Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 502

464

Journal of Occurrences.

one, viz.. the Japan sea, being in our unmediate vicinage. It is estimated that the American whaling fleet numbers some 500 ships, mainly engaged in "pursuing their gigantic game

in the North Pacific Ocean. More recently we find them among the trembling mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating the deepest frozen recerres of Behring's Straits, going as high as 70 North latitude. Still it is believed, that within two weeks' sail from this port, there now from 150 to 200 whalers pursuing their hardy in- dustry, and under favorable circumstances, a ship could, we are assured, be on her cruis- ing ground in one week from leaving this Port. What whalers want is merely fresh meat and vegetables ; both of which are here abundant and cheap, and would ere this have been availed of, but that strange navigators, generally, are afraid of the entrance to our river; and would avoid coming hither, if possible, on all occasions. At the present time any part of China would be preferred to going the other way to California or the Sandwich Islands; as the gold fever now raging leads to the iminediate desertion of a large portion of the crews-to say nothing of the high pay still given at San Francisco for sailors. The Science recently arrived from San Francisco, paid $150 per ina for the run from thence to the Sandwich Islands, which occupied but 16 days. From thence seanien were to be had at $10 per month.

Falling in of the roof of Trinity Church. The roof of this sacred edifice fell in with a great crash, on the morning of the twenty-fourth of June, about half past five a. M.; a great deal of rain had fallen throughout the preceding day (Sunday), múch thunder and lightning accompanied it, and some of the claps were very heavy. The span of the roof was very wide between the walls, and it appears that a water spout had poured its stream just over the beam in the centre, and had so injured it and the surrounding brickwork, that the continued deluge of rain caused the walls to bulge out, and give way. It was most providential that it did not occur during Divine service on the preceding day, as the whole of the central roof fell in, and from the heavy construction of Chinese roofs generally, in all likelihood it fell instantly: the majority of the congregation occupied the centre of the church, and so heavy was the fall, that all the pews and seats beneath it were crushed to pieces. It is supposed that it will cost four thousand dollars to repair the damage done. Through the liberality of a resident a large upper room has been placed at the disposal of the Trustees, which has been fitted up temporarily for the performance of Divine service.

A Millionaire at Tsz’ki, (a city near Ningpo) who had become a sportsman, but who had not learnt the use of gunpowder, was about to amuse himself with his newly pur- chased fowling-piece, when his powder was ignited from the tobacco-pipe of his wife. The explosion (there were several pounds !) blew up himself, his wife, concubine and two female servants. One of the number died soon after, and of the rest none are likely to survive. Dr. Macgowan has spent several days with the family. About all such things the Chinese are proverbially careless,

On the 3d of last month, the celebrated Bridge of Boats at Ningpo gave way while a junk was going through the passage made for that purpose. A crowd of women and children were carried down the river several miles. A number of lives were lost, owing to the apathetic disposition of the spectators.

Revision of the S. S. The Committee of Delegates convened at Shanghai for the revision of the Chinese version of the New Testament completed their work on the Ist inst., and have offered it to their brethren engaged in Pro- testant missions among the Chinese, and to the Bible Societies in Europe and America. The words to represent God and Spirit, being still undecided, are left blank in the revision, and this we understand will delay the printing of the work a while, affording time for others to examine it, and forward such criticisms and suggestions for the consideration of the Committee at Shanghai as they shall deem proper. So far as we have examined the revised version, it is decidedly superior to former ones for clearness of style and close translation, and with a few corrections can safely be offered to the Chinese as a fair rendering of the New Testament. The members of the Committee on the N. T. have all been re-elected to serve with other delegates on the revision of the Old Testament, who now consist of the Rev. E. C. Bridgman, D.D. from Canton; Rev. James Legge, D.D. and Rev. T. Hamburg froni Hongkong; Rev. John Stronach from Amoy; Rev. S. Johnson and Rev. M. C. White from Fuhchau; Rev. M. S. Culbertson from Ningpo; and Rt.-Rev. W. J. Boone, D.D., Rev. W. H. Medhurst, D.D., Rev. J. L. Shuck, and Rev. W. C. Milne from Shanghái. This Committee organised itself on the Ist inst., and held the first meeting for revision on the 3d, the delegates from Hong- kong and Fubichau not being present.