The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-30 00:00:00

ENGI.ISH LIFE IN CHINA.

The following interesting letter, received from a lady at
Hong-Kong, has been forwarded to us far publication :
" Hong-Kong, June 21, 1858.
" my husband is incapacitated himself from
writing this mail, I shail send you a few lines instead. I
have to thank God most fervently that his life has been
spared, for never man had a more narrow escape. You
must have observed from the public reports in what a very
unsatisfactory state our relations with the Chinese in
the south are at present. The universal opinion is that
matters have been most sadly mismanaged, and that thainsg_st
are worse here now than ever they were. Bethat
tecomie
may, the Chinese at this present time are certainly
snore offensively troublesome, and we hear almoin
broaddail
tepees of attacks and attempts at murder, eyeonng
tittylight, and sometimes in the very streets of Kong-
Vy poor husband was one of those unhappy
days sil.ce. But I will tell you all about it. victimsf i est ti
living about one mile and three quarters off, whom he often
goes to see before breakfast, and takes a short cut across the
hill to his residence, but he always
.goes armed w
revolver, and prepared for emergenctes knowing
Juwe ell
15)the
temper of the Chinese just now. knows g
he set off for his morning walk, and I was sorry to see it
begin pouring with rain soon after he started. Towards
nine o'clock I was made aware of his return by our little
dog (who had accompanied him) rushing up stairs, and soon
after he himself walked in, but such an object that I never
can forget—the blood streaming down both sides of his white
face, and the colour of his hair quite hidden in a mass of
blood and dirt, though be had taken the precaution of going
In the bath-room first, and changing his clothes and wash-
ing himself, so as to frighten me as little as possible. More-
toter he was bent double with pain, and could scarcely move
feottt some extensive injury in his side. I sent for a medical
Men at once, who came very quickly and examined him ;
but the side was such a complete smash and so swollen that
te could not then tell if any ribs were broken. It seems
hat three Chinamen suddenly set upon him, though he was
in a measure prepared for them too, and even bad his hand
on his pistol at the time he met them ; but he says their
agility of movement quite astonished him, and with a most
instantaneous spring the first man was pinioning both his
hands by the wrists. But with a strong wrench he threw
him off, and started back a pace or two to fire. His pistol
was almost close to the wretch's breast when be pulled the
trigger, and the cap missed fire. With a yell of triumph
they all rushed towards him when he sprang down the
side of the mountain path to gain time to recock his revolver,
and in turning round to fire his revolver a second time his
foot slipped, and he rolled over and over down the side of the
treble into a water-course, all among the bed of rocks, and
bras completely stunned and wedged in there. One of the
gang fell too, and, to make matters worse, came down with
his whole weight on his chest. The two other men followed
very quickly, and of course he was at their mercy then. The
wretches first began pounding his head with stones, and
broke it in several places. Then they put mud in his
eyes to prevent his seeing their faces, and so recognising
them afterwards, and one—the man at whose breast he had
fired—hit him a violent blow with his fist just between his
eyes ; but, strange to say, he ilid not lose his consciousness
for more than a few seconds, and kept his senses cleor to the
last. Two men held down his hands, and one knelt on hischest
and rifled his person. Of course they took everything—pistol,
wet cb,ring, even his handkerchief,and I only wonder they left
him any clothes, or left him alive to tell the tale, but I sup-
pose they were satisfied with their booty, and so made off
before they were surprised. One circumstance seems to me
most providential; the Chinaman who fell down the bill,
when he got up had a huge knife handle in his band, but no
blade—that must have been broken off in the tumble, and
he spent some time in looking for it among the grass. Had
that weapon been whole and sound, he might have cut eff
my poor husband's head with it, taken it to Canton, and
obtained the bead-money. Oh, we have very mach to be
thankful for, in spite of his sufferings. How he ma-
naged to get home is a perfect miracle. The doctor
said ' be must have had a deal of pluck to do it ;' but his
strength held out no longer, and he was helpless directly.
His side was first fomented, and then leeched the next day to
reduce the swelling. About the fourth day, broken bones
were discovered, and those be has not been able to have
bandaged yet on account of the tenderness and swelling, but
I hope to-day the doctor will pronounce it in a fit state to be
done, for the support will be such a relief to him. He is pro-
gressing most satisfactorily towards recovery ; his wounds
are healing nicely, and there has been no fever. The worst
now is that no trace can be found of the ruffians, notwith-
stasding the exertions of the police; but Chinese are too
cunning for Englishmen. Our precautions and laws seem to
have no power to reach them, and until we fight them with
their own weapons, and oppose stratagem to stratagem, they
will always keep the upper hand. Since this attack on my
husband he has made up his mind to have a good big dog
at once from England, to be his walking companion. Fire-
arms are not to be depended upon in this damp climate, and
if he had only a faithful dog with him on this occasion, I
fancy it would have created a diversion in his favour ; so
will Mr. be so good as to be on the look-out for a
thorough-bred Newfoundland pup, and by next mail I hope
Mr. will be able to write to him himself about ship-
ping and forwarding it. My mind seems so fell of this one
subject that I can scarcely think of anything else, but I can-
not finish my letter without saying how sincerely I hope
you are all well. What nice weather and delicious spring
produce you must be having at home now, while we are
grilling out here. We are able to get ice in Hong-Kong
now, which is a great comfort to us ; you can fancy how
acceptable it has been to the poor invalid.
" P.S.—Only imagine, on our own territory, not in
Chinese jurisdiction, we are defied to the utmost, and no
one can walk in the streets without being well armed.
Whenever the doctor or any visitor comes their daggers,
bowie-knives, or revolvers are laid on the drawing-room
table as regularly as possible, and pat about their persons
again when they take their departure."—Evening Herald.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK.
The following are all half-yearly
Tills DAY—Blackburn, Blackburn, at 1 ; Staines and
Wokingharn, London Tavern, at 2; East Kent, 2, Moor-
gate .street, at 2; Newry and Armagh, Armagh, at 11.
To-MORROW—Newport, Abergavenny, and Hereford,
LonOen Tavern, at 12; Worcester and Hereford, London
Tavern, at 3; Furness, 9, Old Burlington-street, at 12;
Shrewsbury and Hereford, Shrewsbury, at 1; Sittingbourne
and Sheerness, Queensboruugh, at half-past 2; Herne Bay
and Faversham, Herne Bay, at 1 ; Rhymney, 28, Great
George-street, at 3; Wells and Fakenham, Fakenham, at
2 ; Boston, Sleaford, and Midland Counties, Euston Hotel,
at 1 ; Northern Counties Union, London Tavern, at 11.
THURSDAY—South-Eastern, Bridge-house Hotel, tl.
SATURDAY—North British, Edinburgh, at 1.

