The Sun.
London, England, 1857-01-08 00:00:00

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

We have intelligence from Adelaide to the 9th
current. The news possesses little interest.
We have some interesting gold statistics from
Sydney. The quantity received by the escorts iu
nine months to the end of September is 74,633
ounces.
The Mint return is as follows :
Gold received for Coinage. Coin issued.
March quarter 65,875 oz.
Juno quarter ~..........51,586 ~
September quarter —.57,217 ~

177,678 oz. £997,500
The revenue of the Mint for the period
18 9,3111.
There was a report about 10 days since of a mOll-

ster nugget of 5 cwt. having been found near the
spot where the " hundredweight of gold" was
found in the early days of gold discovery. This
great nugget was estimated as being worth 20,0001.,
but it has turned out to be nearly all quartz. The
nugget exhibited in 1853 at Wyld's Great Globe,
and which weighed when cleaned 1381 b., and was
worth over 6,0001., is the largest ever found.
THE GOLD SEARCH ON KANGAROO ISLAND.—Captain
Kirby returned yesterday in the cutter Good Intent
from Kangaroo Island, having been obliged to forego
for the present his intention of seeking for gold, in con•
sequence of his not being enabled to find a sufficiently
sheltered cove wherein to moor the cutter during a pro-
longed absence of himself and party in the interior of
the island. He purposes making another start in the
course of a month or two, when the weather shall have
become milder.—. Register.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
The Mermaid, hence ; the Olivia and the Time and
Truth, from London ; the Charles and the VrAante,
from Glasgow ; and the Raritan, from Gibraltar—all at
Melbourne. The Princeza, hence, and the Queen, from
London, at Natal.

THE BOLITBARDIVENT OF CANTON.

