The Sun. — London, England, 1860-10-17 00:00:00

71-LE BarTi!SH EXPEDITION TO CEINA 4Prom the special Correspondent of the Times.) PEH-TANG, AUG. 9. From a wilderness of mud and water, destitute of tree, plant, shrub, or grass, amid stinks and stenches which would defy a Simon and drive a Letheby to despair, 'midst a. scene of utter misery and desola tion excee , .ing the Laureate's picture of the dejected Mariana at the moated grange, from Peh-tang, whither o'ur Ambassador has so often been admo nished to proce ed, is this letter written. The army is disembarked in China Proper —proper in no Eng lish sense of the word—and I will endeavour to -describe how we got into Peh-tang, and how we expect to get out of it—what has been done during the past fovtnight, and what is now proposed. After despatching my last letter from Tah-lien bwan, and after the troops were fairly embarked, I walked over the ground lately occupied by the first division. The villagers had returned to their houses, and even the women reappeared, unscared by the three unarmed barbarians who were roaming about. As soon as the troops were off, Gen. Hope Grant summoned the notables of the villages, and re quested them to assess the damage done to their crops and property by the five regiments which had been encamped for a month. After full considera tion they seut in a claim for 180 dols.—less than £4O English. This modest bill is the best evidence that could possibly be afforded as to the admirable conduct of the soldiers. On the 26th, at 5 a.m., the Beet began to weigh anchor. It v. as a magnificent sight, as one large transport after another got under way; those in Odin Bay working out under a press of sail, those in Victo r i a Bay being towed outside the headland by gunboats and steamers. The breeze. was light and variable ; every class and va riety of ship and steamer was represented, from the four masted Adelaide, towing two transports, to the small iron river boats brought upfront Canton. The Chesapeake bad her steam up, but Captain Willis was determined to show the sailing qualities of his fi ne frigate, so he worked across the bay and then sailed out with every stitch of canvas set low and aloft. By 10 o'clock the whole fleet was clear of the headland, when the wind dropped and fell to a dead calm. The Chesapeake furled sail and, followed by the Feroze, with Lord Elgin on board, and the Scout, Furious, and Fury on her quarters, steamed with all speed for the rendezvous. Towards the afternoon heavy smoke was visible to the south ward, indicating the position of the French fleet, and the weather became oppressively hot, a fore taste of that to be experienced after landing. At 11 a.m. on the 27th the Chesapeake dropped anchor at the rendezvous, about 20 miles from the Peiho. Here were the Cruiser, Actaeon, Dove, Janus, Woodcock, and Watchful. The Granada, with Sir Hope Grant and Staff, arrived soon after wards. Towards the north an American frigate with her tender, and a Russian frigate, corvette, and two gunboats were waiting events, and lay anchored outside the bar opposite the Peiho. During the afternoon steamers came dropping in, both paddle and screw—" outside walkee and in side walkee," as the Chinese call them. About five p.m. a long line of smoke down the horizon announced the approach of the French, who anchored at nightfall about ten miles from the English squadron. Major Fisher, R.E., awaited the arrival of the fleet at the rendezvous. He went down to the Peiho and to Peh-tang a few days in advance of the expedition, and made a careful re connaissance of both places. At the Taku forts the defences were strengthened exactly at the spot attacked by the gunboats last year, and an abatis was thrown out. At Peh-tang nothing whatever had been done ; the river was unstaked, and the forts opened from behind. About 2,000 yards from the south fort Major Fisher discovered a place where troops could land through the mud, and it was therefore determined that the army should dis embark at that spot. At eight a.m. on the morning of the 28th the French fleet weighed anchor and bore down in line in three divisions. The Duchayla, with Baron Gros's flag at the main, led the van, Admirals Charner, Page, and Protet following at the head of their respective divisions. The large two deckers and iron transports brought up the rear, and the fleet was well and quickly anchored two cables' length from the English, the Admirals' ships being close alongside. Towards afternoon a strong breeze from the south ward sprang up, which brought in our sailing transports in one dense mass. On approaching the Admiral ship after ship came out from the ruck, passed under the stern of the Chesapeake, and re ceived its instructions. No accident whatever occurred in this large fleet, and not one ship was moored in a foul berth. Seven men-of-war formed " pointers," behind which the transports anchored in as many lines, and nearly all took up the exact position assigaed to them. The masters of these vessels deserve great credit for the zeal and energy they have displayed on all occasions, and the Ame ricans engaged in the transport service have been fully equal to the Britishers in their anxiety that all should go well. The morning of the 29th was frightfully hot and sultry, but about noon a breeze sprang up, which lowered the thermometer eight or ten degrees within half an hour. It is this sudden change of climate which makes the greater part of China so unhealthy, and most fortunate wasit that Tah-lien h. wan was discovered, with its clear, dry atmosphere and fine bracing air. In the afternoon Consul Parkes arrived from Canton to assist Lord Elgin in the work lie has before him. As Lord Elgin's duties cannot commence until the naval and mili tary operations are concluded, Mr. Parkes, with the ambaseador's consent, tendered his services to Sir Hope Grant, who most gladly accepted the offer, and Mr. Parkes accompanies the expedition. Day was just breaking on the 30th when the fleet again got under way, the Chesapeake, Magi eienne, Feroze, Scout, and Granada at the head. At eight a.m. they anchored in five fathoms water, the Taku forts being just visible in the distance. The English ships came down rapidly in loose order, until at length the flotilla of despatch gunboats and gunboats hove in sight, towing one or two Com missariat junks each. They defiled in regular suc cession before the flagship, the Roebuck leading, the Slaney bringing up the rear, and Admiral Hope at length found himself in sight of Taku, ready to ' avenge the glorious disaster he suffered last year. All Preparations having been made, it was deter mined to attack the Peh-tang forts on the 31st. Orders we re a eeordingly given for disembarking the troops in ships' b oa t s an ; early at an s early hour of that morn ing. The evenin g of the 30th was dark and threat ening, and a l ur i d unsettled sunset betokened a stormy night. About 9 p.m. a whirlwind passed along the fleet. The sterra was circular, and played along the water for some time before striking a ship; then came a terrific squall w hich lasted about a minute, and caused the largest vessels to heel over like skiffs. The Feroze W as hit with its full force, while a boat under sail withi n 20 fathoms of her °seeped untouched. Clouds of sand accompanied this tornado and were whirled about the ships in ev ery direction. As the fleet lay fully 12 miles from Pehtang it was necessary in the disembarkation to use all the ships' launches, and have them towed by the gunboats. Early on the morning o f t h e 31st the Ad m iral sent a steamer round the squad ron with an i nt i ma tion that the landing would not tak e p l ace in cons equence of the h eavy, choppin g sea. He f e lt there was great risk in towing boat's in su c h Wea ther and for such a distance, and he postponed the start for a day. Long before cockcrow en the Ist of August the whole expedition was afoot. Dark, heavy clouds were impending, and at daylight the rain corn. menced falling in