The Sun.
London, England, 1864-01-19 00:00:00

A Jewish Settlement in China,

The Jewish Chronicle gives the following account
of a curious discovery made during the late war
with China, by a Jewish officer in the English navy :
At the breaking out of the English war with
Chita, he received his commission as lieutenant, and
went to the seat of war, and served under Com-

mander Hollins. Our friend was assigned the com-

wand of a small vessel carrying three guns, for the
purpose of penetrating the rivers and streams of the
interior, and preventing any hostile assemblages.

-
He seld3m advanced further than five or six miles

from the principal rendezvous ; but on one occasion
tired of cruising about inthe same place so often, and
meeting no opposition, he proceeded ten miles up
the river, and still found no hindrance. He

sailed until he had advanced about 30 miles into the
interior of th© country, pissing several cities and

villages, but seeing no fortifications ; and not
being molested in any way, ho was about to retrace
his steps, when, looking ahead, he thought that
there appeared something in the distance resem-
bling a fortification. He determined to ascertain
the nature of the place, and headed the ship to it.
When he approached he was surprised by seeing
multitudes of Chinese junks and other small boats

approaching the vessel. The deck was then cleared
for action in case of a fight. As the enemy ap-
proached nearer to the ship they let fly a cloud of
weapons and stones, which, however, did no injury.
The lieutenant, thinking to scatter them, had one
of his guns loaded with grape-shot, and poured it
into them where the crowd appeared thickest.
It must have done considerable execution, for
they raised a yell. They attempted to climb up the
sides, but were met on every side by the sailors.
Now the fight began in real earnest. With all their
guns employed, it was as much as the Britishers
could do to keep the natives from gaining a footing
on board of the vessel. The Chinese fought
desperately. Their leader—a tall, majestic-looking
man, wielding a long straight sword—by his pre-
sence seemed to inspire them with increased bravery.
Seeing this, an attempt was made to capture him.
He had effected t& footing on hoard for himself
and his followers—more were swarming up.
A shot through the bottom of his canoe cut
off his retreat : there was no hope for him
but fighting till more came to his relief.
After a brief struggle the capture of the
chief is effected, and all the belligerents
cease fighting. The British vessel then attempted
to make its way out of the river ; but the
natives, as soon as they perceived this, raised such
a yell as we never heard before, and the chief ex-
tending his bands, addressed his captors in a lan-
guage which did not resemble the Chinese in any
respect. The lieutenant was astonished at recog-
nising the familiar tone of the Hebrew language.
Thanks to his parents, in his youth he had received
a good Hebrew education, and was able to carry on
a conversation in the Hebrew language with the