EASTERN UNION.
The half-earl meetin of this company was held at
. pswich on y
Friday J.y—Mr. Cheyallier Cobbold, M.P., in
the chair.
The CIIAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
which has been already published, said he regretted that
the company was not quite so forward with regard to the
matters on which they had unfortunately differences with
the Eastern Counties board. as lie hoped they would have
b'en when he last met the shareholders. There
or had r
law
advisers; but the delays of the law were proverbial, and
the Eastern Counties Corapany had put every possible
obstacle in the way. The matters in dispute were of very
grave importance, as they involved from £60,000 to
£70,000 per annum, of which the Eastern Union Company
was entitled to one seventh, after deducting 46 per cent.
for working expenses, or about ,f 4,509. The Norfolk Com-
pany took the same view of c
sitpe.question,
ted. and we re re
reg ad
ard
y to
co-operate with them, being milarly affe With
to the Harwich traffic, the chairman of the Eastern. Counties
had lately stated that it was worked at a loss but if this was
ease;he must say that it was due to the course the. Laster
.0
Counties had pursued. To hilly develop the Ilar.vi.eh tr
a line of ste -Rica-, between that port and the Continent vvas
required, and he had himself taken a good deal of tirb. le,
and Incurred some expense, with he view f estaTheblishing
that communication durin;.Y. the present seaso on. hang
that
Company were quite prepared to unite with the EaF.tera
Inion in taking their fair share of the responsibility ; hut
Vie Eastern Counties Company would undertake no p
!rtf o
Lae respou=ibility. They were asked for no 'none) or gua-
ultee, but merely from tha profits which might arise from
tee ste.imers to iudetnnify the partie3 who put them on.
This, Ir)wevir, the Eastern Counties board would not taii•
der ake to do., and the enterpric must stand over for better
terms. It might be thonght that the Eastern Union Corn-
pm)? were It:tenacious, but they were only anxious to esta-
Wish their rights and their proper p tAition prior to the time
at which the amalgarnation with the Eastern Counties must
take place; and the directors had commenced legal pro-
eedings a the only reeonrce left to them.
Sir S.BIGNOLD, deputy chairman, secondel the adoption
of the report, which was agreed to.
The dividends recommended-124. en the A stock and S.
on the B stock, clear of income tax—were also declared.
The CHAIRMAN next moved that the directors be autho-
rised to convert the euaranteed shares into stock, to be di-
vided amongst the shareholders according to their respective
interest therein, and to be entitled to the same advantages
as before conversion.
Sir S. BIGNOLD seconded the motion, which was agreed