(ircn, ilia Times.)
A full and lucid narrative of the recent operations
at Canton is given in the despatch of Sir Michael
Seymour to the Secretary of the Admiralty. It entirely
confirms the opinions which we have expressed as to
the importance of the principle for which the British
authorities contended, and which the British nation will
be called on to support. The immediate cause of hos-
tilities was, as is generally the case in war, of small
moment ; the real question involved was the liberty of
the Chinese Government to treat European nations as
tolerated inferiors instead of friends and equals. Is the
ridiculous pride of an ignorant race to be humoured by
English eansuls and commanders ? Are we, who receive
thousands of Chinese yearly into our territory, to truckle
before the representative of a tottering dyna-ty and a
decaying system ; or are we to assert the righ•e which
natural law, the terms of a recent treaty, and our own
superiority in arms and civilisation give us, and enforce
the liberty of free communication with the authorities
of this intolerant empire ? The details already given
of these proceedings are in the main exact, but we are
glad to find that on one point a correction must be
made. The Admiral did not bombard the town, but
confined his fire to Government property. As far as
we can learn, no part of that vast and densely popu-
lated city was wilfully destroyed, except a portion of
the suburb, which it was necessary to break through
in order to reach the wall ; and, even here, the people
were allowed full time to remove themselves and their
property.
Sir M. Seymour gives in his despatch a oonvincing
account of the moderation with which he acted. Of
this, indeed, the facts of the case are a sufficient proof.
The first reprisal of the British Admiral took place on
the 11th of October, on which day he seized an Im-
perial junk. The last act of hostilities was ❑ot com-
pleted until the 9th of November, when the Bogue
Forts were captured. Thus for a full month the
British authorities were engaged in their endeavours
to bring the Governor to reason, and each successive
attack was followed by a fresh warning and fresh time
for consideration. It is somewhat difficult to judge
fairly of these things at a distance ; a multitude of
preceding circumstances may be unknown to us, and
the general tone of relations between the natives and
our authorities can, of course, only be guessed at ;
but it is pretty evident that the insolence of the
Canton Government and its direct violation of
the treaty of 1842 had long been a subject of
notoriety. By treaty the English have a right of
access to the authorities at five Chinese ports ; at four
of these the right is conceded, but at Canton it has been
evaded, and at last direcily refused. The conduct of
Yeh in the matter is therefore only part of a system
against which the British representatives have long pro-
tested in vain. On the Bth of October the lorcha Arrow
was boarded, 12 men carried off, and the British flag
hauled down. The officer who committed the outrage
was remonstrated with, but to no effect. The 12 men
were subsequently sent back, but " not in the public
manner in which they had been carried away, and all
appearance of an apology wise pointedly avoided." Sir
John Bowring thought that the seizure of a junk would
lead to reparation. A junk was accordingly seized, but
the act was followed by no apology from the Chinese.
Then the Admiral, Sir John Bowring, and Mr. Parkes
take counsel, and agree that their beet course is to seize
the defences of the city of Canton, which would be a
display of power and determination, and yet not involve
the sacrifice of life. This step they felt to be necessary,
" experienee of the Chinese character having proved
that moderation is considered by the officials only as an
evidence of weakness." However, it was resolved to
act in no hasty manner. Not till the 23d of October
did the Admiral, having moved up the river and
placed his frigates and steamers to the best advantage,
send off boats' crews and take possession of the Blenheim
Fort and the Four Barrier Fort. In these places about
150 guns were taken—a proof that the Chinese do not
neglect warlike preparations, but yet know little how to
use them when they are made. The Macao Fort, in the
middle of the river, was then taken, with its 86 guns,
and has been garrisoned and retained by the British.
On the 24th the Birdseye and Cha-min Forts were cap-
tured, the guns spiked, and the ammunition destroyed.
The factory was then fortified by barricades to guard
against an attack from the town, and boats placed to
watch the approach of fire-rafts or junks by water. On
the 25th a fort called the Dutch Folly was taken, and
all the defences of the city were n our hands.
At this juncture proposals were again made for an
accommodation. The Admiral directed Mr. Parkes to
write and state that when his Excellency Yeh should
be prepared to arrange the points in dispute operations
would cease ; but the Governor made no satisfactory
answer. On the contrary, he took the offensive. A
body of Chinese troops, supported by a larger force,
attacked the Factory. A charge of marines was suffi-
cient to route this military array. The next day being
Sunday, nothing was done. But o❑ the 27th, and
only two days after Yeh's evasive answer and warlike
demonstration, the Admiral gave him another chance of
accommodation. The Governor was told that offensive
operations would recommence unless satisfaction were
granted, and, to prevent the recurrence of ev►ls like the
present, which had arisen from the disregard by the
Governor of the British Admiral's letters, it was de-
manded that foreign representatives should have the
same right of access to the authorities of Canton as is
enjoyed under treaty at the other four ports, and denied
at Canton alone. No answer was returned, and fire was
accordingly opened on his Excellency's residence. Yeh
seems to have been highly exasperated by this proceed-
ing, and roused himself from an apathy which the cap-
ture of the forts could not move. He issued and pla-
carded publicly a proclamation offering a reward of $3O
for the head of every Englishman. On the 28th a❑d
29th the fire continued for the purpose of making a
breach in the wall ; and on the latter day the gate was
blown to pieces and the city entered. The Commissioner
still continued obstinate, and till Nov. 5 operations con-
tinued. On that day it was apprehended that a force of
23 war-junks was about to attack our ships and the
Factory. The Barracouta accordingly undertook their
destruction, and, although exposed to a fire of 150
guns, took or burnt the whole of them in little more than
half an hour. On the Bth the Chinese again resumed
the offensive, and endeavoured to destroy our ships with
fire-rafts, but this manoeuvre was entirely defeated. On
the same day the British Admiral brought his operations
to a close by the capture of the well-known Bogue Forts,
which were gallantly carried, the Chinese standing to
their guns until our men entered the embrasures. The
forts were found to mount 200 guns, and to be much
stronger than in 1841.
It will be seen from this short sketch that the opera-
tions at Canton constitute acts of deliberate warfare on
both sides. The Chi❑ese Commissioner first breaks the
peace and then refuses reparation ; the English Admiral
proceeds to acts of hostility, to which Yeh replies by
an attack on the Factory, a reward for the slaughter of
Englishmen, and an attempt to burn the British ships
by fire-rafts. We are therefore actually at war with
China. We have declared that we will have reparation,
and no reparation has yet been offered ; on the contrary,
our settlement and our vessels have been attacked by
the authorities. We need not say that ample indemnity
must be given for these things. Furthermore, it
cannot be doubted that both our honour and interest
urge us to place our relations with the Chinese
empire on a new footing. China roast be brought
into full communication with the civilised world, and
the task of dragging her from seclusion can be best per.
formed by Englishmen. In the interest, therefore, of
humanity and civilisation we ought not to let this matter
drop. If Yeti and such as he triumph, all that was gained
in 1842 will be practically lost. We do not want to con-
quer China, although it would be affectation to deny that
English influence and enterprise are likely to be the chief
agents in remodelling the immense empire which is now
waking to new life after the torpor of many thousand
years. We should, then, prepare at once to assert our
position and to enforce the right of civilised nations to
free commerce and communication with every part of this
vast territory. There is no use in treating with such a
Power as if it belonged to the enlightened communities
of Europe. The British authorities should make up
their minds as to what they intend to demand and what
guarantees they intend to take. The occupation of
Chusan, and perhaps some point still nearer to the capi
tal, a stipulation for the residence of an ambassador at
the Imperial Court, and free entrance for men of all ra-
tions into the country, are parts of the programme which
naturally suggest themselves. Let us have no useless
slaughter and no attempts to elevate the rout of these
feeble barbarians into victories ; but, as the Chinese
have reopened the question of our relations with them,
the opportunity may fairly be taken to secure all that the
interests of humanity demand.

