The National Register. — London, England, 1817-10-27 00:00:00

liien the LONDON GAZETTE, Tuesday, Oct 2l• BANKRUPTCY ENLARGED. Str-ap G. Aldermanbury, from Oct. 21 to Oct. 23. BANK RU PTS. MALIN9 H. Pall Mall, conic-house-keeper. Oct. es, Nov. 8, Dec. t, at Guildlia/L Ant. Nethereole and Co. Essex-street. SLNOIER E. Corstey. NVilts‘tire. victualler, Nov. to. 11, Dec. 2, at Wanninster. Atts. Nethersole and Co. Essex-street. os: K A3l W. Bristol. baker, Oct. 31. Nov,l, Ike. 4, at Bristol. Atts. Poole and Co. Gray's Inn-square. Itoasox C. Fast-lane stairs, Bermondsey. shipwright. Oct. 25.50, Dec. 2 at Guildhall. Au. Mr. Hutchinson. Crown-court, Thread nesat:street. EST La J. Rochester-road. brickmaker. Oct. 25.30, Dec. 2. at Guildhall. Att. Mr. Lawrence, D.:an-court, Doctors'. maroons. FoassAs J.jun. Mountsorrcll. I.eicester. hosier, Nov. 3,4, Dec. 2, at Leicester. Atte. Alexander and Co. New Inn. Clumsy R. Eden-place. Kentish town. bookseller. Oct. 28, Nov. 8, Dec. 2, at Gniklltall. Att. Mr. Wilde, Warwick-square. DIVIDENDS. H. Scroder, College hill, sugar refiner. N0Y.17. H. PuWord. Berkeley street, Piccadilly, wine merchant, Nov. 13. P. Young, Wapping, ropeinaker, Nov. 15. G. Syme, Vine-street, Minories. merchant, Nov. 15. J. Le o :lre% Somas town, Suffolk, merchant, Nov. 13. G. R tree, Stockton, Durham, simper, Nov. 13. It. so J. Doison,Thre4aun-court,Southwark, hopfactors, Nov. 11. 114'Lacklan and .1. Galf, Great St. Helen's, factors, Nov. 13. Purday, Margate, stationer, Nov. It. I'. Unwin, Shawt.ridgeworth. ilertford, rnaluter, Nov. 29. L. Bryant, Bath, wine merchant, N0v.19. 9. Sach, Great Coggeshall, Essex, tanner, Nov. J. Higgimion, Manchester, innkeeper. • CERTIFICATES. Nov. II: J. and R. Shirley, Worship-street: dealers in earthenware—R. Allem, Stockport, hatter—H. Spink. Rury-street, Westminster. smith-4. Taylor, Creedenhill, Hertford. shoemaker—W. Cotten, Bristol, dealer—J. Cotten, Doncotnbe-mill, Wiltshire, papennaker —J. Kohler, St. Swithin's-lane, merchant—J. Beare. Cheapaide, merchant.-. 1. Graham, Marsh-gate, Lasubt:th, ropemaker. STRAIN BOATS.—An important application of Steam-vessels has lately been made in Scotland, and, we leans, with the most complete success. It appears that, since the opening of the Clyde canal (epwards of 30 years ago), a navigable com munication has existed between Glasgow and Leith, the port of Edinburgh; notwithstanding which, by far the greater portion of the trade between these places has been carried OH by land carriage, at an expense more than double what it might have been done by water. This navigable connimni. ,ration consists of a canal, for 20 miles, and a broad river or firth for 26 voiles ; and It appears, that the obstacle which has prevented :the benefit being taken of such apparent advaii. sages, is the extreme difficulty of comb tieing vessels, which from the draught of water and mode of rigging, would answer for the navigation of the canal, and at the same time be able to contend evilest strong contrary winds in the Firth of Forth. To obviate this difficulty, a company in Leith have equipped a powerful steam vessel, or tracker, r ompletely adapted for encountering stormy weather. This vessel, which is most appropriately named the Tug, is meant to track ten other vessels, alternately, which have been peculiaily constructed by the same company, for carrying goods along the Canal.— But the utility of the Tag is not confined to tracking : she has also two commodious cabins, and from coml • • g the two purposes of tracking and conveyance of passengers, she is able to convey the latter with a degree of cheapness, which tasembles more the track schuy t of Holland, than any convey- ance we have in this country. SINGULAR IIIiIIIENT.—One of the most extraordinary in. stances of good fortune that perhaps ever occurred to any baleen being. has fallen to the lot of a young gentleman, now about 18 years of age, the son of a respectable farmer in the vicinity of Newmarket. In travelling, more than 18 months since, from his father's house in the county of Cambridge, towards Shrewsbury, (where he went to school), he accident ally met with an elderly gentleman in the stage-coach, to whom he was entirely unknown, but who was so much pleased with his company, that before they parted at Shrewsbury (where the gentleman resided), be told the youth that he had been looking for,a person to whom helmight leave his fortune, sod that he was the object of his election. The gentleman thew gave Isieoptn invitation to his house, where lie was always treated with the greatest respect, and introduced to the best society of the place for more than a yeas , and bad a horse and servant kept for him whilst be remained at the school, which he continued to do till very recently. The gentleman being taken extremely 11l within these f•sw weeks, sent for the youth, and repeated