T018
therefore, any lawless fellows, borrow pretexts from the profession of religion and from cabals for the purpose of practicing evil; or should the adherents of other religions, taking advantage of the religion of heaven's Lord being recently exempted from punishment, by a gracious decree of the emperor, think of treading in their former muldy footsteps, and speculate upou escaping with impunity, they will all be broad under the category of borrow ing pretexts from religions scruples with the view of practicing wickedness, and be punished for their offences according to the originally existing laws, Besides therefore that we, the imperial commis- sioner, and lieut. governor, prepare a memorial and report to this effect, we make known to all the civil and military officers under our control, that they universally examine, in order that they may orange matters accordingly, and bring things to one common standard This public letter coming before us the governor and lieut.-governor, we have decided upon issuing this announcement, and hereby enjoin upon all our subordinates, that they thoroughly examine and act accordingly; do not disobey,"
ence
Taukwang, the 25th year, the 10th month, and 3rd day, (November 2)
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
•
their means, and to ruin themselves, one better constituted for the purpose than this Ecclesiastical Commission could not have been appoitted.
We now see why it is that Bishops are so rich. It was happily preordained that they should be so rich to enable them to fear the management of the Ecclesiastical Commission. When we find what sort of house they would build for a poor clergy- man, with 1504, a year, that a palace they must raise for a bishop with his 10.000, I his cathedral must be as a mere chapel to it.
lion in which their lot were cast, burst forth in all are so constructed as to admit a ready escape from their mischievous fecundity on arrival here, adding one to the other. To successed, each range should fearfully to the criminal calendar, crowding our be invested the Police is said to be too inefficient in numbers to do this, and consequently, gaming gaol and proving a pest and source of disease.
But notwithstanding their abandoned state, withhouses continue unmolested. all their looseness of character, viciousness of dis- Bat that which more than aught else has con- position, and depravity of manners, there exists in tributed to foster these dens of infamy has been the lower class of Chinese which form the inhabi- the alleged nefarious conduct of one Telligovin tauts of Singapore, some little seel, a faint light of den, Head Jemadar of Police, whose duty it was morality, which, if encouraged by good example, to put down these hot beds of crime; but who, might lead to some moral and beneficial change, so far from suppressing them, was himself noto-
But as the old proverb says, "Wilful waste but which is hurried on to the commission of vices riously connected with and interested in them! peculiar to the soul devouring and unnerving games Reports may have been made to this now suspend makes woful want;" and the consequense of all the of #ha way or Phoa, that almost in every street ed not hanged --functionary, of mobberies effected, magnificence of the Commission may be found in this case, example of a class, narrated by the Times --* allure them to participate in the chances of gaming of murders committed within the precincts of the
"The church of St. Nicholas is situated in the Debased as many of these Chinese are prior to Phoas, which may have been smothered, lest an
village of East Grafton, in the parish of Great their landing, there must exist some trace of that investigation should have been followed by drag
Bedwin, Wiltshire. It is as pretty a village church integrity which constitutes, if not the fortune, the ging the upholder and protector of the vile recep
We do not say these as may be seen in England, built in the Norman means of livelihood to the artizans or mere labour tacles to public reproach. ers, found even in the lowest scale of civilized so sad crimes have been perpetrated, but the fre- style, and affording accommodation to five hundred persons; its indefatigable minister is deservedly cicty. Whatever honesty of purpose may have quent occurrence of murder and robbery in the prompted the Chinese to seek our Settlement, the neighbourhood of such places, in consequence of beloved, the attendance of the villagers most re fascinations of Phoa or Whe way thwart his in proceedings that have taken place at the gaming gular, and their pious and well-ordered demeanour tentions; and however triffing the sum he possesses table, naturally engender our worst fears.
on the Sabbath sufficiently touching to melt any I the intendant, receiving the above communica- to whomsoever it may belong, the allured gamester Were gaming the mere attractions of these heart less obdurate than that of an Ecclesiastical
Commissioner. This church, was built upon the, tion, now issue this proclamation, to which obedi-hazards all on the chance evolution of the brass Phoas their evils would be in some degree restrict-
is enjoined.
