At last something like authentic information is furnished re- specting
the rebels in China. Sir George Bonham and Mr. Meadows, an official interpreter, have actually seen and con- versed with some of them, and have ascertained from their language and the tenour of their morality that they really deserve the name of Christians. They speak with the self-denial and devotion of martyrs, and have all the strength that is to be derived from resolute purpose. Trade appears to be virtually uninter- rupted. But the great problem has yet to be solved—whether the comparatively unwarlike and passive Chinese will prove equal to cope with the fierce soldiers that more especially guard the precincts of the court. Towards the settlement of this problem apparently no new progress had been made ; and therefore the rebels must be re- garded simply as possessing the land which they already cover, their tenure still remaining unconfirmed. Their position, however, offers many temptations for intriguing enterprises from without. It is well known that Christian missionaries of various nations have been amongst them; and a correspondent of the Times contributes the plausible report that Russian emissaries have been propagating the doctrines of the Greek Church, with ulterior political aims.
Earth!
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