The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-28 00:00:00

TBE CIVIL WAR IN CHINA.

(From flee Hong Kong Register.)
We are indebted to an esteemed friend for the
following interesting communication regarding
Canton and its neighbourhood. A later date in-
forms us that the distant boom of cannon was
very distinctly heard on the 21st, and that a con-
siderable amount of fighting was taking place near
to the city walls on the 20th of October :
" As I promised to give you from time to time some
account of the state of things in Canton and neighbour-
hood, I have dotted down a few facts which I think can
be depended on for their aecurracy. You must excuse
me from giving anything like a full or regulat.
For some time past we hare ceased to hear the report of
guns at the back of the city, and the telescope does not
now exhibit to our view bodies of men passing back-
wards and forwards on the ridges of the hills, or clusters
of soldiers firing, and waving flags on certain prominent
points, as formerly. The encampments remain, and in
them and in the stone and mud forts are some 10,000
men drafted chiefly from Sun ong, Chew-chow, and
Tung-koon, kept together without much apparent order
or discipline. The egress and ingress through the gates
of the city are still far from easy, only 4 gates are kept
constantly open through the day, and none are permitted
to pass either men women, without undergoing some ex-
audeation ; respeetablydressed peg pleare not very narrowly
inspected.. Seizures anddecapitatione within the city are
fearfully frequent. Matiypersens belonging to the Triad
Society have lately been teken, up and beheaded. This
is denbtlesely done to strike terror to the,thgnsands that
diatejuined -this trent...meal:A' body, and to prevent,ts
increase. The GovernOr-General, Eep, has earned for
himself a great reputation. He is praised for his judi-
cious, prompt, and eiiiigant attention to his onerous
duties in the preservation of the city and general man-
agement of its affairs. The soldiers speak well of him
and seem contented, being, under his orders, well cared
for. Their monthly pay, ranging from $3 to ,56, is paid
in advance, and they receive a reward of three taels of
silver for every rebel they take or kill, the left ear being
required as proof of the fact. If a soldier is wounded
in battle, he receives his rations and pay as formerly, and
has me lical advice provided him. If he should fall on
the battle-field, his comrades alwnys save him if possible,
end csrry him into a place of safety. It he should die
from his wounds, a strong coffin is had, and the body,
being dressed in good clothes, is buried at the public ex-
pen-e. A cap with a gilt button, a sash round the
waist, and silk boots form an essential part of the various
posthumous honours. His companions follow him to
the grave, but there does not appear to be any religious
or military distinctions observed at the interment.
Twenty taols of silver are preientecl by the General to
the family of the deceased, called 'Stop tear money.'
The heavy expenses of supporting a fighting army and
maintaining the defences of the city seem hitherto to
hive been principally met by the rich and influential.
Howqua and the Hen family have been the greatest con-
tribute, s ; but this voluntary subscription has not been
confined only to the wealthy. Tradesmen have sur-
rendered a percentage of their yearly profits for the pub-
-1 c weal; grudgingly perhaps has this been done by some,
but by moat cheerfully and in a patriotic spirit. The only
coercive tax that has come to my knot; ledge as yet was the
exaction of a stein equal to one month's rent from every
house in Canton. The free offerings of the people are
placed in the hands of civilians, Howqua being the presi-
'lent. The total sum collected is said to be equal to the
stun which the present necessities of the city call for.
The fighting at the back of the city has been witnessed
by a few foreign gentlemen, and by them pronounced
puerile in the extreme, according to our notions of war.
It has been effectual, nevertheless, in destroying and
repulsing the thousands that at one time threatened the
city with destruction. These bands have been dispersed,
and those that remain to be overcome in the immediate
neighbourhood of Canton are the few villages beyond
Sam-use-le, who are still in arms against the Govern-
ment, or rather perhaps standing on their own defence.
The soldiery attack them from time to time, and sharp
fighting has been carried on—little of a hand-to hand
eetnbat, but close enough fighting to inflict wounds
and cause death to many on both sides. On the
rebel side there are about 6,000, including women and
young boys, who assist the men to load and fire the
guns. Their arms are coalmen long-barrelled guns,
spears, spikes made from the bamboo, rattan shields,
arrows projected by rockets, and swords about 18 inches I
long, sharp and pointed. The balls used are of all sizes,
costly ranging from the size of a small to that of a large
orange. Their bullets vary in size from a pea to a large.
in
shape. The
larger supply of cannon and ammunition than their oppo-
nents. Judging from their own reports they are anxious
to fight, and do not fear death, and are only restrained from
getting to close quarters with the enemy, cutting them off
root and branch, by their superior officers, who are afraid
they may be taken in ambush, or fall into the numerous
