him, which he did. The next day, when Hung awoke from a short rest in +the bush, he missed his companion. He now prayed to God, the Heavenly +Father, to spare his life and protect him amidst so many dangers. During +the daytime he lay concealed in the bush, and during the night-time he +went on. Once the people in search of fugitives passed very close to him +without observing him. Finally, after having passed four days and four +nights in the mountains without any food, he arrived at the house of some +near relatives in a very exhausted state. Here he was concealed six days +in a mountain cavern, and afterwards his relatives gave him some money, +with which he went on board a passage-boat to go to another district, +and seek refuge with more distant relatives of the Hung clan. But even +among these, new trials awaited him; for also from their place a few of +the Hung clan had gone to Paddy-hill, whose further fate was unknown. +Some of the relatives of those missing were now inclined to revenge the +supposed death of their brethren, and deliver Hung-jin to the Mandarins, +but an old venerable headman took him under his protection, and gave +one of his grandsons to Hung-jin as a guide, and this young man, being a +Christian convert, conducted him to Hong-kong in the end of April, 1852, +and introduced him to me. I was astonished to hear a person from the +interior of China speak with such interest of, and display so much acquaintance +with, the Christian religion. I liked to listen to his animated narratives +about Hung-sui-tshuen, Fung-yun-san, and their followers, though +at the time I could form no clear conception of the whole matter, which +then was little known and still less believed. He wrote a few sheets of +paper, containing a short account of himself and Hung-sui-tshuen, which I +put into my desk, until I should have further evidence as to their contents. +I expected that Hung-jin, who wished to study the Christian doctrine and +be baptized, would remain for some time at Hong-kong; but upon my +return from a tour on the mainland he had departed, as he had no +means of support in that place. In November, 1853, Hung-jin, who up +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span>to that time had been engaged as schoolmaster at some place in the +interior, again visited me. He was still very desirous to be baptized, +and seemed to be sincere in his wish to serve God. He declared himself +willing to leave all matters in the hands of Him who worketh all things +after the counsel of His own will, and to seek above all the Kingdom of +God and His righteousness. Hung-jin, with three of his friends from +Clear-far, have since been <i>baptized</i>, and are still studying the Holy Scriptures, +with the hope, in the Providence of God, hereafter to be enabled to +instruct their countrymen in the way of salvation."</p></div> + +<p>Early in 1854, with the funds from the sale of his +little work, which Mr. Hamberg kindly gave him, Hung-jin +embarked for Shanghae, <i>en route</i> for Nankin; he also +carried with him a number of religious books. After +remaining at Shanghae several months, during which he +was neither able to reach Nankin nor communicate with +his friends, he returned to Hong-kong. In the mean time +Mr. Hamberg had died, and Hung-jin was received by +members of the London Mission Society, and by them +employed as a catechist and preacher during the years +1855 to 1858. In the <i>Missionary Magazine</i> he was soon +after spoken of thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He soon established himself in the confidence and esteem of the +members of the mission, and the Chinese Christians connected with it. His +<i>literary attainments</i> were respectable; his temper amiable and genial; his +mind was characterized by a versatility unusual in a Chinese. His knowledge +of Christian doctrine was largely increased, and of the sincerity of +his attachment to it <i>there could be no doubt</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Similar opinions were entertained by many devout and +earnest missionaries who were intimately acquainted with +Hung-jin for a period extending over six years; but Mr. +Frederick Bruce, the British minister at Pekin (who never +saw Hung-jin, or, I believe, any other Ti-ping in his life), +true to the policy of his employers, thus writes from +amidst his Manchoo friends at Shanghae:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"><span class="smcap">Dispatch to Lord Russell.</span></div> +<div class="right">"Shanghae, September 4th, 1860.</div> + + +<p>"Hung-jin has sent to the missionaries in manuscript a pamphlet +which has made a considerable impression upon them. I see no guarantee +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span>for the soundness of his doctrine or for the purity of his life. I rather +look upon his pamphlet as a crafty device to conciliate the support and +sympathy of the missionary body at the time when the insurgents meditated +the seizure of Shanghae."</p></div> + +<p>It may naturally be asked, What has this to do with +England's policy towards China, and why should it affect +the honourable neutrality she was pledged to maintain? +The answer simply is—a misrepresentation of the acts +and intentions of the Ti-pings might afford some colour +of justification for a line of policy which could not be +defended.</p> + +<p>The Bruce dispatch further states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"But as the chief (Hung-sui-tshuen) is an <i>ignorant fanatic, if not an +impostor</i>," &c.</p></div> + +<p>We thus find this representative of the British +Government not only volunteering his unsupported opinion +against a weighty mass of evidence as to the religion, +education, and acquirements of the chief, but actually +constituting the same tribunal as the sole judge of a +solemn question which must rest alone between Hung-sui-tshuen +and his Creator.</p> + +<p>About the middle of 1858, Hung-jin once more determined +to try and join his relative, the Tien-wang, and with +this intent started in disguise, and gradually made his +way (by land) into the province of Hoopeh. In December +of the same year, while Lord Elgin's expedition was +at Hankow, he was heard from at a small town in the +neighbourhood; in fact, he managed to put on board one +of the vessels a letter for Mr. Chalmers, his teacher at +Hong-kong. In the spring of 1859, he at last reached +Nankin, and soon after was appointed to the high rank of +Kan-wang (<i>i.e.</i>, Shield Prince), in which position, and his +subsequent one of Prime Minister, he became familiar to +Europeans. A letter which he wrote to the Rev. Mr. +Edkins, nearly a year later, contained the following passage +relating to the Tien-wang:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On meeting with his relative, the Celestial king, and having daily +conversations with him, he was struck by the wisdom and depth of his +teaching, far transcending that of common men."</p></div> + +<p>Hung-jin—or rather the Kan-wang, as we must call +him in future—joined his friends at a troublous time, +more than usually so even to a man who, like him, had +lived the prime of his life in difficulties and danger. +Within a few months after his arrival at Nankin, that +city was closely invested by a large and overpowering +Imperialist army. Although since 1853, Nankin had +frequently been in a state of siege, upon no previous occasion +had it been so hardly pressed. Towards the close of +1859, the besieging forces were increased from 50,000 to +upwards of 100,000 fighting men, all supplies were cut off +from the city, and the Imperialists flattered themselves that +a short time would see the garrison starved out. Darkly, +though, closed that year around the Ti-ping capital—surrounded +as it was by savage foemen, thirsting for the +blood of its starving inhabitants—a danger, still more +deadly, and more bitter, was looming in the distance, +although at the time impalpable and scarcely conceived. +It was a danger menacing the patriots from civilized and +Christian men, men who, in other lands, have given their +blood and treasure to causes far less deserving of their +sympathy; in short, it was the creation of the "China +indemnity" extortion. Evil as the effect of the Elgin +treaty concluded in 1858 must have been to the Ti-pings, +it is yet possible that the successes they shortly attained +might have counteracted the prejudices so unjustly excited +against them; but when to this was added the question +of indemnity, the Ti-pings were doomed. It is probable +that had they remained quiescent until such time as the +love of gold was satisfied, they might then have been +uninterfered with; unfortunately it was otherwise, a rapid +series of victories threatened destruction to the Manchoo +dynasty, and with it, of course, to the "China indemnity;" +consequently, if the expenses of this "little war" were to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +be secured, immediate action became necessary, and the +ruin of the Ti-pings inevitable.</p> + +<p>In June, 1859, the British plenipotentiary, not satisfied +with the route <i>viâ</i> Peh-tang, as proposed and decided upon +by the Chinese authorities for his passage to Pekin, had +the coolness to choose his own path, and when the +mandarins naturally resisted such arrogance, to endeavour +to force it at the cannon's mouth. What would Englishmen +think, and do, if a Chinese fleet carrying an ambassador +were to arrive in England, and, refusing to land +their ambassador according to our customs, advance their +fleet past all our fortifications without paying them the +slightest respect? This would be a very similar case to +the Taku fort disaster; and, moreover, it must be borne +in mind that the affair took place just after peace had +been concluded, which must have given it the complexion +of a resumption of hostilities rather than that of a peaceful +embassy.</p> + +<p>The excuse generally made for this sort of thing is, +that it is impossible to deal with semi-civilized nations as +you would with civilized ones, that is to say, the civilized +nation is to descend to the level of the semi-civilized one. +This reasoning, illogical and dishonourable at all times, +is in this case totally inadmissible, for it is at the least +doubtful whether any cause for an appeal to arms existed. +It appears, however, that elasticity of principle and inconsistency +in action may be regarded as the important elements +in the policy of England—can it be better illustrated +than by her conduct to Germany and Denmark, to America +and Brazil, to Russia and China?</p> + +<p>Admiral Hope, a useful man to such a ministry, to +use a nautical simile, "went stem on like a Nor'-west +buffalo" to the Taku forts, and sacrificed a number of +brave men needlessly. This led to the resumption of +hostilities, and we find Lord John Russell writing upon +November 18th, 1859, to Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Unless, therefore, the most ample apology should be promptly made +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span>and the other demands specified in my previous dispatch complied with, +you are instructed to state that <i>a large pecuniary indemnity</i> will be demanded +by her Majesty's Government from that of China."</p></div> + +<p>By altering a few words, how like the ultimatum of a +highwayman this would read. Lord John Russell +evidently did all he could to justify the anecdote of +Alexander the Great and the robber.</p> + +<p>The Chinese indemnity plot thickened rapidly. Lord +Russell's next dispatch to Mr. Bruce, dated January 3rd, +1860, contained the following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We go to seek redress for these wrongs" (the resistance offered by +the Manchoo troops to the destruction of their barriers, defences, &c., at +the Taku forts, by Admiral Hope), "and to require that the word of the +emperor should be observed, and that an <i>indemnity</i> should be paid for the +loss of men" (killed trying to kill the Chinese troops who very correctly +opposed their unjustifiable attempt to force the fortified entrance of the +Pei-ho river), "and the heavy expense of obtaining redress" (for their own +fault).</p></div> + +<p>Lord John Russell arrived at the superlative degree of +the "China indemnity" upon February 8th, 1860, when +he penned the following to Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It has been <i>decided</i> between her Majesty's Government and that of +the Emperor of the French that the amount of indemnity-money to be +demanded of the Chinese Government shall be in each case a sum of +60,000,000 <i>francs</i>," "towards the expense of the joint expedition now on +its way to the China seas."</p></div> + +<p>Here was decisive action following promptly upon +threats and intimidation; who can say but that the finale +to the Danish question might have been different had the +Foreign Secretary possessed equal facilities for arranging +the indemnity to be paid by Germany?</p> + +<p>Upon the part of the British representatives it is denied +that the Chinese Government proposed Peh-tang as the +route our plenipotentiary should proceed by to Pekin; it +is, however, admitted in the blue book upon affairs in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> +China, 1859-60, at page 43, that Mr. Bruce was requested +not to pass the river barriers:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They" (the Imperial Chinese commissioners) "would wish that on his +arrival at the mouth of the river he would anchor his vessels of war <i>outside +the bar</i>."</p></div> + +<p>As this was disregarded by Mr. Bruce, it may naturally +be inferred that the request so constantly reiterated +throughout the Chinese dispatches, "that he (Mr. Bruce) +must go by way of Peh-tang," was really made, but was +treated by the British plenipotentiary with the same contempt +and want of courtesy.</p> + +<p>The instructions given to Lord Elgin upon his second +embassy to China were issued from the Foreign Office, +April 17th, 1860; the conditions of peace to be offered +to China were:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"First. An apology for the attack on the allied forces at the Pei-ho" +(<i>i.e.</i> the Chinese Government must apologize for defending itself). +"Secondly. The ratification and execution of the treaty of Tien-tsin" +(a treaty extorted from the Chinese when under compulsion, the terms of +which would probably not have been really evaded). "Thirdly. The payment +of an indemnity to the allies for the expense of naval and military +preparations." (No wonder the Chinese ministers wrote "then the demand +for indemnity is yet more against propriety. Were China to demand repayment +of England, England would find that her expenses did not amount +to one half of those of China.")</p></div> + +<p>Most undoubtedly previous to the <i>Arrow</i> war the +position of Europeans in China was very unsatisfactory; +but it is quite as certain that this resulted as much from +our aggressive and lawless proceedings, as from the natural +aversion of the Manchoo government for our intercourse. +From beginning to end, the whole history of the British +connection with China is discreditable. However just +may have been the cause of complaint, it is beyond all +doubt that mean and disgraceful subterfuges have been +adopted as the <i>casus belli</i> for each campaign undertaken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +against that empire. Can an Englishman be found (excepting +the opium traders, &c.) who does not lament that +blackest page of English history—the war that was waged +upon China in 1840, under the following circumstances:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In agreement with a treaty signed by British merchants, Captain +Elliott, her Majesty's superintendent of trade, caused 20,283 chests of +opium to be delivered to Commissioner Lin. The opium was destroyed by +order of the emperor. The conditions for terminating the war were, that +China should pay Ł1,200,000 for the opium; Ł3,000,000, which amounts +to Ł1,000 per head, for the destruction of 30,000 of her unoffending subjects, +and bear the expense of her own defence!"</p></div> + +<p>The last war, which commenced in 1856, and was +ultimately concluded by the ratification of the treaty of +1858, by Lord Elgin in 1860, was equally iniquitous with +the first, and in the same manner was originated by the +detestable opium smuggling, the seizure of the opium +smuggler <i>Arrow</i> being made the pretext for hostilities. +Whatever may hereafter be alleged, at the present time +but few can be found to deny the fact, that the wars with +China have always been waged to force the opium trade, +and that by the last one the legalization of that vile +traffic was compelled.</p> + +<p>Not without reason did the Manchoo great council of +state use the following passages in their dispatch to Commissioner +Ho, who was at Shanghae endeavouring to +settle pacifically the Taku affair, and the ratification of +the treaty of Tien-tsin, previous to the resumption of +hostilities:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To come to the British minister's request to be properly (or courteously) +received when he comes north to exchange treaties, if his intention +be indeed peace (or friendly), he will (or let him) leave it to the +commissioner to think over all details whatsoever of treaty arrangements +in which management (adjustment, compromise) may with propriety be +effected; and negotiations being set on foot at Shanghae, when both +parties are perfectly agreed, let him come north without a fleet, and with +a small retinue, and wait at Peh-tang, for the exchange of the treaties; in +which case China will certainly not take him to task for what is past."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span></p> + +<p>Referring to his former attempt to force his passage +past the Taku forts, when Admiral Hope was repulsed,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"But if he be determined to bring up a number of vessels of war, and +if he persist in proceeding by way of Takoo, this will show that his real +purpose is not the exchange of treaties, and it must be left to the high +officer in charge of the coast (or port) defences to take such steps as shall +be essential" (<i>lit. as shall accord with right</i>).</p></div> + +<p>This proposition, of course, was not entertained by +Mr. Bruce or Lord Elgin, who proceeded to act upon Lord +Russell's instructions—"for the joint occupation of +Chusan, or some other portion of the Chinese territory, +in addition to the city of Canton, by the British and +French forces till the <i>indemnity</i> is paid." So to obtain +"material guarantees" for this indemnity, the civilized +nations proceeded to batter the semi-civilized one into +compliance, and the allied forces started upon the Pekin +campaign.</p> + +<p>However wrong the Manchoos may have been, it +cannot be denied that the British <i>modus operandi</i> in +China has been equally bad; and whatever right there +may be on the civilized side, it would be difficult to read +the correspondence between the two governments and +not admit that the semi-civilized one has the best of the +argument.</p> + +<p>Commerce is a great and important element in the +prosperity and civilization of every nation, and especially +so to England; but there is something greater and more +noble than commerce—that is, honour. The advantages +of trade, to be permanent and beneficial, must be conducted +honourably, and that is exactly what the Government +of Great Britain has been unable to do. All over +the world its foreign policy, and its attempts to force +trade where it can be done with impunity, have not only +lowered the "just influence" of England and brought +her into contempt, but, in many cases, have created a +burning resentment in the breasts of those who have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +wronged, that neither the present nor future generation +will forget. In every quarter of the globe mischievous +interference has taken place, often followed by those +aggressive wars which have been denounced by every +great and enlightened statesman from the time of Queen +Elizabeth.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> This statement of Dr. Bridgeman's was incorrect. The opinions of +nearly all the other missionaries,—including the Rev. Drs. John, Medhurst, +Muirhead, Edkins, &c.,—acquainted with the Ti-pings and their works, +agree with the following explanation by the Bishop of Victoria, of their +acknowledgment of the inspiration of the Bible; besides which, the proclamation +of the Tien-wang (see page <a href="#Page_84">84</a>) fully states their belief in the +Divine equality of the Son (Celestial Elder Brother) with the Father. +</p> + +<p> +"While the imperial titles are raised by only one space, it is interesting +to observe that in their list of authorized books (published as a preface +to each volume), with the <i>imprimatur</i> of Tae-ping-wang, the words +'Old' and 'New Testament' each receive <i>an elevation of three spaces</i> in +the enumeration, whereas Tae-ping-wang's name, even when forming a +portion of the title of books of their own original composition, is only +raised by <i>one</i> space. This seems to be a plain recognition of the paramount +divine authority of the Holy Scriptures as <i>God's Book</i>, above books of +human authorship, and suggests the hope that where so vital an element of +essential truth <i>is present</i>, errors will be rectified and defects expurgated, +by the general circulation and perusal of the Word of God, as the best and +surest corrective of imperfect views on the more mysterious doctrines +of the Gospel. The portions of the Holy Scriptures which they have +already published, exceed in quantity of contents all the other books +which are of their own composition added together. In the books recently +brought from Nankin, there is an impression in red ink, from a +large moveable die or stamp, with the two characters, Che Chun—'the +Imperial Will permits'—surrounded by the usual imperial symbols. This +<i>imprimatur</i> is stamped upon the first page of the text in every book. +With such a fact as this before us, every <i>unprejudiced</i> mind will perceive +that there is a new era of hope for the Chinese empire."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Another part of the same explanation states the Ti-ping idea of +Christ's Divinity; while again, the following verse from the "Ode for +Youth" clearly sets forth his divinity and atonement. Were this not so, it +would evidently be the height of injustice to blame a people just arising +from the depths of idolatry and ignorance for a fault common amongst +ourselves; for have we not Socinians as well as Unitarians? +</p><p> +"It has been customary in native compositions, whenever the Chinese +names or titles of the Emperor occur, to commence a new column, as a +mark of honour, and to place the imperial name higher in the page by the +space of two Chinese words. The name of the Supreme Being is similarly +honoured, but has the distinction of being raised three spaces in the page. +An interesting modification of this usage is perceptible in the imperial +proclamations and manifestoes of Tae-ping-wang. The name of Almighty +God the Father is elevated three spaces; that of Jesus Christ is raised two +spaces; and the imperial name and titles of Tae-ping-wang himself <i>are +lowered one degree from the customary position</i>, and receive the elevation of +only one space. As minds are differently biassed, this fact will be differently +judged. To us, however, it appears an indication that the +insurgent leaders, although viewing Jesus Christ as inferior to the Father +as touching his humanity, recognize his superiority to the most exalted of +earthly potentates as touching his divinity." +</p><p> +The unmistakable interpretation to place upon this, is,—no Chinese +mind could possibly place the <i>Son</i> upon a <i>perfect</i> equality with the Father,—their +entire system of thought and education debars this from their +comprehension; but with a reverence beyond all praise, the Tien-wang +actually lowered his own position to avoid trespassing upon the divine +attributes of his Saviour: which he has thus expressed in the verse of +the "Ode for Youth":— +</p> + +<div class="center">"REVERENCE TO JESUS</div> + +<div class="poem"> +Jesus, His first-born son,<br /> +Was in former times sent by God;<br /> +He willingly gave His life to redeem us from sin.<br /> +Of a truth His merits are pre-eminent.<br /> +His cross was hard to bear,<br /> +The sorrowing clouds obscured the sun;<br /> +The adorable Son, the honoured of Heaven,<br /> +Died for you, children of men.<br /> +After His resurrection He ascended to heaven,<br /> +Resplendent in glory, He wields authority supreme.<br /> +In Him we know that we may trust,<br /> +To secure salvation and ascend to heaven."<br /> +</div> + +<p> +Such are the sentiments of a man, who, besides his voluminous religious +compositions, has written the history of China; corrected her classics: +written innumerable works upon civil administration and foreign arts and +sciences, and who has nevertheless been designated in England as an +"<i>ignorant</i> impostor and coolie." The British public must indeed have been +"green and greasy" (as Sir James Brooke once observed) to take in all the +secretary and under-secretary's reports, and swallow the bullock, horns +and all.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> In this opinion Dr. Bridgeman is also wrong; even his fellow-voyageur +X.Y.Z. thought differently, and wrote: "The titles applied to these kings +are no doubt <i>mere empty names</i>, without any specific meaning, and are +not necessarily to be understood as implying a claim to super-earthly +dignity."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Sz-wang's Domestic Life.—Approach to Nankin.—Interior of Nankin.—A +Ti-ping Banquet.—Maou-lin, the Chung-wang's Son.—The Chung-wang's +Palace.—The Chung-Wang's Levee.—Ti-ping Chiefs.—Chung-wang's +appearance.—Council of War.—The Review.—Cum-ho.—The +March.—The Ti-ping Army.—Its Organization.—Selection of Officers.—Equipment +of the Army.—Its Formation.—The Enemy in View.—Their +Retreat.—Preparations for Attack.—A Night Attack.—A +Stockade carried.—Charge of Manchoo Cavalry.—The Repulse.—The +Enemy retreat.—The Pursuit.—Complete Rout of the Manchoos.—Maou-lin's +Bravery.—Return to Nankin.</p></div> + + +<p>When I found the lorcha so effectually driven off, I +instantly landed, both to thank the chief in charge, +and let him know who I was, and what I wanted. I went +ashore with my friend, and found that the high official in +charge of all the forts, batteries, and suburbs of Nankin, +was the Sz-wang. We were received by him in his official +dwelling with much civility, which changed into the +greatest kindness directly he saw my commission, and found +that we were aiders and abettors of the Ti-ping cause.</p> + +<p>The Sz-wang was an elderly dignified man, and had +formerly been a high mandarin at Hankow; but when the +Ti-pings first captured that city, he had joined them with +all his family. He entertained us very comfortably to a +rather luxurious dinner, consisting of <i>bęche-de-mer</i>, +bird's-nest soup, &c.; after which, the ladies and little +Sz-wangs were introduced with the wine,—just at the +time they would have been retiring from the table if in +Europe. I was quite surprised with their appearance, it +was in such direct opposition to the strict seclusion in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> +which the women are kept amongst the Chinese. I afterwards +found that the free intercourse and elevated position +of their women was one of the innumerable innovations +which marked the Ti-pings' superiority to the Imperialists. +A little son of the Sz-wang—the eldest of two—was +put into my arms, and, to my astonishment, commenced +prattling the Lord's Prayer in Chinese, although +certainly not more than four years old. The Sz-wang's +wife, his two daughters, and several other ladies of his +household, all took part in a free and general conversation, +quite unlike anything ever seen amongst the Chinese elsewhere. +About ten in the evening, after family prayers, +they retired for the night. The prayers were commenced +by the Sz-wang reading a chapter from the Bible; after +which a hymn was sung, every one standing; and then +he dismissed us all with a short extempore prayer. I +returned on board highly pleased with my first night at +Nankin.</p> + +<p>The next morning I landed with my friend, and obtaining +horses the Sz-wang had promised the previous evening +to have ready, we started for the city, the nearest point of +which was about two miles distant. Our way ran through +a long and populous suburb, in which a very large provision +trade was being carried on, and great numbers of shaven-headed +Imperialists were to be seen about, all apparently +busily engaged disposing of their merchandise. The walls +of Nankin cover an immense area, being at the least +eighteen or nineteen miles in circumference; but for many +years the greater part of the enclosed space has been destitute +of houses, and only used for gardens, or to cultivate +corn and other cereal produce. The Chinese have an old +saying "that if two men on horseback were to start in the +morning and ride in opposite directions, round the walls, +it would be evening before they met." This is hardly +an exaggeration, on account of the angles and irregular +turning of the ramparts.</p> + +<p>When we arrived before the N.E. gate, much delay took<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +place previous to our being admitted. The escort kindly +furnished by the Sz-wang carried passes for us, and besides +this I showed the gate-keepers my commission. None but +<i>bonâ fide</i> Ti-pings were allowed to pass in or out, and +then, only after a minute search; and I noticed that all who +entered or came forth carried a little wooden ticket at +the waist, which had to be exhibited to the guard. The +walls, although of immense thickness, and at the lowest +part upwards of fifty feet high, were very poorly furnished +with artillery, merely two or three light pieces +being mounted upon each bastion, generally some 150 +yards apart.</p> + +<p>At last the warder-in-chief of that particular gate of +Tien-kin (the Holy City), came to us, and after a severe +questioning we received permission to enter. Passing +through three high gates, under a tunnel at least 100 +feet long, we stood within the capital of the Ti-ping. A +sharp ride of more than half an hour brought us to the +inhabited part of the city, in its southern quarter. Our +way passed through fields of grain, interspersed with +gardens, small villages, and detached houses. We passed +many soldiers, each of whom halted to salute us as "Wa-choong-te" +(foreign brethren). The southern part of +Nankin was thickly inhabited, and seemed altogether of a +better and more handsome style than any Chinese city I +had previously seen. Many large palaces and official +buildings occupied prominent positions; the streets were +very wide and particularly clean, a rare thing in China; and +the numerous people had all a free and happy bearing, +totally the reverse of the cringing and humbled appearance +of the Manchoo-governed Chinese. Upon reaching the +Chung-wang's palace, I had no occasion to announce myself, +for almost the first person I saw was my old acquaintance +Le-wang, the Commander-in-Chief's adjutant-general. I +introduced my friend to him, who, welcoming us warmly, +carried us off, taking each by a hand with his usual frank +and friendly manner, and so leading us into the palace.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +The Chung-wang, it appeared, was engaged planning important +movements with several of the generals and +chiefs. The southern half of the province of Ngan-whui, +at this time (early spring of 1861) entirely under the +control of the Ti-pings, was threatened by a large Imperialist +army marching upon its western borders; and the +Chung-wang was about to take the field against them +himself.</p> + +<p>The Le-wang, having to join the council, left us to the +care of the Chung-wang's son and attendants, who certainly +gave us no cause to complain of their want of +attention or friendliness, with which they almost overpowered +us.</p> + +<p>Directly we were left to them, they took it into their +heads that we must be hungry; it was no use protesting +they were mistaken, because the polite thing in China is, if +you want anything very particularly, you must persistingly +declare that you do not. The cooks were accordingly set +to work; and in a short time a table was spread; the two +or three elderly officials seated themselves complacently +with us, although I do not believe they were a bit more +hungry than we were; and the crowd of youthful pages, +sons of retainers, &c., formed themselves into an admiring +circle all round. The Chinese have a wonderful idea of +the eating capacity of foreigners, and the earnest manner +in which the Chung-wang's pages pressed dish after dish +upon us, as though our very lives depended upon the +quantity of viands we could stuff with at once, proved +they shared the common opinion of their countrymen.</p> + +<p>Throughout the repast a regular flow of Ti-ping young +gentlemen passed through the hall, each coming up to us +and saying in a positively affectionate manner, "Tsin-tsin, +Yang ta jen?" (How do you do, Foreign Excellency?) +When the plates and dishes were cleared away, they came +up and shook hands, and all lingered around us, each +evincing the warmest and kindest feelings.</p> + +<p>The remarkable kindness and respect I have always<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +experienced from the Ti-pings, has long since filled my +heart with sincere friendship for them; but in this I am +not singular, for every European who has had communication +with them has been similarly impressed.</p> + +<p>The council of war having risen, I was very kindly +received by the Chung-wang in the evening, who at once +gave orders to prepare quarters for me and my friends in +his own palace, and also expressed a wish that I should +accompany him on his expedition. I then informed him +about my betrothed, and the ladies of the palace, all eager +to see her, kindly promised to take every care of her and +supply every comfort and accommodation during my +absence. When all the arrangements were settled, I returned +on board with my friend, accompanied by the +Chung-wang's son, Maou-lin, who, from our first meeting, +had seemed to attach himself to me, and who now wished +to remain with me on board our vessel till our return to +the city.</p> + +<p>Maou-lin, at that time, although only fifteen years of +age, was already celebrated for his courage and leadership +in battle. He was excessively fond of Europeans, always +shook hands, and could say "good bye," "how do you do," +and use a few other English expressions. His appearance +was beautiful and delicate as that of a young girl, his voice +the softest and most melodious. How great must have +been the enthusiasm that could inspire a form fragile as +his with a spirit so heroic! From his young and feminine +appearance it would never be credited that he could possess +such dauntless bravery in battle, yet have I seen him +eclipsing the valour of the bravest men; danger and fear +were feelings he had never known: brought up amidst +the struggles of the Ti-pings for their lives, he had been +a soldier almost from his cradle, and had become inured +to peril and warfare. Brave boy! as I write of him his +sweet voice is ringing in my ear, and I almost <i>feel</i> the +power of his large earnest eyes. During some years I +felt the brother he always called me, and thoroughly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +appreciated his beautiful character—brave, generous, +deeply religious, affectionate and impulsive—I never found, +even amongst my own race, one so truly admirable. +And now where is he? If living, an outcast and refugee +in his native land, the land he loved so well and fought +for so nobly. If dead, one of the many thousand victims +to a cruel and unjustifiable hostility.</p> + +<p>In the morning I moved my vessel farther up the creek, +and leaving her in the charge of the <i>lowder</i>, close up to +the city gate, landed with Marie, my two friends, and +Maou-lin, and proceeded to take up our quarters in +Nankin. The Chung-wang's ladies received Marie very +affectionately, and, thanks to her knowledge of Chinese, +she was soon quite at home with them. In a short time +the stranger girl was amply supplied with rich dresses +<i>ŕ la Chinoise</i>, a style of costume excessively becoming, +consisting of loose petticoat trousers, and a nicely cut +over-garment reaching just below the knees, tight at the +neck, half tight at the waist, with loose sleeves, and a +loose embroidered skirt, open at the sides.</p> + +<p>The Chung-wang's palace was a very extensive and +handsome building, only lately erected. Entering through +an immense archway, supported by beautifully sculptured +granite columns, the outer door of a large courtyard +was reached. Passing through this, the covered way led +direct to the grand entrance of the palace, with its +carved and gilded columns, and roof covered with a brilliant +representation of Chinese mythology. Upon each +side of the spacious courtyard, a range of low profusely +decorated colonnades extended past the front of the +palace to the grounds in its rear. Over the principal door +was placed a board with a gilded inscription, which told +to what purpose the building was dedicated. The door +itself was covered with huge painted dragons, and opened +upon a court fronting the Chung-wang's tribunal. Here, +and throughout the palace, the cunning of the Chinese +artisan was thoroughly displayed, the stonework, windows,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +woodwork, ceiling and walls, forming a series of most +exquisite and curious specimens of sculpture; while every +available portion of the building was curiously carved in +wood and stone; a work far from being completed, and +estimated to occupy three years more at least. On either +side of the grand entrance stood a gigantic drum, always +sounded when the Chung-wang held a court, or for purposes +of assembly or alarm. Immediately within the +portals a magnificent piazza extended a short distance up +to the open court fronting the tribunal, the roof formed +of two immense domes, each one mass of gold and silver, +twisted into spiral flutings resembling a shell-fish, peculiar +to Chinese mythology. The domes were supported by a +number of brilliantly decorated columns, twined by +serpents. The Hall of Judgment, upon the other side of +the stone court, was decorated in crimson, except the walls, +which were hung with large yellow satin tablets, recording +the honourable deeds of the Chung-wang, the compliments +and rewards received from the Ti-ping king, and +various moral proverbs from the Chinese classics; while, +between these, tablets of stone were engraved with texts +from scripture; the intervening portions of the wall containing +a tablature of mythology, battles, and landscapes, +similar to the decorations around the outer colonnades, and +all illuminated in brilliant colours and with much ingenuity. +The sides of the Judgment Hall were ornamented +in the same style as the other parts of the palace, with +miniature landscapes, covered with natural shrubs and +trees,—peach, acacias, magnolias, with their powerful +aroma, camelias of the most delicate hue, and others +peculiar to China, all perfectly developed upon the most +minute scale. Half shrouded by beautiful little weeping +willows and the sensitive mimosa, diminutive +porcelain cities rested on the sides of tiny lakes, sparkling +with gold and silver fish; while here and there, hills +covered with flourishing vegetation in one part, and +barren and rocky in another, rose from amidst the trees,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +with several porcelain pagodas. The tribunal, the table +fronting it, and the surrounding chairs, were covered with +yellow satin, and directly behind and above the former +a grand canopy of the same material, of yellow and +scarlet, was suspended. The ceiling was hung with handsome +glass lanterns and lustres, prettily ornamented with +rich silken cords and tassels reaching almost to the +cornices, the standards and banners of the Chung-wang +drooped in heavy silken folds to the ground. Passing +on from the Judgment Hall, after traversing several +broad chambers, whose sides were filled with small offices +containing secretaries, scribes, &c., another open court was +reached, with an orchestra and musicians at each side; +passing which, the Audience Chamber was entered; then +the apartments of the palace officials, and another court, +and finally the "Heavenly Hall," or place of worship; beyond +which were the private rooms of the Chung-wang +and his household. At the back of the palace a garden +of rock-work, full of grottos, ponds of water crossed by +Chinese bridges, and all manner of grotesque Chinese conceits, +with a spacious summer dining pavilion in the centre, +extended to the colonnade. The rooms placed at the disposal +of myself and friends looked directly upon this, +and prettier quarters it would have been impossible to +find in all Nankin.</p> + +<p>The Chung-wang's residence was the grandest and most +gorgeous in the city, with the exception of the Ti-ping-wang's +(Tien-wang), whose palace covered an immense +area, and was surrounded by a large yellow wall, crowned +with tall and graceful minarets, and a mass of green, +golden, and scarlet roofs.</p> + +<p>A few days after my arrival at Nankin, the Chung-wang +held a grand levee to arrange the military operations +for the year. Upon this occasion I had the pleasure of +meeting the enlightened Kan-wang (Hung-jin, the Tien-wang's +cousin), and the "accomplished prince," the Chang-wang. +I have already given the opinions of our missionaries<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +with regard to the Kan-wang's superior intellect +and truly Christian character. In the <i>Overland Register</i>, +published at Hong-kong on the 25th of August, 1860, +he is spoken of thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"His intercourse with Chinese Christians was what is termed <i>edifying</i>, +calculated to promote their <i>purity</i> and stimulate their zeal. With other +Chinese he was the proselytizer, fearlessly exposing their errors, and exhorting +them to repent and believe the Gospel. Over young men his influence +was peculiarly beneficial. In fact, whether the individuals were young or +old, the case was, as was once observed by Mr. Chalmers, 'Whenever you +see any one having long and frequent intercourse with Hung-jin, you may +be sure there is something good going on in him.'"</p></div> + +<p>The Kan-wang was the head of the Ti-ping administration, +and was called First Minister. During an intimacy +of several years I proved him to be not only a good +Christian, but a man of most honourable principles, of +enlightened mind, and thoroughly civilized. It is, however, +a task of much difficulty and delicacy to draw a +distinction amongst the Ti-ping chiefs, simply because so +many of them were equally distinguished. I may, however, +say that after the Tien-wang, the Chung, Kan, +Chang, Ying, I (the Tien-wang's eldest brother), and +Tsan wangs were the greatest. The Chang-wang was a +sort of Home Secretary or Minister of the Interior; +neither this chief nor the Kan-wang held any executive +military command, although both were frequently in the +field in order to introduce civil administration into +conquered provinces. The Chang-wang was considered +the most learned and accomplished man in the Ti-ping +ranks, and hence his title, "Accomplished Prince." His +modest and unpretending manner, politeness and +education, made him one of the most agreeable of companions. +This chief, the Kan-wang, the Chung-wang's +son, Maou-lin, and several other men of rank, were studying +the English language from books supplied them by +some missionaries. The Rev. Griffith John, describing +his visit to Nankin, wrote:—</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/i278.jpg"><img src="images/i278-t.jpg" width="600" height="380" alt="THE CHUNG-WANG'S COUNCIL OF WAR. +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">THE CHUNG-WANG'S COUNCIL OF WAR.<br /> +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH.</span> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Chang-wang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> at Nankin begged of me to inform the 'Foreign +Brethren,' for him, that the following are his views:—'You have had the +Gospel for upwards of 1800 years, we only, as it were, eight days. Your +knowledge of it ought to be correct and extensive; ours must necessarily +be limited and imperfect. <i>You must therefore bear with us for the present, +and we will gradually improve.</i> As for the Gospel, it is one, and must be +propagated throughout the world. Let the 'Foreign Brethren' all know +<i>that we are determined to uproot idolatry, and plant Christianity in its +place</i>.'"</p></div> + +<p>I can answer for it that Chang-wang has done all in +his power to carry out his determination; his request for +foreigners to "bear with" the Ti-pings for awhile, and the +reason he gives for it, afford a good example of his just +and liberal opinions. In age he was probably about 35, +of middle height, and with a thoughtful, intelligent, and +almost pensive style of countenance. The Kan-wang +seemed at least ten years older, rather stoutish and tall, +and with an open, pleasing face, expressive of a kind and +benevolent character. His little son was being taught +English, from a number of picture books written in +Chinese and English, and would always put his little +hand in mine and lisp, "Good morning, how do you do?" +whenever I entered his father's palace.</p> + +<p>The Kan and Chang wangs were well acquainted with +geography and mechanics, and besides, possessed books +of reference, with plates, upon every imaginable subject +of Western civilization and science, which they were +constantly studying.</p> + +<p>The chiefs all attended the Chung-wang's levee in +their state robes and coronets. The Chung-wang himself +appeared with a beautiful crown; he was the only chief +besides his Majesty, the Tien-wang, who wore one of real +gold. The metal was beaten out thin, into beautiful +filigree-work and leaves, and formed into the figure of +a tiger, the eyes being of large rubies, and the teeth rows +of pearls. At each side was an eagle with outstretched +wings, and on the top a phœnix. The whole crown was +magnificently decorated with large jewels set into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +gold, while pearls, sapphires, and other gems hung all +around. In his hand the Chung-wang carried a jade-stone +sceptre or "yu-i," curved at each end, and covered +with groups of sapphires, pearls, garnets, and amethysts. +His state robe was a gorgeous affair, reaching almost to +the feet, of beautifully embroidered yellow satin, stiff +with gold bosses and dragons worked in gold, silver, and +scarlet threads. Yellow embroidered trousers, and boots +of yellow satin, similarly ornamented, completed a costume, +than which—set off by his handsome and energetic +features—it would be impossible to imagine one more +magnificent. When the Chung-wang entered the +Audience Hall and proceeded to his state chair, all the +assembled chieftains rose to their feet, and passing before +him, dropped upon one knee and saluted him, and then +returned to their seats, after which, the deliberations +were entered into.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> +<img src="images/i280.jpg" width="400" height="435" alt="CHUNG-WANG'S CROWN." title="" /> +<span class="caption">CHUNG-WANG'S CROWN.</span> +</div> + +<p>When the result of the council had been submitted to +and approved by the Tien-wang, orders were given to the +generals to march at once upon their several destinations. +The Ying-wang was despatched with a large force along +the northern bank of the Yang-tze river, in the direction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +of Han-kow and the province of Hoo-peh. Reinforcements +were ordered to the Shi-wang in Kiang-si, and the +Kan-wang, with a large retinue, was sent to the borders +of Kwei-chow to accept the allegiance of a strong body +of insurgents from Kwang-tung, which had lately been +tendered to the Ti-ping emperor. Each of these chiefs, +when prepared to start upon their expedition, assembled +their troops and harangued them in a most energetic +manner. Their addresses were received with acclamation, +and it required but little penetration to prophesy the +Manchoo troops would have but small chance of successfully +opposing these enthusiastic and determined men. +With all their excitement they seemed possessed with a +firmness of purpose, and settled conviction to succeed. I +conversed with many while marching towards the city +gates, and found all alike imbued with the earnest belief +that God, or as they expressed it, "The Heavenly Father," +was with them. Some were quite boys, of fifteen or +sixteen years. I asked several if they were not afraid to +go to battle and be killed, and one daring-looking little +fellow, pointing to a great cicatrice along the side of his +neck, and another on his breast, told me he had received +the wounds fighting the "Demon-imps" (Manchoos), and +that he intended soon to have his revenge. Several of +the elder soldiers told me in a very serious manner that +it was a good thing to be killed fighting the "demons" +(the Manchoos were so called because of their idolatry), +as they would then certainly go to heaven.</p> + +<p>The Chung-wang, previous to commencing his march +to Ngan-whui, reviewed his body-guard in the large parade +ground. This brigade, 5,000 strong, marching under the +Chang-wang's standard of green, was composed of one of +the finest bodies of men I have ever seen in my life. +Until the repulse from Shanghae it was their boast that +they had never retreated or turned their backs upon a foe. +They were all natives of Kwang-si, the Chung-wang's +province, and came principally from the Maoutze, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +aboriginal mountaineers, who have never at any period of +the Manchoo invasion, become subject to, or been subdued +by them; and who, at the present time, still retain the +ancient Chinese customs and their own form of government, +entirely independent and free of all allegiance to +the reigning dynasty. These Maoutze are the very +bravest soldiers in China, and are easily to be recognized +by the enormous quantity of their hair; for never having +succumbed to and adopted the usurper's badge of slavery—the +shaved head—their hair has grown from infancy, +reaching almost to their feet when loose, and when dressed +forming a tail of great thickness, which, when wound +round the neck, acts as a protecting armour that no sword +can penetrate in the day of battle.</p> + +<p>Besides his brigade of guards, the Chung-wang reviewed +another, composed of remarkably fine Honan men, +and commanded by Ling-ho, an adopted son. This chief, +celebrated for his reckless and dashing gallantry, had been +repeatedly and dangerously wounded. He was particularly +attached to Europeans, and at the time I met him, had two +with him, one a Corsican, who held the position of Lieutenant-Colonel +in his regiment, and the other a Sardinian, +who was a Major. They had served with him several years, +were both married, and perfectly happy and contented, +although they had passed a considerable time without +seeing another European than themselves. The men they +commanded were greatly attached to them, and ready and +willing to follow them anywhere. These two brigades, +the body-guard of the Foo-wang, second in command, and +a small body of cavalry, were all the troops the Chung-wang +took with him from Nankin; but these were the +very <i>élite</i> of the Ti-ping forces. The strength of the +whole division was about 7,500, which was to be considerably +increased by reinforcements in Ngan-whui.</p> + +<p>At last, after all the other expeditionary forces had +started, the Chung-wang himself set forth. Marie I left in +tears, but perfect safety and comfort. After the last farewell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +she was led into the inner apartments by her particular +friend, Cum-ho (the Good Gold), the Chung-wang's second +daughter, a remarkably pretty girl of about her own age. +During the few weeks which had elapsed since our arrival +at Nankin, her Excellency Mademoiselle Cum-ho had +been the inseparable companion of Marie. My friend was +generally with me, and I began to fancy that her "Foreign +Brother" was latterly assuming a very unbrotherly and +more affectionate relation. We were the first Europeans +the Chung-wang's ladies had ever seen, and my friend was +a fine handsome specimen of the race, therefore, it was +not very astonishing that Mademoiselle Cum-ho should +have looked favourably upon him. Poor fellow! he must +have experienced considerable difficulty in making love, +for at the time he scarcely knew five Chinese words.</p> + +<p>Field artillery was a thing totally unknown to the +Chinese armies when I joined the Chung-wang, but +previous to leaving Nankin I prevailed upon him to give +me men to work them and the requisite authority to +mount three light 6-pound French field-pieces, and carry +them with us. My friends and self were each capitally +mounted with strong and hardy Chinese horses, for which +the Chung-wang would not hear of payment. With our +small battery of artillery we were attached to his guards, +and marched rapidly forward. Besides my interpreter +and cook, the Chung-wang very kindly supplied us with +a couple of pages each. This system of pages is a very +common one in the Ti-ping armies; every chief or officer +of rank has a number of them; they accompany him into +the thickest of the fight, each carrying a gun, which they +hand to him and re-load as fast as he can discharge them.</p> + +<p>At the cities of Wuhu, Taeping-foo, Taeping-hien, and +several others we halted, and were joined by large reinforcements, +so that before we approached the neighbourhood +of the enemy the strength of our army was but +little short of 27,000 men, independent of the camp +followers, while the baggage, coolie, and commissariat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +departments amounted to upwards of 15,000. During the +march I had capital opportunities of observing the greatly +improved state of the country under Ti-ping rule, and +also of admiring the conduct, character, and efficiency of +their armies.</p> + +<p>Much has been stated about the desolating and ruthless +character of the Ti-pings, but I entirely deny the +accusation. I have been on many a long march with +them and have never found them act with the barbarity +that marked the late American war, or commit the atrocities +perpetrated in Poland and Circassia, or act as Englishmen +have done to the unfortunate natives of New Zealand. +The Ti-pings never committed wanton devastation, never +destroyed crops of standing corn, as has been done by +civilized troops in New Zealand, in Algeria, and in the +Shenandoah Valley.</p> + +<p>The perfect organization of the Ti-ping armies contrasted +favourably with that of the Imperialists. The +former, unpaid and voluntary, observed strict discipline; +the latter, receiving hire, constantly mutinied; all military +crimes, especially those of ill-using the villagers and +opium-smoking, were promptly and severely punished. +Outrages, no doubt, were committed by the Ti-ping +forces, but, if so, it was by those raw recruits who neither +understood nor cared for the Ti-ping cause. The great +body of the army observed a moderation unknown to +the Imperialists; were it otherwise, instant execution +was sure to follow. If a village was invested, its inhabitants +might command security by tendering allegiance +and conforming to the customs of the conquerors. If +a village was merely passed by, a moderate contribution +was required. There may have been, particularly +in latter years, exceptions to this course, but it was not +the less the fundamental rule which guided the operations +of the Ti-ping armies. If they occupied a district for +any length of time, peace and contentment reigned there; +it was only when they rested but for a short period,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> +and were followed by the Imperialists, or, perhaps, by +hordes of local banditti and straggling bands of camp +followers, that the country was desolated. Such was +my experience. Each Ti-ping Wang or Prince has under +his special control 100,000 people, including one army. +Between the Wangs and generals of armies come nine +descriptions of officers, ranking as ministers, and other +great officers in charge of civil and military departments +of state. The military organization and all the titles, +are those used previous to the conquest of China by the +Manchoo Tartars. Each Ti-ping army, or keun, is composed +of 13,125 officers and men, under the command of +a general (keun-shwae), and is divided into five divisions +(ying), front, rear, right, left, and centre.</p> + +<p>A division musters 2,625 strong, commanded by a +general of division (sze-shwae), and contains five leu, or +regiments, the front, rear, left, right, and centre.