The Sun.
London, England, 1861-05-27 00:00:00

CHINA.

The following is from the summary of the China
Mall of April 15 :

" The general tenor of the news for the past
'ortnight is of a pleasing kind. The subject that
continues to engross public attention is the Yang-
tsze River. The expedition under Vice-Admiral
Sir James Hope has done its work, and as mentioned
in nt,v Ina+ a, vecti Et) 13111,15L1
trade, and an expedition under Commodore Strib-
bling is about to start with a view of making the
necessary arrangements for that of America. It
will be recollected that a deputation from the
Shanghae Chamber of Commerce accompanied our
expedition by invitation of the admiral, in order
to report upon the commercial prospects of the
Yang-tzae. Although meagre in details, it is per-
haps as full as the circumstances allowed, and in
other respects it is very well written. Out of much
obscurity, it must be confessed that a gleam of hope
shines pretty clearly, for the future trading prospects
of this stream, but the presence of the rebels on both
of its banks throughout so large a district of coun-
try is simply unfortunate. As the state of the in-
surgent cause is pretty clearly exhibited
by our
correspondents' letters, it is not necessary to refer
to it here. Nothing whatever has recently tran-
spired to alter the opinion we expressed two weeks
ago, that the rebellion was a grievous curse upon
the land, possessing as it does no redeeming feature
to attract the approval of an outside spectator. It
will be seen from the accounts that the navigation
of the Yang-tsze-kiang presents comparatively few
difficulties. The Poyang lake, however, has not
come up to the expectations that were formed of it.
It is shallow throughout, with the exception of the
river's bed that traverses it, so that without an ex-
perienced pilot the waters of that lake are not very
well available for trading vessels. The expedition,
it is understood, found the assistance of Mr. Parkes
most valuable; and this not merely owing to his
knowledge of Chinese, but to his indefatigable per-
severance in seeking for information.
" As regards Japan, there is nothing to indicate
any change in the state of affairs mentioned in last
Overland Mail. There seems to be on all sides a
desire to avoid the mistakes which, twenty years
ago, we made in dealing with their neighbours the
Chinese. The system of always appealing to arms

is beginning to be felt as not only unjust, but also
as profitless, and this last consideration is at length
beginning to have its own weight. The English
public will, for some time to come, preserve their
acquaintance with Japan through the medium of
the illustrated press, an artist having set out on a
professional tour through that pleasant land.
H.M.S. Actaeon will leave this place shortly upon
a cruise of survey round about the Japan islands,
and will do for those waters what the Saracen has
done for the Malay Archipelago. The appointment
of Mr. Laurence Oliphant as Japanese Secretary of
Legation is likely to result in good, that gentleman's
abilities and principles equally fitting him for such
a situation.

" The past fortnight adds little to our intelligence
from Pekin. The Emperor, by the last advices, was
soon expected to revisit the capital."

CHINA COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
HONG KONG, APRIL 15.

TEA, BLACK.—Transactions reported were on so
small a scale as hardly to deserve notice. The sea-
son was virtually at an end, leaving a stock of 4,000
chests Congou, and about 2,000 flowery Pekoe, on
hand.

GREENS.—As might have been anticipated, the
evil tidings from North America had caused buyers
to display less eagerness in their desire to operate,
and prices had in consequence suffered a reduction.
Prices displayed a downward tendency. Stock
6,800 chests China, and 3,500 half-chests Japan.
SILK.—The news from England to the 26th of
January, and subsequently that to the 11th of
February, led to a comparative suspension of busi-
ness for some days. Declining exchange, and a
concession of from taels 15 to 20, on the part of the
teamen, had, however, tempted purchasers to come
forward to the extent of 800 to 900 bales. The
total export amounted to 74,917 bales, against
56,115 bales to corresponding period last year.
TONNAGE.—The re-opening of the Northern navi-
gation had, as was anticipated, caused an active
demand for vessels of light draught, which were
picked up at advancing rates. The list of settle-
ments shows that small vessels are obtaining far
higher rates relatively than those of larger tonnage.
Craft suitable for rivers and coast, and not draw-
ing more than 11 feet water, were very much
wanted, and would command extreme rates.
EXCIIANGE.-011 London : Bank, 6s. Id. to
6s. 11d. ; credit, 6s. 2d. to 6s. 21d., tendency down-
ward.