torrents. However, the sea had gone down considerably, and as it was high water at Pehtang shortly before 3, we felt quite satisfied that the landing would take place. At 9 a.m. the welcome signal was made, and all the launches pulled off for the various transports, to embark the mien allotted to them. The English force consisted of the Second Brigade of the First Division—the 2d (Queen's), the 60th (Rifles), and the 15th Pun. j abees--in all 2,500 men, besides a party of Artil lery with rockets, and a company of Royal Engi neers. The French had an equal number of the 101st, the 102 d, and Chasseurs, in addition to some r ifi r d guns, and the cavalry escort of General MQ4- tauban, mounted on their Japanese ponies. Every thing was ready before noon, when Admiral Hope and Sir Hope Grant went on board the Coromandel. She steamed away at once, and headed the squa dron, the gunboats following in regular and un broken line. To each gunboat were attached six launches full of troops, and the decks of most of the little vessels themselves were crowded with soldiers. The Slaney was the first in the wake of the Admiral. Then followed the Leven, Janus, Clown, Woodcock, Drake,Watchful, Havock, Forester, Opossum, Firm, Stanch, Banterer, Bustard, Flamer, Bouncer, and Snap. The Leven carried the military Staff; on another gunboat Admiral Jones hoisted his flag, and whipped in the flotilla. Crossing the bar, they were joined by the Renard, Beagle, and Ringdove despatch boats. The French were on the starboard quarter, with five large des patch gunboats and several steamers towing junks and boats, closely packed with troops, and one of the little iron gunboats I saw . at Chefow arrived just in time to join the expedite'. The weather had now cleared up, and the sea was calm. The Taku forts lay within three miles on the port quarter, looking sullen and threatening, but giving no other sign of life than a Tartar flag which waved fromthe largest battery. In our rear were the combined fleets of England and France, w hil e f ar a- h ea d t h e bl ue flag of Admiral Hope streamed from the Coromandel as she led up to Peh-tang. Soon after 2 o'clock the gunboats anchored about 2,000 yards from the forts. All the embrasures were masked, and no troops visible. These forts are about three miles from the mouth of the river, the passage of which they com mand, the town standing immediately in their rear. On a causeway running towards Taku a picket of Tartar cavalry was visible, but no communication whatever was made from their commander. Some of the inhabitants were also seen hurrying along the causeway from the town, including two men of rank in sedan chairs, protected by a mounted escort. At 3 p.m. the Generals determined on landing 400 men, half English half French, and making a reconnais sance towards this road. The 2d (Queen's) supplied the English portion of the advanced party, and the boats at once pulled off to the mudbank. They were very soon aground, and the men jumped out up to their middles in mud and water. On reaching the shore a flat of soft, sticky, slippery mud extended around on every side. Through this we waded, sinking ankle deep at each step. For fully three quarters of a mile did we flounder and struggle be fore reaching a hard of similar mud, evidently co vered by the sea during very high - fides. Nearly every man was disembarrassed of his lower in teguments, and one gallant brigadier led en his men with no other garment than his shirt. Immediately after the reconnoitring party had effected a land ing, the Tartars retreated along the causeway, and the order was given to disembark the rest of tie force at once. This was effected without accident by 5 o'clock, not a single shot having been fired by the enemy. Never did more hopeless prospect greet an army. Mud and water everywhere, and " not a drop of drink." Pools of brackish water were scattered about here and there, but perfectly undrinkable, and not a well or spring eould be found. The ground was dotted with salt hills and groves, affording ex cellent cover for riflemen, but there was neither tree nor building of any sort or description. It had been arranged between the Commanders in-Chief that our troops should take up position on the right—the side nearest the town—and that the French should be formed on the left flank of the Einglish. Immediately on landing, however, a French colonel, whose zeal outran his discretion, rushed forward with the Chasseurs and occupied the causeway close to the gate, on the very spot which had been allotted to the English forces. Sir Hope Grant at once halted his troops and spoke to General Montauban. In the promptest manner, and without a moment's hesitation, the French General despatched Col. Schmitz, his chef d'etat major, to recall this regiment, which was soon marched along the causeway to its proper position. The English army then advanced, the Rifles to the right, the 15th Punjabees in the centre, and the Queen's on the left. They were on an island cut off from the causeway by a deep ditch, 40 feet wide, through which the tide lowed. In plunged the brigade, and sunk middle deep in the vilest and most stinking slush ; but the men struggled gal lantly on, and in a few seconds the whole force was on the road. The sun was sinking fast as from the causeway, raised some six feet from the marsh, we surveyed the position. To the right was the town, with a wooden gate at the end of the road. A few feet in advance of the gate the causeway had been cut for a breadth of 20 or 30 feet, so as to admit the flow of the'tide to the other side ; over this ditch was a wooden bridge. The bridge and gate were occupied without delay by 100 Riles and 100 French without a shot being fired. The ground in front was precisely similar to that in our rear—mud and brackish pools—while about six miles to the left a row of trees and a few houses were visible. It was the position of Arcola, an enormous marsh, with one causeway running across it, and a resolute enemy would have held the place against any odds. Sir Hope Grant was strongly pressed to occupy the town at once, but he steadily and most properly refused. Evening was rapidly closing into night, and consiliis nox apta ducum, lux aptior armis. He .was perfectly ignorant as to the force in the forts, and it would have been most imprudent to engage his army after nightfall in the narrow streets of a Chinese town, while during the dark it would have been utterly impossible to preserve discipline and save the inhabitants from the horrors of a sack. So it was arranged that the gunboats should attack at 4 next morning, and the whole army lay down in the mud on the causeway, without tents or cover ing, and waited the approach of day. The advanced picket at the gate kept edging up to the outskirts of the town, the inhabitants of which were found at the doora of their houses in a dreadful state of trepidation. They brought water, and showed an anxious disposition to assist the soldiers in every way. No sooner did this intelligence reach Consul Parkes than he went to the gate and interrogated the most intelligent man he could find. From him he learnt that the forts were deserted, with the exception of 75 men, who had sworn to fight to the List. These were not odds to frighten " Harry Parkes," so he asked permission from Sir Hope Grant to visit the forts, accompanied by Captain Williams, of the Royals, Deputy-Assistant-Quar termaster-General, and a corporal and two file of the Rifles. Before starting he took a hostage, and left him with the General as security for his safe return. About ten o'clock he started on his errand and passed through the very centre of Peh-tang. The people were standing about thentreetsvfiuslilbole. Thefalarm and anxiety, but no Tartar soldier was gate of the South fort was locked, and offered slight resistance to the blows of the Riflemen, who were soon in the fort. It was entirely deserted, and the half-dozen guns in the embrasures were " dum mies," made of wood bound with hide. The Chinaman who