chief, who told him if he would give him up he would
promise that they would not be molested, but per-
mitted a free egress, and also, if he desired, he
would show him the city. The officer accepted the
proposition, and accompanied by him as a safe-
guard, and also a body of men from the ship, they
visited the town. It was an immense city, sur-
rounded on all sides by walls and fortifications, and
contained over one million of inhabitants, all Jews.
In no other part of the Chinese empire are there
any Jews. Here they are allowed every privilege.
They can carry their produce to other cities and
trade with them, but are not allowed to emigrate.
They have their own laws, and the chief officer is a
Jewish Rabbi, who, with twenty others, enact laws,
decide disputes, and deal out justice to the inhabi-
tants of the city. In this tribunal is vested the power
of life and death, and from their decision there is no
appeal. They keep a standing army of the young
men of the place in order to protect their city.
Their laws command the observance of the Jewish
religion, but their rites and ceremonies differ from
ours in many respects. They observe the Sab-
bath on what is to us Thursday, but still they
call it the seventh day. The synagogues
are the most beautiful buildings that are to
be seen in the empire. They are all built in one
style, which resembles a mixture of the Gothic and
Corinthian, and are ornamented by beautiful pago-
das. Each synagogue is capable of holding 2,000
worshippers, and generally consists of a large hall,
with an arched roof, all of stained glass, which
present u.beautiful appearance. The roof is sup-
ported by pillars of variegated marble, ornamented
by fine porcelain cornices. The holy ark is a beau-
tiful structure in itself, and is approached by nine
steps of the whitest marble. On opening the
doors and drawing the curtain the whole build-
ing is flooded by the light which issues forth.
In every available spot inside the ark candles are
placed, which are kept burning continually,
but still are not seen. The effect, as may be
imagined, is beautiful. In each house of worship
are three " saphorim," which are written on pure
white vellum. These are handled with the greatest
care, and only by the priest himself. Women are
not allowed to enter the synagogues, except on
holidays and days of festivity. In the aggregate
their rules are in strict accordance with our religion,
and are sensible in themselves. The military
leader who had been taken prisoner, together with
the priests, spared no pains to make themselves
understood, explaining everything which they
thought would prove interesting. The party spent
about six hours in examining the place, and then
returned to the ship laden with presents, which to
them were curiosities. The officer has still in his
possession several cabinets, not over 4 feet square,
which contains over 300 drawers and secret places.
The most interesting curiosity which he received
was a Prayer-book written in Chaldaic, on vellum,
which he presented to the British Museum. Several
little articles yet remain in his possession, which
are highly treasured by him. Thus a community of
Israelites exists in Oriental China never heard of
before, yet consisting of over 1,000,000 souls, speak-
ing the original sacred tongue, keeping their own
laws, and possessing documents which record their
history thousands of years ago.

THE PRESENT CONDITION OF THE WINE TRADE.
—The entire wine consumption of this country has
increased during the past four years about 50 per cent.—a
result co ho traced in a great degree to the competition in-
duced by enlarged means of intermediate supply in which
old systems of exorbitant profits have been ignored, and
legitimate rates are followed by extended demands. As re-
gards the London market proper, general steadiness and an
absence of speculative excitement have characterised the
trade of 1863. Circumstances of exceptional depression cal-
culated to affect adversely the consumption of luxuries,
have been outbalanced by the general prosperity and sound-
ness of English commerce; while wines, as an article
of more universal use, have gradually gained an impor-
tant advance, and bid fair to occupy a still higher position
in the revenue returns. This satisfactory progress has of
course developed fresh systems of business, and, amongst
them, the highly commendable addition by grocers of the
retail wine trade—now recognised as a means to an and
deserving of every encouragement—to their more legiti-
mate operations. This market has been well supplied dur-
ing the year with most ordinary qualities of wines ; while
countries hitherto almost unknown as wine producers have
exhibited resources which may prove of moment should
our present moles of supply be insufficient. Greece
and Hungary offer attractions which appear only to
lack general publicity to ensure universaltheapgprrettovtaels;t
but, with the exception of French wines,
increase is observable in sherries, of which fine
qualities
have gradually become scarcer, se as to load to enhance •
ments in prices of an extraordinary extent. Cadiz reserves
have decreased in inverse proportion to the rise in shipping
figures, and it appears they have nut reached that point at
which consumption will be checked or diverted into other
channels. London dealers have supplied themselves fully,
pending January advances ; so that the issue of shippers'
circulars has not been followed by commensurate alterations
in values on this side; but it is certain that, a few months
hence, fine sherry will be almost awn eat, while present
prices will only purchase inferior wines.—The Grocer, and
IFine Trade Review.
GLASGOW, Jan. 16.—Iron.—Tho Scotch pig iron
market has assumed a much quieter tone during the
last week, the amount of business done has been compara-
tively limited, while the fluctuations in value have not been
extensive. To-day the feeling has been towards dulness.
A few transactions took place at the lowest quotations of
the week—viz 655, 71d, cash, and 675. 6d. three months
open, at which buyers remained. G. M. B, No. 1, 655. ;
No. 3, 645.; No 1 Gartsherrie, 6Ss. 6d. • Coltness, 688. Gd. ;
Calder, 675. ; Glengarnock, 655. ; Eglinton, 648. ; Carron,
645. Cotton. The market has been dull during tho week
with hardly anything doing. Prices unchanged.