State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-03-22
From the .Ntw York Observer
tue GREAT FIRE IN CANTON.

IL
we have received the following letter from
Mr.. Parker, one of the missionaries of the
American Board, in China, giving the par
tlculars of the gteat fire which in November
last, destroyed 1000 houses in that city and
deprived 10 or 5000 people oftheir houses.
CANTON, CHINA, Nov. "a, 1885.
To the Editors of the Now York Observer.
Dear Brethrtn,-It has long been nv
desire TO address you, and, through YOU,
many Of my personal friends and fellow
christians on the other side of the world.
| little thought however, that was waiting
for the occasion that has now occurred the
scene of which ! will attempt to give you
/ some idea, though it cannot be fully dcs-
cribcd. On Sabbath evening of the 22d ult
about o'clock, we heard the alarm of fire.
Ascending the top of one of the highest
houses, perceived that the alarm was real
and that large fire was raging in the city.
/ The next fact Of importance to foreigners
was that the wind, which had been strong
all the day, was right TO bring the fire in
the direction of the foreign factories. Their
| probable fate became so evident that most
of the merchants provided themselves with
large boats, and some commenced remov-
ing their treasure (specie) and goods ,expec-
! ting in few hours TO leave their houses to
! the mercy of the flames. In the meantime
some were upon the buildings, mar
king the progress of the fire and discussing
the probability of its ultimate extent. At
one moment, as the great body of flame
seemed to diminish, hope would revive,
only TO sink away in dependency, as the
fire broke out with teniold power in some
new direction. Thus it continued for the
night, the only faint hope remaining that the
subsistence Of the wind, or the city wall,
might save us from the conhagration. As
viewed from the elevations J. have mention
Jed, from which we could see over into the
city, it was difficult to find a suitable COM
parison of the scene. Some compared it
to volcano some to the burning of Mos
cow to my own mind, with all its attendant
distress, the scene was the most vivid rep.
resentation | have ever witnessed of the
final conflagratian, when the earth that now
is shall be burned up. Many time during
that slcepless night, as ! behcld the ocean
of fire before me, and saw the poor wan
derers fleeing houseless aud not knowing
whittier to fly, did my thoughts pass to that
solemn day when all that multitude pos
scss will suddenly be swept away. Evil
IDENTITY the small feet of the Chinese females
were not made in reference to such an oc-
caslon; the richest now could not pass the
narrow streets in sedans, their only alterna-
tive was TO hobblc upon their feet or burn I;
in every direction they were seen perhaps
one or two antern-bearers with swords in
their hands to guard them and their children
carried by domestics.
BY sunrise some of the merchants had
succeeded in removing all their effects into
boats; and even now it was not certain
{ ,HI,o ,,,l,o 10, A. 4.
it was chiefly confined TO one corner of the
city, and that nearest to the factories. A
desperate effort was now to be made on
the part Of the iiremen. At quarter past
six however, we had the Understandable ioy
+ of beholding the flames die away at the ely
gate, as if God, in mercy, had pointed to
that spot and said, Thus far shalt thou come
and no farther.
In company with some friends, then
went to the memorable spot, and saw the
engines and mandarins still working, and !
am disposed to think that much might he
, said in favor of Chinese firemen. The en-
gines that saw appeared 10 be efficient
and well managed an old mandarin was al
. the head, and directing the hose with his
own hands.
The exact extent Of the damages will
never be known. Some intelligent Chinese
have estimated the number of houses burnt
to be 1000, and of inhabitants destitute OF
homes 10 or $4,000.
: In the course of the day took survey
of the smoking ruins from the walls, upon
f which walked nearly mile in company
, with several friends, among whom were
! brothers Bridgman and Stevens. Passed
| several mandarins, with whom we eXchan-
ged civililies. All about us was desolation
and Indebtedness. Just within the wall q
, street seemed to surround the city; here
! and upon the top of the wall, (Which
is about 30 feet high and II or 10 wide al
5 the top,) where some quite exhausted and
| asleep, others sitting by their little all anC
$ others still with an infant uron their backs
S and few things under the arm, perhaps
), all the earthly treasure they possessed, wert
;, seeking a new resting place. We wen
# within the city and came out Mt its southern
- gate, which has been nearly burnt up; j
was of wood four inches thick, and covered
A with sheet iron. Some who went within
Y the city were roughly treated and robbed
!. by the rabbe
= At the eye infrmary the patients wer
. moved, and all my medicines &c, mos
- valuable papers, books, and clothing, wer
: put up in trunks and boxes, to be moved n
; a moments warning. Arrangements wer
Il also made for the removal of the press AM
d types, &c.
5 The joy and gratitude we feel is NOR
easily conceived than expressed, that W.
o are still in the enjoyment of our very com
5 Portable accommodations instead of bein!
- quartered in chohbOat or "Godoron," a
we anticipated might he our condl tion now
n and, besides, the interruption that NIGH
c have ensued in our missionary work.
!. TO think of the thousands of sufferers
II destitute of homes Just at the commence
II ment of winter, aud that, instead of being