box used in the game of Phoa, or peradventuro ited; but gaming has in its train a long list of prac understanding that certain sums should be advanc may be ou the turn up of a fancy card in the game tices, concomitants with and indispensable to its ed towards its endowment both by the Commis. Koon Sho Choa. Domestic Servants and handicontinuance Venus and Bacchus yield their aid stoners and by the patron of the parish in which the church stands. As a condition of the advance craftsmen, as well as the better class, are hurried and impart a zest to the mind-debasing attractions
on the part of the Commissioners, the patron was away in the pleasures of the gaming houses, which of the Phoas. are to be found in almost every Street of the Town. Every Phoa has connected with it, forming part called upon to relinquish his right of patronage to If successful, he returns to his occupation or la-] of its establishment, a female, attractive in her St. Nicholas, and to suffer it to pass into the hands bour, if otherwise his disappointment urges him appearance and profusely decorated with Jewels; of the vicar of Great Bedwin. The right was re to the perpetration of a worse vice he is agitated her occupation is obvious. A houri of this descrip- linquished upon such an understanding. Upon the by the most frightful. despair, thinks only on the tion employed by Telligovinden, Jemadar of Po faith of the Commissioners the present minister speediest way to destroy himself, or to be revenged lice, lodged a complaint against her paramour and undertook the care of the village, and from the on his successful antagonist, and becomes a robber, employer; he having, taken, alleged, certain moment that he commence his duties until the pre a murderer! Men so circumstanced, whether Cai articles of Jewellery, consisting of a Gold Pindingsent time-a period of nearly ten years not one far nese or other, will plunder those reckoned amongst valued at $180, a Gold Tobacco Box valued at ́s thing has he been able to procure from the Com their friends, even relatives will not escape their 98 and a Gold Head Ornament valued at dollars missioners as a return for his services, and as a Perfidy. The greater part of the brawls, robberies, 22. In addition to the above she claimed from fulfilment of their own sacred engagement. His murders, brought to the notice of the Singapore Telligovinden dollars 150 alleged to be due by applications for payment have been numerous mid magistrates consist of cases connected more imme- Telligavindon for "taking charge of the Phon or respectful. The minister at length, unable to con- diately or remote with the destructive Vice of gam Gambling Shop from 8th January to the 8th April tinue in the performance of his duties unless some ing carried on under, is it were, the eve of the 1845 at dollars 50 per month" making a total steps are taken to secure to him the very small Police, undetected and unsuppressed. Why n value of dollars 378. The original bill of parti- stipend upon which he has consented to labour, discovered by the agents of the Police, we will calars' is now in our possession, and although the applies to the Bishop of the diocese, his natural hereafter point out, since we have been enabled to woman in her examination at the Police office, protector; and a Commissioner, What is the Bis. trace out a certain connection between a branch under obvious influence, varied some particularshop's answer? We are accused of unfairly repre- of the Police and one of the Gambling Houses that of her story, it is quite clear that the Indgemontsenting the Commissioners. Mr Blackburn tells exist, it may be the result of our enquiries will of a complaint was followed by a restitution of the us that they are prosperous and thriving; he defies lead to more extensive disclosures: be it so; we Gold Ornaments-a more than slight acknowledge any minister to stand forward and say, that aught will do our duty, and thereby aid the Police to do ment of the offence Inid to his charge! This part has failed him of all that has been pledged to him. theirs. We will drag the moaster of iniquity be of the affair is now in course of investigation and He calls upon us to publish a long letter of details" fore the bar of public justice, and endeavour to draw we therefore forbear further remarks until the case to prove the wickedness of our charges. We com. aside the veil of secrecy in which these gaming has been thoroughly silted.
ply with his request; and having done so, we pro- houses have rested, in spite of the flowers always
ceed to give the Bishop's answer to the minister of strewed over the path which cooducts to their des
St. Nicholas. Nothing can be done," saya bis tructive allure.nents.
