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

„,..
LONDON, TU ES DAY N
S „:„ FEBRUARY 3, 1346. PRICE SD.

No. 16,683.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.
Lectures on CHEMISTRY, with Brilliant Experiments,
by Dr. Ryan, daily at Half-past Three, and on the Evenings of
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at Nine o'clock. A Lecture
on the ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY, by Professor Bachoffner, a
Working Model of which, carryieg several persons, is exhibited
daily. The additions to the OPAQUE mregoscorE, DIS-
SOLVING VIEWS, and CIIROMATROPE are very effective. The
PHYSIOSCOPE. Submarine Experiments by means of the 'ITER.
and DIVING BELL. Among the various additions to the 'Working
Models is Coleman's NEW AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVE ENGINE,
for avending and tioicending inclined Planes. A magnificent Col-
lection of TROPICAL FRUITS. Mr. Downe, the celeWated Flute
Player, will take part in the Waste, conducted by Dr. Mills.
Ten Open
in
from Eleven to Half-past Five, and from Seven to Half-Past
the Evening.
Admittance, One Shilling. Schools, Half-price.

NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE ASSUR-
ANCE SOCIETY,
26, CORNIIILL, LONDON.
Capital thoo,ooo.
Empowered by Act of Parllamest.
This institution on'ers important and salaststntisa advan-
tages with respect both to Life Assurances and Deferred Annuities.
The assured has, on all occasions, the power to bormr, without ex-
pense or forfeiture of the Policy, two-thirds of the premium paid,
(see table); also the option of selecting benefits, and the conversion
of his interests to meet other conveniences or necessity. Assurances
for terms of years are granted on the 'elv.-etponsible rates.

-
DIVISION OF PI4OFIT:.
The success and increasing prosiNrity of tiac society has enabled
the Directors, at the last annual investigation, to declare a third
Bonus, varying from 3u to 75 per cent. on the premiums paid on
each Policy effected on the Prat scale.

NORTH WALES RAILWAY.
GENERAL MEETING.
Notice is hereby given, that the Ordinary or Half-yearly GENE-
RAL MEETING of thu SidAREHOLDERS of the North Wales
Railway Company will be held at the LONDON TAVERN, Bishops-
gate-street, in the City of London, on THURSDAY, the 26th day of
February next, at One o'clock in the afternoon precisely, for the
transaction of the ordinary business of the Company, in pursuance of
the North Wales Railway Act, 1645, and of the other general Acts of
Parliament relating to railways.
And notice is hereby further given, that the Books for the Regis-
tration of Transfers will be closed on and after the 16th day of
February next, until such half-yearly general meeting shall have
been held. _ _ _

By order of the Board,
JOHN MARRINER, Secretary,
2, Guildhall Chambers, Basingball-street, Jan. 29, 1845.

TO RAILWAY PROPRIBTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS.
MESSRS. WICK.RAM and CO., Share
Auctioneers, inform their friends and the public, that their
PUBLIC SALES OF RAILWAY SHARES, &c., are held every
MONDAY and THURSDAY, at the HALL OF COMMERCE,
Threadneedle•street, Linlen, to which place, or to the ofliee of the
.4tietioneers, 2S, Threadneedlo-street, ull favours and instructions are
equested to be addressed.
All Scrip and Share Certificates must be forwarded to or deposited
at the office of the Auctioneers, as above, at least the day preceding
the day of pubis sale, and adries of the result of the sales will be
forwarded by the first post after the sale, and the proceeds imme-
diately disposed of ac.eording to instructions.
SCALE OF CHARGES.—Under 201., le. per stare; ander 501., ls. 6d.,
tinder 1001., 2s. lid. ; and ss. for all above.

