×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 1064
Tuesday, 14 March 2017 05:26

Devils on the Loose

Written by
Rate this item
(0 votes)
Chinese junk Chinese junk Painting origin unknown

In my latest book, Dragons, Devils and Rebels, there's a chapter on what Chinese and westerners thought of each other in the early days of contact. The book's finished, but I've since been reading a biography of an Englishman who lived in Shanghai in the mid 1850's. To his shock, when he first arrived Shanghai had been overrun by rebels, and was under siege from imperial troops. Still, he was an intrepid traveller. One day he went on 'an interesting excursion' to Wusong, by boat down the Huangpu. He and his companions sailed into trouble on the way home.

 

He writes:

'...in the evening we were puzzled to know how we should pass the Imperial fleet in safety. They are somewhat random with their fire after dark, and might easily have taken us for Chinese, if not Rebel spies. Mr Edkins came to the rescue, proposing that we should sing as we passed them, that they might know we were foreigners. This suggestion seemed good and the boatmen were pleased with the idea... We approached some ships we took to be the fleet, and passed them singing lustily. But just as we were about to congratulate one another on our success, the boatmen shouted to us to recommence, as we had been mistaken in what we supposed to have been the fleet and were just coming within range of their guns. 

'So now we had to tune up again without delay...We concluded just opposite the largest ship of the fleet. It was now quite dusk.

'"What now?" cried Mr Edkins, as the alarm-gong struck on board the ship. 'There is not a moment to lose."

'He then commenced singing I know not what. Quaterman struck up a truly American tune...while I at the same moment raised a third with all the voice I could command. The men on the warship were shouting loudly, our boat's crew outdoing them if possible, and the whole thing was so ludicrous that I could control myself no longer. I burst into a fit of laughter most inappropriate to the occasion. 

'"Who goes there?" shouted a voice from the Imperial ship.

'"Bai-gui [white devils]," yelled our men, while we cried simultaneously, "Da Ying-guo" [Great Britain] and "Hua-qi-guo" which means Flowery Flag Country, or America. 

'After a little further explanation we were allowed to pass, upon which my companions began to lecture the boatmen for having called us 'white devils'. The poor men, who had not yet received their day's pay were very penitent.'

This story is taken from a letter by James Hudson Taylor of 20 September 1854, in Biography of James Hudson Taylor by Dr and Mrs Howard Taylor, Hodder & Stoughton, London 1983, pp111-112. 


Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/alisonll/public_html/templates/rt_metropolis/html/com_k2/default/item.php on line 248
Read 2594817 times Last modified on Tuesday, 14 March 2017 09:51

196283 comments

  • Comment Link LarryJoymN Wednesday, 06 November 2024 00:14 posted by LarryJoymN

    Elon Musk was star guest this year at an annual conference organized by Italian PM Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party.
    kraken23.at
    He arrived against the backdrop of an ice-skating rink and an ancient castle in Rome with one of his 11 children to tout the value of procreation.

    Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, and Musk urged the crowd to “make more Italians to save Italy’s culture,” a particular focus of the Meloni government.

    https://kraken3yvbvzmhytnrnuhsy772i6dfobofu652e27f5hx6y5cpj7rgydonion.info
    kraken12.at
    Meloni has been a strong opponent of surrogacy, which is criminalized in Italy, but there was no mention of Musk’s own recent children born of surrogacy.

    The owner of X (formerly called Twitter) was slightly rumpled with what could easily be argued the least stylish shoes in the mostly Italian crowd since Donald Trump’s often unkempt former top adviser Steve Bannon appeared at the conference in 2018.
    Meloni sat in the front row taking photos of Musk, who she personally invited. Meloni founded the Atreju conference in 1998, named after a character in the 1984 film “The NeverEnding Story.”

    Report
  • Comment Link WngUphok Wednesday, 06 November 2024 00:11 posted by WngUphok

    The sites offer information about the drug and price of [url=https://trustmedsusa24.com/]mexican pharmacy wellbutrin[/url] online.

    Report
  • Comment Link MichaelNab Wednesday, 06 November 2024 00:10 posted by MichaelNab

    Cialis for Low Libido in Men
    cialis pills for men
    Will Cialis work immediately on first use
    generic cialis
    Can Cialis boost athletic performance

    Report
  • Comment Link canadian prescriptions online Wednesday, 06 November 2024 00:08 posted by canadian prescriptions online

    Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You clearly know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your site when you could be giving us something enlightening to read?

    Report
  • Comment Link MichaelNab Tuesday, 05 November 2024 23:55 posted by MichaelNab

    Does Cialis Affect Muscle Building
    brand cialis
    Does Cialis help with relationship satisfaction
    best place to buy cialis online
    Is Cialis safe with dietary supplements

    Report
  • Comment Link MichaelNab Tuesday, 05 November 2024 23:48 posted by MichaelNab

    How does Cialis compare to other ED medications
    generic cialis 5mg
    Does Cialis help with libido issues
    how much is cialis per pill
    Cialis and Sexual Stamina

    Report
  • Comment Link MichaelNab Tuesday, 05 November 2024 23:42 posted by MichaelNab

    Cialis success stories worth reading about
    liquid cialis
    Why some people experience no effect from Cialis
    best generic cialis
    Are there any Cialis alternatives worth trying

    Report
  • Comment Link canadian pharmaceutical companies Tuesday, 05 November 2024 23:12 posted by canadian pharmaceutical companies

    Someone essentially help to make significantly articles I would state. That is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the research you made to create this actual submit incredible. Fantastic activity!

    Report
  • Comment Link Juniorimpop Tuesday, 05 November 2024 23:08 posted by Juniorimpop

    https://ameblo.jp/hectorttrh757/entry-12873615564.html


    Hey everyone!

    Just wanted to share my experience with Samahan Tea—it’s become my go-to whenever I feel a cold coming on or just need a little pick-me-up.

    The blend of herbs and spices, like ginger and black pepper, gives such a warm, soothing effect that’s perfect for easing congestion and sore throats.

    I’ve noticed that it really helps me feel better faster, especially during the colder months.

    It’s super easy to make too—just add a sachet to hot water, and you’re good to go.

    If anyone’s looking for a natural way to boost their immune system, I definitely recommend giving Samahan Tea a try.

    Anyone else here a fan?

    Report
  • Comment Link IHSG memerah Tuesday, 05 November 2024 22:49 posted by IHSG memerah

    Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured
    I'd ask. Would you be intferested in exchangiung links or
    maybe guest writing a blog postt or vice-versa? My site discusses a lot of the same topics
    as yours and I believe wee could greatly benefit from each other.
    If you happen to be interested feel free to send me
    an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Superb blog by the way!

    Report

Leave a comment

Make sure you enter all the required information, indicated by an asterisk (*). HTML code is not allowed.