The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-11-25
q FL I N a..
An Earthquake Visitation in Shanghai and
Celestial Theories Of the Cause and
Origin Of the Phenomena.
Tho Tranpacific Steamship company-Famine in
Corea-Indian Fever at and Around Annoy
Fatal Disaster at Foochow-suicide
by Silk Inspector--Murder
by . Military Man.


On the morning OF the 21st OF September Shangs
hae was visited by very severe shock OF earth-
quake, lasting about ten seconds. The motion was
from north TO south, OF very marked character
ana accompanied by rumbling noise. II Is thd
first shock that has been felt in this vicinity iof
over thirty years.
As many
THEORIES OF EARTHQUAKES
have been gwen to The world it may be OF interest
to learn what the Chinese ascribe these phenom-
ena to. They say the world rests on the horns OF
q cow, and the COW rests its feet on a thousand
headed snake. When excess or sin occurs in the
world the snake, aggrieved shakes it's head In
despair then the cow shakes, and then the world.
But this theory Is not universally prevalent in
China.
Another school OF philosophers hold that God,
after He had formed the earth, placed 1t on
golden frog; and whenever this pr0digiOus frog
had occasion scratch It's head or stretch out It's
foot that part OF the earth Immediately above ID
shaken.
Perhaps the different scientific associations
might learn something by a proper investigation
OF the Two theories.
OCEAN STEAMSHIP COMMUNICATIONS.
The China Transpacnc Steamship Company 10
announced in the advertising columns OF the
Shanghai journals From their prospectus I
gather that the company propose to establish
line OF suitable steamers built with every i'm
provemcnt, to run across the Pacific, between
hama, in Japan. 1t is contemplated event.
ually to call also at Vancouvers Island. It
ne asa sna sbanaae an
the intermediate ports In Japan. to meet the ar
rivals and departures OF the steamers OF the main
| line. The shortening OF the sea voyage between
| San Francisco and Yokohama, from its average
present length Of twenty-five days to say fifteen
days will, the directors "feel confident stimulate
the present passenger trallc, and tend TO make
this the favorite route between Europe and China
and Japan. The directorate comprises some we'll
known names IN connection with steamship enter
prise and the Eastern trade.
every indication that 1t will be within year from
the present tme-the Pacific Mail Company will
meet with very lively opposition 1n.
Intelligence has been received from COrea OF n
dreadful famine IN that country. The Regent has
seized all the crops for the public general benefit;
but these do not suffice to feed every one, and null
titudcs are dying. The Chinese smnggiers from
| We-hal-wel ana the nelghbOrhood OF Cheloo have
bought several Corean girls for their harems u
measure of millet being the price Tor young and
pretty ono. The policy OF isolation is bearing its
fruits. If Corca were open to trade food would be
poured into it. Millet has been sold there by Chi
ncse ut fabulous prices.
INDIAN TEyEI. AND THOUSANDS or INvAIIDs
| hear from Annoy that tens of thousands of Chi
nesc al that place. Chic Bay, Iatien and elsewhere
Dengue Luckily the fatal cases have been few
The disease is very painful, being accompa-
swelling oe Of the face p' &C. In many in.
stances the enects OF these pains remain
use his limbs The fever, rom want of fresh sub
jects has exhausted itself at Annoy but IL Is still
raging in the surrounding DISTRICTS and the native
\ quacks are helpless to arrest it, Many OF the
foreign community and numbers on board ships
have been laid up with it.
FATAL ACCIDENT DURING PLEASURE TRlr.
Ihave just heard Of q very sad disaster that has
occurred at Foochow. ON the 25tn OF August
party of pleasure seekers left the harbor in pilot
boat called the Maria Jane. On the morning OF the
Goth one OF the ladies, Mrs; Reilly waking at day
break, turned down the Kerosene lamp that had
been burning all night, to eXtinguish It, Suddenly
the oil inside the lamp took fire, and almost in
simultaneously exploded scattering in all directions.
Another lady, hearing Mrs. Reilly's screams,
rushed down into the cabin and wrapped the un-
fortunate lady, whose dress was all In danes, In
thick wOoen shawl which she happened to have
| on In the meantime the cabin was all ahame, but
the fire was extinguished by the efforts OF the crew
and the aid OF steam tug that happened to be
near. The party OF course Immediately returned
! to the settlement where Mrs. Reily's burns were
attended to; but after few days OF excruciating
suffering the unfortunate lady died. Some others
were slightly burned, but not seriously.
gentleman named Edward Elias, an English.
man, committed suicide, on the LIST OF October, by
4 shooting himself through the head. Deceased had
engaged as silk inspector. He seemed to have
been suffering from great depression OF spirits for
some time before he made away with himself The
verdict OF the COrOners jury was, "Suicide while in
fit OF temporary Insanity"
MURDER A MILITARY MAN.
y sad tragedy has just taken place in Hong
| Jones, was on guard duty at the magazine.
Another private, named Graham, came to relieve
him, when Jones deliberately shot him through
the heart. The shooting took place at about one
A. NJ OF the 18th OF October. Surgical aid was i'm
mediately procured, but the wound proved fatal in
few hours, the poor fellow dying at about half
past eleven A. M before the magistrate could
take his dying declaration. No motive is ascribed
for Jones having committed the deed, although he
been In jail, where he had been confined for
slight offence. The murderer is under arrest