Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 260

1950.

Journal of Occurrences.

231

Pawnbrokers robbed at Kiáting. These establishments, which exist in alinost all parts of the empire, seem everywhere to be special favorites among the banditti.

They are usually very rich, and not always well guarded. At Shanghái they are the largest structures in the city; some of them look like old castles, having walls on all sides rising thirty or forty feet. One of this sort in the city of Kiáting, situated half a day's journey north of Shanghái, was entered on the night of the 12th of Jan- uary, and property to the amount of several thousand dollars carried off. A reward of $500 has been offered for the apprehension of the robbers; but as yet neither the articles carried off, nor the robbers have been found.

Two pirate catchers, as they are called, have been put in commission here, and sent out to crnise on the coast of this province. These are two large boats, so my informant says, manned by Chinese from Canton; to stimu- late their exertions, they are to be rewarded, in addition to their regular pay, with a 100,000 copper cash for each pirate, and all the booty they may chance to take.

Yours, &c.

Shanghái, March 25th, 1850.

SPECTATOR.

ART. VI. Journal of Occurrences: 'Edict of succession of H. M. Hienfung; honors given his brothers; religious intelligence, ar- rival of the Bishop of Victoria.

Tur edict of succession has been published in Canton on yellow paper in both Mánchu and Chinese, the text of each surrounded with dragons. The new monarch takes the style Hien-fung, which may be rendered Great Abundance, or Complete Prosperity, for his reign; this title though not strictly the personal name of the monarch, has by use come to be so regarded among foreigners; and the words Kienlung, Kánghí, Táukwáng, &c., will always con- tinue to be regarded as the naines of those monarchs. The present year is still to be reckoned, as the 30th of Taukwang, the 1st of Hienfung not commencing until Feb 1st, 1851. The new incumbent is in his 19th year, having been born in August, 1831. The announcement of his having ascended the throne is here copied from the China Mail.

The Hi chau or Auspicious Proclamation.

Proclamation of the Sovereign upon his succeeding to the Empire by the ordinance of Henven. Our Great and Pure (Ta-Tsing) Dynuaty has continued the subject of Heaven's most parental affection. Its mighty foundation was laid in ancient times by our great progenitors Tai-tsu and Tai-tsung › the whole of China was brought under the single rule of the first of the Imperial line : our other ancestors, the Sainted, the Immortal, the Exalted, and the Humane, each like his pro- decessor excelled in virtue, and shed an influence of renovation [upon men], increasing the glory of the Empire and blending its parts harmoniously together; and our late Father now departed, during the thirty years that he has held the reins of government, has set late in his robes, and has saten when the moon was past, diligently aiming at perfection of rule. From his own distinguish- ed merit, and the conduct of his statesmen, the Court commanded respect. The richness of his bounty extended to all parts of his domiaions, insomuch that thero was tranquillity within and beyond their frontiers, and the black-haired flock were beholder to it for their happiness

Thus might it have been hoped that his illustrious years would be greatly prolonged, and that blessings would be continued to him for evermore; but on the afternoon of the 14th of the lat moon, having appointed us his heir-apparent, be sped upwards on the Dragon to be a guest on high, and the (charge of the] spiritual vessel devolved on our insignificant persou.

When we called to mind our own insufficiency, profound was our fear that we should not be equal to the task, until we bethought us of the counsels bequeathed by the Holy ours, and of the trust imposed on us by. His Majesty, our late father; and as the Throne committed to us could not long remain unfilled, we put constraint spon the grief we so sincerely feel, and reve-