</p> + +<p>A regiment is composed of 525 men and officers, +commanded by a colonel (leu-shwae), and is divided into +five tsuh, or companies, the first, second, third, fourth, +and fifth.</p> + +<p>A company is composed of 104 men and officers, commanded +by a captain (tsuh-chang); then come four lieutenants +(leang-sze-ma), distinguished as the north, south, +east, and west, each in command of four sergeants (woo-chang), +and twenty privates (woo-tsuh).</p> + +<p>The lieutenants, and all above, have each a banner +with his designation inscribed on it, which increases in +size with the rank of the officer.</p> + +<p>Each division of an army is divided into three classes, +or brigades. The first consists of <i>bonâ fide</i> Ti-pings, that +is to say, all who are of more than six years' standing; +the second brigade, of acknowledged brethren, of more +than three but less than six years' service; while the +third, and generally largest brigade, includes all new +levies, and less than three years' service men. Each +brigade is again divided into three classes. The best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +and bravest men are armed as musketeers, or cavalry; +the next class as heavy gingall and halbert men; and +the third as spearmen. A great proportion of the +three arms are flag-bearers, while the standards of the +chiefs are borne by officers of stanch Ti-pingism and +approved courage. The rank of these latter is upon an +equal footing with that of the commissioned officers, and +the position is considered the most honourable in the +army. The bravest men I have ever seen in my life +were some of these standard-bearers. It is their duty +to lead on the whole army by advancing with their colours +far in front, and I am certain many a brave ensign must +have fallen by the fire of his comrades, at times wonderfully +eccentric. Attached to each division of guards (or +the first class of the three brigade divisions) is one large +black flag, and when this is advanced, the division is +compelled to follow it upon pain of death, the rear rank +men carrying drawn swords to decapitate any who might +attempt to run. This flag possesses not only the signification +the "black flag" does with Europeans, but must +never be carried in retreat before an enemy, nothing but +death being permitted to arrest its progress. This was +well known to the Imperialists, and, until assisted by +British troops, officers, and supplies of shell, artillery, +&c., they rarely, if ever, awaited this terrible +attack, and even if courageous enough to do so, their +chance of success was but small indeed.</p> + +<p>The absence of all mercenary attraction to their ranks +arose from the wish of the Ti-ping Government to have +no adherents who could possibly join them from other +than religious or patriotic motives, these being recognized +as the element that contributed so largely to success. +The appearance of the men is quite a sufficient guarantee +of the beneficial effects of the system, for, instead of +being taken from the very lowest dregs of the people, +as with the Imperialists, it is nearly always the case +that they are men of respectability, from either the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +working, servant, or trading class; frequently they are +of much higher social position, and this is generally the +case with the Kwang-tung and Kwang-si men, whose +superiority is such that it is mostly from their ranks +the officers are selected.</p> + +<p>One of the wisest and most advantageous regulations +of the Ti-ping army is, that officers of every grade can +rise by merit alone; a regulation highly beneficial, +most of their leaders having proved very superior men; +among others the Chung-wang, who, unaided, rose by his +brilliant attainments alone to the highest military rank.</p> + +<p>The total inability of the Manchoos to alone meet +the Ti-pings with any chance of success, is easily to be +understood when the different military constitutions of +the two powers are made known; for how is it possible +that armies entirely composed of the very lowest and most +degraded of the people, and whose officers obtain their +rank by corruption and bribery, can be able to compete +with the patriotism of the Ti-pings, or the superior talent +of their chiefs?</p> + +<p>The cowardice and cruelty of the Imperialists have +long been notorious, and, after the experience foreign +officers have lately had, the courage and humanity of +the Ti-pings should have become equally so. I can +assure my readers that it is no slight devotion to the +sacred cause of civil and religious liberty, and not a little +hatred of the Manchoo oppressor, that encourages these +people in their gallant struggle for freedom, and makes +them so cheerfully accept all the rigours, deprivations, +and incessant dangers of their cause. Any one who had +seen them undergo the terrible sufferings that I have +would never afterwards doubt this. There is one case +especially, which shall be related in its proper place, the +horror of which I shall never forget, and that, sad to +say, was caused entirely through the interference of +the British <i>Government</i>. It was occasioned more particularly +by the arrival of the Anglo-Chinese, or "Vampire-Fleet,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +as it was called by the foreign residents of Shanghae, +under command of Manchoo <i>Admiral</i>—but British +<i>Captain</i>—Sherrard Osborne, and the progress of the mercenary +contingents commanded by Major Gordon, R.E., +and others.</p> + +<p>The equipment of the Ti-ping armies was much +the same as that of the Imperialists. What few cavalry +they possessed were armed with heavy swords of the +yataghan shape, generally double-handled, and with +a very broad and thick blade; their firearms were +light matchlocks, and European muskets or pistols +when they could obtain them. The musketeers carried +matchlocks, useless in wet weather, and European-made +double-barrelled guns, muskets, and pistols, generally of +very inferior quality. The second-class brigades usually +carried one large gingall to four men, the weapon when +in use resting upon a tripod. The spearmen simply +carried a long bamboo with an iron spike in the end, +and the usual short, heavy Chinese sword, used by all +their infantry. The spears were proportioned to the +men, and ranged from eight to eighteen feet long. The +flags were all attached to twelve-feet spears. Besides the +above-mentioned weapons, many men from the northern +provinces were armed with the Tartar bow, which was a +much more accurate-shooting weapon than either matchlock +or gingall. Regiments of guards generally mustered +upwards of 2,000 strong. To each regiment were attached +twelve buglers in the shape of horn-blowers, the instrument +used being a long brass tube like a French horn, +and sounding like a number of cow-horns concentrated. +Troops could be manœuvred by the notes of this instrument +perfectly well. Besides the buglers, a corps of +drummers formed the other part of each military band, +together with players upon the hautboys, Chinese fifes, +and serpent horns. Those who have seen a Ti-ping +army will readily agree with me that it is one of the +most picturesque and impressive sights in the world.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> +The very becoming style of the soldiers' dress, the brilliancy +of the colours, the quantity and richness of the +silken flags, and the peculiar way in which the bearers +wave them about, or carry them streaming in the wind,—the +forest of spears presented by the spearmen of the +army, the number of mounted officers,—all unite in producing +a vivid impression.</p> + +<p>It was in such style that after a twenty days' march +we came upon the Imperialist troops in the neighbourhood +of the Poyang Lake. Directly the Chung-wang +became aware of the enemy's vicinity, clouds of skirmishers +were deployed in front of the leading divisions, +and the cavalry divided into two bodies, one covering each +flank. The advancing army meanwhile continued its +march in close columns, each column being four deep, +and at wheeling distance from the parallel columns on +either side. This formation of the Ti-ping armies much +resembles the movement by "fours" of the British +army; but the files are single—what is usually termed +the Indian file, and each acts independently of the others. +When it is required to form line of battle, the columns +simply halt and wheel into line upon either flank, joining +the points of the formations upon each side. It will thus +be seen that, instead of marching front forward as European +columns, they advance end on, and the front of each +company when on the march is at right angles to the +head of the column. The line of battle is formed four +deep in consequence of this, but, if necessary, is easily +made less by the rear files being right or left faced, and +marched off parallel to their former position. The leading +battalions are always formed of the spearmen or poorest +troops; the second line of battle is composed of the second +class men; and the third, or reserve, of the best troops +and guards.</p> + +<p>In this order we advanced upon the Imperialists. I +had divided my artillery,—my friend with one piece +and a company of thirty men joining the right wing;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +Philip with another gun and the same number of men, +the left; while I remained, with the third gun, in the +centre.</p> + +<p>Throughout the day no collision with the enemy took +place; numberless videttes and pickets of Tartar cavalry +were driven in, but we nowhere came upon them in force. +At last, just before dark, we came within full view of the +Manchoo army, drawn up in battle array in the centre of a +great plain immediately beyond the hilly ground from which +we were about to debouch. Our army was immediately +halted upon its commanding position, and a body of +cavalry sent forward to reconnoitre. The Chung-wang +himself went with this force, and I accompanied him. +When we had approached to within a mile of the enemy, +we halted and surveyed them through our glasses. I +estimated their strength at somewhere near 50,000, but +what puzzled me most was the fact that about a third of +this force was well-equipped and hardy Tartar cavalry. +The Ti-pings certainly could not form square to resist +them, and how otherwise they could repulse their charges +I did not know.</p> + +<p>The Manchoos allowed us but small time to make our +observations, for while we were busied with them a large +body of cavalry had been detached from the nearest wing, +and was galloping at full speed to intercept our retreat. +As they considerably outnumbered us, we followed the +tactics of that celebrated general who with twice +10,000 men marched up the hill and then marched down +again; only he walked, and we galloped away as fast as we +could. The Tartars could not catch us, and as we neared +our lines gave up the chase with one of those yells Tartars +alone know how to make.</p> + +<p>The enemy occupied a remarkably unpleasant position +for a Chinese army, because they had but small room for +running away, and this made us believe they must either +be very superior troops, or else have large supports somewhere +out of sight in their rear. Their situation answered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +to the rim of a fan, each side being cut off by water,—the +Poyang Lake on one hand, and the river Yang-tze-kiang +on the other. At the very apex of this position +we knew the Imperialists held the city of Hu-kau, a +strongly-fortified place; therefore we suspected they either +depended upon supports from thence, or on finding protection +within its walls, in event of defeat in the field.</p> + +<p>As it was too late to commence any operations, we +encamped upon the rising ground for the night. Towards +midnight, however, our pickets came in with the report +that the enemy were in full retreat. The Chung-wang +immediately ordered the army to follow in pursuit. Tents +were struck, the different corps assembled, and in a few +minutes we were advancing at a quick step, every man +carrying a lantern, according to the practice of the +Chinese troops at night. After crossing the plain, we +met with more broken and irregular ground; skirmishing +parties were sent out, and we had not advanced far +when those from the front fell back with intelligence +that the enemy were strongly posted in a row of stockades +and intrenchments directly on our line of march.</p> + +<p>The Foo-wang was at once ordered to make a reconnaissance +in force, and feel the enemy's position preparatory +to a grand attack at daybreak. With my two friends, +L. and Philip, I joined this corps and with it pushed +rapidly forward, the men still carrying their confounded +lanterns; we had, however, taken with us fifty of our +gunners armed with old Tower muskets, and, leading +them without lanterns, marched a little aloof upon the +right flank of the column. We soon discovered the +enemy, whose whole line of intrenchments was illuminated +with lanterns, and directly our lights were seen +a most tremendous roar of gongs, drums, and war-horns +commenced. Scouts were sent out dressed all in +black, and without lanterns, to ascertain the nature and +strength of the defences. With several of my men I +went upon the same errand on the extreme left of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +enemy. Crawling along the ground, and taking advantage +of every inequality and cover, we got within +100 yards of the last stockade upon the left: it was +apparently furnished with several pieces of artillery upon +its front, surrounded with a moat, and altogether a +formidable field-work. Before retiring, I crawled away +to the left of it, and found the nature of the ground so +unequal, and so many bushes scattered about, that I +fancied, if no pickets were posted at that part, it would +be quite practicable to advance a sufficient body of men +under cover to carry the work by a <i>coup-de-main</i>. If this +could be done, the position would be turned, and in all +probability the enemy would be compelled to abandon +his whole line of defences.</p> + +<p>I rejoined the Foo-wang, whom I found manœuvring +to alarm the Manchoos and induce them to discover their +force. Every man was carrying two lanterns, one upon +each end of his spear placed horizontally across his +shoulders, while quite a number of others were made +fast to bamboos stuck in the ground. After I proposed +my plan to him, he decided to maintain his advanced +position until the Chung-wang's opinion was ascertained; +for which purpose one of his principal officers returned +with me to our main body. The Chung-wang approved +of my design, and placed 500 of his own guards under +my command, and an equal number of the Foo-wang's; +directing the attack to be given just before daylight, when +the whole army should advance after and follow up my +movements, while a grand demonstration should be made +upon the right of the works by the Foo-wang's corps. +At the appointed hour my division of stormers assembled, +all clothed in black silk jacket and trousers, every man +well armed with a musket, and carrying a bamboo spear +to leap the moat with, if necessary; meanwhile, the main +body of the army was noiselessly massed behind us, and +the Foo-wang's division made more display of lanterns +and more feints to attack than ever. Of course my party<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> +left their lanterns behind, and the main body took the +same precaution for a wonder. Moving rapidly towards +the cover, we reached it just as the Foo-wang commenced +a false attack. Philip was with me, but I had left my +friend L. behind with the guns, with orders to follow me +into the stockade with them, in event of our taking it.</p> + +<p>Slowly my men crept along in the direction of the +work; we passed the spot I had previously made my +observations from, and had actually reached within fifty +yards of the parapet before we were discovered; the whole +of the garrison being apparently crowded upon the right +side, watching the distant firing instead of their own +neighbourhood. Directly the enemy observed us, rising +erect with a tremendous cheer, we rushed to storm the +place, while the reserve kept up a heavy fire upon the +defenders to cover our assault. Passing to the rear of +the stockade with but little loss, for the fire of our supports +swept the parapet, we charged up to the ditch +under a shower of arrow-headed rockets. At this point +men were dropping all around, for the fire of our comrades +no longer supported us; fortunately the ditch was dry, +and leaping into it, my men became well protected, for +these Chinese stockades have no flanking angles. But +now a new weapon was brought into play. Unable to show +themselves, the garrison commenced throwing "stink-pots," +over the parapet, amongst us. The burns and suffocating +fumes of these singular missiles were fearful. +Directly my men were all loaded—some placed upon the +flank of the stockade and the rest in its rear, so as to +open a cross fire—we clambered up the rampart, and +lining the parapet, opened fire upon the crowd huddled +up in the interior. The advantage of the position was +entirely ours, for my men on the flank, enfilading the +parapet, shot down all who attempted to dislodge us, while +upon our side we rendered them the same service.</p> + +<p>In almost perfect safety, for a few moments, we poured +a close and deadly cross fire into the mass of the enemy;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> +but then, our supports storming upon the front of the +stockade, the defenders began to rush to their only side +of escape, and went over the parapet as fast as they +could. Jumping into the place sword in hand, we soon +drove out or cut down the few who still resisted, though +not without loss, for many of the defenders were armed +with spears, with which they at first had a considerable +advantage over my short-sworded comrades, the spears +we had carried being left outside the ditch. The commander +of the work was a brave Tartar officer, who +fought desperately and killed several of our men with +arrows. When these were all used, he rushed into the +<i>męlée</i> with his heavy Tartar sword. If all the garrison +had fought like him, I doubt whether our enterprise +would have proved so successful, for we were considerably +outnumbered. Wishing to save the life of this officer, +I ran up to him with the point of my sword lowered, and +called upon him to surrender; but, suddenly impelled +forward by a rush of men, I came within reach of his +weapon, which in an instant was descending full upon my +head. Instinctively I raised my arm to the guard; at +the same moment a pistol was fired. I felt a pressure on +my head, and the Tartar rolled over at my feet; I turned +to my rescuer, and found Maou-lin; the brave boy had just +had time to interpose his blade, which was driven down +with much force upon my head, and then so effectually +to use his revolver.</p> + +<p>By this time the stockade was ours: its former masters +were all driven out or killed; but, rapidly as this happened, +we had but small time for rejoicing, for scarcely +had the last fugitive disappeared over the parapet, when +we heard the noise of a heavy column of the enemy rushing +to recapture the place. While the attacking troops +were approaching the right flank of the work, the dull +rumbling in the rear told us the whole force of the +enemy, or at least a strong division, was moving to surround +us. We had just time to man the parapets when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +the advancing column rushed forward to the assault. +Crouched down in a double line, we waited until the +foremost ranks were within a few paces of the ditch; our +first line then delivered their fire, and stepped back to +reload. The advance was checked, and the attacking +forces, crowded together by the press from their rear, +presented a living wall to our second volley, delivered +within ten feet. Before the killed and wounded had well +fallen, another volley poured in by our first line completely +broke them, and, leaving a heap of stricken men all along +that side of the stockade, they turned and fled.</p> + +<p>Daylight had now arrived, and opened upon a crowded +field of battle. The enemy appeared in great strength +massed in rear of the stockades, while a movement to +their left flank was being executed as fast as possible, +under cover of their whole cavalry, whose advance had +caused the rumbling noise in our rear. At a glance, I +perceived the enemy's left was completely turned, and the +whole Ti-ping army was forming upon some hilly ground +almost at right angles to the line of stockades. Up this +the Tartar cavalry was charging at full speed in three +strong lines, each at least 5,000 strong. I naturally expected +to see them ride straight over the Chung-wang and +all his men, for I had not at that time seen the Ti-ping +method of resisting a cavalry charge. Suddenly, and +while the cavalry were still at a considerable distance, the +whole front of our army gave way, and wheeling to the +left, ran to the rear at the double quick. I fully expected +that when the lines reached the parallel marching order a +general flight would take place; but, to my astonishment, +the right files of each line stood fast, and the remaining +files sweeping past the parallel position, doubled back and +formed a complete circle. The second line advanced, and +planted its gingalls in the intervening spaces, the halberdiers +forming a second line of circles; while the third +line, advancing from the reserves, doubled up to the front, +and entering those of the spearmen, composed an inner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> +circle of musketeers. Upon the left of the army, and in +a line with the stockades, the Foo-wang's division was +formed <i>en échelon</i>, extending from the front of the +main body to little more than half a mile from the +stockade I held. This force was slowly moving up so as +to close with the position and rest its left flank upon it. +Our cavalry was formed into two bodies, one upon the +right of the army and the other in rear of the reserves. +Such was the order in which the Ti-pings awaited the +charge of the Tartar cavalry.</p> + +<p>The bright rays of the morning sun now flashed across +the serried ranks of the hostile armies and played fitfully +on the glistening arms of the long lines of Tartar cavalry +as they dashed up the slopes in all the pomp and circumstance +of war. In far less time than is occupied in perusing +the account, the foremost Tartars had mounted the +crest of the rising ground, and charged full upon the +front of our army. On they went, line after line sweeping +up the slight ascent, waving their scarlet plumes and +many-coloured banners. At last this gallant array was +burst asunder; a sheet of flame ran along the whole of +our line, followed by the crash of rolling musketry, +mingled with the frequent and hoarse reports of the heavy +gingalls, before which the first line of cavalry fell back +broken and disorganized. The second line spread out till +the first had retreated through the openings, then closing +again, they dashed forward, only to meet a like repulse; +and now the third and strongest line advanced, doomed to +utter destruction. Upon the extreme left of the Foo-wang's +line, now within a few hundred yards of the +stockade, my three pieces of artillery were suddenly unmasked +and opened upon the charging cavalry. Within +pistol-shot distance, grape and canister enfilading the +dense lines of men and horses, carried destruction +through their ranks. The fire was steadily maintained by +alternate guns, and the hissing noise of the <i>mitraille</i>, as +it rushed through the air, followed by the dull sounding +thud as man and horse went down before it, was plainly +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> +heard at my position. Leaping and struggling clear of +the fallen men and horses, the Tartars actually reached +and endeavoured to break the formation of spearmen; but +with knee to the ground and their lances firmly placed, +these successfully maintained their ranks, while at such +close quarters every shot told upon the crowd of horsemen +with deadly effect, the circle of musketeers running +round and round and keeping up an incessant fire, loading +as they passed towards the rear of the circle and firing +as they came to the front. Some circles were broken, +and in a moment overwhelmed and trodden under hoof; +but in those instances the victors paid a heavy penalty for +their temporary success; from the circles on each flank +and those of the second rank and the reserves in line, a +withering cross fire swept their squadrons from front to +rear and flank to flank.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/i298.jpg"><img src="images/i298-t.jpg" width="600" height="381" alt="DEFEAT OF THE TARTAR CAVALRY AT THE BATTLE OF HU-KAU. +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">DEFEAT OF THE TARTAR CAVALRY AT THE BATTLE OF HU-KAU.<br /> +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH.</span> +</div> + +<p>The last and most desperate charge of the enemy's +cavalry was repulsed with tremendous loss. Their order +was no sooner broken than, rushing from the right of the +army, our cavalry brigade, nearly 2,000 strong, came +sweeping along the whole front, and, falling upon the +flank of the retreating and disordered enemy, completed +their rout.</p> + +<p>All this transpired in a few minutes, and even before +the final repulse of their cavalry, the Imperialists, unable +to change front with sufficient celerity or advantage, +evacuated their line of intrenchments and commenced +retreating in good order, waving their numerous flags in +a figure of eight and sweeping the ground with them, +according to that method of defying an enemy peculiar to +China. The Imperialists had evidently received heavy +reinforcements during the night, for, without reckoning +their defeated cavalry, their strength was at least double +that of our entire army; but at that time this was considered +by the Ti-pings as no great advantage.</p> + +<p>The enemy was so completely outflanked, that, directly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +the last cavalry charge had been repulsed, the Chung-wang +hastened to follow up his advantage. Line of +battle was re-formed and the whole army advanced at +a run upon the retreating and manœuvring columns. +Abandoning the captured stockade, with my detachment +I rejoined the army, and, passing through the Foo-wang's +division, carried off the guns to the extreme right, now +actively engaged with the retiring left wing of the +Manchoos in Chinese fashion, that is to say, by waving of +flags, distant volleys of gingalls, &c., with yells, abuse, +and gesticulation. The position was still very unfavourable +to the enemy; their long front was yet diagonal to +ours, and although their left wing was falling back as fast +as possible, so as to form a parallel line of battle, our +whole line was performing a side march to maintain its +flanking attitude, and moreover, was already engaging +the troops attempting to take up a fresh alignment.</p> + +<p>Consequent upon the imperfect system of Chinese +drill, the retreating troops were unable to effect a regular +formation; one company would halt too soon, another too +late, and some not at all. Neither was our advance much +better, for the only well-formed position of a Chinese army +is when it remains stationary. The flag-waving and abusive +part of the action did not last long, for, seizing the opportunity, +the Chung-wang advanced the second brigades. +Moving my guns well upon the right and out of the +eccentric line of fire from the heavy gingalls, I took up a +position enfilading whole divisions of the enemy, and +opened upon them with considerable effect.</p> + +<p>For a little while the Imperialists stood this, and +returned a sharp fire from their gingalls and long matchlocks, +but several lines of our third brigade, or musketeers, +forming at intervals with the second and first, +charged them amidst tremendous cheering. They broke, +and throwing away their arms, fled in confusion upon +their centre. A well-timed charge of our cavalry changed +their flight into a complete rout, and rushing frantically<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +upon the stationary divisions of the centre, and those +occupied in changing ground, they threw the whole into +disorder.</p> + +<p>Not a moment was lost in following up the blow; our +right wing and centre, reserves and all, rushed upon the +disorganized multitude, while the Foo-wang with our left +wing and the cavalry moved forward obliquely, and +attacked the enemy's right and the remnant of cavalry he +had re-formed in its rear. For some little time this part +of the field was well disputed, but at length, the left wing +and centre, driven back upon the right with immense +slaughter, involved the whole army in inextricable confusion. +The reserves, without firing a shot, turned and +fled from the field, while their comrades, struggling and +surging in one huge mass, endeavoured to follow their +example, while some few struggled to arrest the victorious +advance. Vainly strove the bravest Tartar officers to +animate their men; the hardiest veterans, extricating +themselves from the confusion, uselessly sacrificed their +lives attempting to re-form and gain time for the broken +lines to rally and open out in order; equally vain were +the fierce efforts of the main body, as, rolling and staggering +along, they wavered, hesitated, and sent forth storms +of fire upon friend and foe alike, while the rallied horsemen +feebly charged the Foo-wang's cavalry, and, driven +back, hovered in rear and flank of its defeated infantry. +The day was irretrievably lost for the Manchoos. Nothing +could stop our impetuous charge, as with deafening shouts +the whole army swept on victorious, driving them back +with fearful carnage. In vain the Imperialists endeavoured +to deploy; the head of every formation no sooner appeared +than the volleys of our musketeers swept them away, or +the charging spearmen and halberdiers annihilated them. +Thrown into disorder and mingled with the fugitive crowd, +the right wing, no longer able to oppose the Foo-wang, +was burst asunder by our cavalry. The Imperialists were +totally routed. Halting the reserves and centre, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +Chung-wang re-formed them and moved in the direction +of Hu-kau, while the two wings and the cavalry pursued +the panic-stricken multitude, eventually either driving +them into the waters of the Poyang Lake, some three +miles from the field of battle, or making prisoners of +them.</p> + +<p>In the mean while the Chung-wang advanced rapidly +upon the small city of Hu-kau, to where the reserves of +the Imperialist army had already retreated. A quick +march of less than three hours brought us before its walls, +and, advancing my little battery, I prepared to enfilade the +parapet and cover the advance of our stormers. This, +however, proved unnecessary, for the enemy, profiting +by their late experience, had evacuated the place and +embarked in numerous junks and gunboats upon the +Yang-tze river.</p> + +<p>During the late engagement Maou-lin and Ling-ho +had particularly distinguished themselves. In vain had +my two friends and the Corsican and Sardinian officers +attempted to compete with their valour. Foremost in +every assault Maou-lin or his adopted brother made themselves +conspicuous. All had received spear-wounds in the +<i>męlée</i>, but, fortunately, none were very severe, and under +the soothing influence of the herbal decoctions the Chinese +surgeons so well understand the use of, they soon became +healed. Our total loss in killed and wounded was +less than two thousand, while that of the enemy was +immense: the whole battle-field and line of retreat was +literally covered with their slain, while hundreds had +perished in the waters of the Poyang Lake.</p> + +<p>Hu-kau had been a military depôt of the Imperialists, +and in it we captured considerable stores of grain and war +material. After an occupation of several weeks, the +object of the expedition in the defeat of the Imperialist +army, having been so successfully accomplished, the +Chung-wang abandoned that place, and sending back the +divisions that had joined him in Ngan-whui with large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +convoys of grain, and the sick and wounded of the army, +to be carried to Nankin, he advanced with his first division +through the southern part of Ngan-whui into the province +of Che-kiang, upon a march of observation, preparatory +to the grand campaign of the summer, that had +been decided upon at Nankin by the military council.</p> + +<p>I returned with the larger portion of the army to +Nankin, and took my friends with me, as it was my +intention to communicate with agents at Shanghae and +transact various affairs connected with forwarding the +Ti-ping cause. The Chung-wang was so pleased with the +effectiveness of my little field battery that he kept it +with him, and before parting with him I received his +best thanks, whilst each of my friends were given a +certificate for their gallantry in the action and the +capture of the stockade.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Prospects of the Ti-pings in 1860.—Their Operations.—Relief of Nankin.—Rout +of the Imperialists.—Ti-ping Successes.—British Interference.—Ti-pings +advance on Shanghae.—The Chung-wang's Address.—Mr. +Bruce's Notification.—Mr. Bruce's Dispatch.—The Future of +China.—The Chung-wang's Dispatch.—Mr. Bruce's Inconsistency.—Missionary +"Holmes."—His Statement.—His Uncourteous Behaviour.—His +Inconsistencies.—Suppressed Missionary Reports.—Rev. +Griffith Johns' Report.—Newspaper Extracts.—The Shanghae +Massacre of Ti-pings.—Newspaper Extracts.—The Author's Reflections +thereon.</p></div> + + +<p>Gloomy, indeed, were the prospects of the Ti-pings +at the opening of the year 1860. The garrison of +Nankin, reduced to less than 20,000 men by the continual +reinforcements despatched to the armies in Kiang-si, +Ngan-whui, and the north bank of the Yang-tze—a +proceeding rendered necessary by the shortness of supplies +in the capital—was cut off from all communication with +its armies in the field by a series of works forming a +complete line of circumvallation from the Tsin-hwai river, +which enters the Yang-tze a few miles above Nankin, to +Yentzeke, a position about five miles below the city, and +situated on the Yang-tze river. Large fleets of Imperialist +war-junks blockaded the river communication of +the city from below, while, far as the eye could reach, +over hill and valley, the many-bannered hosts of the +besieging army occupied the whole surrounding country. +It seemed but a question of a few weeks more whether +the Imperialists would have the courage to storm the +city, or whether starvation would exterminate the noble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +and patriotic band of the first Christian movement in +China. It was then the power and organization of the +Ti-pings were displayed to their fullest extent; at no +time, since the erection of their standard of liberty, had +their cause been threatened by so imminent a danger, +and at no time had their movements been so skilfully +conducted, as during the three months preceding the +relief of Nankin. The tactics first adopted were those of +distracting the attention of the besiegers, and obliging +them to detach portions of their force. In accordance +with this project, the army in the Eastern province of +Ngan-whui, commanded by Le, the Chung-wang (formerly +general of the first Northern expedition), and the +army in Kiang-si, commanded by the I-wang (the Tien-wang's +brother Shih-ta-kae), by forced marches placed +themselves upon the rear of the besieging army, and +seriously threatened its lines of communication.</p> + +<p>The Chung-wang, starting from the vicinity of Wuhu +and Tai-ping-foo, on the south bank of the Yang-tze, by +a flank march in a south-easterly direction, placed himself +immediately in the rear of the grand army of Imperialists +encamped before Nankin. Detaching a strong +column to threaten the cities of Soo-chow and Chang-chau, +the principal depôts of the enemy, he hurried his +main body by forced marches to the provincial capital +Hang-chau, and, after heavy fighting, upon the 19th of +March mined the walls, and obtained possession of the +outer city. The Manchoo garrison, after holding out in the +inner or Tartar city for six days, were succoured by a +considerable force from Kiang-su, which joining them, +recovered the city; the Ti-pings retiring, after inflicting +severe loss amongst their opponents.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, the I-wang, concentrating his +forces upon the Kiang-si frontier, also invaded the Che-kiang +province, but from a point more to the south. +After capturing the prefectural cities Ku-chau and Yen-chau, +and descending the Tsien-tang river to within a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span> +short distance of Hang-chau, he suddenly turned north, +and effected a junction with the Chung-wang.</p> + +<p>This strategy, however, had not the anticipated effect, +and the Imperialist army, besieging Nankin, continued +to direct their main efforts to the recapture of that city. +The garrison, in consequence, became reduced to the +greatest straits, and suffered terrible privations. During +all their trials, their hope and courage never faltered for +a moment; in the midst of his perishing people, the +Tien-wang calmly and sublimely taught them to call +upon God as the sure means of deliverance from their +pressing danger.</p> + +<p>Hanging his banner from the walls of his palace, and +seated within full view and range of the Manchoo commander's +camp, upon a hill directly opposite, the Tien-wang +devoutly composed a special doxology for the use +of the garrison. From the soldiers on the walls to the +little children in their mothers' arms, by day and by +night, the voice of praise and supplication ascended to +the heavens. Whatever <i>we</i> may consider the faults and +errors of these men, most of them are now in the presence +of their Maker; and if a full and earnest and Christian +belief in His Word can benefit mankind in a future state, +they—and, after a close intercourse of several years with +the Ti-pings, I say it without a shadow of doubt—will be +rewarded.</p> + +<p>At last, finding it impossible to effect the relief of +the capital by distant operations, it became imperative to +assemble an army of relief without delay. Arrangements +were accordingly made for a simultaneous attack by the +armies in the field, and a sortie in force by the garrison. +The combined forces of the Chung and I-wangs marched +directly upon the rear of the besieging army, and on the +3rd of May, the garrison sallying forth from each gate of +the city, according to preconcerted signal, the advanced +guard of the approaching army burst through the Imperialist +lines, and effected a junction with them. The day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +was bitterly cold, and, taking advantage of a thick snow-storm, +the van of the army of relief—which, to the number +of nearly 20,000, had, by a successful raid for horses, been +mounted for the occasion—made their charge with complete +success.</p> + +<p>Directly the combination was effected, the entire force +turned upon the Imperialist army. The right and left +wing of the besiegers, considerably distant from the +centre through which the Ti-ping cavalry had charged, +and, moreover, unable to perceive the movements taking +place, through the snow-storm and grey light of the +morning, and being informed only of the sortie, moved +forward upon the city, confident in their numbers, and +expecting to easily drive back the weakened garrison, and +enter the city with them.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, leaving a detachment with the troops +from the city to hold their ground, the Ti-ping cavalry +charged straight back upon the enemy's centre, and +falling upon them while they were yet re-forming and in +confusion, drove them off the field with tremendous +slaughter. Then, forming into two bodies, they attacked +each wing of the Imperialist army, which, having discovered +the arrival of reinforcements to the garrison, +was now retreating to its lines. It was at this critical +moment the Ti-ping cavalry, after literally riding over +the reserves in rear of the lines, came down upon them. +Pressed by the attack of the garrison in their rear, and +unable to cross the creeks and ditches in face of the +cavalry in any order, the carnage became fearful. All +the trenches, dug by their own hands, were choked by +the bodies of the Imperialists—scarcely a man that had +crossed those limits escaped. When the work of slaughter +could be safely entrusted to the garrison alone, the cavalry +followed in pursuit of the retreating enemy. The whole +Ti-ping army having now arrived upon the field, the rout +of the Imperialists became total—arms, flags, ammunition, +and provisions, everything that made them an army,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +were abandoned, and in the wildest panic its miserable +remnants fled for refuge to the district city of Tan-Yang.</p> + +<p>It is estimated that they lost no less than 60,000 men +during the action and pursuit. The country for many +miles was covered with their bodies, which also filled +the creeks, and stopped the running waters.</p> + +<p>Vigorously following up their successes, town after +town, including that of Tan-Yang, fell into the hands of +the Ti-pings. Several Imperialist armies marched from +Soo-chow and Chang-chow to oppose them, but in each +case were totally defeated; the second in command was +killed, while Ho-chun, the Manchoo Commander-in-Chief, +committed suicide. The mass of disorganized troops dispersed +themselves all over the country for plunder, and +great numbers flocked to the magnificent city of Soo-chow, +the gates of which were closed against them; they +then gave themselves up to all kinds of excesses, and +setting fire to the extensive and wealthy suburbs, committed +every description of pillage and rapine. When +the Ti-ping army approached, a few days later, the authorities +abandoned it, and this, the most important city +in Central China, fell into their hands upon the 24th +day of May.</p> + +<p>During the next three months the Ti-pings were +engaged in taking possession of all the cities within a +considerable distance, and in establishing their rule +throughout the adjoining departments, including the silk +districts of Ly-hong, Wu-seih, Kin-tang, Es-hing, Tay-saam, +Tsat-lee, Kia-hing, Hu-chau, &c. Supplies were +forwarded to Nankin in large quantity, the Budhist +idols and temples were demolished far and wide, and in +their stead the Ti-pings introduced the Holy Scriptures to +every household within their jurisdiction. Their regular +and moderate system of taxation was enforced, and those +country people who at the first alarm had fled from their +homes were gradually returning. At Shanghae, in the +meanwhile, the report of the Ti-ping successes, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span> +prospect of their early advance upon that city, was made +the occasion for the first display of that un-English +perfidy that has since been carried to such a monstrous +extent.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that the British authorities had +already recognized the Ti-pings as a belligerent power, +and were therefore not only bound to observe a strict +neutrality by every article of international law, but had +actually sought and communicated with them, and in the +person of Sir George Bonham solemnly guaranteed in +writing their observance of neutrality, receiving from the +revolutionists a similar assurance. Yet, in flagrant violation +of the professions of non-intervention, Mr. Bruce +took upon himself, in his capacity as superintendent of +British trade, to commit a breach of neutrality by the +following proclamation and its fulfilment:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The undersigned issues this special proclamation, &c.</p> + +<p>"Shanghae is a port open to foreign trade, and the native dealers +residing therein have large transactions with the foreigners who resort to +the place to carry on their business. <i>Were it to become the scene of attack +and civil war, commerce would receive a severe blow</i>, and the interests of +those, whether foreign or native, who wish to pursue their peaceful avocations +in quiet, would suffer great loss.</p> + +<p>"The undersigned will therefore call upon the commanders of Her +Majesty's naval and military authorities to take proper measures to prevent +the inhabitants of Shanghae from being exposed to massacre and pillage, +and to lend their assistance to put down any insurrectionary movements +among the ill-disposed, and to protect the city against <i>any attack</i>.</p> + +<div class="right"> +(Signed) "<span class="smcap">Fredk. W. A. Bruce.</span> +</div> + +<p>"<i>Shanghae, May 26, 1860.</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>The solemn pledges made by England were thus deliberately +violated, but, as will be seen, that injustice was +prompted by mercenary considerations, masked by philanthropic +pretensions. Besides this, we find Mr. Bruce +audaciously, if not idiotically, declaring his intention +to violate a British guarantee:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"And it appeared to me <i>that without taking any part</i> in this civil contest, +or expressing any opinion on the rights of the parties, we might +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span><i>protect</i> Shanghae from attack, and <i>assist</i> the authorities in preserving +tranquillity."</p></div> + +<p>As Mr. Bruce states defending cities for the Manchoos +by shooting down the Ti-pings is "without taking +any part" in the internecine war, it would be amusing to +have his ideas as to the meaning of "taking part." Not +satisfied with injuring the rights of an acknowledged +belligerent, Mr. Bruce, a few days after, adds insult to +injury. The Kan-wang having forwarded a dispatch to +the consuls of England, France, and the United States, +Mr. Bruce issued the following instructions to the British +Consul:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"With reference to the letter addressed to you, in common with the +consuls of France and the United States, by one of the leaders of the +insurgents, I am clearly of opinion that it is both inexpedient and objectionable +on principle that her Majesty's consuls should hold any communication +with the insurgents at Soo-chow, and I have, therefore, to instruct +you <i>to take no notice of it</i>."</p></div> + +<p>It would be satisfactory to know upon what "principle" +Mr. Bruce excuses this act of injustice, and, also, +where he obtained his ideas of belligerent and neutral +"principles." The inconsistency of his conduct will be +seen a little further on, when, although taking "no +notice" of the Ti-ping dispatch, he sends them a communication +which he expects <i>they</i> are to notice.</p> + +<p>Throughout the rebellion, the Ti-pings had naturally +been anxious to obtain possession of some seaport at +which they would be enabled to trade with foreigners, +and obtain supplies of arms and munitions of war, as +the Imperialists did at the treaty ports. After Soo-chow +had been occupied about three months, the Ti-pings, +relying on the pledges that had been given, marched +upon Shanghae to take possession of it, the Manchoo +power being completely crushed.</p> + +<p>Previous to this advance, Soo-chow had been visited by +a large number of missionaries and mercantile gentlemen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +who all reported most favourably upon the character, aim, +and religion, of the insurgents. Of these reports, however, +those only were made public to the people of England +which contained false and garbled accounts, intended to +justify the violation of neutrality and the defence of +Shanghae. Before referring to the suppressed reports, +we will notice the attack upon the city. Depending upon +the British guarantees and good faith, the Chung-wang—leaving +the bulk of his forces to garrison different places, +and march against the remaining Manchoos in the field—advanced +upon Shanghae himself to treat with the foreign +representatives; and expecting no opposition, instead of +throwing his large and victorious army rapidly upon the +city, simply brought with him a portion of his own body-guard, +and some 3,000 irregular troops, more as an escort +than for any offensive purpose. On approaching the city, +the Chung-wang addressed and forwarded to the Foreign +Ministers the following communication—the very same +which Mr. Bruce ordered the consul to take "no notice +of."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Le, the Loyal King of the Heavenly Dynasty, &c., to the Honourable +Envoys, &c.</p> + +<p>"Previous to moving my army from Soo-chow I wrote to you, acquainting +you that it would soon reach Shanghae, and that if the residences of +your honourable nations and the mercantile establishments would hoist +yellow flags as distinguishing marks, I would give immediate orders to my +officers and soldiers prohibiting them from entering or disturbing them in +any way. As you would consequently have received and perused my +letter, I supposed you would act according to the tenor of it. I was not +aware, however, until yesterday, that the people of your honourable nations +had erected churches in other places in the prefecture of Sung-keang in +which they taught the Gospels, when my army, being at the town of Sze-king, +fell in with a body of imps (Imperialists), who resisted its progress, +when my soldiers attacked and destroyed a number of them. Among these +imps there were four foreigners, one of whom my soldiers killed, as they +did not know to what country he belonged. However, in order to maintain +my good faith to treat foreigners well, I caused the soldier who had +killed the foreigner to be at once executed, thus keeping my word.</p> + +<p>"Afterwards, seeing that there was a church at Sze-king, I then knew +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span>for the first time that the people of your honourable nations came there to +teach the Gospel, and that although they had not hoisted a yellow flag, +they had not been assisting the imps.</p> + +<p>"But though the past is done with, precautions can be taken for the +future. My army is now about to proceed directly to Shanghae, and in +the towns or villages through which it will pass, should there be churches, +I earnestly hope that you will give orders to the people of them to stand +at the doors to give information that they are churches, so that there may +be no mistakes in future.</p> + +<p>"My forces have already arrived at Tseih-paen, and they will soon +reach Shanghae. I therefore earnestly hope that you the honourable +envoys will call the people of your nations before you, direct them to close +their doors, remain inside, and hoist yellow flags at their houses, when they +need have no fear of my soldiers, as I have already given orders to them +that they must not, in that case, molest or injure any one.</p> + +<p>"As soon as I myself arrive, I purpose discussing with you all other +business. In the meantime I send this hasty communication, and take +the opportunity to inquire after your health.</p> + +<p> +"Tai-ping, Tien-kwo, 10th year, 7th moon, 9th day (August 18th, 1860)." +</p> +</div> + +<p>When the Chung-wang had arrived within a short +distance of Shanghae, Mr. Bruce, although taking "no +notice" of the Ti-ping communications, was sufficiently +inconsistent to forward the following despatch:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"NOTIFICATION.</div> + +<p>"Reports having reached us of an armed force having been collected in +the neighbourhood of Shanghae, we, the commanders of the military and +naval forces of her Britannic Majesty at Shanghae, hereby give notice that +the <i>city of Shanghae</i> and foreign settlement are militarily occupied by the +forces of her Britannic Majesty and her ally the Emperor of the French; +and they warn all persons that, if armed bodies of men attack or approach +the positions held by them, they will be considered as commencing hostilities +against the allied forces, and will be dealt with accordingly.</p> + +<p> +"Shanghae, August 16, 1860." +</p> +</div> + +<p>This precious notification was sent on board a gun-boat +and taken to a place entirely out of the line of march of +the advancing forces, and of course was not delivered. +Unprepared for foreign hostility, the Ti-pings, upon the +18th of August, appeared before Shanghae, and driving in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +the Tartar outposts advanced with a run to the walls, +perfectly unacquainted with the fact that they were manned +by English and French soldiers. Instead of the friendly +reception always given by the Ti-pings to foreigners, and +which they expected would now be returned, they were +met with a storm of shot, shell, and musketry. The few +following extracts are from the official organ, and give an +account of the unjustifiable slaughter of men whose great +hope was to enter into close and friendly relations with +their "foreign brethren," for whose "strict neutrality" the +British Government had solemnly pledged itself:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The camp had an earthwork all round, on which several American +cannon were mounted. Since the allied occupation of the city all executions +have been perpetrated here. Against this place the rebels advanced +with unusual boldness. The Chinese soldiers and officers fought for some +time with great spirit, but at last ran away as fast as possible, followed by +the insurgents, who hoped to rush pell-mell with them to the city, and get +through the west gate."</p></div> + +<p>Now commences the "reception" given to the patriots +by men whom, from first to last, they have considered and +treated as brethren.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Captain Cavanagh then ordered the bridge to be destroyed, and gave +the insurgents a rather <i>warm reception</i> from the city-wall with rifles and +canister.</p> + +<p>"In the course of the afternoon two guns of Captain McIntyre's +Madras mountain train were seen coming along outside the city wall, with +only a small moat between them and the foe"—(Foe! The word is false: +the Ti-pings came as friends, not foes)—"who were dodging about behind +graves, houses, and trees, towards the south gate; but, <i>curious to relate, +not a shot was fired</i>."</p></div> + +<p>The "curious" thing to relate is the wonderful forbearance +of those men, who, although several hundred +of their comrades were mowed down by the savages on +the walls, never retaliated with a single shot, but even +permitted two guns to be placed in a commanding +position from which they were subsequently used against +them with fatal effect.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The nature of the country outside the gates gave ample scope to the +enemy to conceal themselves, so it was only when a group could be observed +that the howitzers and a Chinese gun—the latter under Gunner Warwick—could +be used with effect. The insurgents, however, are certainly no +cowards, and constantly showed themselves near the wall from the south +and the west gates.</p> + +<p>"The firing of the foreigners, both from the cannon and rifles, was +excellent. As soon as canister was useless, the foe were treated to shell, +thrown time after time into the very middle of their flags.</p> + +<p>"When driven back from the south gate, the rebels retired past the +south-west angle, where Lieutenant O'Grady, who was waiting for them in +the piquet-house with some marines and Sikhs, gave them another dressing.</p> + +<p>"Captain Maxwell, at the little south gate, had given his Loodianahs +plenty to do, and although they were only armed with Brown Bess, they +inflicted no small loss on the enemy.</p> + +<p>"Gunner Deacon, Royal Marine Artillery, had rigged up a gun belonging +to the <i>Taoutae</i>, and worked it in the coolest manner and with great +success.</p> + +<p>"Among others killed on the enemy's side was an European who had +made himself very conspicuous. Accompanying him was a half-caste, who +<i>unfortunately</i> managed to escape. There were several foreigners to be +seen among the insurgents, and another is supposed to have fallen outside +Captain Budd's position."</p></div> + +<p>The murderous sentiment expressed in the foregoing +passage would be much more appropriately applied to the +conscience-bound mercenaries who defended Shanghae. All +the <i>gallant</i> deeds related were, literally, the slaughter of +some 300 Ti-pings who made <i>no reply whatever</i> to the +dastardly fire of men, who upon that day inflicted an +indelible stain upon their nation's scutcheon.</p> + +<p>The official report continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As soon as it could be done in safety, parties were sent from the +various posts to <i>burn down</i> such houses in the suburbs as could afford +shelter to the enemy, and the fires raged outside the west and south gates +during the whole of Saturday night. Thus ended the first day's work, +with <i>no small loss</i> to the enemy, but <i>without a single casualty</i> to report on +the foreign side."