The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-10-16
American Engineering i'm Chi
ma

II
We copy as follows from the .Sciemti1f,
american
Ting, late Toatia of Shanghai, the
present Fo )tai of the province. whateve,
these titles may imply, commenced i,
1865 an arsenal on small scale at tina,
city. The works cover about half a
mile square, and have been carried tc
completion under the direction of F. j
Falls, citizen of the United States
The Shanghai Neacs. Letter, now be-
fore us, gives some details of interest,
from whicl. we extract some items.
In each Of the different departments
there is mandarin, acting as an over
seer over the native workmen, to pre-
vent idleness among them, a.d to ex-
ercise general conrol, but not in any
way tr1 instruct the native workmen.
these being done entirely by the ftreigu-
ers acting as foremen, etc. All the ac-
counts of the arsenal are kept by Chi
nese officers. III
Some steamers hava been constructed,
launched and supplied with guns, and
more are now under way, in addition TO
which one vessel $50 feet long, and an
other vessel 260 feet long are projected
entire machinery, boilers, engines and
armament to be constructed at the arse
nal.
A college is in formation, and lite.
rary men, appointed bv the government,
are employed with foreigners, transla-
ting works on mathematics, engineering.
chemistry, etc, in order to prepare
class books in the Chinese language for
the use of the arsenal, to be read
throughout the middle kingdom, to edu-
cate the Chinese in all that relates to
an arsenal. ship building, etc.
Engineering students are to learn
mechanics in the college, and the prac-
tical parts in the shops. Navigation
students are to have large training
ship, so that they may learn seamanship
practically and theoretically.
The works contain a drawing depart
meut, pattern shop, foundry, forging
shop, boiler shop, mu>ket shop, engine
shop, heavy machine engine and gun
workshop. erecting shop, musket finish
ing shop. shop tor finishing shells, shop
for the manufacture of tongreve rock
cts rocket tubes, ETC.. mold lofts, yards.
storehouses, ETC., all fitted out with ap-
proved tools and fixtures. Additional
heavy machinery has been ordered
from England.
Mr.. Falls has gained the confidence
of the Chinese, and has also the conf
dence aud hearty support of his own
officers, and the Chinese Government
being desirous of building steam vessels,
and having every confidence in Mr..
Falls leave the entire responsibility of
their construction with him.
The earlier energetic efforts made
have now grown into successful results,
and are fast growing into larger proper
tions, which will greatly contribute to
the building up and regeneration of the
Chinese nation, resulting in advancing
the Chinese people. to make China
strong in her own resourses-to make
her a living nation.
To Mr.. Falls able supervision, with
The heavy support Of his officers, Fung-
tajen and Sung-ta;ien. also with the
zeal and support Of subordinate manda-
rins, these good results are being
brought about. The able en-. ineer is
entitled to the respect of his fellow-citi-
sens and his energy aud ability reflect
credit upon his native country.
At provincial theatre in Ireland,
where Macready was personating Nr-
ysssas. in preparing the scene in which
he body Of Dentatas is brought on the
'.age, the manager called to Pat, his
'roperty-man, for the bier. Pat being
# heavy" temperament, responded
o the call by saying that he would
etch it "immaditiy." Pat next made
lis appearance with a full, foaming pot
t the right sort, and was received with
thousand and one curses for his stu.
idity. "The bier, you bloekhead"
numbered the manager. "And isn't
here :" exclaimed Pat, presenting the
lug. "Not that, you jackass! ]
,san the barrow for Dentatas," "Then
'hy dou't you call things by their right
arne2" muttered Pat. "Who would
uppose YOU meant the barrow when