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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1912 edition. Excerpt:...measures they changed the flag commonly borne by the fleet of the China Merchants' Steam Navigation Co. to that of the Stars and Stripes. It was fortunate that this was accomplished, for the French fleet quickly became active, and on the 3rd of August it appeared off Kelung on the northern coast of Formosa. After a short bombardment a landing was effected; but, the force of men at the admiral's disposal proving to be insufficient to hold the port, the men were withdrawn, much to the triumph of the Chinese, who claimed a victory. From Formosa the fleet crossed over to Foochow, where a considerable number of Chinese men-of-war were lying at anchor. Unfortunately the mandarin in command was the notorious Chang Peilun, who combined an unusual amount of assurance with the most arrant cowardice. Though warned of the probable approach of the French fleet, he took no sort of precaution against an attack, and was entertaining friends at a lunch on shore when fire was opened on his ships. In a few minutes the greater part of these were either sunk or disabled, but in spite of this patent fact Chang Peilun had the effrontery to represent the engagement as having been a great victory to the Imperial arms. For a time his report was credited at the capital; but, on evidence transpiring of the actual state of affairs, Chang was banished to the Mongolian frontier, where he languished for some years, until he was recalled to China and was given the daughter of Li Hungchang in marriage. While war was thus being carried on between the two countries, it was impossible that M. de Semalle, the French Charge" d'Affaires, could remain any longer at Peking, and he retired, therefore, to Shanghai. In Annam Admiral Courbet was, at the same time, actively carrying on...