THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON SHIPWRECKS.

On Monday the select committee appointed to enquire into the shipwreck of British vessels, and the means of preserving the lives and property of shipwrecked persons, issued their first report, in conformity with the order of the House of Commons. The report enters very fully into those points which more especially relate to the security of British shipping, and the committee, upon which, amongst others, are the names of Sir C. Napier, Admiral Dundas, Sir H. Douglas, Captain Pechell, Captain Plumridge, Captain Fitzroy, Captain Gordon, Mr. Gladstone, and Mr. Baring, report that the loss of British ships during 1841, 1842, and 1843, as compared with those lost in 1836, 1837, and 1838, so far as could be ascertained from the returns registered at Lloyd's, has been less during the former than during the latter period, more especially as regards timber-laden ships and the lives of the crews employed. There has been a reduction in the loss of ships in each year of from 56 to 23, and a saving of 200 lives of seamen. In only one instance do they find a recurrence of those horrible cases which occurred in previous years, where the crews of ships were reduced to the necessity of existing on the remains of their comrades. The committee consider that no ship is sea worthy when her deck is lumbered with cargo, and recommend an extension of the act of Parliament prohibiting the future deck-loading of ships. The report recommends the propriety of an enquiry being instituted by Government as to the necessity of introducing an act for placing all steam vessels, carrying passengers, under the superintendence of Government inspectors. The committee lay considerable stress on the necessity for appointing competent masters, mates, and pilots, for constructing efficient light-houses and beacons, and carefully revising the charts now in use. They recommend the immediate attention of Government to the construction of harbours of refuge, but offer no decided opinion as to the use of the floating break water, though they suggest that such national works, when constructed, should possess the advantage of having powerful batteries.-Times.

NAUTICAL NOTICES.

FALSTERBO LIGHT.-We perceive by an advertisement that the alterations alluded to in previous notices of 15th of April, and 4th of October of last year, have been carried into effect in this light, which since the 24th of June last became a fixed light. It also appears that a light vessel with two lights will be stationed at the outer extreme of the reef off Falsterbo Point, an addition to the lights of that coast, which will contribute greatly to the security of Baltic Navigation.

CALMAR SOUND.-The Royal Swedish Administration, has notified that four buoys will be placed in the Calmar Sound, at the spot where formerly stakes were driven, viz., Nycket, a red buoy, E.N.E. 1,300 ells of the easterly Swingland Point; at Oswall, a white buoy, about 1,300 ells west of the northerly end of the Ship or Wharf Holmes; near the Torno Cliff a white buoy, about 1,059 ells, S.S.E. E. of the town rampart corner; near the Castle Ground (Skansgrund) a red buoy, 350 ells E. & S. of the south-west rampart corner of Grimskar. On all those buoys iron poles with names are attached and so painted, that where before a stake with a broom was placed, the buoys are red, and where there was only a simple stake, white.

The before mentioned bearings are by compass. The stakes, if no contrary orders are given, will, at the close of the navigation, be every year removed, and in the spring be replaced.

DOCK COMMITTEE.-At the meeting on Thursday there were present Messrs. Sands, (chairman,) Boyden, Bulley, Holmes, Evans, Chilton, Holt, Smith, W. R. Sandbach, Tobin, Bold, Ripley, Moore, and Middleton. The Marine Surveyor reported that, in conjunction with his assistant, Mr. Jones of the royal navy, he sounded the bar of the Victoria Channel on the evening of the 11th, and morning of the 12th inst., being tides of seventeen feet two inches by Holden's Liverpool Tide Table. The examination indicated a depth of thirteen feet in the morning, and twelve in the evening, increasing from six to twelve inches in depth towards the western side. The weather was calm, and the water perfectly smooth on both these experimental occasions. The Liver buoy tender was anchored on the shallowest part of the bar during the whole period. The City of London derry steamer, a vessel drawing 12 feet of water also passed through the channel at dead low water on the 12th; and also No. 1 pilot-boat, and several other vessels, at low water on the evening of the 11th. The depth obtained at low water, from corresponding tides in 1839, was twelve feet, as deduced from a mean of many observations made at that period. From a tide register, kept at the Liverpool Docks, it appears the tide of the 11th inst. was eight feet below the sill at the Old Dock, and that of the 12th seven feet four inches. A copy of the above was ordered to be sent to Capt. Bevis, agent to to the Mail Packets, for the information of the officer conducting her Majesty's Mail Packet Service here. The committee then proceeded to the consideration of financial matters, and soon afterwards adjourned.-The Liverpool Times.

