The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-09 00:00:00

CIIINA

The Monitory. de PArmee furnishes the following
details relative to this country:—" The invention
of gunpowder and artillery is generally attributed
to the Chinese. According to the accounts which
have been given of the naval engagement of Soum-
Lin in 1161, between them and the Tartars, it is
certain that the former had cannon on board their
vessels, and nevertheless since that period they have
learned nothing as regards the service of heavy
artillery. A general named Ou-Sanguel, an ambi-
tious man, and much beloved by the troops, hoisted
the standard of rebellion, and caused much alarm
to the Court of Pekin. The Emperor felt convinced
that nothing could be done against the rebels in the
strong positions -which they had taken up unless
they could be attacked with. artillery. His large
guns were so heavy that they could not be moved,
and in his embarrassment sent for Father Verbiest,
thinking he might be able to suggest some plan.
The Jesuit replied that he knew nothing of the art
of war, and that all he could do would be to pray
to God to favour the arms of the Emperor. Some
enemies of the Jesuit hoped to avail themselves of
this circumstance to accomplish his ruin, and they
insinuated to the Emperor that Father Verbiest
was in league -kith the rebels. The Emperor pre-
tended to give credence to this tale, and told him
that unless he could cast light cannon for him all the
Christians should be condemned to death. The
father replied that he was quite ignorant of founding
cannon, but that he would consult some books on
the subject, and superintend the operations of the
workmen. The cannon were cast successfully, and
the Emperor, who was present, was so pleased that
he took his cloak off his shoulders, and placed it on
those of the Jesuit. The guns cast were small and
light, but in order to enable them to withstand the
force of the powder, he had thick pieces of oak put on
the outside and secured by iron hoops. The result
was satisfactory, as the rebels were driven from
their positions, and the revolt put down.. The learned
Visdelou, bishop of Claudiopolis, fixes the period
when cannon were first used at 907 of the Christian
era. Under the reign of the Emperor Tcoum Tehim,
a rebellion broke out, and the rebels gained posses-
sion of some of the richest provinces of the empire.
The Emperor, becoming alarmed, summoned to him
all the principal dignitaries of the State to consult
them as to what measures should be adopted.
One mandarin recommended that the Jesuit Adam
Schalt should be sent for, as he was well acquainted
with everything connected with artillery, but this
was opposed by another mandarin, who observed to
the Emperor that, before the reign of the dynasty
of Tham and of that of Soum, firearms had never
been heard of, and that since their use the people
trusted to them, and had become men without
energy. The remark of this last. mandarin did not
please the Emperor, who drily replied, " Retire,
and know that the use of firearms is one of the pre-
rogatives which places the Chinese above all other
nations." It appears from the above facts that the
invention dates back to the dynasty of the Thams
in 907 of the Christian era, and that the Chinese
are ignorant of the name of the inventor. In the
History of Soum a chapter is devoted to different
weapons, and lances of fire are spoken of. This
lance, says the author, was a hollow bamboo, at the
bottom of which was some gunpowder and a ball,
which went to a distance of 50 feet. It also appears
that the guns which were used in the naval battle
of 1161, above alluded to, were a kind of howitzer,
which threw red-hot shot. Travellers of modern'
days have been able to add but little to what was
before known. One of the persons who accompanied
the expedition of Lord Macartney states the force
of the Chinese army to
be 1,800,000 men, of whom
1,000,000 are infantry. The
The foot soldier receives
about 65c. a day and a measure of rice ; the cavalry
are paid double, and has his horse found him. The
army is paid regularly every three months.

TIIE SCOTCH MOORS AND FORESTS.—SO far as
we learn, gentlemen in the moors and forests continue to
enjoy fair sport. In the forest of 131ackwater, Prince Ed-
ward of Saxe-Weimar killed a stag on Tuesday last, and
another on Friday. Lord Coventry, in the same forest,
killed two stags on Thursday. In the adjoining moors,
Prince Edward killed 23 brace of grouse and three brace
of black cock on Wednesday, and on Tuesday Lord Coventry
killed 23 brace of grouse. In two hours, on Friday, the
Earl of March killed 13 brace. In Glenaven Forest, on
the 30th ult.' Mr. Walker killed a stag, and on the 31st a
hind. Capital sport has been had on the Lagganauld
moors. On the 31st the Rev. G. King bagged 5% brace of
grouse, and 71 brace of black game, and on the Ist inst.
111 brace of grouse. On the Lagganauld moors the fol-
lowing numbers have been killed during the season :—Mr.
Fred. Walker, in 11 days, bagged 514 brace; Mr. G.
Hall, in 13 days, 425 • and the Rev. G. King, in 10 days,
331 brace; in all, 1,270 brace of grouse, without re-
ference to black game, hares, and snipes. This extra-
ordinary number fully maintains the high character which
these moors have held for the last seven years as among the
first in Scotland, and also testifies to the ability of the three
sportsmen who have for seven years taken a first position
ou the list as marksmen.7--.Tloifshfre lornai: of Tuesday,