The scenery at the mouth of the Ningpo river is very striking. High
conical-shaped hills stand on either side; and, as the river makes a
bend a short distance up, the fine mountains beyond come into full
view, and add to the picturesque beauty of the spot.
On the 12th of October, (the second day after the capture of Chinhae,)
the admiral proceeded up the river in the Nemesis, in order to
reconnoitre the city of Ningpo, and to ascertain the practicability
of taking the larger steamers and the sloops up the river. In all
respects, the river much exceeded the expectations formed of it. It
was found to be wide and easily navigable up to the city, with not
less than fourteen feet water close under the city walls. It was
also ascertained that no preparations had been made for defence, as
the positions which the Chinese had taken up at the entrance of the
river had been considered by them as quite strong enough to prevent
the approach of an enemy. The people were seen harrying out of the
city gates, in every direction, in the greatest consternation. The
authorities had all fled, and the city appeared to be in complete
disorder.
No time was to be lost. With the exception of the necessary garrison
left at Chinhae, consisting of the 55th regiment, (excepting the light
company,) with one hundred Royal Marines, and a detachment of artillery
and sappers, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Craigie,
the rest of the force was embarked principally on board the Nemesis and
Phlegethon on the following morning, the 13th, and proceeded up the
river, in company with the Queen and Sesostris steamers, together with
the Modeste, Cruiser, Columbine, and Bentinck. The Blonde was left for
the protection of Chinhae, as a support to the garrison.
In consequence of unavoidable delays, the force did not reach the
city of Ningpo until past two, P.M.; but, fortunately, there was no
difficulty in landing the troops with the utmost expedition. Across the
river, just abreast of the town, there was a well-constructed bridge
of boats, which served to connect the city, at the entrance of one of
its gates, with the suburbs which were on the opposite side. There was
quite water enough for the steamers to run close up to it; and, as the
Chinese shewed no intention of opposing the landing, the bridge was
immediately taken possession of, while thousands of the inhabitants
thronged the banks of the river, as mere spectators, moved by curiosity
rather than by fear. Indeed, the Chinese themselves voluntarily
assisted to remove the obstructions which were piled up behind the city
gates; and about three o'clock the whole of the little force, amounting
to no more than seven hundred and fifty bayonets, besides the artillery
and sappers, were drawn up along the ramparts of the important and
wealthy city of Ningpo; and the stirring sound of our national "God
save the Queen" was played by the band of the 18th Royal Irish.
The utmost quiet was preserved, and the Chinese were made to understand
that, deserted by their own authorities, and left without means of
protecting themselves, they might be assured of protection through the
generosity of British soldiers. Never indeed was there a more peaceable
victory.
The capture of Chinhae and Ningpo, so soon after the loss of Chusan,
seems to have inflicted so severe a blow upon the Chinese, as to have
alarmed the whole province, and spread consternation even as far as the
capital itself. Reports were soon brought from every quarter that the
inhabitants even of Hang-chow-foo, famed for its luxury and refinement
throughout China, were moving away from it in large numbers, and that
places nearer to the scene of action were already almost abandoned. In
fact, it was admitted that a panic prevailed on every side; and it was
feared that "treacherous natives would seize the opportunity to rob and
plunder, and would form themselves into organized bands for the purpose
of creating internal disorders." There was also great apprehension that
our forces might proceed to capture Chapoo, one of their most valuable
ports, having the exclusive right of trade with Japan, and situated in
the vicinity of Hang-chow-foo.
It could not be doubted, therefore, that had the General possessed
a sufficient force to have been able to leave a garrison at Ningpo,
and _at once_ to take possession of Chapoo, which is, in fact, the
seaport of Hang-chow-foo, and only twenty miles distant from it, he
might have marched to the provincial capital while the Chinese were
unprepared to offer any serious opposition; and it is not improbable
that the war might have been brought to a termination in that campaign.
With the very small force, however, which Sir Hugh Gough had at his
disposal, such a movement was manifestly impossible. The whole force
which he could muster at Ningpo amounted to no more than seven hundred
and fifty bayonets; and, as the city was not less than five miles in
circumference, containing a dense population, it evidently required
a considerable garrison to occupy the place, and to afford security
to the peaceable and well-disposed inhabitants. It was therefore
resolved to make Ningpo the head-quarters for the winter, and to wait
for reinforcements from England and from India before opening the next
campaign.
