Taiping Rebellion, China: the place in Guangzhou where people were executed. Wood engraving after W.G. Dickson, 1855.

"Horrible atrocities in China. (From a Correspondent.) Canton, Sept. 12th, 1855. As you are the depicter of events passing in the nineteenth century, I send you herewith a sketch in connection with the daily events of 1855. Between 60,000 and 70,000 heads have been struck off by the executioners, in this little space of ground, since February last. Daily, except on the 1st, 15th, and three days at the time of the Emperor's birthday have from 150 to 800 been carried in baskets by their fellow-men, to see the mangled remains of those who have by a few minutes preceded them carried or dragged out of the way, until the ground has become for several inches a filthy composition of blood and mud. Nearly every day one or two are tied to the cross; the executioner, facing the poor wretches, takes a sharp knife, and, rapidly cutting them in different parts of the body, finishes by putting it into their hearts. They are then cut down, their heads, hands, and feet are cut off, their livers and hearts cut out, and, with their heads, taken to show the Mandarins. I do not know that it is likely that your insertion of these will produce any effect upon the natives; but many of your pictures ornament the boats on this river. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Wal. Geo. Dickson, M.D."--Dickson, loc. cit.