ECONOMIC LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
6, NEW BRIDGE-STREET, BLACKFRIAIIS, LONDON.
Established 1823.
Empowered by Act of Parliament, 3 William IV.
Cmlintaari—The Right Hon. THOMAS FRANKLIN!) LEWIS.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN—HENRY FREDERICK STEPHENSON, Esq.
The following are among the advantages offered by this Society :
Lower Rates of Premium than those of any other oMce, which en-
title the assured to participate in the profits, and considerably lower
than those of any other Mutual Assurance Society.
No Proprietary participate in the profits, the whole being divisible
among the Assured.
A Bonus is added, after the payment of the Fifth Annual Pre-
mium, to every Polley effected on the participating Scale, if a claim
accrue thereon prior to the next division of profits.
The first Bonus, in 1834, averaged 161. per cent on the Premiums paid.
The second ditto 1839, ditto 311. ditto since the Ist division.
The third... 41441444, ditto 3fil. ditto sinco_the 2d division.
Prospectuses and full particulars may be obtained on application fc;
CAMPBELL JAMES DOWNER, Secretary.

TO be SOLD, pursuant to a DECREE of the
HIGH COURT • of CrIANCERY, made in the Causes " HAR-
ROI' v. HOWARD," and " HARROP v. HEYWOOD," with the ap-
probation of N. W. SENIOR, Esq., one of the Masters of the said
Court, some time in the month of March, 1846, of which due notice
will be given, at the Warren Bulkeley Arms Inn, Stockport, in the
county of Chester, by Mr. J. E. TURNER, the person appointed by
the said Master to SELL the same,
Valuable COTTON MILLS and extensive BUILDINGS, cheap
rent: and vacant lands, water wheel, 20-horse power, capital steam
engine, 60-horse power, built by Sherratt and Co., three boilers with
Stanley's patent feeders, main shafting and mill gearing, steam and
gas pipes, and 40 cottages, or dwelling-houses, all situate at Brinks-
way, on the river Mersey, in the counties of Chester and Lancaster.
Particulars and conditions of sale "may in a short time be had
(gratis) at the said Master's Chambers, in Southampton-buildings,
Chancery-lane, London ; of Mr. George Weller, solicitor, 8, King's-
road, London; of Messrs. Lingard and Co., solicitors, Stockport;
Mr. Reddish, solicitor, Stockport; Mr. Ferns, solicitor, Stock-
port; of Mr. Hill, 5, Verulam-buildings, Gray's Inn, London,
solicitor; of Mr. Spinks, 27, Great James-street, London, solicitor;
and Messrs. Johnston, Son, and Wetherall, of the Temple, London,
solicitors ; of the auctioneer ; and at the place of sale.

APARTY, who has for many years attended the
Bradford, Huddersfield, and neighbouring markets, and done
business for a first- rate firm, would be glad to make arrangements
t• buy goods for a house of known respectability.
The Advertiser's time, at present, is only partly occupied. Satis-
factory references can at once be given, as the party is well known.
Please address, Box It 349, I'. 0., Leeds.

PETITION ! PETITION ! PETITION !! !
AT a SPECIAL MEETING of the COUN-
CIL of the NATIONAL ANTI-CORN-LAW LEAGUE,
held on T lIMISDAY, January 29, 1846, it was unanimously resolved—
" That the announcement of a new Corn-law renders it desirable
that the friends of Free Trade throughout the kingdom should be in-
vited to originate Petitions for the Total and Immediate Abolition
of all Laws imposing Duties on Foreign Corn and Psovisions."
By order of the Council,
JOSEPH HICKIN, Seeretary.
Manchester, Jan. 29, 1841.

THE PROVIDENT CLERKS' murrum,
BENEFIT ASSOCIATION AND BENEVOLENT FUND,
42, Moorgate :treet, Jan. 24, 1846.
Notice is hereby given, that the FIFTH ANNUAL GENERAL
MEETING of the DONORS, SUBSCRIBERS, and FRIENDS of
the BENEVOLENT DEPARTMENT of this ASSOCIATION will
be held at the London Tavern, Bishopsgate. street, on WEDNESDAY,
February 11.
The chair will be taken by JOHN ABEL SMITH, Esq., 1.P.,
the Treasurer, at six o'clock precisely.
By order of the Board,
CEO. THOMAS, Chairman.
THOS. MULLINDER, Secretary.