The province of Che-keang, which was now the seat of our operation, is
intersected by large rivers, and is traversed by the great Imperial
Canal, which, taking its commencement from the city of Hang-chow-foo,
and passing through the most fertile and densely-populated provinces,
crossing in its course the two great rivers, the Yangtze Keang and the
Yellow River, runs northward nearly as far as the imperial capital,
which is dependent upon it not only for its wealth, but even for its
means of daily subsistence. A blow inflicted upon its immense traffic
at one extremity must necessarily vibrate along its whole course,
and be painfully felt at the other end; and the great internal trade
of China, through all its endless ramifications, upon which perhaps
the bulk of the population depend for their subsistence, must suffer
a universal and dangerous derangement. What was of quite as much
importance, also, the imperial revenues would, in a great measure,
cease to flow into the imperial treasury.
The city of Ningpo, therefore, the largest in the province next to
Hang-chow-foo, wealthy from its great trade, easily accessible by
water, and formerly the site of an English factory, was admirably
adapted for winter quarters. The troops were placed, in the first
instance, in two large public buildings, and the greatest forbearance
was exercised towards the persons and property of the inhabitants.
Proclamations were likewise issued, calling upon the people to return
to their ordinary avocations without fear of molestation; and some of
the principal inhabitants were requested to assemble, in order that it
might be explained to them that it was the wish of our high officers
to afford them all possible protection, and to restore order to the
city; that the hostility of the English was to be directed against the
government, and not against the people.
All this sounded well at first, and was received with great
thankfulness by the Chinese, who seemed very well disposed to be taken
under British protection. But the announcement which was afterwards
made to them, that they were to pay a heavy sum as ransom for the
city, and as an _equivalent_ for the value of our "protection," was
received with very great disfavour and reluctance. Very little of the
sum demanded was ever forthcoming; and the substitution of a tax, or
contribution, of ten per cent upon the estimated value of the property,
was the cause of much subsequent ill-will, and some injustice. In
fact, notwithstanding the promises and hopes which were held out, a
very small portion of it was ever collected, and it was at all times a
subject of much bitterness to the people.
A tax of ten per cent upon the value of the cargoes of all vessels
passing up the river, which was afterwards enforced, was much more
successful; in fact, it was little else than the collection of the
imperial revenues, which the Chinese were always liable to pay. It was,
however, in a great degree evaded, by an increase of smuggling along
the coast, which the disorganized state of the local government of the
province greatly favoured.
Generally speaking, the collecting of any considerable body of troops
together in any particular province or locality in China, so far from
strengthening the hands of the authorities, is more likely to occasion
disturbance among the inhabitants. Their raw, ill-disciplined levies
are under little restraint, and repeated complaints are always made
against the lawlessness of the troops. Little confidence being placed
in their regular soldiers, who had been so recently defeated, the
people were now called upon by the authorities to collect their brave
men from all the villages and hamlets along the coast, and to organize
them into bands, for mutual "defence against the proud rebels;" but, in
most instances, these bodies of uncontrolled patriots became a scourge
to their own neighbourhood, and perfectly useless for any purpose of
defence against the enemy.
Ningpo is situated upon the extremity of a tongue of land at the point
of junction of two rivers, or two branches of the same river, which
unite just below the town, and form the Tahea, or Ningpo river. Both
of these branches are extremely tortuous, and have numerous villages
along their banks, which are in some parts picturesque and well
cultivated. One of them leads up, in a north-easterly direction, to the
district town of Yuyow, whence there is a canal, supposed to lead to
Hang-Chow-foo: the distance is about forty miles; and nearly halfway
up this branch, situated about four miles from the river's bank, is the
town of Tsekee. Both of these towns shortly became, as we shall see,
the scene of our operations, our object being to disperse the Chinese
forces, which were being collected at various points for a threatened
attack upon us at Ningpo. The other, or south-western branch of the
Ningpo river, leads up, at the distance of about thirty miles, to the
town of Fungway, which we also designed to attack, if necessary.
