The Sun.
London, England, 1818-12-10 00:00:00

LITERARY REVIEW.

EATIVE of a JOURNEY in the INTERIOR -cif ClitNA,
and of a Voyage to and from that Country, in the Years
1816 and 1817 ; containing an Account of the most inte-
resting Transactions of Lord Amherst's Embassy to the
Court of Pekin, and Observations on the Countries which
it visited. By CLARKE. ABEL, F.L.S. and Member of the
Geological Society, Chief Medical Others and Natuialist
to the Embassy. 4to. illustratied by Maps arid other
Engravings.

Of the many distinguished and accomplished
individuals who accompanied Lord AruneasT in
the unfortunate Embassy to China, Mr. A3EL,
from his rare and various attainments, appears to
have been pre•emineutly qualified to promote the
scientific objects of the voyage, and to render its
details equally interesting and important to the
Public. The disastrous issue of the Expedition
is already but too well kooven ; it is impossible
to revert to the auspicious circomstances owlet
-which it commenced, without poigotant regret for
subsequent disappointment. The loss of the
Alceste involved the destroctioo of the most pie-
cious collertioo in Botany, Geology, anti Moie-
talogy ever formed withiu so short A period, the
enumeration of which is an honourable memorial
of Mr. Abel's industry and perseverairce. Yet, even
after the deplorable reduction of his treasm es,
which he so feelingly laments, when, to use his
own words, sickness bad abridged, and shipwreck
pearly anuihilated his materials, we cal' still con-
grat,.late hon on having completed a Volume
%vhich must be considered as a most valuable ad-
dition to out koowledge of China, that country
so remote from Europe, and hitherto as ioacces-
sthie to curiosity as improvement. The numerous
Plates, engraver from original designs, attest the
accuracy of his observations, and the per SVVvlnliCe
Crf his researches in every department of Art and
Science—his general details are always spirited
and "satisfactory. Io the style of his narrative he
has adopted that happy medium between officious
egott.nt and, repulsive impersouality, the curiosa
felicitas of the traveller,, by which lie conciliates
vowi-will, and even ettgagea sympathy withont
bazardiug or forf,iting respect. The progress
-of the Embassy is circumstantially detailed; not
with the technical prolixity of a IlantiCal journal,
but with the comprehensive intelligence of 14 phi•
losopher, wohose sphere of vision is not bounded
by the sensiide horizon, but who discovers new
anti original tracks of speculation in every ob-
ject, every operation of nature. The following
passage, in which the Author describes his emit- '
titms on approaching South America, retniods ns
of the sentiments expressed by the illustrious
;.,Vninboldt iu a somewhat similar situation :
" Few educated men," observes Mr. Abel, " will
apptOaCh a coutory for the first time of their
without reverting to the history of its contrest
and discovery. On making the coast of the New
World, so inter-esting in the history of man and
the earth, every thought most centre in Colour-
trio', all the circumstances of his situation on the
day of his discovery, all the attributes of his mind,
and all the heroism of his conduct, array them-
selves in our imagioation. But as the laud de-
velooes a. its larger features become vi3ible,
speculation is extinguished in a general glow of
undefined but delightful feeling—never can I for-
ge( t incasing but almost awful emotion Of my
mind, ~.hen rising eatly in the morning, I first be-
belch the shores of Smith America expanded before
me. To describe the scenery by words,would be a
vain attempt—the pencil of a painter, enthusi-
astic in genius and in feeling, could alone con-
vey to those who have never beheld it, an imper-
, feet apprehension of its grandeur."
During the detention of the Embassy. at Ba-
tavia, Mr. Abel made several scientific excursions,
which afforded him ample opportunities of dis-
coveriug the amiable dispositions of the Javanese
People—he concludes with this observation,
" thank God I did not hear that any of my coun-
trymen had ever oppressed them ; but Mien heard
and often saw that the Javanese looked upon the
English rather as benefactors titan masters"
From the following extracts we may judge of
the impression which the first view of China pro-
duced on Mr. Abel's mind :

" And now wy reader is perhaps as anxious to learn, as I
was to see, all that is worth observation between la-koo

and Tien-sing; but let me prepare him for disappointment.
No country in the world can afford, I imagine, fewer objects
of interest to any species of traveller, than the banks of the
Pei-ho between those places. The land is marshy and ste-
rile, the inhabitant; are poor and squalid, their habitations
mean, dirty, and dilapidated, and the native productions of
the soil are few and unattractive. The scenery had only no-
velty and strangeness to recommend it; but had it possessed
the attractions of Arcadia, they would have been polluted by
miserable objects of wretched and naked men, tracking our
boats and toiling often through a deep mire under a burning
These poor fellows were attended by overseers, who
kept them to their work, and prevented their desertion, but
.11d not, as far as I could observe, exert their authority with
cruelty, Scarcely had our eyes become in some degree fami-
liarised with their appearance, when they were offended by
the sight of a dead body frighfally swollen, lying on its hack,
and noating down the river. Onr boatmen passed it without
regard. I must confess, that in turning 'from the contem-
plation of such objects, I recovered with some dilliculty that
state of mind which was necessary to an unprejudiced exa-
roination of the country through which I was passing."
" The Embassy arrived at Tien sing at four o'clock in the
afternoon of the 12th of August, the third day after leaving
the mouth of the Pei-be. Soon after our arrival, it was an-
nounced that Lord Amherst would trace a conference with the
Legate and Soo-to-jin, a Mandarin of high rank, on the fol.
lowiog day, and partake at its close of an imperial feast, to
which the Gentlemen of his suite were also invited. We
therefore set out the next morning at ten o'clock, in proces-
sion, for the ball of audience : the Commissioners and suite
travelling in sedans, preceded by the servants, guard, and
band on foot.

sun.

