The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-08-09

Remarkable Romance In Real LlEe...
An Americas Praseoe Jokn.
Frsn the New Yoek Evening Psst.
The great lands Of the Orient, the homes and
cradles Of fancy :nd romance have not entirely
renounced their old character. Occasionally,
amid the smoke Of battle We have waited to 10
little breeze from the far East, bit Of fairy
life and romance worthy -,
-ssthe good old days a., &
OF the Caliph Haroun Alsarehid."
The latest advices from China.inform ~,
through the medium Of private Listers, Of the
unprecedent career in that country Of young
American, ofthis State, who, though but TWEEN.
ty-nipe years Of age, has reached . position
which reminds one Of the dim legends Of Pres
tor John. Here 10 . brief recountal Of the
story Of adventures ato eHa.
About twelve years ago Edward Forester .
country lad, born in Jefferson county, in this
State, decided, like > great many other boys,
to 90 to sea. His friends opposed the idea,
but Of course the love Of ocean life was too
strong to Be resisted, and young Forester join.
ed those who Ego down to the SEQ in ships"
He WAS successful, aud soon became the mate
Of . Whaling ship, though then scarcely be-
yond his majority.
In Honolulu Forester made the acqusint.
oASV
with him to japan. Here he remained two
years engaged In commercial pursuits. Thsnos
he went to Chins, where he was taken into the
Imperial services. Hs became popular both
| with the forsignsrs and native authorities st
Shanghai, and ms finally made second IN
command TO Geasral Ward, In place ofCol
Murgiysn, severely wounded in some recent
engagement Zs ear a1
In this capacity the quondam, sailor continued
to be much liked, and now enjoys the conf.
dence Of Ill the Msndarins in the provinces
| and 10 admitted to their confidence, @ well -
to tho highest and most exclusive Chinese %.
cisty. At one time Forester led Z band Of two
hun(esd men against the rebels, only nine Of
them returning, the rest havingb been I'll killed.
He has now twenty thousand troops under hid
command.
| For his services be has been made Mandarin
OF the Blue Button, and his name stands hieh in
Pekin. His rank obligss him to keep ct least
twelve servants. The latest letters ftom him
to May lst) state that hs ID in command Of
the city Of Sounkaing; sleeps with The city
keys under his pillow; while not one Of th,
2O0, 900 inhabitants Of the plass-not even tn,
highest Mandrain-csn sntst or leave without
his permission, and ct . word from him any
individual out Of that 200, 900 may lose hi,
head.
Mr.. Forester enjoys also the frisndship o
Admiral Hope, General Michel, and the oths,
English and French officers in China. Admi
raj Hope he reports ~ severely wounded in
recent fight.
On the first Of May, the English French an,
Imperialists troops were preparing to attacl
Chingfoo, Of which Forester will b made Mill
tary Governor. He predicts the removal O
deposing Of the so-called Heavenly Empero
within year.
4 Such is the brief and brilliant career in tn
East Of genuine specimen Of Young America
The American Mandarin has friends and rsla
tivss living in this city, - well - in the north
ern part Of the State, who will learn with o.
tonishmsnt and pleasure Of his influence sn
power In far.ohslands.