</p></div> + +<p>The officials not only carefully ignore the burnings +and destruction committed by British troops, when they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +write of precisely similar doings upon the part of the Ti-pings, +but actually report upon the "<i>gallantry</i>" of certain +officers and men concerned in this butchery of unresisting +victims.</p> + +<p>The report proceeds with the next day's exploits:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sunday morning broke upon a scene of conflagration and destruction. +Our <i>gallant</i> allies (the French) set to work, in a manner peculiar to themselves, +to drive away the danger, and, to prevent its recurrence, fired the +suburb, which is by far the richest and most important collection of native +houses. It is here that the Chinese wholesale merchants live. An immense +quantity of goods, especially sugar, was stored there, and as the +conflagration in its rapid progress licked up a sugar hong, or soy factory, +the flames sprang up with fearful grandeur.</p> + +<p>"About two o'clock the <i>Kestrel</i> and <i>Hong-kong</i> came steaming down +against a strong tide past the burning suburb. The firing, too, had recommenced +at the south gate from double-shotted guns and howitzers. Driven +from their cover by these means, and compelled to take up a new position, +the enemy laid himself open to some fine rifle practice. McIntyre's guns +were too well handled to let them hide in any of the buildings yet standing, +and <i>Lieutenant O'Grady</i>, with some marines, opened a most destructive fire +from the look-out. This <i>gallant</i> officer is really an excellent shot, and we +believe it is reckoned in this affair twenty men fell to his rifle, with scarcely +one intervening miss."</p></div> + +<p>What can the people of England think of a British +officer coolly resting his rifle, through sheer <i>gaîté de cœur</i>, +upon the parapet, and shooting down twenty of his +fellow-creatures while in perfect safety himself? not a +single shot in reply being directed towards any part where +Europeans were stationed.</p> + +<p>The terrible work was thus continued:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On Monday morning, the 20th August, the enemy had advanced in +greater strength than ever. It was really a curious sight to see them +moving along every one of the little paths which run parallel to the city +walls, each man carrying a flag, and all moving in Indian file, but in +excellent order, <i>and quite calm and steady</i>. On they came <i>without hesitation</i>, +perfectly within range, and seemed to direct their attention principally +to the west gate. Lieutenant O'Grady had been sent there with some +marines to assist Captain Cavanagh; and the Madras artillerymen having +rigged up a gun, a heavy fire was kept up, and the insurgents have to +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span>thank the nature of the ground that their loss was not very large. <i>Strange +to say, scarcely a shot was returned.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>When interested people state this, one can easily +imagine what the truth must be.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"During the night the dispatch boat, <i>Pioneer</i>, had proceeded up the +river, and began dropping 13-inch shells in among the rebel flags. One of +these exploded right in the very centre of about 100 red banners, which +immediately afterwards disappeared.</p> + +<p>"Some pretty examples might be given of the <i>splendid</i> way the shooting +was carried on. A large number of yellow flag rebels were observed to +enter a long white house about three-quarters of a mile off. Captain +McIntyre" (who would have been killed on the first day outside the walls, +if the Ti-pings had only thought fit to answer the murderous fire poured +upon them) "put a shell through the roof, and among others is supposed to +have wounded the second officer in command of the rebel army."</p></div> + +<p>It was not the second in command, it was the Chung-wang +himself who was wounded, a piece of shell striking +him on the cheek, and causing a slight impediment of +speech ever afterwards. The last attempt the Ti-pings +made to enter Shanghae was repulsed on Monday night. +Of the next day the report states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On Tuesday but very little work took place, as the rebels had +retreated quite out of range. The conflagration raised by the French in +the water suburb was still raging, and it was melancholy to see hong after +hong, full of valuable goods, falling a prey to the devouring element."</p></div> + +<p>After the advance of the Ti-pings upon the first day, +when they were unexpectedly driven back with a loss of +about 3,000 men, they met Mr. Milne, a missionary. +These men were Chinese, and must have been maddened +by the unprovoked slaughter of their relatives and comrades, +but instead of wreaking vengeance, as naturally to +be expected from Asiatics, with a forbearance beyond all +praise they did not even make him a prisoner, but, upon +finding he was a missionary, sent him to the city gates +with a guard to protect him from any straggling and +vengeful soldier. Mr. Milne reached the gate in safety,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +but his guard while retreating were each shot down by +British soldiers upon the walls!</p> + +<p>At the time this unparalleled breach of faith took +place at Shanghae, England was bound by every tie, legally +or theoretically binding, to maintain a strict neutrality +between the two contending powers. Not only by Sir +George Bonham's, Consul Meadows', Lord Elgin's, and +Mr. Bruce's guarantees was the nation pledged to a neutral +position; there was also an Ordinance of Neutrality +passed by Sir John Bowring, Governor of Hong-kong, in +1855, the principal clause of which is as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That it shall be a misdemeanour punishable by not more than two +years' imprisonment, &c., for any British subject within any part of China +to assist <i>either the existing Chinese government</i>, or any or either of the +different factions at present engaged, or who may be hereafter engaged in +opposition to the government, by personal enlistment in the service of +<i>either</i> of the said several parties, or by procuring other persons to enlist +in such service, or by furnishing, selling, or procuring warlike stores of +any description, or by fitting out vessels, or by knowingly and purposely +doing <i>any other act to assist either party, by which neutrality may be violated</i>."</p></div> + +<p>It is therefore highly improbable that Mr. Bruce +dared upon his own responsibility to violate all these +existing bonds and regulations: much more does it resemble +the policy of secret instructions. A perusal of the +despatches of the Minister at Pekin must lead to this +conclusion, more particularly when a comparison is drawn +between the following extracts from a despatch of Mr. +Bruce to Lord Russell, dated Shanghae, June 10th, 1860, +and his defence of Shanghae only a few weeks later:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Without discussing" (he is discussing with Earl Russell, therefore the +plan of intervention was undoubtedly submitted to him) "whether intervention, +under the peculiar circumstances of the civil contest in China, <i>be +justifiable or not</i>, or whether it would be expedient, with a view to opening +the Yang-tze river to trade, to recapture towns, such as Nankin and Chin-kiang, +which command it, <i>I am inclined to doubt the policy</i> of attempting to +restore by force of arms the power of the Imperial government in cities and +provinces occupied, or rather overrun, by the insurgents."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p> + +<p>Yet scarcely two months elapse when Mr. Bruce acts +in direct contradiction to this opinion!</p> + +<p>The following passage from the same despatch speaks +in the <i>very strongest terms against intervention</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Chinese officials, pressed for money, and relying on foreign +support, would become <i>more than ever cruel, corrupt, and oppressive</i>; and +the Chinese, deprived of <i>popular</i> insurrection, their rude but efficacious +remedy against local oppressors, would <i>with justice throw on the foreigner +the odium of excesses which his presence alone would render possible</i>. The +consequence would be, popular hostility, reprisals, and that train of events +which would render it necessary to <i>appropriate permanently</i> the province +occupied, or to retire from it, <i>leaving behind a bitter ill-will among the +people</i>. <i>No course could be so well calculated to lower our national reputation, +as to lend our material support to a government the corruption of +whose authorities is only checked by its weakness.</i>" (<i>!!!</i>)</p></div> + +<p>Such is the opinion of a resident British minister, an +opinion constantly reiterated. The people of England may +then well wonder at conduct in such direct opposition to +the reports of the Government representative in China. +The observations of Col. Sykes, M.P., &c., in his advocacy +of a high principle, are worthy of attention. At +page 18 of his valuable little work "The Taeping Rebellion +in China," he states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Incredible as it may appear, while we were shooting down those who +asked for our friendship, and were defending a city belonging to a government +with which we were at war, and collecting custom duties by Mr. Lay +and other British subjects, on account of the Emperor of China, that very +emperor was sanctioning British and French officers and soldiers being +tortured and put to death at Pekin, and the Prince Kung, the brother of +the emperor, in whom we are now placing such implicit confidence, was at +that time in such a position at Pekin as to have been able to prevent the +cruelties perpetrated upon our officers and men."</p></div> + +<p>People generally disregard everything connected with +China, considering the policy towards that empire, and its +affairs, of but small moment to themselves or state. Unless +engaged in the China trade, in a selfish and narrow-minded +point of view it may be so; but if we reflect upon the immensity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +of the Chinese empire, its direct population of +one-third of the human race, and its indirect brotherhood +with about one-half (including Malays, Tartars, Eluths, +Mongolians, Thibetians, Cochin-Chinese, Anamese, &c.),—upon +the fact that this vast Empire has outlived all the +mighty ones of Europe,—that her civilization, Christianity, +and power, <i>has yet to come</i>,—if we think why and for what +purpose the Creator has fashioned one-half his people of +the same race, or ponder as to the future of a people who +constitute a body sixteen times more numerous than the +population of Great Britain, and who may possibly at a +future time attain a position in the world proportionately +equal to the present greatness of England herself—if these +facts are reflected upon, they will present deep and interesting +themes to the mind of every man not entirely +absorbed with his own littleness, and who can rise above +the exigencies of the present moment.</p> + +<p>Repulsed from the walls of Shanghae by those whom +he had always regarded as brothers in the same Faith, +the Chung-wang sent the following proclamation to +the European consuls on the 21st August:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Le, the loyal Prince of the Heavenly Dynasty, &c., &c., addresses +this communication to you, the Honourable Consuls of Great Britain, +United States of America, Portugal, and other countries.</p> + +<p>"That good faith must be kept is the principle which guides our +dynasty in its friendly relations with other peoples; but deceitful forgetfulness +of previous arrangements is the real cause of foreign nations having +committed a wrong. When my army reached Soo-chow, Frenchmen, +accompanied by people of other nations, came there to trade. They personally +called upon me, and invited me to come to Shanghae to consult +respecting friendly relations between us in future. Knowing that your +nations worship, like us, God the Heavenly Father and Jesus the Heavenly +Elder Brother, and are therefore of one religion and of one origin with us, +I placed entire and undoubting confidence in their words, and consequently +came to meet you at Shanghae.</p> + +<p>"It never occurred to my mind that the French, allowing themselves +to be deluded by the imps (the Chinese Imperial authorities), would break +their word and turn their backs upon the arrangement made. Not only, +however, did they not come on my arrival to meet and consult with me, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span>but they entered into an agreement with the imps to protect the city of +Shanghae against us, by which they violated their original agreement. +Such proceedings are contrary to the principles of justice.</p> + +<p>"Now, supposing that the French take under their protection the city +of Shanghae, and a few li (a mile or two) around it, how will they be able, +within that small space, to sell their merchandise, and to carry on conveniently +their mercantile transactions?</p> + +<p>"I have also learnt that the French have received no small amount of +money from the imps of Hien-Fung (the emperor), which they have without +doubt shared amongst the other nations. If you other nations have not +received the money of the imps, why did several of your people also appear +with the French when they came to Soo-chow and invited me to Shanghae +to confer together? It is as clear as daylight that your people also appeared +at Soo-chow, and urgently requested me to come to Shanghae. Their words +still ring in my ears; it is impossible that the affair should be forgotten.</p> + +<p>"My army having reached this place, if the French alone had broken +their engagements, coveted the money of the imps, and protected their city, +how was it that not one man of your nations came to consult personally +with me? You must have also taken money from the imps of Hien-Fung +and divided it amongst you. Seeing, again, you committed a wrong, without +taking into consideration that you would have to go to other places +than Shanghae to carry on commercial business. You do not apparently +know that the imps of Hien-Fung, seeing that your nations are of the same +religion and family as the Heavenly Dynasty, used money to establish a +connection; this is employing others to kill, and using schemes to cause +separations.</p> + +<p>"The French have been seduced by the money of the imps, because +they only scheme after profits at Shanghae, and have no consideration for +the trade at other places. They have not only no plea on which to meet +me, but still less have they any ground on which to come before God the +Heavenly Father, and Jesus the Heavenly Elder Brother, or even our own +armies, and the other nations of the earth.</p> + +<p>"Our Sovereign Lord was appointed by heaven, and has ruled now for +ten years. One half the territory he possesses contains the rich lands in +the east and south. The national treasury contains sufficient funds to +supply all the wants of our armies. Hereafter, when the whole face of the +country is united under our sway, every part will be contained within our +registers, and our success will not depend on the small district of +Shanghae.</p> + +<p>"But with human feelings, and in human affairs, all acts have their +consequences. The French have violated their faith, and broken the peace +between us. Since they have in advance, acted thus contrary to reason, +if they henceforth remain fixed at Shanghae to carry on their mercantile +business, they may so manage. But if they again come into our territory +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>to trade, or pass into our boundaries, I, so far as I am concerned, may in a +spirit of magnanimity, bear with their presence and refrain from reckoning +with them on the past. Our forces and officers, however, who have now +been subjected to their deceit, must all be filled with indignation, and +desirous of revenge; and it is to be feared that they will not again be +permitted, at their convenience, to repair to our territory.</p> + +<p>"On coming to Soo-chow I had the general command of upwards of +one thousand officers, and several tens of thousands of soldiers, a brave +army which has power to put down all opposition, and whose force is as +strong as the hills. If we had the intention of attacking Shanghae, then +what city have they not subdued? What place have they not stormed?</p> + +<p>"I have, however, taken into consideration that you and we alike +worship Jesus, and that, after all, there exists between us the relationship +of a common basis and common doctrines. Moreover, I came to Shanghae +to make a treaty in order to see us connected together by trade and commerce; +I did not come for the purpose of fighting with you. Had I at +once commenced to attack the city and kill the people, that would have +been the same as the members of one family fighting among themselves, +which would have caused the imps to ridicule us.</p> + +<p>"Further, amongst the people of foreign nations at Shanghae, there +must be varieties in capacity and disposition: there must be men of sense, +who know the principles of right, and are well aware of what is advantageous +and what injurious. They cannot all covet the money of the impish +dynasty, and forget the general trading interests in this country.</p> + +<p>"Hence, I shall for the present repress this day's indignation, and +charitably open a path by which to alter our present positions towards each +other. I am extremely apprehensive that if my soldiers were to take +Shanghae, they would not be able to distinguish the good from the bad, in +which case I shall be without grounds to come before Jesus, the Heavenly +Elder Brother.</p> + +<p>"Out of a feeling of deep anxiety on your behalf, I am constrained to +make an earnest statement to you foreign nations, as to what is wisdom +and what folly in these affairs, and as to the amount of advantage and +injury of the different courses open to you. I beg you, foreign nations, +again carefully to consider what course would be gainful, what a losing +one.</p> + +<p>"Should any of your honourable nations regret what has occurred, and +hold friendly relations with our state to be best, they need have no apprehensions +in coming to consult with me. I treat people according to right +principles, and will certainly not subject them to any indignities. Should, +however, your honourable nations still continue to be deluded by the imps, +follow their lead in all things, without reflecting on the difference between +you; you must not blame me if hereafter you find it difficult to pass along +the channels of commerce, and if there is no outlet for native produce.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span></p> +<p>"I have to beg all your honourable nations to again and again weigh +in your minds the circumstances; and now write this special communication, +and trust you will favour me with a reply.</p> + +<p>"I beg to make inquiries after your health.</p> + +<p> +"Taeping, Tien-kwo, 10th year, 7th moon, 12th day."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>With strange, but most probably compulsory inconsistency, +after the defence of Shanghae, Mr. Bruce, although +previously opposing any intervention or help to the Manchoos +in the strong terms already quoted in his despatch +to Lord Russell concerning that event, abuses the Ti-pings +almost as strongly, as if to justify the outrage he had +been guilty of towards them. In one part of the despatch +referred to, dated Shanghae, September 4th, 1860, Mr. +Bruce, speaking of the Ti-ping advance upon Shanghae, +states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They were perfectly, however, aware of our intention to defend the +town. It was explained to them in the most unequivocal manner by +Mr. Edkins during his late visit to Soo-chow, to whom they seem to have +attributed an official character. It probably conduced to the ungracious +reception he met with."</p></div> + +<p>Now this passage is entirely contrary to fact, which +will be perceived directly on perusing the account given +by Mr. Edkins <i>himself</i>. At another part of his defence, +Mr. Bruce states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is certain that even Hung-jin (Kan-wang), from whom, as <i>educated</i> +in a missionary school, and therefore <i>better instructed in religious doctrine</i>, +and of more <i>liberal</i> views than the Ti-pings in general, the Protestant missionaries +expected great things, declined to abandon or postpone the attempt +on Shanghae."</p></div> + +<p>This hollow accusation against Hung-jin in particular, +and the Ti-pings in general, is as ridiculous as it is so to +call the Ti-pings <i>illiberal</i>, because they would not desist +from capturing an important city of the enemy, the possession +of which was absolutely necessary for their existence.</p> + +<p>It is now desirable to notice the following extract from +the same despatch. The Mr. Holmes referred to in it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> +visited Nankin about the same time Shanghae was defended, +and wrote an account of what took place in such +terms as to render it difficult to believe it ever emanated +from the pen of a minister of the Gospel, particularly +when it is remembered that the stronger the grounds +might have been to condemn the religious belief of the +Ti-pings, the greater the duty of Mr. Holmes to fulfil his +mission and teach them better. Mr. Holmes was sent to +China as a missionary and not as a theological critic; +neither was he required to teach those who were perfect in +the Faith; his services were required by (and had he done +his duty would have been given to) people struggling +through the clouds of paganism and ignorance, such as +he describes the Ti-pings to have been encompassed with. +Why, then, did Mr. Holmes make no attempt to succour +those who acknowledged the same Saviour, whose Word +he professed to teach, who had accepted the Bible in its full +integrity, and who, in my presence, have implored missionaries +to remain among and teach them those mysteries +they were not able to interpret? Why did Mr. Holmes +report in such an uncharitable spirit of men freely receiving +and professing Christianity, and make not the slightest +effort to rectify the faults he so condemned? Mr. +Holmes has thus laid himself open to severe censure; but +he is not the only missionary to blame. Although vast +sums of money are contributed in England, and expensive +missions sent to people and countries that <i>will not profess</i>; +how is it that <i>no attempt</i> has been made to help the millions +at one time constituting the Ti-ping revolution, who not +only <i>professed</i> Christianity as their principal object, but +who fought, suffered, and died for it.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce goes on to state:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I enclose herewith a very interesting account given by a Mr. Holmes, +a Baptist American missionary, of a trip he had made lately to Nankin....</p> + +<p>"I beg <i>particularly</i> to call your Lordship's attention to Mr. Holmes's +general reflections at the close of his letter....</p> + +<p>"But as the chief is an <i>ignorant fanatic, if not an impostor</i>, and the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span>bulk of his adherents are drawn from the dangerous classes of China, the +result is the rule of the sword in its worst form....</p> + +<p>"Their system differs in nothing, as far as I can learn, from the proceedings +of a band of <i>brigands</i> organized under one head."</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Bruce, it will be seen, went quite out of his way +to enclose this "interesting account" from an "<i>American</i> +Baptist missionary," but quite overlooked the reports of +the British missionaries, which were entirely suppressed.</p> + +<p>As for Mr. Bruce's reflections upon the "ignorance" of +the Ti-ping-Wang, and the form of "brigandage," those +who follow through this history will probably feel justified +in questioning the accuracy of his conclusions and in condemning +the spirit which dictated them.</p> + +<p>The following are extracts from the "particularly recommended" +account, and embrace the principal points:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We ran all night, and next morning anchored in the mouth of the +creek which leads from the river up to the city of Nankin. On inquiring +for some one with whom we could communicate, I was invited to enter the +fort, and on doing so was received by a tall Kwang-si officer. He greeted +me as his <i>ocean brother</i>, and drawing me down to a seat beside him in the +<i>place of honour</i>, entered at once into conversation."</p></div> + +<p>Upon entering the city, Mr. Holmes states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We were received by a venerable-looking and very polite old man, +whom we learned to call Pung-ta-jen (his Excellency Mr. Pung). He had +been requested by the Chang-wang to entertain us with supper.... +We found him exceedingly polite and affable, and I thought I could +discern some appearance of <i>real</i> religious character, which is more than I +can say for any other man I met."</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Holmes was thus received by the Chang-wang:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On being seated, he began the conversation as follows:—</p> + +<p>"'Wha-seen-sung (be assured), foreigners and men of the Heavenly +kingdom are all brethren. We all believe in the Heavenly Father and +Son, and are, therefore, brethren. Is it not so?'</p> + +<p>"I then mentioned the object for which I had come, speaking of the +deep interest which had long been felt in their cause by foreign Christians.</p> + +<p>"After receiving assurances from him of their <i>gratification</i> at my +arrival, we retired.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p> +<p>"The Tien-Wang, we were informed on the evening of our arrival, was +<i>much gratified</i> at our coming.</p> + +<p>"After this, the Chang-wang invited me in to see him again. Being +quartered in his house, it was quite convenient to go in at any time.... +He then proceeded to give an outline of Christianity, which, though very loose +and general, <i>contained little that could be objected to</i>:—God, the Creator of +all things; Jesus, his son, the Saviour of the world; the Holy Spirit—the +words correct in the main, though I afterwards became convinced that +neither he, nor any of them, had any adequate idea of their true signification. +'Was this what we believed, also?' he asked, when he had finished +his recapitulation. I gave him to understand that I had <i>no objection</i> to +make to what he had said, but that they appeared to have other doctrines +which I did not understand the import of, for example, Mr. Pung had +spoken of worshipping the Heavenly Father, the Heavenly Brother, and +the Tien-Wang, and of these three being one. To this he simply replied +<i>that Mr. Pung had preached erroneously</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Now this plain avowal of the <i>correct</i> and <i>intimate</i> +knowledge the Ti-ping leaders possessed of Christianity +might well, one would suppose, have satisfied even Mr. +Holmes; for what more could be expected from men but +newly awakened to the truth, and yet struggling towards +the gradually increasing light?</p> + +<p>Another striking example of the enlightened character +of the Ti-ping chiefs is thus given by Mr. Holmes, and +should certainly have impressed him favourably:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Another similar chair was placed near him (Chang-wang), on which +he invited me to be seated, and at once began to question me about <i>foreign +machinery</i>, &c. He had been puzzled by a map with parallel lines running +each way, said to have been made by foreigners, which he asked me to +explain. He then submitted to my inspection a spy-glass and a music-box, +asking various questions about each."</p></div> + +<p>The following account may be designated coolly insolent +and not trustworthy, being founded on fictions:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"John i. 1.—Christ is here pronounced to be God; does Tien-Wang +claim to be God or man? Matt. xxii. 29, 30.—How is this to be reconciled +with the statement that the Western Prince has contracted a marriage in +the other world? Matt. xx. 25-26.—How is this to be reconciled with the +Tien-Wang's assumption of authority in spiritual matters? John iii. 13, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>Gal. i. 8, Rev. xxii. 18-19.—How can Tien-Wang have another revelation? +This document the Chang-wang was <i>afraid</i> to present to his chief. He +returned it to me, and I supposed that I should hardly find a man bold +enough to keep it in his possession."</p></div> + +<p>This may be the <i>American</i> Baptist mode of procedure, +but we may easily believe it is hardly the style in which an +English missionary of ordinary good manners and education +would act. If a Chinaman were to arrive in England +and draw up a similar list of queries, and send them to +the Queen, it would afford a precisely parallel case. The +Chang-wang, after assuring Mr. Holmes his hyperbolical +theories were "erroneous," must have felt himself grossly +insulted by the latter's uncourteous catechising. When +about to leave Nankin, Mr. Holmes states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On Wednesday we had determined to return. On announcing our +intention, we were <i>entreated</i> to remain a few days longer. He (Chang-wang) +also invited me to <i>come back again</i>, and bring with me my family, +<i>offering to give me a place in his own house</i>. On our departure a sum of +money was offered us to 'buy tea,' as it was stated, 'on our way home.' +This we declined.... He insisted that he would have no face if he +sent away a guest without making him some present, and substituted a +piece of silk, which, with several little articles received before, are preserved +as memorials of the visit. A present of a small globe, with several other +foreign articles, were very gladly received on his part."</p></div> + +<p>From the extracts I have given, one might naturally +suppose Mr. Holmes would have returned from his visit +favourably impressed; with what astonishment, then, will +be perused the following "reflections":—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I shall content myself with a few general reflections upon the state +and prospects of this movement. I went to Nankin predisposed to receive +a favourable impression.... I came away with my views entirely +changed. I had hoped that their doctrines, though crude and erroneous, +might, notwithstanding, embrace some of the elements of Christianity. I +found, to my sorrow, nothing of Christianity but its names, falsely applied, +applied to a system of <i>revolting idolatry</i>."</p></div> + +<p>How does this agree with the well-known uncompromising +iconoclasm of the Ti-pings? How can it be reconciled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +with the statements given by Mr. Holmes as to the +Christian knowledge of the Chang-wang? which, he says, +"<i>contained little that could be objected to</i>," or the passage, +"I gave him to understand that I had <i>no objection</i> to +make to what he had said"? Is it from this Mr. Holmes +derived his idea of "revolting idolatry"? The narrative +continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Their idea of God is distorted until it is inferior, if possible, to that +entertained by other Chinese idolaters. The idea which they entertain of +a Saviour is likewise low and sensual, and his honours are shared by +another." (Compare this with the Tien-Wang's proclamation at page <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, +giving the titles to the chiefs, and <i>strictly forbidding</i> himself to be addressed +by any appellation that may infringe upon the attributes of the "Celestial +Elder Brother" (our Saviour), and then judge of its truth.) "The Eastern +King is the saviour from disease, as he is the saviour from sin." (The +Eastern King had been dead some years.) "Among the features of their +theology that <i>shocked</i> me most may be mentioned the following:—They +speak of the wife of the Heavenly Father, whom they call Tien-ma +(Heavenly Mother), &c., &c."</p></div> + +<p>If Mr. Holmes was so "shocked," it would have been +his duty to teach instead of to criticise them, especially +as they "entreated" him to remain, or "come back" to +them.</p> + +<p>He further states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I had hoped, too, that though crude and erroneous in their notions, +they would yet be ready to stand an appeal to the Bible" (meaning his +arrogant list of queries), "and to be instructed by those competent to +expound its truths. Here, too, I was disappointed."</p></div> + +<p>This is palpably unjust, when in the same narrative +he states they "<i>entreated</i>" him to stay with them. Such +are the opinions of the missionary on whose testimony +the British Government mainly rely.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p> +<p>It now becomes necessary to notice the <i>suppressed</i> +missionary reports, furnished by members of the London +Mission Society and Propagation of the Faith Society.</p> + +<p>These reports appeared a few years back in the <i>Missionary +Magazine</i>, but I venture to again make them +public, not only to support and prove my own view of +the Ti-ping revolution, but because I feel certain that +only a very small proportion of the British people can +have seen them, as, if it had been otherwise, a far +different policy would have been employed in the treatment +of the Ti-pings.</p> + +<p>The following extracts are from the narrative of a +journey amongst the Ti-pings, by the Revs. Edkins, John, +Macgowan, and Hall, bearing date "Shanghae, July 16, +1860:"—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"THE RELIGIOUS VIEWS AND PRACTICES OF THE INSURGENTS.</div> + +<p>"From the information acquired, it is evident that the religious element +enters very powerfully into this great revolutionary movement. Nothing +can be more erroneous than the supposition that it is a purely political one, +and that religion occupies but a subordinate place in it. So far is this from +being the case, that, on the contrary, it is the basis upon which the former rests, +and is its life-perpetuating source. The downfall of idolatry, <i>and the establishment +of the worship of the true God</i>, are objects aimed at by them, <i>with +as much sincerity and devotion</i> as the expulsion of the Manchús, and the +conquest of the empire. In opposition to the pantheistic notions of the +philosophers of the Súng dynasty, they hold the doctrine of the personality +of the Deity; in opposition to the popular polytheistic notions, <i>they have +the clearest conception of the unity of God</i>; and in opposition to the fatalism +of philosophical Budhism, they believe in and teach the doctrine of an all-superintending +Providence. This appears on the very surface, and no one +can be among them for any length of time without being impressed with it. +They feel that they have a work to accomplish, and the deep conviction +that they are guided by an unerring finger, and supported by an omnipotent +arm in its execution, is their inspiration. Success they ascribe to the +goodness of the Heavenly Father, and defeat to his chastisements. The +Deity is with them, not an abstract notion, nor a stern implacable sovereign, +<i>but a loving father</i>, who watches tenderly over their affairs, and leads them +by the hand. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are their +proposed standard of faith now, as they were at the commencement of +the movement.</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><br /><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span></p> +<div class="center"> +"THE FEELINGS ENTERTAINED BY THE INSURGENTS TOWARDS FOREIGNERS,<br /> +AND THEIR PROSPECTS OF FUTURE SUCCESS. +</div> + +<p>"The feeling which they entertain towards foreigners is apparently of +the most friendly nature; they are always addressed as 'our foreign +brethren.' 'We worship the same Heavenly Father, and believe in the +same elder Brother, why should we be at variance?' They seem to be +<i>anxious for intercourse with foreigners, and desirous to promote the interests +of trade</i>. <i>The opening up of the eighteen provinces to trade, they say, would +be most pleasing to them.</i> Some would say that policy would make them +talk in this way—suppose it did; how is it that policy, or something akin, +does not make the Imperialists speak in the same way? They say that +foreigners will be respected whenever they pass through their territory; +and the respectful attention they have paid to those who have visited them +is a sufficient proof of their sincerity.</p> + +<p>"A great deal has been said about the cruelty of the 'long-haired +rebels'; but in this there has been <i>much exaggeration and misrepresentation</i>. +<i>In no instance have we witnessed any traces of wilful destruction.</i> It is true +they kill, but it is because they must do so or submit to be killed. They +burn, but so far as our observation went, it is invariably in <i>self-defence</i>. +Much of the burning is done by the Imperialists before the arrival of the +rebels, and the cases of suicide are far more numerous than those of murder. +The fact that all the women have been allowed to leave Súng Kiang, and +that they are known, in many cases, <i>to have made attempts to save</i> men and +women who had plunged themselves into the canals and rivers, is a <i>proof +that they are not the cruel relentless marauders that they have been represented, +to be by many</i>. They are revolutionists in the strictest sense of the term; +both the work of slaughter and of plunder are carried on so far as is necessary +to secure the end. These are evils which necessarily accompany such +a movement, and are justifiable or otherwise in so far as the movement +itself is so."</p></div> + +<p>The following letter was written by the Rev. J. +Edkins and the Rev. G. John, giving a report to the +secretary of their society of a visit to the Ti-pings at +Soo-chow. It is dated "Shanghae, August 16, 1860," +and proves the incorrectness of Mr. Bruce's statements, +that Mr. Edkins informed the Ti-pings, "in the most +unequivocal manner," that Shanghae would be defended +against them, and that Mr. Edkins met with an "ungracious +reception."</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"REPORT OF REV. GRIFFITHS JOHN TO REV. DR. TIDMAN.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></div> +<div class="right">"Shanghae, August 16, 1860.</div> + +<p>"By the last mail you were informed that two letters had just been +received from Soo-chow; one from Hung-jin, the Kan-wang, to Mr. Edkins, +and another from the Chung-wang, to Mr. Edkins and myself, inviting us +both to Soo-chow, to meet the former king. We felt that only one course +of action was left open to us as Christian missionaries. We were exceedingly +anxious to have an interview with this man, for the purpose of ascertaining +the truth on various points of interest—of encouraging him in his +praiseworthy endeavours to correct the errors connected with the movement—of +learning what might be done towards spreading the truth among +his people—and of suggesting plans and improvements for his consideration. +With this object we left Shanghae on the 30th ult., accompanied by three +other brother missionaries. At one point we passed a floating bridge, +which had been constructed by the Insurgents, and left in charge of some of +the country people. A proclamation was put up on shore, exhorting the +people to keep quiet, attend to their avocations, and bring in presents as +obedient subjects. One of the country people remarked, as we were passing +along, that the proclamation was very good, and that if the rebels would +but act accordingly, everything would be all right. 'It matters very little +to us,' said he, 'who is to be the emperor—whether Hien-fung or the +Celestial King—provided we are left in the enjoyment of our usual peace +and quiet.' Such, I believe, is the universal sentiment among the common +people. A part of the bridge was taken off to allow our boats to pass +through, after which it was closed again very carefully. <i>The country +people were, for the most part, at their work in the fields as usual.</i> The towns +and villages presented a very sad spectacle. These once flourishing marts +are entirely deserted, and thousands of the houses are burnt down to the +ground. Here and there a solitary old man or old woman may be seen +moving slowly and tremblingly among the ruins, musing and weeping over +the terrible desolation that reigns around. Together with such scenes the +number of dead bodies that continually meet the eye were indescribably +sickening to the heart. It must not be forgotten, however, that <i>most of +the burning is done by the Imperialists</i> before the arrival of the Insurgents, +and that what is done by the latter <i>is generally in self-defence</i>, and that +more lives are lost by suicide than by the sword. Though the deeds of +violence perpetrated by the Insurgents are neither few nor insignificant, +<i>still they would compare well with those of the Imperialists</i>. The people +generally speak well of the old rebels. They say that the old rebels are +humane in their treatment of the people, and that <i>the mischief is done by +those who have but recently joined them</i>. We were glad to find that, both +at Soo-chow and Kwun-shan, <i>the country people were beginning to go among +them fearlessly to sell; and that they were paid the full value for every article</i>. +We were told at the latter place that to sell to the rebels is good trade, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>as they give three and four cash for what they formerly got only one +cash.</p> + +<p>"We reached Soo-chow early on the 2nd inst., and had an interview +with the Kan-wang on the same day. He appeared in a rich robe and gold +embroidered crown, surrounded by a number of officers, all of whom wore +robes and caps of red and yellow silk. On our entering he stood up and +received us with a hearty shake of the hand. He said that our visit made +him very happy, and that his heart was quite set free. He then made +kind inquiries about his old friends in Shanghae, both native and foreign. +He was much pleased to hear of the progress of the Gospel at Amoy; of +the recent accession of converts to the Church in the neighbourhood of +Canton and Hong-kong; and of the late revival in the West. 'The kingdom +of Christ,' said he, 'must spread and overcome every opposition; +whatever may become of the celestial dynasty, there can be no doubt +concerning this matter.'</p> + +<p>"He then put off his crown and robe, and dismissed his officers; after +which we had a free and confidential conversation on various points. We +gladly accepted an invitation to dine with him. Before partaking of the +viands prepared for us, he proposed that we should sing a hymn and pray +together. Having selected one of Dr. Medhurst's hymns, he himself +started the tune, and sang with remarkable correctness, warmth, and +energy. After a short prayer offered up by Mr. Edkins, we sat at table. +The conversation turned almost exclusively upon religious subjects, in fact, +he did not seem to wish to talk about anything else. He seemed to feel +very grateful to Dr. Legge, Messrs. Chalmers, Hamberg, Edkins, and others, +for their past kindness to him. He told us that his object in leaving +Hong-kong for Nan-king was solely to preach the Gospel to the subjects of +the celestial dynasty; and that on his arrival he begged permission of his +cousin to be allowed to do so. The chief, however, would not hear of it, but +insisted upon his immediate promotion to the rank of king. Though thoroughly +devoted to the new dynasty, and determined to live or die with it, +he told us repeatedly that he was much happier when employed as a Native +Assistant at Hong-kong, than now, notwithstanding the dignity conferred +upon him and the authority with which he is invested. We were escorted +on horses to our boat at a late hour.</p> + +<p>"We visited him again on the following day. On our arrival at his +residence, we found a foreign merchant waiting upon him, and the Kan-wang +considerably agitated in mind. The reason of this we afterwards +learnt was, that he had heard that the letters which he had sent to the +representatives of foreign powers at Shanghae had not been opened; and +that the city was held by English as well as French soldiers. <i>The first he +spoke of as a personal insult to himself, and the second as a direct violation +of the principle of neutrality which foreigners should adopt between the two +contending parties.</i> * * *</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> +<p>"Though we told him that these were matters with which we, as <i>Missionaries</i>, +had nothing to do, still we could not but feel a secret sympathy with +him.</p> + +<p>"After the merchant had left, we had a very interesting conversation +with him on various matters, but especially the character of Taeping Wang, +the chief. Before separating, he proposed that we should commend each +other to the care of Almighty God, and invoke His blessing in prayer. +After singing a hymn, he engaged in prayer. His prayer was exceedingly +appropriate, fervent, and scriptural. <i>He prayed that all the idols might +perish, that the temples should be converted into chapels, and that pure +Christianity should speedily become the religion of China. This was a most +interesting spectacle—a spectacle never to be forgotten.</i></p> + +<p>"We were all much pleased with the Kan-wang. His knowledge of +Christian truth <i>is remarkably extensive and correct</i>. He is very anxious +to do what he can to introduce pure Christianity among his people, and to +correct existing errors. He says, however, that he can do but very little +actively in this work, and that hence he is very anxious to get as many +Missionaries as possible to Nan-king, to teach the people. 'I cannot do +much,' said he, 'but if you will come, I will get you chapels, exhort the +people to attend, and will attend myself regularly.' He has prepared a +prayer for the use of the soldiers, which is remarkably good. He wished us +to prepare a series of simple prayers for general distribution. We took with +us a number of copies of the whole Bible, and a good selection of tracts, all +publicly delivered to his care. These will, I have no doubt, do their work +among not a few. He expressed his opinion that the Chief is a pious +man, notwithstanding all his errors. He devoutly worships God, and is a +constant reader of the Scriptures. The Bible and the 'Pilgrim's Progress' +seem to be his favourite books. The Kan-wang thinks that much may be +done in course of time towards putting him right on various points. <i>It is +very gratifying to find that he does hold the Scriptures of the Old and New +Testaments as the inspired Word of God, and the standard of faith.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>The following extracts are quoted from the press of +China, upon the subject of repelling the Ti-pings from +Shanghae. The <i>Overland Register</i>, Sept. 11th, 1860, in +its general summary, states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"However affairs may be affected at the North by the action of the +Allied Forces, the late proceedings at Shanghae will probably inflict a +damage which no success at the North will or can compensate for, and the +case is the more dangerous because that <i>interested</i> persons are led to +scandalize the insurrection, that the shame of the slaughter of the Insurgents +before Shanghae by the arms of Christian England and Catholic France +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span>may be lessened. It will be seen from the details given elsewhere that +the advance of the Insurgents upon Shanghae has been checked by the +<i>direct</i> interference of the allied forces in concert with the Imperial +rabble, and by way of adding insult to injury, and of stemming the tide +of indignation which a <i>truly</i> christian public sentiment might be expected +to pour upon the policy which dictated such action. Sundry individuals +are <i>persuaded</i> to <i>write</i> down the Insurgents who have survived the <i>shooting</i> +down, and make them out worse than their heathen countrymen. Hardly +had the echo of the Christian muskets died away and the heathen allies +finished cutting off the arms and legs of the slain to secure their ornaments, +when it is found out suddenly that the rebels are blasphemous outlaws, +and do not understand <i>the doctrine of the Trinity</i> as taught in the theological +schools of England and other Christian countries, and upon the word, +every man who would save the reputation of the allied councils, at once +commences to damn the Insurgents for blasphemy, that he may be able to +bless the Allies for <i>foul and cruel murder</i>. We have especial reference to +a lengthy dissertation by one Rev. J. L. Holmes, which is far too long +for republication in this edition, and which should not find place if it were +possible; and though shame may cause many to accept any excuse for <i>the +unwarranted and cruel slaughter</i> of the half-christianized victims who came +to be converted, not killed, yet we trust there may be found some whose +Christianity will take precedence of nationality even, and that the Insurgents +may find sympathizers, even though that sympathy involve condemnation +of the policy which prompts either to shoot them or write against them.... +The fact is, a gross and unmitigated error has been committed at +Shanghae, and all the writing that can be published cannot alter the error +or excuse it. The Insurgents did not come professing a pure Christianity, +on the contrary, every missionary who has visited them, and even their +traducer, who shared their hospitality at Nankin, received their parting +gifts of friendship, and then returned to print five columns of detraction +and abuse in the <i>North China Herald</i>, bearing testimony that the Insurgents +admit the imperfection of their religious knowledge, and only beg that +teachers might be sent them, so that they might know the truth <i>as it is in +Jesus</i>; and the Christian world may well cry 'shame!' upon any Missionary +of the Gospel, who going among them, instead of seeking to instruct them, +spends the time of his hospitable reception in seeking out their errors and +publishing them in order to turn sympathy away from them and palliate +the crime that had already been perpetrated at their expense."</p></div> + +<p>Speaking of the French Jesuitical influence working +against the Ti-pings, <i>The Overland Register</i> continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"That France should spurn the Rebellion, it is but natural, for the +Insurgents have the <i>Bible</i>, and next to the devil, a free Bible may be supposed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span>the object of direst attack on the part of a Jesuitical priesthood. +But it will be long ere the stain upon British honour and justice and +Christian profession is erased. It is currently stated that the French are +savagely bent upon the utter destruction of the Insurgents, and that they +will insist upon an attack upon Nankin." (This was mooted at that time, +as per Mr. Bruce's despatches, but was not executed, because, as another +writer stated, "They have it in their power, we are told, and nobody doubts +the truth of the statement, to ruin the foreign trade at Shanghae, and +they also have it in their power to form with the representatives here of +foreign powers provisional regulations by which in existing circumstances +the destruction of that trade may be prevented." This was thoroughly +appreciated; therefore, while gradually destroying the Ti-pings and undermining +their cause, <i>neutrality</i> was also pretended.) "Such a thing is by +no means beyond the bounds of possibility, so that ere long the world may +be edified with the sight of the 'Defender of the faith,' in company with the +'woman arrayed in purple and scarlet,' and the disciples of Buddha, all +joining in the hue-and-cry after the rascally Bible-reading insurgents.</p> + +<p>"Happy are they who fall by the merciful administration of Christian +warfare, for if once their power is broken, there are other Governor Yehs +in China to take the place of the cowardly brute who tortured and slaughtered +60,000 of his countrymen in the Canton province, and Shanghae may +be treated to the same spectacle which six years ago sent a thrill of horror +all over the civilized world, with only this difference—<i>that the responsibility +will rest upon those professedly Christian nations who will have been the +cause of them</i>."</p></div> + +<p>This has happened; but the thrill of horror was either +not felt, or the professing Christian nations have become +exceedingly callous; but then, "six years ago," it was +Yeh who did all that; during 1860-1-2-3-4, it was done +by Christian nations.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The political creed of the insurgent leaders is <i>all</i> that could be wished +by the most enthusiastic admirers of what strong nations call 'international +comity,' when the weaker party have anything worth possessing. If the +proclamations and other writings from insurgent sources are sufficient +authority (and we know of no reason why they should be otherwise +regarded), their position is about as follows:—</p> + +<p>"1. That <i>Chinese</i>, not Tartars, shall rule China; and surely no Western +nation can find fault with that.</p> + +<p>"2. That the exclusive policy heretofore maintained by the Imperial +Government shall be superseded by a liberal policy, so that China may +become one in the great Congress of Nations, instead of standing aloof +in childish pomposity.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span></p> +<p>"3. That a free access be given to the arts and manufactures of other +nations.</p> + +<p>"4. That kindly relations be cultivated with all foreign people, and +the resources of the country be developed by a liberal exchange of its +products for those of other lands.</p> + +<p>"5. That the improvements in various mechanical arts, the inventions +of foreign nations, be introduced into the country.</p> + +<p>"We have neither time nor space to complete the list, but it may be +said, generally, that in the political creed of the insurgent leaders there +appears, from beginning to end, a complete revolution of the Chinese +ideas in every important particular, and there is not an item of it that +should not meet with the warm sympathy of every man who cares for the +welfare of any country besides his own, or even any man whose only +interest in foreign nations is limited to what may be got out of them...."</p></div> + +<p>It has lately been the common practice to represent +the Ti-pings as "monsters of cruelty," "ruthless devastators," +&c. The following extracts, from a communication +by a "correspondent of the <i>North China Herald</i>," +republished in the <i>Nonconformist</i> of Nov. 14th, 1860, +give some authentic particulars respecting the Shanghae +massacre of Ti-pings. Upon the approach of the Ti-pings +to the walls of the city, the writer states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"When it was discovered that they were real rebels, orders were given +to fire on them. They waved the hand, begged our officers not to fire, and +<i>stood there motionless</i>, wishing to open communication and explain their +object. No notice was taken of this, but a heavy fire of rifles and grape +was kept up on them for about two hours, when they retired with a loss +estimated at two hundred. Here, as at the South-gate, they seem to have +essayed to open communication, and to have been replied to in the same +way. After they had been driven back, the French soldiers rushed +frantically among the peaceful inhabitants of the place, murdering men, +women, and children, without the least discrimination. One man was +stabbed right through as he was enjoying his opium-pipe. A woman, who +had just given birth to a child, was bayoneted without the faintest provocation. +Women were ravished and houses plundered by these ruthless +marauders without restraint. Everything was taken away from the poor +people, who were trying to escape, and thrown into a heap, so as to do +away with the possibility of ever being reclaimed. Unless the article or +articles were immediately yielded, the bayonet was brought in to decide +the question."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> + +<p>The truth of these statements can be supported by +the evidence of my personal friends, some of whom were +wounded when trying to rescue helpless women from +unheard-of barbarity.