There was indeed one gentleman who was quite unable to recognise the body of poor M. Fontanier, and he was a brother Consul too. Perhaps he saw with Chinose eyes, and believed against the evidence of his senses that the murdered Consul "Might have been" in one of the coffins. Fortu nately all foreigners who happen to be in Chinese employ are not so easily converted to the Chinese mode of viewing things."
The Chinese authorities, cowardly as they are cruel, have betrayed abject fear of the consequences of what they have done in many ways since the dreadful occurrence took place. They have requested the French Minister at Peking to name his own terms for compensation. They have asked the Russian friends of the deceased here to name their compensation, but were pro- perly answered that they would know that from the Russian authorities. At Taku
they had couriers waiting, and two hours before the arrival of the Opos- sum gun-boat ou the 26th, II. M. Consul had a letter requesting him not to allow the gun-boat to fire upon the City. To-day again (27th) H. E. has asked the British Consul to apply for the acting appointment of French Consul when they two could settled all matters between them. Altogether it seems as if the native autho rities had taken leave of their senses.
While deploring this melancholy occur rence I cannot help thinking that it will result in good to China as well as to for- eigners, and that the poor Sisters' death will bring forth more fruit than they were permitted in their life time to see.
The French nation cannot permit this deadly insult to pass unpunished,-members of the embassy, of the Consulate, and of the priesthood, men and women--cruelly and treacherously murdered. Were they indeed to permit this crime to pass unpunished, no foreigner could with safety remain in China.
The Chinese are naturally endeavouring to conciliate the other Treaty powers,-it is to be hoped without effect; they are sa a bundle of sticks, strong, while individually they may be easily disposed of.
I understand & Protestant Chapels, in and about the city, are looted, 16 places of worship in all are said to have been dea- troyed. Many Catholic Christians are said to be murdered and thrown into the river; we have seen a good many bodies floating down with the tide. No Protestant converts have been killed, so far as is known, but they have been beaten, and their houses pillaged, the Chinese after- wards offering to sell them the property they had stolen. There are any number of guilds here, banded together for mis- ohief, and the Fire Brigade are the parties who are said to have had the management of setting the buildings on fire having the mob perfectly under control, calling them away when all was finished by the sound of the bell. More than one foreigner heard this. The soldiers were present at the fires and are said to have aided in this mischief, at least no one reports their having in any way tried to prevent it. Now we hear that the city mob are turning against Chung How denouncing him friend to foreigners. His Excellency is evidently a weak-minded man, better adapted for peace than war. He has been believed to be well-disposed to foreigners, though he has never shown it on any im- portant occasion.
a8 a
Our correspondent evidently has the great Consular pluralist again in his eye
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