2-995-910 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The War in China - the landing of British troops at Pehtang - from a sketch by our special artist, C. Wirgman, 1860. 'My brain...was in a whirl of confusion at the sight of this Babel of people, costumes, and languages. The gallant Captain of the Pearl must be distracted by this time, as he is there from morning till night. Horses kicking, mules getting rid of their packs, bullocks trying to gore you, coolies ay-yahing, orderlies bawling, commanders of gun-boats something in the same line, Indians making various noises, troops landing, horses landing, baggage landing, artillery landing ; green dresses, blue dresses, red coats, white coats, kahkee coats, serge coats, turbans, bamboo hats, pith helmets, puggeries and straw hats; poles, muskets, bamboos, wheels, oars; black faces, pale faces, yellow faces, beards and cropped hair, pigtails and long hair; gunboats puffing, dingies, long-boats, short-boats, rowing, pushing, pulling, and running into each other, the din of thousands talking in different languages at the top of their voices; Frenchmen, Sikhs, Punjaubees, English, Chinese, all mixed up together, moving perpetually with a blazing sun or drenching rain, will give you a small idea of the landing-place at Pehtang'.. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.