60
Journal of Occurrences.
JAN
!
and handsome blue crowned pigeon, and other smaller kinds, attract- ed the admiring gaze of every visitor. Mr. Beale first procured a living specimen of the bar red-tailed pheasant from the interior of China; and the Phasianus Reevesii, or Reeves' pheasant was in his possession several years before it was carried to England by Mr. Reeves. The most distinguishing object of attraction about the house however, was the bird of paradise, from the Moluccas, whose brilliant plumage held the eye of every beholder; it was kept in a cage by itself, and more than any other of the birds drew visiters to the house. Loris, parrots, crockotoas, minas, magpies, and various Chinese singing birds, each suspended near by in its own cage, kept it corn- pany in the entrance to the house, each vying with the other in the loudness of its note, and altogether forming a constant vocal concert. A magnificent Indian peacock also attracted its share of attention, and a large cage of canaries, with compartments for the quiet breed- ing of young birds, sent forth its share of music. The garden contain- ed upwards of 2500 pots of plants, most of them Chinese flowers, in the cultivation of which Mr. Beale spent much of his time. The collection was probably one of the richest in Chinese flowers that has ever been made by any foreigner.
3. Sir Hugh Gough's notice of the capture of Tinghái and Chin- hái, contained in “General Orders," dated Oct. 3d and 12th, we extract from the Hongkong Gazette of the 1st instant.
No. 1.
Major-general sir Hugh Gough has again the pleasure to congratulate the troops under his command, upon their success in the recapture of the island of Chusan, and city of Tinghái, on the 1st instant. The conduct of the 55th, whose good fortune it was to land first, and who gallantly gained and cleared the heights, under a brisk and sustained fire from the enemy, was most creditable to the corps, and gave it the further advantage of being first to scale the city walls.
"That of the 18th Royal Irish, who landed next, was equally praiseworthy in driving the enemy before them, in spite of the resistance from the long line of sea batteries, until the regiment gained and re-occupied its old station. upon the Pagoda Hill.
"The well-directed fire of the detachments of Royal and Madras artillery on Chusan, in getting their guns over almost impracticable ground, and opening their fire from successive points,-were alike distinguished.
"The major-general was also gratified by observing the spirited manner in which the Madras Rifle Volunteers advanced, in extended order, over the hiil of the city, and the active zcal of the Madras sappers, in carrying the scaling ladders over those steep and difficult heights, and planting them against the walls.
"Circumstances which it was impossible to foresee having hastened the moment of attack, the 49th regiment and Royal Marines were not landed in time to perforin all that had been allotted to them; but the major-general noticed with the utmost satisfaction the rapidity with which they moved off to support the advance.
"Sir Hugh Gough addresses himself, therefore, to all, in expressing his thanks to commanding officers of columns and corps, and to the personal staff, and directs, that his sentiments be made known to all of every rank under their respective comtnend."
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