At Ningpo itself, one of the most interesting objects is the bridge
of boats, connecting the town with the suburbs. It is apparently well
contrived to answer the purpose for which it is intended. The boats are
all connected together by two chains running across, and resting upon
them, extending from one side of the river to the other. This serves
to keep the boats in their places, without their being moored, and a
regular bridge of planks is carried from one to the other, but only
destined for foot-passengers, as carts for draught are unknown.
[Illustration: BRIDGE OF BOATS AT NINGPO.]
A few days after the place was taken, the Nemesis and Phlegethon
proceeded up the north-western branch towards Yuyow, the Admiral and
suite being on board the former, and Sir Henry Pottinger and suite
on board the latter. They also took in tow the Wellesley's launch
and pinnace, manned and armed. The object was simply to explore that
branch of the river, and to ascertain whether any Chinese were being
collected in that direction. Nothing could be more picturesque than the
scenery the whole way up, the tortuous bendings of the river bringing
a constant succession of new objects into view, relieved by fine
mountain scenery in the rear. Numerous villages lay scattered upon its
banks, but there was no appearance of any preparations for defence.
The inhabitants generally, so far from running away with fear, crowded
the banks with looks of the utmost astonishment. The scenery continued
to increase in interest as they ascended, and particularly at a place
called Poonpoo, where there was a cluster of extremely pretty country
houses, or villas, said to belong to several of the high officers of
government. On every side the country appeared to be in the highest
state of cultivation.
About two-thirds of the way up, the river became considerably narrower,
and the turnings were sometimes so sharp and sudden, that it was not
without some difficulty the long, sharp Nemesis could be guided round
them. At length, about five o'clock, they reached the city of Yuyow,
and came to anchor close under its walls, in about three fathoms water.
The Admiral, accompanied by the numerous officers who had attended him,
including Captains Maitland, Herbert, Blake, and others, now got into
the boats from the Nemesis, as did also Sir Henry Pottinger, and his
suite from the Phlegethon, and proceeded up the river above the town,
to reconnoitre. They passed under a well-constructed stone bridge of
three arches, the centre one being about thirty feet high; but the day
was already far advanced, and the rain began to fall heavily. Nothing
of a hostile character was observed in the neighbourhood, and they all
very gladly returned without landing, but did not reach the steamers
until they were completely drenched.
Sir William Parker did not escape suffering from the exposure he had
undergone, and was laid up almost immediately afterwards with an
attack of rheumatism; indeed, it was often a matter of surprise that
he escaped with so little illness during his anxious and indefatigable
services, in which he never spared himself on any occasion, or shrunk
from any exposure.
In the city of Ningpo, things gradually began to settle down into their
regular course; the Chinese soon opened their shops, and were very
glad to sell their wares at an exorbitant price. Provisions, also,
were brought in plentifully, and there was every probability that the
winter would be passed in tolerable tranquillity. Some of the principal
people are said to have come forward, and expressed their willingness
to be taken _permanently_ under British rule, under a guarantee of
protection, but their professions were little relied on.
Some of the temples at Ningpo are very handsome, and one of them
in particular is well worth seeing. They fortunately escaped the
plundering of the Chinese thieves. Not so, however, the private houses,
particularly in the suburbs, which were less under our control, and
were almost as extensive as the town. In these, one whole street was
discovered entirely at the mercy of the mob, who had carried off nearly
everything that could be moved, in almost every house. Several of these
rogues were caught in the act, and were handed over to the tender
mercies of the people themselves. Several of them, also, were well
flogged, and others had their tails cut off, by the general's orders.
One of the buildings which attracted most interest was the town prison,
in which Captain Anstruther and others of our unfortunate countrymen
had been so long confined. The identical cages in which they had been
shut up were found still there, and others of a similar kind, ready
for the reception of any of the barbarians who might fall into their
hands. The way in which Captain Anstruther managed to find out his old
prison was rather curious. He is said to have had himself blindfolded,
and then carefully numbered the steps he had formerly taken, and the
different turnings he had made; and by these means contrived, within a
few yards, to hit the very spot.