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"After this sort of work had been going on for some time, the beautiful +temple of the 'Queen of Heaven' was set on fire by the French. +The fire had been extending ever since, so that now the Eastern suburb +presents a sad spectacle. The burning of the Southern and Western +suburbs by the English, and the greater part of the Eastern suburb by the +French, has deprived thousands of their happy homes and reduced them +to irretrievable poverty."</p></div> + +<p>Recounting the events of the following day, the author +states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Now the firing and shelling commenced. The Insurgents stood it for +several hours <i>like men of stone, immovable, without returning a single shot</i>. At +length a well-directed shell from H.M.S. <i>Pioneer</i>, bursting in the midst +of one of the hamlets, and another from the <i>Racehorse</i>, which followed +the former in about two seconds, bursting in the midst of the other +hamlet, started them fairly."</p></div> + +<p>At Si-ka-wei, a village some few miles from Shanghae, +the following proclamation was found posted upon the +Roman Catholic church:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Chung-wang herewith commands his officers and soldiers that +they may all be thoroughly acquainted with it. Having received the +Heavenly decree to lead my soldiers everywhere to fight, the soldiers have +already come to Shanghae and have pitched their tents at the chapel. Now +it is ordained <i>that not the minutest particle of foreign property is to be +injured</i>. The veteran soldiers are supposed to be acquainted with the +Heavenly religion, that foreigners together with the subjects of the +celestial dynasty all worship God and equally reverence Jesus, and that all +are to be regarded as <i>brethren</i> (or to belong to the body of brethren). The +veteran soldiers will surely not dare to offend, but I have been thinking +that the soldiers who have but recently joined us are ignorant of this being +a place of worship, and are unable thoroughly to understand that their +religion is one with, and their doctrine has the same origin as, ours. Hence +the propriety of issuing this command. Because of this, all the soldiers, +whether veterans or otherwise, are commanded to be fully aware that, +hereafter should any one be found guilty of injuring the property, goods, +houses, or chapels of foreigners, it is decreed that he will be decapitated +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span>without mercy. Let all tremble and obey. Don't disobey this command. +7th month, 15th day."</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Times</i> of India contains the following, in the +article from its Shanghae correspondent, dated October +24th:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I thank you for having done what you could for your suffering fellow-creatures +in China, but the work is not done yet. Hitherto you have +heard nothing but the details of rebels being handed over to the Imperialists +for torture; of Shanghae, with its notorious execution-ground, being held +by English and French troops; of a steamer manned by sailors from French +ships of war, and loaded with rice, being sent to the relief of Imperialist +cities; of English officers and sailors fortifying cities and mounting guns, +and instructing the Tartar soldiers in fighting against the rebels; of guns +being plundered from the Taepings; of duties being collected for the +Imperialists; and last, not least, of innocent blood having been shed by +Englishmen, and all this <i>without one single act of retaliation</i>, a circumstance +perhaps <i>unparalleled in the history of the world</i>."</p></div> + +<p>But enough of extracts from the press; it is sufficient +to state that, with few exceptions, the whole British press +of China and India emphatically condemned the flagrant +violation of honour, of international law, and of solemnly +pledged neutrality. Although too late to prevent the +deeds in China that have tarnished the national honour +of England, it is yet possible that similar atrocities may +be in future arrested, if the British people will only be a +little more watchful of the dealings of their Government +with foreign nations, and will seek wider sources of information +as regards them than such as may be presented +through ordinary channels. It is, moreover, of particular +importance that, upon every question of foreign +policy, a man should be competent to judge for himself: +to content oneself with "home policy" is simply absurd, +for while other nationalities and other races exist, home +policy will entirely depend upon foreign conduct, and the +relations that are established abroad; in fact, as much so +as the conduct and management of a household is regulated +by society and the customs of its neighbours.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTE:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> The opinions of Mr. Holmes afford a fair sample of the anti-Ti-ping +missionaries.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ti-ping Polygamy.—Ti-ping Women.—Their Improved Position.—Abolition +of Slavery by the Ti-pings.—Its Prevalence in China.—Moral +Revolution effected by Ti-pings.—Their Religious Works.—Their +Conduct Justified.—Jesuit Missionaries.—Consul Hervey's +Despatch.—Apathy of Missionaries.—Its Consequences.—Chinese +Antipathy to Christianity.—Christianity of the Ti-pings.—Their +Forms of Worship.—Ti-ping Marriages.—Religious Observances.—The +Ti-ping Sabbath.—Its Observance.—Their Ecclesiastical System.—Forms +of Worship.—The Mo-wang.—Ti-ping Churches.</p></div> + + +<p>During my intercourse with the Ti-pings, if one part +of their system and organization appeared more +admirable than another, it was the improved position of +their women, whose status, raised from the degrading +Asiatic <i>régime</i>, approached that of civilized nations. This +improvement upon the ignorant and sensual treatment of +2,000 years affords strong evidence of the advancement of +their moral character. Although the practice of polygamy +has by some war Christians been used as an argument to +justify murdering the Ti-pings, I do not remember an +instance in which those ultra-moral personages have endeavoured +to teach the Ti-pings the difference between the +law of well-beloved Abraham's time, upon which many of +their religious rules are framed, and the later dispensation +of the Gospel. It is, however, a great mistake to imagine +that the Ti-pings are either confirmed or universal polygamists. +In the first place, as they have thrown off <i>all</i> +the other heathen practices of their countrymen, there is +no reason to suppose they would make this an exception. +In the second place, I know that many who have become<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +enlightened by the New Testament, have abandoned polygamy; +while a vast number of the rest, only partially +instructed, are either averse to it, or simply maintain the +establishment of one principal and several inferior wives, +or concubines, according to ancient custom, and as a mark +of high rank. It is also a fact that in some countries a +plurality of wives is rather beneficial than otherwise; and +it may be that China is one of these. But above all, however +detestable we may consider polygamy, where is the +<i>Divine</i> command against it?</p> + +<p>The Ti-pings have abolished the horrible custom of +cramping and deforming the feet of their women. But +although, under their improved system, no female child +is so tortured, many of their wives have the frightful +"small feet;" having, with the exception of the natives +of Kwang-se, some parts of Kwang-tung, and the +Miau-tze, originally conformed to the crippling custom. +All children born since the earliest commencement +of the Ti-ping rebellion have the natural foot. This +great benefit to the women, their consequent improved +appearance, and the release of the men from the tail-wearing +shaven-headed badge of former slavery, form the +two most conspicuous of their distinguishing habits, and +cause the greatest difference and improvement in the +personal appearance of the Ti-pings as compared with that +of their Tartar-governed countrymen. The much higher +social position of the Ti-ping ladies over that of their +unfortunate sisters included within the Manchoo domestic +<i>régime</i>, has long been one of the brightest ornaments of +their government. A plebeian Ti-ping is allowed but one +wife, and to her he must be regularly married by one of +the ministers. Amongst the Chiefs, marriage is a ceremony +celebrated with much pomp and festivity; the poorer +classes can only marry when considered worthy, and when +permitted to do so by their immediate rulers. In contradistinction +to the Manchoos, the marriage knot when once +tied can never be unloosed; therefore, the custom of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +putting away a wife at pleasure, or selling her—as in +vogue among the Chinese—or the proceedings of the British +Court of Divorce, has not found favour in their sight.</p> + +<p>Every woman in Ti-pingdom must either be married, +the member of a family, or an inmate of one of the +large institutions for unprotected females, existing in most +of their principal cities, and superintended by proper +officials; no single woman being allowed in their territory +otherwise. This law is to prevent prostitution, which is +punishable with death, and is one which has certainly +proved very effective, for such a thing is unknown in any +of the Ti-ping cities. The stringent execution of the law +has, in fact, been rather too severe, for I have seen cases +where women have rushed about the streets to find new +husbands directly they have received the melancholy tidings +of their late beloved's decapitation by the "demon imps." +It is possible these bereaved ladies may not have been on +the strength of the regiment; but at all events this acting +of the law was rather too exaggerated. The conduct of +the Chinese lady who fanned her husband's grave to dry +it previous to her early acceptance of a new lord, and so +preserve a correct propriety, is more excusable than this. +Woman is by the Ti-pings recognized in her proper sphere +as the companion of man; the education and development +of her mind is equally well attended to; her duty +to God is diligently taught, and in ordinary worship she +takes her proper place; many of the women are zealous +and popular teachers and expounders of the Bible; in fact, +everything is done to make her worthy of the improved +position she has attained by reason of the Ti-ping movement.</p> + +<p>The institutions for unprotected women are presided +over by duly appointed matrons, and are particularly +organized and designed to educate and protect those young +girls who lose their natural guardians, or those married +women whose husbands are away upon public duty, and +who have no relations to protect and support them. Very +many of the women accompany their husbands upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +military expeditions; inspired with enthusiasm to share +the dangers and severe hardships of the battle-field. In +such cases they are generally mounted upon the Chinese +ponies, donkeys, or mules, which they ride ŕ la Duchesse +de Berri. In former years they were wont to fight bravely, +and could ably discharge the duties of officers, being however +formed into a separate camp and only joining the men +in religious observances. The greatest physical comfort +to the women is their enjoyment of natural feet and the +ability to move about as they wish; though, unfortunately, +it is only amongst the youngest that this prevails entirely. +It is utterly impossible to describe a more striking contrast +than that presented in the walk and carriage of two +women, one having the compressed, and the other natural +feet; the former, even when standing still, has a very unsteady +appearance, but when stumping along with the +usual uncertain tottering gait, apparently in danger of +rolling over at every step, the crippling custom excites the +utmost disgust and the greatest commiseration for its +victims. And yet this revolting exhibition is by the +Chinese described as "swaying elegantly from side to side +like the graceful waving of the willow tree!"</p> + +<p>It is, probably, due to the feet—and Chinese feet are +naturally very well formed—being of their natural shape, +and the consequent elegance of carriage, that many of the +Ti-pings' wives have been selected as the handsomest +prisoners captured during the war, and that they appear +in such advantageous contrast with the Imperialists.</p> + +<p>The detestable system of slavery is totally abolished +by the Ti-pings, and the abolition made effective by punishment +with decapitation upon the slightest infringement +of the law by male or female. The law as far as the +slavery of men was concerned had no great occasion for +existence, such cases being uncommon in China; but the +real necessity for such an important innovation consisted +in the fact that every woman was more or less a slave. +The head wives of the aristocrat and the plebeian, although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +not actually recognized as slaves, are still purchased by +the bridal present, upon receipt of which, and never +otherwise, they are handed over to their purchaser, or +husband. The inferior wives are simply bought; with or +without the knowledge of their family, for no equality +of position is required, as they are selected according to +the fancy of their future master, from relatives or slave-dealers +as the case may be. Besides those who are purchased +for wives, a great proportion of the women of +China become the concubines of successive masters, by +whom they are sold from one to the other; many are +bought for domestic slavery; but vast numbers are purchased +for a life of public infamy. The establishments +set apart for this purpose are immense, and contain several +hundred women purchased at the tenderest ages and +reared to this wretched existence. At Hong-kong, at +Shanghae, and several other places in China, buildings of +this class are maintained upon the British territory, and +the Hong-kong colonial government, and Shanghae +municipal council, regularly tax and recognize them. It +is the common practice of the poorer Chinese to sell their +female children, and when the vastness of the population, +and the fact that these children are mostly purchased for +immoral purposes, is considered, the consequences may +easily be imagined. At many and widely separated parts +of China, I have seen comely young maidens from twelve +to twenty years of age, offered for sale by their mothers, +or speculators, at prices varying from <i>six</i> to thirty dollars, +so that, as I have frequently heard the Chinese say, "You +may sometimes buy a handsome girl for so many cash a +catty (weight of one pound and a third) <i>less</i> than pork." +This is the precise state of things which the Ti-pings +would not tolerate amongst themselves, and which they +would in time have taught all China to abhor were it not +for foreign interference.</p> + +<p>If the Ti-pings had not been interfered with, it is +possible, though very improbable, they <i>might</i> have caused +a temporary falling-off of trade, consequent upon the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> +nullification of Lord Elgin's treaty, the usual effects of +civil war, &c., and it is quite certain the residue of indemnity, +as far as the Manchoos were concerned, would +have been lost; but whatever might or might not have +been the result, trade would not have suffered much, +for the Ti-ping power would soon have been supreme. +Far nobler, then, would it have been for England to have +avoided the contamination of the Manchoo alliance, and +to have preserved the respect and friendship of at least +a portion of the Chinese empire.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 1000px;"> +<img src="images/i343.jpg" width="900" height="534" alt="SALE OF A CHINESE GIRL AS WITNESSED BY THE AUTHOR AT E-CHING, ON THE RIVER YANG-TSE-KIANG. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption"><br />SALE OF A CHINESE GIRL AS WITNESSED BY THE AUTHOR AT E-CHING, ON THE RIVER YANG-TSE-KIANG.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>The wonderful achievement of the Ti-pings, not only +in effecting an important moral revolution, but also a +national deliverance of their countrymen, affords an +almost incredible psychological phenomenon. Rising, +as it were intuitively, from the lowest depths of moral degradation, +they suddenly recognize and instantly abandon +all those vices and national evils which had become +engrafted upon the Chinese mind by the solemn and +unswerving practice of 2,000 years. With meteor-like +perception, the great originator of the revolution becomes +convinced of the degradation of his countrymen. China, +rooted to her antiquity, her seclusion, and her apathy, +beyond the most distant hope of change or improvement, +yields to this new influence, and bows before the +teaching of the almost unknown student, Hung-sui-tshuen. +The traditional lore of more than 2,000 years, the mystic +and deeply-venerated teaching of ancient sages, the profligacy +and idolatry sanctioned and indulged in for ages, +are suddenly disregarded. But in one way can this be +accounted for. Divine Providence has manifested itself in a +manner as marvellous and superhuman as in the recorded +miracles of old. The miraculous interpositions of Divine +Power in the olden times appealed to the senses of small +portions of a semi-barbarous people by a physical and +visible wonder. This most extraordinary of revolutions +has effected the moral regeneration of a vast proportion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +of the human race by an invisible and wonderful agency. +Therefore, whatever may be the apparent result of the +hostility of foreign dynasties, of this we may rest assured, +the Almighty Power that has seen fit to kindle the +glimmering sparks of the first Christian movement in +modern Asia has lighted a torch that may not easily be +extinguished, faint and obscure as that light may burn +amid the gloom of persecution which, in all climes, and in +all ages, has marked the dawn of Christianity. Nations +may rejoice over the seeming triumph of their policy, +and may witness unmoved the martyrdom of the noble +Ti-ping leaders, but nevertheless the moment will arrive +when that smouldering spark will burst into a fire that +may not be controlled by human agency.</p> + +<p>I have probably had a much greater experience of the +Ti-ping religious practices than any other European, and +as a Protestant Christian I have never yet found occasion +to condemn their form of worship. In the first place, +the principal and most important article of their faith is +the Holy Bible in all its integrity—Old and New Testaments +entire. These have always been circulated through +the whole population of the Ti-ping jurisdiction, and +printed and distributed to the people gratuitously by their +Government. Besides the Bible, numerous religious +works by the Tien-wang (the Tai-ping king), and Kan-wang +(his prime minister), have been commonly circulated +among their followers; but I entirely deny that these, or +any single one of them, tend to alter, modify, or supersede +any part of the Word of God, as some persons have +taken upon themselves to intimate. These works have +been issued as the individual explanations and opinions +of the two authors, but never as any essential article +of belief. Had such not been the case, is it likely the +Bible would have been given in a complete form, by +which any peculiar and erroneous teaching of the Tien-wang +would have become exposed? And is not this +free and unlimited circulation of the Scriptures the very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +best and most certain prospect of improvement? So anti-Christian, +however, have been the arguments of nearly all +opposed to the Ti-pings, that it is even possible some of +their sect may dispute this truth.</p> + +<p>Any one influenced by a sense of justice or Christian +feeling will naturally wonder why a large proportion of +idolaters, suddenly converted to the faith and accepting +the Bible with joy, should require any defence for their +unavoidable errors—errors common among the most perfect, +and such as new disciples must, in the natural +order of <i>learning</i> the holy mysteries, have been surrounded +with. The answer must be, that all those in any way +interested in the suppression of the Ti-pings, carefully +circulated all the errors they could detect and all they +could invent, cautiously concealing the fact that, whatever +errors there might be are to be attributed to the +Ti-pings not being able to thoroughly master, and rightly +interpret, in a few years what no Christians have been able +to do unanimously in nineteen centuries.</p> + +<p>It may be asked, What had the religion of the Ti-pings +to do with the war that has been waged against them?—was +that religion the true <i>casus belli</i>? Was any <i>casus +belli</i> ever stated? Assuredly not. With none of the circumstances +allowed by <i>men</i> to justify killing their species—such +as a just war, a defensive war, &c.—the Ti-pings +have been most wantonly massacred. It may be urged +by some that the sanguinary war maintained by the revolutionists +can be held as a proof of their un-Christian character, +and that they are endeavouring to propagate their +faith by the sword. The simple reply to this is, that the +Ti-pings have proved themselves to be far more merciful +than their enemies. Oppressed and persecuted, their +patriotism became aroused; they sought not to establish +their faith by the sword; they sought to recover their +patrimony from the usurping Tartar. They fought to +uphold Christianity, not to crush it. Far from being +incited by fanaticism to deeds of blood, it is a well-known<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +fact—particularly stated by the Revs. Griffith John, +Joseph Edkins, Lobschied, Muirhead, and others—that +the Ti-ping chiefs have always deplored the great loss of +life consequent upon their struggle for liberty. In the +tenth century, Christianity was introduced into Denmark +by the sword, in the thirteenth into Prussia, and became +established throughout Europe by religious wars. All +Christianity has been compelled frequently to maintain +itself by force of arms. The seventh century witnessed +the wars against the Saracens; and if, as some people +have stated, the Ti-pings had been fighting for the purpose +of <i>establishing</i> their religion, and were wrong for so +doing, then it is a sad reflection that all Christianity must +be wrong, and that our Christian ancestors should have +become either martyrs or Mohammedans.</p> + +<p>The annals of history, and the practices of modern +civilization, sufficiently prove the necessity of civil liberty +for the enjoyment of Christian worship; why, then, +should the Ti-pings be blamed if, in order to obtain the +latter, they have been compelled to fight for their +freedom?</p> + +<p>The rise of the Ti-ping rebellion singularly resembles +many events mentioned in sacred history, and many of +the Ti-pings have delighted in comparing themselves to +the Israelites of old. Even should the revolutionists have +placed a warlike interpretation upon such passages from +the <i>New Testament</i> as, "Think not that I am come to +send peace on earth; I come not to send peace, but a +sword;" "for he beareth not the sword in vain;" who +among us dare judge them as misinterpreters of Gospel, +remembering the conversion of the heathen is executed +according to the will and pleasure of the Lord, and not +by any rule or formula laid down by man? It would be +idle and presumptuous to say this must be the plan, or +that shall be the manner; and yet there have been found +ministers of the Gospel who are ready to justify the outrages +committed on the Ti-pings, because they think they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +have not accepted the Word of God in the manner they +should have done!</p> + +<p>When the statements of the various missionaries are +perused, it must be wondered how it is that those who +have been sent to China through the Christian generosity +of the British public, have never yet attempted to succour +or guide aright the great Christian revolution. The Bishop +of Victoria, the Revs. Griffith John, Muirhead, Edkins, +Mills, Milne, Lobschied, Lambath, and many others too +numerous to mention, have rejoiced in the most eloquent +terms about the Ti-pings, have partially approved, and +criticised their acts, when sending <i>their reports</i> to England. +What have they <i>done</i> to assist those who have "entreated" +them, as Mr. Holmes, the Baptist missionary, +was entreated, to come and teach the Word of God? +Absolutely nothing!</p> + +<p>Last year, it was estimated that the whole number of +Protestant Christian converts in China, the result of +more than thirty years of missionary labour, was some +1,400, and these included all the employées of the different +mission establishments, many of whom, I have +good reason to know, have an amount of faith similar to +that of the Portuguese rice Christians of Macao, who, not +long since, struck in a body, and told the priests they +would not be Christians any longer, unless they received +another quarter of a catty more rice per day. England +sends more missionaries amongst the poor benighted +heathen than any other nation; yet the work of all she +has sent to China put together will not equal the proselytes +of one Jesuit. The Jesuits penetrate the vast +Chinese empire in every direction, shaven-headed, and +dressed as natives. With a sublime earnestness of purpose, +many of them devote their lives to their missionary +work; adopting the strange and hostile country, and +giving up for ever all ties of home, kindred, or nation, +these devoted men never depart from China, but, till +death relieves them, labour with that unfaltering perseverance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +so eminently characteristic of the order of Jesus. +I do not, by any means, advocate either the principles of +the Jesuits, or their peculiar mode of propagating them; +but what I do maintain is, that while the self-sacrifice of +the Jesuits forms one extreme of missionary labour, so +the confinement of Protestant missionaries to the treaty +ports constitutes the other, and that many could be well +employed in the interior.</p> + +<p>What excuse can missionaries give for their surprising +negligence of the Ti-ping rebellion? Can it be that +ministers of the Gospel egotistically preferred their 1,400 +converts to the 70,000,000, and upwards, of those who +might have become Christians under the Ti-ping authority +during 1861-2, had our missionaries helped them, and our +Government permitted them to exist? Of course not! +Well then, why? Let the British officials who prevented +the few missionaries who would have gone to the Ti-pings +reply for them, and those who would not go at all reply +for themselves. Their reasons must indeed be plausible +to find approbation. If the Ti-pings were <i>very</i> bad, all +the more occasion for teaching them; if very good, how +is it the missionaries allowed them to be sacrificed +without protest? In all probability no reply would be +given; but the conduct of the British consuls at Canton, +Ningpo, and Shanghae, affords the true answer, as far as +those missionaries who were willing to preach the Gospel +to the Ti-pings are concerned. At Canton they were +refused passports to the territory of insurgents. At +Ningpo the missionaries were withdrawn from that city +when it was captured by the Ti-pings, as Mr. Consul +Hervey states in his despatch of Dec. 31st, 1861, to +Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I would here state that with a view of avoiding needless discussions +with the insurgents.... I thought it best to desire our missionaries +to abandon the city.... The city has now become a gigantic camp, +and a scene of desolation and riot, and has therefore ceased to be the fit +and proper abode for teachers of Christianity and propagators of the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>gospel. (?) <i>This step will tend to simplify considerably our future relations +with the Taepings at Ningpo.</i>"</p></div> + +<p>This sinister passage must be remembered when considering +the treacherous expulsion of the Ti-pings from +the city by the allied Anglo-Franco-Manchoo piratical +fleet.</p> + +<p>Do the subscribers to the mission funds expect Mr. +Consul Hervey to be the director of the missionaries, or +a competent judge of "a fit or proper abode for teachers +of Christianity"?—if so, in the latter case they are wofully +deceived.</p> + +<p>Captain Corbett, R.N., writes to Admiral Hope from +Ningpo on the 20th December, 1861:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The missionaries are gradually removing out of the city. I thought +it my duty to remonstrate with them against remaining <i>where, in the event +of any difficulty arising between ourselves and the Taepings, they would +prove a source of great embarrassment to us</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Why all this anxiety to force the missionaries away +from their duty? To get them out of the way before +the commencement of the hostilities already decided upon, +seems the only answer!</p> + +<p>At Shanghae Mr. Consul Medhurst has interfered with +the missionary work; but, above all, Mr. Bruce's regulations +actually <i>prohibit</i> the communication of missionaries +or any other British subject with the Ti-pings; in consequence +of which, I was compelled to <i>smuggle</i> the Rev. +W. Lobschied up to Nankin in May, 1862.</p> + +<p>It will thus be seen, the teaching of the Word of God, +and the spreading of the Gospel unto the uttermost ends +of the earth, has, in China, been made subservient to official +intrigue. This may somewhat explain the extraordinary +apathy of missionaries, although it certainly cannot +justify their neglect of their Master's orders. Missionaries +should be servants of Christ alone; but out in China, it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span> +appears, they are either politicians, or they permit the +object of their sacred mission to be perverted by unscrupulous +officials, and thereby become secularized.</p> + +<p>Whatever may have been the benefit of the missions +hitherto, their wanton, cruel sacrifice of the greatest Christian +movement this world has ever witnessed has dimmed +their glory with a shadow all time cannot remove; it is +even needless to blame them for neglecting the innumerable +and less favourable points of the Ti-ping religion—the +grand and unalterable <i>fact</i> was the possession of +the whole Bible as their only faith, and the hitherto +unparalleled free circulation of it by the martyred revolutionists.</p> + +<p>Only last June, the Bishop of Victoria, at the Highbury +College grounds, referred to some of the remarkable +scenes incident to the rebellion, and observed—"that in +Amoy, which had suffered deeply, missionary work had +made more progress than in any other city in China! +One effect of the Ti-ping movement had been the wide-spread +destruction of idolatry, by which a vast work had +been done, preparatory to that of the missionary."</p> + +<p>The idols, indeed, <i>were</i> all destroyed, but the missionaries +did not step in. And now that the Ti-pings have +been driven from their former possessions, and nearly +exterminated, all the idols have been replaced by the +Manchoos; and the missionaries may rest assured it +will take them infinitely longer to overthrow the re-established +Budhism than it occupied the Ti-pings +in the first place. The Chinese have been edified by +witnessing the Europeans fighting to suppress what +has always been looked upon by natives as a religious +movement, alien to the ancient and national faith of +the country, in fact, as Christianity, or the religion of +the foreigners. This being the case, it would be absurd +to expect the Chinese will again come forward and adopt +the creed for which they are daily beholding the Ti-pings +suffer,—a creed to which they are naturally averse, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span> +dare not profess if they would, not only from dread of +their Manchoo Government (which will certainly keep a +sharp look-out to suppress any new outbreak of a movement +which so nearly overthrew their own dynasty), but +from the very fact that they have seen the strong and +resistless "foreign devils" allied to the Manchoos for the +express purpose of exterminating the Ti-ping Christians. +There can be no ground for cavilling about the right of +the Ti-pings to such denomination, the fact being that +they accepted the Bible, acknowledged it as the Word +of God, and worshipped His Son, as the Tien-wang has +written, "as the Saviour of men's souls." Can the missionary-made +Christians do more?</p> + +<p>For my part, I shall ever rejoice, because I have been +in a position to render what little assistance I could to +many hundreds of the Ti-pings who have requested me to +give them the foreign interpretation of different articles +of faith; and I shall ever regret that, while missionaries +are sent with exhaustless munificence into parts that <i>will +not profess</i> Christianity, to the Ti-pings, under whose +authority millions <i>have</i> professed and accepted the Scriptures +with an enthusiasm and firmness of purpose never +excelled, not one has been sent or volunteered to go.</p> + +<p>It is difficult to understand, how ministers of the +Gospel should not have felt a generous sympathy with +men, whose profession of Christianity not only entitled +them to the brotherhood they have always claimed with +Europeans, but actually deprived their movement of a very +great element most essential to its success—the popular +national rising against the Manchoos.</p> + +<p>Even Mr. Bruce, their greatest enemy, has stated,—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"My impression is that both the prospects of the extension of pure +Christianity in China through the instrumentality of these men, and the +success of the insurrection among the Chinese, viewed as a political movement +against the Tartar Government, have suffered materially from the +religious character Hung-sui-tshuen's leadership has imparted to it.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span></p> +<p>"Not only the gentry and educated classes, but the mass of the people, +regard with deep veneration the sages upon whose authority their moral and +social education for so many generations has reposed. And the profession +of novel doctrines resting on the testimony of a modern and obscure +individual, must tend not only to deprive the revolt of its character as a +national rising against the Tartar yoke, but must actually transfer to the +Tartars and their adherents the prestige of upholding national traditions +and principles against the assaults of a numerically insignificant sect."</p></div> + +<p>What could appeal more powerfully to our sympathy +than this statement of an enemy? But for their profession +of Christianity the Ti-pings would have carried +the whole population of China with them long ago. Mr. +Bruce in the above statement, and all persons acquainted +with Chinese character, agree that the minds of the people +are so immutable and apathetic, and so fixedly rooted to +the ancient superstitions and idolatry of their country, +that all change seems impossible. This being admitted, +is it not certain that some superhuman effort must be +made?</p> + +<p>The Chinese, with their strong and peculiar idiosyncrasies, +will never be <i>taught</i> Christianity: whenever they +become Christians, it will be in exactly the same manner +the Ti-pings became so, viz., by their own readings of +Scripture, as the Author shall see fit to inspire them, but +certainly not through foreign teaching or interpretation. +If the Ti-ping rebellion <i>should</i> be utterly extinguished, +the result will be dismal for generation after generation. +The cause of true religion will have been delayed +and driven backwards. It is to be hoped that it may +be otherwise, and that the Bishop of Victoria prophesied +truly when he said that—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"On the eventful day on which the flag of Taeping-Wang floated +triumphantly from the battlements of Nankin, a light has been kindled in +the empire of China, which shall <i>never</i> be extinguished, and those first and +faint glimmerings of truth will brighten with increasing clearness, and +'shine more and more unto perfect day.'"</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p> + +<p>As I have already stated, the principal feature of the +Ti-ping faith is their acknowledgment of the Holy Bible +as the word of the True God. All their religious practices +are deduced from its authority, and, in so far as they have +been able to effect it, their form of worship and belief +assimilates to Protestantism. All the principal sacraments +of the Protestant religion are either observed or +celebrated with such error or approximation as they have +been interpreted with. The holy communion, unfortunately, +has not been correctly understood; in its place every +fourth Sunday the Ti-pings are in the habit of partaking +of grape-wine. Each Sabbath three cups of tea are placed +upon the altar as an offering to the Trinity; it is only +since 1859, when Hung-jin, the Kan-wang, joined the +Ti-pings, that the cups of tea have been tasted; previously, +they were a part of the offerings rendered up at each +worshipping,—a custom generated by their confusion of +the ancient sacrifices mentioned in the Old Testament +with the offerings and the Lord's Supper of the New.</p> + +<p>Baptism constitutes the principal and most important +of their sacraments. Until the arrival of the Kan-wang +at Nankin, none but grown-up persons who, after a strict +and lengthened examination, were found duly qualified, +were admitted to the fellowship of the Ti-pings and +baptized as Christians. The following were the forms +observed, as issued by the royal authority of the Tien-wang, +in the "Book of Religious Precepts of the Ti-ping +Dynasty":—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"FORMS TO BE OBSERVED WHEN MEN WISH TO FORSAKE THEIR SINS.</div> + +<p>"They must kneel down in God's presence, and ask Him to forgive +their sins; they may then either take a basin of water and wash themselves, +or go to the river and bathe themselves; after which they must +continue daily to supplicate Divine favour, and the <i>Holy Spirit's</i><a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> assistance +to renew their hearts, saying grace at every meal, keeping holy the Sabbath +day, and obeying all God's commandments, especially avoiding idolatry. +They may then be accounted the children of God, and their souls will go to +heaven when they die; all people throughout the world, whether Chinese +or foreigners, male or female, must observe this in order to obtain salvation."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span></p> +<p>The prayer of the recipient of baptism was as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I [<i>A. B.</i>], kneeling down with a true heart repent of my sins and +pray the Heavenly Father, the Great God, of His abundant mercy, to forgive +my former sins of ignorance in repeatedly breaking the divine commands, +earnestly beseeching Him also to grant me repentance and newness +of life, that my soul may go to Heaven; while I, from henceforth, truly +forsake my former ways, abandoning idolatry and all corrupt practices, in +obedience to God's commands. I also pray that God would give me His +Holy Spirit to change my wicked heart, deliver me from all temptation, +and grant me His favour and protection, bestowing on me food and +raiment, and exemption from calamity, <i>peace</i> in this world and glory in the +next, through the mercies of our Saviour and elder Brother, Jesus, <i>who +redeemed us from sin</i>. I also pray that God's will may be done on earth as +it is done in Heaven. Amen."</p></div> + +<p>These prayers, together with many others, were slightly +altered by the Kan-wang, whose superior, in fact perfect +knowledge of Christianity as practised by the English +Protestant Church, led to the improvement of many and +important forms of the Ti-ping worship. Unfortunately +through the total loss of the numerous and valuable +original Ti-ping documents I had gathered during my +service and intercourse with those people, I am unable to +give my readers a literal translation, or do more than notice +what may be never otherwise known or rendered verbatim +to this world. All my journals, manuscripts, and other +original papers, collected upon the spot, have, although +often recommenced, been successively captured by the +Imperialist troops, with the rest of my baggage; therefore +I must request those who may feel an interest in my +narrative, to excuse the incompleteness of any parts I +have recounted from memory.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span></p> + +<p>Marriage among the Ti-pings is solemnized with remarkable +strictness, and the ceremony is performed by +an officiating priest, or rather presbyter. All the heathen +and superstitious customs of the Chinese are +completely relinquished. The ancient customs by which +marriages were celebrated—the semi-civilized espousal +of persons who had never previously seen each other; +the choice of a lucky day; the present of purchase-money, +and many others—are abolished. Those only +that seem to be retained are the tying up of the bride's +long black tresses, hitherto worn hanging down, and +the bridegroom's procession at night, with music, lanterns, +sedan-chairs, and a cavalcade of friends (and in +the case of chiefs, banners and military honours), to fetch +home his spouse. As a natural consequence of the absence +of restraint in the enjoyment of female society, marriages +amongst the Ti-pings are generally love matches. Even +in cases where a chief's daughter is given in alliance to +some powerful leader, compulsion is <i>never</i> used, and the +affianced are given every opportunity to become acquainted +with each other.</p> + +<p>I have frequently seen the marriage ceremony performed, +and I can only say that, excepting the absence of +the ring, it forms as close and veritable an imitation of that +practised by the Church of England as it is possible to +imagine. When the bridal party are all met together, +they proceed to the church (<i>i.e.</i> "the Heavenly Hall," within +the official dwelling of each mayor of a village or circle +of twenty-five families, excepting in the case of chiefs, +who are married in their own hall), and after many +prayers and a severe examination of the bride and bridegroom's +theological tenets, the minister joins their right +hands together, and when each have accepted the other, +pronounces a concluding benediction in the name of the +Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To the best of my belief +divorce is not only not permitted, but actually unknown +or thought of. Adultery is punishable with death; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +it may be that this is the only case in which the Ti-pings +consider a complete release <i>a vinculo matrimonii</i> justifiable. +All their rules upon the subject, and in fact their entire +penal code, I once possessed; unfortunately I have no +translations, and none are to be obtained outside their +ranks.</p> + +<p>All Budhistic ceremonies are rigidly prohibited at +funerals, and also the common Chinese sacrifices to the +manes of their ancestors, while a form of Christian +burial is established, and a regular service read over the +coffin by an officiating minister.</p> + +<p>Various forms of prayer, ceremonies, and thanksgivings +are used upon all felicitous or adverse events:—upon the +commencement of all expeditions, at births, building of +houses, previous to battles, after victory and after defeat, for +daily use, for all sick and wounded persons, for harvest, +for rulers and princes, for blessings and success vouchsafed, +which they invariably attribute to God.</p> + +<p>In every household throughout the length and breadth +of the Ti-ping territory the following translation of the +Lord's Prayer is hung up for the use of children, being +painted in large black characters on a white board:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Supreme Lord, our Heavenly Father, forgive all our sins that we have +committed in ignorance, rebelling against Thee. Bless us, brethren and +sisters, thy little children. Give us our daily food and raiment; keep +from us all calamities and afflictions, that in this world we may have peace, +and finally ascend to Heaven to enjoy eternal happiness. We pray Thee +to bless the brethren and sisters of all nations. We ask these things for +the redeeming merits of our Lord and Saviour, our Heavenly Brother +Jesus' sake. We also pray, Heavenly Father, that Thy holy will may be +done on earth as it is in Heaven; for thine are all the kingdoms, glory, and +power. Amen."</p></div> + +<p>Frequently I have watched the Ti-ping women teaching +this prayer to their little children, the board containing +it being always the most prominent object in +the principal apartment of their dwelling. Children have +often run up to me on entering a house, and then +pulling me towards the board, commenced reading the +prayer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<a href="images/i359.jpg"><img src="images/i359-t.jpg" width="600" height="372" alt="TEACHING THE LORD'S PRAYER IN A MIDDLE-CLASS TI-PING HOUSEHOLD. +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption"><br />TEACHING THE LORD'S PRAYER IN A MIDDLE-CLASS TI-PING HOUSEHOLD.<br /> +DAY & SON, LIMITED, LITH.</span> +</div> + +<p>The seventh day is most religiously and strictly observed. +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +The Ti-ping sabbath is kept upon our Saturday, +and no sooner has the last knell of the Friday midnight +sounded, than, throughout Ti-pingdom, the people are +summoned to worship their God. The Sabbath morn +having been ushered in with prayer, the people retire +to their rest or duties. During the day two other +services are held, one towards noon and the other in +the evening. Each service opens with the Doxology:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"We praise Thee, O God, our Heavenly Father;<br /> +We praise Jesus, the Saviour of the world;<br /> +We praise the Holy Spirit, the sacred intelligence;<br /> +<i>We praise the Three persons, united as the True Spirit," &c.</i><br /> +</div> + +<p>This is followed by the hymn:—</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"The true doctrine is different from the doctrine of the world.<br /> +It saves men's souls, and affords the enjoyment of endless bliss.<br /> +The wise receive it at once with joyful exultation.<br /> +The foolish, when awakened, understand thereby the way to heaven.<br /> +Our Heavenly Father, of His infinite and incomparable mercy,<br /> +Did not spare His own Son, but sent Him down into the world,<br /> +To give His life for the redemption of all our transgressions,<br /> +When men know this, and repent of their sins, they may go to heaven."<br /> +</div> + +<p>After this the minister reads aloud a chapter of the +Bible, and then follows a creed, which is repeated by all +the congregation standing, similar to that contained in the +Ti-ping trimetrical classic, than which a more closely +resembling counterpart of our Apostles' Creed it would +be difficult indeed to imagine.</p> + +<div class="poem"> +"But the Great God,<br /> +Out of pity to mankind,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span>Sent His first-born Son<br /> +To come down into the world.<br /> +His name is Jesus,<br /> +The Lord and Saviour of men,<br /> +Who redeems them from sin<br /> +By the endurance of extreme misery.<br /> +Upon the cross<br /> +They nailed His body,<br /> +Where He shed His precious blood,<br /> +To save all mankind.<br /> +Three days after His death<br /> +He rose from the dead,<br /> +And during forty days<br /> +He discoursed on heavenly things," &c.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a><br /> +</div> + +<p>After this the whole congregation kneeling, the minister +reads a form of prayer, which is repeated after him by +those present. When this litany is concluded, the people +resume their seats and the minister reads to them a sermon, +after which the paper containing it is burnt. During +the singing of hymns the voices are accompanied by the +music of very melancholy-sounding horns and hautboys. +Upon the conclusion of the sermon the people all rise to +their feet and with the full accompaniment of all their +plaintive and wild-sounding instruments, render with +very great effect the anthem:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"May the king live ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand +years."</p> +</div> + +<p>Then follow the Ten Commandments, with the special +annotations affixed to each:<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +"1. Worship the Great God.<br /> +2. Do not worship depraved spirits.<br /> +3. Do not take God's name in vain. His name is Jehovah.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span>4. On the seventh day is the Sabbath, when you must praise God for His goodness.<br /> +5. Honour father and mother.<br /> +6. Do not kill or injure people.<br /> +7. Do not commit adultery, or practise any uncleanness.<br /> +8. Do not steal.<br /> +9. Do not lie.<br /> +10. Do not covet."<br /> +</div> + +<p>The services are concluded with a hymn of supplication, +and then large quantities of incense and fire-crackers are +burnt.</p> + +<p>The Sabbath is most strictly kept; not the slightest +infraction is permitted: shops are closed, work suspended, +and even military operations if possible. Upon that day, +between services, the chiefs meet together to discourse +upon religious subjects and frequently to supplicate the +assistance of Divine Providence for a deliverance from +the incessant dangers and perils of their hazardous life. +Meanwhile the ecclesiastics, until church-time arrives, +proceed through the camps and dwellings, examining +and instructing the soldiers, women, and children.</p> + +<p>The ecclesiastical system of the Ti-pings is a form of +presbytery. The Tien-wang is king and high priest over +his people; four princes occupy the next rank in the lay +government of the Church, and after them several grades +of clergy, who have to pass special and very severe examinations +before obtaining their orders. These clerical examinations +are conducted by the Ecclesiastical Court, presided +over by the four principal divines and four princes, at +Nankin; but before office is bestowed upon successful +candidates, the whole of the papers, essays, and work of +the student are submitted to that extraordinarily diligent +man, the Tien-wang, subject to his approval or rejection. +Not only this, but the whole work of his vast territory +and numerous followers, passes through and is culminated +in his hands.</p> + +<p>Over each parish of five-and-twenty families, a minister<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span> +is placed, and a Church, or Heavenly hall, is built for +him; over each circle of twenty-five parishes, a superior or +elder of the Church is appointed, who, in rotation, visits +all the churches under his control upon successive Sabbaths. +In like manner the chief ecclesiastic of the +district performs his duty, and above him, the superior of +the department. Once during each month, the whole of +the people are assembled—soldiers, civilians, men, women, +and children, in some prominent locality under the canopy +of heaven; a platform is erected, and their chief Wang +or governor preaches to them, and gives a general lecture +upon the subject of all orders, military, civil, and social +administration. This mass meeting is also practised +previous to any grand or important movement taking +place.</p> + +<p>Issuing forth from the gates of the city, the entire +populace follow their governor, who, proceeding to the +elevated position selected for him, generally a small hillock +or rising ground, harangues them with great energy +and enthusiasm. His large—eight-foot square—wang +flag is planted by his standard-bearer immediately behind +him, while his two snake flags (the armorial insignia of +the chiefs) are held upon either hand by their particular +bannermen. The foot of the hillock is encircled by the +chief's body-guard, outside whose cordon the troops, with +their numerous and many-coloured banners, are formed in +brigades; between which, the civilians, men, women, and +children, are congregated.</p> + +<p>As nearly as I can remember, the following is <i>verbatim</i> +the delineation of an address I heard the Mo-wang deliver +at Pau-Yen. Upon reaching a table in the centre of the +elevated platform, he said aloud, "Let us praise the +Heavenly Father;" upon which he knelt down, the whole +multitude following him and praying for several minutes. +The Mo-wang then rose and asked, "Are all the country +magistrates present?" Receiving an affirmative answer, +he then spoke as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The great God our Heavenly Father has sent the Tien-wang to rule +over us, and to subdue the rivers and mountains to his dominion. This is +by the great goodness of the Heavenly Father. All you country people, +therefore, should listen reverently to the commands of the king, which I +now proclaim. Formerly the people suffered much; now you have found +peace, and the land is again becoming rich. I exhort any who still remain +away from their homes to return to them without fear. The previous distresses +which you have endured were sent by the will of Heaven. They are +now past, to return no more. <i>All among our troops who are so wicked as to +rob or abuse you shall be punished with death. If there be any such now +among you or prowling through the country, bring them to me, and I will +punish them as they deserve.</i> I also exhort you to regularly render the +tribute and taxes due to the king. You have eaten the bitter, you may +now enjoy the sweet. As for you, O Heavenly soldiers (Tien-ping), we +trust only to the help of the Heavenly Father, and expect to obtain the +empire. Listen then to the commands of the king. From the beginning +till the present all our sufferings and battles have been for you, O people of +the middle kingdom, that you might be freed from the hated dominion of +the Manchoos. We have hitherto succeeded only by the favour of the +Heavenly Father. Whenever, therefore, you go to fight them, let your +heart be true to Him, and never suffer the imps to overcome you. When +you go forth, do not rob the people, do not commit violence upon +females, nor burn houses. If any of you do these wicked things, I +will not pardon but certainly punish you."</p></div> + +<p>At these gatherings, the infinite variety of military +costume, the bright and gorgeous colours, the rich floating +folds of the silken flags, the whole variegated appearance +of the multitude of well and becomingly dressed members +of a new people, as it were, united for the cause of freedom, +and imbued in a wonderful and enthusiastic manner with +the fixed determination of Christianizing their mighty +empire,—all these combined, presented to the moralist a +grand and imposing aspect.</p> + +<p>Besides the priests appointed to regular parochial +duties, great numbers are attached to the army, and each +Wang, or chief of high rank, is provided with several, +both to perform the household religious services, and +instruct the immediate followers of the chief.</p> + +<p>The clergy are all dressed entirely in black; the elders,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> +or superiors, being distinguished by an ornament of pearls +worn on the front of their head-dress.</p> + +<p>The churches of the Ti-pings are not separate buildings, +but consist of a Sacred, or "Heavenly hall," +specially constructed for the purpose of Divine worship, +in all the principal official buildings, and palaces of the +princes or Wangs. In every case the Heavenly hall is +the most important portion of the building, and its consecrated +character is never violated by being used for other +than religious purposes.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 444px;"> +<img src="images/i366.jpg" width="444" height="600" alt="TI-PING LADIES OF RANK." title="" /> +<span class="caption">TI-PING LADIES OF RANK.</span> +<br /><br /> +</div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> It has, notwithstanding such evidence of their appreciation of the +fact, been stated that the Ti-pings denied the Trinity and the Holy Ghost.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Trimetrical Classic. See Appendix.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Annotations. See Appendix.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ti-pingdom in 1861.—Its Armies.—The Foreign Policy of England.—Its +Consequences.—Admiral Hope's Expedition.—Comments thereon.—Its +Results.—Lord Elgin's Three Points.—Official Communications.—Secret +Orders.—Evidence of such.—Their Object.—Official Communications.—Mr. +Parkes' Despatch analyzed.—Newspaper Extracts.—Official +Papers.—Mr. Parkes' Measures.—His Arrogant Behaviour.—Result +of the Yang-tze Expedition.—Ngan-king Invested.—Modus +Operandi.—The Ying-wang's Plans.—His Interview with Mr. Parkes.—Sacrifices +his Interests.—Sketch of the Ying-Wang.