lieved that it was indispensable to establish in the church of God a religious community exclusively for the purpose of qualifying the natives for the apostolical ministry. But as I possessed neither the funds nor the convenience, or support required for so great an undertaking, I felt compelled to keep within an humbler sphere.

"My brothers and other European friends, however, having heard of my intention of undertaking the education of young Chinese, meanwhile had sent me a liberal supply of money, which unexpectedly reached me at the very moment when it was wanted. As land in China produces twelve per cent. on the capital invested, and houses even as much as eighteen, the suin I thus received secured me a yearly income more than sufficient to cover my expenses. Nearly at the same time I also received two dispatches from Rome, by which his Holiness conferred on me the office of Apostolical Prothonotary, and the living of San Lorenzo, in Arena, in the diocese of Mileto, implying the privilege of wearing mitre and crosier. Encouraged by these various and distinguished favors of Divine Providence, I now aspired to extend my school, and to devote it exclusively to formning native ecclesiastics; but the malice with which my efforts were opposed both by Asiatics and Europeans, soon convinced me that God had disposed otherwise, and that China was not the spot in which my intended institution could prosper." pp. 107, 108.

But we will not detain the reader with the detail of the difficulties against which Ripa says he had to contend, during the infancy of his institution. The emperor had forbidden, by special edict that any of his subjects should go out of China. But, by "the magic power of gifts," Ripa found means to effect his purpose of taking his pupils along with him to Europe. He says: "On the 15th of November, 1723, I at last left that Babyion, Peking, with my four pupils and their master,―myself in one litter, the two youngest boys in another, the other three and two servants on horseback. The wind blew so furiously, that it upset our litters several times, and it was intensely cold. It seemed as if the Evil one, foreseeing the great good which, at some future time, would arise from my little flock of Chinese, had mustered all his forces to drive us back to that capital of his dominions." With the exception of the first day, his journey was safe and fortunate, and is thus described. When we left Peking, owing to the excessive cold, no verdure, of any kind, was to be perceived. In about a week we began to see a few withered leaves still clinging to the trees; and now, on reaching the sunmit of the Meiling, we found trees clothed with luxuriant foliage, A few days after, we came to a country where the harvest was at its height; and on my arrival at Canton, on the 10th of January, we found a perfect spring-so that during a journey of fifty-six days we

went through the four seasons of the year, but in an inverted order, because we were travelling from north to south."

On the 23d of January, 1724, he embarked in one of the E. 1. Company's ships for London, and took with him his five Chinese. Though at first all was pleasant and promising, he soon found himself among heretics, and both himself and his Chinese the objects of their ridicule. After working many wonders and enduring many trials, they at length made the coast of England. This was in September. In October he sailed for Leghorn. And ou arriving at Naples, received the intelligence that the Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda were displeased at his having quitted his post without their permission, and objected to keeping the fiev Chinese.

were

In April, 1732, "after seven long years of anxiety and vexation,” his efforts crowned with the happiest success." It was agreed that the New Institution should consist of a College and a Congregation. The college to consist of young Chinese and Indians, to be qualified for the missionary profession at the expense of the foundation. The Congregation to be composed of ecclesiastics, willing to impart the necessary instruction to the collegians without any pecuniary remuneration. The collegians were to make these five vows: t. To live in poverty; 2. To obey their superiors; 3. To enter Holy Orders; 4. To join the missions in the East, To serve according to the disposition of the Propaganda; and 5. for life the Roman Catholic Church, without ever entering any other "withall the solemniCommunity. The opening of the Institution, ties and rejoicings suitable for the occasion," took place on the 25th of July, the same year. Thirteen years afterwards, on the 22d of Nov. 1845, the reverend Father died;" and "several persons, who, in different cases of need, have implored his intercession, have had their prayers granted." Thus, according to the testimony of the Editor of the original Italian work, terminates the story of that remarkable man, Father Ripa.

ART. II. Notice of the Shantung Navigators, especially of those concerned in the attack on three British subjects at Tsingpu, March 8th, 1848, with particulars of the Consular Proceedings at Shanghái in securing their arrest and punishment. REFERRING to the statements given in a former number, we will now add further particulars, relative to the character of the Shantung navigators; after which we will subjoin some official documents, detailing the late consular proceedings in causing the seizure and punishment of certain of those men who had been concerned in the murderous attack upon British subjects at Tsingpi. In order to enjoy the advantages in security of life and property, contemplated by the formers of the late Treaties, there must be maintained a most watchful and energetic policy. If otherwise, and lawless acts are allowed to pass unredressed, and their perpetrators escape unpunished, the best provisions of the Treaties will be rendered null, and the extension of commerce and friendly intercourse stopped. Especially is it important that the Chinese both government and people, be made to understand that the persons of foreigners are not to be harmed with impunity. This is a difficult and very important task, and it behooves foreign governments and their agents to apply themselves to it with all diligence and earnestness. By all means, we say, let the Chinese know that the person of the foreigner is sacred. The sentiment expressed o this subject, not long ago by the British government, is worthy of all commendation. Mutual personal security must be insisted on. The treaties provide for this; and right and equity demand it.