accompanied the party warned them that the place was mined, and pointed out the spots where the infernal machines were placed. Mr. Parkes brought away half a dozen flags, and returned to the army at midnight with his valuable budget of news. The intelligence was conveyed to General Montauban and Admiral Hope, and every one com posed himself to sleep as best he could, About 2 o'clock a party of the Rifles saw four mounted Tartars on the mud, within a few yards of the cause wa.y.',They fired, and killed a horse, and most pro bably i s s rider, for the anim a l was a ft erwar d s well as the man's pouch, accoutrements, and provisions. At half-past 4 the bugles sounded the reveille, and soon after that hour the Generals and their Staffs rode through the town and into the South fort. All the houses were shut up, and hardly a soul stirring. A p artyof French Sappers accom panied General M ont auban, remaining on the causeway, The the Trbees rest Sa ppers saertmtyo work and dug out the mines, of which there were four. The earth had been carefully moved round a circle of 30 feet. At intervals of six or seven feet S-inch shells, filled with powder and slugs, were placed in tin cases. These were connected by w ith traps int o which flint and steel locks set, and they ag a i n were attac h e d to s lf t i ro e r; were small cords. The whole was covered with , matting, and a thin layer of earth carefully flattened THE SUN, LONDON WEDNESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 17, 1860. down so as to resemble the adjacent ground. The weight of a man placed on these pitfalls would at once throw him upon the traps, which might or might not have exploded, for opinions are divided upon that point. However, thanks to the guide, the shells were soon dug up and filled with water. The south fort of Peh-tang, in which we now found ourselves, consists of two cavaliers, connected by a curtain with a waving trace. In each of the cavaliers are embrasures for three guns, in addition to four in the curtain. Beyond the southern cava lier are embrasures for two guns, which would have completely swept the spot on which the landing was effected ; and beyond the northern is one for commanding the bend of the river. The cavaliers are 30 feet high, the parapet wall 16 feet high and 10 feet thick. The fort is open behind, its only protection consisting in a crenel latedwall affording little or no shelter. A deep and wide ditch, filled by the tide, surrounds it on three sides ; on the fourth it is level with the streets of the town. The embrasures were blinded with mantelets, and the whole fort was admirably built with a corn• binatio4 of mud and straw, well calculated for re sisting round shot. The north fort is of similar con struction, but only carries 11 guns. All the guns were removed shortly before the attack at the Peiho last year and taken to a place called Shwang-Kiang, about 12 miles from Tien-tsin, where there is said to be a large entrenched camp. In the guardhouse was found a paper, stating the total strength of the gar • rison at 504 men. This number, however, included detachments to various dependent posts; but 327 men were always kept in the forts. They were the first to leave the place as soon as the allies were seen approaching. A proclamation was also found, dated in April last, from the Governor-General of Chih-li. He informs the people that Sang-ko-lin-sin has been appointed Generalissimo of all the Mongolian and Tartar troops in the district, and desires that sup plies may be given to them at reasonable rates, Sang-ko-lin-sin, on his part, undertaking that there shall be no plunder. From the top of the northern bastion Sir Hope Grant and General Montauban took a survey of the surrounding country, and a wretched scene of deso lation it presented. To the east was the sea and mouth of the river, with its soft mud banks. North, south, east, and west, one great muddy morass ex tended in every direction, not a trace of vegetation being visible within a circuit of six miles. But one road could be discovered—the causeway on which the troops were halted. It therefore became a sad necessity to take possession of the town and to house the troops at the expense of the inhabitants. Peh- tang is intersected by one main street, nearly in the centre. It was arranged that the portion to the north should be occupied by the French and that to the south by the English armies. Oh, bells matribzo detestata! What painful scenes does war necessitate, and to what miseries was this harmless population subjected through the arro gance and obstinacy of their own rulers ! They had not the remotest expectation of a hostile landing in their town, for, to use their own phrase, " it was a Taku affair with which Peh-tang had nothing to do." But the Peiho was staked and the coast inac cessible, and so the occupation of Peh-tang became a military necessity. At a moment's notice 30,000 people were turned out of house and home. Women with babies in their arms, young girls and old men were hurrying through the streets, driven from house to house, and finding no rest. Fortunately, there were numerous junks in the river by which many of them at once escaped to the adjacent vil lages. Fully one half of the town was occupied at once by the troops and coolies, and next morning the latter were despatched in search of forage and water, so that within 24 hours every house was broken open. A sad scene of plunder ensued, in which, accord ing to the accounts of the Chinese themselves, nine tenths of the mischief was done by tie coolies attached to the two armies. Sir H. Grant was on board the Coromandel with the Admiral, about to proceed up the river on a reconnaissance, when he heard .what was taking place. He immediately despatched Major Lowe, military Aide-de-Camp to the Admiral, with the most stringent orders that any British soldier or coolie attached to his force discovered plundering in the streets or houses should be at once handed over to Captain Usher, the Pro vost-Marshal, and severely punished. Captain Usher was not slack in carrying out his orders, the English troops were confined to their quarters, and the roll called frequently. I am most happy to say that, though for the three days succeeding the occupation I was constantly in the town, I did not, even in the unoccupied houses in their own quarter, discover even one English soldier plundering. Those caught during the first few hours were severely flogged, but with regard to the Royals there was not a single complaint, to the honour alike of offi cers and men. An immense number of pigs were found in the town, and so strict was our General in carrying out his orders that two unfortunate pri vates of the Rifles who had been unlucky enough to catch a couple of porkers just after the General passed by, were, by his direction, at once handed over to the Provost-Marshal, and got two dozen each. Sir Hope was quite right in punishing this disobedience, but it was rather hard on the men, for the French, who act on a different system, were carrying off the unclean animals in every direction. Passing a large house in one of the principal streets, I heard the voices of women crying for help. On entering, I found Lieutenant Roberts, of the Royals, who is attached to the Coolie Corps. Two of these fellows were discovered in a room where three or four women had secreted themselves, whom they were beating over the heads with bamboopole3, in order to exact information as to where their money R as kept. The Provost-Marshal gave them a tremendous castigation on the spot, but not a whit more than they deserved. In the corner of the room sat an old woman of 90, in second childhood, nearly imbecile, and trembling with fear. On his knees before Lieutenant Roberts was her son, a man of 50, who, with clasped hands and streaming eyes, apparently besought for mercy. Mr. Roberts in vain attempted to raise him, and was unable to ascertain what he wanted. Fortunately, Mr. Mor gan, oue of the interpreters attached to the