The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-23
Our Hong Kong Correspondence.
UNITED STATES STEAMER NIAGARA,

USnm STATES STEAMER NIAGARA,
AT SEA, Dec. 10, 1850. !
Departure from Hong K@s-Embaykasion Of .kiaistv
Ward and Sals-RstEyr of Troops fran Pekin-LOcs--A
eAtnese Auction RsoH-IAe Bu, Of e
Chsnoe-Ftrisn Infsenoes-Amsrioa~ Enterrie IN
China-TAe City Of Canscn-TAe Effects Of the Chinese
War-Decripon Of Chinese Houses ana Fnari.s-Anuss-
n'e''ts and Vices Of the Perle-7Ae Courts Of Justice
Cfues Treatment If the Pyisoaers--Prosress Of the Mis-
s'onary SAools-Aorcnenls Of the AU.es-American Int
rests IN China, DC, de.
On the 18th of December We took departure from
Hong Kong, having board his Excellenoy Mr..
ward, who III returning home after an absence
OF two years, having successfully fulfilled the object
OF his mission and gained a peaceabe entrance
INTO the city Of Pekn. The Affairs of the Legation have
been left in charge Of the Flag ocer Of the squadron
much TO the annoyance Of the editorial fraternity OF this
tight little colony, who to consider the ancient
skipper but little skilled in diplomatic arts. Nor does
Mr. Ward escape their wrahful Indignation for leaving
bis post without having first asked their consent When
his xceency Mr. Ward touched the deck Of the Niagara
the American flag was unfurled at tho MAN. national
air was played and salute tired passing of the
harbor "Hsil Columbia" given by the band Of
French frgate, and responded by Partant Pour 10
Syrie"
The port presented most lively appearance and lit
orally crowded with British French American vessels
Of war and merchant ships The copqueng troops from
the Peiho and Pekn were daily returning in the trans
ports laden with loot consisting Of golden idols precious
stones mandarin Silks and costly furs stolen from the
summer palace of the Emperor Many curious anecdotes
are told OF adventures dangers and harshps in this
brief but ingorious war The French division OF the
army first reached the palace and closed the gates upon
their ally, which much enraged our Cousin John, who
umed and snorted like the savage Of the bovine spe
cies but 1t made no impression the mercuria era
paus, who refused them admittance until they had
selected the choicest Of the epoils, opima spOha
belh. The auction at Victoria were filed
with this loot, which was advertised as arti-
cles saved from the Imperial pa'ace amongst
which was watch presented by George ILL.,, Of England
70 the Emperor Of China Tho purchasers were prnc-
paly Chinamen and the prices brought were fabulous
It is more than probable that many buyers soldn
as the old auction dodge resored TO- and specimens
Of vertu and bioutere offered which bu. for the
ecdt Of Pekn, would have found purchasers In the
eyes OF Chnaman anything that has belonged 10 the
Emperor seems invested with almost priceless value.
The immense quantities Of Silks grapes and stns which
were found in the vast buildings enclosed within the
walls Of the palace constitute portion Of the tribute
which Is exaccd from the manufacturers. Those which
we were rich and beautiful, but somewhat
injured by the rough usage Of the plundercrs Costly
robes Of sable, ermne and silver fox from Siberia and
the AMOR hung about the rooms in the richest
prousion, while Of the rarest and most antique
porcelain images and idols Of gold silver jade stone
promiscuousy scattered in every direction II was,
indeed, fairy sight, and forciby impressed the mind
with the grandeur and gorgeousness Of Eastern palaces
The assembled crowd composed Of the owners 0f
the " loot" which exposed for sale, pur-
Chasers would be purchasers and lockers on presented
a picture fun of interest There Parsees Chinese
SepOys Lascars English French and Americans offering
a variety OF costumes, compilations and facial angle
rarely 10 be met in the limited enclosure and sell
dom where eeen except In such cosmopolitan cities
as Gibraltar and Corstantinople.
