CHINA.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 381, 18 June 1861, Page 3

CHINA.

Our (Melbourne Herald) dates are Hong Kong 21st March, and Shanghai 9th March.

The news from Japan is still interesting, and, so far as we can learn, highly gratifying. It is to the effect that Mr. Alcock and the other representatives of foreign countries have been requested, to return to Yedo upon terms that give them all the assurance of safety which they complained was wanting. The same report states, that our Minister would re-enter Yedo under a salute of 21 guns.

The news from Tiet-tsni is not marked by any event of importance. The weather has been extremely cold in that part of the far north, the thermometer falling below zero on one or two occasions. All the country is reported to be frozen over. It is said that Mr. Bruce, with several officers in his suite, will go to Pekin about the end of March. There appears to be truth in the rumor that famine has been prevailing in that city, and that the greatest exertions have been made by the Chinese Government to have speedy supplies of rice from the south.

From Shanghai the news is interesting. The insurgent cause is rapidly gaining ground, and if recent reports may be trusted it is being marked by a better organisation, which will have the effect, it is to be hoped, of removing that character for lawlessness and disorder which has hitherto cast a stain upon the rebel party. From Amoy we learn that trade was improving. The French transport wrecked here some time back is now nearly gutted by those who bought her j they purpose blowing up what remains of her.

The latest news from Canton is to the effect that Sir Hope Grant has directed the troops there to make their arrangements for another year's stay. The Shameeri site is nearly complete, and hopes are entertained that Canton may yet become something like the thriving commercial depot of oldsn times.

Letters have been received of a recent date from Mr. Wade, who, it was reported, had gone to Pekin, with a view to make arrangements for the reception of Mr. Bruce and suite in spring. He describes the capital as in a state of the direst, deepest confusion. Numbers of the inhabitants were dying daily from want and starvation. The Emperor still refuses to leave his place of refuge at Zehol, though his prime ministers have written to inform him that the only.means of saving the dynasty from immediate destruction is his instant return to the capital.

The British naval establishment and the fleet were about to be removed from Hope Sound to Che-Foo, which is more approachable and has a better anchorage. The journey overland from Che-Foo to Tientsin occupies ten days; it has been done in six on one occasion by courier; the expense is small, with economical management, 12 dollars being sufficient. Mr. Morison had not arrived when the Reynard left. He is travelling leisurely to collect useful information. The French troops have left Che-Foo, we believe, but the naval stores are not removed; there are three or four French men-of-war and three transports with coals and stores remaining. The Sea Witch, Stirling, a schooner, put back from the Peiho, and the Martha and Emily bound to the Peiho, are also there. It was expected that the ice would break up by tta wd of Much •uficienUy to tot

vessels communicate with the Taku forts. The natives all round are very civil, and desirous of trading.