The Sun.
London, England, 1850-07-19 00:00:00

CHINA.

(Prom the Overland Friend of china of May 23.)
They say in India that a cold spring introduces a
healthy summer. If this is correct, we have before
us a season of unparalleled salubrity. The spring
was not only cold—it was also of unusual duration

—even in the merry month of May a firern—tl;
mornings was by no means disagreeable. But sum-
mer has really set in ; the wind has chopped round to
the south, and heavy rains mark the change of the
monsoon. There are few places within the tropics,
if any, where it oan be said that for five months a
fire iu the parlour is really desirable; such has been
the case in Hong-Kong since the early part of De-
cember, and the " oldest" European " inhabitant"
may not recollect such a long, cold spring.
The events of the month are extremely unim-
portant. On the 27th of April, the Governor, his
wife, and three secretaries, took their departure for
Shinghai in the steamer Lady Mary Wood. Various
causes are assigned for this expedition ; but, except
to the parties concerned, it is a matter of no conse-
quence.

On the Ist of May three pirates were hanged at
West Point. Through some mismanagement they
were kept on the scaffold for more than half-an-hour
with the cords round their necks. The bolt could
not be drawn, and after shaking the gallows violently,
the police sent to the naval stores for a hammer, with
which they knocked back the bolt. Two of the
criminals fainted, and were held up until the bolt was
forced back ; the third kept calling " fidee, fidee"—
be quick, be quick. The scene, we are told, was very
disgusting.
Since the arrival of the February mail it has been.
reported, and partially believed, that the Portuguese
Government is sending out a strong naval force, and
3,000 troops, with a view to Obtain satisfaction for the
murder of the late Governor of Macao. It is
alleged that Portugal has pawned Goa to the East
India Company for 150,0001., and that this
fund furnishes her with the sinews of war.
The English papers received by the March
mail take no notice of this expedition, and we have
doubts as to the truth of the report ; we can readily
believe, however, that the East India Company would
advance 150,0001. on the security of Goa. One thing
is certain, a Portuguese frigate of 44 guns arrived at
Singapore early in this month ; at Macau she is
looked for daily. This vessel brings out the new
Governor.

The city of Canton and the neighbouring towns
and villages are afflicted by a malignant fever. It is
commonly called typhus. Some European physicians
are of opinion that it is akin to the yellow fever of
the West Indies ; others think that it resembles the
plague which desaloted London two centuries ago.
The disease is said to be fatal invariably ; its victims
linger three or four days, though in some instances
they have died in twelve hours. More than one
European doctor would cheerfully tender their ser-
vices; but the Chinese are obstinate in their adherence
to old custom—old ignorant quackery. The dis-
temper has not made its appearance at the factories
and as it may arise from a want of cleanliness among
the people, we are in hopes that it will not extend to
Europeans.
The East India Company's steamer Semiramis,
with three companies of the Ceylon rifles, arrived on
the 11th ; she sailed for Singapore, Ceyl,3n, and Bom-
bay on the 18th, carrying back three companies of the
rifles who have been for some years in this garrison.
Her Majesty's brig Serpent came in on the 4th;
she relieved the Pilot at Whampoa : the latter has
gone north. The Amazon frigate arrived from
Singapore on the 19th ; on the following day the
Hastings sailed fur Singapore. Captain Troubridge
of the Amazon is for the present the senior naval
officer on the China station.

CANTON MARKET, Disy 21.
IMPORTS.

Cottons—ln general have declined.
Raw Cotton—Sales of all kinds amount only to about
3,700 bales. We quote Bombay 7.8 a 7.9 to 8.7 a 9.1;
Bengal 8.7 a 9.2; Madras 9.2 a 9.6.
Cotton Yarn—But 250 bales sold, at for Nov. 16 a
24, 25 dolls. a 27 dolls; 28 a 32, 26 dolls. 50 e. ; 38 a
42, 28 dolls. a 30 dolls.
Long Cloths.—The sales amount to 63,000 pieces,
the quotations being for greys weighing 5i a 51 catties,
1.) dolls. 10e. a 2 dolls. 20c.; 6 a 64 catties, 2 dolls. 30c.
1), 2 dolls. 30c. a 2 dolls. 85c. ; 71 a 71 catties, 2 dolls.
.50c. a 2 dolls. 60c. ; and for whites, 54s a 635, 2 dolls.
10e. a 3 dolls. 30c.; 64s a €63, 2 dolls. 60e. a 2 dolls. 75c.
68s a 725, 2 dolls. 95e. a 3 dolls. Stock of all kinds
30,000 pieces,
American Goods—We quote 30 yards Drills 2 dolls.
25e. and 40 yards 3 dolls., though we Lear of a sale of
500 pcs. 30 yards at 2 dolls. 18c. Sbeetiugs nominal at
2 dolls. 25c. Jeans wanted at 2 dolls. 90c. a 2 dolls. 95c.
Woollens—These goods show no improvement.
Sranish Stripes.—Salts are reported of 1,200 pieces
at for best marks ; scarlet 1 doll. 21c., purple 3 dolls.
02c, dark blue 93c., black 79c., brown 1 doll. 07c,, light

Cuor.za,t:—lt is with much regret. we have
to. announce, that three cases of decided Asiatic cholera have
been admitted into St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Hence,
the hopes which the Registrar-General holds out in his last
report, that the deaths there recorded are not attributable
to that form of the epidemic, must now give place to serious
apprehenSion, that another visitation may be awaiting us,
though doubtless' in-not sO•Virnlent a form as tb at ex-
perienced in 1849. Many weeks ago we predicted thil;; and
asked, as we do again—What has been done by the authori-
ties in the removal of fatal influences since the last outtireak ?
Times.