The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-03 00:00:00

100 $
,)t

TIIP. SUN', LONDON, TUESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 3, 1846.

the fishery Lot also the general commercisi community
for the shipping and landing of gools, th.n he wou'd
have an assessment through the agency of the grand
jury of the county, whose ckci6ion must prove satis-
factory to all parties. Ile had also provided for the
repair as well as the construction of these works, and
this difficulty, he thought, was best met by the imposi-
tion of certain dues to be paid by thos3 using the piers
and harbours, but yet he would not attemr, to make the
use of them compulsory. It had occurred t,) the Go-
vernment that much discouragement was felt by the
Irish population in want of boats, nets, and all ether kinds
of tackle requisite for their calling, and also from the
want of places where they could wash their nets. He
proposed, therefore, to advance a certain sum for the
provision of these materials for their calling,
and also for the erection of ho.uses on each
side of the piers, which might be used by
the fishermen, the use of which, however, should not be
made compulsory upon them ; but if they did use them,
they should pay a small sum towards the repair of the
building. He was desirous of placing the construction
of these several piers and the improvements of the har-
bours order the supervision of the Board of Works for
instance ; and among others was that of Strangford, on
the coast of Waterford, where great injury had been
suffered by the insufficient manner in which the work
had been executed. The Right lion. Baronet concluded
by moving that the Bill be brought in and read a first
time.

On the motion being put,
Mr. FITZSTEPIIEN FRENCH said that he was
glad that these works were to be placed under the su-
pervision of the Board of Works, for instances had come
under his own knowledge in which, from improper mate-
rials or construction, the building had gone to decay.
He felt great gratification at the introduction of this Bill,
and thought that it would prove of great advantage to
the country, for so abundant was the fish off the Irish
coasts, that it must ultimately, if properly attended to,
tend to cheapen that commodity throughout the whole
country, and by providing a healthful and useful em-
ployment for the people, tend in every way to promote
their improvement in the national and social scale. So
cheap was fish there, that a turbot could be bought at
Kilkenny for half a crown, and all other kinds were
equally low in price.
Mr. ROSS thought that the Government were going
about the matter in the right way, and were laying a
good foundation for the prosperity of the people. With
such appliances as were then proposed, there ought to
be no want on any of the coasts of Ireland, for fish was
in the extreme abundant all round the island. He had
himself been a fisher in a small way on the west coast,
where, to his oss n knowledge, as many as 20,000 her-
rings had been taken in a single night. He had himself
taken as many as a thousand herrings at a single haul.
Such a relief to the country must, therefore, prove of
great commercial advantage, which in truth was greatly
needed, as he had that morning seen a letter from his
friend Lord Lurgan, who stated the people to be in
great distress, and he (Mr. Ross) was consequently ex-
tremely glad that such a measure was likely to pass.
Sir H. WINSTON BARRON was greatly gratified
that the Government had brought this question under
their notice, for with all the advantages of a finer coast
for fish than Ireland, it was a fact much to be lamented
that for many years past several thousand pounds' worth
of fish, cured in Scotland, had been annually imported
into Ireland. When the provisions of the Bill were fully
carried out, he entertained little doubt but that not only
would Irelandsupply her own populationwith fish, but that
a large quantity would be cured there, and sent out to the
colonies; and that when once the principle'were esta-
blished which was here laid down, it would prove emi-
nently enriching and improving to the country. He
could himself bear witness to the decay of the works on
the coast of Waterford, and that they had been in that
condition for some years. He would only say, in addi
tion, that be thanked the Right Hon. Baronet on the
part of his constituents, for commencing this work. He
did not however exactly understand the sum of
50,0001 being extended over five years. Did it mean
that 10,000/. a-year was to be extended over five years?
He thought it quite right, on every opportunity, to make
use of the most urgent means to avers the progress of the
famine and distress that were coming over this
country. If any testimony was wanted to this fact,
he could satisfy the House from a paper which he held
in his hand. It was a letter from one of the guardians of
the poor of the city of Waterford. It was stated, in the
letter to which he bad alluded, as follows :—" Let it not
be supposed for one moment that the potato crop is im-
proving. The disease has gone so far that the whole
crop is rapidly approaching destruction. Our last ae-
caunts confirm this statement. The potato is becoming
black and rotten at the core." He was more and more
convinced that the potato disease was progressing, and
that, in a few weeks, the people would be in a starving
condition. He should not be doing his duty to his
country or to her Majesty's Government, if he did not
warn them of the danger that was coming on. To avert
this threatened evil, the strongest and most energetic
measures should be adopted. The facts he had stated
were obtained from personal investigation as well as from
the most authentic sources. It was his firm opinion that
promo measures were absolutely necessary. He would
press on tt e Secretary for Irela:id the great necessity of
employing the people of Ireland b., ever) means that lay
in his power._