SAVI ES'S CANI)I ES, 5 lA. per lb.; extra
fine Wax-wick Moulds, 614 d.; best Sperm Candles, Is. Bd.;
Wax Candles, Is. 2d. ; fine Wax, ; Transparent, Is. 8d• ;
Cenuine Wax, 2s. Id. ; Hale's Composite, 1.1y2d.; Yellow Soap,
485., i 29., and f•Ss. per 11211)s ; Mottled, GOs. and G4s.; Windsor,
Is. 4d. per packet; Old Brown Windsor, Is. lid. ; Nose. 25.; Al-
mond, 2s. Gd. ; Scaling Wax, 41. 6d. per 11.; Sperm Oil, 7s. 6d. per
gallon ; Solar, 3s. 6d.
For Cash, at DAVIES'S Old Established Warehouse, 63, M. Mar-
tin's-lane, opposite Slaughter's Coffee-houso.

NICOL L'S PALETOT, registered 6 and 7 Vic.,
65, is patronised by the Prince Consort, Prince George
of Cambridge, &c., and is generally acknowledged to excel all other
great coats. The cloth is made of Llama Wool, known to bo porous,
yet naturally repellant of rain.
In the neighbourhood of the extensive Warerooms, 114, Regent-
street, a few small shops are so far unprincipled as to assume a
similarity of name, intending to impose upon strangers some trashy
substitute. Messrs. Nicoll think it due to their own reputation thus
to caution the public, and to suggest that a copy of the Address be
preserved ; and they further offer a Reward of Fifty Poitads for the
detection of a Positive Infringement.
Black Llama Cloth, from its soft elastic nature, is well adapted for
Evening Dress Coats—to be had only of the Patentees.
Each correct registered I'aletot is stamped in the lining "M. d. and
D. Nicoll, 114, Regent-street, ',made'."

