The Sun. — 1850-05-20 (London, England)

DEATH OF THE EMPEROR OF CHINA. (From the Overland Register of March 29.) •The past month has been marked by two conspicuous events. The Emperor of China died on the 25th of February last, having survived the Empress Dowager, whose decease was recorded on the 23d of the previous month, only thirty•three days. He is succeeded by his fourth or eldest surviving son, a youth nineteen years of age, who will reign under the title of Sze-king. The present event is likely to cause important changes, both political and commercial, in our relations with this empire, as it will probably bring Keying, hitherto the principal guardian of the heir apparent, into a more influential post in the Cabinet, if not at once into the Premiership. We must, however, reserve all speculation upon these matters for the present. Meantime we may remark, that the legalization of the sale of opium, both as a source of revenue in helping the new Government through its formidable financial difficulties, and towards settling a long vexed and dangerous question, will probably be one of the first measures submitted to the new sovereign. The death of the Emperor Tau-kwang is said to have been hastened, if not caused, by a fright he received during a recent conflagration within bis palace.  The second affair we have to record is the capture of three piratical vessels by her Majesty's steamer Reynard, on the 23d instant. It occurred at the entrance of the bay, and within sight of the western point of the city Victoria. Three junks and fourteen prisoners were brought in. The latter are waiting their trial at our next criminal sessions, and have been identified as part of the gang of pirates who captured the informants' fishing boats and murdered part of their crews off Macao the week before. It is indeed a pleasing feature in the new *line, not only that the Chinese Commissioner points out to us the resort and gathering of pirate fleets, and entreats the co-operation of our flag, but even a solitary act of piracy cannot now be committed within a circle of fifty miles without information of the fact being immediately conveyed to the Hong-Kong Government, if any one of the victims is left alive to carry the tale. It is reported that Shap-en-tzei, and several of his followers, have surrendered themselves to the Commissioner, and have not only received free pardons, but rank and office, for future service to Go• vernment ! The report, we learn, has been fully authenticated.  Two trading steamers, one English and the other American, have been prohibited from carrying cargo in Canton river. This is looked upo❑ by the representatives of both powers as a breach of treaty on the part of the Chinese authorities, and pending the settlement of the question, the steamers are lying on demurrage. We regret to announce that the population of the town and neighbourhood of Shanghae are suffering from a severe famine, consequent upon the late inundations. It is too much to be dreaded that the scourge of pestilence will follow as usual ; meantime the most humane efforts are being made by the British and foreign residents to alleviate the cruel sufferings by which they are surrounded. A subscription, set on foot here by the Roman Catholic padres, for relief of their Christian congregations in the neighbourhood of Shanghae is, likewise, being liberally responded to. Canton continues quiet, and Hong-Kong perfectly healthy