his former intimation of giving him all his pro. perty. Accordingly he caused a free gift of his immense wealth tor be legally made out, only stipulating, that in case he survived, the youth should handsomely provide for him during the continuance of his life. He, however, died within a short time after he signed the deed, in which it has been discovered that he possessed more than 500,0001. sterling! What is ;very remarkable, the youth (as we are told) never communicated any of the circumstances to his family, until after - the decease of the gentleman (who is said to have been a West Indian), fearing probably, to raise expectations th at might never be realised. Since the event, however, we have great pleasure in relating, that the youth's filial and fraternal affection has been most honourably evinced, by his having voluntarily given 50,0001. each to his father and elder bro ther. Stich are the circumstances of this singular incident, as they have been verbally communicated to us : tbr the car. rectuess of the whole of which statement we cannot vouch, but the make fact is undeniable, although we are not autho rized to name this favourite of Fortnne.--(Bary paper.) SINGULAR DrscovlßT.—On Mauch.) , iuuw, the COW stable of the parish of Newington, saw three persons dressed in the garb of Jailors begging on Newington causeway; two of theta were lame, or pretended to be so; and the third, who was skorter than the other two, appeared to have but one arm, and the left sleeve of the jacket was dangling by his side. The constable asked them to go about their business and leave the parish ; one of the tall fellows began to be very abusive; the constable therefore was proceeding to convey them auto the watch house, when the shortest went upon his knees and said, " Pray don't take Jack to the watch house, let us go; have pity on my sex, for I am a woman." The constable found that the suppliant was one of the fair sex, and had two arms. and had tied one up under her jacket. She acknowledged that she was an unfortunat e we . man, had lived in Dover-street, but was cut out of baldness by the young ones, and to save herself from starving had assumed men's apparel, and went begging as a wounded sailor. On her promising to put on the apparel of her sex, and to alter her course of fife, she was discharged. ;T *as g. he _sailors ware disgorged on their prom-Wog to data - _ basib THE NATIONAL REGIS-TEA . REVIEW OF LITERATURE. JOURNAL OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LATE EMBASSY TO CHINA. BY HENRY ELLIS, 834. THIRD C01111115310N11 or TUE mu.tssr. (Cmcludcdfrom our lot.) Our preceding extracts having concluded with the abrupt dismissal of Lord Amherst and his suite, we shall briefly notice a few of the chief occurrences men tioned by Mr. Ellis, tram the period of the departure of the Embassy from Tung-chow till its arrival in Eng land. As soon as the first ebullitions of the Emperor's rig e had subsided; he appears to have felt the impro priety of his own conduct; uu edict was published, censuring the chief Mandarin, for not having apprised him of the Embassudoes indisposition, and of his hav ing travelled all night ; he was suspended from his rank ; anti Kwang, the Mandarin who had allowed the Embassy to quit Tien-sing without obtaining Lord Amherst's consent to pertbrin the ceremony, was like wise disgraced, and mulct in the whole of the expellees attending the provision for the embassy. The Empe ror accepted a few of the presents, and in return wilt some articles to the Prince Regent, all trifling in them selves, but considered of great value by the Chinese, when bestowed by the hand of the sovereign. As the Embassy had not been honoured with an au dience, little attention was paid towards it upon its re turn ; instead of Mandarins being appointed to attend upon it, and provide for its wants, this was left almost entirely to the governors of the provinces through which it successively passed: and as all the expellees were now laid upon an individual, the supplies furnished were often very scanty, and not always of the best quality. In the Imperial edict, announcing the return of the Embassador and suite, they were described us persons in strange dresses and were prohibited front stopping, or going on shore ; all persons were forbid den from molesting them, by gazing at them, to sell them books, or articles of furniture ; and the women were particularly ,enjoined to keep out of their sight. Notwithstanding -tins, however, they enjoyed a consi derable degree of liberty, and not unfrequently went into the towns or cities opposite to which they from time to time anchored ; neither were the shopkeepers intimidated by the edict from selling them any articles they chose to purchase, or the women deterred from showing; themselves. On the .‘4d of September the boats with the Embassy departed from Tong-chow, on their way to Canton.