MODERN 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 crowd of
Chinese were in waiting at the Commisseriat to witness
the landing, which took place under the British salute
of a Minister Plenipotentiary. His Excellency was re-
ceived by the Commandant, who, along with his aiees-
de-canap of the Governor and General, conducted him
to a spacious residence in the Queen's-road, which
had been handsomely placed at the free 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 gigantic crackers were fired
off, 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.—
" The devil take order now—we'll swell the throng."
Near the head of the crowd was a Chinese band, making
like that of Chrononhotonthologos " rough music," and
taking due advantage of their position to let their in-
struments be heard. There were also men bearing aloft
pavilions, such as our readers at home may see on por-
celain cups and lackerod ware; and 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 bare 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 weapons, 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 time or tune with another Chinese one,
immediately behind, consisting of eight performers on
gongs, cymbals, and wind instruments ; 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 officers of the mili-
tary staff of the colony, and a series of chairs, having
mandarins of superior button and unquestionable feather,
down to others who had nothing to distinguish their rank
except the company they were found in.
In front of the mat shed, which we still dignify with
the name of church. a number of ladies seated on couches
attracted 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)ing,
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 conducted the governor to the outer door,
and took a ceremonious leave.
At four o'clock in the afternoon the Chinese returned
the visit in state, and afterwards accompanied the go-
vernor to witness a review of the troops, whom they
found drawn up in line in the Queen's-road, the right
touching the governor's flag-staff. Keying went down
the line in his chair, each regiment presenting arms to
him as he arrived in front of its centre. The artillery
then fired *even guns, and the infantry a volley in suc-
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 sufficient space beyond the
saluting flag, they halted, counter-marched, and marched
past in quick time ; and on arriving on their former
ground they again halted, counter-marched, and marched
home to their cparters. 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
Major-General, they proceeded to the esplanade to
witness the artillery unlimber, limber, and fire their
guns. When the soldiers were seated on the dis-
mounted guns and carriages, Keying was very curious
to know what this meant ; and on the officer applied to
having 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 more distinguished
members of his suite dined at the governor's, where they
met 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. One of the Chinese, a member of the Imperial
family, offered his arm to a lady en cavalier, and had
she not apparently misunderstood his meaning, would
probably have helped to form a set at a quadrille. As
it was, he took the arm of an aide-de-camp, and stood
beside one of the dancers, keeping time with head, hands,
and feet, and NI aggishly 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 umon 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
Major-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 ereatest applause, the band playing " 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
satisfied that there was that professional sympathy be-
tween them, that would lead him to accept it with corre-
sponding cordiality. Having said this, the Major-General
continued —" I must not forget the high, representative,
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 China, 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 93 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 alone.. 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 he 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 at once his public feeling and his per-
sonal acknowledgment.
Nothing could exceed the affability and good humour
of Keying, accompanied by the highest tact and good
breeding. Ho 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 room 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 he 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 "he
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 evening 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 assembled in one of the lower rooms, ex-
cept the Governor, upon 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 sitting in arm-chairs
formally placed on the other side, with a small table
between each two.
The half 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 Keying, 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 he interesting to have a
pretty minute account of the whole menu of the dinner,
especially as it differed in many respects from the de-
scriptions of Du Halde, Father Bouvet, and other more
modern writers. From the number of dishes succes-
sively served up, we infer that it was a feast of the " more
