New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-11-26
CHINA.
THE RELIGION OF THE REBELS.

SHANGHAI China Thursday, Aug 25, 1853.
rave YOU BY the last mail a description OF what l
saw among the patriots, and an account OF the way
reached them In that letter / left myself new and
unexpected arrival in the midst of the longhared
% men" who crowded about me in great numbers anu
with eager curiosity TO learn where came from, VINO
wac and what brought me. To these inquiries re-
piled that from Shanghai, that was an Amerl-
can and my name was Taylor. With reference to my
business there requested TO be conducted to their
highest officer in that city-Cbn-kiangfoo-tc whom
would make known my object IN visiting them. BE-
ing very anxious to have me tell them at once, they
showed ne the way into well furnished hall ana had
tea brought for me- having first desired me to be seated
in enc OF the many cushioned chairs ranged along in
two rows facing each other up and dOwnhe middle OF
The large apartment. Alternating with the chairs
were what ~ call here teaPoys-they are small square
or oblopg stands for holding cups of tea and refresh
ments While was sitting here slipping my tea, and
the object of strange interest to these wild looking men
ard boys who had never before seen foreigner one
who seemed to be subordinate officer came and seat
ing himself by my side, again asked tor what nad
come. Fearing if l should tell him, that having
once satisfied their own curiosity, they would not
take me TO the cOmmandant, l resolutely refused
to answer any questions on that subject, TN L
was conducted to his presence. Seeing my deter
minatiOn they furnished me with guide ana an
escort of TWO or three soldiers, all armed with long
srears and swords The man WHO in the first In
stance came down the hill for my carpet-bag, still kept
possession of it, and followed Our path lay along
on the narrow ridge described in my last letter. within
the stockades which we're being taken down and re-
placed by substantial brick wall three or four feet
thick furnished with parapets and portholes tnrouh
which cannon Of various caber were pokng thelr ugly
noses The sOlderartsans were working ike bees on
the unfnsle ed pOrtiOns-sOmc bringing Drlck some
laying them and some making mortar My guides were
frequently asked, as we passed along, who was that
stranger and their inyarabe answer was Yang si0oag
de; l. G.. Foreign brOther'-a term OF clvllty and
affection never before applied to foreigners IN China
We room came to the northeastern gate OF the city
1t Lad been completely filed up with heavy stone ma
sonny and tie only access was by a narrow hlght oil
stone steps to the top of the wall. Through narrow
door in tie parapet we entered and here were again
surrounded by multitudes Of astonlshed spectators
whO stared at me till their eyes seemed
ready to leap at me from their SOCK
cts like so MANY bullets Their curiosity being little
and but a little abated BY the answer OF my escort
for many of them spoke dialects which did not under
stand-we proceeded On through the stone-payed
streets, now entirely deserted, but which, when was
here year ago, disguised as native were teemlng
with busy, thriving population. The inhabitants had
all fed at the approach of the patriot forces leaving
ler shops and dwellings, and most OF their furniture
goods utensils and effects Of various kinds The build
ings were for the most part left standing but without
doors and sbutterstheEe all having been taken as De-
fore stated assist in the construction Of stockades
on the ILL, and along the river bank fronung the
city Tables. chairs, trunks, boxes, bedsteads, cook
ing utensils etc. lay strewn about in the houses or
piled UP together in confused masses with straw ashe
bits of paper and rubbish of every conceivable descrp
ton Tie with the appearance OF things here
a year ago truly painful, and could but breathe
PRAYER that the former inhabitants OF this once p0pu
ous city might be restored to their homes again IN the
pOsfesson of Christianity and its blessings TO such an
extent 20 far than compensate Tor their present
losses End orlor1ness. As passed along, saw sev
eIsl very aged and Women who were probably 700
old and Irm TO fee and perhaps con derlng they had
not long to live at any rate thought they might as wen
die then drag out few more days OF miserable,
homeless existence. But probably quite contrary to
their expectations their lives were not only spared,
but they were furnished with food and allowed TO re-
tain their dwellings and property. Still, the poor cfea-
lures looked the pictures OF sorrow, and my heart
yearned item their sun seemed likely to set IN
clouds and darkness might even their dim eyes be
permitted to see the dawning of brighter day than
las ever yet fhone on the nowery land, and might
their earsbut stay have they not already caught some
Of the notes of praise to the only living and true
Godi For morning and evening ascends from that
beleaguered city the doxoogy:
Praise he T. God who the inperial supreme Ruefi
PrsIse The Holy Divine infasnee-.hs Holy Spirit
Indeed, these the first sounds that saluted my
when entered the garrison, for Il was about SUI
rise and they engaged In their morning devotons
What words to hear in the heart of the most popueus
pagan empire the globe aud that, too, from lips that
i've years ago were repeating the senscless manmeres
Of idoAtroua snrcrstition
We room reached sono spacious PROMISES war ~"
lately been tho residence n the ehleI mandarin OF Che
city and surrounding country, but was nov Tho head
quarters II fsis-sss. tho eommandsn oi the patriot
foiees AZ ihs place, MY ESCORT led tho Nay through
tive successive buildings and maay open eoaf's all
Ia lire nom the street itam whleh tho lanefniest OF
oil, ,he sixth, h visible The haiidass hal lAfse
Ssllew eu,tsms aaaatins la she esee<e, "a eAeh
eide ~ The passage thgvNgh thc@ haVhs fvaeheA
ita atesee tullteg, which VAS Ia met .ee dwelt
ira ita eshs,s heus V0QVPlod hs aseNaiAals, sel-
alss spd seNenss, ! MAS hsse dlee0sed - seAs
"a te large ,Vgspslqa halt whtaa Mas 9N'e sla
iiar "a i,s syneiai NAtNs,s ,N teo el'e sas" waeh
tsd b,es u.lV,tA "a ps Nss, AppeAs@aos "a the gar
lls,u " had sHauVg,3 iAe,f.Na " lAeiA'tV sAAsSh
aea slqh s~hqDtegqA hA04iVss sNspeaied NeA ,he
lttlssA -ttVt tAe sitas al the ApAg,lgst tosV'Nlt
le.e lp istet 't,s Wss tltQi w,A tAg3 sst ea.sHN
NtNtlp lNd aAla IA auttWp YAts a.. usVAt sI.a 4Ni
n ~ ---- ~. ~. --I-