Mr.-GREGORY wished to suggest a few observations.
The Bay of Galway was extensively u:ei b a corpora-
tion of tish.•rmen for the salmon fishing. By the laws of

the corporation, no person was permitted to fish in the
bay except by their permission. The people of the sur-
rounding country were, in consequerc,?, frequently
prevented from obtaining the subsistence which they
might obtain were it not for the obnoxious right of the
corporation to exclusive fishing. The tyranny of the
corporation was carried to a great extent. He would
mention one instance that occurred very recently to a
friend of his (Me. Gregory). This gentleman introduced
the troll nets, against the use of which a great antipathy
existed. By its means a great abundance of fish was
supplied, amongst which the sole was furnished, which
fish had never been caught in the bay previous to the
use of the troll net. When the fishermen heard of this,
they immediately conspired together to destroy the nets,
and it was only by the personal interference of the gen-
tleman himself that no greater mischief was effected.
If the Government afforded sufficient protection to the
persons engaged in fishing, it would be conferring a
great benefit, and he was perfectly convinced that the
Bill of his Right Hon. Friend would have a very bene-
ficial effect on the interests of all those who were con-
cerned in the fisheries of Ireland.

Leave was then given to bring in the Bill.
LOCAL TAXATION.

Sir JAMES GRAHAM said that, in consequence of
what had fallen from the Hon. Member for Montrose

(Mr. Hume) the other evening, he (Sir James Graham)
had endeavoured to frame a return of the local taxation
in England, Scotland, and Ireland respectively. He was
anxious to lay upon the table of the House the returns

for 1826, 1833, and 1841, distinguishing the amount
levied on dwelling-houses from the amounts levied on
other property in England.
The returns were then moved for, and laid upon the
table.

SEA FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL.
On the motion of Sir T. FREMANTLE,
The Sea Fisheries (Ireland) Bill was read a second
time.
The House then adjourned at a Quarter past Seven
o'clock.

AIODERN CHINESE.
(From the Chinese Mail.)
KEYING'S VISIT TO HONG-KONG.

