Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 507

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Reminiscences of Chusun.

SEP.

others were destroyed, and a few sent home as trophies. There were arms enough to equip 1300 men, the amount of the naval and land forces of the Chusan group.

Tinghae has two colleges, one of which is a very extensive build- ing. In the smaller one were stuck up all the themes which the students were working out, when the assault took place. Judging from the many books found in these colleges, the inhabitants must be a reading race. By far the greater part of the works were poetical. Orders were sent out, that they should all be brought to the magis trate's office, but, alas, the greater part had already perished. There were also the books of a tract society, established in order to circulate religious works gratis. Of these there were a good number in the houses of the poor. The situation of a temple dedicated to Confucius was romantic enough, though rather worse for its age. Close to it was another building of a different nature, a pawn- broker's shop, the most extensive house in the city. The stores found in this place were large. It is extraordinary that this building should have been completely full, for so large a collection rather betokens a very low state of morals. The owner was again and again cited to take possession of his property, but he never made his appearance. A great quantity of the clothes were stolen, others were sold at auc- tion, and the remainder were still on hand when the place was eva- cuated, and were then seized upon by pilfering natives.

Beyond the wall, there was a temple in a very romantic glen, filled with trees, and planted in the rear with bamboos. There were also two powder mills, but only one had powder in its stores; and this was condemned and thrown into the water.

On the day of capture, the city presented a very curious scene. As soon as the rabble had ascertained that they were not to be kill- ed outright, they got up a system of plundering, which was carried on with a great deal of boldness. It was very apparent that the most respectable class of people had left the place, and that only desperate characters, who had nothing to lose, remained. The cri- minals in the prisons had probably been set at liberty, before the officers finally abandoned the city. One of them was seen dragging along his chain. A humane officer knocked off his fetters, and the first use the fellow made of his freedom was to commence robbing.

When matters became very bad, a representation was made to the commander to put a stop to such deeds of villany, by not allowing the least article to pass out of the gates. He however replied, that this would interfere with the liberty of the subject, and that the in-