—Hung-jin's +Adventures.—The Chung-wang's Operations.—The Results.—Siege +of Hang-chow.—Its Capture.—Manchoo Cruelties.—Position of the +Ti-pings in 1861.</p></div> + + +<p>Far brighter dawned the spring of 1861 upon the +Ti-ping cause than did the opening of the previous +year. In nearly every direction the revolutionists were +victorious: the principal forces of the Manchoo emperor +were completely routed, and a considerable portion of the +most valuable territory in China had fallen into their +hands, and was fast becoming thoroughly consolidated as +a part of their possessions. It seemed as though at last +their heroic struggles were about to receive their well-merited +reward. So great was the prestige of their late +triumphs that, wherever they marched, whole armies +of Imperialists vanished away without striking a blow, +or, if unable to seek security in precipitate flight, defended +themselves with the wild unorganized desperation of +despair.</p> + +<p>The extent of country entirely under the Ti-ping +rule was very considerable. Along the line of the great +Yang-tze river, from N.E. to S.W., their territory extended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> +from its banks below Chin-kiang into the central part +of the province of Kiang-si, south of the Poyang lake, +a distance of more than 360 miles; while from the boundaries +of their possessions N.W. of the river to the opposite +limits in the S.E., an irregular breadth of 200 to 250 +miles included the whole of their settled dominions, forming +an area upwards of 90,000 square miles, and containing +a population of some 45,000,000. Besides this, large +portions of the provinces of Hoo-peh, Hoo-nan, Fu-keen, +Che-kiang, and the distant Sze-chuan, were occupied by +powerful Ti-ping armies. The lowest approximate strength +of their forces at this time might be estimated at 350,000; +but a large proportion consisted of mere boys. This +force was divided into five principal armies, the remainder +doing garrison duty at Nankin, Soo-chow, and many +other of the most important cities within their jurisdiction. +One of the five armies in the field was commanded +by the Ying-wang in the province of Hoo-peh: the +Chung-wang commanded a large force in the southern +districts of Ngan-whui; the Shi-wang, with a very +powerful army, was operating in the central part of +Kiang-si; and the Kan-wang, having proceeded to the +province of Hoo-nan, was joined by upwards of 40,000 +insurgents from the old seats of rebellion against the +Manchoo dynasty,—the provinces in the southern limit +of the empire, Kwang-tung, Kwang-se, and Kwei-chow; +and, besides this force, far away upon the western boundary +of China, Shih-ta-kae (I-wang), the Ti-ping emperor's +brother, in command of a large army, was successfully +operating in Sze-chuan. In fact, north, south, east, and +west, the star of the patriots shone brightly in the +ascendant, while that of the Manchoos seemed setting in +the gloom and darkness, through which, upwards of two +hundred years ago, it had struggled into existence. The +greatest empire in the world appeared at length about to +be relieved from that incubus which for two centuries had +paralyzed its hopes and energies; the enlightenment of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> +China seemed approaching, step by step with the advent +of Christianity, which, following rapidly on the expulsion +of the Tartar, with its vast train of benefit and improvement, +promised, not alone to place that empire upon the +pedestal of greatness yet reserved for her, but to realize +corresponding advantages for the whole civilized world. +One dark cloud alone appeared to cast a shadow upon so +bright an horizon—the policy of the British Government. +Language can scarcely express how seriously the interests +of the universe, and of England in particular, have been +prejudiced by a persistence in the suicidal measures dictated +by a policy so mistaken.</p> + +<p>Forcibly as the moral effect of the general foreign policy +of England has been denounced by statesmen, how few have +been found to raise their voices in the British senate in +protestation against the practical evils which that policy +has engendered in the far East, a country abounding in +tea and silk, and now paralyzed by opium instead of +being enriched by the manufactures of Great Britain. +The moral effect of bad statesmanship, however much it +may weaken England's just influence and the future peace +of Europe, cannot sensibly affect the <i>present</i> wealth and +pursuits of the people. Trade, politics, civilization, and +religion, are pretty well balanced and regulated throughout +Europe; therefore, whatever evil might result from +the foreign policy of the British Government, no particular +improvement could be expected to take place in a state of +affairs which we consider almost perfect. But very different +are the results of our peculiar kind of foreign policy +in the case of China. With that extensive empire present +relations are unsatisfactory, and the mutual benefits to +be derived from a free intercourse are yet hidden in the +vale of futurity. Mutual benefit is hardly the correct +expression, for from a country which may be regarded as +the richest in the world in proportion to its extent and +population, England would derive far greater commercial +advantages than she could possibly bestow. Whenever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> +a prospect of the most satisfactory relations offered, and +whenever a free intercourse was not only offered, but +actually established by any section or part of that +innumerable people, it would be only natural for England +to rejoice, if not for the sake of the Chinese, and the +higher objects of humanity, at least for selfish motives. +But this is exactly what the British <i>Government</i> has +proved incapable of appreciating, by preferring temporary +interests to those which were much greater and far more +lasting.</p> + +<p>The Ti-pings offered not only satisfactory relations +and free intercourse, but every advantage that England +could possibly wish for or be benefitted by. Christianity +and civilization, as practised among ourselves, would have +become morally and physically certain under their rule. +The detestable opium trade would have been completely +annihilated, and British produce would have taken its +place, to the benefit of the Chinese, and the relief of the +choked markets and distressed operatives of England. The +fulfilment of the Ti-ping law, that European "brethren" +should "go out or in, backwards or forwards, in full +accordance with their own will or wish," whether for +pleasure or "to carry on their commercial operations," +<i>did</i> throw open the whole of their territory to free intercourse +and trade, and would have done the same for the +entire Chinese empire. The exclusiveness and hatred of +the Manchoo Government to the "outer barbarians" and +"foreign devils" <i>was</i> by the Ti-pings changed into friendship +and kindness. Modern improvements would have +been extensively introduced. The trade, at present restricted +to a few treaty ports, would have become universal +throughout the empire, and the vast stores of +mineral riches, almost unknown to foreigners, would have +yielded forth their mines of wealth, while a general and +enormous commerce, perfectly free and unfettered (excepting +opium), would have thrown open an empire richer +in itself than all Europe. To England especially, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span> +greatest commercial power, an inexhaustible source of +profit would certainly have been established, and would +have produced, without aggression or usurpation of +territory, a revenue far excelling any derived from India. +All these and many other important advantages <i>were</i> +partially established by the Ti-pings, and would undoubtedly +have been completed upon the final overthrow +of the Manchoos.</p> + +<p>Strong as these inducements should have been to cause +England to adopt a different policy towards China, and +much as such a course would have tended to her own +advantage, there was another and a higher consideration +which she should have permitted to influence her. As a +powerful and influential nation, a duty was cast upon her, +if not to extend the hand of friendship to a people who +were nobly struggling to follow her in the path of +civilization and to learn the true religion, at least not to +thwart such efforts, and, by untimely interference, render +them hopelessly inoperative. Personal experience, the +reports of men of intelligence and honour, all prove but +too plainly how the friendly Ti-ping nation was crushed +by British interference. It has been urged that the +friendly professions of that people were not genuine, and +that their undertaking would never have been performed. +Had such a course, so opposed to their nature, been +pursued, surely it would have been more grateful to the +martial spirit of England to resort to arms for the purpose +of enforcing an observance of good faith and honour, than +for that of avenging the capture of a wretched opium +smuggler.</p> + +<p>Upon the 11th of February the expedition under +command of Admiral Hope, started for the Yang-tze-kiang +with the object of opening that river to foreign trade, in +accordance with the treaty lately concluded at Pekin. In +all respects this expedition was of the greatest importance, +as well to the Chinese as the foreigners whom it most +particularly interested. Its results were entirely prejudicial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> +to the Ti-pings. The diplomatic and military authorities +of the expedition mostly opposed the Ti-ping movement +for its interference with the "carrying into due effect the +terms of the treaty" just forced from the Manchoo at the +cannon's mouth, and the almost certain prospects of its +success, which would not only sadly affect the "China +indemnity," but their own individual prospects of office +and aggrandizement expected through their intercourse +with the suddenly changed polite and obliging Manchoo +mandarins. The deputation of the mercantile community +attached to the expedition was utterly absorbed with +its trading pursuits, and looked upon anything and +everything likely to interfere with its <i>immediate</i> profits +with no little amount of hostility: the <i>future</i> was completely +ignored; its expectations were an uninterrupted +trade for <i>three</i> years, and a return to England with a large +fortune; therefore it is hardly to be wondered at that +it looked with hatred upon the change progressing in +the shape of the Ti-ping revolution. Besides the personal +and spontaneous prejudice entertained by these two classes +against the Ti-pings, it seems pretty certain that directly +after all the efforts of the Manchoo Government to repel +foreigners by <i>force</i> had failed, intrigues to deceive and +induce them to act against the rebels they were unable +to subdue, were successfully adopted. Even Mr. Bruce +(who had stated in his despatches—"If there is one +art of diplomacy understood by the Chinese it is that +of separating interests which ought to be identical") +seems to have been thoroughly imposed upon, while the +false professions of the Manchoos, in order to obtain the +assistance of the British against the Ti-pings, have +had no small share in consummating that gross outrage. +Again discussing the policy of assisting the Imperialists +(which the latter had requested, making great protestations +of "friendship," "mutual commercial interests," +&c.), he says:—"It is evidently for the interest of +the Chinese authorities to induce us to embark in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> +course of action which will embroil us with the insurgents."</p> + +<p>Yet, eventually, Mr. Bruce chose to place implicit +faith in their professions, and took one occasion out of +many, in that disgraceful affair of the Anglo-Chinese fleet +(depending upon the truth of the truthless Prince Kung, +whose hands yet reeked with the blood of our murdered +countrymen), to give his favourable opinion to the British +Government; and the British people, depending upon their +representatives, who depended upon the Government, who +depended upon Mr. Lay, who depended upon Wan-siang, +president of the Manchoo Foreign Office, who depended +upon Prince Kung, who depended upon some one else, +actually permitted the very laws of the land to be set +aside, by allowing the ordinance of neutrality to be broken, +and the Foreign Enlistment Act to be declared null and +void. Fortunately the disgraceful affair terminated in the +most ignominious manner, and the British sailors were +saved the degradation (that had been thrust upon the +soldiers) of becoming the mercenary braves of a corrupt +and sanguinary despotism.</p> + +<p>Upon the opening of the Yang-tze to trade, and the +selection of the cities of Han-kow, Kiu-kiang, and Chin-kiang +as the treaty ports, it became necessary to enter +into some agreement with the Ti-pings, who commanded +the river throughout its principal positions; in fact, by +their possession of Nankin, Wu-hoo, Tae-ping-foo, the +cities of Seaou-shan, Tung-shan, and several others, this +trade was almost as completely in their power as the +valuable silk trade had been since May, 1860. In consequence +of this, Admiral Hope (ignoring, with all the +arrogance of superior strength, the fact that the murderous +repulse of the Ti-pings from Shanghae had given them a +perfect right to make it a <i>casus belli</i>, and to retaliate +upon British commerce, lives, or any other possession) +communicated with the Ti-ping authorities at Nankin, +and <i>pledged</i> the neutrality of the British nation once more.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Earl of Elgin's instructions to Admiral Hope contain +the following:<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is obvious, however, that before British vessels can navigate the +river in safety, some understanding must be arrived at with the rebels, +who are believed to be in possession of certain points upon it. It is with +the view of obtaining your assistance towards the accomplishment of this +object that I now address myself to your Excellency.</p> + +<p>"Nothing, I am confident, would so surely tend to the establishment +of such an understanding on a satisfactory basis as your Excellency's own +presence and authority, if your other engagements should permit of your +proceeding up the river in person. At any rate, I would venture to suggest +that a naval force, sufficiently large to inspire respect, should present itself +before Nankin, and that the rebel authorities should be informed <i>that we +do not appear as enemies, or with the intention of taking part in the civil war +now raging in China</i>, but that we require from them some sufficient +assurance that British vessels proceeding up or down the river for trading +purposes shall not be interfered with, or subjected to molestation by persons +acting under their orders."</p></div> + +<p>In his letter of instruction to Mr. Parkes, who accompanied +the admiral as diplomatic secretary or agent, Lord +Elgin gave three points to be observed:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"THE EARL OF ELGIN TO MR. PARKES.</div> + +<div class="right">"Hong-kong,<br /> +"<i>January 19, 1861</i>. +</div> + +<p>"1. That attempts on the part of +foreigners to introduce into the disturbed +districts munitions of war +and recruits should be vigorously +repressed."</p> + +<p>"2. That the dues of the Chinese +Government on foreign trade, both +inwards and outwards, should be +collected at Chin-kiang or Shanghae."</p> + +<p>"3. That we should maintain an +attitude of <i>strict neutrality</i> between +the Imperial Government and the +rebels."</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">HOW LORD ELGIN'S INSTRUCTIONS +WERE INTERPRETED AND ACTED ON.</div> + +<p>Notwithstanding existing pledges +of neutrality, the Imperialists were +supplied with ships, stores, arms, and +every munition of war <i>they</i> required, +at Shanghae and all the <i>treaty ports</i>.</p> + +<p>The revenues were secured to the +Tartars, and the ports of collection +defended against the Ti-pings.</p> + +<p>By assisting the Imperialists in +every possible way; protecting the +treaty ports and constituting Imperialist +bases of operation against +the Ti-pings at each of them;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> allowing trade with the Imperialists and +prohibiting any with the Ti-pings;—by supplying the Imperialists with +revenue, and protecting it against the Ti-pings;—by defending Shanghae +for the Imperialists and shooting down the Ti-pings when they demanded +it in 1860 and 1862;—by supplying the Imperialists with arms to the +prejudice of the Ti-pings.</p> +</div> + +<p>The following passage appears in the letter of instructions +addressed by the Earl of Elgin to Mr. Parkes, +viz.:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It is not possible to anticipate with certainty the reply which the +rebel leaders may give to the communication which the admiral is about +to make to them, although there is, I think, reason to hope that they will +not receive it in an unfriendly spirit; nor, if it were possible, would it be +necessary that I should attempt to do so on the present occasion, <i>as you +are already fully acquainted with the views that I entertain respecting the +policy which it is expedient to adopt towards them</i>, and the objects which we +ought to endeavour to accomplish under the provisional arrangement for +opening up the Yang-tze, which has been entered into by Mr. Bruce and +Prince Kung."</p></div> + +<p>Reading these instructions together with the third of +the three articles above cited, it would not be unreasonable +to conclude that a policy of neutrality was intended to be +acted upon: how far such intentions were sincere may be +gathered from the following "orders" addressed to Commander +Aplin.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"ORDERS ADDRESSED TO COMMANDER APLIN.</div> +<div class="right"><i>Coromandel</i>, Nanking, <i>March 28, 1861</i>.</div> + +<p>"Memo.</p> + +<p>"You are, in company with Mr. Muirhead, to wait on the chief +authorities of the Taepings, for the purpose of making the following communication, +leaving a copy with them, should they wish you to do so, +and noting their answers in the margin for my information.</p> + +<div class="right"> +"(Signed) <span class="smcap">J. Hope</span>,<br /> +"Vice-Admiral, and Commander-in-Chief." +</div> +<p> +"Commander <span class="smcap">Aplin</span>,<br /> +Her Majesty's ship <i>Centaur</i>, Nanking." +</p> +</div> + +<div class="center">"COMMUNICATION MADE BY COMMANDER APLIN TO THE TAEPING<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span><br /> +AUTHORITIES AT NANKING.</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>"I am directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the naval forces of her +Majesty the Queen of England in China, to acquaint you that it is his +intention to have beacons put up on the river-side between Woo-sung and +Fu-shan....</p> + +<p>"<i>That the Governments of England and France having ordered</i> that +any attempt of the Taeping army to enter Shanghae or Woo-sung shall be +repelled by force; and it being clear, therefore, that the presence of the +Taeping troops in that vicinity can be productive of no good to them, and +may lead to collision, it is very desirable that they should not approach +within two days' march of these places, and the Commander-in-Chief requests +that orders may be sent to the officers in command of their troops to this +effect; copies to be supplied to me. <i>Should this be done, he will exert his +influence to prevent any hostile expedition issuing from these places for the +purpose of attacking the Taeping troops.</i>"</p> +</div> + +<p>With regard to this document, in the first place, the +statement that the English Government had "ordered" +Shanghae and Woo-sung to be defended <i>vi et armis</i>, is +simply untrue. The Foreign Secretary's first "<i>orders</i>" with +regard to the defence of Shanghae, or any other treaty +port, bear date, "Foreign Office, July 24th, 1861," and +are given to Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have received from the Admiralty, together with other papers, a +copy of Vice-Admiral Hope's letter to you of the 8th of May.... I +have caused the Admiralty to be informed, in reply, that I am of opinion +that Vice-Admiral Hope's measures should be approved; and I have <i>now</i> +to instruct you to endeavour to make arrangements to secure the neutrality +of all the treaty ports against the rebels. The Government of Pekin will +probably make no difficulty in abstaining from using the treaty ports as +bases of operations against the rebels, provided the rebels on their side +refrain from attacking those ports.... <i>You will understand, however, +that her Majesty's Government do not wish force to be used against the rebels +in any case, except for the actual protection of the lives and property of British +subjects.</i></p> + +<div class="right"> +"I am, <i>&c.</i>,<br /> +"(Signed) <span class="smcap">J. Russell</span>." +</div> +</div> + +<p>If then orders had been issued to Admiral Hope or +any one else, they must have been <i>secret</i> orders, for none<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +are upon record to such effect as stated in the communication +to the Ti-ping authorities. Moreover, the <i>condition</i> +upon which the neutrality of the treaty ports was proposed +in the Foreign Secretary's despatch was <i>not</i> observed. +The Pekin Government was never asked to abstain from +using Shanghae as a base of operations against the Ti-pings; +on the contrary, they were not only assisted to +make it one by the moral and indirect support of the +British authorities, but by the actual assistance of British +soldiers and sailors in the field, chiefly headed by Admiral +Hope, who almost before the ink of his guarantee was dry +openly violated it. What renders this flagrant disregard of +all truth and honour still more to be deplored is the fact +that the Ti-pings, in their wonderfully earnest endeavours +to cultivate the friendship of Europeans, complied with +every requisition of <i>even</i> Admiral Hope and his colleagues. +They agreed not to attack Shanghae for the space of <i>one +year</i>, upon the special understanding that the British upon +their part would prevent the Imperialists from using that +city for any aggressive or belligerent purposes; and +although not even the shadow of an attempt was made by +Admiral Hope, or any other <i>British</i> authority, to fulfil the +pledges given upon the part of England, with an almost incredible +forbearance and good faith, the Ti-pings to the very +day, nay, nearly to the very hour, faithfully, but entirely +to their own prejudice, refrained from any attack upon +Shanghae. As for the orders with regard to <i>Woo-sung</i>, +they can only be attributed to the exuberant imagination +of the diplomatic Admiral, such place having never upon +any occasion been referred to by the "orders" from the +Foreign Secretary.</p> + +<p>It is difficult indeed to consider Admiral Hope's communication, +either in accordance with the <i>public</i> instructions +of Lord Elgin and Earl Russell, or other than in +direct opposition to them. Of course it would be idle to +suppose that either Mr. Bruce, the minister to Pekin, +Admiral Hope, Mr. Parkes, the diplomatic agent, or any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> +of the consuls, would have dared to systematically violate +the orders of their Government; it can therefore only be +concluded that secret orders were given.</p> + +<p>To those who cannot reconcile Admiral Hope's and +Mr. Parkes's communications with the Ti-pings, with the +explicit instructions they had each received, and can +neither approve of their idea of "strict neutrality," it +must appear that the Admiral's communication at Nankin +was simply a very unsailor-like trap to catch the Ti-pings. +The plot was doubtless very creditable to the ingenuity +and diplomatic finesse of those who planned it; but those +admirable politicians, though remarkably indifferent moralists, +cannot easily reconcile it with honour and justice. +Had the drama been enacted nearer to home, it would +from its very clumsiness have attracted attention; but as it +occurred so far away, scarcely a soul but those personally +interested either knew or cared anything about it.</p> + +<p>The intention evidently was to induce the Ti-pings to +promise not to attack Shanghae, and then, by converting +that city into a base and nucleus for the Manchoos, +to <i>compel</i> them to do so for their self-preservation. The +theory was a bold one, and would have been realized were +it not for the extraordinary forbearance of the Ti-pings, +which forced Admiral Hope, and the others, to commence +hostilities themselves. The <i>conditions</i> upon which the +insurgents had agreed not to attack Shanghae, the violation +of the British pledges, and the <i>true</i> position of affairs, +of course, formed no part of the programme to be made +public; and it was correctly considered that China was +too far away, and the British people not sufficiently interested +to scrutinize matters very closely. Thus it is +that a few unprincipled officials have been able to attempt +the justification of their conduct, upon the pleas, that +the Ti-pings <i>broke faith</i> and attacked Shanghae, and that +the leaders of this great Christian and patriotic movement +were a horde of banditti who desolated everything, and +meditated the destruction of Shanghae, &c. &c. &c.</p> + +<p>The reply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> of the Ti-ping authorities to Admiral Hope's +"strict neutrality" despatch, as translated by government +interpreters, is thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Mung, the Tsan-sze-keun (successor elect to the Prince Tsan), of the +heavenly Tai-ping kingdom, issues the following urgent orders to the Ching +Tsin-kwan, Ai-teene, and Moh-hun-te" names of certain high officers, "for +their information:—</p> + +<p>"'Whereas officers, deputed by the Admiral of Great Britain, have +come to the palace of the Tsan-sze-keun, and stated that, as Shanghae and +Woo-sung are depôts of their commerce, <i>they</i> have undertaken the protection +of those two places, in order that the safety of all classes of the people +living there may be secured; they therefore request that the forces of the +Celestial dynasty may not go to those two places, the same being <i>unnecessary</i>, +and not likely to be attended with any material advantage. The Tsan-sze-keun +accordingly issues these urgent orders to his younger brethren, in +order that they may direct the troops composing the different divisions +that, whenever they arrive in the vicinity of the places named, they must +not approach nearer to them than 100 li, an arrangement which will conduce +to the advantage of both parties. They are also to understand that +the capture of those places is to form no part of the plan of campaign for +the <span class="smcap">PRESENT YEAR</span>.'"</p></div> + +<p>This decree sufficiently evinces the anxiety of the Ti-ping +Government to act in accordance with the wishes of +that of England.</p> + +<p>Commander Aplin thus reported the result of his +mission to Admiral Hope:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"With reference to the communication made by me to the chief Taeping +authorities at Nankin.... I received a promise to-day that the +order should be given, as requested, respecting the beacons; that, with +regard to the 2nd paragraph of the communication, an order would be +sent to their officers in command not to attack Shanghae or Woo-sung +<span class="smcap">THIS YEAR</span>"....</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Parkes, in his report of the means by which +the agreement of the Ti-pings to Admiral Hope's communication +was obtained, states:<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a>—</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We replied that, of course, any insurgents having the folly to attack +Shanghae, after the Governments of France and England (?) had determined +to protect that port, would meet certain destruction, but that the object of +the Commander-in-Chief was to prevent collision and unnecessary bloodshed. +We had long been doing all in our power to avoid this; (!!!) <i>we took no +part in the struggle</i> between the Taepings and the Imperialists, with whom +we were also at peace, and should fall out only with those who injured us +... and any Taeping movement upon Shanghae would be considered as +an attempt to injure us. (!!) Were they, on their part, equally anxious +to maintain a friendly understanding with us, they would surely write the +orders they had been requested to furnish if this were the case, and a +refusal to do so would naturally lead us to mistrust their intentions." (!!!)</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Parkes continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I endeavoured to make clear to them the objects of British policy in +China; (?) that our interests here were strictly commercial, and that they +must disabuse their minds of an impression which I fancied they entertained, +that we, like themselves, sought the possession of territory, and +therefore that our interests were opposed to theirs. It was for the protection +of our commerce, and for that purpose only, that we stationed a force +at Shanghae."</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Parkes had ample room to dilate on this subject, +for it is difficult to imagine in what light, save that of an +usurpation of territory, the Ti-pings could behold the +seizure of Shanghae, Woo-sung, Ningpo, &c.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Experience," continues Mr. Parkes, "had proved to us that we could +not trust to the Imperial Government to protect the place, either against +the Taeping forces, or the inferior bodies of insurgents...; that +experience had also shown that, owing to their imperfect organization and +discipline, plunder and violence marked the progress of the Taepings; and +consequently, <i>to secure the safety of our people and their property, it was +necessary we should protect ourselves</i>. (!!) That this mode of protection was +perfectly efficient, but as it put us to expense and inconvenience, we should +be glad when it was rendered no longer necessary by the restoration of the +country to order, whether this was effected by its becoming wholly Taeping, +or by reverting to Imperial rule, and when Shanghae or any other place +that the English Government might see fit to protect, would revert to the +hands of the governing power.... They (the Taepings) wished to +know, however, in which way the Admiral would 'use his influence' to +prevent their being attacked by the Imperialists from Shanghae; and +whether one of their officers would be allowed to visit Shanghae to learn +what arrangements were made in this respect."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span></p> + +<p>This very singular extract is much open to objection. +1. If "experience had proved" that the Imperialists +were unable to withstand the Ti-pings, how is it that +Mr. Parkes states, with regard to the defence of Shanghae, +&c., "we should be glad when it was no longer rendered +necessary by the restoration of the country to order," +particularly when the policy that was pursued naturally +prolonged the struggle and delayed that result? 2. The +inaccuracy of the statement that, "to secure the safety +of our people and their property, it was necessary we +should protect them ourselves," is thoroughly proved by +the capture of Ningpo by the Ti-pings on the 9th December, +1861, when not the slightest particle of British +property was touched, and all foreigners were treated as +"<i>brothers</i>" by the Ti-pings; and, moreover, by the fact +that <i>not a single case is upon record</i> in which the Ti-pings +have ever retaliated upon European life or property +when they might have done so with every justification. +3. Then, with regard to the "any other place that the +English Government might see fit to protect," when the +whole of the province, with the exception of Shanghae, +<i>was</i> in the possession of the Ti-pings, and when the entire +silk and a great proportion of the tea trades were also +in their undisturbed possession, why was not Shanghae +surrendered to the rising and triumphant power, as +Ningpo had been; particularly when we are told that +"it was rendered no longer necessary, by the restoration +of the country to order," to pursue the policy of defending +the treaty ports, or any other place, "that the +English Government might see fit to protect"?</p> + +<p>Mr. Parkes continues his report thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I then said that our discussion had chiefly related to Shanghae, and +to the warning given them by the Admiral not to approach that port; but +I was anxious to learn how far the friendly dispositions they professed" +(more than the Imperialists ever did) "would induce them to abstain from +obstructing our commerce, and whether they were disposed to agree to +propositions of the following nature:—</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span></p> +<p>"1. No Taeping force to advance within 100 li of any Chinese port or +place open by treaty to British trade, <i>provided</i> that the Tartar government +do not send out expeditions from those parts or places to attack the +Taepings." (It was upon this condition the Ti-pings promised not to +attack Shanghae during the "present year," 1861.)</p> + +<p>"2. The Taeping authorities or forces not to obstruct the transit of +native produce to the aforesaid ports or places, nor to prevent British +merchandise passing from thence into the interior." (This clause always +was, and has been, faithfully and regularly observed; and such being the +case, upon what grounds but the extraction of the "indemnity" from the +Imperial customs at Shanghae, can the plea of injury to trade upon the +capture of that city by the Ti-pings rest, seeing that elsewhere they never +injured, but did their utmost, even amidst the sanguinary and fierce prosecution +of civil war, to foster and preserve it?)</p> + +<p>"At the close of the interview I had to go into some further explanations +as to the rights and duties of neutrality, in consequence of their having +asked whether the English vessels of war at Nankin would carry supplies +from them to the besieged garrison at Ngan-king, which I, of course, told +them could not be done."</p></div> + +<p>This savours rather highly of hypocrisy when it +emanates from one of those fully acquainted with what +was to be. "Of course," their destruction being predetermined, +the Ti-pings "could not be" assisted; can Mr. +Parkes and his superiors explain the conduct described +in the following extract by the same "rights and duties of +neutrality"?</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"> +"<span class="smcap">TO THE EDITOR OF THE</span> <i>Shanghae Times</i>. +</div> + +<p>"Sir,—Do the authorities think that the terms of the treaty were that +foreign vessels should be allowed to transport troops and ammunition for +the suppression of this revolutionary movement in China?</p> + +<p>"That foreign vessels should be the chief instruments in the hands of +this imbecile government to do their <i>dirty work</i>, although garnished with +<i>gold</i>. Can it be possible that H. B. M.'s Government will allow its +ships to take passengers from here—<i>ostensibly as coolies, but really as +soldiers</i>—a fact to which the whole foreign and native community here are +alive? Can it be possible that, after so much experience and the sacrifice +of so many of our countrymen, we are going to throw ourselves needlessly +into the boiling caldron?</p> + +<p>"Let us look before we leap. Vessels are loading here with soldiers +for Shanghae" (Imperialist soldiers). "The fact is known at Hong-kong, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span>and it will create much difficulty. Let the history of the three past wars +with China teach us not to create another.</p> + +<div class="right"> +"Yours, &c.,<br /> +"<span class="smcap">A Friend to China</span>. +</div> +<p>"Hankow, <i>January 11, 1862</i>."</p> +</div> + +<p>For some months this disgraceful work proceeded, till +at last the following official sanction appeared:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"> +"CONSUL MEDHURST TO MR. BRUCE.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> +</div> + +<div class="right">"Shanghae, <i>March 21, 1862</i>.</div> + +<p>"Sir,—The Taoutae" (Manchoo governor of the walled Chinese city of +Shanghae) "having been anxious for some time past to get a reinforcement +from the army under General Tseng-kwo-fan" (Manchoo general commanding +Imperialist troops up the river Yang-tze) "for the relief of this garrison +and that of Sung-kiang-foo, and having repeatedly questioned me as to the +possibility of allowing a few British vessels to be chartered for the purpose +of bringing the troops down....</p> + +<p>"The Taoutae accordingly entered into negotiations with a house here +for the employment of a certain number of steamers for the conveyance +hither of 9,000 men.... I at once addressed Sir J. Hope a letter, +... and from his answer ... you will observe that he entirely +approves of the measure.</p> + +<div class="right"> +"I have, &c.,<br /> +(Signed) "<span class="smcap">W. H. Medhurst</span>." +</div> +</div> + +<p>This arrangement, in accordance, we are bound to believe, +with the "duties of neutrality," was executed by the +house of Mackenzie, Richardson, & Co., of Shanghae, <i>in +consideration of the sum of 180,000 taels (Ł60,000)</i> paid +by the Manchoo Government.</p> + +<p>While the British steamers have passed the walls of +Nankin, crowded with Imperialist troops, hastening to +the destruction of the Ti-pings in the neighbourhood of +Shanghae, I have sat on the silent batteries and sympathized +with the too credulous people who, faithful to +<i>their</i> promises of neutrality, foolishly allowed the Tartar +troops to pass scathless right under the muzzles of their +guns, simply because they were safely sheltered by the +British ensign flying over them. The <i>ruse</i> of shipping +the soldiers as coolies, and so smuggling them +past the Ti-ping positions, was abandoned upon the +<i>legalization</i> of the trade by the same admiral and authorities +who, but a few months previously, had explained +the "duties of neutrality" to the Ti-pings, and had +given them to understand it was impossible <i>their</i> stores +could be conveyed to Ngan-king, as any such act would +constitute a breach of neutrality! After the <i>legalization</i>, +the Imperialist <i>braves</i> were carried down to Shanghae +by thousands, and many a time I have longed to put +a shot through the hulls of their conveyances; but the +Ti-pings would not allow me, because, as they said, +it might hurt the "foreign brethren"! Meanwhile, +directly the cowardly rabble had passed out of range +of the batteries, their yells of bravado could be plainly +heard, and British oak and British seamen became +hidden and disgraced by a cloud of Manchoo flags +waved in defiance, whenever it could be done in safety.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span></p> +<p>As Mr. Parkes and his co-adjutors did not obtain an +instant compliance with their grossly unjust demands +upon the Ti-pings, viz., not to attack Shanghae, a city +belonging to them by every known right as natives of the +soil, if they were able to capture it from the Manchoos; +not to levy duty upon the British vessels passing through +their territory, and to avoid all the principal ports, the +great sources of revenue to their enemies, simply because +their capture of such places <i>might</i> interfere with the +British trade—they took more active measures, <i>viz.</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To effect this, we proceeded early on the following morning to the +palace of the Tien-wang ... and on arriving there at 10 <span class="smcap">A.M.</span> handed +the following note to an officer, with the request that it might be sent to +the Tien-wang:—</p> + +<p>"The undermentioned British officers, namely, Captain Aplin, senior +naval officer in the Yang-tze river, and Mr. Parkes, having been engaged +during the last five days in fruitless endeavours to arrange certain important +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span>business with the Taeping authorities, and being greatly inconvenienced by +the delay thus occasioned, respectfully request admission to the Tien-wang, +or that the Tien-wang will appoint an officer to meet them with full +authority to settle their business without further trouble.'"</p></div> + +<p>Let Englishmen apply this arrogant document to +themselves. The Tien-wang was crowned sovereign over +a vast territory; his large armies were in victorious +possession; and he, being invested with all the mystery +and divine attributes common to eastern monarchs, +became a much more unapproachable object than western +rulers, even to his own people. What would Englishmen +do if some foreign official, dissatisfied with waiting "five +days" in negotiation with their proper authorities "to +arrange certain important business," were to force themselves +into Her Majesty's palace, and "request" her to +personally treat with them, or "appoint an officer to meet +them," and so infringe official etiquette?</p> + +<p>Not satisfied with issuing this presumptuous summons, +Mr. Parkes proceeds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"After having repeatedly inquired whether the Tien-wang had taken +any notice of our application, and been as often told that it had been sent +in to him, we at last ascertained that instead of this having been done, our +note had been forwarded to the Tsan-sze-keun" (one of the Ti-ping secretaries +of state, and the proper authority to receive any communication). +"We now told the officer who had deceived us to bring back our note, +and while waiting for it the Tsan-sze-keun and Le Teen-tseang, a chief who +had taken a prominent part at all the interviews, sent to tell us that the +orders we wanted should be ready to-morrow. <i>We took no notice of this +message</i>, and they sent a second time to say that they wished to see us at +the Tsan-sze-keun's residence. To this we replied that having found it +necessary to make an application to the Tien-wang himself, we could not +now return to them, <i>and that if they</i>" (the persons appointed by the Ti-ping +Government to transact such business) "<i>wished to speak with us they should +come to the palace</i>."</p></div> + +<p>If Mr. Parkes had met with the fate of Mr. Richardson +and others in Japan, or experienced indignities similar +to those suffered by Mr. Edan, political agent at the +Bhootanese court, during his superlatively arrogant dictation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> +to the Ti-ping chiefs, can it be denied that it would +have been his own fault?</p> + +<p>In his explanation of thrusting himself into the Tien-wang's +palace, and outraging all the Ti-ping rules and +ceremonies, Mr. Parkes has evidently forgotten himself, +and represented his own conduct as that of the Ti-pings. +He says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It was clearly necessary to take a stand of this kind when we saw +that the ignorance and pride of these people induced them to assume the +same absurd and insufferable pretensions in their treatment of foreigners +that characterized the Mandarins in days that are past."</p></div> + +<p>This little conceit of the diplomatic agent is really +amusing, by reason of its being perfectly unique. I +cannot remember another instance in which the Ti-ping +has been compared with the Manchoo in behaviour to +foreigners or anything else. When people set themselves +to work deliberately to injure others, it generally +happens that they strive to vilify them in order to justify +themselves. To this motive, I suppose, we must ascribe +the "clearly necessary stand" of Mr. Parkes.</p> + +<p>The result of the Yang-tze expedition, in so far as the +Ti-pings were concerned, amounted to a treaty of neutrality +between them and England; a promise on their part not +to attack Shanghae, and to remain 100 li (about 30 miles) +away from it during the "<i>present year</i>" (1861), upon +<i>condition</i> that the British authorities prevented the Imperialists +from attacking them from that place, or using it +for belligerent purposes; and a pledge from Admiral Hope, +that if the Ti-ping forces were to attack the other treaty +ports, all British subjects being "unmolested both in their +persons and property, the commanders of the vessels of +war stationed there will receive directions in <i>no way +whatever to interfere in the hostilities which may be going +on</i>, except for the purpose of protecting their countrymen, +should it be necessary to do so." It also resulted in their +being compelled to break their engagements, and thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> +expose themselves to British hostility and encourage the +violation of solemn pledges of neutrality. Grave as are +the accusations which may be brought forward against a +number of British officials, it must be admitted that their +conduct fully justified the most severe animadversions.</p> + +<p>In the meanwhile, during the negotiations at Nankin, +the Ti-ping forces mentioned in the first pages of this +chapter were severally engaged prosecuting, upon the +whole, a very successful series of operations.</p> + +<p>The city of Ngan-king (capital of Ngan-whui province) +having become closely invested by an Imperialist army of +some 20,000 men, and a flotilla of several hundred gun-boats, +the Ying-wang was charged with the relief of that +city during his march up the course of the Yang-tze to +his destined operations in the province of Hupeh.</p> + +<p>Although Ngan-king had been threatened by Imperialist +forces during some eighteen months, until the spring +of 1861 it had never been seriously menaced, the Manchoo +<i>braves</i> having contented themselves with the ordinary +phase of Chinese warfare—watching, flag-waving, and +yelling at a safe distance from any probable vicious attempt +of the dangerous Chang-maous.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> Ngan-king, however, +was a place of great strength for Chinese warfare; it +formed the <i>point d'appui</i> of all Ti-ping movements either +to the northern or north-western provinces, and previous +to any attack upon their capital, Nankin, or its fortified +outposts, its reduction was an absolute necessity. The +city being built right on the brink of the great river, was +absolute mistress of that important highway, without +which, and its invaluable water communication, any extensive +movement of the Manchoo armies in an easterly +direction became impracticable. At last, therefore, the +Manchoo warriors girded up their loins, that is to say, +tucked up the bottoms of their petticoat inexpressibles, +fiercely wound their tails around their cleanly-shaven +caputs, made a terrible display of huge flags, roaring +gongs, horridly painted bamboo shields, and a most extravagant +waste of gunpowder, and moving forward with +terrific cloud-rending yells, established themselves safely +out of cannon-range of the walls, and proceeded to complete +the investment of the doomed city by building +themselves in with a formidable series of earth-works and +stockades, from which they could neither climb out nor +enemies climb in. As a rule, the Chinese never fight +unless they are obliged to. Not that they are so cowardly +as some Europeans have mistakenly seemed to believe, but +rather from those singularly refined traits of reasoning +which, with these peculiar people, border closely upon the +absurd. For instance, having myself often spoken with +Chinamen regarding their ineffective and almost childish, +but for the merciless treatment of the vanquished, +military tactics, I have always been answered to the +following effect:—</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span></p> +<p>"Hi-ya, how can? Two piecee man no can stop one +place aller same time, spose nother piecee man <i>must</i> +wantchee come, mi must wantchee go; spose mi <i>must</i> +wantchee stop, nother piecee man no can come."</p> + +<p>Singularly enough this principle is generally applied. +If a determined resistance is <i>certain</i>, those who should +attack content themselves by safely fortifying themselves +at a distance, as in the case at Ngan-king; but should the +determination of the defensive party be doubtful, then an +attack, with no little impetuosity and daring, will almost +surely take place.</p> + +<p>Now, the Ti-pings have never been known as remarkable +for the logic, cowardice, or whatever it may be termed, +generally peculiar to the race of Chinese: upon the contrary, +their reputation has ever been that of fighting men. +In consequence of this certain prospect of hard knocks +in the event of their being irrational enough to try and +climb over the walls of Ngan-king when the Ti-pings +were determined to try and prevent them, the Imperialists<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span> +very wisely made themselves masters of the situation by +establishing a complete cordon of stockades around the +city, extending from the river above to a point just below +its walls, calculating, with a perfect philosophy, that when +the rice within the city became finished, those without +might make a good breakfast, then scale the walls free +from any "hard knocks," and, better than all, gather the +heads of the helpless and famished garrison, <i>ad libitum</i>; +thus capturing the city, obtaining the emoluments of a +long and easy campaign, and winding up with the head-money, +all without the danger of fighting.</p> + +<p>Meantime, although the city was fast becoming straitened +for provisions, the Ying-wang confined his efforts +for its relief to distant operations, probably considering its +garrison amply sufficient not only to maintain the place, +but to prevent any complete blockade by sallying forth +upon the Manchoos, as their strength, although less than +half that of the besiegers, was considered such as would +not be likely to diminish their possible chance of victory. +In this case, however, too much was expected from a +mostly newly-levied force, exposed to the attack of Honan +<i>braves</i> and Tartar troops, the best forces in the service of +the Manchoo emperor.</p> + +<p>The Ying-wang, his plans, and the success attending +his hitherto operations, became known to the Yang-tze +expedition, under Admiral Hope, in March. Upon the +22nd of that month Mr. Parkes visited the Ying-wang at +the city of Hwang-chow, situated upon the northern bank +of the river, 50 miles from the treaty port Han-kow. In +his report of the interview he states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"At the gate by which we entered I observed a proclamation in the +name of the Ying-wang, assuring the people of protection, and inviting +them to come and trade freely with the troops. Another proclamation, +addressed to the latter, prohibited them from that date from wandering into +the villages and plundering the people. A third notice, <i>appended to the +heads of two rebels</i>, made known that these men had been executed <i>for +robbing</i> the people of their clothes while engaged in collecting grain for the +troops."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span></p> + +<p>This statement, to those who know anything about +the Ti-pings, appears perfectly true; how does Mr. Parkes +reconcile it with his report that "plunder and violence +marked the progress of the Ti-pings"?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He informed me that he was the leader known as the Ying-wang (or +Heroic Prince); that he was charged from Nankin to relieve Ngan-king, +and had undertaken a westward movement with the view of gaining the +rear of the Imperial force, and besieging that city on the western side. +So far he had been completely successful.</p> + +<p>"Leaving Tung-ching, a city forty miles to the north of Nankin, on the +6th instant, he marched in a north-westerly direction upon the city of Hoh-shan, +thus avoiding all the Imperialist posts in the districts of Yung-chung, +&c. On the 10th he took Hoh-shan, where there was no considerable +force to oppose him; and then turning to the south-west, reached +Yung-shan on the 14th, which fell in the same way. Hastily securing the +munitions of these two places, of which he stood in need, he pressed on to +Kwang-chow, and succeeded in surprising a camp of the Amoor Tartars, +killing, as the Ying-wang said, all the men, and capturing all the horses. +This, and a small affair at Paho, placed him in possession of Kwang-chow, +which he entered without opposition on the 17th instant. He had thus +taken three cities, and had accomplished a march of 600 li (say 200 miles) +in eleven days, and was now in a position either to attack in rear the +Imperial force which he had just turned, and draw them off from Ngan-king, +or, postponing that operation, to occupy Han-kow, from which he +was distant only fifty miles. He added, however, that he felt some hesitation +in marching upon the latter place, as he had heard that the English +had already established themselves at that port.</p> + +<p>"I commended his caution in this respect, and advised him not to +think of moving upon Han-kow, as it was impossible for the insurgents to +occupy any emporium at which we were established, without seriously +interfering with our commerce, <i>and it was necessary that their movements +should be so ordered as not to clash with ours</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Now this exaggerated "caution" and absurd regard +for "<i>our</i> commerce" made the Ying-wang sacrifice his +<i>own</i> interests.</p> + +<p>His expedition was planned for the express purpose of +capturing Han-kow (preparatory to that of Wu-chang, the +capital of the Hupeh province, situated directly opposite, +on the other side of the Yang-tze); the relief of Ngan-king +was to be effected <i>en route</i>, either by the direct attack<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +of his army or by the effect of its success elsewhere. At +the time of his interview with Mr. Parkes, either operation +was simply a matter of choice, for Han-kow was almost +undefended and offered an easy capture; while having +completely outmanœuvred the besiegers of Ngan-king, he +might have fallen upon their rear, and, with a sortie of the +garrison, probably exterminated them. Of course, to +effect either plan a continuation of his hitherto prompt +and decisive action was imperative; this, however, became +arrested by the unfortunate and prejudicial presence of the +English, who, in the midst of his successes, established +themselves at the city the capture of which formed the +terminal point of his campaign. Of course, Mr. Parkes +does not report the threats of hostility thrust upon the +Ying-wang to deter him from advancing upon, and occupying +the Eldorado on which foreigners of every degree +were greedily intent, trusting to the terms of the Elgin +treaty with the Manchoo Government for the fulfilment +of their golden visions. But it were idle, indeed, to suppose +so energetic a commander as the Ying-wang would allow +all the fruits of his past operations and the favourable +prospects of a rapid prosecution of his movement, to be +lost either by "hesitation in marching upon Han-kow," or +by the <i>advice</i> of Mr. Parkes. The Ying-wang undoubtedly +received a threat of "strict neutrality" in event of +his appearing at Han-kow—that sort of "neutrality" with +which Mr. Parkes was "fully acquainted," and which has +invariably been assumed towards the Ti-pings, but which +some might interpret by the words, "gratuitous hostility."</p> + +<p>The Ti-ping cause suffered from British contact in +this, as in every other instance, as the Ying-wang delayed +his march upon Han-kow, and sent to Nankin for orders. +His army, although mustering nearly 50,000 men, did not +possess a fighting strength of more than half that number, +the rest being simply the coolies in usual attendance upon +all Chinese armies; therefore delay in the enemy's country +simply meant defeat. The critical and favourable moment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> +to strike a successful blow was lost, and while the great +cause of Christianity and freedom was once more paralyzed +by the incubus of British interests, the opponents to both +received such ample time to concentrate their out-generalled +forces, that when, after a delay of several months, the +Ying-wang received orders to advance upon Han-kow, +and open communication with the British authorities, he +encountered their vastly superior army close to the city of +Ma-ching, and after a most desperately contested battle, +was defeated with heavy loss, and then gradually driven +beyond the city of Ngan-king without having been able to +succour that position, or obtain the slightest advantage +from his previous brilliant exploits.