500
Reminiscences of Chusan.
SEP.
of the British seventy-four's, but had never yet seen them. As his master wanted to have exact imitations of these vessels, he gave his directions to the naval inspector at Ningpo to construct them ac cordingly. This good mau considered the matter maturely, and knowing that the command was peremptory, and the task such as he could not accomplish, at once despaired of success, and committed suicide. His son was so exasperated by this, that he brought in an accusation against commissioner Elepoo for harsh and cruel treatment. This charge was carried before the high authorities at Peking, and caused great disasters to Elepoo. Unable to manufacture large ships, the Chinese set to work to cast immense guns, such as might de- stroy a whole fleet at a single discharge. The founder was express- ly ordered up from Wănchoo, and the workmen went to work in real earnest. Towards the end of 1840, it was announced that all the peices for the newly erected batteries were ready, and a trial thereof was ordered. The first piece, on being fired, killed a corporal and two privates; and nobody could be prevailed upon to make a further experiment. But, strange to say, Elepoo now resolved upon casting guns on a still larger scale. New junks likewise were to be built in the south, for a protection to the harbor. New fortifications went on with a good will, and in a short time, the whole of Chinhae was encased in armor like a tortoise. So far matters went on well, but the soldiers, of whom it was said 5000 had been collected, began to be clamorous for their pay, and the good citizens of Ningpo had to contribute considerable sums to satisfy their demands. The local authorities, moreover, had promised every body, that would fly from the contaminated city of Tinghae, a pittance of thirty cash per day ; these, on account of the great numbers, made rather a heavy draft upon their resources. Still the money was, as we were told, actually paid. It is said too that the supreme government placed a sum of 10 millions at the disposal of the generals at Ningpo for military operations!
As soon as the truce was concluded, and the admiral had left, an edict was published by Elepoo, declaring that he would henceforth catch no more foreigners. This totally changed the state of affairs in Tinghae. Thousands of people flocked into the city; shops were apened in every direction; and the provisions of the best description, became so abundant that they exceeded the consumption. The im- provement of the recently deserted city became every day more vi- sible. Such a sudden transformation perhaps has been very rarely witnessed. Hams, fowls, ducks, geese, pheasants, bullocks, pigs,
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