Lordship, because the Commissioners offiirs are as embarrassed as they can be!”. Deserted by the Bishop-deserted by the Commissioners, who will not even hold out a promise of future payment- dismissed by the respected Secretary,' who is di- rected to inform the minister that the Commis- sioners are wholly unable to fix a time for making any grant in this case,' the clergyman bas recourse to the liberality of the noble patron. Let the no- ble patron refuse to pay the debt of the Commis sinners-and in what respect is he accountable for it-and then St. Nicholas Church is closed, and its hundreds of members dismissed from its allar," Examiner
(From the Straits Times.) • CHINESE GAMBLING AT SINGAPORE, ITS INFLUENCE AND EFFECTS, We believe it would be very difficult to decide when and where gambling first originated: its ins titution may have served to while away the hours of solitariness and ennui and have been formed for mere diversion from physical labour. It has been practised time immemorial, in all countries and by all classes; alike by the rude boor of the extreme north and the inhabitant of the sunny south.
Whatever benefits attended its institution, it is quite clear that gambling as now practised is very pernicious in its influence and is usually followed disastrous effect. The vice of gaming is con- trary to the happiness of man; it is fatal not only to individuals which it effects, but to the State which tolerates it. The vice of gambling favors corruption of manners-it destroys all emulation for industry or exertion by a stupid worship of ha zard and the ridiculous idea that Providence, by a system of fatality, directs the good and bed fortune of the miserable gamester:-it cherishes the most ambitious desires in the mind and augments the number of vicions, disloyal, and culpable citizens. The excess of this vice has caused even the over throw of empires. It leads to conspiracies and creates conspirators. Men overwhelmed with debt, borne down with the weight of misfortune which their negligence or prodigality has engen- dered, are always ready to obey the order of any bold chieftain who might attempt a decisiv stroke even against the highest ruler in a slate. His de signs flatter the exaggerated ideas of men who have squandered away their all and have nothing to par take of but despair. Catalina had very soon under his orders an army of scoundrels. "Every man dishonoured by dissipation" said Sallust, "who by his follies or losses at the gaming table hath con- sumed the inheritance of his fathers; and all those who were sufferers by such misery, were the friends of this perverse man."
ment."
❤
In
The over-
We shall in all probability return to this subject at an early opportunity.
BANKRUPT ECCLESIASTICAL
COMMISSION.
When we learn from the Bishop of Salisbury that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners cannot fu!tit their engagements because their affairs are as em barrassed as they can be, we are reminded of that beautiful insance of their discreet management, so well preparing us for all consequencea, brought to
One thing has, we believe, been made satisfac torily apparent, namely, the connection of the head Jemadar of Police with the pernicious system of Our task is an onerous, it may be a thankless, gaming which prevails. Telligovinden has bren but we are sure it cannot be an unesrviceable one suspended, and information respecting his dolin. Every person brought into contract with the Chi-quencies has been solicited by the Police magis nese, cannot fail to observe their disposition to trates, with the view of establishing cases against gaining and the sad influence which this addiction him. This is as it should be. But those who are has on their social and moral characters. The sufficiently acquainted with his conduct, whose stakes accepted are so small that the game is with testimony might establish proof of his guilt, are in access to the comparatively indigent; the ap-men who have participated as principals or acces. parent chance are so favorable that the man who sories in the offences laid at his door. stakes his solitary cent on the red of the brazen bearing conduct and habitual practice of setling" box used in the game of Phot, vainly hopes to alleged long to have been pursued by Telligovinden realise three times the amount of his stakee, not has struck terror too deep into the minds of the withstanding the frequency of his previous ill many to induce them voluntarily, to give evidence The Republican Romans reprobated the practice successs !