LOCAL SHARE MARKETS.

LIVERPOOL, JAN. 7.

c,cog E,C7ANGZ.—Tho market continues very quiet,
7T_SpouutthchEnalteeinnis,h,22r
p.
but' prices are steady. Lancashire and Yorkshire, 97R—
rtShi.Wie6stser3u',1
MiLdolannddoll and North Western, I(4—Manchester, Sheffield,
97R—
Eastern Counties,hNo
and Lincoln, 34; Great Western of Canada 244.—
Blackburn, 8.16.3.—Ea5t Lancashire, 23i—Great Western,
61;1-

MANCHESTER, JAN. 7.
STOCK EXCHANGE.—There was very little business, but
the market was steady. East Lancashire, 23i—Leeds,
97a—Midland, 83—Duvers, 22—Sheffieids, 34 s—North
staffurds, 4 9-16 dis,—Warritlgton and Stockport,
Union Bank, 26 prem.

NEW MUSIC.

Italy Fair ; look Up ! An Envviva for the King
of Sardinia. By the Author of " The Freedom

of the World." Keith and Prowse, Cheapside.
The author of this tolls us that any profits aris-
ing from the sale is intended as a contribution
towards an Italian prive to the students of the
University of Turin, for the best essay on Sardinia.
There is nothing particularly striking or original
in the melody, but it is flowing and easy. The
verses are suitable to the subject, if not quite up
to the standard of a Byron or a Campbell. Alto-
gether it is acceptable as a patriotic ebullition.

Handbooks for the Oratorios. Arranged by John
Bishop, of Cheltenham. Nos. IT. and V.

Occasional Oratorio, and Israel in Egypt. By
George Frederick Handel. Robert Cocks and
Co., London.

This publication is undeniably the cheapest and
most complete edition of the great works v.Th
great masters yet given to the people. The scores,
vocal and instrumental, are as perfect as the most
authentic sources and Mr. John Bishop's unrivalled
talent can render them. The " Occasional Ora-
torio," with the exception of its Coronation Anthem ,
is little known, which, Mr. Barnet says, is probably
owing to the non-existence of any edition with a
pianoforte accompaniment ; so that only those are
familiar with it, who can have admission to, and
ability to study the full score. The numerous beauties
in this work cannot fail to impress those who have now
an opportunity of enjoying them for the first time.
" Israel in Egypt" is more universally appreciated.
The grand choruses " He gave them Hailstones,"
" I will sing unto the Lord ;" the sublime duet,
" The Lord is my Strength," and other portions of
the oratorio are themes of wonder and delight
wherever Handel's genius is known, and we heartily
welcome them in this popular form. Messrs.Cocke
have done very much to exalt the public taste
and introduce the high priests of Divine music to
our household altars ; placing the best works
within reach of thousands who could never other-
wise have enjoyed the boon. Mr. John Bishop
performs his part with conscientious and skilful
spirit ; his arrangements being the most perfect we
have ever seen. The production of such a work,
at such a price, is a thing scarcely to be believed,
and Messrs. ocks fully merit the vast share 01
public patronage awarded them.

