htness of the buildings, and the awkwardness of the
Chinese, it was getting head apace: But he perceived, that by pulling
down some of the adjacent sheds it might easily be extinguished; and
particularly observing that it was running along a wooden cornish,
which would soon communicate it to a great distance, he ordered his
people to begin with tearing away that cornish; this was presently
attempted, and would have been soon executed; but, in the meantime, he
was told, that, as there was no mandarine there to direct what was
to be done, the Chinese would make him, the commodore, answerable
for whatever should be pulled down by his orders. On this his people
desisted; and he sent them to the English factory, to assist in
securing the company's treasure and effects, as it was easy to foresee
that no distance was a protection against the rage of such a fire,
where so little was done to put a stop to it; for all this time the
Chinese contented themselves with viewing it, and now and then holding
one of their idols near it, which they seemed to expect should check
its progress: However, at last, a mandarine came out of the city,
attended by four or five hundred firemen: These made some feeble
efforts to pull down the neighbouring houses; but by this time the
fire had greatly extended itself, and was got amongst the merchants'
warehouses; and the Chinese firemen, wanting both skill and spirit,
were incapable of checking its violence; so that its fury increased
upon them, and it was feared the whole city would be destroyed, in
this general confusion the viceroy himself came thither, and the
commodore was sent to, and was entreated to afford his assistance,
being told that he might take any measures he should think most
prudent in the present emergency. And now he went thither a second
time, carrying with him about forty of his people; who, upon this
occasion, exerted themselves in such a manner, as in that country
was altogether without example: For they were rather animated than
deterred by the flames and falling buildings, amongst which they
wrought; so that it was not uncommon to see the most forward of them
tumble to the ground on the roofs, and amidst the ruins of houses,
which their own efforts brought down with them. By their boldness
and activity the fire was soon extinguished, to the amazement of the
Chinese; and the building being all on one floor, and the materials
slight, the seamen, notwithstanding their daring beh