to.
Replying to questions from several shareholders,
Mr. I3RUFF, the ennit.teer, stated that the Wo9nribridgs
extension could not possibly be opened within two or three
months without extra expenses being incurred to hasten the
works, which had been delayed through a scarcity of labour
in the district. There had beer on
or two land slips, but
they were in course of being overcome.
The CITAIR.7I.kN, in reply t.) other questions, said the
joint committee of the Eastern Union, Eastern Counties,
and Norfolk Companies bad sanctloned. the general plan
submit,eti for the new station imperatively required at
Ipswich, but some of the details were still unsettled.
After some further conversation on the differences be-
tween the company and the Eastern Counties board, the
proceedings closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman
and directors.

dead of 2s. per -share on the ordinary stock of the company,
payable on the -9th September.
The retiring directors and auditors were re-elected; and
on the motion of Mr. Pori., of Manchester, seconded by
Mr. WALKER, a vote of thanks vats passed to the chairman
for his attention and courtesy. Tlais terminate 4 the pro-
ceedings, which were unanimous throughout.

MIDLAND GREAT WESTERN OF IRELAND.
The directors of this company have decided upon recom-
mending to their proprietors a dividend of 5 per cent. per
annum, free of income tax, for the half-year ending June 30,
1838.

OFFICIAL TRAFFIC RETURNS.
LONDON AND NORTH Wzrugm.—Week ending Aug. 22
Pamengers, 236,178 0 0
Goods, &c. 27,169 0 0

nti4l £63,347 0 0
Corresponding week of last year £7l 251 0 0
These returns include (both for the present and corresponding
week) the traffic of the Buckinghamshire and North Union Lines,
but not the traffic of Iluddersneld Canal, Shropshire Union, Pres-
ton aad Wyre, South Junction, and Manchester and Buxton Lail-

MP*
011ZSTY.11 AND HOLIIIF.AD.--Week ending Aug. 15 :--
Passengers, .te. 24,969 0 0
Goods, Ste.