Who's Who in 1857. Edited by C. IkOakes, M.A•

_Ninth Year. Baily Brothers Cornhill.
This compact little volume is alike desirable on
the table in the lady's boudoir and the shelf in the
commercial office. Mr. Oakes is a very efficient
editor of such a work, and arranges his various in.
formation most satisfactorily.

The sum of 10,0001. was paid last year on account of
agricultural statistics, and 7,0001. in the preceding year.
From an official document, it appears that annually
13,2001. is paid out of the fourth class civil list for chari.
table and other allowances.
Last year, 48,1371. was paid out of the revenue to
Nonconforming Seceding Ministers in Ireland.
THE FORTHCOMING HILARY TERM.—Yesterday the
list of arrears for the ensuing Hilary Term were exhi•
bited. It is a singular circumstance that the last terta
commenced on a Sunday, and the next term will, also
begin on a Sunday. The courts will reopen on Mondof
next. The aggregate number of rules in the three court's
is 147.

REPRESENTATION OP PONTEFRACT.—A numerously
s'ened requisition has been presented to Mr. William
W pod, of Monkshill-house, Pontefract, a carpet menu'
facturer, to allo ee himself, upon the next vacancy in the
representation of that borough, to be put in norninr
Lion. Mr. Wood has consented, and stands upon the
Liberal interest.
The demand for gold for exportation continues, and *
further sum of about 15,0001. was taken from the Banff
yesterday.
The Montmorency, from Australia, has brought about
100,000 ounces of gold, valued at 400,0001. It is expect'
ed that only a small portion will be retained here.
The Candace, African mail steamer, hss brought abed'
6,000/.
The liabilities of Messrs. Begbie, Wiseman. and Coo
of Glasgow, whose suspension was announced yesterday'
are stated to range between 120,0001. and 150,000/.
THE Loss OF THE POINT-OF•AYR LIFE BOAT.—The
subscriptions for the relief of the sufferers by the above
calamity, amounted yesterday, in Liverpool, to about
1,000/.
Tun Loss or THE VIOLET.—It was stated as a /anonr
yesterday that Mr. Hickey, of the Morning Herald, bad
been a passenger on board the Violet. We are informed
by the General Steam Navigation Company that Mr,
Hickey, with his wife and children, arrived safely i*
London by the Ravensbourne, from Antwerp, on MO•
day morning.
LIVERPOOL POLICE FORCE. —LIYERPooL, Jan.
was resolved as the meeting of the Town Conncil to.doll
on the recommendation of the Watch Committee, to i;
crease the number of the borough police force by
men, making the whole strength of the force 886 n3eri
Mr, Alderman Holme, in reference to the question,
stated that at a recent meeting of the borough Inefgmis-
trates a general opinion was expressed that the for':
ought to be increased considerably beyond that number
looking at the miserable way in which the town in t"f
outskirts was lighted, and the increase in the number c'b
garotte robberies. The deputy-chairman of the Wate
Committee intimated that an application for a still greater
increase of the force would be made at an early meeting;
STOCK OF CoRN IN LIVERFoOL.—LIITERFooL, Jan. i•
—The following account of the stock of grain in this
port on the 31st of December last, as compared with the
previous year, has been issued this afternoon by she Aseir
ciation of the Liverpool Corn Trade :—" Dec. 31, 1855,
wheat, 121,820 quarters ; Dec. 31, 1856, 294,145 fluor
tors ; barley, 1855, 1,456 quarters ' • 1856, 5,878 guar
'
tern ; malt, 1855, 690 quarters • 1856, 1,979 quarters;
oats, 1855, 13,236 quarters ; 1856, 12,617 quarters;
beans, 1855, 26.395 quarters ; 1856, 14,116 quarters;
peas, 1855, 8,023 quarters; 1856, 886 quarters; Indian
oorn, 1855, 115,388 quarters ; 1856, 341,921 quarters ;
oatmeal, 1855, 42,554 loads ; 1856, 17,617 loads ; &fot,
1855, 25,945 sacks ; 1856, 29,093 sacks; 1855, al'
barrels ; 1856, 125,026 barrels."
tit
SUICIDE AT EDINBURGH.—On Monday evening, about
half-past 10 o'clock, Mr. John Adie, optician, a gentle
man who has been long established in business in Eco*:,
burgh, suddenly rose from the table where he had bee'