NEW BOOKS.

THE CLOSING EVENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN IN CHINA; the operations in the Yangtse-Kiang.-By Capt. Granville G. Loch, R.N.-London: Murray, 1812.

(Continued from p. 571.)

"Malcolm met the delegates on board the Blonde, this afternoon, for the last time. He told them to inform the Imperial Commissioners that Sir Henry would be ready for a conference to-morrow, on board the Cornwallis, and that the day after he would return their visit within the walls of Nanking. To this latter arrangement they, in evident trepidation, instantly objected, alleging as an excuse, that they could not depend on the forbearance of the Tartar troops, all of whom were exasperated against us for former defeats, and might do us harm; that if, on the other hand, we were accompanied by a strong guard, say 1000 men, an ebullition of feeling might excite a collision, and thereby effectually destroy the present promising appearance of a peaceful and lasting arrangement of all our difficulties; so this question is left for the present in statu quo.

"19th, the auspicious day has at last arrived when, as the Chinese say, "the powerful of nations are to meet and exchange the fiery eye of vindictiveness for the smile of kindness, and the red hand of hostility for the white wand of amity.

"Between 11 and 12 A.M. the quarter-deck of the flag-ship presented an unusual glitter; gay uniforms of blue and scarlet in their first freshness, after months of veiled brightness, had superseded the honest habiliments of service dye. A captain's guard was under arms, life lines on the yards, and the little Medusa steamer off the canal-all to do honour to our expected visitors. Three guns, the Chinese royal salute, were to be fired upon the embarkation of the Commissioners from the wharf, and at the mouth of the canal Commander Richards, of the Cornwallis was stationed to take them from their unwieldy conveyance to the Medusa.

"The guns at last announced the long expected moment, and we could someENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 9.-VOL. FOR 1843.

4 M

times see, between the trees and houses, banners, streamers, and silk umbrellas waving about as the boat floated down the stream.

Getting into the steamer, shod in their thick Tartan boots, was to them a service of danger, and which caused considerable delay. At last they paddled up and came alongside, from the steamer in the Admiral's barge.

"The yards were manned, guard presented arms, drums beat, band played, and the Plenipotentiary, between the two Commanders-in-chief, received KeYing, Elipoo, and Neu-King, the viceroy of the two Yeing provinces, and commander-in-chief of all their armies.

"A number of subordinate officers and attendants, besides three or four mandarins whom we knew, from having been brought in contact with them at Chusan and Ningpo, followed in their wake. They presented in their flowing robes a lively contrast to our close fitting, and (I think) ungraceful dress.

"After a few of us had been presented, the authorities entered the Admiral's cabin, and were ushered to a large sofa, placed to face forwards, so that they might see every body and every thing. Sir Henry sat on the left, the Chinese seat of honour, the General on the right, and the Admiral as the host, I think, next to him. Tea, coffee, wine, sweetmeats, and cherry brandy were handed round, the last of which they greatly appreciated.

"As this was merely intended to be a visit of ceremony, no questions relative to future arrangements were mooted.

"Ke-Ying evinced considerable interest in all he saw, although he never trespassed on good breeding, or forgot what was due to his dignity, by asking questions. Elipoo, who was upwards of eighty, appeared fatigued, and his countenance bore a sad expression of mental suffering, which is not to be wondered at, poor old man, considering the many misfortunes and heavy displeasures of his Imperial master, that had arisen to him out of his intercourse with Neu-King sat without showing any outward or visible sign, beyond an occasional smack of satisfaction after each glass of cherry brandy.

us.