solemn sort" spoken of by the former of these authori-
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 individuals with Father Bouvet speaks of.
Before each guest was placed a plate and hwai 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 innumerable 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 dawn with a glass
of wine. And then commenced the more important part
of the feast, by the army of servants setting before
each guest a small bowl, about the size of a moderate
breakfast cup, of birds' nest soup, which might pass for
very good vermicelli at home, and scarcely merits the
celebrity it has obtained, or seems worth the enormous
price it is said to cost.
This was the prelude to a succession of other soups,
stews, and hashes, most of which were so excellent that
the genius Archmus, who, according to the fanciful Van
Belmont, keeps post in the upper orifice, as a sort of
custom-house officer to the stomach, to watch all contra-
band food, must certainly have found his occupation
gone, and declared for free trade on the occasion.
After the birds'-nest soup, there were venison soup,
duck soup, never-to-be-sufficiently-praised sharks' fin
soup, chesnut soup, pork stew, a sort of vegetable pugs,
with gravy in a separate saucer, stag-sinew soup, shark-
skin soup, second only to his elder brother of the fin;
earth-nut ragout. a gelatine soup, made of the pith of
stags' horns macerated ; mushroom and chesnut soup,
stewed ham sweetened with sugar or syrup, a stew of
bamboo shoots, another of fish-maws, esculents with
hot sauce, slices of hot cakes and cold jam puffs; with
numerous other nondescript soups and stews, in large
bowls placed in the centre of the table, of which vege-
tables, pigeons' eggs, and more especially pork, seemed
to be component parts, showing Chinese cooks, like
Beaumont and Fletcher's, to be "thoroughly grounded
in the mysteries and hidden knowledge of all soups,
sauces, and salads whatsoever."
In such a labyrinth of novel dishes, even the most
practical gourmand might have been excused for feeling
a little at a loss ; and our entertainers seemed to appre•
ciate the circumstance, for when any particularly good
mess came upon the table, they would put some upon
the plates of those near them ; and Keying, with the
most refined Chinese politeness, more than once took a
tit-bit from his own dish, and conveyed it with his chop-
sticks to the honoured guests beside him.
Lest there might have been any one who could not
contrive to make a sumptuous dinner from such mate-
rials, there were in the centre of the table roast peacock,
pheasant, and ham ; and tea was several times served
to relieve this active " alimentary progression," never
dreamt of by Ude or Brillat Savarin.
It is worth while noting as a remarkable circumstance,
that, during the whole dinner, there was not a grain of
rice on the table, not even mixed with other food, though
almost all writers tell us it is never wanting at a Chinese
dinner of any sort. If, according to Sir John Davis,
the appearance of bowls of rice at such feasts is the sig-
nal of the repast approaching its termination, the party
on the present occasion must have broken up long before
the host was tired of his guests ; for the rice signal
was never given.
There was no lack of good wines, liqueurs, and man-
darin somshoo at dinner, nor were the Chinese unmind-
ful to do due honour to them by frequently pledging
their guests ; and this soon came to be•no lightbut
imnsaitstteerd,
for they were never satisfied with a mere sip,
proof.an d hoaf t
ttsh e
havingg as s sbheoeunl d
ho-
nestlybetounrnedeump bumperspo
tni everyetdh . e table
Tht m
ine. eeff'ect upon themselves was scarcely
Tartar
though we remarked a formidable-looking
Tartar opposite where we sat, who besides his share of
champagne and other wines, discussed the greater part
of a bottle of mareschino, and made serious inroads
upon another of noyau, stroking his chin, and exclaim-
ing, " Hoh !" at each glass.
The succession of soups must have occupied nearly
three hours, and when he at length came to a close,
Keying rose to dedicate a cup to the Queen of Heaven ;
and forthwith a series of low benches, covered with
crimson cloth, were ranged from one end of the room
to the other, and were speedily loaded with roast pig,
hams, fowls, and other substantial dishes, and before
each a cook or butcher (we could not tell which) sat
down a la Chinois, and, taking a knife like a cutlass,
commenced slicing it down, in defiance of the maxims of
the " Carver's Guide," grasping the joint with the left
hand, the long nails of which serve for both fork and
spoon. The ceremony is intended as an acknowledg-
ment of the bounty of the Queen of Heaven, and is gone
through before the guests to show them that, even after
the exuberance of dishes with which they have been
served, there is still enough and to spare. The sliced
meat was set upon the table, as were also cold mutton and
pork, none of which were eaten ; and then succeeded a
desert of fruits and preserves, with abundance of wine,
cordials, and somshoo.
The first toast was " The Queen of England and the
Emperor of China," which wa's drunk with tremendous
applause, the Chinese being especially vociferous, huz-