</p> + +<p>The Ying-wang, although only twenty-four years of +age, had already, by his extraordinary courage, obtained +one of the highest positions among the Ti-pings, ranking +at this time as a generalissimo of the army, and a noble of +the first degree, with the honourable title of Ying-wang +(Heroic Prince). By the Imperialists he had received the +cognomen of "Sze-ngan-kow" (Four-eyed dog), in consequence +of his remarkably rapid and successful strategy; +and next to the Chung-wang his presence inspired more +fear in Manchoo bosoms than the vicinity and operations +of any other Ti-ping leader. Singularly romantic +were the antecedents of this young and gallant chieftain. +A youthful Cantonese student, while immersed in studying +the wise proverbs of the Chinese classics, he chanced +to meet a fellow-scholar related to some of the Hung +family, who had originated and still formed so important +a part of the Ti-ping rebellion. Shortly afterwards, having +been unfairly treated in his examination by the corrupt +government officials, he turned towards the new doctrines +of the Ti-pings, and, with the assistance of his friend, paid +a visit to Hung-jin, the future Kan-wang, who at this +time, 1857, was fulfilling the duties of Christian teacher +and catechist to the London Missionary Society at Hong-kong. +Of an impulsive and enthusiastic disposition, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> +soon became a convert to Christianity, which Hung-jin +preached with an eloquence that obtained the future +Prime Minister of Ti-ping-wang the confidence and entire +approval of all missionaries and Christians for many years, +though, singularly enough, when the time of Hung-jin's +elevation to the second place among the Ti-pings arrived—that +is to say, the moment when by his power and influence +it might naturally have been <i>known</i> that his exertions to +Christianize China would have become immense, and +would have been accompanied by proportionately gigantic +results—his English pretended friends for the most part +abandoned him.</p> + +<p>The Ying-wang added one more to the large number +of proselytes obtained by the earnestness and devotion of +the warm-hearted and noble-minded Hung-jin. He had +been for some months under the tuition of the latter, and +had become greatly attached to him, when, deeply impressed +by the information of the imprisonment of Hung-jin's +mother, wife, and several other relatives, by the +Canton mandarins, because of their connection, though +very distant, with the principal members of the Ti-ping +rebellion, and that they were only saved from execution by +the efforts of some missionaries, he formed the determination +to rescue them from imprisonment and ill-treatment.</p> + +<p>Proceeding with his fellow-student to the city of +Canton, they managed, through bribing some of the prison +warders, to obtain a moment's admission to the aged +mother of Hung-jin. To their surprise they found with +her, besides other relatives, a granddaughter of surpassing +beauty, who was the orphan of Hung-jin's brother—a +brother who, with nearly the whole of his family, perished +during the ruthless massacres of the innocent kindred +of the Ti-ping rebels. Although their first meeting +lasted but a few minutes, it seems the future Ying-wang +and the beautiful captive maid became mutually attached. +In their case, however, the romance admits of explanation. +I have myself seen both the Ying-wang and the lady, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +I consider that of each sex they were by far the most +handsome I ever beheld in China. I can, therefore, easily +believe that when in the wretchedness of her captivity, +the young and noble-looking student appeared before her +surrounded by all the extra attractions of his position as +her deliverer, the lonely and miserable girl turned towards +him with her whole heart. Not less natural seems the +passion of the student, whose newly-aroused religious +enthusiasm predisposed him to entertain the warmest +feelings towards those he came to rescue and whose cause +he had already espoused. During the short moments of his +first interview, he told the prisoners to be prepared for an +attempt to escape upon a certain night. The appointed +time arrived, but no rescue, for the would-be deliverer, +betrayed by one of the gaolers whom he had bribed and +trusted, was seized while making his way into the prison +by means of false keys, and thrust, helpless as themselves, +among those anxiously awaiting his assistance. Brought +before the cruel Manchoo mandarins, he was sentenced to +the barbarous death by "cutting into a thousand pieces," +while Hung-jin's mother, wife, niece, and several other +relatives, were condemned to torture and decapitation.</p> + +<p>Time flew onwards, and at length the evening before +the fatal day arrived. What dread and overpowering +feelings those poor doomed creatures felt upon that last +day of life, while anticipating the horrid tortures coming +with the morrow's sun, I do not know; but what I can tell +is, that suddenly, about midnight, the doors of their prison +were burst asunder, and the whole of the captives liberated +by an insurrection of famine-maddened Chinamen.</p> + +<p>These tumults, created for want of rice, are of very +frequent occurrence in China, and are often attended with +great loss of life; in nearly all such cases the rioters break +open the prisons and augment their strength with the +released captives. To such an event were the Ti-pings +indebted for their brave Ying-wang, for many a future +victory, and for the Manchoos' oft-repeated defeat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span></p> + +<p>Making his way down to the European settlement, +Hung-jin's pupil, with his teacher's mother, wife, and +niece, and several male relatives of the Hung family, +found safety under the kind protection of some European +missionaries. In the morning they all embarked and +took passage to Hong-kong on board an American river +steamer plying between the two places, and within four +or five hours anchored in safety under the folds of the +flag of freedom.</p> + +<p>Hung-jin's happiness in the release and society of his +wife and mother may easily be imagined; but soon rumours +of other Manchoo persecution reached him, and, dreading +the sudden death of his dearest relatives, if captured, he +determined to make his way to Nankin, and then return +for them, if such a plan proved practicable. His travel +through the country and ultimate arrival at Nankin has +been noticed in another chapter; suffice it, therefore, to +say, he was accompanied by him who afterwards became +the Ying-wang, himself disguised as an itinerant surgeon, +and the latter as his attendant. Upon their arrival at +Nankin, Hung-jin was detained and created Kan-wang +by his relative the Ti-ping-wang, while his companion, +receiving a commission in the Ti-ping army, was given +letters to a number of Ti-ping partisans in the provinces +of Kwang-tung, Fo-keen, and Kiang-si, and also received +instructions to bring the Kan-wang's relatives from Hong-kong, +and having delivered his despatches, to return to +Nankin in company with those who would join his party +(several Ti-ping officers accompanying him) by the way. +Reaching Hong-kong safely, disguised as wandering mendicants, +the whole of the refugees succeeded in arriving at +the first rendezvous in small parties of two or three, under +his guidance. At this place several hundred men mustered +in arms, and recruited at other parts of their route. After +many encounters with the Manchoo troops and many +perilous adventures, the Ying-wang having principally +contributed to the successful efforts of his comrades by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> +his distinguished gallantry, re-entered Nankin with the +Kan-wang's family. Soon after the successful issue of his +mission, the Ying-wang was promoted, and received the +beautiful niece of his patron and friend in marriage.</p> + +<p>The Ying-wang having studied for a military life and +possessing undaunted bravery, soon rose in the Ti-ping +army, and during the famous victories obtained over the +besiegers of Nankin in May, 1860, while in command of a +small division, defeated the Tartar body-guard of Chang-kwoh-liang, +second in command of the Imperialist army, +and killed that general, falling himself desperately +wounded in the moment of victory. Upon his recovery +he received the title and position of Ying-wang.</p> + +<p>While in the west, successes that would undoubtedly +have led to the capture of Han-kow and other important +positions were rendered nugatory through the presence of +the English; in fact wherever the Ti-pings carried on their +operations apart from that baneful influence, good fortune +crowned their efforts.</p> + +<p>The Shi-wang in Kiang-si, the I-wang in Sze-chuan, +the Kan-wang in Hoo-nan, and the Chung-wang in Che-kiang, +were successful in each province.</p> + +<p>Although the movements of the three former Wangs +were very extensive, and although the Shi-wang had +captured the capital and many other large cities in +Kiang-si, and in June had occupied the city of Wu-chang-hien +(situated a few miles below the Ying-wang's +position at Hwang-chow, but on the opposite side of the +river, and from which two points the armies of the +Shi and Ying Wangs would have co-operated in the +reduction of Han-kow, but for the stoppage of their +movements caused by the presence of British authorities +and merchants at that city, and the menaces they +had been treated to by the politicians of the Yang-tze +expedition), all these operations paled before those of +the Chung-wang in Che-kiang. Pressing rapidly forward +with a small army of observation, the Commander-in-Chief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> +made a false attack upon the important city of +Hang-chow, the provincial capital, strongly garrisoned by +Tartar troops of the Eight Banners, and after satisfying +himself as to the strength of the enemy, by a rapid and +brilliantly executed series of manœuvres, succeeded in +capturing the important cities of Chapoo, Hayen, Kashen, +Hoo-chow, Hi-ning, &c., and, in fact, obtaining complete +possession of all that most valuable territory extending +from the south of the Ta-hoo lake to the walls of Hang-chow, +and from the banks of the river Yang-tze to the +sea at Shanghae, with the exception of that small portion +adjacent to the latter city that was guaranteed by the +agreement with Admiral Hope to remain a neutral ground +during the "present year."</p> + +<p>In consequence of the tactics pursued by the Commander-in-Chief +as the result of his short campaign of +observation, the main body of the two armies respectively +commanded by the Shi and Kan Wangs were recalled from +their distant successes and concentrated at the important +cities of Hwuy-chow (capital and centre of the green tea +districts in Ngan-whui, upon the south of the Yang-tze, +at the time completely under the jurisdiction of the +Ti-pings) and Soo-chow, with a large force already under +the personal command of the Chung-wang himself. These +two columns were marched, the one from Soo-chow in a +south-westerly, and that from Hwuy-chow in an easterly +direction, co-operating with each other upon the city of +Hang-chow.</p> + +<p>The Manchoo force concentrated at Hang-chow for its +defence, and for the general defence of the Che-kiang +province, numbered 125,000 men, of whom 35,000 were +Tartars of the Eight Banners, the whole commanded +by the Imperial commissioner and Tartar general, Luy-chang, +assisted by the noted Chinese commander Chang +Yuh-leang.</p> + +<p>At the commencement of the Chung-wang's campaign, +a movement took place which was attended by a success<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> +that put in action the hostile operations of the British +Government, and thus brought disaster to the Ti-pings, +whose available forces amounted to about 295,000 +men, as opposed to 420,000 Manchoo Imperialists. +Although to a casual and uninformed observer these +figures may appear greatly advantageous to the Imperial +cause, such was very far from being the case. +With the exception of their Tartar troops and certain +portions of the Chinese regulars, the Manchoo +Government could not depend upon its defenders. +Those who might fairly be trusted did not exceed two-thirds +of the total number; the rest, comprising the +militia (<i>braves</i>), were comparatively useless in the field, +and many of the veteran Ti-pings confidently advanced +against a greater odds than ten to one.</p> + +<p>The two divisions of the Chung-wang's army uniting +under the walls of Hang-chow, commenced the siege of +that city with much vigour. The Tartar garrison being of +great strength, and aided by an army in the field, for +nearly a month the progress of the besiegers was not very +material. Numerous actions occurred, and a severe +struggle was maintained, without any decided success upon +either side. At last, unable to carry the city by direct +attack, after severely repulsing a sortie of the garrison, +combined with an attack of the army of co-operation, the +Chung-wang determined to reduce the city by cutting off +its communications, and with this intent organized operations +that, judging by their results, proved of the very +gravest importance to Manchoo, foreigner, and Ti-ping +alike.</p> + +<p>Establishing the main body of his army in lines of +circumvallation around Hang-chow, a strong division of +nearly 50,000 men was detached under the command of +the generals Hwang and Fang, with orders to capture all +the important cities to the south-east of Hang-chow, and +terminate the expedition with the full possession of the seaport +Ningpo, one of the treaty ports open to foreign trade.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dividing into two columns, respectively commanded by +the above-mentioned generals, the division pushed rapidly +forward, acting under the direct orders of the Shi-wang, +who superintended the movement against the enemy's +communications, while the Chung-wang himself conducted +the siege operations. The columns of Hwang and his +colleague Fang, during the month of November, successively +captured all the cities to the south and south-east of +Hang-chow, while other expeditionary columns detached +by the Shi-wang obtained possession of all situate between +the possessions of the Ti-pings in the north and north-east, +round to the westward, and to the positions occupied +by the two subordinate generals; thus completely cutting +off every communication of the besieged city. After reducing +the departmental and district cities, Shaou-shing, +Fung-wha, Yü-yaou, Yen-chow, Tsze-ke, and many others, +and after receiving a deputation from the European +residents of Ningpo, who left them highly satisfied, the +leaders of the two columns effected a junction of their +forces, and, moving upon Ningpo, carried that city by a +sudden assault on the 9th of December, 1861. Meanwhile, +other divisions, detached from the Chung-wang's army, +captured and garrisoned all the southern, western, and +eastern departments of the province, so that when, upon +the 29th of December, the garrison of Hang-chow +succumbed to famine and the determined assault given +by the besiegers on that day, the whole of Che-kiang +became subject to the Ti-ping Government.</p> + +<p>In consequence of these successful operations, the +end of the year found the Ti-pings in almost entire possession +of the two richest and most densely populated +provinces of China, Che-kiang and Kiang-su, while the +small portion of Kiang-su yet held by Manchoo authorities +was comprised within a radius of thirty miles around +Shanghae. Faithfully observing <i>their</i> part of the agreement +made with Admiral Hope and his coadjutors, the +Ti-pings refrained from any advance upon Shanghae, even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> +although the non-fulfilment by the British authorities of +the <i>conditions</i> upon which the said agreement was made +fairly released them from its obligations; but directly the +"present year" had expired, every other position in the +province being already in their hands, troops were moved +forward to drive the Manchoos from this their last stronghold +in the province.</p> + +<p>As has been already observed, the position of the +Ti-pings was one which but for the interference of the +British Government must undoubtedly have caused the +overthrow of the Manchoo Tartar dynasty. They possessed +the valuable silk districts, the tea districts +of Ngan-whui and Che-kiang, the cotton districts of +Kiang-su, and the potteries and porcelain manufacturing +districts of Kiang-si, which together constitute the principal +sources of revenue in the empire. The repulse of +the Ying-wang, and consequent fall of Ngan-king upon +the 5th of September, afforded the Imperialists but little +compensation for their defeats everywhere else. Ngan-king, +completely invested by land and water, and unrelieved +by the Ying-wang, after its garrison had endured +the most terrible privations, fell into the hands of the +besiegers. Three regiments of the garrison, unable to endure +the horrors of the famine raging within the doomed +city, which had reduced them to cannibalism of the most +frightful description, human flesh being eagerly sought +at the price of eighty cash per catty<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> and devoured with +avidity, surrendered to the Imperialists upon condition of +a free pardon, but were massacred to a man, and their +headless bodies cast into the Yang-tze. After this the +remaining portion of the fighting men came to the usual +Chinese arrangement with the besiegers, and leaving the +city unmolested, reached the Ti-ping position at Loo-chow. +Then came the triumph of the Manchoos, who, entering +the city, ruthlessly slaughtered the non-combatant inhabitants: +men, women, and children, whose mutilated bodies +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> +were borne down towards the sea by the swiftly rushing +waters of the great river. I beheld them mangled with +every atrocity that fiends could perpetrate, floating down +the stream in hundreds, huddled together, while the river +steamers, <i>Governor-General</i> and <i>Carthage</i>, surrounded by +the ghastly remnants of mortality, became impeded in +their movements.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<a href="images/i401.jpg"><img src="images/i401-t.jpg" width="532" height="600" alt="MAP OF CHINA Showing the position of Ti-ping Tien-Kwoh, or the settled dominions of the Ti-pings at +the close of the year 1861, the zenith of the Ti-ping Power. Also indicating the most important movements +places &c., connected with the Revolution from its commencement. +London Day & Son (Limited)" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption"><br />MAP OF CHINA Showing the position of Ti-ping Tien-Kwoh, or the settled dominions of the Ti-pings at +the close of the year 1861, the zenith of the Ti-ping Power. Also indicating the most important movements +places &c., connected with the Revolution from its commencement.<br /> +London Day & Son (Limited)</span> +</div> + +<p>The capture of Hang-chow and the entire of the Che-kiang +province concluded the operations of the Ti-pings +in 1861. They had now attained a magnificent position; +the richest provinces and most important cities of China +had become subservient to them, the most valuable sea-coast +in the world was partly theirs, their base of operations +against the Manchoos could not be surpassed, and it only +now remained to capture the commercial city of Shanghae. +The whole of the trade of the interior, valuable beyond +calculation, was justly theirs,—it had been so since 1860; +but yet that city was maintained by British forces as +the citadel of the Manchoos, whereby the Ti-pings were +defrauded of the export and import duties which belonged +to them, but which, in the hands of the Manchoos, +not only answered for the "indemnity," but served to +obtain for them all munitions of war needed to carry on +the struggle. Under these circumstances, the possession +of Shanghae became imperatively necessary, and yet +such was the chivalrous observance of good faith on +their part that they refrained from hostilities until the +expiration of the "present year," although long since +released from all moral obligations, and prompted by +all considerations of self-interest and aggrandisement +to subjugate Shanghae without a moment's notice or +delay.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> See Parliamentary "Correspondence respecting the opening of the +Yang-tze-kiang river to foreign trade."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> See Blue Book, "Upon the Rebellion in China," presented to Parliament +April, 1862.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> See "Further Papers relating to the Rebellion in China," presented +to both Houses of Parliament by command of her Majesty.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Long-haired, a name given the Ti-pings because of their tresses.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> About fourpence per 1.333 lb. avoirdupois.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Life in Nankin.—Ti-ping Character.—Its Friendly Nature.—Religious +Observances.—Cum-ho.—Curious Adventure.—A Catastrophe.—Love-making.—Difficulties.—Trip +to Shanghae.—Reflections.—On the +Yang-tze River.—Life on the River.—An Adventure.—The Deserted +Lorcha.—The Murdered Crew.—"Mellen's" Fate.—Arrival at +Shanghae.—Return Voyage.—Sin-ya-meu.—A "Squeeze Station."—The +"Love-chase."—Fraternizing.—Wife-purchasing.—The Grand +Canal.—China under Manchoo Rule.—Its Population.—The Manchoo +Government.</p></div> + + +<p>After my return to Nankin from the Chung-wang's +army, I spent some very pleasant months in that +city. The warm summer weather of central China produced +a sort of lassitude both of mind and body, and for +a time, while leading a happy and listless life, mixing +with the kind and enthusiastic Ti-pings, or wandering +through the beautiful gardens of the Chung-wang's palace +with Marie, the outer world became forgotten. Aroused +each day with the rising sun, my friend, Philip, and I +would meet the Chung-wang's household at the morning +prayers in the "Heavenly Hall." Here, from about six +o'clock till seven, I regularly joined in the prayers of +people whose devotion I have never seen excelled elsewhere. +The men and women were separated by occupying +different sides of the Hall, and the worship was +generally conducted by the Chung-wang's chaplain. After +a long form of supplication, the anthem was chanted, +followed by a doxology and hymn; the officiating minister +then closed the service by reading a written prayer, which +when finished was always set on fire and consumed.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<a href="images/i405.jpg"><img src="images/i405-t.jpg" width="600" height="373" alt="A TI-PING CHURCH. +DAY & SON, (LIMITED) LITH." title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">A TI-PING CHURCH.<br /> +DAY & SON, (LIMITED) LITH.</span> +</div> + +<p>Oftentimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> while kneeling in the midst of an apparently +devout congregation, and gazing on the upturned +countenances lightened by the early morning sun, which +poured its golden rays through the quaintly carved windows, +have I wondered why no British missionary occupied +my place, and why Europeans generally preferred slaughtering +the Ti-pings to accepting them as brothers in +Christ; and while scanning the assembled Christian +Chinese, praying from the Bible we Europeans trust in +and declare to be our guide, I have felt a sympathy and +enthusiasm for their cause that never can be weakened or +subdued.</p> + +<p>About an hour after prayers the great drums at the +palace entrance would sound for the morning meal. +When the family were assembled, the following form of +grace was given by the master of the house, or, in the +absence of the Chung-wang, by his brother:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Heavenly Father, the Great God, bless us thy little ones. Give us +day by day food to eat and clothes to wear. Deliver us from evil and +calamity, and receive our souls into heaven."</p></div> + +<p>After breakfast the household would disperse upon +their various daily occupations,—the ladies to their +private apartments, there to employ themselves with +embroidering the exquisitely ornamented shoes and +silken garments in vogue among the Ti-pings, to perform +more domestic duties, or amuse themselves with music +and singing.</p> + +<p>The Chung-wang's cousin, Yu-wang (the Admired +Prince), being Vice-President of the Board of War, and +member of the Tien-wang's Privy Council, seemed generally +overwhelmed with business. First he would gallop +off with a numerous escort to the offices of the "Board +of War." Having returned from thence, after the mid-day +meal he would don his state robes and attend the royal +court. This chief possessed a high reputation for wisdom +in council, sanctity in living, and bravery in the field.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span></p> + +<p>Besides his civil appointments, he was a general of the +"Loyal troops of the palace of the Tien-wang" (the +veteran <i>élite</i> of the Ti-ping forces). He was married +to but one wife, though many of his associates were polygamists, +and, although a young man, was of a remarkably +grave and religious character, so much so, that even his +little running pages seemed affected by it and forgot their +wild mischievous propensities.</p> + +<p>Each day the major-domo mustered his people to +prayers, to feed, and to work. The captain of a detachment +of the Chung-wang's body-guard regularly drilled +them in the large courtyard of the palace. The Commander-in-Chief's +adjutant-general, Lee-wang, daily conducted +the business connected with his office, employing +an immense number of scribes, officials, and soldiers, +who waited and carried away huge sheets of yellow proclamations +almost larger than themselves. In another +part of the Chung-wang's palace his private secretaries +seemed for ever writing, or rather painting, interminable +Chinese characters on large-sized paper and small-sized +paper, which they continually added to the vast heaps of +manuscript piled up around them, while I have often +wondered what it could all be about.</p> + +<p>These various duties were executed with a wonderful +exactitude and regularity, almost mechanical; indeed, +throughout Nankin and every part of Ti-pingdom I +have always found a similar state of methodical organization.</p> + +<p>I frequently visited the Minister of the Interior, the +Chang-wang (Accomplished Prince), and other chiefs, +with my two companions, and we were always received +with such kindness and hospitality that every house in +Nankin became our home. We usually employed a part +of each day instructing the Ti-ping soldiers in gunnery or +drilling them upon a plan combining the line and column +formation of European tactics with their own more undisciplined +manœuvres. The Chinese are well known for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> +their imitative ingenuity; but we found these <i>free</i> +Chinamen still more easily taught, their quick acquirement +of English words and extraordinary aptitude for +every kind of instruction being really marvellous.</p> + +<p>When I look back upon the unchangeable and universal +kindness I have always met with from the Ti-pings, even +while their dearest relatives were being slaughtered by my +countrymen, or captured by the Manchoos to be tortured +to death and their wives and daughters when not killed +infamously outraged and passed from hand to hand by +the rabble Imperialist soldiery, it almost seems to be a +dream, so difficult is it to comprehend their magnanimous +forbearance, when, according to the <i>lex talionis</i> in vogue +among civilized nations, they should have executed every +Englishman they met with similar barbarities to those +practised upon the unfortunate Ti-ping prisoners given +up by British officers (during the years 1862-3-4) to the +Manchoo authorities.</p> + +<p>During all my intercourse with the Ti-pings I can recollect +nothing <i>more</i> unpleasant than being made "bogie" +to frighten unruly children; and even this was of rare +occurrence, so great a feeling of respect for Englishmen +did their parents entertain. Sometimes, while strolling +through a city, I have been pointed out as a white man +bogie to little yellow-skinned Ti-pings by their black-haired +pretty mother, qualified, however, in most cases by a polite +invitation to enter and partake of a cup of tea; and so the +only offence that could be taken at becoming "bogie" +would be from the unflattering opinion one's appearance +caused in the juvenile imagination. How different are +the scowling looks and the epithet "Yang-quitzo" applied +to us with the aspiration of hate by our Manchoo +allies!</p> + +<p>The kind and friendly feeling of the Ti-pings I often +found so excessive as to be absolutely annoying. For +hours together I have been quite wearied out by their +attentions. Some impulsive Ti-pingite would seize a hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +of his "foreign brother" and retaining it between his +own for several hours, all the time maintain an energetic +conversation, perfectly regardless as to whether I understood +him or not; probably when tired he would leave me +in the hands of a particular friend, who in turn, after +exhausting his own conversational powers and my patience, +would give me up to another. To those who have experienced +the ordinary dislike and contumely of the +Chinese, the surprising friendliness of the Ti-pings is no +less remarkable than pleasant. The ingenuous earnestness +with which they always welcomed Europeans as "Wa-choong-te" +(brethren from across the seas), and the +apparent sincerity with which they would claim the relationship +as fellow-worshippers of "Yesu," seems to have +impressed all who have really been among them with +similar feelings of unmingled pleasure.</p> + +<p>When I remember in what manner these people have +been treated by my country, I almost feel the blush of +shame at being an Englishman. None who love their +country can behold its foreign policy with satisfaction, or +hope for its future. It requires but a glance at the history +of the greatest nations of ancient and modern history to +perceive our danger, and the parallel between our present +position and the meridian of their greatness. The yearning +for self-aggrandizement has caused the overthrow of +many nations, and day by day we see the rich colonies +forming part of some overgrown aggressively created +empire, seceding from and breaking the power of their +former oppressor. Well for us or our descendants will it +be if by changing our policy and pursuing one of righteousness +and non-aggression, England is preserved from +destruction amid the regular and successive crash of +falling nations.</p> + +<p>Can we look upon our acquisition of India, of our old +American colonies, of New Zealand and the Cape of +Good Hope annexations, &c., or our wars with China, +Burmah, Japan, and last though not least, our war upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> +the Ti-ping Christian revolution, without remembering +the fate of the mighty empire of Imperial Rome? Can +we ponder with satisfaction over the former greatness of +Spain, Portugal, and Holland, the decline of their power, +and its causes? In connection with this subject I cannot +forbear quoting the following extract from a letter written +by the Bishop of Victoria to the Archbishop of Canterbury, +dated Hong-kong, May 23rd, 1853, and in which, +referring to the Ti-ping revolution, he states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"And if Britain, and, above all, Britain's Church, neglect the call, and +arise not to her high behest as the ambassadress of Christ and the heraldress +of the cross among these Eastern empires, then the page of history will +hereafter record the melancholy fact that, like Spain, Portugal, and Holland, +who each enjoyed their brief day of supremacy and empire in these +Eastern seas, and then sank into insignificance and decay, so Britain, +wielding the mightiest sceptre of the ocean, and ruling the vastest colonial +empire of the world, failed to consecrate her talents to Christ, and, <i>ingloriously +intent on mere self-aggrandizement and wealth, fell from her exalted +seat in merited ignominy and shame</i>."</p></div> + +<p>At Nankin each day the signal for prayer was given +from the Tien-wang's palace, when the great gongs within +the first courtyard were sounded. The signal was then +repeated from house to house, till at last the brazen reverberation +having died away in the most remote corners +of the city, and having been echoed along the massive +ramparts by the solitary watchmen to the distant suburbs, +the knee of every man within, or in the adjoining villages +without the walls, became bent in prayer. Often have I +stood upon the old time-worn mural defence of Nankin, +with the last lingering light of sunset throwing strange +fantastic shadows around me, and listened to the humming +noise rising up from the praying people below. At other +times I have gazed from that same ancient wall at midnight, +as the last hollow tap from the sentinel's bamboo +drum was sounded, have seen the whole populace assemble +to welcome the Sabbath day; then turning towards the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span> +distant hills, crowned with the fortifications and numerous +tents of the idolatrous Imperialists, I have felt that God +would never forsake those who so fervently believed and +studied his word.</p> + +<p>Dark days have come upon the Ti-ping cause; but +although many have perished who hopefully assured me +"the Heavenly Father would protect them," and although +others are now wanderers from what they had settled +as a Christian territory, so long as even one righteous +believer shall remain, I have faith in God's word for their +eventual success.</p> + +<p>The idol-worshippers and the worshippers of mammon +have together made merry over persecuted Christians, +but if right is ever vindicated upon earth, and if the Bible +shall not for the first time in its history cause the entire +extermination of those who suffer for professing it, a day +will come when their unholy rejoicing shall be turned +into trouble and lamentation. That day of retribution +may be far distant, yet recent events would seem to +prove it near; and whenever it does come, how terrible +it will be.</p> + +<p>Time flew onward at Nankin with seemingly treble +rapidity, so happily passed the days with myself and +European comrades. At last a shadow came athwart the +general happiness. My friend, since our return to the +city, had taken every advantage of his honourable scars to +forward his dumb suit of her ladyship Cum-ho, the Chung-wang's +daughter, and as <i>he</i> thought with great success. +Nearly every day Miss Cum-ho and Marie would join us +in the palace gardens, and from simple "Chin-chining," +pressing one hand on the region of his heart, &c., my +friend somehow managed to pick up a little Chinese in a +very short time, by which his courtship no doubt was +considerably benefited. For awhile things went on thus; +but one unpropitious morning the pretty princess was +entrusted with a little brother for a ramble in the gardens. +As usual, at the commencement of a large shrubbery my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +friend and her ladyship took the wrong path, and so became +separated from Marie and myself.</p> + +<p>We could not have strolled far, when suddenly a most +tremendous screaming arose in the direction of the palace. +Leaving Marie to follow me, I ran in the direction of the +noise as fast as possible. When close up to the termination +of the shrubbery, I heard voices proceeding from a +little by-path, and, following it up, soon ascertained the +cause. It appeared that the princess having become +absorbed with my friend's endeavours to study the Chinese +language, forgot her young brother, and left him to his +own devices, when, with the usual perversity of small +people, he straightway got into mischief. Not content +with making mud pies on the open walks of the shrubbery, +or otherwise innocently amusing himself, this wretched +child saw fit, in an evil moment, to investigate the dark +and tortuous windings of the path in which I found him.</p> + +<p>Late rains had made the out-of-the-way part this +infant mind determined to explore, a perfect quagmire, +through which he had successfully wriggled along, until, +reaching one of those large earthen jars peculiar to China, +sunk into the ground, and filled with agricultural compost, +the Chung-wang's youngest "olive-branch" tumbled in. +After the first suffocating dip, he had managed to stick his +head out and give tongue in his loudest key. The scene +of disaster being only a few hundred yards from where the +servants lived in rear of the palace, the noise had attracted +the attention of several, who at once hastened to the spot; +and they had just succeeded extracting their young lord +from his unenviable position when I arrived among +them.</p> + +<p>His little Excellency was led off by the faithful serving-men, +while I returned for Marie, and after seeing her to +the palace, ran down the shrubbery to its end, and there, +calmly oblivious to all besides themselves, found my friend +and his companion side by side on one of the garden seats. +Miss Cum-ho was terribly frightened at my tale, not only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> +for the sake of her brother, but because the affair would +make known her meetings with my friend. We had no +time to make any arrangement by which this might be +avoided, for I had scarcely told them of the mischance +when up came a couple of young pages in search of the +lady.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching the palace, the Mrs. Chung-wang appeared, +superintending the washing of her son and ready +to receive her delinquent daughter. Two old duennas, of +particularly vinegar aspect, advanced upon the girl, who +for a moment clung to my friend's arm. That moment, +however, must have sufficed to show the Chung-wang's +better-half the state of her daughter's affections, whom +she now sharply upbraided while being dragged into the +palace. Poor Cum-ho disappeared in tears, doubtless +severely pinched by her two guards, while the injured +"parent," after seeing her purified boy carried in before +her, retired with a Parthian exclamation of "Yang-quitzo," +thrown at my friend.</p> + +<p>It was the first time I had ever heard an European +called "foreign devil" in Ti-pingdom, and Mrs. Chung-wang +must have been hugely offended to have uttered +such a thing. Turning to L——, I exclaimed, "Well, old +fellow, what do you think of it?"</p> + +<p>"Think," he answered; "why it's the last I shall see +of Cum-ho."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I suppose it will be; but that won't trouble you +much?"</p> + +<p>After a moment's thought, my friend seriously said to +me:—"My dear fellow, I really believe I love that girl; +Chinese or not, she is a good, warm-hearted creature, and—I +think she loves me; besides, she is very pretty. What +do you think of her hair? is it not long and beautiful? +I do not believe any English girl has such tresses. She +has a straight nose too, and her eyes are very fine; don't +you think so?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, there's no question about it; she is a very good-looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> +girl, but, unfortunately, you must remember she +is the Chung-wang's daughter."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if she's the Lord Duke of Macaciac's +daughter; if she loves me I <i>will</i> see her again."</p> + +<p>"Have you spoken to her about love?" I asked.</p> + +<p>"I cannot exactly say I have, for I do not know the +Chinese version of the verb, but I believe she understood +what I meant when I tried to. How do you express "I +love you" in Chinese?"</p> + +<p>"Gno gnae ne," I told him as well as I knew.</p> + +<p>"Noo nay nee; well, I think I shall remember that; +noo nay nee; yes, that's simple enough; but how shall +I meet Cum-ho again to tell her so? that's the question."</p> + +<p>"Trust to the Chinese Cupid, if there is one; besides, +if she loves you, depend upon it you will hear from her +somehow before long; but I must say I still retain a vivid +remembrance of some of your Hong-kong attachments; +there was A-far, the pretty daughter of Canton Jack, our +boatman; do you forget how desperately in love you fancied +yourself with that sun-burnt, black-eyed, rough-headed +'Sanpan girl?'"</p> + +<p>"Oh, nonsense," replied my friend, pettishly, "there's +a vast difference between the two; at that time I was fresh +from England and could not be much smitten by a Chinese +boat-girl, with the thoughts of the dear girls at home +filling my mind. But now I have been so long in China +I have almost forgotten what an English woman is like; +you cannot deny that Cum-ho is handsome; see what a +beautiful little mouth she has, what teeth, what ——."</p> + +<p>"There, that will do, my friend; it is needless to recapitulate +the fair celestial's charms, you are evidently a +victim of the little Chinese god; but I will just ask one +thing; apart from the danger of becoming obnoxious to so +powerful a chief as the Chung-wang, who would certainly +never look with pleasure upon an alliance between his +daughter and yourself, leang-sze-ma (lieutenant) in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> +guards though he has made you,—how would you feel +disposed to carry home to England a Chinese wife?"</p> + +<p>"Home!" said he, bitterly; "most likely I shall never +see home again, at all events I love the girl, and I am +determined not to give her up so easily; if I escape the +gingall-balls and rusty spears of those rascally Imps, the +Chung-wang may yet be willing to give me his daughter; +it appears to me the marriage ceremony of the Ti-pings is +much like ours, and if nothing else will succeed, why, an +elopement <i>ŕ la</i> Ti-ping Gretna Green may."</p> + +<p>"You shall never do anything so rash," I responded, +as we entered the palace and proceeded to our quarters, +"we shall be leaving Nankin for some days very shortly, +and when we return, if you are still of the same mind, we +will resume the subject and see what can be done."</p> + +<p>After this event Cum-ho was never permitted to meet +us, although she managed now and then to send a message +by Marie to the "Yang-quitzo." The misfortune of that +confounded child would have proved a source of much +merriment, but for the interruption of our pleasant promenades +it effected. Besides making a prisoner of Cum-ho, +it very considerably annoyed Marie and myself; for the +vigilance of the elder ladies of the household having +become aroused, they carefully watched over my betrothed +wherever she went. I cannot but admit that, one and all, +the women of Ti-pingdom were paragons of modesty and +propriety, and although in this case their espionage proved +rather vexatious, I did not admire them less for it.</p> + +<p>Previous to this, I had determined to take a trip to +Shanghae in order to ascertain, if possible, the purport of +the will left by Marie's father, and also to make various +arrangements with regard to obtaining supplies of grain, +European arms, &c., for Nankin; all of which the Manchoos +were able to obtain <i>ad libitum</i> from Europeans at +the treaty ports, although furnishing the same articles to +the Ti-pings was strictly prohibited by the British authorities, +in spite of their pledged neutrality. Before setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +out upon my journey, I had an interview with the Minister +of the Interior, Chang-wang, who gave me a number of +passes, requesting me to bestow them upon respectable +Europeans and inform them Nankin was open to trade. +A few foreign vessels were occupied trading to the city, +and among them my friend Mellen, with two of his own +lorchas. I had met him several times when in port, and +shortly before I set out for Shanghae he had sailed with +the vessel he was on board, intending to return with a +cargo of rice, &c.</p> + +<p>When all was ready for a start, I had no small difficulty +in getting my friend away with me; Philip I left behind +to continue drilling and otherwise instructing the soldiery, +and also as my agent for other affairs. Besides the bother +with my friend, I experienced a more serious one before +getting the crew of my vessel to obey orders. These men +during my stay had become thoroughly Ti-pingized, and +having allowed their hair to grow, did not seem at all +inclined to shave and adopt the Manchoo badge of slavery +again. So attached to the Ti-ping re-establishment of +Chinese customs had they become, that I was compelled +to call in the Sz-wang to make them shave and leave +Nankin. It may be that, as a rule, the Chinese are pretty +well contented with and accustomed to the monkey tail, +but let their national spirit once be aroused upon the +subject, they feel the degradation bitterly. With scarcely +an exception, the whole crew violently protested against +resuming the guise of the Tartar, and one fine young +fellow felt so acutely while under the hands of the barber +that he actually cried like a child.</p> + +<p>At last, however, the tresses were all shorn off, and +having parted with Marie with the full intention of +making her my wife when I returned, and having given +her a letter for Cum-ho, concocted by my friend from a +Morison's Chinese and English Dictionary, the anchor was +rudely dragged forth from its snug hiding-place in the +muddy bottom of the Nankin creek; then clapping my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +shiny-headed men on to the halyards fore and aft, all sail +was made, and Nankin bidden adieu for a time.</p> + +<p>The Yang-tze river, at its mildest mood and lowest +period in the middle of winter, is still a mighty and a +swift-running stream; but in summer, when swollen with +the vast torrents from the melted snow of the region of +great mountains, amid which it rises far away beyond the +western limits of Thibet, its waters rush fierce and foaming +far into the country upon either side of its proper +channel. Such was the case upon my departure from +Nankin.</p> + +<p>Sailing was out of the question, because what little +wind there came was, as the sailors say, dead on end. +But although our canvas could not help us on our way, the +boiling tide did, and that at the rate of nearly five knots +an hour. I have many a time floated along the bosom +of that grand Yang-tze, and with nature all beautiful +around me, crew and servants obedient to the slightest +wish, and, above all, a sympathizing friend, fancied more +complete happiness impossible.</p> + +<p>At such moments I have often reflected upon the +great Ti-ping movement, and wondered whether my +partisanship could have blinded me to any of its defects, +and so led me to disagree with the manifold tales of horror +and detraction narrated by persons who opposed the rebellion. +I have even tried to persuade myself that I was +a fool, that I had been imposed upon and deceived by the +Ti-pings as to their real character, and that the hostile +reports were true. But then I could not help feeling +myself sincerely a well-wisher of the rebels; I knew that +I became a partisan from my conviction of the righteousness +and favourable characteristics of their cause, and from +no mere worldly interest or attraction; and, moreover, +against the hearsay adverse testimony I could certainly +plead, "seeing is believing," and prefer my own eyesight +and personal experience to the tales of others, the greater +proportion of whom had never even seen a Ti-ping under +any circumstances, much less when at their home and uninfluenced +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +by the horrors of Asiatic warfare. Besides this, +nearly all my friends and acquaintances were entirely +of the same opinion as myself, including the Revs. +W. Lobschied, Griffith John, and other missionaries, who +had really seen Ti-ping life and manners.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 900px;"> +<img src="images/i419.jpg" width="900" height="524" alt="A Mast Head View Of Nankin From The River As It Appeared On The Morning Of Departure. +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, +Lincoln's Inn Fields. +Day & Son, Limited, Lith." title="" /> +<span class="caption">A Mast Head View Of Nankin From The River As It Appeared On The Morning Of Departure.<br /> +London, Published March 15th 1866 by Day & Son, Limited Lithogrs Gate Str, +Lincoln's Inn Fields.<br /> +Day & Son, Limited, Lith.</span> +</div> + +<p>These driftings on the Yang-tze were productive of +much meditation. Far from the trammels, disturbance, +and troubles of the great cities of men, with the warm +pure air blowing freshly upon us, we could think only +of the justice and reason of things, completely unbiassed +by the stereotyped customs and formal conventionalities +of society; but the living voice of Nature all around us, +manifested in the murmur of the moving waters, the +humming noise of manifold insects, the myriad lamps of +the fire-fly at night, and the brilliant-coloured feathery +songsters in full chorus among the reed-beds' luxuriant +foliage by day, whispered a better and more comprehensive +theory of existence. So far as society was concerned, it +might have been extinct, for we were at such times perfectly +isolated, myself and friend were alone with regard +to companionship, will, and authority. Of course this sort +of life requires change; it is all very well for a few months; +but then one seems to wish for something more than the +voice of nature, and the novelties of strange people, new +faces, and busy life, become excessively attractive.</p> + +<p>To descend unto the mere creature comforts of such +living:—at four in the morning we arose; As-sam, with +meek devotion, or rather serpent-like Asiatic stealthiness, +would bring coffee, containing just a dash of strong waters, +with a little breakfast of rice-cake or toast, by way of +fortifying oneself in a cholera country. This sailors' +inseparable morning stimulant despatched,<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> habited in +thin white silk, we were douched with many buckets of +water, drawn overnight and separated from the thick +muddy particles of the Yang-tze by settling and cooling +till morn, when the clear part was poured off for use; then +a couple of brawny Chinese mariners would rub us down +like young horses, and our day began.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span></p> +<p>If the <i>locale</i> was favourable and the breeze light, a +stroll along the river's bank, gun in hand, keeping time +with the progress of our vessel with the tide, almost +surely supplied us with many fat pheasants, wild pigeons, +and some of the numerous Chinese summer water-fowl, +or snipe and curlew of singular variety. A stroll to the +trees and bushes further inland would possibly reward +us with a few woodcock, rice-birds or ortolan, and other +delicious game peculiar to China.</p> + +<p>Whenever the game-bag became full, or the sun too +high to be pleasant, we returned to our floating home, +probably with some fish purchased from a solitary dip-net +fisherman, working at a little clear spot among the +tall bulrushes overhanging some tideless deep pool, the +favourite resort of his legitimate prey.</p> + +<p>About 11 a.m. our breakfast was served, that breakfast +a feast for an epicure: choice and fragrantly-scented tea +the principal beverage, and fish, newly plundered from the +rich stores of the river, the standing dish. How shall I +sing your praises, ye finny tribes of the Yang-tze? Large +and small, long and short, thick and thin, flat and deep, +every conceivable shape and colour, with every possible +flavour appertaining to fishes of any part of the world, or +the most approved delicacy, I safely pronounce ye unequalled +by your brethren of foreign seas, lakes, or running +streams. Above all ranks the delicious Ke-yu (chicken-fish), +combining the qualities of British salmon, turbot, +and whiting, equally the favourite of natives and Europeans, +and in some of the distant cities eagerly purchased +at fabulous prices by the wealthy gourmands.</p> + +<p>The remnants of fish being carried away, the hot and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> +greasy face of As-sam would be thrust into our cabin, +followed by that individual's other parts, carefully bearing +to his yet strong-appetited masters a brown and juicy +pheasant or wild duck, done as he knew how to do them, +with Chinese ingenuity and cunning spices. A plentiful +supply of fruit—oranges, pears, pumelos, peaches, li-chees, +and Chinese preserves—finished a cheap, though almost +Sybarite repast; and last, but not least in a hot climate, +one glass of ice-cold water was forthcoming.</p> + +<p>If the day was not oppressively hot, we would while +away the time with books, or my friend would bring out +his soft-toned flute, and join in melody with the birds, +huge dragon-flies, and other flying, creeping, and crawling +things, which had all woke up to be happy in the bright +sunshine.</p> + +<p>Should we, perchance, fall in with some fellow wanderer, +we met as brothers and equals; but this did not +often happen. Swiftly roll the yellow waters, yellower +still in the fierce sunlight, spreading away over islands, +villages, and cultivated fields, far into the interior. Sometimes, +when in flood, even 500 miles from its mouth, this +mighty river is bounded here and there by the glittering +horizon of its own waters. At one spot the roof of a tall +house just shows above the stream; at another the tops +of some great trees may be noticed bending along with the +rushing tide.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> + +<p>Purple, dim, and vast, rise the mountains, lazily flaps +the white canvas, while through the tall bulrushes beautiful +little summer ducks skim about, great "Bramley" +kites wheel high above, uttering their piercing cries, and +in and out of the feathery-topped bamboo strange and +brilliantly-plumaged birds incessantly play. Still we glide +with the flowing waters, which, from unknown mysterious +regions flow onward, flow ever, towards the great outside +ocean, whither for hundreds of centuries it has flowed, +untired and unceasing, and whither it will flow to all +eternity.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span></p> +<p>"Ho-li" is echoed along the decks, and reverentially +our long-tailed cook brings burning charcoal between iron +pincers. The day is too hot now for work, for talking, +almost for thinking, and whilst the tide sweeps along, we +slowly puff our cheroots and recline under the grateful +shade of the awning in a state of semi-coma.</p> + +<p>Lying on the flat of our Saxon backs, and lazily +wreathing reflective-producing columns of smoke from +our Manilas, we build castles in the air, loftier far +and not so grim as those which ever and anon frown +back at the mountains on either side. We dream with +revolver in belt and gun at hand, ready to knock +over stray unwary ducks, or savage, plundering, military +Manchoos, should it become necessary. Little kings +are we in our own right; obsequiously bends As-sam, +pattern of boys and servants, to our lordly nod; meekly +answers A-foo, <i>lowder</i>, captain, and pirate that he is; +for the white men are strong, the Chinese think, and +we must be civil to them while awake, even if we murder +them when asleep.</p> + +<p>We have no bad smells here, no wear and tear and +flurry of cities; our habits are primitive, and for the most +part, we own the open heavens only as our roof, and +breathe the pure and uncontaminated atmosphere of the +temperate zone.</p> + +<p>A mid-day siesta, for at night we must be watchful +of straggling piratical Manchoo gunboats, followed by +another gunning excursion in the cool of the evening, or +possibly a few minutes passed in some secluded village; +then dinner at dusk, almost the same as breakfast, excepting +the addition of curry (real curry, not as is often the +case, a yellow-looking mess of that name only), some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +the many descriptions of Chinese vegetables, and pastry +made by that clever As-sam; followed by a game of +chess, a duet with my concertina and friend's flute, and +a fragrant Manila to accompany the constitutional after-dinner +quarter-deck promenade, terminate the pleasures +of the day.</p> + +<p>While daylight lasted we were generally safe; but +whenever night spread her sable mantle over river, shore, +and man alike, the utmost vigilance was required. By +generally keeping underweigh all night, and choosing the +centre of the stream, with one or two exceptions I avoided +any serious danger from the Imperialist <i>braves</i> and gunboats, +as one well-directed shot would mostly satisfy +them; some of my friends, however, were not so fortunate, +and on this occasion of my river life I came upon a scene +of horror I never shall forget.