Arong the Chinese themselves human life is often estimated at a very low rate. With them, perhaps more than with any other people night makes right.' This seems to have been the rule of action adopted by the Shantung navigators. Like harpies they seize ou every thing that comes within their reach provided only they have, or suppose themselves to have sufficient power to keep what they seize. When moving in large squadrons on the canals their course is marked with rapine and blood. Dead bodies, in large numbers, have often been seen floating on the waters through which they have passed.

The following anecdote, with slight variations, has been repeated by different persons; and if it be not in strict accordance with fact, cer51

VOL. XVII. NO VIII

tainly is in perfect keeping with the character of the persons named. On a certain day, and not a long time ago, one of these Shantung ruffians was walking along a retired street in Súchau, when he met a woman, on her way to assist in consummating the nuptial rites of a young couple, for whom she had been acting as one of the matchmakers. She was to be mistress of ceremonies and was habited in the richest robes of the provincial city. At once she was ordered to unburden herself of all these, and the savage man had got into his possession all but the last one, with which she refused to part. A parley thereupon was held; and it was finally arranged that the said garment, the woman's kwan, should be exchanged for his tattered fú or trowsers. In the act of putting off these, while he was stooping down, a heavy knife dropped from his girdle. This the woman instantly seized and stabbed into his heart; and then, carrying the knife dripping with blood, she hastened to report what had happened. to the magistrate, who, having listened to the details of the case, forth. with dismissed her with forty taels of silver-about 50 dollars-as a reward for what she had done.

There are in circulation a great many other reports of their outrages at Suchau and other cities. Wherever they go they act as they list, riffing houses, shops, and in some instances the rich establishments of the pawnbrokers.

Of the six or eight thousand boats, navigated by these Shántung men, as stated in a former article, about one third, or something more than two thousand are now out service-at the least, so far as the government is concerned. Thirty-seven were at Tsingpú on the 8th of March, and it was from these that the men came who made the murderous attack. The boats were anchored west or north-west of the city, and in that direction these navigators have very much interrup ted the intercourse with the city, stopping boats and plundering the people. To such an extent have they carried their depredations, that some of the merchants have shut up their shops and removed their property.

When the missionaries arrived at Tsingpú, about midday on the Sth of March, they very soon saw that there was wanting that quiet and order which heretofore they had uniformly noticed. With what followed on that day, our readers have already been made acquained, by the narratives written by those gentlemen, and published in a former number.

It may here be stated, for the information of some of our distant readers, that these canal boats, "grain junks," like the "salt junks"

and some of the canal boats at the south, and elsewhere, in China,— are family residences; men, women and children live in them, having no other place of abode.

We come now to detail the consular proceedings. Early on the morning of the 9th-the day after the murderous attack- the case was duly reported to Mr. Alcock H. B. M.'s consul. Soon after, Mr. Parkes the acting interpreter at the consulate, was sent to Tsingpú to ascertain the number and position of the grain junks, &c; and from what we do know, we presume nothing feasible was left undone, in order to ascertain the best line of policy, in the event, by no means improbable, the local authorities should refuse or delay to do their duty. At the moment, the British consul had no naval force at his command. Of this the Chinese were not ignorant, and doubtless felt at liberty to do as they pleased, justice and equity notwithstanding.

The steps taken and the communications made, in the early stages of the affair, may be inferred from the sequel.

Some days had elapsed, and H. B. M. s brigs, the Childers, sixteen guns, captain Pitman, and the Espiegle, twelve guns, captain Campbell, had come in and anchored off the foreign factories in the Hwáng-pú river, when the consul found it necessary to adopt his own measures, of which the foreign community received the following notice, by an official circular.

No. 1.

British Consulate Office, Shanghái, 13th March, 1848.

NOTIFICATION

The refusal of the Chinese authorities to afford redress for the murderous assault upon three British subjects by the seizure of the chief offenders, leaves II. M.'s Consul no alternative, but to adopt extreme measures, or per mit the security of his countrymen, and the interests of the nation, to be seriously compromised.

Every amicable means therefore having failed, H. M.'s Consul has given His Excellency, the Táutái, 48 hours, from this day at noon, to produce ten of the Ringleaders in the attack; failing which, such other steps will be taken as may appear expedient to compel the reparation required. In the mean time, and until full satisfaction has been obtained, it has been notified to the authorities, that no custom-house duties will be paid for British Ships The consignees, or other parties, will in each case be called upon to enter into an undertaking at the Consulate to pay the amounts respectively due, whenever called upon by H. M.'s Consul.

Security to life and property, and the best interests of the commerce of Western nations generally, with Shanghai, are at stake; and if no redress be