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New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 765, 13 August 1853, Page 3

The intelligence from China, brought to Sydney by the P. and 0. Company’s steamer Chusan, is of the highest importance, and must command the deep attention of all who are interested observers of the movements which are now so extensively shaking the nations of the earth. What had been slightingly called “ the insurrection in China,” has assumed so formidable a character as to be designated “ the Great Rebellion” or “the Revolution,” and has already placed amongst very 'probable coming events the total overthrow of tkc Tartar Dynasty, and the establishment of a new order of things in that wonderful laud. Nankin )and Amoy had fallen completely into the hands of the revolutionists, and they were said to be marching on Canton with an army 80,000 strong. The obscurity which invests China and all its affairs renders it extremely difficult to obtain any satisfactory information respecting the early history of this movement. We find that the London journalists—who, although they had not yet received as late news as that now before us, had learned enough to awaken their attention to the importance of the convulsion—confessed themselves unable to describe its primary causes. Thus the Times of April 26 says, “ To the mystery, indeed, naturally attending all the internal transactions of that remote and enormous territory was added, in the present case, an almost total ignorance of the origin or object of the contest.” It is known* however, that the rebellion commenced some years ago in the southern provinces of Qnangsee and Quangtong, —districts the inhabitants of which have long borne a character for peculiar courage and insubordination ; and that thence it gradually extended northward, gathering strength as it

proceeded, and stimulated by one victory after another over the Imperial forces sent to resist it. Whether it at first bore an essentially political character, seems doubtful ; but it is certain that now the leaders aim at no less than the dethronement of the reigning emperor in favour of a Prince of their own choice. The Imperial house is of comparatively recent dale as well as of foreign extraction, it having been only in the year 1664 that the Manlchoo Tartars invaded the country, and by conquest obtained the Chinese throne. Though brave and martial, and holding many of the chief miliilary appointments, they are greatly inferior In numbers to the native population, and a large portion of the army, and some of the principal officers round the throne areChiucse while the provincial administrations are almost entirely in the hands of Chinese officials. It has been said that “ the nation itself has rather silently acquiesced in the Tartar dynasty, than ever tendered to it a hearty allegiance.” It was amidst such a stale of affairs that the rebellion had gained its present force, and was speeding on apparently to further conquests. The people, ground down by the extortions and oppressions of the Mandarins (for which they, justly or not, blamed the Supreme Government) were pre-disposed to favour it ; and the imperial troops were so inefficient that the young Emperor had issued an edict severely censuring the officers for sloth and negligence, and the army for lack of discipline. His treasury also was exhausted, and with the hope of replenishing it he had legalized the sale of opium. Still, the Imperialists did not despair; they had purchased several foreign vessels and engaged in other preparations for maintaining their ground ; but the probabilities seemed very strongly in favour of the insurgents, and no attentive reader of the last accounts could be surprised to bear by any future arrivals that they bad pushed their conquests to Pekin itself,—the possession of which might be deemed as decisive of the fate of China as the possession of Paris would be of that of France.

The character of the revolutionary army is presented in aspects which, though in some instances not easily reconcileable, are, on the whole, very curious and interesting. Notwithstanding that excesses are charged on them—(as, lor instance, one chief is said to have, or to have had, thirty-six wives, and some are said to have exulted in the slaughter of 23,000 Tartars in Nanking) yet the accounts generally represent them as well-disciplined, brave, self-denying, and even according to their own views— religious men. They profess Christianity —as learned from the “barbarians,” and require an assent to it as a condition of admission into their ranks. A translation of the Bible is freely circulated amongst them, and, we are told, “ strictly moral duties are not only prescribed, but enforced and practised.” One of their number said, “ The Imperialists spread all kinds of lies about us. Ihey say we employ magical arts but the only kind of magic we have used is prayer to God.” As regards the opening of the country to foreigners, their views arc liberal.— extremely so for China. In the beginning of May, Sir George Bonham visited Nanking, chiefly, it appears, for the purpose of correcting a report circulated by the Imperialists that the British power would be exerted for the maintenance of the Emperor's cause. an:l of assuring the leaders that the English would preserve a strict neutrality. ihe “Jhuriot Chiefs” are staled to have maintained in their interviews with him a u dignified, fearless, and independent bearing,” but to haveexpressed “a perfect willingness to allow us intercourse with the interior of China.” This augurs well, should their enterprise succeed. Doubtless there may be, at first, serious commercial difficulties arising out of a revolution in so peculiar a country; but who can tell how salutary the end may be, not only in extending commerce and civilization, but also in promoting the diffusion of Christianity amongst the teeming millions of China ? Only the event can prove what is thcVeal character and tendency of this mighty movement; but at present there undoubtedly are indications of its leading to the breakingdowu of tliegreal wall of cxelusivism which has hitherto shut out the agents of European progress and truth from the mass of the most numerous people on the face of the earth. The coincidence of the movement with a marked revival in England of zeal for the evangelization of China, is 100 striking to be overlooked by any thoughtful observer of liic signs of the limes.