army, happened to be passing, and stated that the man was begging for a few hours' delay in order to make arrangements and get his mother and family on board a junk. It was absolutely necessary to have possession of this house, -but, at the greatest in convenience to himself, Lieutenant Roberts granted the required delay, and in the afternoon saw the whole family safely out of the town. Returning home I passed a box in the street with a French sentry over it. I lifted the lid and found the bodies of two young girls of 15 or 16 who had been poisoned by their friends lest they should fall into the hands of the " barbarians." They were par tially clothed, and, from the active state of decom position, it was clear they must have been killed as c c o u u i l d 60 , 7 01 t i y o w t h e v e s e o r the army entered th e t own. s t a n d e r e s t i o s r ioenseaadtttennfidnetd.ti by y n bu l t such exceptionally painful circumstances that I can not omit it. When Mr. Parkes came into the fort he was accompanied by a Chinaman fairly educated, and evidently a better class of shopkeeper. He it was who pointed out the mines, told whence the water could be brought, and gave much valuable in formation. Not having seen his friend for two days, Mr. Parkes on Saturday morning went in search of his house. The doorway was broken open, and in a large room at the back lay the dead bodies of three women, evidently mother and daughters. A China man who had recognised Mr. Parkes followed him into the house, and poured out a most incoherent story, which he ended by offering to show him the man he searched for. He was at the French hos pital, recovering from the effects of poison, and told his story in the following terms :—On the day after the town was occupied his house, which was in the French quarter, was broken open and plundered eight or ten times by coolies and three or four times by French. Mr. Parkes had told him that if attacked by coolies he should mention his name, and say he was under his protection. The first band of plunderers happened to be Cantonese, and retired, disappointed and swearing. The next batch came from Shanghai, and so the. invocation of "Parkes" was ineffectual against them. They threatened the women and commenced breaking open all the drawers and cupboards, destroying what they did not carry off. At length, towards nightfall, this poor man and his family, fairly frightened to death, determined on poisoning themselves. The opium acted much more rapidly on the women than on the man, who was probably aecustomed to its use, and when the last party of French arrived, they tound the women dead and the man just alive. They carried him to the hospital. There a strong emetic was administered, and he is now walking about. On Monday Mr. Parkes took two coolies, and, accompanied by Captain Grant, went with the Chinaman to his house, in order, if possible, to save something from the wreck. On behold ing the scene of desolation which awaited, him, the poor fellow burst into tears, and regretted that his life had been saved—ruined, wifeless, and childless as he was. Mr. Parkes did his best to administer comfort, and he will now be properly looked after. I trust and believe that the result of all this will be that the army will never occupy another town with out giving the inhabitants 48 hours' notice to depart with their valuables. The force which landed on the Ist inst. was drawn up on a narrow causeway, surrounded by a sea of mud, where no tent could be pitched, and unless the troops had been housed at once they must inevitably have perished during the rain which fell soon after our arrival. It was a hard necessity of war, and most devoutly it is to be de sired that such a necessity may not again arise. A kinder hearted man than Sir Hope Grant does not exist, and no efforts are or will be wanting on his part to diminish the miseries entailed by a hostile force. Above all, it is to be hoped that the women will be protected, for I have heard of scenes—in which English soldiers took no part—that I cannot describe, though happily, they are few in number. The houses of Peh-tang are built of mud, one story high, with rooms running out of each other, like a rabbit-warren. Never—not in the wildest parts of Bulgaria or the farthermost steppes of Russia, have I seen so miserable a place, and yet thesewretchea houses contained much valuable pro perty in silks, furs, and embroideries. The officers of the 15th Punjaubees occupy the principal pawn broking establishment. Room after room is piled from roof to ceiling with costly goods, all neatly ticketed and perfectly arranged, An enormous provision of water was kept in large stone jars, some houses having as much as six or eight tons. This water is brought down in boats from a place about six miles distant. In the house occupied by Brigadier Crofton is a curious collection of pictures, principally caricatures. One, represent ing the signature of Sir Henry Pottinger's treaty, is uncommonly well executed. The Mandarins are at one table, the British authorities at another, their uniforms strictly copied; down to the proper number of stripes on the Post-Captain's arm. Behind them are six marines, and behind the Mandarins.an equal number of" braves." This house is one of the best in the town—large, airy, and spacious. From three courtyards, in one of which is a grapery, the rooms run out in every direction without plan or order. The centre court communicates with the women's apartments—the nurseries on one side, the sleeping rooms on the other. In the former toys, little shoes, and Chinese primers lay scattered about, while the principal sleeping apartment was rich in silks, embroideries, and small-footed satin bottines, covered with paper butterflies, which spread their wings to the air and fluttered about as their owner toddled along. In this room also was a mechanical group of a most filthy character, which was immedi ately destroyed. In the building occupied by Bri gadier Pattle we picked up a letter, enclosing a document written in the most delicate characters, and a model of caligraphy. It turned out to be from Pekin, and addressed to an uncle by his nephew—studiorum emeritus. He had passed his examination for the second degree, and sent a copy of his successful essay. His letter was full of plans for visiting his relations at Peh-tang, and was only dated in April. The wreck and ruin spread around us afforded an excellent commentary on the vanity of human wishes. The Commissariat have taken possession of a num ber of the country carts, in one of which it was pro posed that Mr. Bruce should have entered Pekin as Minister of England. They are of the most wretched description, —common arabas without springs, co vered like the tilted market carts in Holland. There is no seat inside, and not more than three feet and a half from the roof to the floor. A curtain let down in front, and the contents of the vehicle could be carried from one end of China to the other without any Chinaman being one whit the wiser. The object of the Pekin Mandarins in insisting that the Ambassadors of France and England should land at Peh-tang, and travel in such vehicles, is abundantly apparent. However, to Peh-tang the Emperor ordered the allied Ministers to go and wait his pleasure, and to Peh-tang the allied armies have come, and only wait the morrow to advance on the Peiho. In no sense can Peh-tang be said to be the highway to Pekin. Between the river on the banks of which we landed, and the Peiho there is no communication, except it be by canal. This river runs to the north, while the course of the Peiho is westward. Sad, indeed, is it that the ob stinacy of the war party should cause such miseries to an unoffen ding multitude, but a lesson will shortly ) be read which Sang-ko-lin-sin himself is not likely to forget. Having taken a trip up the river in the Coromandel, to search for a practical road, and having discovered nothing but mud and osier beds for four miles, Sir Hope Grant determined to make a strong