The New York herald., 1845-09-19
Very Quick Passage from China-Terrible
Fire and Loss or Life In CantOn-Progress
&C RELIGION nmoug the CeIesflala.

ternoon, in a very short passage from Canton She
sailed thence on the 9Th of June.
| This ship is as splendid as the rainbow, and it
was her beauty that probably induced her to
give her the name she bears.
She has made her voyage out and back in seven
months and seventeen days, Notwithstanding she
lost her op-gaant masts, and nearly foundered tour
days after leaving New York, being out OF season
up and down the China sea. On her return she
also experienced very severe gale oil the Cape OF
Good Hope, in which she much shattered her
sails the only suit she had that il required ten days
and nights TO repair and replace them
The foreigners at Canton trying to amuse
themselves, sailing and rowing their boats, and
were to have concert by professional man. Ad
mittance three dollars head
A Chinese theatre in Canton was burnt about 25th
May and countless number of lives lost-upwards
of one thousand were killed and wounded. We
refer to the extracts.
The crops had ceased coming to market. Teas
were scarce, but there was no demand. Business
was dull.
The American frigate Constitution, Capt. Perci-
val was going into Macao on the 9th of June.
from Friend of China, May al
We hear from Canton that the Chinese busy build
ing boats OF the usual construction Of such craft pur
pose to the opium trade as formerly when the
ships lay at Lintin In the mean time, opium carried
up the in Mandarin boats, with the Mandarins flag
flying az the mast head II is said that some arrange
ments have been made With the authorities, and the
drug is landed openly IN bags Immediately below the
fore gn factories
From Hopan province, there are accounts of
earthquake. which demolished about ten thousand
houses, killing upwards of four thousand people. Cir.
cuars, with the particulars are selling in the streets of
Canton
The native shopkeepers in the provincial city make
loud complaints OF the dullness of trade. In this
pect they and foreign merchants are in the same posi-
ton.
The with China has led to many important
changes, not the least Of which is the opening OF
wider and more promising field for cultivation by the
sincere and devoted Missionary. However much
French and American friends may congratulate them
selves on the commercial treaties their ENJOYS have
made with China-and their self laudaons neither
few modesy eSpressedt cannot be forgotten that
truly indebted for the privilege which they now en-
Joy. In his treaty with China, Sir Henry Pottnger
cured for all nations the advantages he had secured
for his From the day that treaty was signed,
new era dawned upon China though generations will
pass away before reaches its meridian The obstacles
to Missionary labor when relations the old
footing, almost insurmountable, and during the
many years that Protestant Missionaries have been resi-
dents in Macao and other places on the outskirts of
China, it is questionable whether they have made
one convert. 1t is true. that the material they had
TO work upon was of the worst description, and that
from the cold and contemptuous manner which the local
Chinese authorities assumed towards foreigners and the
prejudices against them which universal among
the people It was not probable that they would give
willing to the "baTbarians" who wished to expound
to them the doctrines of newer and purer faith The
Catholic missionaries, more courageous, more zeal
than their Protestant brethren assumed the garb of
the nativesin instance also acquiring trade by
which they could earn subsstence-and boldly pushed
into the interior, at the imminent danger of detection
seizure, and DEATH Iii difficult to know the real
cess Of these devoted men. We formerly heard Of
Christian communities in the interior worshipping in
cret but that the Christian religion has been toe
rated there longer cause for Disguise and those
who converted born Christians will their
belief The imposing ceremonals OF the Romanists have
made them more successful in gaining proseytes
among pagan nations than other denominations Of Chris
tians We have only to look at South America, and
behold millions of nominal Christians, protesting to be
members of the Catholic Church In China, it is quite
BILE that the Catholics have had considerable
cess in conversion to CERTAIN extent but we hold
from personal acquaintance with other scenes of
missionary iabour that perfect ana complete change
Of the religion OF people is the work OF ages Though
do not think that regeneration will Immediately take
place among the Chinese in consequence OF the oppor
tunities offered for their becoming acquainted with
Christianity still the want OF converts will it is to be
hoped not discourage those who have come from dis
ant lands to minister to their spiritual welfare. Now
that China really thrown open him. il is to be hoped
the missionary will be cautious his communica-
tons with his friends Let him rather under than
works must be known
[From Hong Kong Gazette May lol
On wednesday, an attack was made on the premises
men, armed, is usual these occasions with long
bamboo spears, fire balls, guns, sc. In addition to
monts house with iron crows eet purpose wound
the Sepoy guard, at Jardine, Matheson Co.'s, should
they hear the disturbance and attempt to capture them
Two gngas Qarge guns on swivels) were also mounted
to sweep the street; and the whole arrangements
showed premeditaed attack. after planting ladders
brought Tor the purpose, number OF them got the
roof of the house. where fortunately they dscov
cred and the alarm given. The Sepoys and some Euro
pean gentlemen were imme diaely on the spot but could
capture only one OF the robbers, VINO slightly
wouhded. rhe other thieves threw themselves from
the top OF the house and is believed niur
eds from the traces Of blood leading to the boat in which
they embarked it also evident that several of the
lobbers wounded by the shots fred More OF them
would certainly have been taken, but for the missiles
have mentioned, which wounded the feet of the
poys prevented their giving active chase One man
"A EDplSlmaQ-WaS wounded a n
gal which passed through the heshy part of his
one Sepoy was slightly touched in the neck.
[From the Friend of China, May 81
On Sunday afternoon fire broke out in theatre with
in the walls Of the city; it has been the OF mean
choy loss of le well the destruction OF much pro-
pery The theatre formed the centre OF squareto which
there emily access by narrow lane After the fire
observed the audience endeaored to escape by the
lane but unfortunately the crowd from without
trying to force their into the square and prevented
a large number OF those who within from obtain
ing egress-the two bodies appear to have got jammed
the greatest confusion prevailing 1t is supposed that
upwards of eight hundred lives lost by the fire. the
falling timber borne down by the crowd and suifoca
The bodies horribly mutilated their friends
cannot recognize them III consequence of this, hun
deds lay unclaimed and the consequences are to
be apprehended from their exposure in climate at
this Il is to be hoped that the city authorities
will have them buried at once; though from the national
preudces Of the people with regard to the dead and the
to the ashes of their departed kindred II feared
days will be allowed to elapse before the unclaimed and
unrecognisable are disposed OF.
We have had call from gentleman who left Canton
on Iuesudy evening, VINO mas favored US win IuTtner
particulars By the Mandarins books the total number
Of killed ,257, including 50 male and female actors
the wounded estimated at 100 On Monday the day
after the fire. part ofhe runsd wall fell and killed thirty
more, wounding many. 1t is rather remarkable that
thirty years ago similar accident happened at the
theatre At that te the authorities forbade dramatic
performances by the inhabants-the present company
outside people. II is anticipated that edct Ill be
issued strictly prohibiting all such exhibitions future
The authorities have purchased 400 cons for the bodies
not been claimed and they will be inferred i'm.
medatey. large portion OF the dead females and
il is feared that not few murdered by the rob-
ber thn niest the city purpose to obtain their brace
lets and other ornaments
From Hong Kong Gazette, May III
Arrangements have been made for building on Ice
House, aud for obtaining supply of ice from the United
States. and no doubt the community will consider them.
selves indebted 10 the gentlemen who have been at a
good deal OF trouble inihe matter.