"The General was as loquacious as on the first occasion that I saw him, and pretended a great interest in, and examined with a critical inquisitiveness, every thing appertaining to the art of war. The band elicited very great attention. The attendants outside were not so well mannered as their masters; they became troublesome and familiar, after their short-lived bashfulness had worn off. "The Commissioners, at the Admiral's invitation, walked round the various decks; and I was somewhat amused to see the men, to make their messes look the smarter, had decorated the shelves with small jos images and a few other articles of choice taste that they had picked up in their perambulations. Well might the Chinese have exclaimed with Samson

"O indignity! O blot

To honour and religion."

"But they acted the wise part of "laissez faire, laissez paser ;" and even their noisy train were by humbled vanity recalled to a temporary sense of decorum. "No very marked interest was shewn for anything but the music, which surprised me the more, as both Sir John Barrow, and Lord Jocelyn particularly mention their apathy and want of taste for harmony.

"They left the ship as they came, and highly pleased at their reception. "22nd. The day appointed to return the visit of the Commissioners, who were to receive us in the temple where we first met their delegates.

"At 10h. A.M. about forty boats shoved off from different ships, full of officers of both services, all dressed in their full uniforms.

"The Admiral's barge containing the Plenipotentiary and the two Commanders-in-chief took the lead. The others followed as they best could. Vast numbers of Chinese lined the banks of the canal, and accompanied us in their punts. We landed at a wooden jetty thrown out for the purpose, and passed under a bamboo gate decorated with a few red flags.

66

When our authorities stepped on shore three guns were fired, to announce

their arrival to the Commissioners; they then entered sedan chairs, and were escorted by subordinate mandarins to the temple. About a dozen other chairs were in attendance, and to them a charge was made by officers of all ranks, resembling in dignity and activity that which the members of the House of Commons occasionally make into the House of Lords, when they are summoned there to hear an address from the throne. The younger, and consequently the junior officers gained the day.

"The Commissioners received Sir Henry Pottinger and the Commanders-inchief at the entrance of the court-yard, and led them between ranks of unarmed Chinese soldiers, clothed in new uniform, while the Plenipotentiary's guard of honour, formed of the grenadier company of the 18th Royal Irish, and drawn up in front, presented arms. The band of the same regiment struck up "Garryowen," while the penny-trumpets and hurdy-gurdys of the Chinese, were in full force; but the drummer with the big drum, who had an ear for music, took care we should not hear a single note of the tune they played.

"The large apartments were prepared, and tables spread with piles of sweetmeats, chairs placed in the form of a horse-shoe stood round the tables, while the centre ones, occupied by our chiefs were elevated above the others. Our vanity prompted us to think that the Chinese could not feel much humiliation at having been conquered by the description of men they this day saw before them; there were upwards of one hundred and thirty officers, besides the guard, which was worthy of the distinguished regiment it belonged to.

"This visit passed off in the same manner, as the first namely in drinking tea, asking questions, and making complimentary speeches.

"The rooms were hung with festoons of embroidered cloth, round horn lanterns, as large as half hogsheads, made of one entire piece prettily painted, and decorated with strings of beads, and hung from the roof. The floors were carpeted with red drugget, and the tables and chairs covered with scarlet cloth, richly embroidered with silk.

"The numerous mandarins were plainly dressed, which caused an enquiry on the part of the Envoy, and apologies from the Commissioners, who asserted that the rapid dance we had led them prevented their carrying an extensive wardrobe. This could not have been true, as they travelled by water, and brought with them large establishments.

"23rd. The Chinese are gaining confidence, and abundance of bullocks have been, by request, sent to the fleet; they are fatter, and apparently of a finer breed, than those we ourselves have at different times procured.

"26th. This was the day fixed upon for the interview between Sir Henry Pottinger and the Commissioners, to discuss and finally arrange the conditions of the treaty.

"The Plenipotentiary and his suite, consisting of Major Malcolm, Dr. Woosnam, Messrs. Morrison, Gutzlaff, and Thom, (the three interpreters,) besides Mr. Eastwick, (a friend of Sir Henry's,) and myself, proceeded in the Admiral's barge up the canal to the appointed landing place, where we were met by a detachment of Tartar cavalry, and a number of mandarins of rank. Horses provided by the artillery were in waiting, as also the Envoy's guard

of honour.