The Chinalnan Is q merchant by instinct, and the
cautiousncss and slgachy whch he displays IN making
his bids, show that ne could scarcely become the vic
Of the most cunning and the least scrupuous OF the
Peter Funks Of Broadway Chatham street To politics
he is stranger, and willing to leave the affairs Of go
vernment in whatever hands he may hnd them. The
rebels the tools Of foreigners who have melted them
to subvert the throne and change the dynasty and when
the eve Of success have traitorousy opposed
them, lest the paramount interest Of trade
should be damaged, and they should cease 70
enjoy their OPIUM digrsitute The crimson
flag OF England has in very deed reaped a rich
harvest o. blood and treasure Ia this distant land and
there has been protest from tho pctcoats or
the in brceches who hold their orgies at Exeter
cidens II the lives OF worse than trners, purchased
with the blood OF Christian and patriotic Chinese adorn
the churches Of Christian Er gland regarded az
Stored windows richly digit,
Pouring in religious light.
DurinT visit OF ten days at Hong Kong made a
trip in the American steamer White Cloud 10 Canton, and
more perfect ana well arranged river boat IL
good fortune to meet. The passenger and freight
trade on the Pearl river monopozed by American yes
sells, and on the coast the Yantzeo has no SUI
perior. We made the Passage to Canton, n dis
lance Of ninety six miles, in seven hours and a
the desolatDg ravages Of the late every
side, in the crumbng fragments Of colossal FORTS the
the totteripg walls Of the most venerable temples
On the day following our arrival, with missionary
guide, dr. b. well known for his urbanity, kindness
and courtesy as well for his intimate acquaintance
with the Canton dialect crossed from the Honan side
Of the river and entered the forbidden gates of the
commercial metropolis of China Tho streets inside the
walls differ but little from those without they mostly
narrow, slippery; uneven, badly paved, and with:
out tro1O.rs The gates are massive, built Of
puts and batterDe rams would have made
powerful resistance. The shops are small and in their
outward con1guration differ little, the from the
other as do the almond eyed and pig tailed race who
occupy them Distinct quarters Of the city allotted TO
the sale OF different articles Of merchandise and zach
shop deals only in its speciality. Much order and
eystem appears to prevail In the conduct Of their bust
meas; but the Idea Of prir fire. price, utterly g
nored No Of the smallest experience in dealing
with Cinnamon ever thinks Of giving much more than
one hsh Of the price originally asked We entered but
one Of their bOutique The speciality was FANS of the
most fancul patterns made Of ivory exquistey carved
sandal wood puDgeby fragrant feathers every
hue and TINT Iapg in their beauty and perfection the
yamuns residences Of the officials Of the highest
'clats now occupied by the Allied Commissioners.
The one IN which the Imperial COMMISSIONER feh re-
sided was burned down by the troops entering the
city They vast piles Of buildings, Of the Chi
nese order of architecture, situated within spacious
courts, planted with venerable and majestic banyans
and the tall and graceful bamboo. Giant warriors
guard the entrance - these courts and probably the
progenoTs CT the Cog and Magog familiar 70 London
ers; the family resemblance, at hast, is most re-
nsrkable We visited three Of them, and apart from
their vastness nothing particularly TO admire Their
internal arrangfoent has doubtless undergone strange
alterations since the occupancy OF the invaders.
Tho temples are numerous and, like the yamuns are
spacious and surrounded by gardens Images the most
eroasque and revolving, fitted only inspire with horror
and disgust tho rational mind adorn the affairs and
the objects Of worship In one temple there ess
than five hundred Of these brazen IDOLS each viepg
with tho otheg in its mpersonaton OF the horrible That
OF Confutzeo contains but do-ha of the founder
the Chinese regionthc expression of which indicates
thought culture and benevonce and this the prin
cipal target az which discharged the destructive
shels Of tho Allies; and strange as appeared 10 the
worsbpers the sanciity OF the image did not protect
from the Usual effect Of heavy shot, The ravagcs commit
ted during that fearful bombardment still
paired tHonan the north of the river Is the most
venerable and stately Of there heather fancs covering
than ten q ground and containing Of
priCEtF lead q mUnastC lfe-inioent. monotonoue