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

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF CHINA.

(From the Overland Register of March 29.)
*The past month has been marked by two conspi-
cuous events. The Emperor of China died on the
25th of February last, having survived the Empress
Dowager, whose decease was recorded on the 23d of
the previous month, only thirty-three days. He is
succeeded by his fourth or eldest surviving son, a
youth nineteen years of age, who will reign under the
title of Sze-hing.
• The present .event is likely to cause important
changes, both political and commercial, in our re-
lations with this empire, as it will probably bring
Keying, hitherto the principal guardian of the heir
apparent, into a more influential post in the Cabinet,
if not at once into the Premiership. We must,
however, reserve all speculation upon these matters
for the present. Meantime we may remark, that the
legalization of the sale of opium, both as a source
of revenue in helping the new Government through
its formidable financial difficulties, and towards set-
tling a long vexed and dangerous question, will pro-
bably be one of the first measures submitted to the
new sovereign.
_ _

The death of the Emperor Tau-kwang is said to
have been hastened, if not caused, by a fright he
received during a recent conflagration within his
palace.
The second affair we have to record is the capture
of three piratical vessels by her Majesty's steamer
Reynard, on the 23d instant. Ic occurred at the en-
trance of the bay, and within sight of the western
point of the city Victoria. Three junks and fourteen
prisoners were brought in. The latter are waiting
their trial at our next criminal sessions, and have been
identified as part of the gang of pirates who captured
the informants' fishing boats and murdered part of
their crews off Macao the week before. It is indeed
a pleasing feature in the new regime, not only that the
Chinese Commissioner points ouc to us the resort and
gathering of pirate fleets, and entreats the co-opera-
tion of our flag, but even a solitary act of piracy can-
not now be committed within a circle of fifty miles
without information of the fact being immediately
conveyed to the Hong-Kong Government, if any one
of the victims is left alive to carry the tale.
It is reported that Shap-en'tzei, and several of
his followers, have surrendered themselves to the
Commissioner, and have not only received free par-
dons, but rank and office, for future service to Go-
vernment ! The report, we learn, has been fully
authenticated.

Two trading steamers, one English and the other
American, have been prohibited from carrying cargo
in Canton river. This is looked upon by the repre-
sentatives of both powers as a breach of treaty on
the part of the Chinese authorities, and pending the
settlement of the question, the steamers are lying on
demurrage.
We regret to announce that the population of the
town and neighbourhood of Shanghae are suffering
from a severe famine, consequent upon the late inun-
dations. It is too much to be dreaded that the scourge
of pestilence will follow as usual ; meantime the moat
humane efforts are being made by the British and
foreign residents to alleviate the cruel sufferings by
which they are surrounded. A subscription, set on
foot here by the Roman Catholic padres, fur relief of
their Christian congregations in the neighbourhood of
Shanghae is, likewise, being liberally responded to.
Canton continues quiet, and Hong-Kong perfectly
heal thy

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
lOM RAY.

IMP .RT MARKET.

There has been c ,nsiderably more business done in
this market since the date of our last (April 3) than
during the previous fortnight; it has been large for
this season of the year as respects Manchester goods,
and we must add that prices of these last have not
given way farther for the [resent. Foreign and up-
country dealers have appeared in this market in fewer
numbers than usual throughout the entire season, and
latterly there has b( en no speculation in the bazaar.
Stocks in general arc large, and we consider that only
a month of the fair season now remains for business.

Metals—ln these we continue to uo:e the ordinary
amount of transactions; but in some ins:ances. it will
be seen, at lower prices than those lust reported.
There is a large stock of South American copper at
market, and the demand for that article not active.
Cotton Manufactures—As has been remarked above,
the prices of these in general have not given way far-
ther for the present, and transactions have been consi-
derable. In gray in idapollama, medium quality, say
50,000 pieces at lr. 12a. to 2r. 62 per piece; 15,000 to
20,000 pieces of gray shirtings, 40 in. at 3r. Ba. to 4r.
6a. per piece; of gray jaconets, say 30,000 pieces, at Ir.
6a. to 2r. 8a; dona:nstics and T cloths, each, to nearly
the ts...me extent, at 2r. 11a, to 3r. sa. per piece. For
bleached goods there has also been inquiry, shirtings and
madapollams having each been sold to the extent of
about 15,000 pieces, at 4r. 2a. to 6r. 10a. for the former,
and Ir. 15a. to 3r. 6a. for the latter. Of white jaconets
the sales of the fortnight may have been 8,000 to 20,000
pieces, at 2r. Ea. to 4r. per piece. Turkey red plain
cloths have been sold to some extent at Br. to Br. 4a. per
piece. In printed, Scotch, and fancy goods generally,
there is even less doing than before.
Yarn—Nos. 20, 30, and 40 mule aro in demand, and
low in stock. Other numbers aro rather overstocked, ea
is also the case with respect to water of all numbers, ex-
cept 40, which is scarce. There is at the same time a
fair inquiry for both; but less for coloured yarns, owing
no doubt to the absence ef dealers from the north who
usually purchase these.
Woollens—The following sales are mentioned:—