zaiti.7,, clapping their hands, and beating the table in the
most approved English public-dinner fashion, the band
in the adjoining room striking up what we presume was
an appropriate air, but which sounded to our ears not
unlike a Highland pibroch.
A few other toasts followed, amongst the rest, " The
King of the French" and " The King of Sweden," each of
whom had a subject among the guests ; and Keying
then called upon the Governor for a song, as a condition
to giving one himself, which he afterwards did, and
very well, too, and joined lustily in the applause with
which it was received Pwang-t:ye•shing gave us two
songs. The Emperor's son-in-law excused himself on
account of a hoarseness, brought on, doubtless, by the
unwonted exercise of his lung 3 during the visit ; and an
attendant Tartar, a descendant of Gengis-Khan, we
%% re told, chanted a wild lilt, having many of the cha-
racteristics of an old Scottish or Irish air.

On the part of the English guests, besides the Gover-
nor, songs were sung by the Major- General, the Chief
authors,of
China, speak .
players thesefo r
ma s
n o invariablepa part
t o f accompaniments.
Justice, the lion. Frederick Bruce, and Mr. Shortrede.
in
The C.hineso are fond of enlivening their entertain-
ments with shows and dramatic exhibitions, and most
The present dinner was an exception, probably because
visits to foreign Powers never having been before dreamt
retinue. However, a substitute was found in a game
which we do not
.remember ever having seen described.
The flowers (dahlias) were given to Keying, who first
ambassador's
began whirling them round his head, and then holding
them to his nose, gave one to the Governor and another
to the General, who were desired to hand them round
the table. In the meantime, a drum was kept beating
in the outer room, the performer, at random, making a
sudden stop ; and the person in whose hand the flower
then chanced to be fuund was required to quaff off a
bumper of wine.
This sport, from the sort of esprit de patrie with which
it was kept up, created a good deal of amusement, the
Chinese being especially mindful to watch their victims,
and laughing good humouredly when caught them-
selves.
In sporting phrase, the pace of the evening had been
uncommonly fast, and all " caroused potations pottle
deep ;" but whether it was the excellence of the drink,
or the counteracting effects of the ragouts, every one,
European and Chinese, seemed quite able to carry his
liquor discreetly,
The company broke up about eleven o'clock, Keying
and the rest of the Chinese accompanying their guests
down stairs, and taking leave of them at the door, both
appearing to be mutually satisfied with the meeting.
At half-past six next morning the minister embarked
on board the steamer for Canton, having previously em-
braced the Governor at the door of his residence, and
the General at the wharf, whither the Gallant Officer
accompanied the Imperial Commissioner.
A man so famous in the western world as Keying was,
of course, the observed of all obse. very during his visit.
He is, we should suppose, of some 50 years of age, his
tall and majestic form being graced with manners at once
dignified and courteous. His whole deportment, in short,
was that of a perfectly well-bred man of the world, and
but for his dress and language, he might have been taken
for a fine specimen of the old English gentleman of the
highest class. As we saw him on such public occasions,
his bland countenance was beaming with good-humoured
benevolence ; but it is of an intellectual class, and lighted
up with a twinkling eye, which, as occasion demands,
would be equally expressive of penetrating shrewdness
as of social glee.

