clean through the embrasures. It was observed tha as long as our fire lasted, it silenced that of the forts; but, as it soon appeared that any cessation on the part of the frigates produced a renewal from the ɔatteries, it became necessary to discontinue the humane and often-repeated order, "to cease firing on the main-deck." The action was most brisk on getting into the middle of the channel; but the Chinese fired like men in a panic, aiming very wild, or letting fly as the ships arrived nearly at the line of fire for each gun as it was laid. There could have been very little re-loading or training of the guns after the first. few shots. The best firing was from the double-tier battery on the larboard hand. Several of the shot from thence struck the Imogene, one of them coming through the side of the quarter-deck, knocking down a seaman with the splinters, and grazing the forepart of the mainmast. A great many more passed between the hammocks and the quarter-deck awning. The whole of the slow, working passage occupied nearly an hour and three-quarters. It was neces sary, of course, that a considerable portion of the crews should be at the ropes in tacking ship, at the same time that the guns on both sides must be worked as they came to bear. The frequent tacks so often exposed the frigates to be raked by the batteries, that the little or no damage experienced from the enemy sufficiently proved their want of steadiness and skill. The round-stern armaments, of both the ships proved extremely useful, and served to keep the forts in check. Soon after effecting the passage of the Boca, the wind fell dead calm, and obliged the frigates to come to an anchor below Tiger-island, which is some miles above the entrance.

Perpetual calms or baffling airs kept us at anchor until the afternoon of Tuesday the 9th, when we weighed to pass Tiger-island, through a deep but narrow channel close under the walls of the battery.

In the interim the Chinese were observed to be very busy in adding to their means of annoyance; a number of boats bringing additional supplies of guns, while a parade of some hundreds of matchlock-men took place on the rampart. As the ships got under weigh, with a light fair breeze, our larboard guns were duly trained and prepared. The battery reserved its fire much longer than was expected: but the moment the first shot had passed the bows of the Imogene, leading ship, a most tremendous and well-directed cannonade was opened by her, which the Andromache took up as soon as she could bear upon the fort. The ships steered close by the fort, not more than two hundred yards from the wall, the parapet overlooking them. The crews gave a loud cheer just as they got in front of the battery, and the effect was evident in slackening the fire of the Chinese. One of their large shot came through the Imogene's side and killed the captain of the forecastle, while three others were wounded with splinters, but not severely. The Andromache had a seaman killed on the main-deck, and three or four wounded also. So many of our thirty-two pound shot entered the embrasures, or shattered the stone parapet, that the Chinese loss must have been considerable. This battery was very severely punished, for the ships made good use of their time, and had learned from experience to be less sparing of their shot. Some buildings within the fort were a heap of ruins.

Considering that the batteries, between them, had at least 113 mounted guns, they ought certainly to have sunk the ships; instead of which the whole damage done in both days was two men killed, half a dozen wounded, and a few ropes shot away. Captain Blackwood received an official letter from the Admiralty, commending the skilful and gallant manner in which he conducted the ships through; and the Emperor of China exclaimed in his edict-" It

VOL. II.

D

seems that all the forts are erected in vain; they cannot beat back two barbarian ships. It is ridiculous-detestable !"*

*The above account is nearly as it was sent, at the time, to the Canton newspaper. Two prints have been since published by Ackermann, correctly representing the ships engaged.

CHAPTER XII.

RELIGION-CONFUCIANS.

Confucius Character of his Ethics-Four Books-Five Canonical Works -Book of Songs-Shooking, a Fragment of Ancient History-Book of Rites-Historical Work by Confucius-Ye-king, a mystical WorkResembles the Occult Numbers of Pythagoras-Theory of CreationObjects of State Worship-Sacrifices-A Supreme Being recognised by the Emperor.

It has been observed that the very errors of the human mind form a part of its history; and it is on this ground that the different religious or philosophic persuasions into which the vast population of China has been divided, claim a portion of our attention; while it may be added, of the doctrines of Confucius in particular, that they form the basis of the whole system of government. These last, perhaps, owe

some of their better traits to the circumstance of having originated during a period when the country was divided into a number of small states, nominally dependent on one head, but each ruled by its own laws; a condition more favourable to liberty and good government than its subsequent union under one absolute master.

Confucius, as his name has been latinized by the Jesuits (being really Koong-foo-tse), was born about 550 B. C., in the state Loo, within the district now called Keo-fow Hien, just to the eastward of the great canal in Shantung province. It will be observed, from the date, that he was a contemporary of Pythagoras. From his earliest age Confucius is said to have been indifferent to the ordinary amusements of

youth, and devoted to grave and serious pursuits. Being the son of a statesman, the chief minister of his native kingdom, he employed himself entirely in moral and political science, and neither investigated any of the branches of natural knowledge, nor meddled with the common superstitions of his country. His doctrines, therefore, constitute rather a system of philosophy in the department of morals and politics, than any particular religious persuasion.

It was the chief endeavour of the sage to correct the vices which had crept into the state, and to restore the influence of those maxims which had been derived from the ancient kings, as Yaou, Shun, and others, celebrated in history or tradition. That he was sincere, and that his professed love of reform was not a mere stepping-stone to his personal am bition, or an instrument to serve his private ends, was proved by the readiness with which he abandoned the station to which his talents had raised him, when he found that his counsels were unavailing, and his influence inadequate to the restoration of order. That portion of modern China which lies to the north of the great Keang, was then divided into a commonwealth of states, of which the native kingdom of Confucius formed only a constituent member; and through these various countries he journeyed in a condition of simplicity and comparative indigence, devoting himself to the instruction of all ranks, and to the propagation of his precepts of virtue and social order. Such was the success of his endeavours, and the weight of his influential character and good example, that he is said to have reckoned, at length, as many as three thousand disciples or proselytes, of whom seventy-two were more particularly distinguished by their devotion to their master, and their practice of his precepts. He was now sought after by the rulers of the several states, and employed in high