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

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, widow glove,
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, sufficient, I believe, for purposes of
police, would not, judging from the appearance on parade
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, aspect, and
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, ins
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 well 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 hum, 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 :,-..