reconnais sance along the causeway on the morning of the 3d. At 4 a.m. the force started from the town. It con sisted of 1,000 men of the Queen's Rifles, and 15th Punjaubees, under the command of Brigadier Sut ton, and an equal force of French, under.the com mand of Gen. Collineau, with two French rifled 3-pounder mountain guns, and a party of engineers. It was arranged that the French should be in ad vance, the English in support, and so they marched along the road. For three miles the prospect was unvaried, a raised mud causeway and a sea of mud and water on either side. Then came a ruined joss house on the road, where a few Tartar vedettes were visible, who retired as the head of the column approached. About half a mile further stood a bridge, about 15 feet wide, at a point where the causeway had been cut, so as to admit the flow of the tide to the other side and prevent the road being flooded. This bridge the enemy did not attempt to destroy. Half a mile beyond the bridge the raised causeway stops, at a point where the tide ceases to flow. The road is then carried over the level of the flat, which consists of hard mud, sparsely covered with thin green furze bushes. Here are three de serted houses, which were occupied by some 300 Tartars, with mounted vedettes extended on either side. The night had been rainy, and the causeway was ankle-deep in mud, and the ditches full of water. Soon after the head of the column had passed the bridge the enemy opened a sharp fire from gingals and matchlocks. The ditch is here fully three feet deep, but on the French being ordered to deploy they jumped in at once, formed on either side the road, advanced skirmishing behind the salt mounds, and drove in the Tartar outposts, who retired be hind the houses on the right of the road. They then showed 2,000 or 3,000 cavalry extended right and left, protecting their own flanks and threatening those of our allies. The two French mountain guns were ordered to the front, and commenced shelling the houses. In 10 minutes the enemy again retired, and the column continued its advance. The road now ran over the flat, the country around being practicable for cavalry, though flooded in many places by the heavy rains of the previous night. The French formed on the right of the road, and the English on the left, in column in echelon of regi ments. This formation was rendered necessary by the deep pools interspersed here and there, which prevented an advance in line. A large intrenched camp was seen stretching right across the road, protected by crenellated mud walls and by salt hills. From the moment the first shot was fired the enemy had been receiving constant reinforce ments, until at length they had fully 5,000 cavalry in the field. A large body manoeuvred to threaten the left flank of the English, who changed front to the left, and the Queen's threw forward two com panies of skirmishers up to the edge of some pools, where they opened fire on the cavalry. They soon retired, and the skirmishers were recalled. All this time a heavy fire was kept . up by the Tartars. The fire was well directed, but from the great 'distance at which it was opened—at least 1,500 yards—the balls of the gingals and matchlocks did very little execution. An advance was now made up to within 1,200 yards of the camp, at which point the brigade halted. The Queen's again threw forward two companies of skirmishers, but beingunable to silence the guns from the camp they were soon withdrawn. The men were then ordered to lie down, and the commanders sent to the town for instructions as to whether the camp should be stormed or the troops return. Sir H. Grant and Gen. Montauban went to the front, and decided that, as they had no cavalry, and had merely intended to push forward a recon naissance which had answered its object and had drawn the enemy, it would be better to retire with the troops at once. This was done, and the Tartars did not attempt to folio ,v up the allies. Just as the troops were withdrawn, two 24-pounder howitzers of Desborough's battery came up at a gallop. They received their orders an hour before, and the horses had only been landed on the previous night. Never theless, they turned out as though they had been stabled on Woolwich-common instead of having passed the night in a muddy bivouac at Peh-tang, and the easy way in which the guns were moved along the filthy causeway excited universal admira tion. We had three men slightly wounded in this little affair, all contusions from gingal balls, of little or no consequence. Major Greathead, also, was hit in the lower part of the thigh with a spent ball, but the blow was not worse than from a cricket ball, and he was about next day. Major Anson's horse had a narrow escape, a ball passing between his legs, fortunately without touching him. The French had six men and one officer wounded. This reconnaissance has been attended with most important results. It proves that the causeway ends some four miles hence, and that the ground is prac ticable for cavalry. Where 5,000 Tartars can manoeuvre there must be room for our King's Dra goon Guards, for Probyn, and for Fane, and the presence of such a number of horses affords conclu sive evidence that water must be pretty abundant. Just behind .the Tartar camp the country seems under cultivation, and not far in their rear we can see the Peiho, which makes a sharp curve at a place called Sinho. A few days' dry weather, and guns could manoeuvre over the greater part of the ground, which the artillery pronounce eminently suited for the Armstrong shell. The enemy is very different from the wretched rabble hitherto opposed to us in the South. These Tartars seem brave, resolute men, well commanded, well disciplined, and well mounted on strong active galloways. They moved in gocd order. Their supports came up rapidly, and it is quite clear that their leader knows some thing of his business. However, se far as is known, they have no field artillery, and I cannot but think they will fall an easy prey before such infantry, cavalry, and artillery as are about to meet them. What can a gin gal, however well directed, avail against an Armstrong shell ? and Sang-ko-lin-sin himself could hardly hold his own against such swordsmen as Probyn and Fane. Immediately after their return the Commanders-in-Chief deter mined to disembark the whole force immediately, and, as soon as the necessary preparations were made, to advance, storm the Tartar camp, and fol low them up with vigour. On the 4th the landing of the artillery was con tinued, but under very great difficulties, as the wea ther was squally and the sea high outside the bar. But " where there's a will there's a way," and though the waves were rough the disembarcation proceeded rapidly. The Tartars waxed valiant after the reconnaissance, which they doubtless converted into a great victory. On the 4th three men ad vanced within 200 yards of the French picket at the gate, and one, detaching himself from the rest, came forward brandishing his sword within 50 yards of the advanced sentries. At first it was sup posed that he might wish to parley, so a white flag was hoisted, or rather a white handkerchief stuck on the end of a musket. But his voice was still for war. He fired his pistol, and got a volley in return, which wounded his horse, but not mortally. He rode back along the causeway, and about 300 yards from the gate dismounted, and led back his steed. From the fort their advanced pickets and camp are distinctly visible. They evidently keep good guard, and are on the alert so soon as any one passes the gate. The night of the 4th was again wet, and during a tremendous span, which did not last five minutes, the water in the gulf fell six inches. All through the night the cavalry were landed, and the narrow wharf presented a scene of apparently hopeless con fusion. But out of this disorder order came, through the exertions of the Quartermaster-General's De partment, of whose complete efficiency it is impos sible to speak too highly. Colonel