The Sun.
London, England, 1844-06-03 00:00:00

CHINA

We find in the Chinese Olio of Captain Pidding trans-
mitted last week, a mass of curious information respect-
ing the country with which, apparently, he is so well
acquainted, and such as ono could hardly suppose it
would be in his power to extend from week to week.
Doubtless, however, as indeed professed, there are ample
materials, or . the task would not have been commenced.
The following items respecting the position of Russia,
with reference to China, are of some interest :
" Since the conclusion of the treaty at Nankin, amextra-
ordinary defalcation had become apparent in the commerce
carried on at Kiskhta, and along the line of Siberia, with
China. It was calculated that the defalcation would be
equal fully to two-thirds of the average traffic of late
years. Russian textile wares were entirely without de-
mand among the Chinese merchants, and the conse-
quence was that the manufacturers were encumbered
with stocks which, for other markets, were not generally
available. The cotton velvets, especially black, for
which Riga had acquired a certain reputation, and
which were a sort Of standard article for the Chinese
trade, Were quite unmarketable, to the great consterna-
tion of the manufacturers of that port. The same was
the case with cotton goods, and nearly so with the wool-
' lens of Moscow. Under such circumstances the manu-
facturing interests of Russia were in the utmost dismay,
Many parties are stated to have stopped their works alto-
gether, and more to have partially suspended, or much
contracted their operations. It was apprehended that
the stoppage of the works would become more gene-
ral still.

" It appears beyond question, therefore, from-these re-
results, that the opening of the north-eastern ports of
China to British enterprise has already baen the means
of accomplishing a veritable revolution in the course of
commerce.

"We may be assured, however, that the policy of
Russia isnot more asleep now in reference to China than
it has been for the last century. In view of the important
consequences which might be expected to flow both
politically and commercially from the treaty of Nankin,
betwixt Great Britain and China, a sort of diplomatic
army of observation was organised and dispatched last
year from St. Petersburgh to the frontiers, or rather to
range along the frontiers, of China. We are enabled,
in addition, to state that a Prince of the Tolstoy family
is at the head of this mission extraordinary, whose object
it cannot be difficult to comprehend, and whose station,
in consonance with the pursuit of those objects, may be
regarded as of permanent establishment."

THE MARQUIS OF LONDONDERRY AND nis CoL-
unaiEs.—We are informed, by a cprrespondent, that
the Marquis of Londonderry has hid a meeting with
some of the workmen lately employed on his collieries,
but who are now out on strike, in obedience to the com-
mands of the union. We are given to understand that
at this interview the Noble Marquis expressed the
kindest feelings towards the pitmen, whom he earnestly
recommended' to return to the paths of industry, but
at the same time signified, in the most decided terms,
his determination not to allow his collieries to remain
idle. He would, he said, give his former workmen a
short time to consider whether they would resume their
labour ; and if they did not within that period intimate
their intention to do so, he would repair to his Irish
estates and bring ovor a sufficient number of men, who
were able and desirous to work for an honest
Sand re-
spectable livelihood.—Durhwir Chronicle.
Street-begging by the -pitmen, their wivesi and
children, is increasing to such an extent in this city as to
demand the interposition of the civil authorities. The
fact is painfully illustrative of the deep distress in which
they must have been involved by their misguided con-
k duct, in throwing up their employment ; but misfortune
wilfully courted, and perversely hugged as men would
cherish a blessing, merits no sympathy and will receive
but little commisseration. It is to be feared, too, that
the alms occasionally bestowed, sometimes fall into the
most worthless hands. An instance in point occurred a
day or two ago. Three fellows ben-an to beg at the en-
trance to the gown, and continued bean
perambulations
till they met at a common centre ; when, dividing their
gains, they found they had 4i. 3d. each ; whereupon, to.
I manifest their joy and gratitude, they went and got
drunk out of tho money. Bounty thus abused is not,
we shonld think, very likely to be conferred again.
Durham Chronicle .
RAISING THE WIND.—A most ingenious act 'of
imposition, attended with a forgery upon a highly'respect-
able solicitor's firm in the city, was enacted a few days since
in the legal neighbourhood of Lincoln's Inn. It appears
some rogue "learned in the lam," prepared a fictitious case
in the usual terms of legal technicality, and which was duly-
endorsed "Case for the opinion of Mr. Bethel], 2 guineas.'
The names of certain clients of Mr. Bethell's, as usual, were
" case," and a cheque for 104
endorsed at the bottom of the
purporting to be drawn by them upon Messrs. Lubbock, the
bankers, was pxeaeuted to the clerk, who, unsuspecting they
fraud, at woo handed over the difference between the fee wit
_the 101. Upon the cheque being presented for payMent, the
-thrgery was at once discovered. The delinquent, of course,
pocketed the change with inward glee a the adroitness of
the imposition; but it is a question whether he will success-
; fully play the same game again, as we advise the profession,.
to be on the alert.

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