New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-09-24
CHINA.


Su,Scu,r, CuI>A June - ieN@
sn..h,x. had pssee AZ ShAsgsse, the
.atx ~,,h;n .Ae wall, hss risen slowly from lie
,.in,; but eutsiae, = dhaeieh' scene P'e'en''
MALI, N f,reisn and chinese houses are
,.,,I,, relrs pP. PhllsieiPhis Yankee OF
A. .,t.rprisins stamp, has bought up large
.,,Arr OF lots, opened new and wide streets,
.,s 10 uow putting up market houses, shops,
"a which he rents 10 the Chinese readily.
He Is also about 10 open large canal In the rear
AZ The krtigu precincts which will increase the
vslae Of property in that region. business is
steadily increasing st Shsnghae. and II IS ALREADY
The principal exporting city Of China IL is now
thsasht the heaviest trade VIII never revert TO
Csntea. IL yeur MIR. Bay ard Taylor could Welt Hs
n this time, he would scarcely know the place
such has been the improvement since be left
The mandsrins, now that the old city has been
nearly demolished, are very particular 70 guard
the ruins. and cut of the heads Of all suspicious
persons While inside the walls few days ago /
ssw some soldiers passing, and soon learned that
Chinese execution was about to take place. fol-
loved the crowd on 10 the place, where several
thousand spectators were soon assembled. Under
hngs were busting about, with due seltimp0rtance,
10 clear tie ground. Presently the herslds that
always precede mandsrins train were heard,
and in short time three men we're dragged into
the midst Of the crowd with much parade and
aoise, and instantly forced on their knees. rode
sufficiently near 10 get good view of them, and
then awaited the conclusion.
The Mayor of the town, or Judge of the County,
whichever be may be called as he combines both
Offices, came Immediately after them In his sedan.
From this lie alighted rObed and hooded in red,
the official dress on such occasions. lie quietly
stated himself on stOJ just beyond the prisoners,
Who were Immediately turned around 70 face him,
and as quickly turned back again. Files OF sol.
diers on either side Of tho path were keeping of
the crowd, while men between them were bran
dishpg their heavy knives as if ready for action.
A moment more-a short suspeDse-a demonisc
shout from the crowd and" on went thelr
heads you say. BY no means; but they had
taken off the head Of another man further down
the path, whom had not seen. BY the time the
head touched the ground there was general rush
to dip cash, and anything the people had about
them, in the blood Such things are afterward
nsed ar amulets TO scare of ghosts, cure evil dis
eases, and the like. Those who get the first dip
are reckoned fortunate, as their amulets are much
more frigbtful to ghosts.
As soon as the execution was over, the three
prisoners were marched back with the mandarins
train. Notwithstanding / have been accustomed
to expect things to be done here just the reverse OF
what they are in America, ] must acknowledge /
was not prepared to see three criminals brought to
execution and then another man lose his head.
This is but another proof that the Chinese are our
"antpodes in many things beside location"
Twas afterward informed the three men were
brought out TO see the execution as warning OF
what would be their fate should they persist in
evil doing-a very paternal admOnitOn IN this patrl
srchal Government The head was taken away
to be hung up at ofthe city gates as terror to
all Offer ders. The body was left on the ground
where the superstitiOus crowd were pulling, press
ing and almost fighting to get dip into the blood
Waiting till became Disguised with their bru-
tally, put whip to my horse and told them to
clear the way The rush was now in a contrary
direction, assure you, and | made my exit amid
a roar of laughter from the good-nstured null
titude.
Iafterward inquired of the Chinese the meaning
OF the shout raised when the man was beheaded,
and learned the following ghoststory
They believe when man dies, his soul becomes
a Qhost-gOod, or bad, according TO the character
of the man when alive When bad man is killed,
his ghost of course, wishes TO seek another dwell
ing The spectators of an execution, each fearing
the ghost may seize upon, or possess him, are all
anxious 10 scare him of, and hence the clamorous
shout, the moment the head leaves the body.
am also credibly informed that the mandarins are
likewise afraid of these ghosts and take particular
mains to tell the persons whom they condemn that
Il is not they who do it, but the Emperor-they
being merely bis servants to execute his laws
We hear but little OF Tal-Plng- wang move
ments now except through the Picking gazettes,
which inform us that the Emperors forces are ex-
Terminating the rebels in every direction. You
doubtless are aware the statements in the Gazette
have to be received with many grains OF allowance
The impression, however is very general that the
Revolutionary party is not making much headway
and we may have ten or twenty years war OF It,
Foreigners do not now meet with repulse from
the people Missionaries, and even merchants who
cannot speak the language, take trips nearly
hundred miles into the interior, spending two and
three weeks at the time. They describe the noun
tain scenery in some places as perfectly sublime.
A strong effort is being made BY the foreign Con
suls and merchants to introduce different cur
rency at Shanghae, viz: tomake Mexican and other
dollars stand on a par with the carolus; just as
they have done at Hong.KoDg and Canton. This
will bring exchange to it's proper level. Exchange
at present is about sixty per cent, which is per.
fectly ruinous. The English and French fleets OF
the China Seas are now at Japan. Rumor says
they are to 90 thence to the river AMOR, where
the Russians have some settlements and look after
their welfare, as they do not wish them to become
too nouIishing.
The United States frigate Macedonian is now at
This port The steamer Powhatan left come
weeks ago 70 Hong Kong.
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