playing at whist with some female relatives, went In:
s.a,irs to his bedroom and shot himself with a double
barrelled gun. His friends and some medical gentlen3e3
hearing the report of fire-arms went to the room, a 0
after breaking open the door, which he had 100103,1 't
found him lying quite dead beside the bath, the oho
having entered the ear, and the roof of the skull beieg
completely blown off. Deceased had been in ill-health
and desponding spirits.
01
ELECTRIC TELEGRAPES.—Mr. Todd, who has
returned from Melbourne overland, reports favourably
of the disposition of the Victorian Government to c;
operate with our own in the construction of a telegraP
between the two capitals. Mr. Todd suggests that tl
South Australian portion of the line of telegraph shoOlci
be carried by way of Willunga and Port Elliott, an
after crossing the Murray, continued to the Glenelgd:
where a junction with the Victoria line would be effects
The country to be traversed affords a plentiful supply,
suitable telegraph posts, and the expense of construct!*o7
the line, according to Mr. Todd's estimate, would 13.,
exceed 601. per mile. We understand that the constriwa
Lion of the telegraph on the line of the Adelaide O,P,
Gawler Town Railways is to be commenced immediately'
—/Melbourne Herald.
"HOOP ! HOOF ! HOOP ! HURRAH I"—A few oe9o/
since, as a Roxbury friend, at the close of his labours
the day, was enjoying a comfortable ride home fro";
his office in the city, in an omnibus partly filled Wit
,e
ladies, a gentleman upon the side-walk signalled tPic
driver to stop, and throwing open the door, sprang i°
the vehicle. His first step towards a seat, unfortunately
influenced somewhat by the sudden motion of the
vehicle, brought his right foot into contact with a 10,,
dress ; and as, with a hasty expression, he strove to
tricate it from the embraces of the hoop, he was suddeo'i
plunged forward, and in a twinkling found his left f°6/
in the same unfortunate connection with a hoop on thr!
other side. This was more than our hero bargained f°
For a moment he seemed fairly non-plussed. "Go eel
heavens, madam !" said he ; and then nervously Pu,., f
the strap, be cried—" Stop, driver !—stop ! stop stole
I thought I was getting into an omnibus; but 1 6°
it's a cooper's shop."—American Portfolio. b
The prospectus has been issued of the Punruie
Railway Company, with a capital of 2,500,000/e i,ci
201. shares, two-fifths of which are to be allotted
the proprietors of the Scinde Railway Company. the
line will run from Mooltac, on the Indus, to Lahore,
political capital of the Punjauh, and thence to Unaritilo,
its commercial emporium, a total distance of 230 roi'isr
The surface of the country is described to be unustl*r.
favourable, while the traffic in merchandise is eittraoct
(hoary and constantly increasing. The line will conOtebe
with Kurrachee by steam communication down
doe
Indus to Hydrabad, whence the Scinde Railway r''op
to that port. A staff of engineers left England ant
the 4th September last, with the sanction of the
India Company, to make the necessary surveys.
airy
INQUEST.—Yesterday forenoon an adjourned incl,b,,
was held before Mr. Wakley, at the Elephant and Cas'r,
Carebden-town, respecting the death of Anne aloilt.
Lane, the female who died in the casual ward of of
Pancras Workhouse on the 26th ult. The evidence 1,
Pr. Sibion, one of the physicians to St. Mary's Hoerl
who was specially directed to make the poet mortent ev
arnination of the deceased, proved that death arose Feu,
warily from disease of the right lung, and immediate,
from a weakened and diseased condition of the bear
~1
He was of opinion that no treatment could have sr,,,
bt
life, although more comfortable circumstances 031,g0
have prolonged it. The jury returned a verdicEro,
"Natural death," expressing an opinion that it bad poet
bably been accelerated by the discomforts of the be
and recommending that a paid superintendent should„,,'appointed, and steps immediately taken for the anle "
ration of the casual ward.

I