The Sun.
London, England, 1858-11-01 00:00:00

CHINA.

CANTON, SEPT. 10.
On 26th Aug. Peh-qui received the seals of office
as Governor of the province of Kwangtung, vice
Yeh, removed to Calcutta. The junks conveying
the seals left Fatu Creek early in the morning of
that day, an order having been issued to French and
English vessels stationed in that quarter to allow
them to pass. The presentation took place at Peh-
qui's yamun, where for so long he has been under
surveillance, and was a strange and interesting sight
for Western eyes to behold. Some 40 or 50 man-
darins of blue, white, and gold buttons, with
or without peacocks' feathers, were in at-
tendance in their quaint but handsome costumes,
accompanied by a large number of servants in livery
somewhat corresponding to the dresses of their
masters. After the installation a levee was held,
and, as we stopped for that, we had an opportunity
of remarking more particularly the various costumes.
The inner garment is like a very long rochet, fas-
tening down the side, fitting close about the
neck, and reaching to the ankles. It seemed to
be constructed of silk, but was so covered over
from end to end with dragons, butterflies, flowers,
&c., in gold embroidery, that it was hard to
say what the groundwork of so elaborate a garment
might be. Over this was worn a shorter tunic,
reaching to the knees, of silk gauze, and only orna-
mented with two square patches of embroidery, one
on the chest, the other on the back ; on both of
these was a repetition of dragons rampant and other
unintelligible devices. The hats of all were conical,
finely plaited from straw ; a thick tassel of red
corded silk enveloped the top, and high above all
stood the button, of the size of a large walnut.
The few that had a peacock's feather to boot
wore that appendage hanging behind from the base
of the button. All had the thick, solid, clumsy
boot one sees at every step in China, but the use
we saw made of the same somewhat astonished us,
as one venerable mandarin, after chin-chinning his
friend, first put his hand down one leg of his boot
and then the other to find where he had placed his
pocket-book, wherein were documents of importance.
At length, the article being found, the boot was re-
adjusted, and the worthies retired into a corner to
discuss contents. In the course of the day all guard
was taken away, and Pch-qui became a free man.
The blockade has been remitted, and there are signs
of a return of the people to their homes. Trade
seems to have recommenced very vigorously, but we
have not yet seen a return of the hundredth part of
the furniture that was removed. The same week a
very dashing little action was fought by the Surprise,
despatch gunboat, Commader Cresswell, against a
fleet of between 20 and 30 pirate junks, mounting
in all some 300 guns. News was brought that they
were anchored at the other side of Kong, near
the village of Stanley. The Surprise was sent out,
and on finding them they commenced firing imme-
diately. By keeping under weigh, the little gunboat
completely bothered the junks, who no sooner got
her range than they lost it again ; she the meanwhile
plying them hard with shot and shell. One of the
latter burst amongst the powder of a large junk,
and blew up her and her neighbour alongside.
The fleet then attempting to escape, the two boats
of the Cambrian, which were in tow, and the boats
of the Surprise, were sent away, and succeeded in
destroying 17 and bringing away seven of the
finest, carrying 104 guns. These were towed round
to Hong Kong, and are now to be sold for the pecu-
niary benefit of the captors ; for a more honorary
reward they must look elsewhere. We sincerely
hope they may not be disappointed.
Since this another expedition after pirates has
been made to the southward—Magicienne, In-
flexible, and Algerine being sent ; they did not
meet with them in the numbers they expected, but
destroyed many, though with a loss on our side of
12 or 14 men wounded.

Capt. Peel's death-vacancy has made Commander
Slight, of Sanspareil, a post captain; Lieut. Doug-
las, of Coromandel, a worthy young officer, comman-
der ; and Mr. Fitzroy, of Sanspareil, a lieutenant.
The fleet is already being dispersed. Sanspareil
and Ameythyst have both left the river, the former
to go home, the latter to the Pacific, Cormorant
relieves Sanspareil at the Bogue, Esk goes down to
Singapore and will afford a party to man Saracen,
surveying vessel, about to be paid off at that port,
At present Calcutta, Sanspareil, Cambrian,
Amethyst, Magicienne, Elk, E,k, Inflexible, and
sundry gunboats, are at anchor in the harbour at
Hong Kong. Magicienne and Algerine go shortly
to Amoy.