vessel was supplied with pork and with wine, and every man (in lieu it may be supposed, of his share of the vessels, and plundered property he resigned) received at the same time a bill for a certain quantity of money.  Those who wished it, could join the military force of Government for pursuing the remaining pirates; and those who objected, dispersed and withdrew into the country.  “This is the manner in which the great red squadron of the pirates was pacified.”

The valiant Paou, following the example of his rival O-po-tae, entered into the service of Government, and proceeded against such of his former associates and friends as would not accept the pardon offered them.  There was some hard fighting, but the two renegadoes successively took the chief Shih Url, forced the redoubtable captain, styled “The scourge of the Eastern Ocean” to surrender himself, drove “Frog’s Meal,” another dreadful pirate, to Manilla, and finally, and within a few months, destroyed or dissipated the “wasps of the ocean” altogether.

I have already noticed the marked intention of the Chinese historian, to paint the character of Paou in a poetical or epic manner.  When describing the battle with Shih-Url, he says:—­

“They fought from seven o’clock in the morning till one at noon, burnt ten vessels, and killed an immense number of the pirates.  Shih-Url was so weakened that he could scarcely make any opposition.  On perceiving this through the smoke, Paou mounted on a sudden the vessel of the pirate, and cried out:  ‘I Chang Paou am come,’ and at the same moment he cut some pirates to pieces; the remainder were then hardly dealt with.  Paou addressed himself in an angry tone to Shih-Url, and said:  ’I advise you to submit:  will you not follow my advice? what have you to say?’ Shih-Url was struck with amazement, and his courage left him.  Paou advanced and bound him, and the whole crew were then taken captives.”

“From that period,” says our Chinese historian, in conclusion, “ships began to pass and repass in tranquillity.  All became quiet on the rivers, and tranquil on the four seas.  People lived in peace and plenty.  Men sold their arms and bought oxen to plough their fields; they buried sacrifices, said prayers on the tops of the hills, and rejoiced themselves by singing behind screens during day-time”—­and (grand climax to all!) the Governor of the province, in consideration of his valuable services in the pacification of the pirates, was allowed by an edict of the “Son of Heaven,” to wear peacocks’ feathers with two eyes!

THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN LEWIS.