Total
Corresponding week of last year £7,21l 0 0
''his includes the steamboats and Mold and Caernarvon Branches.
EAST ANGLIAN.—Week ending Aug. II:
Passengers, .t.c. R 456 it 6
445 4 3

Total £BBlls 9
Corresponding week of last year £79l 0 2
Laucasnias er) YOBIEsIIIRE.—Week ending Aug. 2:—
Passengers, &c. L13,486 0 •
Goods 15,296 0 0
----

Total £28,792 e 0
Corresponding week of last year 229,015 0 0
This includes the Blackburn line traffic.
EssT LANcAsanuc.—Week ending Aug. 22 :....
Passengers, &o 23,531 0 0
Goods
----

Total £7,535 • 0
Oorresimnding week of last year £7,707 0 •
This includes the Blackburn line traffic.
Lawcasran CABLIsL7, Ste.—Week ending Aug. 15:—
Passengers and parcels £t5,067 1
Goods, &c.
Total £8,01819 5
Corresponding week of last year E7,917 8 3
WITITXHAVEN Jtrwcriox.—Week ending Aug. 15:—
Passesgers and parcels 272 10 IS
Goods, &c

Total
Corresponding week of last year ...Z425 9 2
111112TOL AND Exarza (117 miles open.)—Weeks,nding Aug. 15
Passengers, ac
.15
1,972 14 5

Total £7,479 2 7

r. XIITEIt AND CREDITON—Week ending Au g. 15 :—•
Passengers
floods, &c4O 6 0

Total £lS 8 6
MANCHTATTE, SOUTH JUNCTION, AND ALTUNCIIIII.--WOOk Outing
Aug. 22 :

Total traffic £S33
Corresponding week of last year ...A1,476 5 4
M►NCIILSTLB, SHETYILLD, AND LINCOLNSHIRE.. Week ending
Aug. 22:

Passengers and parcels ACM 3 0
Goods, &C 5,530 l 7
----

Total £to,2lS 4 7
Corresponding week of last year t 11,541 12 5
This return includes half of the Manchester South Junction and
Iltrincham receipts; Grimsby Dock duties, &c.; and Chesterfield
Canal receipts.
BIRKENHEAD, LANCASHIRE, AND CH 6SHIRE JUNCTION. —Week
ending Aug. 22:

Passengers, &c.
Goods

~.,21,646
1,i87 0 0

Total £3,135 I
Corresponding week of last year 23,229 0 0
JLIDLAND (567 i miles open).—Week ending Aug. 22 •-
PRASOIIgESTS, parcels, &c .................. £14,355 1
10
1.0
Goods, &c.

Total 01,208 3 A
Corresponding week of last'year...Z33.6o2 16 7
NawcAma aril) CAHLISLE—Week ouch'. g 4 4
:
Passengers /1,7 Aug.ABsu g.
6
Goods 2,002 4 5

Total £3,79010 9
Corresponding week of laet year -.23,870 12 3
NORTH Davort—Week ending Aug. 15:—
Total traffic
Corresponding week of last year
SHROPSHIRE UNION (291 miles open).—Week ending Aug. 22
Total traffic £933 0 0
Corresponding week of last year
TAY, VILE (40 miles open).—Week ending Aug. 2t
Total traffic £3,832 1 6
Corresponding week of last year 23,916 18 3
Maass (22 miles open).—Week ending Aug. 22
Total traffic £1,155 0 9
Corresponding week of last year 21,333 0 0
NORTH BRITISH (149 miles open).—Week ending Aug. 22 :-
Passengers,Bm 53,475 17
Goods, cattle, etc. 5,664 2 11

ney. All goods were to be paid for before they were cleared.
I received the cheque produced, a Unity Bank cheque,
drawn for the sum of 119 Os. 6d.; and, in consequence of a
communication, I went to several John streets, Hackney,
but could not find any person of the name of Lawrence
carrying on business there. In August last I obtained
a warrant for the apprehension of the prisoner.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wakeling—l have only one name
of Lowrance on the books as a purchaser at that day's sale.
I have not a customer of the name of M'Alpass. I prose-
cuted a man who went by that alias, and he had 12 months'
imprisonment. I wish I had never seen the prisoner or any
of his gang, for they have been more than 1100 out of my