Stephenson, Deputy Adjutant-General, and his Staff, were also indefatigable, and in due course the whole of the cavalry and artillery were landed without a single accident, except that a favourite mule of Sir Hope Grant's, which had followed his fortunes in India for many years, got staked and was shot. Let it be remembered that thesehorses and guns were brought from ships lying some miles out at sea, towed in open boats across a dangerous bar and up a narrow tortuous river, in which the tide runs like a mill stream, and landed on a narrow mud wharf; that the horses are over 2,000 in number, and the baggage animals as many more, and it will be evident that the Staff of this little army is most thoroughly efficient. Some com plaints have been made as to the course adopted by the admiral, who has not hnded the force according to the plan carefully prepared by Col. Mackenzie, in consequence of which commanding and staff offi cers were kept for some time without their horses. But all's well that ends well. The whole expedition has been landed within a week, amid squalls, gales, and heavy seas, and the navy has certainly worked with a will, often for 18 and 20 hours at a stretch. Probyn's Horse are picketed on one side the fort, and part of Desborough's battery on the other. Mid pouring rain and in heavy slush the Sikhs had to pitch their camp, but the weather fortunately cleared, when a hot sun and strong breezes soon dried up the mud. I an writing this letter in an out house which forms my quarters, the slate roof of which affords better protection against the sun than the canvas of a tent. My domicile is built of mud, the roof of wood and matting with a substantial tile cover. There is neither door nor window, for the oiled paper I found doing service for the latter excluded both light and air, and was pulled out at once. My apartment is proved with brick, and is ten feet by eight. It is unfortunately occupied by a numerous tenantry, whom all my exertions have been unable to eject, and who feed on my poor body nightly. For the rest, it keeps out the rain, except when the wind is due east, and it lets in the sun at five in the morning, so that I am driven perforce to very early hours. As to the dust, no windows ever constructed would keep out that, so that their absence is of little consequence. From the cava lier before me floats the Union Jack, indicating the head-quarters of the Commander-in-Chief. At the corner of the highest bastion is a group composed of Sir Hope Grant, in flannel shirt and trousers, Sir John Michel, Colonels Stephenson and Mackenzie, and Captain Willes, carefully inspecting the enemy's outposts. In the foreground an obsti nate mule of Major Sarel's objects to the portman teaus with which he is being loaded, and kicks about frightfully, though a syce is holding on like grim death to a twitch on his nose, Descending the hill are Lord Richard Grosvenor, who has come from Japan to see the fun, Colonel Ross, and a couple of French soldiers. Amid ropes, wooden gun carriages, and debris of every descriptiOn, the coolies are cook ing their dinner, a most mysterious and unsavoury mess, and behind them are the Artillery, just leading out their horses to water. Signor Beate, whose photographs of Indian camp life are so well known, has just asked for "steadiness" while he takes a photograph of the scene. To the right are Probyn's Horse with their little square tents, their lances glittering in the sun, their red and blue pennants flaunting in the wind, their magnificent Arabs fighting, squeali ng , an d ki c ki ng i n e very direction, their syces and beesties, their goats, dogs, mules, and asses. A mor e pi c t ur esque scene was _ witnessed. This sort of bivouac is. however , a ttended with its disadvantages. Some of the gunners had partaken rather freely of samshu before coming into the fort. About midnight I was awakened by n o i se i n my room, and saw a stalwart bombardier in the doorway. Jumping up at once, I asked his business, and he hiccupped out, "My name's O'Brien, and (needless information) I'm an Irishman. I've lost my coat, and I hould you responsible." With some little trouble, and after a threat of appealing to the sentry, I got him out, and he staggered to a large heap of wood, on which he fell. " Ought Ito kick him, or cut his throat, or shall I kick him first and cut his throat afterwards ?" was his soliloquy regarding myself, as he quietly _ resigned himself to sleep. The landing of the artillery was concluded on Monday. On that and the previous day all the idlers, both French and English, turned out to see the guns. The 32-pounders and the 8-inch mortars, and the newly-invented carriages, were taken at a hand gallop through the streets more than axle deep in mud, slush, gal bage, matting, bricks, broken china, and other Peh•tang delicacies. Not one acci dent occurred. Not one gun was halted. Mortars, howitzers, Armstrongs, and 9-pounders, were all safely conveyed to the artillery park at the gate, and neither gun, waggon nor carriage was injured. On Sunday I saw several gunners thrown on their knees in the kennel, but the sergeant cheered them up, saying, " Sure, it's Sunday boy s, and where could ye be better than on your knees ?" Notwithstanding the position of the town, and the many inducements to cholera and typhus, the health of the army is most extraordinary—very much better than at Tah•lien-hwan. There the per centage was a little• above 4, here it is positively only 11 per cent. on the whole force, for "no one now has leisure to be sick, in such a jostling time." The excitement carries the men through, for they know they are soon to meet the enemy, and should they fall ill they would be sent to the fleet. How ever, this state of things could not possibly last amid the close streets and pestilential atmosphere, redolent of cholera and typhus, which surrounds us, and it is a subject of universal congratulation that we go into the open the day after to-morrow. I am sorry to learn, however, that the force left at Hong kong is in a very bad state, and that the men are dying fast. It is high time that something should be done about this charnel house for English trcops, and I have reason to know that the strongest re presentations have been made to the home Govern ment against any European regiment being again stationed there. Kowloon, our new acquisition, af fords an excellent site for barracks. I cannot pur sue the subject at present, but it is one which I pro pose thoroughly to investigate hereafter. A house in the French quarter took fire on Mon day, but after the greatest exertions the flames were extinguished, and the damage confined to the house. Next day Captain Govan, R.A., discovered a slow match lighted in a house occupied by the artillery, which match was connected with a large catty of powder. It was providentially discovered in time, for the effect of an explosion in the town, with the enormous mass of ammunition collected in every quarter, would be something frightful. Almost at the same time an alarm was raised in the French quarter that the Chinese were poisoning the water. On examination, however, this turned out to be incorrect, though a Frenchman had died foaming at the mouth shortly after drinking freely. The result of these alarms was to cause a general search for Chinese, who were all expelled the town. The weather is on the whole as favourable as we Gould expect, though very hot, the thermometer standing at 90 in the shade. Still the sun does not seem to produce the pernicious effect attending a summer campaign in the south of China, and though the men have been much exposed there has been no case of sun stroke. We are never 24 hours without a breeze, or rather a smart gale, now from the S.W., now from the N.E. During the week that has elapsed since the landing there have been heavy showers, but no continuous downpour except on Sunday, when it rained six or seven hours at a stretch. It is clear, however, that there is no re gular rainy season. All the