NOTES ON THE OUTRAM CON-
TROVERSY.
[From the Kurrachee Advertiser of the 4th of October,
1845.]
One of the greatest errors prevalent in reference to
the controversy beteen General W. Napier, and Colonel
Outram is that the General was the attacking party. A
great deal of sympathy has in consequence been accorded
to the Colonel on this account. lie is supposed to be an
injured man merely fighting for his own ; a person at-
tacked who has a right to use any weapons within his
reach for his defence ; a person strove to be trod down,
and only seeking to upset an ungenerous foe. Such is
the most prevalent notion on this subject, but it is from
beginning to end the reverse of the truth. It was the
Governor of Sinde who was first attacked both by
Colonel Outram and his party ; and all that his brother
General William Napier has done has been to come
to the rescue of ore who had neither time nor inclina-
tion to enter the field. of controversy himself. Having
stated my premises, I shall now proceed to; adduce my
proofs, and those proofs will be best furnished by giving
a short account of the origin of the controversy. I defy
any one to disprove a tittle of what I shall assert ; and
I trust that those who read in search of truth, and notto
cavil in party spirit, will find how reverse of the part
attributed to him, Sir Charles Napier's conduct has
been.
It will be remembered by the put lic that, for reasons
with which the Governor of Sinde had nothing earthly
to do, but which, I have no doubt, Lord Ellen-
borough will satisfactorily explain, if called on by
those competent to question him in the House to which
he belongs.
Colonel Outram was removed in October, 1842, from
the political management of Sinde, and the Governor
cif Scinde was placed in sole charge, both political and
military, of the province. In consequence of this ar-
rangement he proceeded to Sukkur, and there relieved
Colonel, then Major Outram.
Unacquainted with the character of the Colonel ex-
cept from description, much of which was the Colonel's
own mouth, he felt a very high opinion of him for
generosity, as well as courage, and paid him the glowing
compliment which rang round India afterwards, and
perhaps as much as anything had the effect of bringing
Colonel Outram to the notice of the many, who being
distant from the scene cared little about Sinde or the
changes in its management, I should not allude to this
circumstance were it not to show the feeling the Go-
vernor was prepared to view him with ; a feeling which
even Colonel Outram's friends cannot deny was one
exaggerated, or to say;the least of extreme partiality and
favour.
After this the Colonel returned to India, and being in
extreme c.isfavour with the Governor-General, had of
course nothing to look forward to but regimental duty,
a furlough, or such inferior staff employment as lay
within the patronage of the Commander-in-Chief, or
Governor of his own Presidency. The latter was but a
narrow field of hope, all appointments being filled, and
the more lucrative ones being generally in departments
where seniority must be attended to: a furlough, it was
understood, was not desirable, for the Colonel was not
believed to have money sufficient to live with much com-
fort at home, and it was not to be supposed that a re-
sidence there would much further his views, while the
influence of the Governor-General was in the other scale.
Such was the state of affairs with Colonel Outram,
when the Governor of Sinde found an opening for re-
lieving him from his embarrassments, and bringing him
again forward on the stage on which he had figured
before. Lord Ellenborough, had, by this time, come to
his decision on the charges preferred against the
Ameers by Colonel Outram: that decision was in ac-
cordance with the views the Colonel had expressed, ad-
verse to them, and with some modifications, rather in
favour than otherwise of these princes. His Lordship
determined to impose on them as a punishment for their
treason the penalties Colonel Outram had proposed in ,
the treaty which he had drawn up, and submitted to his
Lordship or in default to treat them as that officer said
they deserved to be treated as enemies who had most
justly incurred the forfeiture of their thrones.
This secured to Sir Charles Napier an opportunity for
the exercise of his kindly feeling to Colonel Outram, too
favourable for him to pass over. Being allowed to select
a commissioner to carry on the negocis.tions, he named
Colonel Outram ' • and though Lord Ellenborough dis-
tinctly warned him of the dangerous nature of the man
as a political connexion, he, all unsuspecting honesty,
and believing Colonel Outram to be the same, still
pressed the appointment, and his claim was without fur-
ther difficulty allowed. Little could the Governor then
foresee all the long train of evils this act of generosity
was to bring down upon him, but like the poisoned shirt
of the Centaur, Colonel Outram seems destined to be a
source of acute repentance to every one connected with
him in affairs, whether the person be Sir John Keane,
Lord Ellenborough, or Sir Charles Napier.
Such was the manner in which Colonel Outrana re-
turned to Scinde—not to guide Sir Charles in his politi-
cals, much less in his military arrangements ; for Sir
Charles is not a man who either requires, or seeks for
guidance : and had he been so, the political functions to
be executed by the commissioner were so excessively
narrow, that, as Lord Ellenborough had remarked, one
of the Aides-de-Camp, or any other officer of the force,
might have easily performed them. Its fact, for all but
politeness sake, a puttawalla (a messenger) might have
discharged them, for they considered in nothing but
carrying a treaty to the Ameers for signature, and tel-
ling them, in as few words as the occasion required, that
they would subject themselves to a worse fate. The
reason therefore that Colonel Outram was employed was
solely a kindly attempt on the part of Sir Charles Na-
pier to open a path again to him for political employ,
and to a return of favour on the part of the Governor-
General.
Colonel Outram accepted, and apparently with thank-
fulness, the appointment, but it was not long before it
appeared that his views were very foreign to the views
of those who had employed him, Sir Charles Napier and
the Governor-General. He appeared anxious to re-open
questions which had already been decided, and decided
on his own statements ; instead of following the plain
and simple course laid down, he appeared de-
irous of leading the Governor into the shoal of
Sindian diplomacy where he would necessarily be
the guide, and it was nothing but the firmness
of Sir Charles which prevented his succeeding
firmness which Colonel Outram has since construed
as a settled purpose, whatever happened, to put an end
to the reign of the Ameers. The Council of India has,
however, negatived the' interpretation, and allowed that,
had the Governor followed in the path the Colonel
beckoned him to, the arms of Sinde would have been
lost, and India, perhaps, at this moment in a
state of
rebellion. The view the Council have takeenls chiefs of
firmed by subsequent conversations with h
Sinde, aid no rational man who takes thet trouble to
go into the case can for a moment doubt it to be the
correct one.
The rest of the account of Colonel Outranfs diplo-