On Thursday, the 20th of November, about sunset,
the Vixen steamer arrived with the High Imperial Com-
missioner Keying and suite, accompanied by the Hon.
Major Caine, Chief Magistrate ; A. W. Elmlie, Esq.,
Secretary to the Superintendent of Trade ; and the Chi-
nese Colonial Secretary, the Rev. Charles Gutzlaff, who
had been deputed to proceed to Canton for the purpose.
A considerable number of the inhabitants and a croed of
Chinese were in waiting at the Commisseriat to witness
the landing, which took place under the British salute
of a Minister Pl-nip)tentiary. His Excellency gas re-
ceived by the Commandant, who, along with his aii es-
de-camp of the Governor and General, conducted him
to a spacious residence inothe Queen's-road, which
had been handsomely placed at the the disposal of Go-
vernment for the purpose.
As the barge approached the wharf, the Chinese band
" pour'd around a torrent of shrill sound," and on Key-
ing's stepping ashore three g.gagtic crackers were fired
oft; which we presume is the Chinese method of saluting.
Having seated himself in his chair, an attendant with a
brush having dusted the soles of his immense shoes, and
the materials of a procession, composed of English,
Chinese, and Indians, proceeded along the road, produc-
ing a picturesque effect with more charms fora painter's
eve than for that of Mr. Inspector May.
The motley
assemblage certainly did not '- stand upon the order of
their going," and they seemed to be actuated only by
the sentiment of the French soldiers in Henry V.—
e lrli
like that of Chrononhotunthologos " rough music," and
taking due advantage of their position to let their in-
struments be heard. There were also men bearing aloft
t he eha devil
d take order
crowd n o%w l)
a Chinese band, making
Navasw ll s well the throng."
pavilions,
such as our readers at home may see on por-
celain cups and lackerod ware; mingled with these
were others carrying large boards on their shoulders,
inscribed with Chinese characters, which may have
been intended to set forth the titles and dignities of
the Commissioner; and the hare feet and tattered ap-
pearance of the fellows themselves might also have been
intended to mark the contrast between the great men
.and their pursuivants. The guard which followed must
have been one of honour solely; for their weap.ins, of all
imaginable shapes, were merely of painted wood, the
blades being ornamented with gold leaf and tin-foil.
The executioners may be considered as forming a
part of this
group. They were clad in sober
coloured frieze, with grey hats shaped precisely
like those of the guards, and each armed with a
whip or other instrument of corrective justice. At some
distance followed a body of sepoys with their band, sadly
puzzled to keep dine or tune with another Chinese.one,
immediately behind, consisting of eight performers on
, •and wind instruments
gongs, cymbals, ; for it must be
remarked that all the available music was to be heard to-
gether, mingled in one inharmonious whole. The prin-
cipal wind instruments were in shape like a flageolet with
a child's brass trumpet stuck to the end of it, emitting a
sound precisely like the chanter of a bagpipe without the
drone. Then came Keying in a large, comfortable
sedan chair, borne by eight coolies, and
guarded by a
body of police ; and behind were the nffieers of the mili-
tary staff of the colony, and a series of chairs, having
mandarin; of superior button and unquestionable feather,
down to others who had nothing to distinguish their rank
except the comp my they were found in,
In front of the mat shed, which we still dignify with
the sane of church, a number of ladies seated on coaches
attr.cted the special regard of the Minister. As he ap-
proached his residence, a detachment of the 42d Native
Infantry contrived to make the way comparatively clear,

and at the door he was received by Captain Bruce, As-
sistant Adjutant-General.
The next forenoon the Governor, accompanied by the
Major-General and military staff called upon Ke.iing,
who received his visitors with his accustomed graceful
urbanity, embracing his Excellency and the General.
Being a visit of compliment, Keying was not forgetful of
the usual forms of Chinese etiquette, and when the com-
pany rose, he condueted the governor to the outer door,
and took a ceremonious leave.
d
e
s
vthe Atercnni
visit
fired
rsfsnrdeioegrttuhiaiorniewt
n whonahe'
sevencrttiul
nrsopi
et
governor'scvecs
dnuai •
tnani
ei
line
sni the,nree front
rav,
oici
afterwardsai
denhflnfw*
ttaretgtoeri
lohinefseoi
timaatitQhnsi
flag-stab.
ef.neu, ttaeethne ietenp:o;Cresom,
troops,.
asripienona vngaTneotdwisi;:nel
heedegt returned)hon.
artillerynettirhn t they
toiyno_t.
thetf oo
touching
him
mn
cession, which was again repeated. The corps next
broke into columns of subdivisions right in front, and
marched past in review order, the officers saluting the
governor and Keying, who, with the other mandarins,
made their acknowledgments by touching their caps.
When the troops had gained euffielent space beyond the
saluting flag. they halted, counter-marched, and marched
past in quick time ; and on arri% ing nn their former
ground they again halted, counter-rrarehed, and marched
home to their quarters. The Chinese seemed much
interested in the display, and frequently asked ques-
tions about the purpose of the various evolutions. Be-
fore returning to their chairs, on the suggestion of the
Majer-General, they proceeded to the esplanade to
witness the artillery unlimber, limber, and fire their
duns. When the soldiers were seated on the riis.
mounted guns and carriages, Keying was very curious
to know what this meant ; and on the officer applied to
!laving said it was to conceal the men and guns from
the enemy when there was reason to fear they might
be overpowered and taken, Sir John Davis suggested
to Dr. Gutzlaff that it might be as well to omit in his
interpretation all reference to fear in connexion with an
English soldier,
In the evening Keying and the mare distinguished
members of his suite dined at the governor's, where they
net the general, admiral, and heads of departments.
About nine o'clock a party of ladies and gentlemen
assembled, and dancing was shortly afterwards com-
menced. Ono of the Chinese, a membn. of the Imperial
family, offered his arm to a lady es cavalier, and had
,he not apparently misunderstood his meaning. would
probably have helped to form a set at a quadrille. As
it was, he frok the arm of an aide-de-came, and stood
i)eside one of the dancers, keeping time with head, hands,
and feet, and eaggishly ogling the ladies. A quadrille
is at best a monotonous affair to lookers-on, and the
polka, or better still, a Highland reel, would probably
have offered more charms to the Chinese, except perhaps
one old gentleman with immense Pickwick spectacles,
who, seated between two ladies, deliberately filled his
pipe and puffed away, in happy indifference to all that
was passing around. Keying, feeling a little fatigued
with the day's exertions, retired early, and was, as usual,
accompanied to his chair by his host.
During the forenoon of the day following, his Excel-
lency honoured Mr. Gutzlaff with a call ; in the after-
noon a long conference, which lasted upwards of two
hours, was held between the Governor and Imperial
Commissioner ; and when it broke up they proceeded
together to inspect the new military hospital. In the
evening the Chinese dined on board the Agincourt, which
they had visited in the morning. The ship, profusely
decorated with flags, was illuminated from stem to stern,
and when the royal salute was fired, the effect as seen
on shore was magnificent. The deck covered with awn
ings formed a splendid ball room, and the mandarins,
greatly struck with this union of power and refinement,
declared that a hundred years would not suffice to pro-
duce anything like it in China.
Next morning the Minister and some of the mandarins
made an excursion round the island in the Pluto steamer,
Accompanied by the Governor and the Admiral. The
sea being a little rough, he felt sick, but the weather, on
the whole, was fine, and he expressed himself much gra-
tified with the cruise.