they fear his eventual restoration and its conse. of gaming as the aid to ruin of a free state *
The principal games in vogue amongst the Chi-quences. We trust no pains will spared by the the time of Charlemagne, gamblers were rendered nese consist of Phoa Wha whay and Koon Sho Police authorities in bringing the delinquent to unworthy of Christian burial-They were prose Choa, and in their devotion to the chances of these justice, no hushing up of matters, no compromis- cuted by the decree of the wise Charles Vth. The games they are not exceeded by the devotes who ing with the illicit practice of gaming which pre- pious Louis the XIVth, a bigotted monarch influ- offer their all at the shrines, Roulette, Rouge et vails. If guilty, let the upholder of gaming houses enced by his weakness for the Countess du Cayla, Noir. Faro and other European games of hazard, be proscribed from holding any situation in the at the instance of the covetous Montespan, was the
The game of Phoa is that which gives appella Straits Settlements, let public justice be satisfied first to tolerate gaming at the Court. The decree tion to the house or places set apart for gambling, by awarding punishment of whatever nuturo snever of Orleans, issued in 1560, confounded in the same and which are called Phons, or Phoa honses. adequate to the offence. - penalty houses devoted to Hazard and the worship Phoa is played with a square brass box, the upper of Venus. In 1615 the parliament of Paris re- part of which is painted white and the lower part monstrated with the King on the detestable prac- red. The box is made to revolve; its resting with tice. "We deglare" observes Louis XII in his either red or white upper most benefits the players, decree of 1629, "from this moment that all persons whilst the turn up of either of the plain sides (of who infrige this decree, or who prostitute them which the chances are equal) benefits the banker, or selves by exercising so infamous and detestable an keeper of the house. Those who stake on the red occupation, shall be for ever rendered incapable of get three times the amount of their stakes; such being employed in any situation under Governas stake on the white hare their stakes returned without addition or loss. This game is played Since the first institution of houses set apart for mostly by Chinese and is by them considered the the purposes of gaming its poison has been very fairest gaine. The probability of trebling the sta-light by Lord Radnor some few months ago. widely spread through the various classes of society, kes is 3 to one against the player and of getting Wherever it manifests itself, its hideousness is un-back the stakes on the white 2 to one-the banker mistakingly apparent-it alters social manners is entitled to a commission of 10 per cent upon the overywhere, and chases from the community that amount of stakes won on both red and white. urbanity which is a common principle of human
Whe-wkay, or blind bookey. The manner in nature. To observe these genuflexions is not which this game is played is by putting a duplicate within our province,
pack of 36 cards into a box. The stakes are then According to M. de Compte, gaming is prohi placed on any one of a pack of 36, similar to that bated in China amongst the common people and in the box. The box is shaken and the cards clergymen could neither afford the outlay, nor to the mandarins. Yet, notwithstanding its prohili-drawn whoever is fortunate enough to draw his keep up with his slender income, the style of house tion, like the use of the interdicted drug-Opium-ona card, or that on which his money was staket | which the Commissioners stipulated for, with fi it does not hinder their playing and frequently los receives thirty times the amount of his stakes,brary, drawing room, dining room, &c., suiteal to a ing all they have; their lands, houses, children. A commission of three per cent, goes to the ban. man of about 1,000 a year, and which they would and eren wives, all of which are sometime depend- ker. According to the law of probabilities, persons have forced on bon of 1501. ing on a single card. The pernicious influence of desirous of winning the entire stakes must place bis We do not profess to be exact in the figures, but gaming is introduced into Singapore by every Chi- bets on more than 25 cards! Such is the fascination this is the outline of the case. nese who landa bere; it is brought with him as of this game, that, all classes, Chinese, Malays, Can we wonder how that a body diaposed to he part and parcel of the many vices for which the Klings, Hindoos, Siamce, resort to the bouses where so profuse in its expenditure is reduced to bank lower classes of Chinese are notorious. This dis it is played Gaming houses are opened from 10 ruptcy? And as Falstaff was not only witty himself position is unhappily fostered not discouraged. s.. till Noon; and from 7p. x. to a late hour but the cause of wir in others, so the Ecclesiastical The evil influences of the legalization of gaming at night, or early in the morning,
