網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版
[merged small][graphic][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]

called, Tigers of War, are, no doubt, terrible fellows in their own estimation; but, take them altogether, from the general to the common soldier, notwithstanding their imposing appearance, they are unequal to contend with European troops. The striped dress of black and yellow worn by this part of the service, and the close cap with two horns or ears sticking up, in some degree give to the men the appearance of tigers.

The principal officers in the army are Tartars, for on them the greater reliance is placed for courage and discipline: they receive higher pay than the Chinese troops. There is seldom any disinclination to enter the "army of Heaven," as the pay thus acquired is greater than what could be otherwise secured.

Large, coarse, blue nankeen trowsers, and a red tunic with white facings, characterize a Chinese soldier.

Particular colours are, in most countries, used on particular occasions, and have a distinct meaning attached to them. In England red and blue are worn by the army, and blue by the navy. Friends or Quakers dress in brown, and black and grey are put on for mourning. White is worn by young women at funerals. In China the imperial colour is yellow. The descendants of royalty are allowed to wear a golden yellow sash, and to use a yellow bridle, but the emperor and his sons alone assume yellow in a dress. Purple is pre

218

WEAPONS OF THE CHINESE ARMY.

scribed for grandsons, and green for the chairs of princesses the latter is the colour of the painted board carried before a criminal going to execution : on this board is written the authority under which he is put to death. Blue is worn by those who are of the third or fourth rank in office. Red is the symbol of virtue, truth, and sincerity, as well as the colour of the highest degree of official rank; the edicts of the emperor are, as I said, written in vermillion. Blue indicates rank of the third or fourth degree. Black is a representative of vice and depravity, and white is used in mourning. A Chinese gentleman in mourning appears as if dressed in a coarse shirt. But now, after this digression, let me again return to my subject, the army and navy of China.

The offensive and defensive weapons of the Chinese army are iron cannon, matchlocks, spears, bows and arrows, swords, and shields; but their knowledge of artillery is indeed very small. Gun carriages have not been introduced among them; all their cannon are immovably fixed in one position. Their bows and arrows are preferred by them to their ill-made matchlocks.

The officers of the army are not exempted from corporal punishment, and it is no uncommon thing to see one of them with the Cangue or moveable pillory on his shoulders. The punishment of the cangue I shall afterwards describe. The triumphal arches of China proclaim her past successes in

THE NAVY OF CHINA.

219

warlike struggles, but the industry and cheerfulness of her people render them better citizens than soldiers. May it be long before they again obtain a great victory or experience a disastrous defeat.

The navy of China is yet more defective than the army, and few things could have more surprised the Chinese than the appearance and power of our men-of-war. Their ill-rigged and ill-manned war junks, or "Soldier Ships," seldom exceed two hundred tons burden, with two masts and sails. The guns they carry are but few, and they are both awkward in appearance and unwieldy. It will be long before the annals of China record such names as Nelson, Duncan, and Howe, or such victories as those of the Nile, Camperdown, and Trafalgar. At least I hope so.

The number of vessels for merchandise and pleasure on the rivers of China is immense,-junks, chop-boats, smug-boats, mandarin-boats, and sanpans without end. An advantage in the sea vessels of China has been thus described:

.

"There is another device of the Chinese which is worthy of imitation, and, considering the increased security it offers to floating property, and the additional safety of the lives of navigators, it is surprising that it has not been adopted by Americans and Europeans, viz. the division of the holds of ships by water-tight partitions. The Chinese divide the holds of their sea-vessels into about a dozen distinct compartments with strong planks, and the

« 上一頁繼續 »