The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-07

Tho Burlingnme-China nlIssion-Amcrican
and British Agencies aud Policy in the Inn.

From the London News, Sept. ISL
An eminent writer has described "John Bull In
some OF his rough methods with the CnIneser as
literally acting the part OF the "bull in u china
shop.n III tue Chinese representatives who nave
come to London on mission which mas for Its OBJ
J"ct the establishment OF larger and freer relation
between taeir nation and the West CHANGED to read
the wholesale charges OF treacnery and dishonesty
put forth by the leading organ OF tue present English
government against the four hundred millions Of
their people, IL must have occurred 10 them that
there may be some traits or Western civllizat on
winch they can well allow US to m0nOpolize. The
vague character OF the attacks which have been
made on this Embassy both before and since Its ar
rival aud their direction toward its personnel rather
than Its objects. are confessions or an inability to
find any solid an iecedent Oh econ to those obe cta.
it has already been authoritatv announced In
America that the envoy has come To England for the
purpose OF inducing TINS government 10 adopt the
treaty which has Just been ratlned by unanimity OF
parties, In the United states. Al examination OF
this new treaty shows that II does not alter essen
TALLY The recent treaties between the Western pow
ers and Cnina but that IN several respects II ex-
pands them-in accordance with their sprit--and
that II makes clear certain points OF those treaties In
which interested parties In China had afected to
ind interpretations at variance wth their actual In
tention. There are, In particular, two points on
which, since the opening OF the long closed doors
OF CHINA to commerce. collisions have 80 often oc-
CURED and Ill feeling been excited that It's EN-
peror aud most eminent men have deemed II best
10 make calm appeal to foreign nations concern
ing them. One OF these refers 20 the bullying
and almost violent means which have been adoptcd
to force upon China systems OF railways aud tce-
graphs That there should he In China an important
popular hostility TO the Introduction OF such internal
Improvements ~ indeed deplorable and there Is
son to believe that some OF the more enlightened
Chinese feel 10 to be This hostility would seem to
rest fundamentally upon the superstltious elements
In their character. III the course OF ages the most
popul0us regions or China have become as vast ceme
teries, and beyond their severe morality the religion
OF that people consists 10 q large extent In veneration
for the ancestral dust contained In them. Indeed
the rock-like conservatism OF China, whose first
crumDlings we seem 10 be witnessing, IL due TO the
AFFECT submission OF children 10 parents-a submits
sion not limited to the existence OF the latter on
earth-above which not even the wisdom OF Con-
fucius could rise. Even that great teacher
acknowledged the right Of n parent to sell his
child, and associated the spirits OF the departed
with the gods In his ideas OF religious devotions.
GLOW vast, " he said, ITS the power OF spirits, An
ocean OF invisible nelligences surrounds US every.
where III you look for them you cannot see them.
II you listen you cannot hear them. Identified with
the substance OF all things they cannot be separated
from It, They cause men TO purify ana sanctify their
hearts, to clOthe themselves with festive garments
and offer oblations TO Their ancestors. worship
the gods as n they were vsiby present Sacrifice to
ancestors as II they here.r We are sutiIcently
acquainted with the popular excitements In Eng
land, and still more In France, caused by the carry
ing or railways through cemeteries 10 understand
the feelings OF alarm with which the more Ignorant
people OF china must regard any similar disturbance
OF the dust which represents TO them the sanctty Of
a host OF powerful spirits that once lived on earth.
The feeling about telegraphs seems to refer to
much more superficial superstitions about terres-
trial and aerial currentstor 'lines OF uck.n How
ever much we may regret these superstitions and
their effect upon the well being Of China their exist
ence Is fact. and tho only question b how shall We