inhabitants laugh if asked when the rain is expected. " How can we tell ?" say they. "We know when it has fallen, but cannot tell when it will come." This is satis factory, for amid this mud and marsh rain is our worst enemy. As the Peiho is inaccessible to the larger gunboats except during spring tides, the Taku forts cannot be attacked from the river for another week. About the middle of the month the great affair will most probably come off, and I trust by next mail to in form you that the English and French flags float from the forts of the Peiho. On Saturday, the 11th inst., the mettle of the Tartar troops will be tested, for the Commanders in-Chief have determined on attacking their camp in force. The English force will consist of the whole of the first and half of the second division, Barry's and Milward's batteries of Armstrong guns, and Stirling's, Govan's, and• Desborough's batteries—thirty English guns besides rockets. All the cavalry will be out, and our contingent will be upwards of 7,000 men. The English will be in front on the eauseway ; the march being opened by two of Barry's guns and 200 men of the Royals, after which will follow the remainder of Barry's battery, the Royals and the 31st, this advanced force being under the command of Brigadier Staveley. An equal advanced guard of the French will be next. and then the main body of the English. It is anticipated that the Chinese left may be turned, and that the cavalry may get possession of the bridge over the Peiho, in which case the Tartars would be caught in a trap, and the war finished " in a clap of thunder." They are hard at work throwing up intrenchments, but they have no Todtleben to direct them here. On the 6th inst., when the Beagle was getting water up the Peh-tang river, Admiral Hope sent Mr. Morrison ashore with a flag of truce to announce that if the Tartars did not fire on our watering party ,we should not fire on them. This was arranged, and Hang-fuh, governor of the province, took ad vantage of the opening to send Lord Elgin a letter by a second or third-rate mandarin. It is said that this communication did not concede a single point demanded by the ultimatum, but was evidently in tended to delay hostilities on the part of the allies. However that may be, Lord Elgin, after consulta tion with Baron Gros, sent back the messenger and declined the overtures of the provincial governor, who had no power whatever to treat. Just as I conclude my letter, heavy rain is descending, and the glass has gone down considerably. Happen what may, the army will move forward on Sa turday. [ADVERTISEMENT.]—The following are not the least.re merkable among the numerous extraordinary out medicine effected by Du Barry's delicious Health Re' storing Revalenta Arabica.Food. Cure No. 47,121. _ "i . " cross, cure_s .. wi .n .t l r .. Elizabeth Jacobs, of Nazing Vicarage, Waltharege.Ler_ Herts : a cure of extreme nervousness, indigestlo.2.,,. gather ings, ings, low spirits, and nervous fancies. Cure !SI 31 ' Elizabeth Yeoman, Gateacre, near Liverpool; 13 , irritability. years dyspepsia and all the horrors of nervous .. sp _ ps . a, constipation, cry_ e i s cure of 10 Cure 18,216. Dr. Andrew Tire, of rimed, of drop 9 nervous irritability. Cure 34,210. Dr. SlZ ian o f epileptic and debility. Cure 36,212. Captain Leicester, Miss Vir fits. Cure 46,814. Mr. Samuel of two years diarrhoea . 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Let invalids ttations offered under a variety of $ imitations are prohibited by the rious and injuls o : T ri l m . ancer y under a penalty of £5,000 against false pretences. high Court ofrCilevill and his agents ; and the pretences Alfred Heope Di a patent for Arabica Food and that Du that Nevill has connected with such patent are utterly fals... Barry's are figenuine without the name Barry Du Barry Regent-street, in full,.onthe seal and wrapper. No eanist , e 7 r and Co., , , era who attempt imposition in one article must eSxhpePekteetoPeb-e- distrusted in all others. Packed in tins 11b. oth 4 6d. ; 51b. lls.; 121 b. 225. ; 241 b. 40s. The 2s. b N I .; --• 8 . . an d 241 b. canisters are s ent carriage f ree on rece i pt 121 • of P os t-ofice order by Barry Du Barry and Co., 77, Re gent-street, London; Fortnum Mason, and Co.; Abbik, g G eehurch-street ; 4, Cheapside; 63 and 150, Ox -330 and 451, Strand ; 49 and 60, Bishopsgate ft d : s r t a r c e e t street ; Batty, 16, Finsbury Pavement ; Phillips and Co, tea-dealers; Petty, Wood, and Co., Ring William-street City ; at 127, High Holborn ; and all grocer?. [AnviurrrisPmENT.]—Holloway's Pills and Ointmext.— Bilious Ditselfisorders.—ln no or gan of the body does disease present so frequently, and in such varied forms as in the liver, and in no affections is it more important to apply immediate and safe treatment. Holloway's reme dies happily place the means of cure within the reach of all ; his Pills, aided by energetic friction with his Ointment on the right side, will 80011 relieve the troublesome dyspeptic symptoms, and perseverance with these prepara tions will ensure perfect recovery, without any great re strictions in habits or diet. This treatment safely reduces the enlarged liver so often indicative of too great indul gence in the pleasures of the table; nor is it less efficient ill prometin perfect digestioa. FROM THE GAZETTE OF LAST EVENING. - - EEDUCTION OF THE NATIONAL DEBT. • The Lards Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury hay ing certified to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt, in pursuance of the Act. 10 Geo. 4, c. 27, sec. 1, that the actual surplus revenue of the United King dom of Great Britain and Ireland, beyond the actual expen diture thereof, for the year ended the oth day of June, 1860, amounted to the sum of 1912,168 10$. 7d. The Commission ers f or the Reduction of the National Debt hereby give notice that the sum of £228,042 2s. 7d., being one-fourth part of the said surplus of £912,168 10s. 7d., will be applied, under the provisions of the said Act, between the 11th day of October, 1860, and the 31st day of December, 1860, to the following purposes, viz. : £ s. d. 42 2 7 To be applied to the purchase of Stock.... To be applied to the purchase of Exchequer Bills, commenly called Deficiency Bills, made out in pursuance of the Act 57 Geo. 3, cap. 42 .. 228,000 0 0 Add interest receivable on account of dona tions and bequests, to be applied to the purchase of Stock £232,410 6 2 National Debt Office, Oct. 10, 1860. C. H. W. A COURT, Assist.-Comptroller. WAR •OFFICE, PALL-MALL, SEPT. 5. Ist Regiment of Dragoons--Captain James Ainslie to be Major, by purchase, vice Michael Stocks, who retires; Lieutenant W alter Balfe to be Captain, by purchase, vice Ainslie; Cornet William Lawrence Twentyman to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Balfe. 2d Dragoons—Thomas Jessop, Gent., to be Cornet, by pur chase, vice Herbert, who has retired. 10th Light Dragoons—Captain Edward Levstt to be Major, by purchase, vice Richard Plane Smith, who retires ; Lieutenant Esdaile Lovell Lovell to be Captain, by pur chase, vice Levett ; Cornet Thomas James Williams Bulkeley to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Lovell ; Cornet John Cecil Russell, from the 11th Light Dragoons, to be Cornet, vice Bulkeley. Military Train—Captain Charles B. Wynne, from the 90th Foot, to be Captain, vice Henry Richmond Hoghton. Gale, who exchanges. Grenadier Guards—Ensign Charles James Herbert, from the Rifle Brigade, to be Ensign and Lieutenant, by pur chase, vice Bridges, promoted. Bth Foot—Ensign William W. Madden to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Leeson, who retires. 12th f'oot—John King Dooner, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Fiddes, promoted. 13th Foot—EnsignL Richard Fitzgerald King to be Lieu tenant, without purchase, vice Henzeii, superseded for being absent without leave ' • Li eu t enan t Edward Lut wyche England, to be Adjutant, vice Bond, promoted to an Unattached Company. 