terprise gave to the rebellion a serious check, and encouraged the reigning dynasty in putting it down. Other expeditions in different provinces were more successful, and many districts and parts of provinces were obliged to submit for a longer or shorter time to the control of the dreaded Changmao.*

For some years there seemed to be much reason to fear that the reigning dynasty would be exhausted and overpowered, and that the rebels would establish their rule over the eighteen provinces. Some foreigners hoped that the rebels might possess themselves of the empire, found a beneficent government, enter into more friendly relations with Western nations, and adopt modern ideas and a Christian civilization.

These hopes, however, were doomed to disappointment. Camp-life was not found favorable to the cultivation of religion and morality. Many of the better class of the rebels died on the battle-field or in the camp, and their places were supplied by persons of a very inferior character. Their form of religion became more and more corrupt, and the religious element, which was their principal source of strength, became weaker and weaker.

Hung, while continuing to profess great respect and friendship for Christian nations, calling foreigners brethren, and seeming desirous of entering into cordial relations with them, assumed a pre-eminence and arrogance almost exceeding that of the Emperors of the reigning dynasty. He spoke of his own revelations from heaven as having the same authority as those in the Scriptures, and as being of more importance, and, in some instances, superseding those of the Bible on account of their being more recent. His religious views became more

Chang-mao, or "Long-haired," was the name almost universally given to the rebels by the Chinese. The shaving of the front part of the head is a Manchu custom, and was imposed upon the Chinese after their subjugation as a token of allegiance. The rebels, throwing off their allegiance, allowed the hair to grow, and so were called "Long-hairs," this being a synonym for rebels.

DEMORALIZATION OF THE INSURGENTS.

425 and more erratic and fanatical, and naturally suggested the idea of a certain degree of mental aberration. Some of our most intelligent missionaries succeeded in reaching his capital several years after his establishment in Nankin, and were kindly received, but were able to exercise no influence over him. Mr. Roberts was invited to take an office under the new government, which he accepted; but finding that he could accomplish nothing, and that his position was far from being a desirable or comfortable one, left Nankin in disgust.

The character and acts of the military chiefs deteriorated even more rapidly than that of their leader. They began to act independently of their head, and to quarrel among themselves. Corruption and disaffection spread among the subordinate officers and soldiers. The Tai-pings were still able to ravage and desolate the provinces, but they showed very little ability for reorganization and pacification. The more wealthy and influential classes refused to trust them, or to recognize in them the future rulers and tranquilizers of the empire.

In the mean time, hoping to retrieve their waning fortunes, the rebels endeavored to take possession of the coast provinces, and avail themselves of the advantages of the commerce of their ports. They were driven back, however, from Shanghai by English forces, aided by the Chinese. They succeeded in taking Ningpo with very little opposition and very little. bloodshed, and seemed desirous of continuing on friendly terms with us and engaging in foreign trade. They were, however, soon driven out from that city by English troops; and chiefly by the aid of the English, the capital cities of Suchow and Hang-chow, with others of less note, were wrested from them. It is due to them to say that, notwithstanding their intercourse with and treatment by foreign nations was calculated to embitter their minds and give rise to resentment and retaliation, foreign residents in Ningpo and foreign travellers who visited them in the interior were almost invariably received with cordiality and respect, and treated with kindness.

Driven out of their strongholds in the Kiang-su and the Che-kiang provinces, they retired to Nankin. Here they were reduced to great straits; but having experienced relief and succor in similar circumstances before, they still kept up an obstinate defense, hoping that the tide of fortune would again turn in their favor. The Chinese authorities were so sure of capturing this city and crushing out the rebellion that they insisted on finishing the work alone, and the English troops withdrew.

In the summer of 1864 an immense besieging army could be seen from the decks of foreign steamers which were constantly traversing the great river, completely surrounding the doomed city of Nankin. It had for years been emptied of its numerous and cultivated inhabitants, tens of thousands of whom, reared in luxury, had wandered about as refugees, and died of exposure, grief, and starvation. It was now a military camp, and a scene of desolation. Many of the rebels, anticipating the result of the siege, had escaped, and joined insurgent and predatory bands in other parts. Some of those who remained might be seen fishing on the banks of the river, secure from the occasional shots of the enemy, who kept at a safe distance on the opposite side of the stream. It was evidently the intention of the besieging army to reduce to starvation those whom they knew would expect no quarter, and would sell their lives as dearly as possible.

In July, 1864, Nankin, the last stronghold of the Tai-ping rebels, who had struggled for the empire for fourteen years, was taken, and, with its fall, the last hope of the Tai-ping dynasty perished. Hung-sew-tswen committed suicide, but many of his officers and soldiers were captured and executed.

A movement of such vast proportions, and continuing for so many years, though failing in its special object, could not but produce great changes and results.

It effected foreign nations, in cutting off in a measure the supplies and closing up the channels of trade. It has devastated some of the richest and most beautiful portions of the

THE END OF THE TAI-PING REBELLION.

427

Chinese Empire, leaving behind it tracts of desolation, marked for hundreds of miles by blackened walls and heaps of ruins, uncultivated fields, and depopulated towns and cities. The present dynasty has received a blow from which it will not soon recover. Its treasury has been exhausted, its resources drained; its people have become accustomed to the idea of rebellion, and various independent insurrections have been and still are springing up in different parts of the empire.

CHAPTER XXVII.

PRESENT CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF THE CHINESE

EMPIRE.

The Present of China a Period of Transition.—Her Aversion to Change.— Various Causes conspiring to introduce a new Order of Things.-General Principle of Development and Decline.―The History of China a Succession of Dynasties.-Local Insurrections and Rebellions.-Influences brought to bear upon China from foreign Lands.-Wars with England and France. The necessary Effect of a Knowledge of the Modern Arts and Sciences, and of Christianity.-The Influence upon China of the Chinese who return Home from California.-The Government adopts Western Rules of International Law.-Chinese Youths studying Foreign Languages with a View to being Interpreters.-The Policy of the Empire principally influenced by the Exigencies of her present Position, and the Advice of Foreign Ministers and Employés in Pekin.—A University for teaching the Modern Sciences has been established.—The Origin, Character, and Results of the Chinese Embassy.-The Party of Progress, and the Objects for which they are striving. — The present Status of Missionaries.-China irrevocably committed to Reform and Progress.

THE present of China is emphatically a period of transition. As seen by a superficial observer, she appears the same now that she has been for ages. The philosophy of Confucius still sways the minds of her inhabitants. The system of competitive examinations is strictly observed, as in former times. No idol temples have been destroyed, no ancient rites discontinued, no national usages or social customs changed. Still, there are causes in operation, and changes being wrought beneath the surface, which must result in a complete revolution of ideas, and affect the whole aspect of the nation. The present condition of China may be compared to that of a river covered with ice in the early spring. The genial sun shines upon it, and the warm winds breathe upon it, but it re