</p> + +<p>After successfully running past the fortifications and +flotillas situated at the commencement of the Imperialist +jurisdiction, early one morning, when within a few miles +of Chin-kiang, we came in sight of a lorcha close in to +the river's bank. As the wind was too scant to be useful +for vessels bound up the river, at first I paid but little +attention to the otherwise singular position of the strange +craft, but when nearly abreast, to my astonishment I discovered +her to be the <i>Fox</i>, my friend Mellen's lorcha. +The daylight was now pretty well developed, and almost +at the same time I was enabled to discern some one on +deck waving a large white signal. Upon this I steered +directly for the lorcha, and when sufficiently near, saw the +figure was that of a woman, apparently alone; that the +vessel was evidently derelict, from the confusion and +dismantled state of her rigging, and that she was run +ashore high and dry, her bow actually projecting a considerable +way over the land.</p> + +<p>Running as close alongside as we could without +grounding, we anchored in the stream right abeam of her, +and arming ourselves and a couple of good men, my friend<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +and I proceeded to board the lorcha. Upon doing +so we were met at the gangway by the old nurse of +Mellen's children, who was wringing her hands and loudly +vociferating the peculiar lament in vogue among the +Chinese women when in grief.</p> + +<p>A deserted ship has at all times a disheartening, +melancholy sort of effect, upon a sailor at all events; but +although I had seen such a thing before, even far away +upon the vast ocean hundreds of miles from the nearest +land, I never experienced so sudden and so fearful a chill +as the moment my feet touched that lorcha's deck. It +was not the grievous aspect of old As-su, neither was +it the deserted appearance of the vessel itself, but the +atmosphere seemed heavy with some undefinable horror, +that unearthly smell, or rather perception, of human +blood which those who have discovered deeds of slaughter +will easily appreciate, but which I cannot further +explain.</p> + +<p>Of course my first endeavour was to gather something +from the old nurse, meanwhile my friend proceeded aft +towards the lorcha's cabin. Before I could distinguish +anything tangible from the sobbing "hi-yo hi-yo's" of +As-su, I was startled by his horrified exclamation.</p> + +<p>"Great God! come here, A——," called he in the +sharp accents of powerful excitement. In a moment I +was by his side and gazing down through the torn-off +cabin skylight.</p> + +<p>I have passed among the bodies of thousands killed +in the sanguinary Chinese battles; I have moved slowly +along creeks, ay, even the broad Yang-tze itself, literally +choked with poor remnants of humanity; quite +lately I have wandered through once happy Ti-ping +villages, at this time tenanted alone with the starved, +dead, and the miserable living cannibals, yet existing +upon their former companions. I have passed through +all these fearful scenes, yet never did I feel the overpowering +horror I experienced while gazing into that lonely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span> +cabin; lonely, indeed, for only the bodies of the ruthlessly +murdered composed its ghastly tenancy.</p> + +<p>Blood stained the sides, the ceiling, and the furniture, +while the deck of that gory cabin seemed one coagulated +mass. Doubled up at the foot of his berth my poor +friend Mellen, one of the bravest among the brave, lay +mangled and hideous; above him, in the very attitude of +protecting her husband, stood the corpse of his noble-hearted +wife, frightfully disfigured and covered with +wounds; while the innocent little child lay gashed and +lifeless by its father's side. I will not further horrify my +readers with a description of the fearful nature of the +wounds inflicted upon these unfortunates; suffice it to say +that although Mellen himself was cut up with many, his +brave wife was literally hacked to pieces.</p> + +<p>I afterwards ascertained, through inquiries made in +the vicinity by my interpreter A-ling, and from the +testimony of the nurse As-su, who escaped the fate of +her mistress by secreting herself, that my friends had +been thus brutally murdered by a number of Imperialist +soldiery in combination with some of the crew.</p> + +<p>Poor Mellen had on board a large amount of money, +some Ł6,000 sterling. At E-ching his crew had informed +the Mandarins of this, and they, taking the opportunity +to pocket a large sum by simply gratifying their hatred +of a solitary "foreign devil," had authorized a party of +soldiers to murder him. These soldiers assembled on +board a large <i>Ti-mung</i> close to where I found the +<i>Fox</i>; but as the latter happened to pass them during +the day, and moreover, in company with another vessel, +their designs were frustrated for a little while. With +true Chinese cunning, however, these wretches managed +to get Mellen into their murderous clutches. At the +village of Kwa-chow, within sight of the treaty port +Chin-kiang, the Chinese <i>lowder</i> (captain), by making +some plausible excuse, induced his master to anchor there +and allow him to go on shore. Returning on board with a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> +couple of soldiers disguised as merchants, this wretch +(who was actually the father of Mellen's wife, and whose +life his master had once saved at the peril of his own) +pretended the pseudo traders were anxious to have a large +cargo taken to Nankin, to be embarked some distance up +the river, and for which they agreed to pay a very high +freight. Mellen was very unwell, and trusting to the +statements and integrity of his Chinese father-in-law, +unfortunately agreed to return up the river and take in +the fictitious cargo for the Ti-pings. That same night his +vessel was anchored but a short distance from the <i>Ti-mung</i> +and her bloodthirsty crew. About midnight the assassins +took to a couple of small boats and pulled for their prey. +At this time the confederates among the lorcha's crew +made a noise on deck, probably to get Mellen out in the +dark, when their work would be safer than in a light +cabin with a deadly revolver to oppose them. Mrs. +Mellen, leaving her sick husband below, ran on deck with +a revolver, and seeing the two boats close alongside, +instantly fired several shots at them. As the yelling +savages swarmed on board, she ran down to her husband +closely followed by them, and then the butchery commenced. +Poor Mellen was killed rising from the berth, +and ere he could draw the sword I found half unsheathed +just underneath him. His wretched wife, after suffering +every torture and atrocity the cruel Chinese particularly +excel in, died over her husband's body, faithful to the +last, with one arm round his severed neck, the other +upraised as though to ward the blow her eyes had seen +coming ere they closed for ever. Poor girl! I can never +forget the horribly mutilated state in which I found her: +it would hardly have been possible to touch an unwounded +spot on her body. She had killed one and hit another +of the murderers; they stated ashore that she was as +bad as a "Yang-quitzo" (all this my interpreter ascertained); +and they wreaked a most ferocious vengeance +upon the defenceless woman. When the victims were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +killed, the treasure was carried off, and the whole vessel +pillaged fore and aft; and when everything of the slightest +value had been taken, the crew and soldiers, after running +her ashore upon the bank, took their departure. The old +nurse, after some time, had ventured from her hiding-place, +and for four days had been living on the deck of +the charnel ship when we boarded her.</p> + +<p>Having sent news of the tragedy to Chin-kiang, a +steamer came to the spot and towed the <i>Fox</i> down to +Silver Island, where the mangled bodies were removed +and given Christian burial. And so terminated my +friendship with poor Mellen and his courageous wife; +since then all my friends, I may say, in that distant and +fatal land have perished by the sword, by sudden death, +or by the deadly diseases of the country.</p> + +<p>The facts of the foregoing barbarous murders I forwarded +to H.M.'s consul at Chin-kiang, who, with the +officers of the gunboat on the station, beheld the bodies +and saw them buried, yet no redress was ever sought +from the allies of the British Government. This is +but one of many and many a similar specimen of the +Manchoo feeling towards Englishmen, and this is the +style of people who are to be firmly established throughout +China by the overthrow of the Ti-ping rebellion by +the aid of British arms.</p> + +<p>Leaving my vessel at Chin-kiang (I had at this time +entirely purchased her from the previous owner), in charge +of A-ling, I took a passage to Shanghae with my friend +on board one of the river steamers. When all business +was arranged, I set out upon my return to Nankin, +leaving L—— in charge of a fine lorcha we had +jointly purchased as a blockade-runner to the Ti-ping +capital, to follow me as fast as wind and tide would allow. +I found out Marie's relatives, and they told me that +Manouel Ramon had inherited all her father's property, +that he had raised a foreign contingent of Manila-men +and Portuguese, with which he had joined the Imperialists,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +and that he was determined to be revenged upon myself +and betrothed.</p> + +<p>While at Shanghae I sought out many Europeans who +owned lorchas, Ningpo boats, and other river craft, and +stating the advantages to be derived from trade with +Nankin, induced a goodly number to undertake the risk, +to whom I bestowed the passes given me by the Chung-wang. +When I had settled various transactions with +regard to obtaining arms, agents, and a correspondence +with that portion of the Shanghae press known to be +impartial, I returned by steamer to Chin-kiang, accompanied +by Captain P——, whom I had formerly seen in +command of the schooner whose crew had mutinied at +the Lang-shan crossing. I had met him in Shanghae, and +he willingly took a share of my vessel at Chin-kiang, +agreeing to run her himself in the Nankin trade.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching Chin-kiang and taking up my quarters +on board the old craft, I determined to proceed with her +to a town some thirty miles up a branch of the Grand +Canal, purchase a cargo of rice, and take it with me to +Nankin. This idea was soon put into force, and after the +<i>lowder</i> had collected his men from the gambling dens in +the village immediately opposite the city of Chin-kiang, +on the other side of the river, we got underweigh. With +a light breeze and beautiful weather we proceeded merrily +on our trip, with that exhilarating feeling the prospect +of a visit to a strange and interesting country always +produces.</p> + +<p>After being swept down stream for more than an +hour, just below Silver Island, we came to the entrance of +the creek up which lay our further course. Steering into +its mouth, we left the swift and turbid waters of the great +Yang-tze, and landing our crew with their collars and rope, +slowly tracked along the quieter stream. Our destination +was the town of Sin-ya-meu, the great emporium of that +part of China. From the river inland the whole country +is richly cultivated, and the style of agriculture and farm-house<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> +seems more nearly approaching that of England +than I have observed elsewhere. Barley, wheat, rye, and +oats greet the eye in place of the interminable paddy-fields +of most parts of China. Haystacks are seen about +the farms, and the dwellings are all of a large and +spacious build. The country is slightly wooded and full +of wild pigeons, and of these my friend and self obtained +many, thanks to our double-barrels. These pigeons are +quite unlike any I have seen in other countries; their +colour very closely resembles that of the dove, but the +breast and wings are like the golden plover; and a beautiful +circlet round the neck, similar to the ringdove, +with a large black tail, completes their exquisite plumage. +The delicacy of this bird excels that of any other I have +ever tasted, yet the Chinese pay no attention to their +presence, and neither attempt to catch, eat, tame, or do +anything else with them.</p> + +<p>This country would be perfect were it not for the imperfections +of the people who inhabit it, or rather, the +evil qualities of its rulers, for I believe the Chinese themselves +are capable of almost any improvement. During +my trip to Sin-ya-meu I particularly noticed the abominable +extortion of the Manchoo Government. Although +the distance from the mouth of the creek to the town is +considerably less than thirty miles, I passed no fewer than +fifteen custom-houses established along its banks. The +creek is a very broad one, and forms the principal route +for the wood rafts bound from Han-kow (up the Yang-tze) +to the town. I passed many on my journey, and conversed +with the merchants to whom they belonged, who all +bitterly complained of the gross extortion of the Customs +officials, and assured me that by law no more than two +duty-stations were authorized, yet at each of the fifteen +they were squeezed of the same amount of duty that +ought only to have been paid twice.</p> + +<p>Sin-ya-meu I found to be a very extensive unwalled +town, the centre of an immense trade. What little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> +business is transacted at the treaty port Chin-kiang, is +entirely dependent upon Sin-ya-meu; and unless the +native merchants can be induced to establish themselves +at the former city, it will never become a place of much +commercial importance.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/i432.jpg" width="600" height="431" alt="A MANCHOO SQUEEZE STATION." title="" /> +<span class="caption">A MANCHOO SQUEEZE STATION.</span> +</div> + +<p>While the invaluable A-ling was negotiating for the +rice, I took a trip as far as the walled city of Yang-chow-foo +with my friend P——. This town and the district has +long been famous for its women, who, the natives say, are +the handsomest in China. Although our experience was +limited to a couple of days, from what we saw in the +country and town during daylight, and in the sing-songs +at night, we were able to form the same opinion. The +women, though darker than those of the Honan province, +are quite as straight-featured and much more rosy and +robust. They also appeared taller than is usual in south +and central China, and their eyes seemed larger and not +quite so oblique.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span></p> + +<p>When within a few <i>li</i> of Yang-chow, a turn of the +creek placed our boat close to a pair of damsels on the +bank, but they no sooner espied the strange faces of myself +and P——, than they rushed towards a neighbouring +farm-house, screaming "Yang-quitzo-li" (foreign devils +are coming) at the top of their shrill voices. We had +just that moment been talking of the reputed loveliness of +the Yang-chow ladies, and P——, with his head full of +the subject, jumped ashore and ran after the two fugitives +in order to have a nearer opportunity to satisfy himself as +to their superior charms. With my boy As-sam I +followed my friend on shore. The girls, terrified by the +pursuit of the "foreign devil," were headed by that +individual just before they managed to hobble up to the +house. Their crippled feet sadly interfered with what +would otherwise have been their very graceful figures. +Their faces were certainly very pretty, and the excitement +added not a little to their interesting appearance. At +first, when P—— appeared between themselves and their +home, they clung to each other and continued to yell, +while several Chinamen came running towards them +armed with hoes and spades, and the dogs of the farm +joined chorus with a tremendous barking. But when the +ladies found my friend did not attempt to carry them off, +but continued in front of them bowing and scraping like +a French dancing master (although this, of course, they +did not know), and when the advancing Chinamen +observed my fowling-piece and one of the snapping curs +had been saluted with a large stone between its eyes, +which changed the baying into howling, the commotion +gradually subsided, although paterfamilias, and materfamilias, +who now put in her appearance, seemed by no +means satisfied.</p> + +<p>When the farmer's men, carrying hoes and other +agricultural instruments, for the nonce converted into +warlike weapons, arrived upon the scene, P—— suddenly +thrust a hand into an inside breast pocket of his coat, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +winding up a small musical-box he carried there, changed +the combative feeling of the natives into the greatest +surprise and curiosity. Taking advantage of the pause, +while the astounded people seemed to look upon my +friend, with "the British Grenadiers" issuing from the +region of his heart, as a "Joss" man, I told As-sam to +inform the head of the family that we had landed to +inquire the way to Yang-chow. This seemed to brighten +the old fellow's dingy countenance without the aid of +water, although he still seemed dubious as to whether we +were "Joss" men, robbers, or honest travellers. One of +his sons at this moment displayed a remarkable genius by +guessing the cause of my friend's music, and it afterwards +transpired that the clever youth had an old musical-box +in a forgotten corner of the paternal dwelling, which +had been obtained from the foreign-frequented city of +Chin-kiang a year or two ago, but had been broken by +over-winding just when it began to play.</p> + +<p>The two pretty daughters having been conveyed to the +inner apartments by their watchful mother, who, I believe, +penetrated the real cause of our visit, and did not seem +very much inclined to dazzle the vision of the strangers +from afar with their celestial charms, we were invited to +tea by their father, and the musical-box was produced +for the general delight of the company.</p> + +<p>After tea and rice-cakes had been despatched, the +musical-box nearly worn out, and the girls peeping +through the bamboo screen fairly propitiated by our +gentle manner and extraordinary tales, the old farmer +discovered that he had in former days been acquainted +with As-sam's father in Canton; at once we were pressed +to remain and partake of dinner, and the already genial +humour of the old man became redoubled.</p> + +<p>The day passed over very comfortably, except that at +dinner the Chinese yeoman would persist in being polite, +and as this involved the fishing-up of pieces of meat from +the dinner bowls with his own chop-sticks and the careful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> +depositing of the same morsels in his visitors' basins, +it was not exactly pleasant.</p> + +<p>Towards evening we were gratified by the presence of +the young women to perform various duties in the +principal room, in which we were established. Whether +the small cups of rice-spirit at dinner had made their +father unusually relaxed in domestic <i>régime</i> I do not +pretend to say, but he certainly called his daughters up to +him, and actually permitted them to be gazed upon by +strangers and to gaze in return, and to listen to their marvellous +tales of other lands, these latter singularly improved +upon by As-sam whenever my knowledge of the +Chinese language was at fault.</p> + +<p>To my unqualified surprise, when upon the point of +taking our departure, As-sam asked me to let him have +fifty dollars and stop it from his wages, as he wished to +buy our host's youngest daughter! It appeared that the +old gentleman, warmed with the recollection of his friendship +for our servant's father, or impressed with As-sam's +importance and wealth through the eloquence of that cunning +individual himself, and seeing him in connection +with Europeans, whom the Chinese always look upon as +overburdened with dollars, had offered him his daughter +in marriage for the sum of fifty dollars. I refused to be a +party to the transaction, so As-sam had to leave without a +bride, although he promised to return and claim her +whenever he had saved her value. I bade the farmer and +his household farewell, wishing more than ever for the +success of my Ti-ping friends, who had abolished this +buying and slavery of women among themselves, and +intended, God willing, to do so throughout the land.</p> + +<p>Upon reaching Sin-ya-meu I found the faithful A-ling +had obtained the cargo of rice and loaded our craft with +it. We therefore at once set out upon our return to +Nankin, choosing the route by the Grand Canal, which +would bring us into the Yang-tze river at Kwa-chow, +some few miles above Chin-kiang.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span></p> + +<p>Placing the crew on to the <i>yu-lo's</i> (which, working in +a figure of eight motion, urge a vessel along upon the +same principle as the screw propeller), by these large oars +our vessel was soon impelled beyond Sin-ya-meu and into +the Grand Canal. This magnificent work of olden time +is artificial for an extent of some 550 miles. Originally +throughout nearly the whole of this length, its sides were +built of marble, with an uniform breadth of more than +150 feet, and a depth of not less than 25. Since the +conquest of China by the Manchoos, however, this great +work has been sadly neglected, and at many parts the +marble sides are no longer visible. At frequent intervals +between Hang-chow (the capital of the Che-kiang +province, where the canal terminates in the waters of +Hang-chow bay) and the city of Lin-tsing (where it joins +a branch of the Pei-ho river and continues on for about +180 miles up to Pekin, the capital of China), the canal is +no longer navigable, while the sluices, having become +neglected, have broken down the raised embankment and +flooded the surrounding country. This vast work was +executed about 600 years ago by Koblai Khan, the first +Emperor of the Yuen or Mongol dynasty, as a means of +supplying the sterile province of Chi-le (in which the +capital is situated) from the rich and fertile provinces of +Keang-su, Shang-tung, and Che-kiang, through which +the canal is constructed.</p> + +<p>Not only the Grand Canal, but every other work of +art, antiquity, and manufacture, has been injured and +allowed to fall into decay by the Manchoo dynasty. +Although the latter claim descent from the refugee +Mongol Princes, who were expelled from China by the +first of the native dynasty of Ming, <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1366, they have +done far less towards any advancement of the physical or +moral prosperity of China. During the Mongol era many +great works of public benefit and improvement were +preserved and others created, but since the epoch of the +Manchoo China has seriously deteriorated in every phase of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> +her antique civilization. The Manchoo conquerors are +self-evidently preying upon the nation at the present day, +even although they have been in possession two hundred +years, and exhibit not the slightest wish to improve or +benefit the people, whom they only plunder. They seem +to be actuated by the knowledge that their reign is but +for a time, and consequently rule against freedom or improvement +in order to make that time as long as possible. +They have proved themselves to be unequalled destroyers, +and have produced absolutely nothing. All Chinese of +mind and education declare that the Manchoo dynasty +cannot last; even the highest officials of the very Government +itself have made the same observation to members +of the last British Embassy to China. Had the Ti-pings +not possessed Christianity, China would have risen to +their standard as one man; had the revolution not seemed +likely to interfere with British "indemnities" and opium +trading, it would have succeeded; and had not England +interfered, the wretchedness of China would have been +relieved by the change of dynasty, the necessity for which +becomes more apparent daily.</p> + +<p>The only advancement China has undergone during +the Manchoo rule has been her rapid increase of population +within the last century. For more than one hundred +years after the conquest the depopulating effect continued +in full force. Thousands of the Chinese emigrated to +Formosa, Hae-nan, Thibet, Cochin-China, Ava, Siam, the +territories of the Miau-tze, and other independent tribes; +while many thousands fell by the sword, and a greater +number perished by famine, the inevitable and most +deadly companion of war in that densely populated and +closely cultivated country. But since the Chinese have +become used to the Tartar yoke, about the middle of the +eighteenth century, the population has continued increasing +at the Malthusian ratio of doubling every twenty-five +years. Still this enormous increase is estimated to have +simply restored to the land the number of people it maintained<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> +before the Manchoo invasion. This conclusion is +formed from the most moderate data, but, as Malthus +himself observes, "The more difficult as well as the more +interesting part of the inquiry is to trace the immediate +causes which stop its further progress." The loss of life +by the Ti-ping revolution may be one cause, for it is a +moot question whether war be not one of the ordained +methods to arrest the pro-creative power. This, however, +is a consideration for those who have made such theories +their study. At all events it is certain that the great +increase of the population of China has ceased, and it is +palpable that, with already more than three hundred +inhabitants on a square mile, the soil is unable to support +any further multiplication of its children.</p> + +<p>The increase of the population of China seems another +likely enemy of the continuance of the Manchoo dynasty. +The ranks of the people having become full again, all +the old hatred of the Tartar, his tail-wearing badge of +servitude, extortion, monopoly of office, oppression, &c., +naturally assume a more formidable aspect. The means +of livelihood are also more precarious, and the famine riots +have become more frequent and threatening, the impoverished +people of course turning against the Government +whose extortion not a little helps to create their misery. +The number of malcontents become continually increased, +while the impotence and corruption of the Government, +or rather the Manchoo subjugators, is daily more apparent +to them.</p> + +<p>It is a singular fact that the Tartars have never +amalgamated with the Chinese, and that at the present +day, by their organization of the eight tribes of "Bannermen," +they are as distinct as during the reign of their +first Emperor. Manchoo troops of the "eight banners" +garrison every important city in China, Manchoo officers +hold every military command, but I never found a Chinaman +who would admit relationship to one, or that did not +feel himself insulted by the supposition.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span></p> + +<p>Whether the cause may be patriotism, famine, increase +of population, or the extortion and oppression of the +Government, certain it is that at this period<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> the Chinese +are unusually disaffected towards their rulers, and that, +besides the Ti-ping movement, there are distinct rebellions +progressing in each of the eighteen provinces.</p> + +<p>The Manchoo Government is generally admitted to be +hopelessly oppressive, cruel, and totally corrupt; it is +also believed that they have, and by their system are +compelled, to oppose Christianity and modern civilization. +In the face of all these facts he must indeed be a very +wise or a very foolish man who will either venture to +believe that the Manchoo-Tartar dynasty can endure, or +will wilfully criminate himself by upholding their cause. +Most probably the British Government thought only of +their own interests during their late interference, and it is +at least doubtful whether a sincere mercenary motive or +a sincere desire to perpetuate the Manchoo dynasty would +have been the most wicked.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> The coffee of the morning watch (4 a.m. to 8 a.m.) has become so +inveterate and cherished a custom that I have had a main-yard carried +away in a sudden squall while rousing the men from the galley-fire and +their hook-pots.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> The immense volume of water composing the Yang-tze in the middle +of summer must be incredible to those who have not seen it. In consequence +of its great rise (some 35 feet) and strong current, villages and +towns are always built upon high ground throughout the whole length of +its course.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Commencement of the year 1865.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Ti-ping Revolution in 1861.—Official Correspondence.—Its Review.—Professions +of Neutrality.—How carried out.—Captain Dew's Interpretation.—Ti-ping +Remonstrance.—Cause of British Hostility.—Mr. +Bruce's Assertions.—Mr. Bruce's Second Despatch.—Mr. Bruce's +Difficulty.—His Inconsistency.—Despatch No. 3.—Inconsistent +Statements.—Ti-pings approach Ningpo.—Interview with Ti-ping +Chiefs.—Mr. Hewlett's Interview with "Fang."—General Hwang's +Despatch.—General "Fang's" Despatch.—Capture of Ningpo.—British +Intervention.—Ti-ping Moderation.—Open Hostilities commenced.—Commander +Bingham's Despatch.—Taeping Reply.—Commander +Bingham's Rejoinder.</p></div> + + +<p>In order to form a just appreciation of the position of +the Ti-ping revolution at the close of the year 1861, +it becomes necessary to review briefly the political relations +of each party engaged in it from the period of +ratification of the Yang-tze expedition treaty of neutrality +with the Ti-pings (by Admiral Hope), and the commencement +of actual hostilities against them at the opening of +the year 1862.</p> + +<p>By the following review of the official correspondence +(as given in Blue Book form of "Papers relating to the +Rebellion in China" for 1861) men of every party, partial +or impartial, may form an opinion as to British policy in +China.</p> + +<p>Exactly thirty-six days after his solemn pledges of +non-intervention—given in accordance with his instructions +from Lord Elgin—to the Ti-ping authorities, at their +capital, Admiral Hope, upon hearing of the capture of +Chapoo, penned the following orders, dated H.M.S.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +<i>Scout</i>, Nagasaki, May 8, to Captain Dew, H.M.S. <i>Encounter</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You are further to put yourself in communication with the leader of +the rebel forces, and to point out to him that the capture and destruction +of the town of Ningpo would be extremely injurious to British trade, and +that of foreigners generally, and, therefore, that you require him to desist +from all hostile proceedings against the town, and, without committing +yourself to the necessity of having recourse to force, you will remind him +of what took place last year at Shanghae, and the impossibility of his +capturing the place should you find yourself compelled to assist in its +defence, a course, you will add, you are unwilling to adopt, as placing you +in a hostile position in regard to the Taepings generally, <i>with whom we +have no wish to quarrel</i>."</p></div> + +<p>In this despatch the Admiral states he has no "wish +to quarrel" with the Ti-pings, yet, in violation of his own +pledges, and his orders to "maintain an attitude of <i>strict +neutrality</i>," he constitutes himself dictator over their +operations—operations unavoidable during their expulsion +of the Manchoos, and essential to their self-preservation, +general interests, and military honour—and interferes +between the belligerents and their natural rights; and +then continues as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"You will further, immediately on your arrival at Ningpo, place +yourself in communication with the Chinese authorities for the purpose of +ascertaining what their means of resistance are, and the probabilities of +their proving successful; and should you find them amenable to advice, +you will point out to them such measures as circumstances may render +expedient, <i>and you will place every obstruction in the way of the capture of +the town by the rebels</i>...."</p></div> + +<p>At this time not only was British national faith pledged +to a neutral course, but the Admiral's actions were diametrically +opposed to his instructions.</p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce, writing some time previously to Lord +Russell upon this subject, in a despatch dated Tien-tsin, +January 3, 1861, states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"But I have directed Mr. Sinclair" (Consul at Ningpo) "not to undertake +the defence of the city, and <i>to confine his efforts</i>, should it be attacked, +to a <i>mediation</i>, which may save the place from being the scene of pillage +and massacre."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span></p> + +<p>In a despatch to Admiral Hope, upon the same affair, +Mr. Bruce writes:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I do not consider myself authorized to protect the town of Ningpo +from the insurgents...."</p></div> + +<p>In his instructions to the consul at Ningpo, Mr. Bruce +stated:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"But I do not consider myself authorized to afford any military protection +to the town of Ningpo, or to take any active measures against the +insurgents.... Your language should be, <i>that we take no part</i> in this +civil contest, but that we claim exemption from injury and annoyance at +the hands of both parties...."</p></div> + +<p>These <i>professions</i> of neutrality received the following +sanction from the British Government:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">LORD J. RUSSELL TO MR. BRUCE.</div> + +<div class="right">"Foreign Office, March 28, 1861.</div> + +<p>"Sir,—Her Majesty's Government approve the instructions which you +gave to Mr. Consul Sinclair, as reported in your dispatch of the 3rd of +January last, with reference to the probability of the rebel forces attacking +Ningpo.</p> + +<div class="right"> +"I am, &c.,<br /> +(Signed) "<span class="smcap">J. Russell.</span>" +</div> +</div> + +<p>How, then, can Admiral Hope's offering "every obstruction +in the way of the capture" of Ningpo by the +Ti-pings be accounted for, otherwise than as the result of +secret instructions from the British Government; for it +would indeed be preposterous to imagine that the Admiral +dared act in direct opposition to the public orders, or that, +having done so, his disobedience would have received the +unqualified approval his "every obstruction" policy did.</p> + +<p>Admiral Hope, in a despatch to Mr. Bruce, of the +same date as the "every obstruction" one, in detailing +his plan, wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"There can be no doubt of the importance of Ningpo to <i>our trade</i> +under existing circumstances, and should you therefore find it expedient to +sanction forcible interference for its security, I request you will communicate +with Captain Dew direct...."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span></p> + +<p>By this it appears that a British Admiral would have +felt himself justified in considering his Government's +orders, his own pledges, and the national honour, secondary +in consequence to the temporary advantages arising from +"our trade." Lord Russell, upon receipt of the Admiral's +"every obstruction" despatch, instructed Mr. Bruce as +follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have received ... a copy of Vice-Admiral Hope's letter to +you of the 8th May, respecting the measures adopted by him for the defence +of Ningpo.... I have caused the Admiralty to be informed, in reply, +that I am of opinion that Vice-Admiral Hope's measures should be +approved.... You will understand, however, that Her Majesty's +Government <i>do not wish force to be used against the rebels in any case +except for the actual protection of the lives and property of British subjects</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Professions of neutrality are here reiterated, although +at the same time the Admiral's hostile policy is approved +of. Meanwhile, in the face of these plain orders to "observe +neutrality," Admiral Hope thus addressed the +Ti-ping chief in command of Chapoo:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The following communication from Vice-Admiral Sir James Hope, +K.C.B., commanding the naval forces of Great Britain in China, is made +to the General commanding the Taeping troops at Chapoo:—</p> + +<p>"1. I have been informed that the troops under your orders have lately +captured the town of Chapoo, and that there is an intention on their part +of advancing on Ningpo.</p> + +<p>"2. As the capture of Ningpo would be extremely injurious to British +<i>trade</i>, and that of foreigners generally, I beg you to desist from advancing +on that town within a distance of two marches.</p> + +<p>"3. Should these my wishes be disregarded, and I sincerely trust they +may not be, as it would be with deep regret that I should place my forces +in a hostile position towards the Taepings, <i>with whom we wish to maintain +amicable relations</i>, I may be compelled to assist in the defence of Ningpo, +and in that case I need hardly point out to you the hopelessness of success +on your part, whilst what occurred at Shanghae last year is still fresh in +your memories.</p> + +<div class="right">(Signed) "<span class="smcap">R. Dew</span>, Captain.</div> +<p> +"<i>Encounter</i>, June 11, 1861." +</p> +</div> + +<p>In this despatch the Ti-ping general is insulted by +menace; an unmanly reference is made to Shanghae; a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +hostile attitude is threatened if the Ti-pings capture cities +the possession of which is most essential to the success +of their cause—and yet, withal, a wish "to maintain +amicable relations" is professed!</p> + +<p>Upon the 8th August, 1861, after the singular interpretation +of neutrality by his subordinates and Admiral +Hope, Earl Russell indited the following order to Mr. +Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Her Majesty's Government desire to maintain, as they have done +hitherto, neutrality between the two contending parties in China. If +British subjects are taken prisoners by either party, you should do your +utmost to save them from torture or capital punishment, but otherwise you +should <i>abstain from all interference in the civil war</i>."<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p></div> + +<p>When the massacre before Shanghae, in 1860, is +remembered, when the subsequent approval of Admiral +Hope's hostile intentions is considered, and when the +various modes in which our pledges of neutrality were +indirectly violated are counted, this despatch will require +no comment.</p> + +<p>In fulfilment of the desire (to maintain neutrality, +"<i>as they have done hitherto</i>," upon the part) of his +Government, Captain Dew gave all the assistance he +possibly could to the Manchoo defenders of Ningpo; +besides framing eight plans<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> for the defence of the city +against the Ti-pings; according to Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"He fitted twelve heavy guns with carriages, &c., to mount on the +walls."</p></div> + +<p>Again, in the same despatch,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> Mr. Bruce states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Captain Dew had gone farther, than he was strictly warranted in +doing, in his desire to save the city of Ningpo...."</p></div> + +<p>We are forced to believe this fitting of heavy guns, +and defence of Chinese cities, a part of the neutrality Her +Majesty's Government had "hitherto" maintained, and +in their opinion a true interpretation of this order, "that +excepting intercession for British prisoners our authorities +should abstain from <i>all</i> interference in the civil war!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span></p><p>Captain Dew's next interpretation of this order took +the form of a buccaneering exploit against the Ti-ping +custom-houses. Upon the occupation of the country +between the silk districts and Shanghae by the Ti-pings, +Europeans were sent in charge of the silk boats plying on +the inland waters, one being placed with each valuable +boat load, in order to pass it through the Ti-ping territory +as foreign property. Consul Medhurst, in a despatch to +Captain Dew,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> writes:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The consequence is, that foreign escorts go inland without passports, +and a number of irresponsible seamen are introduced into the country ... +the result of this state of things cannot be good.... The <i>principal</i> +danger to be feared by persons sending up country arises, not so much from +the acts of the rebels themselves, as from the squeezing and plundering +propensities of the <i>Imperialist forces</i>, and from the pilfering attacks of +lawless peasantry.... Both kinds of marauders might be kept in +good check through visits made periodically by Her Majesty's gun-boats.... +If you approve of this scheme, I would suggest your sending a +gun-boat up in the course of the next few days...."</p></div> + +<p>Captain Dew having approved the "scheme," we will +proceed to notice what he did. Instead of paying attention +to "both kinds of marauders" pointed out by Consul +Medhurst as the "principal danger," the Captain, towards +the middle of June, as stated in <i>The Friend of China</i>, +employed himself about the following piratical outrage:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Sixteen boats freighted with bales of silks and cocoons, with some +Europeans in charge of them, and belonging to European firms in Shanghae, +were passing a Taeping custom-house at Loo-chee, some distance up the +Shanghae or Wong-poo river. They were brought to, and a small duty of +four dollars per bale of silk was demanded. The boats belonging to two of +the firms paid the duty and proceeded on their voyage, but the person in +charge of the boats belonging to Messrs. Adamson & Co., of Shanghae, +refused to pay it, and he was then told he could not proceed until the duty +was paid, and the boat and bales of silk were consequently taken possession +of. This was construed into an act of 'atrocious piracy,' and the <i>Flamer</i> +and Captain Dew went to Loo-chee to demand restitution. Explanations +were given by the Taeping Governor of the district, but they were unavailing; +the unqualified restoration of the silk was insisted on under a threat +of bombardment; the boats and bales of silk were therefore surrendered +to Captain Dew, but as some small arms were missing, Captain Dew took +possession of the guns of the custom-house, and seized some customs' police, +and took them away with him to be detained until the arms missing from +the boat should have been returned. The letter written by the Governor +of the district, named Wan, to the authorities of Shanghae, consequent upon +this outrage, is dignified and forbearing, and it were well for us to act in +the spirit it manifests. The above are only examples of our professed +neutrality; many others, however, have occurred."</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span></p> +<p>The following are extracts from the letter written upon +the subject by the Ti-ping chief, Wan:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I find on inquiry, that the silk, &c., lost by your merchant, was +seized in lieu of duties, in consequence of an attempt on his part to get by +the custom-house and <i>evade</i> payment of duties, on which he was arrested, +and your charge, therefore, that he was plundered, is utterly without +foundation.</p> + +<p>"The Truly Sacred Lord who has established the Divine Dynasty, has +also <i>established custom-houses wherever the country is quiet</i>, and by his law +all merchants who pass these must pay the <i>regular duties</i>, and your merchant +<i>in daring to force his way through and evade the payment of customs, +and you</i> in coming here and making a disturbance <i>and squeezing the money +back</i>, have behaved in a manner at utter variance with propriety....</p> + +<p> +"A special communication."<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Bruce, the chief diplomatist, unable +to justify this increasing aggression otherwise, fiercely +assailed the Ti-ping theology and civil administration. In +a despatch to Lord Russell, dated at "Pekin, June 23, +1861,"<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> he takes upon himself to state (supremely indifferent +to, or rather ignoring, the valuable testimony +of the Revs. Griffith, John, Edkins, Medhurst, Muirhead, +Legge, &c.):—</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The evidence of <i>all</i> classes of observers seems unanimous, both as to +the destructive nature of the insurrection, and as to the blasphemous and +immoral character of the superstition on which it is based."</p></div> + +<p>Does Mr. Bruce and those who agree with him, venture +to term <i>our</i> Bible the so-called "blasphemous and immoral +superstition?"—for on that, and that alone, is the Ti-ping +faith established. The following extracts from the same +dispatch, and two others, having been approved by Her +Majesty's Government, contain a complete key to the +course taken against the Ti-pings, and lay bare a policy +deduced from false premises, and founded upon utter +violation of principle. The three despatches under consideration +consist of—1. Mr. Bruce to Lord Russell, June +23, 1861; 2. Mr. Bruce to Vice-Admiral Sir J. Hope, +Pekin, June 16; 3. Vice-Admiral Sir J. Hope's reply to +Mr. Bruce, dated, <i>Impérieuse</i>, Hong-kong, July 11.—Dispatch +No. 1 states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"In the enclosed letter to Sir James Hope, to which I beg to draw +your Lordship's attention, I have stated at length the dangers to which the +progress of the insurrection exposes British interests in China.... +Our permanent interests are those of <i>trade</i>, the prosperity of which is +linked with order and tranquillity. We have, in addition, a <i>temporary +interest arising out of the indemnities</i> payable from the custom-house +revenue, which is, however, intimately linked with the former.</p> + +<p>"What is to become of these interests if the ports fall into the hands of +the rebels?"</p></div> + +<p>Here we have the true cause of British hostility to the +Ti-pings. Not that our Government feared the trading +"interests" would suffer if the Ti-pings captured the +treaty ports—by no means; but they dreaded the certain +loss of the "temporary interest arising out of the indemnities." +They knew full well, as a quotation from dispatch +No. 3 will prove, the Ti-pings had never injured our +trade; that although the capture of the ports <i>might</i> cause +a temporary stagnation, those who would take them came +as their "brothers" in Christ, and ultimately would have +established a free and general commerce throughout the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span> +country; but they also knew that the success of the +Ti-pings would imperil their existence, by stopping the +indemnification for the last unnecessary and aggressive +war with China, and by sweeping away the immense +revenue derived from the vile opium traffic.</p> + +<p>In the same despatch, Mr. Bruce, with his usual +acumen, winds up his syllogism of fallacious assertions—"The +nature of the insurrection is destructive" and its +religion "blasphemous and immoral;" the insurrectionists +are able to capture the Imperial cities, therefore, the +"commercial prosperity" of the treaty ports and the +"temporary interests" would be destroyed by the success +of the Ti-pings—in the following words:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The motives of the far larger part of the force are, I apprehend, a +desire to live on the spoils of the rich and industrious, to carry off women, +and to lead a life of alternate adventure and licence, with little feeling for +the Taeping cause.... I see, therefore, little hopes of communities +like those of Shanghae and Ningpo escaping destruction.... The +commercial prosperity of the ports would receive a fatal blow.... The +proceeds of the custom-houses would fall off, and nothing but force would +enable us to receive the proportion of duties we are entitled to" (the +indemnities) "under the convention of Pekin, out of their diminished +receipts."</p></div> + +<p>Now, I submit, these forebodings with regard to the +indemnity having been verified by the capture of Ningpo +and the rapid success of the Ti-pings, led to the participation +of England in the Chinese internecine war. If Mr. +Bruce, by the above-quoted statements, intended to advise +his Government to assist the Imperialists—and they +cannot admit of any other interpretation—how can that +distinguished and consistent statesman reconcile them +with his strong disapproval of any such policy expressed +only a few months before, and which I have already +quoted in a previous chapter:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"No course could be so well calculated to lower our national reputation, +as to lend our material support to a Government the corruption of +whose authorities is only checked by its weakness."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Bruce first states, the worst possible policy +England could choose would be to interfere against the +Ti-pings; and then he declares, if we do not interfere, +"that nothing but force would enable us to receive" indemnities +and enjoy trade. The <i>present</i> British Government +has thought fit to adopt the suicidal course pointed +out by Mr. Bruce, and now it has experienced the fact +that "no course could be so well calculated to lower +our national reputation." The last testimony of Mr., or +rather, Sir F. Bruce; of Mr. Lay, C.B., late Inspector-General +of Chinese Customs; of Captain Sherrard Osborne, +R.N., late Admiral of the so-called Anglo-Chinese flotilla; +and of all who have the least opportunity of knowing anything +about the subject, unite in confessing the evil of the +past policy exercised towards the Ti-pings, and state that the +Manchoo Government, despite the fact that it owes its +very existence to the help of the British, has thoroughly +returned to its exclusiveness, its evasion of treaty obligations, +and its hatred of the "outer-barbarians" who have +saved it from extinction.</p> + +<p>We will now proceed to notice despatch No. 2, addressed +by Mr. Bruce to Admiral Hope, which affords further proof +of the false principles on which British interference was +founded:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Government will soon be in possession of the accounts ... of +the agreement entered into by the rebels not to attack Shanghae for a +<i>twelvemonth</i>, and of the corresponding assurance that, <i>if we are not molested +in trading up the river</i>, our <i>desire</i> and <i>intention</i> are to remain <i>neutral</i> in +the civil contest now in progress in China....</p> + +<p>"Her Majesty's Government will probably abstain from rendering +active assistance <i>at present</i> to the Imperial Government, both on account +of the assurances of neutrality we have given to the insurgents, and on +account of the serious and indefinite consequences to which any such intervention +would in all probability lead."</p></div> + +<p>The signification of the "at present" will be seen +upon perusal of the following paragraph, which exactly +describes the plan very shortly adopted by the British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> +Government, in direct violation of those "assurances of +neutrality we have given to the insurgents":—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Another course is open to consideration, namely, that of taking the +open ports or the principal ones under our protection and safeguard, and +declaring that we will repel by force any attack upon them by the insurgents. +<i>Considering that by treaty we have an interest in the revenue derived +at these ports from trade, and that this, the only source of our indemnities, +would be materially diminished, if not altogether destroyed</i>, should they be +assaulted and captured ... I think it may be urged, with truth, +in justification of such a course, that it affords the best means of protecting +our interests.... But this course is not unattended with difficulty. +The insurgents would naturally object, that in leaving the revenue and +administration of these places in Imperial hands, we do in reality assist the +Imperialists."</p></div> + +<p>This conclusion is correct; for, so impossible was it to +usurp the treaty ports and not "in reality assist the +Imperialists," that the mask was thrown off by openly +making war upon the Ti-pings. The only "difficulty" to +allude to, which indeed is really almost creditable to the +conscience of Mr. Bruce, was the fact that England was +pledged to the opposite policy; but it must be remembered +that the only tie which bound her to carry out that policy +was one of justice and honour, while strong temptations to +its violation were in existence; also, that it is not the lot +of every minister to be able to discern how the commercial +interests of his country may be best provided for.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"To this we should reply that we exercise the legitimate right of self-defence +in protecting our own interests, and that if in doing so we are +obliged to limit the belligerent <i>rights</i> of the insurgents, <i>the cause</i> is to be +found in the ruthless nature of the war they wage."</p></div> + +<p>This excuse is the principal one given by the British +Ministry to justify its breach of faith; but "the cause" +must, from what has already been stated, be regarded as +utterly false.</p> + +<p>But, should we for a moment admit the hypothetical +"ruthless nature of the war they wage," by what right +were we "obliged to limit the belligerent rights of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> +insurgents," when it is universally admitted that the +Imperialists are quite as ruthless, if not more so? Moreover, +did the British Government attempt to limit the +belligerent rights of either North or South in America? +yet the one was ruthless enough, and the cotton trade was +injured. Unscrupulous persons who would justify the +destruction of semi-civilized people, when it can be done +with impunity, may say these cases are not parallel; +nevertheless, the only difference is, that with America we +have treaties allowing Englishmen to settle and trade +everywhere, while in China the treaty limits the settling +and trading to certain parts. The principle of non-intervention +applies quite as strongly to the one nation as +the other; moreover, the Ti-pings never did, or would +have attempted to, blockade the trade of any port at +which Europeans were settled. Did either belligerent so +far study foreign interests in America?</p> + +<p>To resume our review of despatch No. 2, Mr. Bruce +continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Government would, no doubt, wish to hear from you whether +Nankin could be attacked with success by a purely naval force." ...</p></div> + +<p>After deprecating any partial hostilities against the +Ti-pings, the despatch continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"And on the other hand, we should lose a favourable opportunity of +placing our relations with the Emperor on a satisfactory footing, if we were +deprived by some incidental event of the power of making our aid <i>a matter +of bargain</i> with the Imperial Government.... The longer we are +able to preserve an indifferent attitude between the two parties, the more +inclined they will be to <i>bid higher</i> for our friendship and support."</p></div> + +<p>What an accomplished frequenter of the Rialto the +author of these creditable sentences would have made! +This despatch was written on the 16th June, 1861; within +seven months open hostilities were initiated against the +Ti-pings by Admiral Hope, in direct violation of his +Government's existing orders to maintain neutrality; and +within nine months the British Government adopted the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> +policy "of taking the open ports under our protection," +and violated all pledges of neutrality by prosecuting a +regular, though never openly declared, war upon the +insurgents.</p> + +<p>The following are the most important passages from +despatch No. 3. They plainly state that our "commercial +interests" would <i>not</i> suffer from the acts of the rebels, +and that trade was <i>not</i> injured by them, although completely +in their power.</p> + +<p>After disapproving of any attack upon Nankin, +Admiral Hope states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Taeping authorities will be open to easy access by us so long as +Nankin remains the seat of Government; and from such experience as our +short intercourse has afforded, I see a fair prospect of our acquiring sufficient +influence with them to enable us to carry <i>all points which are essential +to our commercial interests</i>, even to that of eventual abstinence from +molesting the consular ports.</p> + +<p>"It is further clear that we cannot afford to quarrel with them, as <i>at +any moment they might stop the whole trade of Shanghae</i>, at this time by +far the largest portion of that from China."