Star.
London, England, 1817-10-31 00:00:00

CHINA.

By a letter from Petersburgh of the Bth instant,
account.; of rather a novel nature have been received
respecting China. Hitherto it has been the invariable
pulizy of the Gclutial Empire to avoid every kind of
direct intercourse %% WI other independent Govan-
ments—ne:ther admitting nor spirding out resident
Embassies r but now, it seems, this system of policy
is about to undergo a great change, Embassies being
desired at Pekin from foreign Powers, as is customary
anvaig the European State.. The following is the
ktter alluded to:

PETERSBURGIT, OC MUER s.

" The Russian Asiatic Company has acquainted
" the Government, that its ships which last returned
from China have brought the account that the
Emperor of CIIINA wishes to see at his Court Am-
" bassadois from foreign Powers, on the same policy
" as at the C 'tuts of Europe, in order to keep up
" con.tant diplomatic relations with them."
What can have produced se great a change in the
policy of a Court and people who have ever boasted
that none of the customs or practices of the C'el:ltial
Empire could be altered ? The question is important,
and, couli we discover the various consid mation,
which must have operated to produce this miracle,
we have no doubt whatever that it owes iti origin to
circumstances rising out of or connected with the late
visit of an Embassy from this country, the blundering
lies by which the Emperor was imposed on by some
of his courtiers, and the manner in which the proferred
respectful gratulation' of the PRINCE REOENT of the
British Empire, were rudely repulsed by a semi-
barbarian.

We think it highly probable that some cif the
essigirionr which followed this dismissal, have added
a little to the light of the Sias of the celestial Empire, by
opening his eyes to the necestity of behaving with
more civility in future; that the Court of Pekin has
made liven* better acquainted with the nature of
European Diplomacy, and, in consequence means to
try its powers of intrigue among the European States,
by playing off the aims and desires of one against
another, as a powerful means to prevent any particu-
lar Power from executing designs which the Chinese
may have reason to think they have themselves pro-
voked, against the Cetstial Empire.
In one word, the consequences which may result
from our late Embassy, and the rule way in which
it was dismissed, cannot yet be calculated. The
effects produced by the broadside of the Atcerrs,
when fired on by the Chinese boats and forts, have
no doubt been reported at Pekin, and have probably
afforded some conviction that there may be danger
in quarrelling with a people whose ships of war, with
a single discharge, can kill 70 and ;Mil 40 men—the
term they apply to those who are wounded.

If we may believe our own eyes, the Corn Harvest
of Great Britain has been bountiful in a high degree.
It could not be expected that after a harvest so unfa-
vourable as that of list year, and the extremely fickle
weather for gathering it into the barn, the memory
of such a misfortune should be forgot, by this time ;
or that the apprehension it was calculated to inspire,
should be annulled. The consequence has beets, that
not a few farmers, and these skilful farmers too, have
cut their crops too green; and w e know that some have
brought them out from the barn, into the sunshine.
to dry them more effectually. This accounts for the
different reports from the Corn Market : never were
finer specimens seen than some sent up to Mark.lane,
yet others have proved cold and moist. The Bulk,
when brought to sale, has proved to be, as yet, imper-
fect tor the miller's use ; and must be kept a while
19hger ; it will recuver, but the buyer thinks it best
in the farmer's hands, a: yd. In the interim, the fine
specimens being lacer reaped, are not ready for sale ;
so that the best parcels fetch great prices, and are
picked out by the judicious. Foreign Wheat, being
in finer condition, feels the advantage,; and the de-
mand has been lively, as a matter of course. Things
must continue in this state till the fair average qua_
lity of the crop can be brought before the purchasers,
and then, we have every reason to hope that the pro-
duct will prove to be of infinite value to us at this
time, and au irresistible cause of gratitude and
thankfulness.

HER MAJESTY has postponed her journey to Bath
till Tuesday next.