The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-04-30
CHINESE WAR IMPLEMENTS.

War being tho order Of the day in China,
sketch Of their war implements, pre-.
sumo, will be accepted:
THE regular Cdnnon.-Of these they
have some very large as we'll as small
These are placed on frames capable of elo-
valion or depression, fred with match
appear the nearest like our war instruments
Of anything have seen them use of their
own make.
Second rofe Cannon.-Thcsc, called by
foreigners, jingalls, are carried each one bv
two men, are eight or leu feet long, will, u
ball from one ounce to one pound weight,
and fired with mattel, by one of the car.
riers off the others shoulder.
Small arms, or Guns.-Thcse are rather
Of the muskct kinds, smootl, bored, and
discharged with mattel, locks-no fire locks.
caps, or such modern improvements here.
These are very crude in appearance, loaded
without ramrod, the powder dropped in
and the ball on top Of it, and, of course,
discharged with little precision.
Bows and 41,rocs.-These, the most
primitive instruments Of warfare thousands
of years ago, are still used here as one Of
the principal parts Of the armory in hostile
combat. Tho bows are made of bamboo.
sp'iced with horn, the strings of sincws,
and the arrows Of light wood, featherod
and s,cclcd.
Short Guns w;M long Burrely.-The
short gun is loaded in the hand, let into
the long barrel, wich, being on a pivot, di.
rects its course. and is fred wi:L a match.
We have nothing like this.
Spears and .Swords.-Spcars Of one. two
or three prongs' placed on long poles or
b"mboos arc much used by the Chinese
Also swords for closer combat, some with
two edges, some in pairs; sword in each
hand they much admire and desire.
Bamdoo Guns.-We have nothing like
these even i'll child play. They are simply
thick bamboo, bound will, rattan, loaded
with powder and some kind of combusti.
bic, with touch.holc at tile lower end.
about three feet long, only capable of one
discharge, and tlen, ] presume, of little
execution.
Stink pots and Fire BaUs.-These aro
generally used in boarding vessel. These
species of warfare, presume, is carried on
upon the polecat principle, adding fire balls
to strong smell, thereby scorcl,ing the
feet as well as the nose, and causing tho
opponent to make himself scarce.
Their Defence.-Thcy have bamboo
hat to ward off the sword and spear, and
bamboo shield for the arm and body.
from two to three feet in diameter.
Stafagem.-Theya are much moro inclined
to resort to stratage'n than open, fair field
fighting. They often endeavor to fire
a fleet by floating down fire RATS among
them. BY fourishing their flag. thew
endeavor to intimidate But their grea.
stratagem consists in catching the chaps a.
unawares, condemning them with Iit,lc or
no trial, trying their heads with broad
heaFy knife made for the purpose. Tho
mandarins arc best pleased with this kind
OF warfare, provided they be judges and
masters OF the ceremonies.
But, upon the whole, Chinese army
and battle, taking their appearance, equip.
age, manouvring, fighting, and cunning.
altogether, compared with modern warriors
and warfare among American and European
nations, arc superIativcIy ridiculous. And
IN these respects having great room for i'm.
provement, much may he expected in tho
new government anticipateL-Nashpiiis
Adrocate.
1Ae High Price Of Leuther.-Order.
from Enylana.-One Of the largest leather
dealers in Philadelphia alleges, in pub.
i'sl'cd letter, that the high price of leather.
is not caused by speculation, and adds
"ln confirmation Of this. I need only
state that at the present moment five thou.
sand sides could not be furnished by all tl,a;