Directory_and_Chronicle_1842 — Page 474

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Journal of Occurrences.

where cannon-balls innumerable, flying in awful confusion through the expanse of heaven, fell before, behind, and on either side of him; while in the distance he saw the ships of the rebels, standing erect, lofty as the mountains. The fierce daring of the rebels was incon- ceivable. Officers and men fell at their posts. Every effort to resist and check the onset was in vain, and a retreat became inevitable.” The memorial as it comes us, is without date; but must have been written shortly after the occurrences it narrates.

5. Hong-merchants summoned by Ilipú. This old commissioner and his colleagues, having sent off a dispatch to Canton, requiring two of the hong-merchants immediately to repair to Súchau, made report thereof at the same time to their master, setting forth the rea- sons for having so done. These were childish enough: their excel- lencies were afraid there would be no means of communicating with the English, and that in consequence thereof, the barbarians would intrude themselves upon the Inner Land, and create confusion. How- ever, his majesty has not been pleased to sanction the summons; and consequently the said hong-merchants have returned to look after their private affairs.

6. Hingan, an old favorite but degraded minister of Táukwáng, of Lienchau memory, is often noticed in the Gazettes, and is no doubt exerting much influence in the imperial counsels during these times of troubles.

7. Wáng Ting, late cabinet minister, reports current in Canton say, hung himself, and that he did this because he was unable to carry certain measures which he had brought forward. In the Ga- zettes we do not find any allusion to the causes of his demise, which is deplored, and high honors conferred.

8. At Amoy, everything remains quiet. The people on Kúláng sú have to a great degree, resumed their occupations, and the inter- course between it and Amoy, is unobstructed.

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9. Hongkong. The progress of public and private works has been somewhat accelerated during the present month; and the amount of business done gradually increases. A little tea has lately been brought down coastwise, which has been shipped to England. To the number of residents, there have been added,-an attorney-at-law, Mr. Edward Francomb from London-and a master-builder, Mr. F. Langes from Calcutta.

The Queen's Road (Baptist) chapel at Hongkong was dedicated on the 17th ultimo, a very neat and commodious building, consider- ing its cost, which was less than one thousand dollars. It is built of "concrete earth," is about 70 by 27 feet, with cupola, bell, &c. It is the first Protestant chapel built on Hongkong, but not the 'first in China:' nor is the church, which meets within its walls, “the first Christian church formed in China;" it is the property of the Ame rican Baptist Board of Missions, having been erected under the care of the Rev. J. L. Shuck, one of its missionaries, by subscription among the foreign community.