</p></div> + +<p>Nothing can be more to the point than this admission +that the Ti-pings did not injuriously affect our trading +interests; but the opium traffic and indemnities <i>were</i> +threatened, and to save them the treaty ports were held +against the victorious patriots.</p> + +<p>In his reply to the three despatches quoted from, Earl +Russell wrote:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"I have to state to you that Her Majesty's Government agree with +Admiral Hope in regarding an attack on Nankin as highly impolitic, but +it <i>might</i> be expedient to defend the treaty ports <i>if</i> the Chinese" (Manchoos) +"would consent not to use those ports for purposes of aggression."</p></div> + +<p>It will thus be seen Lord Russell did not authorize the +defence of the treaty ports even "<i>if</i> the Chinese (Manchoos) +would consent not to use those ports for purposes +of aggression," as he indefinitely states that in event of +such action upon the part of the Manchoo Government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +"it <i>might</i> be expedient to defend" them. Yet, although +even this ambiguous suggestion could not become an absolute +order in the absence of the fulfilment of the condition +precedent, the British authorities in China acted as though +Lord Russell had imperatively <i>ordered</i> the military occupation +of the ports, upon the proviso having been agreed +to by the Imperial belligerent; and it was not till <i>after</i> +the open violation of the oft-guaranteed neutrality by +the commencement of systematic hostilities against the +Ti-pings, that the Foreign Secretary publicly authorized +the proceedings.</p> + +<p>Admiral Hope declared "all points" could be carried +with the Ti-pings, even regarding their avoidance of the +treaty ports, "<i>essential</i> to our commercial interests." +Most undoubtedly he was correct. The Ti-pings never +injured the trade, and would have abstained from molesting +the treaty ports had they been made neutral; but the +ports having become the principal depôts of the enemy, +naturally compelled them to endeavour to obtain possession +of them.</p> + +<p>When the agreement or treaty of neutrality was made +with the Ti-ping authorities by the leaders of the British +expedition opening up the Yang-tze to trade, Mr. Parkes +reported:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"They wished to know, however, in which way the Admiral would +use his influence to prevent their being attacked by the Imperialists from +Shanghae; and whether one of their officers would be allowed to visit +Shanghae, to learn what arrangements were made in this respect."</p></div> + +<p>No such arrangements ever were made, although upon +that <i>condition</i> had the Ti-pings consented to refrain from +capturing Shanghae for "one year." When at length +they were driven to attack the very citadel of the enemy, +they truthfully gave this reason:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"If there were no impish (Manchoo) forces at Shanghae and Woo-sung, +the Chung-wang and She-wang would certainly not think of sending their +troops to take those places."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span></p> + +<p>Upon July 28, the British Consul at Shanghae wrote +to Mr. Bruce:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Imperialist authority does not extend beyond a circuit of from +fifty to sixty miles from Shanghae, and I see no reason whatever to suppose +that they will ever be able to drive the rebels beyond that limit.... +The presence of foreign forces in this city alone saves its authorities from +summary ejection. But, if the rebels were allowed to take possession, the +country in our immediate vicinity would at once lapse into the wretched +state of anarchy which exists beyond the rebel lines; the native population +would inevitably disappear, property would miserably deteriorate." ...</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Bruce, in his notice of this despatch to Lord +Russell, states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Your Lordship will observe that he states that the capture of Shanghae +would be fatal to the commercial prosperity of the port. To me it is +rather a matter of surprise that trade should continue at all.... The +export of silk between June 1860 and June 1861 has, in spite of these +disadvantages, amounted to 85,000 bales."</p></div> + +<p>Directly after this we find Mr. Bruce bearing testimony +that Ti-ping "success in any locality is attended with its +total <i>destruction</i>!" Admiral Hope admitted that the +insurgents had the Shanghae trade, "by far the largest +portion of that from China," entirely in their power, but +did <i>not</i> stop it; Mr. Medhurst (Shanghae Consul) declared +the whole country within "fifty to sixty miles" was +under Ti-ping jurisdiction; and Mr. Bruce notices the +large export of silk from the districts where silk, he +states, meets with "total destruction"! Now, common +sense may inquire whether this totally destroyed country, +"wretched state of anarchy," "native population that +inevitably disappeared," and "property that miserably deteriorated," +could have managed to produce 88,112 bales +of silk in the year 1861? This, with only one exception, +was the largest amount <i>ever</i> exported from China in one +year. The silk districts were entirely in the possession of +the Ti-pings, and every bale had passed through their +hands. A reference to the table of statistics<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> will convince +the most sceptical that the Ti-pings actually <i>increased</i> the +valuable trade, but that since their expulsion from the +silk districts, the produce and exportation of that article +<i>has fallen off more than one half</i>.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span></p> +<p>There is another matter to be considered with regard +to the political morality of Mr. Bruce. At the beginning +of the year 1861 he officially stated:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It does not appear to me necessary to take any part in this conflict; +but our material interests at Shanghae justify us in insisting on its being +exempted from attack <i>until</i> the insurgents have sufficiently established +their superiority to enable us to consider the contest as respects that part +of China at an end. In that case, the population of the town will be quite +ready to acknowledge the new power, and the authority of the Mandarins +will fall without a blow."</p></div> + +<p>Yet, when, according to the extracts from the despatch +of Consul Medhurst, this "<i>until</i>" had arrived by the +complete establishment of the Ti-ping superiority, Mr. +Bruce singularly enough forgets his declaration of only a +few months previous.</p> + +<p>The Ti-pings at length, after successively capturing the +important cities of Shou-shing, Fung-wha, Yü-yaou, and +Tsze-kee, came in contact with the British authorities at +Ningpo. Having occupied every part of the Che-kiang +and Kiang-su provinces, to the south of the Yang-tze, +with the exception of the three treaty ports, Shanghae, +Ningpo, and Chin-kiang, the Ti-pings, both to preserve +their conquests and prosecute their cause, were obliged to +advance upon those cities, which had become the strongholds +of the enemy. Upon their approach to Ningpo, a +conference was held by the representatives of Great +Britain, France, and the United States. The official +report of this meeting states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It has been decided that the undersigned<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> shall proceed this day +(28th Nov.), on board Her Majesty's gun-boat <i>Kestrel</i>, to the rebel head-quarters +... and having obtained an interview with the insurgent +leaders, shall convey to them verbally, as well as in writing, the following +message:—</p> + +<p>"'1. That the undersigned take <i>no part</i> in this civil contest, but that +they claim exemption from injury and annoyance at the hands of both +parties." ...</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span></p> +<p>This fresh pledge of neutrality, together with three +other clauses respecting the forthcoming occupation of +Ningpo, the foreign settlement, and the lives and property +of the European residents, was given to the Ti-ping +generals at Yü-yaou and Fung-wha. Nothing could have +been more satisfactory than the result of this communication. +The following are extracts from the account given +by Mr. Hewlett (Consular Interpreter) of the interview +with the Ti-ping chiefs:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We at once informed Hwang (Commanding-General at Yü-yaou) of +the object of our visit," to which "he gave his unqualified assent, 'although,' +he added, 'in the event of the Mandarins resisting, and of my having to +attack Ningpo, I cannot be responsible for the lives of any of your countrymen +who may remain inside the city. Otherwise, I will do all I can to +prevent their being molested, and will at once behead any of my followers +who dare to offer them any annoyance.'</p> + +<p>"He assured us that his desire was to keep well with foreigners, with +whom <i>he was anxious to open trade</i>; spoke of us as worshippers of the +same God and the same Jesus as themselves, and denominated us—'Wai-hsiung-te'—<i>their +foreign brothers</i>.</p> + +<p>"He seemed to entertain no doubt whatever of being successful in his +attack on Ningpo.</p> + +<p>"Eager inquiries were made on all sides for foreign firearms, of which +they seem to have but few—a want that would be sufficiently felt were +they ever to come in contact with troops courageous enough to stand +against them."</p></div> + +<p>This paragraph may fairly account for the successes +afterwards gained over the ill-armed Ti-pings by Major +Gordon's and other troops, well provided with British +artillery, shell, rifles, &c., &c.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"As far as human life is concerned, the rebels, at the capture of +Yü-yaou, appear to have used their opportunity with forbearance; we saw +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span>but few dead bodies, and of those some, as we were informed, <i>were their +own men who had been caught plundering and burning</i>.</p> + +<p>"Hwang having informed us that another body of troops, also under +the She-wang's orders, and commanded by one Fang, a general of equal +rank with himself, was advancing on Ningpo from the Fung-wha, or +south-west side, we proceeded up that branch of the river early on Monday +morning, the 2nd instant, and found the said insurgents encamped at a +place called Pih-too, but ten miles from Ningpo."</p></div> + +<p>The following account of Mr. Hewlett's interview +with Fang is worthy of the best attention, proving, as +it does, the earnest desire of the poor Ti-pings to be +on terms of friendship, even brotherhood, with all the +nations of their "foreign brethren;" and that <i>any reasonable</i> +wish of the British authorities would have been +complied with.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"We at once went ashore, and put ourselves in communication with +the leader, Fang, a man of only 25 years of age, and a native of Kwang-se. +We hastened to represent to him the serious injury to trade that must +ensue on the capture of Ningpo by his forces, and the consequent loss that +would accrue to foreign interests, besides the danger, in reality no slight +one, to foreign life and property, to be apprehended both from the lawless +characters in his own ranks, and equally so from the bands of unruly +Cantonese and Chin-chew men at Ningpo, ever on the look-out for an +opportunity of indiscriminate plunder. We ended by eagerly dissuading +him from advancing on Ningpo.</p> + +<p>"To our two objections Fang replied by assuring us that his party +were most anxious to keep well with foreigners, who, indeed, were no other +than their brothers, inasmuch as both worshipped one God and one Jesus; +and that as for trade, that would be allowed to go on as formerly, while he +begged us to feel quite at ease as to the persons and property of our countrymen, +any molestation shown to whom would be followed by instant +decapitation. <i>Their object being the overthrow of the present dynasty, they +could not allow Ningpo to remain in the hands of the Imperialists.</i></p> + +<p>"It was with difficulty that we succeeded in persuading Fang to delay +his attack on Ningpo for one week; another day, he said, was to have seen +him there, had we not interposed.</p> + +<p>"One could not help feeling struck with the earnestness and apparent +sincerity of this young leader. Whilst alive to the dangers attending the +cause in which he was engaged, he seemed to be confident that the support +of Heaven would carry them through all their difficulties, and that, so aided, +they must prevail. He told us that nearly the whole province was in their +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span>hands, or would be before long, and that Hang-chow, the provincial +capital, would fall, 'as soon as Heaven should see fit to give it into their +hands.'"</p></div> + +<p>The General Hwang gave the following reply to the +communication of the foreign representatives, which, +together with Fang's, fairly expresses the aim and feeling +of the Ti-ping Government:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"HWANG, TAI-PING LEADER AT YU-YAOU, TO CONSUL HARVEY."</div> + +<p>"Hwang, a noble of the rank of E,<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> with the prćnomen 'Paon teen' +('Precious Heavenly'), and Commander-in-Chief of the chief army of his +Highness Prince<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> Tsung, who is of the Royal body-guard in the capital +of the Heavenly Dynasty, which is the dynasty patented under the true +Divine Commission as the Heavenly Kingdom of Universal Peace, addresses +an official communication to F. Harvey, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul; +W. Breck, Esq., United States Consul; Lieutenant H. Huxham, Royal +Navy; Captain L. Obry, His Imperial Majesty's Navy, in reference to the +interview held (this day) for the purpose of deliberating on the maintenance +of friendly relations between the respective countries.</p> + +<p>"From the foundations of the heavens and the earth, the world has +been divided into the central kingdom, China, and the external kingdoms, +foreign countries. Each kingdom, whether China or those of foreign +countries, has been ruled over by men of its own nation. (This has been +the universal practice.)</p> + +<p>"But in the time of the Ming dynasty the Tartar imps, originally serfs +from beyond the northern frontier, stole into China, and usurped the +emblems of royalty [<i>lit.</i>, seized upon the divine materials], making unclean +and polluting the land to a degree that no tongue can tell of [<i>lit.</i>, to a +degree difficult for the fingers to reckon].</p> + +<p>"Even till now, and during a period of more than 200 years, have they +been going on in their wickedness, until at last their cup of iniquity is +filled to the overflowing.</p> + +<p>"At these their sins the Heavenly Father being exceeding wroth [<i>lit.</i>, +his anger was as an earthquake], would have destroyed the world; then +Jesus, the Heavenly Elder Brother, out of his mercy and lovingkindness +towards mankind, sent down the true and holy Lord, the Heavenly King, +to wash out the stains of the northern serfs, and to set up anew the house +of Han [<i>i.e.</i>, to re-establish a purely native dynasty].</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span></p><p>"These, then, are the times of changing the dynasty, and of reforming +the kingdom prescribed by Heaven and submitted to by man.</p> + +<p>"The command of the valiant troops of this great army has been conferred +upon me by royal commission, with the allotted task of rooting out +of the earth all that is unholy [<i>lit.</i>, of destroying in the east and exterminating +in the west, part of a complete sentence, signifying a thorough +eradication of evil from all the four quarters of the globe], and of visiting +on the heads of their rulers the afflictions of the people.</p> + +<p>"The highest object of my mission is none other than the foundation +and establishment of the dynasty; subordinate to that, my aim is the welfare +of the people [<i>lit.</i>, the black-haired multitudes], that I may weed out +from among them those that oppress, and give peace to such as are true of +heart.</p> + +<p>"Hence it is that throughout the whole of my onward course 'there +were none' (as it is written) 'that came not forth with meat and drink to +welcome the soldiers of the King.'<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a></p> + +<p>"Our great army having at this time invaded the province of Che-kiang, +and the representatives of your several countries, stationed at Ningpo, +having come this day to my head-quarters at Yü-yaou, to deliberate about +maintaining amicable relations with us, on the understanding of mutual +non-interference, and having requested me to order my troops to abstain, +on their arrival at Ningpo, from injuring the persons or property of your +respective countrymen at that place, I hereby promise to issue the above +orders to my troops, and to command them to respect the terms of the +agreement.</p> + +<p>"In case any of my troops should dare, contrary to my orders, to +molest any of your countrymen or to injure their property, I will, on your +arresting and handing over to me the offender, at once behead him.</p> + +<p>"In the same way, if any of the subjects of your respective countries +should, contrary to your orders, take upon themselves to assist the imps in +repelling our advance, you will in your turn direct them to refrain from +so doing.</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>"From and after this date the friendly arrangement now agreed upon +is to be binding on both parties.</p> + +<p>"Sincerely trusting that you will not allow yourselves to feel anxious +about this matter, and with wishes for your good health, I beg to forward +this special communication.</p> + +<p>"19th day of the 10th month of the 11th ('Sin-yew') year of the +Heavenly Kingdom of Universal Peace" [November 29, 1861].</p></div> + +<p>The General Fang gave the following answer:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center">"FANG, TAI-PING LEADER AT FUNG-HWA, TO CONSUL HARVEY.</div> + +<p>"Fang, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, charged with the reduction +of the disobedient, and a member of the Royal body-guard in the capital of +the Heavenly Dynasty, &c., in official reply to F. Harvey, Esq., Her +Majesty's Consul; W. Breck, Esq., United States Consul; Lieutenant H. +Huxham, R.N.; Captain L. Obry, His Imperial Majesty's Navy, requesting +them to set their minds at rest.</p> + +<p>"The Almighty God, the Supreme Lord, the Heavenly Father, and +Jesus the Heavenly Elder Brother, sent our true and holy Lord, the +Heavenly King, down into the world, and ordained him to be Ruler over +the Central Kingdom. To destroy the imps, to deliver the people, and to +rescue the Central Empire; these are the chief objects of his desires.</p> + +<p>"The special task of chastising the nation<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> [<i>lit.</i>, those without the +palace doors], with a view to the establishment of the Dynasty, has now +been conferred upon me by royal commission. My mission is simply to +show compassion to the people, and to punish the crimes of their rulers.</p> + +<p>"The troops of my great army have now entered the department of +Ningpo, and I fully purpose capturing the departmental city, and making +it revert to the King to serve as a basis from which we may give peace to +and console the four estates of the nation [scholars, husbandmen, mechanics, +and traders].</p> + +<p>"I have this day received your letter, and informed myself completely +of its contents; all the requisitions therein contained I promise to comply +with. I will, therefore, order my troops to frame their conduct after the +Divine pattern, and to abstain from tumult and acts of aggression.</p> + +<p>"Wherefore I beg of you to set your minds at rest.</p> + +<p>"Good faith, as a principle of action, being a most important desideratum, +no retractation must be made in respect of the number of days conceded +prior to our advance on the city.</p> + +<p>"With reference to the persons and property of your respective countrymen, +I will issue the strictest orders, forbidding either the one or the other +to be injured in the very least degree. Trade shall be allowed to continue +as usual, with the additional advantage of being conducted on a fairer +footing. On no account will acts of violence or robbery be permitted.</p> + +<p>"One word from the superior man is sufficient to settle any affair; he +is true, he is sincere, and hence no mistake or misunderstanding can arise.</p> + +<p>"Whilst forwarding this in reply, I beg to express my wishes for your +happiness.</p> + +<p>(Enclosed, twenty-one Proclamations.)</p> + +<p>"22nd day of the 10th month of the 11th ('Sin-yew') year of the +Heavenly Kingdom of Universal Peace" [2nd December, 1861].</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span></p> +<p>Faithfully fulfilling that extraordinary example of +their willingness to preserve friendship with foreigners—the +promise to delay their occupation of Ningpo one +week—the Ti-pings, immediately upon the expiration of +the seven days, on the morning of December 9, moved +up to the city walls, and within an hour Ningpo was completely +in their possession; the Manchoos, Mandarins, +regular troops, <i>braves</i>, pirates, and all, having fled from +the city, scarcely striking a blow in its defence.</p> + +<p>Although the British authorities contented themselves +upon this occasion with underhanded hostility against +the Ti-pings, the same unworthy procedure was equally +as much a violation of the principle of their pledged +neutrality as the open warfare they shortly commenced in +the neighbourhood of Shanghae. As all assertions of +this description require proof, it is necessary to encumber +this narrative with extracts from the official documents +that, for the honour of England, should remain in oblivion +for ever, were they not necessary to prove the disreputable +transactions of various officials, and my reasons for +advocating the Ti-ping cause.</p> + +<p>I have already noticed the singular sort of interpretation +put upon the "no wish to quarrel," "the wish to +maintain amicable relations," and the orders to "abstain +from all interference in the civil war," "maintain an +attitude of strict neutrality," &c., by Admiral Hope and +Captain R. Dew. We will therefore conclude the review<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> +of "fitting twelve heavy guns," &c. at Ningpo, by one +other example of breach of faith and neutrality.</p> + +<p>The instructions to the Ningpo Consul by Mr. Bruce +were to "take no part" in defending the city. The written +guarantee forwarded to the leaders of the <i>powerful</i> +advancing army were precisely similar. "The undersigned +take <i>no</i> part in this civil contest." Now, in spite of these +pledges, we have seen Admiral Hope order "every obstruction" +to be placed before the Ti-pings. In his +account of the capture of Ningpo he fairly admits his +own faithlessness thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"2. Everything had been done to assist the Imperialists in the defence +of the town, except the use of force, in their favour, and their Lordships +will not fail to observe how utterly useless such measures proved, in consequence +of the cowardice and imbecility of the Mandarins."</p></div> + +<p>This taking "no part" and at the same time doing +"everything to assist" one belligerent requires no +comment.</p> + +<p>When the Ti-ping forces assaulted Ningpo, the Commander-in-Chief +of the Imperialists ran away, and being +lowered over the city wall with a number of retainers, +received protection from the British Consul, who facilitated +their escape. This same Consul, in his report of the +city's capture to Lord Russell, states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"Ningpo is now in the full and unquestionable possession of the +Taeping forces. I am glad to state that, up to the present time, there has +been no slaughter, or massacre, or fires, within the walls; and that, with +the exception of a few men killed, and a certain amount of destruction of +property, the rebels have, so far, conducted themselves with <i>wonderful +moderation</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Admiral Hope, in his report to the Admiralty of the +same event, states:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The behaviour of the rebels has been good hitherto, and they profess +a strong desire to remain on good terms with foreigners."</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here we find the most positive proof that the principal +alleged reason for the defence of Shanghae against the +insurgents, namely, because their "success in any locality +is attended with its <i>total destruction</i>," is utterly false. +While "the ruthless nature of the war they wage" is +thus urged (as though even it could justify the dishonouring +of British pledges) against the Ti-pings, we find that +upon the only occasion this theory was subjected to proof, +by the reports of their most bitter opposers, they behaved +"<i>with wonderful moderation</i>."</p> + +<p>Mr. Parkes (late Secretary to Lord Elgin's Embassy), +in a memorandum upon the capture of Ningpo, still +further proves the great friendliness of the insurgents. +He says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"The Ningpo rebels have shown the utmost desire to be on friendly +terms with foreigners. Outside the south gate, which formed the point +of attack, stands the establishment of the Sisters of Charity, which, if +occupied, would form excellent cover for an assaulting force, as its upper +windows command the city walls; yet, although they crouched underneath +its enclosures, as they collected for their rush on the gate, they did not +trespass for a moment within the premises. Another large Roman Catholic +establishment was one of the first buildings they had to pass, as they poured +into the city, flushed and excited with their success; but they only stopped +to <i>welcome</i> a small knot of foreigners who were standing underneath the +porch, and to charge their people to offer them no harm. Roman Catholics +and Protestants they hailed indiscriminately as being of the same religion +and fraternity as themselves....</p> + +<p>"The house of one of the principal Chinese of Ningpo, who is well +known at Shanghae, from his wealth and the prominent support he has +always given to the Government, remain untouched, <i>simply because he has +hired a Frenchman to live in it, and give his name temporarily to the +premises</i>."</p></div> + +<p>Now the ignorant and designing have delighted themselves +by exhausting the most damnifying epithets upon +the so-called "bloodthirsty marauders," "ruthless brigands," +&c.; yet the following extract from the same +memorandum (of an enemy, be it remembered) seems to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span> +indicate those persons as being either remarkably imaginative +or mendacious:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>"It must be stated, however, to their credit, that as yet the capture of +Ningpo, and it is believed also of the other cities of this province, has <i>not</i> +been marked with those atrocities which the rebels are known to have +committed elsewhere."</p></div> + +<p>The "atrocities" committed elsewhere were those +occasioned by the hard necessity of the war, and when the +Ti-pings had no choice but to kill or be killed. But the +question of Ti-ping atrocities could not possibly be construed +into any fair cause of hostilities against them, +it being a well-known fact that of the two belligerents +they were by far the most humane.</p> + +<p>The occupation of Ningpo by the Ti-ping forces may +be justly considered the culminating point of their successes, +and the termination of a period of British policy +towards them, that period being the deceitful one. Almost +immediately after that important event, the hitherto +covert hostility of the British Government became exchanged +for a more decided action, and the epoch of open +hostility was established by the commencement of direct +military operations against the Ti-pings from Shanghae, +shortly followed by the same policy at Ningpo.</p> + +<p>Some few days after the fall of Ningpo, Admiral Hope +proceeded to Nankin for the purpose of obtaining a +renewal of the promise by the Ti-ping authorities not to +attack Shanghae for one year, as the former agreement +expired at the end of 1861. The arrangement, however, +was not again approved by the Ti-pings, not only because +the British contracting officials had broken faith with +regard to their pledge of preventing the Imperialists from +using Shanghae for purposes of aggression against them, +but from the fact that Shanghae had become the very +arsenal and rallying-place of their enemy. To these +principal and all-sufficient causes, others might be added,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span> +such as the undeniable belligerent right of the Ti-pings to +capture any city just as they captured Ningpo.</p> + +<p>The Ti-ping authorities having very properly refused +to become a party to prejudice their own interest, Admiral +Hope conducted the following communication with them, +as if to find some pretext for making the approach of the +Ti-pings upon Shanghae a <i>casus belli</i>. The correspondence +is well worthy of the closest attention. The open +arrogance and unsound reasoning of the British portion +being no less conspicuous than the righteous tenor and +sound argument of the Ti-pings.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"> +"COMMUNICATION MADE BY COMMANDER BINGHAM TO THE TAEPING AUTHORITIES<br /> +AT NANKING, ON THE 27TH OF DECEMBER, 1861. +</div> + +<p>"I am directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of Her +Majesty the Queen of England in the Chinese Seas, to acquaint you—</p> + +<p>"1. That during the last year certain British subjects have sustained +losses by robberies committed in the territories which are held by your +armies, and that it is therefore necessary that you make immediate and +satisfactory arrangements for their receiving compensation. These losses +amount to 7,563 taels 1 mace 7 candarenes, 4,800 dollars, 20 bales of silk, +and 2 muskets, as shown by the accompanying list.</p> + +<p>"2. That junks which carry British colours are no less British vessels +than those which are foreign-built, and that they must be allowed to pass +up and down the river free from examination or any other molestation, in +conformity with the agreement made with you in the early part of this +year. That in order to insure that no junk hoists a British flag which is +not entitled to do so, their papers will be examined by the senior officer +here, who will take the British flag away from any vessel not entitled to +wear it, and will give notice of having done so to the Chief Officer of the +Customs.</p> + +<p>"3. That the promise made by you that your troops should not approach +within 100 <i>li</i> of Shanghae and Woo-sung has not been faithfully observed. +The Commander-in-Chief now requires that, in proof of your good faith +you select an officer of high rank who shall accompany him to Shanghae +and who shall from thence proceed in company with one of his officers to +the ports in its vicinity, which are held by your forces, so that the order on +the subject may be shown to the officers commanding them, with the view +of preventing further mistakes.</p> + +<p>"4. That a large and valuable British trade having sprung up at +Kiu-kiang and Hankow, the Commander-in-Chief is under the necessity of +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span>requiring a promise from you that your forces will not approach these places +within 100 <i>li</i>; also that you are distinctly to understand that Silver Island, +the residence of the British Consul at Chin-kiang-foo, is not to be molested.</p> + +<div class="right"> +(Signed) "<span class="smcap">Henry M. Bingham.</span> +</div> + +<p>"<i>Renard</i>, Nanking, December 27, 1861."</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"><br /> +"REPLY OF THE TAEPING AUTHORITIES AT NANKING TO COMMANDER BINGHAM. +</div> + +<p>"Mung, the young Prince of Tsan, Jin, Prince of Chang, and Se, Prince +of Shun, Defenders of the Court, Pillars of Heaven, in the Divine Kingdom +of Universal Peace, being the Kingdom of the Heavenly Father, the +Heavenly Elder Brother, and the Heavenly King, make this joint reply +to Captain Bingham, British Senior Naval Officer at Nanking.</p> + +<p>"On the 18th day (December 28) of the 11th month of the 11th or +Sin-yew year of the Divine Kingdom of the Heavenly Father, Heavenly +Elder Brother, and Heavenly King, we received your letter setting forth +four points, which you state you had been directed to communicate to us +by the Naval Commander-in-Chief of your country.</p> + +<p>"We have acquainted ourselves with the contents of your communication, +which has occasioned us the greatest surprise; we bear in mind that +while your country pays adoration to Jesus, our Divine Kingdom respectfully +worships Shang-te.</p> + +<p>"The worship of Jesus is the fount and origin of our religions, and +thus from age to age we have been as one family; therefore when your +country came to discuss matters with us in the spring, our Lord the +Heavenly King issued to us his sacred commands ordering us to receive +you with courtesy, and to deal with you in perfect sincerity, in order to +mark our high regard for those who are allied with and are of the same +origin as ourselves. Being thus united by our religion, which is the worship +of Heaven, and also by our friendly (political) relations, it is above all +things necessary that we should respectively adhere to our Heavenly +principles both in mind and action, and that we should compare our wants +with those of others, instead of seeking only our own profit at the expense +of the interests of our fellow-men. It is thus that you prove your friendship +to be indeed sincere.</p> + +<p>"On considering the four proposals set forth in your communication, +we find that our Divine Kingdom cannot assent to them, and we shall +proceed to state in detail the grounds of our refusal.</p> + +<p>"The first point is a demand for compensation for 7,360 taels and odd +silver, 200 taels' worth of copper cash, 4,800 dollars, 20 bales of raw silk, +and 2 muskets, all said to have been taken by people of our Divine Kingdom +in the 5th, 6th, and 7th months of the present year at Soo-heu, Suh-kea-kiang, +Lew-hoo, Kaou-ching (Laou-ching), and other places.</p> + +<p>"There is an absence of right in this demand. Everything deserving +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span>of credit admits of proof. Although the places named are not 1,000 <i>li</i> +distant from our capital, they are situated several hundreds of <i>li</i> from it, +and nearly half a year has elapsed since the alleged occurrences took place.</p> + +<p>"It is unreasonable to demand compensation for claims, when no +proofs can be produced, and the assertion of such claims is in itself a very +unfriendly act. Were we, of the Divine Kingdom, to put forward such +unfounded claims, what course, may we ask, would your country pursue? +If our nation have indeed established a custom-house at San-le-keaou, and +exacted a double levy of duty in the manner stated, how is it, as your +merchant-boats are constantly passing that spot, that a single instance only +of such conduct should have occurred? We will not, however, take upon +ourselves to deny that your boat had to submit to the exaction; but, +granting that it occurred, it should be remembered that at this juncture, +when a movement is going on throughout the Empire, local marauders and +wandering people naturally take advantage of the opportunity afforded +them to commit depredations. How, therefore, do you know that these +robberies were not the work of parties of these vagabonds, simulating the +appearance and profiting by the fear inspired by the troops of the Divine +dynasty? Or how do you know that some of the Tartar imps have not +personated the officers and troops of the Divine Kingdom, and in that +feigned character plundered your merchant-boats, with a view, by these +nefarious means, of causing ill-will between our two families? Moreover, +if the places named have indeed been brought under the rule of our Celestial +dynasty, our lieutenants must be there in garrison; and if these irregularities +were committed by their troops, how is it that your country did not +immediately bring them to the notice of those officers, in order that they +may at once take steps for the punishment of the offenders? Instead of +doing this, however, you allow a long time to elapse, and then you suddenly +come to our capital to raise discussions with us on the subject at +this distance!</p> + +<p>"In the second point of your communication you claim, 'that junks +which carry British colours are no less British vessels than those which +are foreign-built, and must therefore be allowed to pass up and down the +river free from examination or any other molestation, in conformity with +the agreement made in the early part of this year.'</p> + +<p>"On this we have to observe, that an agreement once entered into +should be most faithfully and strictly adhered to, and cannot be departed +from. Now in the agreement concluded with you in the spring, it is not +stated that junks carrying British colours are no less British vessels than +those which are foreign-built, and are therefore entitled to pass free from +examination or molestation.</p> + +<p>"The idea is now suddenly started by your country for the first time. +But in the transaction of business, an open and straightforward course of +action must be pursued, if distrust and suspicion are to be avoided. Suppose +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span>that a Chinese merchant has goods, the duties on which amount to a +considerable sum, and that your country would not ask him to pay more +than half that sum in return for a flag and papers which should free him +from all charge on passing our custom-houses, is it not evident that the +dishonest trader would gladly turn such an opportunity to account, and +that in that case we should soon find that our custom-houses had been +established to no purpose?</p> + +<p>"Moreover, the rules of the custom-houses of our Divine Kingdom +permit the merchants and people of all places, and those who still shave +their heads, to pass to and fro, and trade in salt and other goods on payment +of the duties that are defined by regulation. This institution has +been too long in existence to make it reasonable that it now should be set +aside.</p> + +<p>"Again, in the former agreement, no arrangement whatever was made +respecting the employment of Chinese junks by your country, the stipulation +as to the free passage to the river being confined to vessels of your own +country. We agreed to this arrangement as a friendly act to those who +are of the same family as ourselves. But if native junks should be largely +employed by your nation, we have good cause to fear the treachery of the +Imperial imps, who will employ these junks in the furtherance of their +own dark and evil designs by falsely passing them off as your trading-craft. +If this were the case, how greatly would our difficulties of defence be +increased!</p> + +<p>"Furthermore, the customs form the most important source of revenue +on which we depend for the support of the soldiers of our Divine dynasty; +and if, by undue protection granted to native junks, the payment of duties +is avoided, general indignation would be felt among all our princes, high +functionaries, officers, and soldiers; and they would never allow such an +arrangement to continue in force. In putting forward this proposal, your +country shows that you seek only your own profit, regardless of the welfare +of others; and you are acting in a manner that is calculated neither to promote +friendly relations, nor to induce reliance on your own promises.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span></p> +<p>"The third point states that the promise made in the second month of +the present year, that the Taeping troops should not approach within 100 +<i>li</i> of Shanghae and Woo-sung has not been faithfully observed, &c.</p> + +<p>"It is true that in the spring of this year we did make an agreement +of this nature, but if we discuss it by strict principles it will be seen that +there is no spot under the wide canopy of heaven that was not created by +Shangte, that upon us rests the obligation of recovering by our arms the +whole of China for Shangte, and that it is difficult for us to make any +exception in the matter of territory, even to the extent of a foot of soil. +It was only in consideration of your nation being of the same origin as +ourselves that we acted as we did.</p> + +<p>"Though commerce may be to you the means of livelihood, to us the +possession of territory is all-important. It was only as a mark of our +benevolent and just regard for our fellow-men that we consented for the +space of the present year to avoid making any attack on Shanghae and +Woo-sung, and when we entered into that agreement we issued our commands +requiring it to be observed at all places in our possession, and have +received reports from our various commanders, assuring us that our orders +have been most scrupulously observed. But as it is obligatory on our +Divine armies to kill the imps wherever they are to be found, how can our +heavenly troops be forbidden to fulfil this duty? If there were no impish +forces at Shanghae and Woo-sung, the Chung-wang and She-wang would +certainly not think of sending their troops to take those places; and should +you be willing to undertake the expulsion of the impish soldiers, then our +Divine dynasty will send officers to tranquillize those places, and to protect +not only the people but your trade also.</p> + +<p>"Why, then, should the advance of our Divine soldiers within 100 <i>li</i> +occasion you any apprehension? The present year is now drawing to +a close, and with it the time named in our agreement, and we can never +consent that our Divine troops shall not prepare to attack those places, +simply out of consideration for your trade. It occasions us, therefore, +great surprise to suddenly receive from you such a proposal, at the very +time when the Chung-wang and She-wang, at the head of several millions +of the Divine soldiers, are engaged in recovering from the enemy Soo-chow, +Hang-chow, and the whole province.</p> + +<p>"Your fourth point is to the effect that, as a large and valuable British +trade has sprung up at Kiu-kiang and Hankow, you wish us to promise +not to approach these places within 100 <i>li</i>, and also not to molest Silver +Island, the residence of the British Consul at Chin-kiang.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span></p> +<p>"We have well considered this proposal, and consider that in putting +it forward your country has committed a grave error. The case stands +thus:—It is now long since our vast and illustrious Empire of China +became the prey of these Tartars, who know no respect for Shangte, nor +any other worship than that of devils. All sons and daughters of Heaven +should be moved with the deepest enmity against them, with a hatred too +deep to allow of their living together with them in the same world, and, +therefore, wherever they are to be found, death should await them at our +hands. Strange that just at the very time when we are about to despatch +troops to take Hankow, Kiu-kiang, Chin-kiang, and Silver Island, your +country should seek, under the guise of maintaining friendly relations with +ourselves, to render secret assistance to the Tartar imps, by occupying +several of their most important positions, and thus completely fettering our +movements.</p> + +<p>"How can we possibly consent to such a proposal?</p> + +<p>"When we have taken Hankow, Kiu-kiang, Chin-kiang, and Silver +Island, and tranquillized those places, if your country should then wish to +conduct trade there as before, what is there to prevent your entering into +further negotiations with our nation on these points? That being the case, +what object can you have in requiring us not to take those places? If you +entertain fears as to the conduct of our soldiers, and think that they may +commit wanton slaughter or destruction, you should know that Heaven +guides all our actions, and that while we kill all those who pay Heaven no +respect, we save, on the other hand, all those who prove themselves, by +worshipping Heaven, to be Heaven's children.</p> + +<p>"All our power is derived from Shangte, and from Christ comes our +support; all our acts are done in their sight and receive their entire +approval.</p> + +<p>"If you make the anticipated dispersion of the merchants and people +of those ports an argument in favour of your proposal, we meet it by +observing that when your officers conferred with us in the spring, this very +point came under discussion. At first it was proposed on your side that +we should not attack Kiu-kiang and Hankow, but afterwards, when we +made it clear (to your officers) in the orders we gave them that it was +necessary that we should attack and take the whole of China, as being the +territory of Shangte, they replied, If your troops do not kill or injure +British subjects, or do not burn or plunder British houses or property, then +we shall remain neutral and assist neither party. To which we replied that +you should not only remain neutral, but should also take no offence at our +troops, if the people in their alarm were to disperse, and thus cause your +trade to be interfered with. Your officers replied, We shall take no offence, +but we shall require you to give us notice of your intention to attack these +places. To this we answered, We will not refuse to give you notice before +we make our attack, but we are afraid that our communications with you +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span>may be obstructed by the impish camps, and that when we shall have +succeeded in sweeping these away, the time then left will not be sufficient +for the purpose, and the omission may prove a cause of trouble. We added, +however, that your country must not again act as you did at Shanghae, +where you received the letters of our nation, and yet assisted the Tartar +forces to defend that city. Thus it will be seen that the point has been +already fully considered, and that it is useless to enter into any further +discussion.</p> + +<p>"To resume. As friendly relations exist between us, let us regard each +other as people of the same family. Those whom we are thus hotly engaged +in slaughtering are no other than the Tartar imps and robbers, and the +whole empire of China is the conquest we intend to effect. As the Tartar +imps have not yet been exterminated, and the great work of conquest is +still incomplete, we cannot give our consent to such proposals as those which +your country now makes to us.</p> + +<p>"Your only course, therefore, is to wait until the Tartar imps shall +have been annihilated, when we shall be ready to give our attention to any +advantageous measures that your country may have to propose.</p> + +<p>"We trust you will listen to this advice and raise no further questions; +also that you will firmly maintain the present peaceful relations, and give +no occasion for distrust or ill-will. These are the hopes that should be +earnestly entertained on both sides.</p> + +<p>"P. S. We observe that the translation of the letter before us, and the +paper communicating the points under discussion (the English original?) +are written on white paper and bear no seal. It is very difficult for us to +know whether documents thus prepared are spurious or authentic, and we +fear that they could easily be imitated by the Tartar imps, and that the +fraud might be attended with serious consequences.</p> + +<p>"We trust, therefore, that in order to establish the authenticity of your +documents your country will in future observe the practice of affixing your +seal to them.</p> + +<p>"Dated the 22nd day of the 11th month of the 11th or Sin-yew year +of the Divine Kingdom of Universal Peace, being the Kingdom of the +Heavenly Father, Heavenly Elder Brother, and Heavenly King (January +1, 1862)."</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<div class="center"> +"COMMANDER BINGHAM TO THE TAEPING AUTHORITIES AT NANKING. +</div> + +<div class="right">"<i>Reward</i>, Nanking, January 1, 1862.</div> + +<p>"I am directed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the +Queen of England in the Chinese Seas to acknowledge the receipt of your +reply to the communication made by me four days ago, and to acquaint +you—</p> + +<p>"1. That in bringing the demands for compensation for the robberies +committed on British subjects to the notice of the authorities at Nanking, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span>instead of exacting redress for them on the spot where they were committed, +he has given you the strongest proof of his desire to treat you in a +friendly manner.</p> + +<p>"Your refusal to do justice gives him the right to take his own measures +for procuring adequate redress for these injuries.</p> + +<p>"2. That he will take effectual measures to prevent any vessel carrying +the English flag which has not the right to do so, but that he will not +permit vessels, whether of European or Chinese construction, which are +owned by British subjects, to be interfered with in any way or under any +pretext, in their undoubted right of navigating the Yang-tze-kiang River +free from all molestation, and you will do so at your peril.</p> + +<p>"3. The towns of Shanghae and Woo-sung, as you well know, are +occupied by the military forces of England and France, and if you repeat +the absurdity of attacking them, you will incur, not merely a repulse as +on a former occasion, but such further consequences as your folly will +deserve.</p> + +<p>"4. Your refusal to enter into an engagement to leave Silver Island, +Kiu-kiang, and Hankow free from molestation, all places which you have +not the slightest chance of attacking with success, proves to the Commander-in-Chief +that your expressions of friendly feeling are mere words, +and the necessity of dealing with you accordingly.</p> + +<div class="right"> +(Signed) "<span class="smcap">Henry M. Bingham.</span>" +<br /><br /> +</div> +</div> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> See page 46, Blue Book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> See page 50, Blue Book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> See page 64, Blue Book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> See page 50, Blue Book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> See page 51, Blue Book.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> See Appendix B.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> +</p> + +<p> +William Breck, Esq., United States Consul.<br /> +M. Leon Obry, His Imperial Majesty's Navy, commanding steamer <i>Confucius</i>.<br /> +Lieutenant Henry Huxham, R.N., commanding H.M.'s gunboat <i>Kestrel</i>.<br /> +Frederick Harvey, Esq., Her Majesty's Consul.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> "E" corresponds to the Chinese title "Kung," or Duke.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> <i>i.e.</i>, She-wang (the Assistant Prince).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> A quotation from the "Sze Shoo Mencius," tom. i. chap. 2. The +King of Tse is inquiring of Mencius whether he ought to take possession +of the kingdom of Yeu, lately conquered by him. Mencius, instancing +the practice of the ancient kings Wan and Woo under similar circumstances, +replies that, unless the voice of the people invites the invader to +take possession, he is not justified in so doing. Hence the rebels would +have it believed that they have enlisted in their cause the sympathies of the +nation, without which, according to received notions, it will be impossible +for them to obtain the "Teen-ming" (the Divine Commission), and, by +consequence, the Empire.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> <i>i.e.</i>, those of the nation who do not submit.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> "On the occasion when they recently stopped some British junks at +Woo-hoo, eventually retaining two (subsequently released by the <i>Bouncer</i>), +in pledge for payment of duty, on the whole their demand amounted to +2,000 taels. Their right to levy moderate duties on all vessels trading in +the territories they hold was allowed in the original arrangement entered +into with them, but they were, at the same time, distinctly acquainted that +I had stationed a vessel of war at Nanking for the express purpose of +securing to British vessels entire freedom in the exercise of their right of +navigating the Yang-tze. The necessity of preventing any interference +whatever with the passing trade by the rebels, arises from the impracticability +of recovering any duties they might extort without a serious +collision. In the case of Imperialists, redress could always ultimately be +obtained by reference through the Minister to the Government at Peking.—<span class="smcap">J. +Hope.</span>" +</p> + +<p>This is the excuse given for depriving the Ti-pings of their revenue.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<div class="tnote"> +<p>Transcriber's Notes</p> + +<p>Obvious punctuation errors repaired.</p> + +<p>The embedded color images are low-resolution; click on an image +to load a high-resolution version.</p> + +<p>The frontpiece and title page contain Chinese characters +which may not be rendered correctly unless the correct fonts +are installed.</p> + +<p>Hyphen added: +co[-]adjutors (p. 342), +E[-]CHING (caption of image facing p. 304), +E-ching (p. 379), +Kwang[-]si (p. 144), +Pei[-]ho (pp. 229, 230), +sand[-]bank(s) (pp. 107, 202), +semi[-]civilized (p. 228), +Shang[-]te (p. 418), Soo[-]chow (pp. 272, 273), +Tai[-]ping (p. 306), +Tien[-]Kwoh (caption of map facing p. 359), +Ti[-]mung (twice on p. 132), +water[-]fowl (p. 20), +Woo[-]sung (p. 199).</p> + +<p>Hyphen removed: banner-men (p. 322), +blood[-]thirsty (p. 415), +fire[-]arms (pp. 79, 408), +good[-]will (pp. 88, 102), +main[-]land (p. 21), +Ning[-]po (p. 356), +Po[-]yang (p. 88), +Shen[-]si (p. 157), +under[-]mentioned (p. 342), +Vice[-]roy (p. 71), +Wu[-]hu (p. 267), +Ye[-]su (p. 175).</p> + +<p>The following words appear in multiple forms +and have not been changed: +"benefited" / "benefitted", +"Budhist" / "Buddhist", +"gunboat" / "gun-boat", +"Han-kow" / "Hankow", +"Honan" / "Hoonan" / "Hoo-nan", "Hoopeh" / "Hoo-peh", +"Nan-kin" / "Nan-king" / "Nankin" / "Nanking", +"Shang-te" / "Shangte", +"Tae-ping" / "Taiping" / "Tai-ping" / "Ti-ping", +"Woo-san-kwei" / "Wu-san-kwei".</p> + +<p>p. 61: "jingall" changed to "gingall" (a gingall battery).</p> + +<p>p. 70: "Atalanta" changed to "Atlanta" (the occupation of Atlanta).</p> + +<p>p. 86: "sovereignity" changed to "sovereignty" (his divine +commission to earthly sovereignty).</p> + +<p>p. 86: "sufficent" changed to "sufficient" +(with guns or sufficient powder).</p> + +<p>p. 88: "Imperalist" changed to "Imperialist" +(Imperialist troops in Hoo-nan).</p> + +<p>p. 111: "1838" changed to "1858" (Elgin treaty (June 1858)).</p> + +<p>p. 125: duplicate "that" removed (that something was most likely dangerous).</p> + +<p>p. 197: "exclaming" changed to "exclaiming" +(exclaiming, "hish.").</p> + +<p>p. 212: "inconoclasts" changed to "iconoclasts" (iconoclasts +of the strictest order).</p> + +<p>p. 237: "skook" changed to "shook" (shook hands).</p> + +<p>p. 241: "acomplished" changed to "accomplised" +(accomplished prince).</p> + +<p>Caption of image facing p. 261: "HU-KAN" changed to "HU-KAU".</p> + +<p>p. 271: "superintendant" changed to "superintendent" +(in his capacity as superintendent).</p> + +<p>p. 295: "dissertion" changed to "dissertation" (a lengthy dissertation by one Rev. J. L. Holmes).</p> + +<p>p. 329: "ursurpation" changed to "usurpation" (without aggression or usurpation).</p> + +<p>p. 331: "gave" changed to "give" (to give his favourable opinion).</p> + +<p>p. 331: "bravos" changed to "braves" (becoming the mercenary braves).</p> + +<p>p. 342: "Imperialst" changed to "Imperialist" +(the Imperialist <i>braves</i>).</p> + +<p>p. 344: "forgottten" changed to "forgotten" +(has evidently forgotten himself).</p> + +<p>p. 348: "Impearialist" changed to "Imperialist" +(all the Imperialist posts).</p> + +<p>p. 349: "prejudical" changed to "prejudicial" +(prejudicial presence).</p> + +<p>p. 350: "chieftian" changed to "chieftain" (gallant chieftain).</p> + +<p>p. 354: "politicans" changed to "politicians" (politicians of the Yang-tze).</p> + +<p>p. 356: "compartively" changed to "comparatively" (were +comparatively useless).</p> + +<p>p. 368: "parient" changed to "parent" (the injured "parent,").</p> + +<p>p. 371: "Sze-wang" changed to "Sz-wang" (to call in the Sz-wang).</p> + +<p>p. 388: "detoriated" changed to "deteriorated" (has seriously deteriorated).</p> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Ti-Ping Tien-Kwoh, by Augustus F. 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