abled by the invaders. I would, therefore, provide a numerous amount of artillery, so as to give us the effectual command of all headlands and promontories. Between this and Chinhae not a single position should be left bare, but every thing so regulated, that the enemy's ships cannot pass without exposing themselves to a destructive fire. We should have a squadron of the best junks built in Fokien; what we had before were defective, and their construction must be greatly improved. The natives of Chusan we must attach by lasting ties. I, therefore, advise remitting them the land-tax, which they still owe; raising the group of islands into an independent district; increasing the number of patents to literary candidates; and rewarding the most deserving among them with honours." These several suggestions appear to have been approved. When every thing had been arranged, the commissioner addressed a valedictory notice to the people of Chusan, in which he remarked, "Our country having for a long time enjoyed peace, the military had greatly fallen off in efficiency. Our troops were subsequently too ADDRESS TO INHABITANTS. 181 tardy in their operations, and hence the English remained half a year in possession of Chusan. You yourselves were scattered about in the valleys, and had to feed these wolves with your cattle. cattle. Though far away at the time, I was deeply interested in your sufferings; and on repairing to Chinhae had intended to sacrifice Anstruther and the other prisoners, enter the barbarian camp, seize Burrell*, and fix the heads of the invaders on poles along the beach. But they had already escaped the net, and I had no means of inflicting the punishment. During the time of the occupation you behaved well, and, though unarmed, withstood their encroachments with hoes, hatchets, and clubs. I come to fortify your island, and relieve you for ever from the disgrace of becoming a prey to the enemy. The benevolence of the great emperor has remitted your taxes, gathered those that were lost among you, and contributed to relieve your distresses." Yukien now hastened back to Chinhae, * The officer who commanded the land force on the first capture of Chusan. where he endeavoured to block the entrance of the Ningpo river by sunken junks, and erected fortifications on the shore. While engaged in this work, he addressed to the emperor a diffuse account of the shallowness of the coast, which he declared could not be approached by the British ships. "It would be necessary," said he, "to send the troops in boats, and we might kill them with ease the moment they put their feet on shore." He added, besides, that some parts of maritime China were perfectly inaccessible, and therefore needed no defence, while at other points low batteries might be constructed to sink all those small vessels which alone could effect a landing. All these matters being elucidated in detail, gave the highest satisfaction at Peking. There arose a renewed feeling of complete security; so willing are men to believe what they wish to be true. The representations of Yukien were confirmed by the collateral testimony of other high officers, among whom now, for the first time, appears the name of KEYING, at the period in question commanding in Manchouria, and therefore concerned in the protection of the coast. YUKIEN IN CREDIT. 183 Yukien's fame now became very great, for he had attained that monstrous Eureka, the invincible position of the Chinese empire. Taoukwang rejoiced at the prospect of discomfiting the invaders, and all the honour went to the credit of Yukien, the only man in the empire who, it was considered, had his eyes open: Another edict appeared, ordering the vigorous prosecution of the war at all costs and hazards, and proscribing the word peace as long as there remained a single enemy on the coast. CHAPTER VII. RECAPTURE OF CHUSAN TO TAKING OF CHINHAE, AND DEATH OF YUKIEN. THE rumours of the future movements of the British force varied considerably, but no official person dared to announce that their next destination would be Chusan. Yukien himself discredited all that was reported, more especially when he was informed that the English were coming to take vengeance for the cruel murder of Mr. Stead. In a memorial to the emperor he treated all this as mere foolish talk, and derided the impudence of the barbarians who could dare to speak in such terms. At the maritime stations and towns he exhibited notices, which averred that the enemy had never ventured to accept his challenge to meet them, and expressed his great disappointment thereat. "Let them presume to come," it was added, be caught in the net." vaders might escape, he "and they will surely That none of the inordered his soldiers |