18th Foot—Ensign Charles Henry Stevenson to be Lieu tenant, without purchase, vice Theobold deceased En sign George Augustus Nicolls to be Lieutenant, without purchase, vice Bryant, promoted, 27th Foot—Staff-Assistant-Surgeon Joseph Henry Thomas King to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice Cameron, appointed to the Staff. 36th Foot—Lieut. Edward Dorrien Newbolt to b. Instruc tor of Musketry, vice Lieut. Le Mesurier, who resigned that appointment. 56th Foot—Lieut. and Adjutant Henry Williams to be Cap tain, without purchase, vice Baxter, deceased . ; Donald James Gordon Stewart, Gent., to be Ensign, without purchase, in succession to Lieut. Williams. 58th Foot—Ensign Wm. James Hall to be Adjutant , vice Lieut. Wm. Bolton, who resigns that appointment. 70th Foot—Ensign Rodney Stuart Riddell to be Lieute nant, by purchase, vice Crozier, who retires. 74th Foot—Lieut. Robert Frederick Martin to be Captain, by purchase, vice Chas. Wylde Sherlock, who retires; Ensign Norman Magnus MacLeod to be Lieutenant, by purchase, vice Martin; Ensign Henry Smith Andrews, from' he 12th Foot, to be Ensign, vice MacLeod. 78th Foot—Staff Assistant-Surgeon Alexander Watt Beve ridge, M.D., to be Assistant-Surgeon, vice M'Master, appointed to the 6th Dragoons. 90th Foot—Captain Henry Richmond Hoghton Gale, from the Military Train, to be Captain, vice Charles B. Wynee, who exchange 3. Rifle Brigade—Anthony Cope, Gent., to be Ensign, by purchase, vice Herbert, appointed to the Grenadier Guards. 2d West India Regiment—Ensign Robert Straker Turton to be Adjutant, vice Lieutenant George Wm. Reade, who resigns that appointment. DEPOT BATTALION.—Major Charles Carew de Morel to be Lieutenant-Colonel, by purchase, vice Brevel-Colonel James Well Armstrong, retired on half-pay. UNATTACHED.—Captain and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Spalding S. Evans Gordon, from the 23d Foot, to be Major, without purchase. MEDICAL DneanTKENT. Assistant-Surgeon John McLeod Cameron, M. 8., from the 27th Foot, to be Staff- Surgeon, vice Bradshaw, placed upon half-pay. BANKRUPTS. Egbert Lambley, tailor, Charles-street, Soho-square, to surrender Oct. 25, at one, and Nov. 29, at eleven, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Moses Moses, merchant, Devonshire-square, City, Oct. 31, at half-past twelve, and Nov. 28, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Walter Lawrence, eowkeeper, Budock, Cornwall, Nov. 7, at eleven, and Nov. 28, at one, at the Exeter District Court. John Turner, grocer, Halifax, Oct. 26 and Nov. 16, at eleven, at the Leeds District Court. Alfred Silvester, photographic artist, New Dorset-place, Clapham-road, Oct. 25, at one, and Nov. 29, at two, at the Court of Bankruptcy. William John Cox, grocer, Fetter-lane, City, Oct 31, at two, and Nov. 28, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Frank Adams, lighterman, Chancellor's-wharf,Hammer smith, Oct. 31, at half-past two, and Nov. 28, at one, at the Court of Bankruptcy. Joseph Mathews, innkeeper, Holywell, Flintehire, Oct. 26 and Nov. 16, at twelve, at the Liverpool District Court. John Rowbotham and James Shaw, pictare dealers, Manchester, Oct. 31 and Nov. 21, at twelve, at the Man chester District Court. Robert Edward Martin, surgeon, Brighton, Oct. 26, at half-past one, and Nov. 30, at one, at the Court of Bank- Henry Edgar Morgan, confectioner, Oxford, Oct. 26, at half-past eleven, and Nov. 30, at twelve, at the Court of Bankruptcy. SCOTCH BANKRUPTS. James M'Phers n, innkeeper, Aberdeen. Neil Brown, wine and spirit merchant, Glasgow. William Murdoch, shepherd, Corry of Torridon, Apple cross, Ross-shire. John Anderson, builder, Particle, Lanarkshire. Charles Grubb, farmer, Ladeddie Quarries, Fifeshire. Ernest Chapuy, general merchant, Fenchurch-street, London, now residing at Kingston, near Glasgow. a ----1 a w COUNTRY MARKETS. LIVERPOOL—OcT. 16. There was a good attendance of both town and country buyers at this morning's market, with a brisk consumptive demand for wheat, which may be quoted at the extreme rates of this day week. Flour was a slew sale, and Ameri can must be noted 6d to is .per barrel lower on the week. Prime new oats as befcre; inferior descriptions id to ld per 451 b lower. New oatmeal plentiful, and is per load decline on the week. Barley and peas were unaltered, but little or none offering. Egyptian beans 6d per qr dearer. In Indian corn there was a fair demand, and American mixed brought 37s per qr., about Gd per qr over late rates. Best American white held at 42s per qr. BRISTOL--OcT. 16. A fair business doing in the wheat trade to-day, and considerable inquiry for feeding stuffs, which still fetched rather more money. NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYNE—OcT. 116. At this corn market there was rather a limited show of wheat for the season, but the demand was steady , and p r ices were at about l as t week's rates—white making 60s to 70s, red 56s to 665. The samples of barley shown were few, with a fair demand. Oats in small supply, and the trade firth, from 29s to 36s per 24 stone. Beans made from 46s to 50a per qr. LEEDS —Our. 16. Our market to-day was fairly attended by millers. Good descriptions of new and old wheat held for about former rates, with a better demand. Dry barley fetches last Tues day's prices. Beans and oats fully as dear. SLEAFORD—Ocr. 15. The trade rather slow again to-day, with a limitad show of wheat, at about last week's rates. The supply of barley short. Wheat ruled at 64 s to 70s, red 62s to 67 s per qr. Barley,. 298 to 465; oats, 28s to 325; beans, 47s to kg; peas, —s to —s. NORWICH CATTLE. The show of store cattle to-day was very good, and an excellent one of short horns, many lots being of superior quality and forward in condition. Buyers were not very numerous, and previous rates barely maintained. At the clOsa more than one-half of the beasts remained unsold. Scots, 4s to 4s Gd ; shorthorns, 3s 6d to 4s 6d Irish, 3s to 4s Gd ; Devo ns , 45 Od to 4s Gd (estimated weight when fat). Fat beasts, 8s Od to 8s 6d per 111 b. Sheep---There was a fair supply of sheep in the pens. Lambs, breeding ewes, and keeping sheep were a slow sale. Fat sheep, 8 s 6 d to 9s Oct per stone; pr i me, O s to Os 85 P Od i g t s o --- 8 1. 6 f d ai p r e s r u s p t p o l n y e .. Store pigs, 25s to 305 ; fat pork, BIRTHS. GAGE.—On the 13th inst., at Firle-place, the seat of Vis count Gage, the Hon. Mrs. Edward Gage, of a son. RADSTOCK.—On the 14th inst., Lady Radstock, of a daughter. RoßrNsoN. , On the 16th August, at Government Ho use , Hong Kong, the Hon. Lady Robinson, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. CATOR—SWANN.—On the 11th inst., at the parish church, Askham Richard, John Thomas, eldest son of the Rev. Thomas and Lady Louisa Cator, of Wentbridge House, Pontefract, Yorkshire, and Bryanstone-square London, to Catharina Sarah, the eldest daughter of John Swann, Esq., of Askham Hall, Yorkshire. JENSEN—BENNETT.—On the 13th inst., at Holy Trinity Church, P.iddington, Frederick Theodore Jensen, Esq., to Kate Harpur, daughter of James B enne tt , E sq., o f 16, Porehestor-terrace north. • - DEATHS. ADAMS.—On the 24th Aug., at Belize, Honduras, Henry Adams, youngest son of the late Themas Adams, Esq., of Kensal-green, aged 17. BARD/WELL.—On the 14th inst., at Liverpool, Charles Bardswell, Esq., aged 61. BARROW.—On the 14th inst., at Southall-green, Mr. T. Barrow, aged 53. GUNNING.--On the 11th inst., at Weston-super-Mare, the Ven. William Gunning, Archdeacon of Bath, and vicar of Buckland Newton, Dorset, aged 64. HOPKINS.—On the 13th inst., Henry H. Hopkins, Esq., of 24, Grosvenor-street W., Euston-square. HTITT.—On the 15th inst., at Aldermankuy-postern, Mrs. Ann Hyatt, aged 66. w HEv r, F , R .—On tho 16th inst , at 27, Hyde-park-gardens, Henry James Wheeler, Esq., aged 71. Loprnow : Printed and Published by MURDO YOUNG of No. 112, Strand, Printer, at The Bun Dice, No. 112, Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the county of Kiadloseis Woclaeodoy, October