— The journey was to be made almost wholly by water ; there is consequently little opportunity afilerded for observations either upon the people or country. " Those," says Mr. Ellis, " who have talents for observa tion, or powers of description, may possibly find wherewithal to occupy the eye and the pen. Alillet fields, w idow g love, junks, half-clothed inhabitants with tittle eyes, and lung tails, women with prettily dressed hair, but ugly faces, are the daily, and unchanging objects, and from these I cannot eke out any thing like interesting description. Wi!li respect to the moral qualities of the people, it would be presumptive to form any opinion founded upon actual experience; we have little private communication with the natives, and, with me, who tun unacquainted with their language, this is car_ tied on by gestures. Points of importance to both parties have been brought to issue; the Chinese have employed intl_ midatiou and deceit to effect their object ; they have failed, and disappointment has produced rudeness. Those who landed with an impression that the Chinese were to be classed with the civilised nations of Europe, have no doubt seen rea son to correct this opinion. The leading characteristic feature is the influence of established usage. The every-day behaviour of individuals, whatever be their rank, is fixed by rules, seldom infringed. The despotism of the Sovereign is subordinate to the despotism of manner; the highest degree of civilization that has ever prevailed, is nearer nature than the artificial system, certainly far removed from so exalted a standard, that regulates the daily habits of this people ; and the only positive conclusion at which I have yet arrived, is that the Chinese are a most uninteresting nation. They are described as courteous in their mutual intercourse, and their rudeness towards strangers is attributed to a bel.ef of their inferiority, and a distrust of their good conduct. Such is certainly the policy of the Government, and such, from the prevalence of the same principles, throughout every branch of the comm •y, are probably the sentiments of individuals. Chinese childrenabove the lower orders, are like other Asia. tics, grave and maniere. The mind would seem to be treated here like the feet of the women, cramped by the bandages of habit and education, till it acquirel an unnatural littleness. Religion seems to sit very easily upon the Chinese. In their feelings on this head they resemble the ancient Pagans; the worship of the gods forms part of their civil institutions and daily habits, but never deeply influences their passions Like other Asiatics, the Chinese are affectionate in the treat ment of their children, and their civil institutions enforce re' ciprocity of good conduct. A son, in China, is never of age, the act of begetting reflects servitude until the death of the parent emancipates him.— " The army of China, su ffi cie n t, I b e li eve , f or p urposes o f police, would not, judging from the appearance on parad e end state of discipline, present much resistance even to the irregular troops of Asia, and would certainly be quite une qual to cope with Europeau armies ; the genius, asp e ct, an d habits of the people have been fur ages, and still continue, most unwarlike, and China, perhaps, requires only to be in vaded to be cony uered." After a tedious navigation, first on the Peihoo, next on the Canal, the Embassy anchored before the ancient city of Nankin, on the e2d of October, which stands on the banks of a large river called ung-tae-kiang, in some places from three to four miles in width. Nan kin was formerly the capital qf China; it is now rapidly falling tit decoy. T so In viva ing this city," Mr. Ellis otArrees, "sulking hem its situation nod ...stein, slid inivin tam Irem ii. 1,„ 1 , i ns the capital ut :In immense empire, I telt more fro eildy the e,etiriency UI lilt (.11' , 1 in every thing. relating to China , fin.. the Whllk. being 11W.1)11111.1'fril with clasocal or chlvalious re collection,. Here are no temples, once decorated, aial snit bearing: marks of the genius 011'14111as ; no sites of Memos once filled with the rificillet•er of l:ievro or 1/m04111(11)es, no plains are stained with the , aried Wood of pollute oat! heroes ; no, it is antiquity %WWII( dignity or eneration, and continuous civilization witliout gt nei usity or refinement." From Nankin the bouts pursued their course, and on the Ist of January, 1817, the Embassy reached Canton : their reception here by the English factory made up for the restraint and privation they had suf. fired during the inland voyage. The greater part of this month was occupied in preparation tin. the voyage to England, and in the final interview with the Chinese authorities. The Viceroy of Canton was to have per formed an important