pocket-.
Alfred Thomas Woods said—l am a clerk in the service
of the prosecutor. On the 30th of July I received the
cheque produced from a m.n of the name of Neale, who
came to clear the goods the prisoner had purchased in the
name of Laurance the previous day. The cheque was pre-
sented, and returned marked " no account."
Cross-examined—There is no other name of Lawrance on
the books but the prisoner's for that day's sale.
Joseph Neale, residing in Guildford-place, Clerkenwell,
said—l knew the prisoner by the name of May about three
months before. I paid the cheque to the last witness on the
30th of July last year. On the evening of the 29th of
July I saw the prisoner at his mother's in Theobald's-row,
when the prisoner said if I had nothing particular to do he
would employ me to fetch some corn and woo, and that I
was to meet him in Old .street next day. I did so, and the
prisoner took me to Whitecross-street and showed me the
place where the sale had been held the previous day. He
then toles me to go in and ask for the account in the name of
Lawrance. I did so, and got the account, which amounted to
£l9 Os. 6d., and then went and saw him in a public-house
in Whitecross-street. It was about half an hour afterwards
that the prisoner gave me the cheque; but I could not read
it, as lam no scholar. I know the cheque produced is the
one, because it has a piece cut out of it, which the prisoner
did before he gave it to me. I got the goods, took them to
a yard in Old-street, and left them there as I was told by
the prisoner. The next day I took two sacks to Mr. Ro-
bins:n in Whitecross-street, and also some to a baker's in
Tottenham-court-road, also under his direction. The pri-
soner paid me for what I did.
Cross-examined by Mr. Wakeling—l am a cabinetmaker,
and also a general dealer. I do any odd jobs for which I
am paid, and do not ask many questions. No one but the
prisoner paid me fur what I did. I only know the cheque
by the piece being cut out. lam certain that no one but
the prisoner paid me for removing the goods, and he was
the only person who gave me the instructions.
Mr. William Haynes said—l am a cashier at the Unity
Bank, Cannon-street, City. I have been there since the
bank was opened in July, 1857. No person of the name of
W. Lawrence had an account with the hank. The cheque
produced was, I believe, Issued to a person of the name of
Joseph May, who had an accaunt with us. The piece being
cut out renders it difficult to say to whom it was issued.
(After being pressed the witness said it was issued to May.)
The only reason fur cutting the figures out would be to
render it difficult to trace to whom the cheque was issued.
There can be no doubt that figures have been there. In
July, 1857, there was no balance standing to the credit of
Joseph May, and his account was closed. I cannot say that
the forged cheque is in the prisoner's handwriting.
Cross-examined—There is no balance standing to the
credit of May at the present time. I am certain that the
cheque produced was one that was issued to May. We have
an account in the name of Lawrence, but not W. Law-
rance." There can be no clout that figures have been
where the piece is cut out.
Police-constable Cook, 198 5, said the prisoner, in July,
1957, lived at Church-street, St. Pancras, and went by the
name of Josepk May.
Police-constable Harrison, 243 N, said he apprehended
the prisoner on a warrant on the morning of Friday week
as be was leaving the House of Correction. He told the
prisoner be took him on a charge of forgery and uttering;
but he made no answer.
Mr. Tyrwhitt, after cautioning the prisoner, asked his
what he bad to say in answer to the charge?
The prisoner, acting under the instructions of Mr. Wake-
ling, said he should reserve his defence.
Mr. Wakeling said the prisoner was in very bad health,
and he hoped that his worship would take bail for his ap-
pearance at the sessions. He was prepared with responsible
sureties.
Mr. Tyrwhitt, in fully committing the prisoner to the
Central Criminal Court for trial, said he could not accede
to the application for bail. If the prisoner was unwell, Mr.
Wakeling could apply to a judge in chambers.
Mr. Wakeling said be bad no doubt that course would be
adopted.