The Sun.
London, England, 1857-06-01 00:00:00

destroyed. The Rangoon Chronicle of the 25th
March furnishes the following account of the con-
flagration :

We are sorry to hear that Bassein has become
a heap of smouldering ruins. About four or five
days ago a fire broke out there, the origin of which
no one seems to know, which spread with frightful
rapidity over the town, not sparing even the
court houses, residence of the commissioner,
treasury, church, nor, in fact, anything on which
it could use its devouring strength. Poor Major
Fytche has been rendered houseless 'and deprived
of all his worldly effects ; the treasury has had its
rupees and other coins converted into shapeless
molten masses, the opium has had its narcotic pro-
perty well extracted, and, in a word, the destruc-
tion has been so complete as to serve all alike, spar-
ing nothing, and making no distinctions."

CHINA.
HONG KONG, APRIL 15.
Early this morning we received the ugly news
that H.M.S. Raleigh, Capt. the Hon. H. Keppel,
on her way from Macao'to this place, struck iipon
a rock in the Lemma Passage, and was so near
sinking that they were forced to run her on shore
to save the lives of all on board. At 10 a.m. to-day
Admiral Seymour seut to the assistance of the Ra-
leigh the Coromandel (s. v.) and Bittern (brig), and
the French admiral sent away the steamer Catinat
to assist the Raleigh ; but it was feared their aid
would not avail much. The Raleigh, a new and
splendid frigate, had a capital run out from Eng-
land, and all regret, at this juncture, the mishap.
The war is inactive just now, and the admiral is
resting quietly until cool weather and a large naval
and military force enable him to take aggressive
measures. Troops and ships, steamers and gunboats
are coining, and an overpowering force is on its
way. We are doing strange things. Every one
talks about war with China. The fact is we are at
peace with China as an empire, our quarrel and war
being with the Governor of the Quang-tung, the
Mandarin of Canton. At all the other ports we are
on the most friendly terms and doing a large trade,
the Emperor probably knowing little or nothing of
what is going on at Canton.
The enclosed summary from the China Mail of
this morning is the best epitome of news since last
mail :

"In the colony matters remain in statu quo.
His Excellency Admiral Seymour has been down
here for some weeks. Nothing, we suppose, can
possibly be undertaken without large reinforce-
ments, both of troops and men-of-war. The Cruizer
is reported to be at Singapore, and some of the
gun-boats at Batavia.

" We are told that important documents have
fallen into the hands of the Government, proving
the complicity of the mandarins and the people of
Canton in the various plots of incendiarism, kid-
napping, and assassination, which have imperilled
the persons and property of the residents of this
colony.

" The scarcity of rice is beginning to be seriously
felt here among the Chinese, and to day's quota-
tions are 3.20 dols., with every prospect of a rise,
unless we have plenty of rain very shortly.
" The people along the river banks are said to be
extremely civil, and readily supply the ships with
fresh provisions, &c.
" Much distress prevails in the interior, which
must be greatly increased should the present
drought continue. Rice is said to be already at
famine price, even in Whampoa. The scarcity of
provisions at Amoy also has materially interfered
with business transactions. Rice is at a higher
price than it has been for many years past, For-
mosa being quoted 3 dols.
"From Ningpo we have little to note, beyond a
fight which bas taken place between some French-
men engaged in conveying junks, and the Portu-
guese lorchamen, who claim the monopoly of the
convoy trade. The French boat was captured, but
as despatches on the subject have been sent to his
Excellency M. Bourboulon, the lorchamen are
likely to pay dearly for their temerity. Both Chi-
nese and foreign residents at the port have but too
good reason to rejoice in the prospect of a severe
castigation being at length inflicted on these Por-
tuguese pests, who have for years been a terror to
the native coasting craft, committing depredations
of all kinds with the most perfect impunity. That
the piracies on the coast are not all perpetrated by
Chinese is well known to every foreign resident in
China.

" From Shanghae the most interesting news
would seem to be the imminent danger which
threatens the traffic, both import and export,
through the successes of the rebels, and the con
templated desertion of the imperialists unless their
wages are forthcoming. The urgency of the case is
shown in the anxious endeavours of the authorities
to raise funds by means of subscriptions from the
traders, which has almost in every instance, we are
told, been refused."