The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-04-05

BILE, the introduction of second wife into the
household. The difficulties resulting from DO
lygamy are the cause of many females commit
ting snicide.
Acomparison of the social condition of heather
and of Christian nations shows how much greater
happiness is enjoyed by the latter, whose insti.
tutions are regulated by the teaching of the
Bible. The simple truths of Divine revelation
impart knowledge of the relations and duties
of life, to which the accumulated wisdom OF
this people has been unable to attain in a hun
dred generations. When a man is compelled
to take for his companion one whom he has not
chosen, and never seen, and when he is at lib
erty to introduce into his house another, who
may receive the affection without holding the
place of wife, he is very far from being in cir
cumstances to enjoy the pure and ennobling
happiness of wellregulated Christian family.
Man enjoys no greater temporal blessing than
that of the family institution, organized accord
ing to the teaching of Holy Writ.
The aspect of political affairs in the Celestial
Empire continues very gloomy. In the north the
rebels have recently met with several reverses,
but it does not appear that the Imperial Gov
eminent is at all able to exterminate or expel
them. A state of anarchy and civil strife must
therefore continue for an indefinite number OF
between hordes of plunderers and the Imperial
troops, both on land and water The Rebels
still retain Futshan; but, in some difficulties
among themselves or with the inhabitants, the
city was set on fire, and perhaps one half of it
consumed. Many men, women, and children,
are supposed to have persisted in the flames.
The Rebels also retain possession of fort
which commands one of the passages to Canton
from the sea. They send out their forces from
this place to pillage the country and plumber
boats engaged in trade. On the 29th of De-
cember, some seventy or eighty of their boats.
with about forty men to each, attacked mum.
Der of trading junks at Whampoa, and con.
siderable battle took place in the midst of the
foreign shipping, and in the presence of one
American and two English vessels of war. The
contending parties took refuge behind the for
eign shipping, and they had to send their balls
over, around, and through, the ships under
which they sought protection. Many men were
killed, and the trading iunks with their cargoes
fell into the hands of the Rebels. A number
of foreign sailors were on the Rebel boats.
The lives of foreigners were much endangered.
and one lady, with child in her arms, twice
narrowly escaped being struck by cannon balls
Within day or two there has been more fight
ing IN the vicinity of Whampoa, and some thir-
ty boats more taken, by the Rebels. 1t was re-.
marked by an eyewitness, that the Chinese
fought with more desperation than he had
thought them capable of.
Little fear is entertained that this city win
fall into the hands Of the Insurgents, at least
for many months. Both foreigners and natives
suffer greatly from the suspension of trade. 1t
Is likely that much business will be diverted
from this to the other ports, not to return Flu
chan-fi is the natural outlet for much of the
tea which has hitherto been exported from
Canton. 1t is now finding its way there, and
will doubtless continue to be shipped there af
ter peace and tranquility is restored to the
country. Yours, &C., X.