In the evening the Imperial Commissioner partook
of the well-know and hearty hospitality of the Major-
General.

The party, from the smallness of the apartments, was
limited to sixteen. There were only two toasts drunk
during the evening. Upon the cloth being removed, the
Vlajor-General gave first :
" The Queen of England and the Emperor of China,
and may the happy relations subsisting between the two
countries be productive of increased commerce and pro-
sperity to both."
This toast was drunk with the usual loyal honours
and the eyeatest applause, the band play ing " God save
the Queen."
The General, in the second toast, addressed Keying
more at length, and after expressing the honour and
gratification he felt in receiving him on the present oc-
casion, added that, bred and born a soldier like himself,
it was not his intention to occupy much time with un-
necessary compliments, but simply to assure him that he
gave him, with all sincerity, a soldier's welcome, and felt
liatisfied that there was that professienal sympathy be-
yone
nteidnni
continued—"l
hegdecm—o
r,
not
tl
Havingefta4
rdesheati
imdt
httehoi
sha,ci
thegc,h.p, txtr ietapjsroveirst-ehGn
Major-General
rrveal
e-,
and diplomatic capacity in which his Excellency is now
among us, or the great objects of commercial union and
peace he is come here to consolidate. In that capacity,
therefore, and as the representative of the highest au-
thority in Chna, I beg leave to propose his health—the
health of Keying, the enlightened statesman, and who,
alike the friend of England and of China, has taught us
to respect him as much for his
,political talents as we
value him for his social qualities.'
Keying listened with great attention, and seemed
anxious to have every sentence translated fully as the
General went along. After the loud applause with
which his health had been drunk had somewhat sub-
sided, Keying replied with great grace and readiness, to
the effect, that " though his talents had been greatly
overrated, the General had only done justice to his sin-
cerity, for lie could assure him, on the faith of a Tartar
soldier, while he had any voice in the affairs of China,
the peace and prosperity of both our countries would be
always the objects nearest to his heart." He then gave
his hand to the Major-General and the Governor, who
sat beside him, with earnest good-will, as if anxious, by
this act, to convey de mica his public feeling and his per-
sonal acknowledgment.
Nothiog could exceed the affability and good humour
of Keying, accompanied by the highest tact and good
breeding. He was jovial at dinner, but without excess ;
and after having volunteered a Mantchow Tartar song,
which he gave with great spirit, the company adjourned
to the drawing-room, where a party, consisting of the
ladies of the garrison, with most of the naval and military
officers and civil residents, had assembled. Keying went
the round of the roam with the utmost blandness, offering
his hand to each of the ladies, and distinguishing one or
two of them by little presents of purses or rosaries taken
from his person.
There was one little girl in particular, about seven
years of age, present, in whom Keying seemed much in-
terested, and it was delightful to witness the good nature
and benevolence of his manner when be took her upon
his knee to caress her, and then placed an ornament
about her neck. His fine Tartar head and person,
grouped with the infant beauty of the little stranger,
formed quite a picture.
Keying retired shortly after eleven o'clock, but not
till he had asked the General, with his characteristic
goodnature, if' he wished him to remain any longer, evi-
dently desirous not to disappoint the guests, who
crowded round him with a mingled feeling of respect
and curiosity.
There was another instance of high breeding worthy
of being recorded. A married lady who was sitting near
him attracted a good deal of attention, and having
desired one of his attendants to bring him a silk hand-
kerchief, he presented it to her, and begged he might re-
tain her own in exchange for it. The lady was momen-
tarily embarrassed, and Keying seeing this, said "be
hoped he had done nothing contrary to our usages of
propriety," an apology which was immediately appre-
ciated and understood.