We traversed several ❑arrow streets lined on both sides
with shops much ornamented ; having large and high boards
painted of a red colour, and inscribed with Chinese charac-
ters in litivk and gold, standing in their front, and forming
a gay, and rather pleasing vista. Their various articles for
sale were indicated by a number of euriously•simped em-
blems hanging in roles b►fore them. Great crowds had

i:lanttatheniselves in ever} direction to see u• pass. araongs
- whom the utmost silence and order prevailed; and although,
they exhibited an anxious curiosity to obtain alleep at the
inmates of the sedans, not a single instance of troublesome
importUnitr °enured. Wry fee, women were vbierved
amongst tbem. Those of `whom we caught a passing glimpse,
were peeping from behind the men, and withdrew their heads
the instant they perceived themseltes noticed. A great
Iltiany well-dressed and interesting-looking children were held
up to sec the procession pass; many of them had so little of
the Chinese character iu their faces, t hat they would scarcely
have attracted attention in an Engliih crowd. The men
were generally well made, and frequently tall; and I did not
observe in them that uniformity of countenance which I had
been led to look for in the Chinese. In different parts of the
city, we passed through archways of considerable width,
serving as entrances to mlncipal streets. In these hung
swords, shields, bows and arrows, and other arms.

" Having been carried about for nearly an hour, we ar-
rived at our place of destioation, and were immediately
shown into a spacious apartment, formed of bamboo and
painted matting, and erected for the occasion. It is dif-
fi nit to de,cribe the glittering and tawdry magnificence
which now suddenly opened upon us. An immense-number
of painted lamps, pictures, and other ornaments, in all the
(odours of the rainbow, bung about us on every side ; whilst
a crowd of Mandarins, in their dresses of ceremony, ten-
dered. the 'aoitnated part of the scene no less striking.
" I„ord Amherst, Sir George Staunton, Mr. and Mr.
Morrison, baying been shown into an inner apartment. to
confer with the Legate and some other Mandarins, the Gen-
tlemen of the suite were left to enntemplate at their:leisure
the objects around thein. The room was of a broad oblong,
approaching to an oval. At one extreinity, a projecting
canoprdecorated with scarlet silk overhung a long range
of tables revered with scarlet cloth. On these were placed
rolls of silk and cotton of the most dazzling colours,
in-
tended as presents for the Embassy. The floor of this di-
vision of the room was raised above its general level. Imme-
diately in front of it, two rows of small low tables were placed
on the right and left hand for the feast, having by their side
carpets ;Ind silk cushions for the accommodation of the guests.
Beyond them was it screen of curious workmanship, represent-
ing a vine in foil fruit. The whole was worked in relief. The
fruit was imitated in glass (the Chinese said gems) of different
colours, with which the artist had expressed, with great effect,
its different degrees of ripeness, transparency, and bloom. The
leaves and tendrils, formed of the same material,were equally
well executed; and the trunk carved from the wood of the
screen in every respect resembled what it was intended to re-
present. A table covered with yellow cloth, and supporting
a vessel of smoking incense, stood before it : the whole was
symbolical of the presence of his Chimsee Majesty. All
around this sacred emblem, carpets were laid in regular ap-
proach for the accommodation of its faithful votaries. Be-
yond these, an open spare was terminated by a stage, gay
with all the colours that Chinese fancy could suggest. Pots
of flowers and dwarf trees were distributed over the room,,
and were often mingled with pieces of limestone. Along its
sides tables and benches were arranged for the use of the
Mandarins in waiting, who regaled themselves with tea, ice,
and fruit. The Mandarins were rather gorgeously dressed,
although their external garment was plain; being a loose
crape robe, with no other ornament than a'stork or a tiger,
denoting their civil or military order, worked on the back or
breast. Beneath this, and disclosed by its movements, ap-
peared a silk petticoat, beautifully interwoven with gold amid
silk, iu the forms of dragons and (hovers. Their boots were
of satin, and served them for pockets. Their caps were
small and conical, covered with long red hair, and surmount-
ed with a globe, whose colour indicated their rank. Fans,
pipes, and chop-sticks, hung by their sides ; and English
watches, in embossed cases, were suspended from many of
their girdles. These were highly prized by the wearers, who
anxiously inquired our opinion of their value. Their fans
were not costly in their materials or construction, and in no
respect resembled those elegant specimens of Chinese work-
manship which are imported into Europe from Canton;
being formed of paper and japanned wood, with a few devices
faintly sketched upon them. A supply of these was distri-
buted to the gentlemen of the Embassy, and were rends red
very acceptable by the excessive beat of the day.
" Nearly two hours had elapsed before his Excellency re-
appeared in the banquetting.room. It was impossible to
doubt the cause of his delay lie was arguing the question
of prostration. We looked at the screen with unpleasant
anticipations, as the Chinese pointed to the carpets, and
most significantly acquainted us. that on them we must
knock our beads. At length the Ambassador came and in-
formed us of the nature of the ceremony that be intended to
go through. It was of the same kind, be observed, as that
which he sometimes performed before the empty throne of his
own sovereign : he should bow as often as the Mandarins pros-
trated themselves. He then advanced towards the screen,
and was placed, with Sir George Staunton, Mr. Ellis, anti
Mr. Morrison, immediately before it, having six Mandarins
of high rank un his right hand, and time gentlemen of his
suite behind him. At a signal given by an officer, who ut-
tered a few words in an exalted and singing tone, the Man-
darins fell on their knees, and, inclining their heads, knocked
them three times against the ground, and then arose, A
second and a third time the signal was repeated, and a secoed
and a third time they knelt and knocked their heads thrice
against the earth. the Commissioners and the Gentlemen of
the suite bowed respectfully nine times."
[Co be continued.]