CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 202, 7 October 1854, Page 6

CHINA.

[From fhe " Straits Times."]

From private letters we learn that the enthusiasm of the Hongkong volunteer riflemen was abating somewhat, and the attendance at drill gradually falling off. The death of Lieutenant My ton, of the Royal Artillery is announced. Piracies were of frequent occurrence in the neighbourhood of the colony, and will probably increase, in consequence of the number of cargo boatmen, who, unable to pursue their ordinary calling, owing to the disturbances at Canton and the stoppage of trade, betake themselves to plundering their more fortunate neighbours. The United States steam-frigate Mississipi returned to Hongkong on the 22nd, from Japan, with Commodore Perry on board, but she brought no further news from that quarter. Admiral Sir James Stilling had ordered the Winchester (flag-ship) to Shanghai, for which poTt she sailed on the 22nd. We hear that the British Admiral in China proceeds to Archangel (Sitka), where his force, in co-operation with the vessels of war under Admiral Price, commanding the Pacific squadron, will seek after the Russian ships of war recently in the waters of China and the Pacific. From-a "general memorandum" of Admiral Price, written on board H.M.S. President, at Callao, addressed to the " captains, officers, seamen, and marines serving in the squadron on the Pacific station," we perceive that instructions have been conveyed to the Admiral to execute forthwith such hostile measures as may be in his power ; especially, the Admiral says, " Great Britain has a right to expect from it (the Pacific squadron) a proper account of the Russian frigates that are known to he now upon the station, as well as of the numerous privateers that is known soon will be." The contemplated "account of the Russian frigates" Great Britain expects will probably explain the sudden-change in the movements of Admiral Stirling, who but recently sent the fl;ig ship to Hongkong with a view of rejoining her at the last mentioned port. The surmised joint operations of Admirals Stirling and Price, if carried into effect, will leave but a poor chance of the much-dreaded Russsian frigates, lately in these waters, escaping the "account" Great Britain expects from her naval officers.

From Canton advices have been received of the threatened fall of the city. Our Hongkong correspondent, in a letter dated l|h. p.m., July 22nd (hut four hours before the Erin sailed) says, " We have just received letters from Can-' ton. A battle came off in the neighbourhood of the city on the 20lb, in which two or three mandarins were killed. The Imperialists' force fled, entering the city in time to admit its gates being closed against the rebels." The town of Fat-shan, ten miles above Canton, remained in \he hands of the insurgent members of the Triad societies, all endeavours of the mandarins' forces having failed to recapture the place. The town of Fat-shan was recently attempted to be visited by two parties of English and Americans, whose reception was rude, and the attempt to open a communication with the rebels in the worst possible taste. Similar idle curiosity was 'strongly reproved by the British authorities at Shanghai, and very properly, we think. The belligerent parties in China evince great jealousy of the foreign sympathy or interference ; while the Chijiee.se generally are too apt to misconstrue the motives of foreigners.