The above cut represents Chinese artillerymen practising at the gun. This species of warfare appears greatly to have attracted the attention of the Chinese, who begin to know its value; nor is its importance likely to be diminished in their estimation by the late affair at Ningpo, the particulars of which, with all the eastern news by the last overland mail, will be found in our fourth and fifth pages. There is certainly nothing very terrifying in the appearance of the warriors before us, nor in the implement of destruction under inspection, the use of which they seem to ponder on with such a sapient air. In truth, charged, or uncharged, a Chinese gun appears more dangerous, or, at least, more fatiguing to friends than enemies, and, if even captured, would hardly require the trouble of spiking. Should the present state of things continue, however, for some time longer the Chinese are likely to become much greater adepts in the arts of war than they have shown themselves heretofore. They are receiving most expensive lessons, in the meantime, from the barbarians sent out to teach them “how to shoot,” and will apparently have little call for gunnery by the time they have attained a perfect knowledge of its mysteries.
The Illustrated London News, London, England, Week Ending July 9, 1842