"Sir Henry landed under a salute of three guns, and a band struck up which set one's teeth on edge. The horse artillery admirably mounted upon Arabs, preceded the Plenipotentiary, while silk gowns and shaggy ponies offered a striking contrast to our fine fellows. We entered the first gate we came to, opening to the north-west, and passed for about a mile up a long street leading to the southward, after which we turned to the left, and, lastly, to the right into the street where the large government building appropriated to the interview, was plainly observable from the numerous flags and mandarins in front

of it.

The separate pieces of horn are consolidated by the action of heat.

"Without dismounting, Sir Henry was conducted up the long enclosed entrance of the outer court, and up the steps of the second (a royal honour) to the door of the third, where the Imperial Commissioners were standing, surrounded by their high officers and functionaries. We were received with much dignified courtesy, and conducted through several rooms and passages of this immense house, into the chamber of audience, a square apartment, partitioned by a horseshoe railing, loaded with sweetmeats of every description. The tables and chairs were covered with crimson drugget. The bottom of this room opened into a court which was canopied by a chequered silk awning.

"A more tolerable band than we had yet heard commenced, as we sat down, a tune resembling a pibroch, and continued to play throughout the repast. Young white-buttoned mandarins handed round tea, hot wine, and sweatmeats, while a conversation upon general subjects was maintained between the Commissioners and Sir Henry, through the medium of the interpreters.

"Numerous patties of minced meat, pork, arrow root, vermicelli soup, with meat in it, pig's ear soup, and other strange dishes, were served in succession, in small china and silver basins, and in proportion to our various capabilities in making these messes disappear, we seemed to rise in the estimation of the beholders. But human nature could not support this ordeal long, and, as a coup de grace, Ke-Ying insisted upon Sir Henry opening his mouth while he with great dexterity shot into it several immense sugar plums. I shall never forget Sir Henry's face of determined resignation, after he found remonstrances were of no avail; nor the figure of Ke-Ying, as he stood planted before him, in the attitude of a short-sighted old lady threading a needle, poising the bonne bouche between his finger preparatory to his successful throw.

"After this the tables were cleared and business commenced.

"The demands, written in both languages, were again read; and, with the exception at first of a slight demur at our detention of Chusan as a guarantee until the full payment of the 21,000,000 of dollars, and a wish to exclude Foochoo-foo from free trade, were unanimously agreed to. The Commissioners were made perfectly to understand that the final settlement of the tariff, residence of English families in the various towns and their vicinities, the future management of commerce through our own consuls, and the entire abolition of the Hong monopoly, were points only delayed in consequence of the time it would require to discuss their minutiæ in detail, but that they were of such vital importance that, if when they were brought forward, any procastination or refusal should occur, it would effectually interrupt the amity so auspiciously commenced between the two empires.

"None of the critical examination into phrases or expressions, so keenly canvassed and suspiciously viewed by European diplomatists, occupied a moment of their attention. All their anxiety, which was too powerful to be concealed, was centred upon the one main object. our immediate departure; in consequence, almost in the same breath with their assent, they requested the Plenipotentiary to remove the ships away from the canals, and to send them down to the river. To this the Envoy replied that, upon the treaty being signed, the blockade would be removed, and when the last dollar of the first instalment of six millions was paid, every town and fort within the Yang tseKiang would be delivered back into their hands.

"Sir Henry then remarked, that as every difference was satisfactorily arranged, he was anxious to say a few words on a subject, the great cause that produced the disturbances which led to the war-he meant the trade in opium. When this was translated, they unanimously declined entering upon the subject, until Sir Henry assured them he did not wish to speak of it but as a topic of private conversation. They then evinced much interest and eagerly requested to know why we would not act fairly towards them, by prohibiting the growth of the poppy in our dominions, and thus effectually stop a traffic so pernicious to the human race. This, he said, in consistency with our constitutional laws, could not be done; and he added, that even if England chose to exercise so