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SHANGHAI.

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open ports, and thus the Foreign Inspectorate of Customs was established, the head- quarters f which was for some years, and according to the original regulations should still be, at Shanghai. In 1861 the Taipings approached Shanghai and threatened the city and settlements. The taking of Soochow on 25th May, 1860, had driven a large number of the inhabitants of that city and the surrounding districts to Shanghai for protection, so that the native populati n increased rapidly. It was variously estimated at from four hundred thousand to a million, but the smaller number is probably nearer the truth. So immensely did the price of land rise that it is stated ground which had originally co-t foreigners fifty pounds per acre was sold for ten thousand pounds. At this time the old Cricket Ground was sold at such an enormous profit that after the shareholders had been repaid the original cost there was a balance of some forty-five thousand taels, which the owners generously devoted to the foundation of a fund for the use of the public, to be applied to the purposes of recreation only. Unfortunately thirty thousand taels of this amount was lent by the treasurer on his own responsibility to the Club, in which institution he was a share- holder. As the club shareholders were never able to repay this loan, the building and furniture were taken over in 1869 by the trustees on behalf of the Recreation Fund, to which the building still belongs. This fund has proved very useful in rendering assistance to some other public institutions besides having purchased for public recreation all the ground in the interior of the new Race Course. By this time provisions had in- crea ed in price to four times what they had been some years previously. Efforts were made to keep the rebels at a distance from the settlements; a d tachment of British Royal Marines and an Indian Regiment garrisoned the walls, while the gates on the side towards the French Settlement were guarded by French Marines. In August, 1861, the city was attacked, and the suburbs between the city walls and river were in con- sequence destroyed by the French, the rebels being ultimately driven back. In Decemb r, the rebels to the number of one hundred thousand again threatened the Settlements. The approaches were barricaded and the Defence Creek constructed and fortified at an expense of forty-five thousand taels. A volunteer force was also formed amongst the foreign residents, under the command of Captain, now Sir Thomas Wade, which did really good service. B fore the close of 1862 the rebels had been driven by the British Forces beyond a radius of thirty miles around Shanghai.

At the time the local native Authorities were severely pressed they availed themselves of the services of an American adventurer named Ward, who raised a band of deserters from foreign ships and rowdies of all nations who had con- gregated at Shanghai, with whose help he drilled a reg.ment of na ives. After passing under the command of another low caste American of the name of Burgevine, who subsequently deserted to the rebels, it was found impossible by the Imperial Authorities to control these raw and unlisciplined levies, and at their earnest request Admiral Sir James Hope consented to the appointment of Major, now Colonel, Gordon, R.E., to the command. Having by him been made amenable to discipline, they now rendered the greatest service in the suppression of the rebellion; indeed it is generally held doubtful if the Taiping Rebellion would ever have been overcome but for the assistance of "The Ever Victorious Army," as this bastily raised band was named. Amongst other services they regained possession of the important city of Soochow. From 1860 to 1865 one British and two Indian Regi- ments and a battery of Artillery were stationed at Shanghai.

Since that time there have been few historical events worthy of record in a brief summary. On Christmas eve, 1870 the British Consulate was burned down and most of the records completely lost. In May, 1874 a riot occurred in the French Settlement owing to the intention of the Municipal Council to make a road through an old graveyard belonging to the Ningpo Guild. One or two Europeans were severely injured, and three natives lost their lives. A considerable amount of foreign owned property was destroyed. An extensive fire in the French Concession in August last destroyed 991 houses; the loss was estimated at Tls. 1,500,000.

As at all the open ports, the foreigners are in judicial matters subject to the immediate control of their Consuls, British subjects coming under the jurisdiction

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