part, agreeably to instructions from Pekin : he was to give an entertainment to the Enihassadur, and to make a speech, the object of which was to censure Lord Amherst for his obstinacy in not complying with the thrills of the court ; and, contrary to their previous declarations, it was now stated in an imperial edict, in the Pekin Gazette, and even in the Emperor's letter to the Prince Regent, that the dismissal of the Embassy was occasioned entirely by his Excellency refusing to repair to the Impale' pre sence when requested. The conduct of the Viceroy was particularly haughty and offensive, but the judi cious conduct of Lord Amherst repelled all his attempts to assume a dictatorial tone. •• It is impossible to rctlect without soon , mortification upon the result of the Iwo British embassies to tin. Coast of Pekin both were undertaken l'or the expi ess purpose of übtuiuiva, i 1 not additional privileges, at least increased security tor the trade ; the tailor, of both has been complete; in the latter nistance certainly accompanied by circumstances of aggi a.„ voted dissatisfaction..... Whatever may have been my pri. vats opinion 111/011 the particular question of compliance with the Chinese ceremonial, I am out disposed to notititain that any substantial advantage Mould have resulted fieut the mere reception of the embassy, nor to consider that the general expediency of the measure itself has beets atlected i.e the course of resistance adopted, in deft:deuce to undoubted ta lent, and peat local experience." It is evident from various parts of this Journal, that Mr. Ellis would have yielded to the required ceremony. We are, however, inclined to believe, that, notwith standing the manner in which the Endrassy was treated in consequence of the refusal, that the Chinese have a higher opinion of the English, and hold them in much greater respect, than if it had been complied with.— The Dutch Embassy submitted to all the forms dic tated to it, and nothing could surpass the degrading treatment it met with on its return. On the 28th, the Alceste sailed with the Embassy from Macao; on the 3d of February she reached Ma nilla, whence they sailed on the yth, for Batavia; but on the 18th the ship struck on a sunken rock, on en tering the straits of Gaspar, three miles distant from a small island called Pub Leat, which Lord Amherst, his suite and the whole of the crew of the vessel suc ceeded in gaining in the boats, and where the greater part of the baggage, anti some provisions and water were likewise conveyed from the wreck. On the fol lowing morning Lord Amherst and suite embarked in the barge for Batavia (distant about two hundred miles,) which they reached on the 23d, and imme diately dispatched vessels to bring off Captain Max well, his crew, and the baggage at Pulo Leat ; the speedy arrival of this aid was most fortunate, as a large fleet of Malay pirates had approached the island, and placed the persons upon it in a dangerous situation ; they had burnt the wreck of the Alceste, and destroyed the rafts along side it. It being deemed advisable to convey the officers and crew of the Alceste, as w e ll as Lord Amherst and his suite, to England, the ship Cesar was engaged for that purpose at Batavia, and the whole having embarked, she sailed from the roads on the 12th of April. They reached the Cape on the 27th of May, and St. Helena on the 11th of June. Lord Amherst and his suite, like all the other visitors to St. Helena, were anxious to be introduced to Buons parte : " We had heard (says Mr. Ellis, so much at the Cape, of the vicissitudes of temper to which Buonaparte was subject, that we were by no means confident of being admitted to his presence; fortunately for us, the Ex.. Emperor was in good humour, and the interview took place on this day (July I). " Lord Amherst was first introduced to Buonaparte, by (ie. neral Bertrand, and remained alone with him for more than an hour. I was next called in, and presented by Lord Amherst. huonaparte having continued in discourse about half an hour. Captain Maxwell and the gentlemen of the embassy weie aF terwards introduced and presented. He put questions to each, having some relation to their respective situations a and we all united in remarking that his manners were simple and affable, without wanting dignity. I was most struck with the unaubdued ease of his behaviour and appearance ; be could 1101 have been freer from embarrassment and depres sion in the zenith of his power at the Tuileries. " Buonaparte lather declaimed than conversed, and dar ing the half hour Lord ,tinherst stud I were with h um, seemed only anxious to impress his setiiintents upon the recollection of his auditors, pos►ibly tbr the purpose of having them re petard." On the subject of the complaints which were some time ago the geuerill topic of converution here. Kr. Ellie °heaves :,-..