Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-11-04
FROM A FRENCH TRAVELLER IN CHINA.


as the Mail" states, the third letter from French
correspondent, whose original intention was to ex-
tend the series to fourteen fifteen, embodyng the
results Of his observations and experience III the
interior of China but this purpose was frustrated
by the superiors of his ORDER who interposed their
veto, on the ground that as the Chinese authorities
were acquainted with what appeared in the Mail
it might njurously affect the interests of those
Missionaries who are tacty permitted 10 penetrate
into the INTERIOR if it were known that their obser-
vations were contributed to the public press.
Every knows the meaning Of the words by which the
Chinese usualy designate their country, Chung kwoh,
the Central Kingdom sometimes elegant speakers express
themselves POLITICALLY, and say "Chungkwokwoh,'
the Central Flowery Kingdom. is the prevalent opinion
of the Chinese that their empire the of the earth
and you may remember that the first esus who established
themselves Pekn, found this idea universal that
dangerous oppose and they therefore prepared map Of
the world arranged that China appeared in the centre of
the EARTH the great satisfaction Of those who examined it,
For time this ridiculous notion has been going out Of
fashion among theschoas Of certain rank But the peo
pe especially the provinces from the seacoas retain
the old idea that there but EMPIRE properly speaking
in the world and that, Of course, the Celestial Empire
They acquainted with the kingdoms bordering
China but look down these with contempt small semi
barbarous States only too happy tribute to the Central
Empire for the privilege of being warmed by the
In proportion goes up the Of time do find
the knowledge of the Chinese regarding European
appearing and more imperfect. Their most ancient
books however speak Of Of the vest and especially
celebrated passage in which great wisdom and sanci
attributed to them But this was vague notion, similar to
that held for long time in Europe regarding the extreme
Now, however, this Of things very much chang
ed for who Europe does not know something Of the Chi
nese and who in China has not heard Of Europeans Their
name, especially since the with the English, has become
very famous, and the reports Of their victories sound through
the very heart Of the empire
Yes, the of the European well known this mo-
ment by every Chinese mark what say the of Eu
ropean The name well known that of the Emperor
but the thing itself yet involved in obscurty with the
jory Of the people have heard in relation to the Euro
peans the most curious accounts unless you prefer call
them the stupid tae Thus some believe that Euro
peans have two heads the neck like tho Chinese and
the other in the stomach II is further airmei-and this
opinion is much generally heldhat the eyes of Euro
Peans penetrate the earth TO the depth Of three feet and
the bottom of the and have heard the fol
lowing statement most gavey made The Europeans have
written 10 our Emperor to beg him TO allow them enter in
to country, but Emperor grant their
requests. How is this Because if Europeans should
come into country their blue eyes, which pierce into
the bowels Of the earth, would very discover gold
silver and other metals which among the the
wealth of our SOIL and thus few years they would dcspo
OF al our treasures perfectly that such pue
rieS little worthy of attention, yet let you
they have bearing extensive than you would believe
at first Every knows that miserable machines
put in motion al times by curious influences. The
guar prejudices spring up within mans head just the
hairs grow without and time alone is able either
nation yet in its infancy allows itself receive impressions
with facility, often such do not allow of eradication These
popular errors TO which perhaps little importance
tached, almost every where followed by melancholy
suits Such is the case in China They talk about a man
with two heads. Oh, that's horrible One laughs conemp
tuousy for he understands the absurjy another shudJes
with horror for he believes what he hears You hear that
such nation has eyes piercing that they penetrate with
single glance tho soil they tread upon and serious fears
voyance and love of gold by this people, Men, ig
norant and not upon their guard would feel rising within
them towards tho people described estangement almost
instructive aversion, which, strengthened by contact
with mbued with the feelings would probably de-
generate into violent hatred this hatred transformed
into systematic opposition or national antipalhy.
There has been much bad faith in those who have desired
thus to deceive the people, in specializing for their adj
vantage upon the blind pejudces of Ignorant multitude
they have. however but partially succeeded their pedous
designs The people Of the interior do that
tired for Europeans with which has been attempted inspire
them Bot must be Acknowledged that they are somewhat
AFRAID OF the superior intelligence which report gives the
Europeans. The merchants fear the monopoly which the
immense means OF foreigners would enable Them in
many articles the mandarns especially, Unsuitable vampires
dread lest the presence Of Europeans should introduce iro
the nation principles Of justice and liberty which would
der their expressions impossible and, the time peo
pie under the influence the thousand and one caun
nies charged against Europeans and which revolving
as absurd The great has yet these from
the West who make such stir in the world and whenever
their reception the Celestial Empire announced the first
feeling is be that Of aversion but Of lively and
ardent curiosity.
The famous Lin former Governor General Of Canton has
caused 10 be compiled several and papers, in order
form from them history of the important States Of
Europe This work, written in an elegant style, is not so
much true history Of actual occurrences in Europe,
CARRIED and Of the various revolutions
which have agaed the old world The book done much
HARM and perhaps will do for its author the idol
of the Cantonese, his word is an oracle them and his
Writings read with avdity as reveed depository Of in
fsibie truths The scholars and DISCLAIMERS Of Canton find
m this book the weapons Of attack against foreigners awaiting
themselves OF It's peversons Of facts excite and mslead the
people Its direct influence them, however, passing
away and, ke many others anos, unnotced, Lins
pson sought after only by obscure scholars and par
tsans OF the author On its appearance all had expected
find in details regarding the IDEAS the manners and SCI
ences of the Europeans and much disappointment felt
when IL found to be rather incomplete and preudced
sketch Of western politics than faithful and ineligible pic
turc Of the requirements natural and scientific Of these dis
tant countries The Chinese do make much u politics.
but they curious very curious in regard ideas
upon the arts and history Of other nations work such
subjects would have immense in the Interior because
IL must be confessed TO the praise of this intelligent and po
shed people, they admire the ingenious processes Of the Eu
ropcans the brilliant productions OF their manufacturers and
the perfection OF their workmanship
work of this nature has YET appear and il would he
difficult undertaking. The Chinese thoroughly acquaint-
ed with European language andI do know Of n single
European who write correctly altogether inelgbly in
Chinese. Besides the ideas Of this people are different
their education based upon principles opposite their Ian