The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-20 00:00:00

CHINA.

correspondent at Hong-Kong, whose letter is
date-d March 30, writes as tollows :
The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Malta reached this on the night of the 19th, bringing
dates from England to the 24th of January.
The only important intelligence to communicate is
the death, on the 25th of February, of the Emperor
of China, Tsu-Kwang (the Lustre of Reason), in the
69th year of his age and the 30th of his reign. The
Foreign Consuls at Shaighae received from the au-
thorities there, on the 20th of March, an official notice
that his Majesty the Emperor " had departed upon
the great journey, and had mounted upwards on the
dragon to be a guest on high."
The nomination of a successor rests always with
the Emperor, and before his death Tau-Kwang de-
creed that his fourth and only surviving son should
succeed him.

He ascended the throne the day of the Emperor's
death, and is to reign under the title of Sze-bing.
He is only 19 years of age. Keying, the former
Viceroy at Canton, is appointed his principal guar-
dian, and will no oubt hold a high and an influential
position in the Cabinet.
It is not likely that any material change in the
policy of the Government will take place, but from
the enlightened character of Keying and his know-
ledge of foreigners the tendency of any new measures
will probably be towards a more liberal course. The
customs and prejudices of the people, and their tran-
quillity will of course, however, always occupy the
chief consideration.

On the 231 inst. her Majesty's screw sloop Rey-
wird, Captain Cracroft, recaptured, from pirates, a
little out of this harbour, three fishing junks lately
taken from the owners, some of whom had been
wounded and killed. The pirates had transferred
their guns, firearms, and spears to their prizes,. being
better adapted for their purposes, and had just re-
ceived a reinforcement of men, ammunition, and
provisions, from this settlement. Such is the charac-
ter and employment of the Chinese population of this
island. Of the pirates, 15 were brought in prisoners,
15 are supposed to have been drowned, and the re-
mainder, about 20, escaped.
It is said that the formidable pirate chief, Shap-en-.
tzei, has made terms with Seu, Viceroy of Canton,
and is now holding some office under Government.
Chin-Apoo is supposed to be in the north collecting
and organizing another force.
The Reynard, it is understood, leaves next month
for Pekin, with a letter to the Emperor from his Ex.
cellency Mr. Bonham. This was determined on
before the intelligence of the death of the Emperor
Tau-Kwang was received.
The Bishop of Vietoria arrived yesterday in the
Sir George Pollock.
At Canton all is quiet. The favourable accounts
of tea from England have nearly cleared the market
of the quantity remaining on hand at 2 to 3 ts. ad-
vance. The excess of export of all kinds from China
to this date, compared with the same period last year,
is 6,000,0001 b.
Our advices from Shanghae are down to the 20th
of March. The population of the town and neigh-
bourhood of Shanghae were suffering from severe
famine, consequent upon the late inundations, and it
was feared that pestilence might follow.

The export season was considered about, closed.
Of silk, the, export, including what was in course
of shipment, would be under 13,000 bales. It is
possible, however, from the high prices offering, small
parcels might still find their way down from the
interior.

Her Majesty's ship Hastings, screw sloop, Rey•
nand, and Royalist, in harbour. Her Majesty'a brig
Mariner, at Amoy; Pilot, at Shanghae ; Arab, at
Whampoa ; and Phlegetbon, at Canton.
Latest dates from England, 24th January; Cal-
cutta, Bth February ; Bombay, 18th February ;
Singapore, Bth March; and Sidney, 3d January.