A party arrived there in time to get possession of some Sycee silver
which had not yet been removed from the offices; but it is supposed
that much more had already been carried away by plunderers. A very
large quantity of the base coin called _cash_, the _only_ coined money
of China, was found in another part of the town; and the enormous
stores of grain, belonging to government, were also taken possession
of, and afterwards sold to the people at a cheap rate. This produced
a considerable addition to the prize fund, but the policy of selling
it at so low a rate was somewhat questioned. Every man was allowed to
go into the stores, at which a strong guard was placed, and fill as
large a sack as he could carry out of it for _one dollar_, its actual
value being about _four_. But only a small portion of this was actually
obtained by the _poor_ people; for it was asserted, at least by the
Chinese, that the _farmers themselves_ managed to get a considerable
share of it by means of their servants, so that they might be able
to continue to keep up the price by a species of monopoly. It was
also feared that, in case of a failure of the crops, a serious famine
might happen to the people, owing to the want of the accustomed stores
which are usually laid up by the government, in the paternal spirit of
providing the poor with food at a moderate price, in the event of such
a contingency. The sum added to the prize-fund by the sale of these
stores of grain, of which there was said to be two years' supply, was
considerable. There were also large stores of sugar discovered in the
town.
Amongst other unexpected prizes, not the least interesting was that of
a stud of Chinese horses, or ponies, small, but hardy little things,
used exclusively for saddle, and generally employed only by the higher
mandarins. Upwards of forty of these ponies were selected, and trained
for the artillery, and amusing enough it was to see the commencement
of their apprenticeship. One of the great disadvantages the General
laboured under, on many occasions, was the want of horses for his
staff; the necessity of carrying his orders on foot not only caused
delay, but rendered the duty very harassing, particularly during some
of the hot, sultry days in the earlier part of this campaign.
The Chinese horses are extremely small, literally ponies, but strong,
and of good bone and tolerable figure; but they are not numerous,
being considered rather as a valuable indication of rank or wealth
than as the common slave of man, either for labour or amusement. The
Chinese take no pains to improve the breed, and very little care of
them, as to their food, grooming, &c. In reality, a Chinaman is the
most awkward-looking horseman imaginable, and the walk or the jog-trot
is the only pace that either his inclination, _his dignity_, or the
slippery nature of his causeways, permit him to adopt. Population in
China is so dense, and consequently labour so abundant, that they stand
in very little need of the help of the lower animals to assist the
hand of man, and rather grudge the food which is necessary for their
maintenance.
The best way to obtain a good view of Ningpo and the surrounding
country is to ascend the pagoda, which forms one of its most striking
objects. It is one hundred and fifty-five feet high, of an octagonal
form, having windows all the way up, with a lantern in each; so that,
if lighted up, the effect would be very striking. The lower part of
it is built of stone, but the upper part of brick. In other respects
it differs but little from other structures of the same description.
It appears to be connected with a public burial-ground, as numerous
graves and monuments lie scattered round it. From the top of it you
get quite a panoramic view of the city and the river, with its two
tributaries or branches, the mountains in the distance, and the fine,
rich, alluvial, well-watered, and highly-cultivated plain which extends
down towards the sea-coast.
The town itself differs little in appearance from that of Canton and
most other towns in China, but it is considerably smaller than the
former; it has the same narrow streets, crossed here and there by the
heavy stone arches, or rather tablets, which are frequently erected
to do honour to some great or popular man, the same curious, long,
ornamented sign-boards, on each side of the shops, and the same crowded
clusters of houses, of curious shape, and mostly of one story.
Many of the houses of the better class of people, not deserted entirely
by their owners, were visited by our officers, who generally met with
a very courteous reception. Indeed, the Chinese well know how to make
a virtue of necessity, and to conciliate your good graces by the offer
of tea, cakes, tobacco, or flowers, rather than run the chance of
exciting your ill-will, or your less friendly visits, by an affectation
of independence or rude indifference. The Chinese of the respectable
classes are capable of being extremely courteous, are well-bred, and
even elegant in their manners; and the proper mode of treating them is
to insist on this kind of demeanour as if it were due to you, and to
accept it as your _right_. But there are no people who _can_ be more
rude, overbearing, and uncourteous than the Chinese, when they think
that they can withhold from you with impunity, or without notice, the
courtesies which are habitual among themselves.