In the course of the following day, the last conference
took place between the English and Chinese Plenipoten-
tiaries, and in the evenieg Keying gave a sumptuous en-
tertainment in the Chinese fashion. The hour of din
ner specified in the invitations, which are curiosities in
their way, was six o'clock, and before that time all the
guests had assemb!ed in one of the lower rooms, ex-
cept the Governor, Opel whose arrival being announced,
Keying hurried to meet his Excellency at the landing-
place, and to conduct him to a seat in the centre of the
room, the rest of the company sittin; in arm-chairs
formally placed- on the other side, with a small table
bet."een each two.
The halt hour before dinner, proverbially dull and
trying to the patience in Europe, is in China relieved by
the sedulous attentions of the entertainers, and by re
freshments of the finest tea, which are offered to each
guest in little cups—what with us is the saucer being
made to perform the more useful office of a cover, to
preserve the aroma.
Dinner being announced, the company proceeded up-
stairs to the sound of music which had not the least re-
semblance to the "Roast Beef of Old England." A
large table was set out in the spacious saloon, at the
centre of which sat Ke) ing, with Sir John Davis on his
left hand, and Major-General d'Aguilar on his right ;
and, proceeding round the table in the Chinese order,
from left to right, the other distinguished guests.
To readers at home it may be interesting to have a
pretty minute account of the whole menu of the
tdhinendeer,
especially as it differed in many respects
sssmCiovorl
eeidpn
e)tr
nni
BO
en
sort"
eOrr
tdif:etDisrppeu:,
eweani
Fromlndorer r
bFltyhha
eatt
hht
neeitruf
womßrahci
sineu
aervref
ofetoa, fs
feast
ods
fhotherthese
succes-
sively t moremehcooerrs
e:
ties ; but instead of a small table for each guest there
was, as we have said, only a single large one in the
English fashion for the whole company, and except such
a general invitation to be seated as might have passed
unnoticed in Europe, there was none of the ceremonious
bows to i idividuals with Father Bouvet speaks of.
Before each guest was placed a plate and kwai tz', or
chop sticks, on one side, and a knife, fork, and spoon
on the other. The chop-sticks, however, were pretty
generally used, a little awkwardly at first, it must be
admitted, by the English, while the mandarins, pro-
bably out of politeness to their guests, occasionally
made use of the fork and spoon. Beyond the plates
were ranged innernerable little pyramids of preserves,
pickles, and dried seeds, which from the experiments
we made, we presume, were not intended to be eaten,
but placed merely for show ; but at the left hand there
was a small saucer of sweetmeats and salted relishes,
which were partaken of and washed down with a glass
of wine. And then commenced the mere important part
of the feast, by the army of servants setting before
each guest a small bowl, about the size o a moderate
breakfast cup, of blrds' nest tom), which might pass for
very good vermicelli at home, and scarcely merits the
celebrity it has obtained, or seems worth the enormous
I price it is said to cost.
This was the prelude to a succession of other soups,