pits and stakes known to exist near the rebel villages.
When fighting first commenced, both parties kept at a re-
epeclal distance from each other, and not much injury or
loss was sustained on either side. But latterly, whatever
cause it may be ascribed to, the casualties have not
been small. Many have been killed, and still more have
been seriously wounded. Fur three months past
wounded soldiers and villagers have been brought to the
hospital in the western suburbs, under Dr. Hobson's
care, but the cases have been far more numerous and
serious within the last three weeks than formerly. Two
or three have been admitted daily. A week ago 20 cases
of gunshot wounds through the head, chest, and extre-
mities were Brought into the hospital, all within thirty
hours. Incised or punctured wounds have not yet ap-
peared, showing that up to this time the Imperial troops
do not, or dare not, come to close quarters. Many cases
of spear or sword cuts have occurred among the villagers
and coolies, received while defending their masters' pro-
perty or their own from the depredation of robbers% and
it has not been an uncommon occurrence for wounded
robbers (or suspicious-looking men) to apply themselves
for surgical aid. Latterly, owing to the rigid scrutiny
of the police, and the seizure of some of them at the
hospital doors (and even within them occasionally) they
have not dared to show themselves, and many, no doubt,
hare perished from their undressed wounds. A barba-
reus custom exists on both sides, which is a species of
canniintlism. The Chinese have a strong notion that
'.ettaletinspgirtihteolfiver, gall,revenge
and ceurage can be inspired by
or nom° part of their enemies' body;
accordingly, some of the soldiers, especially those be-
longing to Chew-chow, when the fighting for the day is
done, take out the liver, lungs, and heart of their fallen
foe, and cook them for their dinner.
. "The great stronghold.of the rebel camp near this is
Fatshan, and further of Shu-ning-foo. The 100 villages
of Sei-tsue are all in a state of insurrection, and their in-
habitants commit robberies both on the land and water.
This far-famed place for fine prospects and recreation is
now one scene of rapine and disorder. But, indeed, the
whole province may be said to be in this state, for there
is not one district out of the 72 where there is entire
peace and subordination. Everywhere there are bands
of robbers amid pirates scouring the country and its
waters, oppressing the rich, pillaging the poor, and
seizing whatever comes in their way. The natural con-
sequence of this state of things is stagnation of trade
and commerce, a general feeling of insecurity of life and
property, a rise in the price of provisions, fuel, clothes,
and every necessary of life, occasioning much distress,
poverty, and want among the poorer classes, especially
intcertain districts where labour and trade are entirely
suspended. Three months ago there was an exodus
from the city to the country, but for a month, past the
current has been running the other way, and Canton
was never fuller than it now is. Houses are extremely
scarce, and rents and prices of provisions have risen
greatly.
"It is difficult to imagine how such a vast mass of
human beings as are here congregated together manage
to live and support life, with so little occupation and
business at their command. Foreign trade, which gives
employment to thousands at this port, is now all but
extinct, and native commerce must be seriously embar-
rassed when the great highways and channels of com-
munication through the country are closed up and
beset on every side with robbers. It is useless to
speculate on tne future. Every man, however, does
so ; but in a peculiar country like China (the most
peculiar country in the world), it is wiser, some think,
patiently to wait and observe the changes that Pro-
vidence overrules, and which the revolutions of time
will fully develop° to our view. Happy, thrice happy,
will it be, when the present cause of civil war shall be
removed, and peace, order, and prosperity shall be re-
stored, and Christian knowledge be extensively diffused
throughout the empire. God grant that it may be: so
soon !

TURNPIKE TRUSTS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. —A.
second return relative to turnpike trusts in England ani
Wales, presented to Parliament by the Queen's command,
and yesterday published, shows that the total receipts on
account of such trusts amounted in 1852 to 1,142,5921.,
against 1,138,7541. in 1851, and 1,159,8491. in 1850. In
1834, 1835, and 1835 the receipts were upwards of
1,700,0001., since which time they appear gradually to
have declined to the amount first mentioned. Of the
1.142,4921. received in 1852, 1,074,8261. accrued from
t 011524,562/. from highway and statute labour rates,
16,7021. from loans, and 26,5021. from sundry other
sources. The tolls appear to have declined to their pre-
sent amount from 1,400,0611. (in 1534). The gross total
expenditure in 1852 was 1,126,334/. against 1,115,1241
in ISSI ; it appears to have gradually declined, concur-
rently with the receipts, from 1,654,488/, (in 1834). The
items of expenditure include, 574,6561. repairs, 36,140/.
improvements, 83,4471. salaries, 29,757/. law charges.
225,9611. interest on debt, 131,0701. bonded debt paid ofl
and 45,3531. other payments. The amount of bonded
debt in 1852 was 5,813,7281,, and the amount of unpaid
interest 1,126,007/,