Considering how much the property of the inhabitants of Ningpo was at
our mercy, it is creditable that so little injury was done to it during
the many months in which the city was in our possession. But it is also
deserving of remark that, during the whole period of the war with the
Chinese, no considerable collection of Chinese curiosities or works of
art, many of which are extremely interesting and novel to us, was made
for public purposes. With the exception of a few specimens of Chinese
weapons and clothing, which were sent to different public institutions
by private individuals, no attempt was made to form a sort of Chinese
Museum.
It is also to be regretted that some one or more scientific gentlemen
were not attached to the expedition, who, with the assistance of an
interpreter, might have made us acquainted with many interesting
subjects of natural history, and of the productions of the country.
Where, for instance, is the immense quantity of Sycee silver, which is
_annually_ exported from China, obtained? Where are their copper-mines,
and how are they worked? Coal mines also exist in several parts of
China; at Ningpo, coal was sold in small quantities, and at Nankin
immense supplies of excellent coal were found laid up for the coming
winter, and our steamers found it answer very well. The mineral
productions of China, of which there are probably many, are almost
entirely unknown to us.
The taste for European manufactures had reached Ningpo long before
we got possession of it. There were one or two shops for the sale
of what were called Canton wares, that is, English goods brought up
from Canton, and, of course, sold enormously dear. In one of them was
a quantity of English glass of various kinds. English gilt buttons
were found, and were in demand for the dresses of the higher classes,
particularly of the women, who seemed to prefer those which had the
East India Company's crest, the lion, upon them. A large quantity of
cloth was also found imported from Russia, and called Russian cloth;
but, in reality, there is little doubt that the cloth was manufactured
in _England_, for _Russian merchants_, expressly for their overland
trade with China. It is a known fact, that orders of this description,
for cloth made expressly of a particular kind, have long been executed
in England. This, then, ought _now_ to become a direct trade in our own
hands.
The Chinese appear to excel in the art of wood-carving, some very
fine specimens of which were found in their houses. One house in
particular at Ningpo was distinguished by the tasteful carving of its
furniture, particularly of that which belonged to the bed-rooms. Some
of their wardrobes and bedsteads were elegantly ornamented with carved
work, inlaid with various kinds of wood, and representing landscapes,
figures, &c. Some of their specimens of fretwork, with silk at the
back, and of embroidered silk furniture, were extremely elegant. Above
all things, they excel in the art of _varnishing_ plain or carved wood,
and they have also some method of giving a fine gloss to painted work,
which very much increases its durability, although it is different from
varnish.
One of their greatest deficiencies appears to be in the mode of
lighting their houses. Glass is so little used, and the manufacture of
it so imperfectly known among them, that almost the only mode which
they adopt of letting in the light, and of excluding the air at the
same time, is by lattice-work windows, sometimes neatly carved, and
lined inside with very thin transparent paper. Occasionally, however,
a single pane of glass is found in the centre of the window, while in
other instances the whole of it is covered with the thin transparent
lining of oyster-shells, which admit a very imperfect light. The
artificial lighting of the best houses is often very well effected by
coloured lamps, several of which are suspended from the ceiling, and
painted with various designs, landscapes, &c. But the painting is _on_,
not _in_ the glass; the latter art appears to be quite unknown to the
Chinese.
Generally speaking, it was not safe to wander far from the gates of
the town, except when a large party went together upon a shooting
excursion. Pheasants, and a sort of pigeon, with woodcocks and teal,
were generally found without difficulty; but the Chinese seemed
mightily astonished that any one should take the trouble to _walk_ over
the country, mile after mile, merely for the trouble of shooting birds.
It is curious that, expert and indefatigable as they are in catching
fish, they should be so indifferent to the art of catching or killing
birds, which are to be found in almost every part of the country in
great abundance; but they seem to be deterred by the trouble of seeking
for them, and have very little knowledge of the relative value of the
different species as articles of diet. The lower class of people will
gladly devour any kind of bird you shoot for them. I have seen them
glad to get birds of prey even, and yet they take no pains to secure
the thousands of wild-fowl which are to be found upon the banks of the
same rivers in which they catch their fish.
That it was not safe to go out alone, even well armed, soon became
evident, for they made more than one attempt to carry off a sentry
on duty, and would have succeeded in their object, had not the guard
instantly come up on the alarm being given. On these occasions, as may
be supposed, a Chinaman or two stood a chance of being shot. But the
boldest of them all were the professed thieves, who continued to commit
depredations upon their countrymen in the most barefaced manner, in
spite of the severe examples which were sometimes made.