Commission is not only bankrupt itself, but was and the payment of a tax, although no longer a Koon Sho Chou-This game is played with "calculated to be, and doubtless has been, the cause sauctioned or in use, has left behind seeds of ca- twelve cards which are placed in a box, the dupli- of tankruptcy in others. Had they induced the couragement to the vice, which neither care doreates being printed on a board. The gamester clergyman whose case Lord Radnor made komun exertion is employed to repress. To this devotion places his money on a fancy or Court card, sad in to build the mansion to preposterously exceeding to games of chair may be attributed the dis-the event of the fence card turning up on opening his meads, he world probably by this time have tinctive characteristics of the Chinese population, the box, the wigner receives to times the spout been as insolvent as his diguided misleading, su, When compared with other clasps of the inhabi- of his stakes. The game is ako indulged inby all | periora in the CommisxOD. tants: the mass of Chinese in Singapore consist of classes of the inhabitants and the Phoas are open There was a curione ingenuity in making the idle, dirty vagrents, reputedly dishonest and nato- all hours of the day. riously cruel and vindictive, men, for the most If it be enquired why these places are allowed ferred to; the Commisioners insisting on sûrane- part, who have expatriated themselves because the to coptions enssited and encoled by the Poop gore than was sucessary to compel the pour criminal laws of China provide no such punish- Fice, we confess our inbiler to give a entisfactory chryman to defray more than be could nord, and auent. Deriving their origin from the occuring solnion of the enigma. The Palize anthorities are entering the further imbrulace of having to keep of Chinese towas, they bring with them the gerais fully cognizant of the existence of these bouses of up a boom too hoge for his very smail inqeras. of rice, which, being nursed in the beds of corrup-inny, and bare, we believe, made frequent op With such an exatagle at this before of, WE CH
***If persons compisin of having been assorbed, stes the pication to higher power for mequate arcistance oot be surprised the the Commissioners' affair¥ Remen la urbora gemmer ve hazard are pered or boring to surround the. Pangs and capture their inmates. are as much enabsurd as they can be. They anffered day lojure whatever drive the time of planets A greater amem of Police free is necessary than have in fred, shown aptitaries for arriving on the games, or that same article belonging to the bar was Bes
41 present is at the dinoal of the officials Where or glavefire of lansmaganeft. If there had been carried away, it would nua cien con reht of selen tak povede rate for loss or damage which air senibary of buildings, apoker the Gamblers rusuri waned a boly show people how to live begand
A clergyman applied for assistance in building a gleba house. A thousand pounds was about the sum requisite, one half of which, according to rule, should have been furnished by the clergyman, the other by the Commission. The Commissioners altered the conditions of the aura twice or thrice, raising it each time, and finally fixing it at about Soul, for the moiety instead of 5001. The poor
two end of extravagance meet in the intance re
|
COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE. REMARKS ON. THE MARKET. MANILA PRICE CURRENT Nov. 22. COTTON Gouvs--The Market has not suffered
any perceptible change since our last number, in which we said, viz. "The Market continues dull and over supplied. Some sales liowever have been made during the week, of shirtings si 82) a-3) p. pièce of 40 yds. ; and Giughums at 854 a 80 per piece, but there has been no demand of any consequence for the provinces.-We understand the Caballito has brought a considerably supply of piece goods from Hongkong, which arrive to an already over- stocked market, supplied for some months, especial- ly with plain cottons "
The dry weather however is now permanently settled for the season, the Rige crop may be con sidered secured and the province dealers will com inence soon to arrive to this capital, all which will animate the market and improve the demand and prices of coloured Goods; but in plain Cottons it will take some months before any considerable advance in prices takes places owing to the over- stocked state of the market,
EXPORTS. SUGAR-We have only heard a sale of Zabú Sugar at $35 per picul. In current quality nothing has been done that we know, and the stock on hand unengaged is calculated at about 23,000 ply. to supply the demand till the and of March, when Sugar of the new crop will be ready for shipment. The next 2nd Sept, overland mail may have some influence in this article..
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EMP.-Few arrivals and wanted. Selling at 833 per picul unscrewed.
Rice.-No demand.-- Very tittle in the market. Nominal price 81-40 a 81-30.
Segans.-The Government has given notice to the Chamber of Commerce, that the deliveries of segars from the Factory have been suspended until suitable leaf arrives for wrappers; and tho general opinion is that no segars will be delivered till the beginging of Feb, next, at the soonest.
Saraswood —Becoming more abuffunt. Exchange on EmotALD –Few purchasers, and nane willing to sell at more than 43 for 6 months Bille.-Song £1500, have been sold at this rate of 4-5 during the week.
Taxsang-About £15 per ton obtainable for England
LATEST DATES London, 27th August via Singapore, Bingapors, 12th October per "Paz.”* Batavia, 30th August via Singapore. Chinh, 4th November per «Cisnero.” The United Staida, tat Angust Overlanı Bydoes, 2nd Anguist per ↳ Kingens,
Koited, | Printed and Published by Joux Carus At The Friend of China and Hongkong Gazete, Printing fifice, (tvany's [toad, Vicroma, Horogond, 1846.