On one occasion, when a small foraging party was out looking for
poultry and bullocks, some Chinamen pointed out a spot where they said
a quantity of Sycee silver had been concealed. This was too great a
temptation for the soldiers to resist; but the moment they had loaded
themselves with the silver the Chinese surrounded them, and they were
obliged to let fall the Sycee in order to defend themselves, and then
beat a retreat. A quarrel then arose of course among the Chinese
about the division of the spoil, of which _they_ had not robbed their
countrymen, but had only captured it from the barbarians.
So many attempts were made to entrap our soldiers and sailors, and to
carry them off, both at Ningpo and Chinhae, that great caution was
necessary, and, in spite of the many warnings, some of their attempts
were successful. They had less inclination to molest the officers; not
that they loved them better, or desired them less as prisoners, but
that they had greater respect for the double-barrelled pistols which
many of the officers carried in their pockets, and which _all_ were
supposed to be provided with.
An attempt was made more than once by the Chinese to rob our
commissariat stores, but it was frustrated by our vigilance. But
the Chinese are uncommonly expert house-breakers, as many people in
Hong-Kong can testify, where houses and stores of the most substantial
kind were broken into in a very ingenious manner, generally by removing
some of the stones or bricks near the foundation.
The attempt to establish a Chinese police at Ningpo, and also at
Chusan, was tolerably successful; at least it was not difficult to find
men who were willing enough to _receive the pay_, and wear the badge
of a policeman; but it is not quite so certain that they were equally
ready to detect thieves, or to protect the property of individuals.
Sometimes, by way of appearing to do something, they gave false
information, which served to create a stir for the moment. Upon the
whole, they were certainly of some use; but the want of knowledge of
the language, and the small number of interpreters, since Mr. Gutzlaff
had almost the sole management of them, rendered their services less
available than could have been wished. They were occasionally useful
as spies, and obtained information of reports among their countrymen,
concerning the plans and intentions of the mandarins.
But, besides these, we had also regular spies in our pay, one of
whom, a Chinese who spoke English, and came to be known by the name
of Blundell, was sent up to Hang-chow-foo, but was afraid to deliver
the paper which was entrusted to him, and returned without having
accomplished his object. He was supposed to be employed as a spy by
both parties, the Chinese as well as ourselves. Generally, pretty
correct information was obtained of the proposed movements of the
Chinese, the assembling of their troops, and the orders of the imperial
cabinet.
At Ningpo, and in its neighbourhood, there were no indications
of hostile preparations for some time after the place was in our
possession. It was not until quite the end of November that reports,
upon which reliance could be placed, reached the general, that troops
were collecting in some of the neighbouring towns, particularly at
Yuyow, the town which had already been visited, and rumours were afloat
of some projected attack, on the part of the Chinese, upon Ningpo
itself. Plans now began to be laid for dispersing these different
bodies of troops, and for the purpose of instilling a wholesome terror
into the minds of the people; but active measures did not take place
until two or three weeks afterwards.
In the meantime, the Nemesis was sent over to Chusan, stopping a day or
two at Chinhae on the way, to procure fuel, and to overhaul a number
of large junks which were at anchor a few miles from the mouth of the
river. They were found to be laden principally with peas, rice, oil,
walnuts, liquorice-root, &c.; and had they been met with a few months
later, they would all have been detained, as were hundreds of a similar
kind at Woosung; but at this time they were not molested. _Opium was
found in them all_, in small quantities only, for the use of the people
on board, but apparently not for sale.
The weather was now clear and bracing, and the sickness which had
partially attacked our troops, on first taking possession of the town,
had almost entirely disappeared.
On the occasion of a visit to the opposite side of the river, a
singular circumstance occurred. Two Chinamen were seen at some little
distance, hastening along with a large round basket carried between
them, carefully covered up, but which at first attracted little
notice. Some of the party had the curiosity to raise up the covering
a little, when, to their great surprise and amusement, a very young
and pretty-looking Chinese lady was found stowed in it, hoping,
probably, by this device to escape detection. The poor thing was almost
frightened to death; but she remained perfectly quiet until she was
covered up again, when the men were allowed to trot away with her as
fast as they could.
Shortly afterwards, a gay-looking sedan chair was seen passing near a
village, probably belonging to some of the mandarins; but no sooner did
the party run up to examine it, than its occupier jumped out and ran
away for his life.
But the most singular thing of this kind was finding a Chinese lady
stowed away in the locker of a boat, as if she were dead. Orders had
been issued by the admiral to examine all junks leaving the city, in
order to prevent them from carrying away plunder. One of these had just
been examined, without finding anything of value on board, when it
occurred that something might still be concealed in the after-locker,
a sort of cupboard of moderate size. On opening this sanctum, it
appeared to contain what looked like the dead body of a female,
recently put into it, well dressed, and, judging from her handsome
shoes and small feet, a person of some importance. This looked a very
strange affair; but as no one could speak a word of the language, it
was impossible to inquire into it. However, as it appeared to be a
capital opportunity to examine the nature of a Chinese lady's foot, the
men were ordered by Capt. Hall to lift the body out; and this appeared
likely to be no easy matter, so closely did it seem to be jammed in.
But the moment the Jacks laid hold of the shoulders, a tremendous
scream issued forth, as if a ghost had suddenly been endowed with some
unearthly voice. The poor thing had only shammed being dead, in order,
as she thought, to escape detection. She was now very gently lifted
out, and not without some difficulty, being literally half dead with
the fright and confinement. In the bottom of the locker beneath her was
found a bag of money, with which she had evidently attempted to escape.
She was, of course, allowed to go away without further molestation,
boat and all.
The question of infanticide has been already alluded to in a previous
chapter. According to Barrow, it was considered part of the duty of the
police at Pekin to collect every morning, in a cart sent round for the
purpose, the dead bodies of infants which were thrown into the streets
during the night. Sometimes they were found still alive, and these were
commonly rescued by the Roman-catholic missionaries, who attended for
the purpose, and subsequently brought them up in the Roman-catholic
faith. Mr. Gutzlaff also alludes to this horrible practice, as being
far from uncommon, and as being perpetrated without any feelings
of remorse, but almost exclusively upon females. Among the immense
population which live in boats, and upon the rivers of China, it is
impossible to calculate how many are disposed of by being drowned. But,
in Pekin, Barrow gives the average number destroyed, at twenty-four
every day. Some allowance must, however, be made for those which _die
of disease_ during the earliest period of life in a country where
medical science is at so low an ebb.
With the exception of some of the Tartar towns, such as Chapoo and
Chin-keang-foo, where wholesale murder was committed by the men upon
their wives and children immediately the places were captured, little
evidence was obtained of the existence of the revolting practice of
infanticide. We have seen that at Amoy the bodies of several infants
were found sewed up in sacks; and it was also said that a cave was
found at Chinhae, in which were a number of bodies of female infants,
also tied up in bags. But it was an extremely rare thing to find an
infant abandoned in the streets alive or dead. An instance, however,
occurred at Ningpo one evening, when Captain Hall and a party from the
Nemesis were returning towards their boats. They were just passing a
joss-house, or temple, when something attracted attention lying upon
the steps leading to the entrance. On examination, it proved to be a
female infant (always females) recently abandoned, and though extremely
cold, still living. The little thing was carried down to the boat by a
marine, who was the orderly. Every attempt was made as soon as it was
brought on board to revive it, but without success.
Infanticide undoubtedly does exist in China, but it may be suspected
that the statements of its prevalence have been exaggerated, and
certainly it is confined to the lower classes, among whom the means of
subsistence press very heavily. The Chinese are generally remarkably
fond of their children. A Chinaman's three great wishes and most
cherished hopes are--length of days, plenty of _male_ offspring, and
literary honours. To be the patriarch of a long line of descendants is
generally the aim of his proudest ambition.
After a delay of two or three days at Chinhae, the Nemesis was sent
over to Chusan at the end of November, whither the admiral, and
Sir Henry Pottinger, had already preceded her. Great changes and
improvements were found to have taken place, even in this short
space of time. The shops were now all open, and the streets filled
with people, who were pursuing their ordinary avocations without
any appearance of alarm or fear of interruption. In fact, they were
settling down very quietly under our rule, much more so than on the
former occasion when the town was in our occupation.