An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China

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^AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT

AN EMBASSY FROM

THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE EMPEROR OF CHINA; INCLUDING CURSORY OBSERVATIONS MADE, AND INFORMATION OBTAINED, IN TRAVELLING THROUGH THAT ANCIENT EMPIRE, AND A SMALL PART OF CHINESE TARTARY. TOGETHER WITH

A RELATION OF

THE VOYAGE UNDERTAKEN ON THE OCCASION BY HIS MAJESTY'S SHIP THE LION. AND THE SHIP HINDOSTAN, IN THE EAST INDIA COMPANY'S SERVICE, TO THE YELLOW SEA, AND GULF OF PEKIN; AS WELL AS OF THEIR RETURN TO EUROPE; WITH NOTICES OF THE SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THEY STOPPED IN THEIR WAY OUT AND HOME; BEING THE ISLANDS OF MADEIRA, TENERIFFF., AND ST.JAGO; THE PORT OF RIO DE

JANEIRO IN SOUTH AMERICA; THE ISLANDS OF ST. HELENA, TRISTAN d'aCUNHA, AND AMSTERDAM; THE COASTS OF JAVA, AND SUMATRA, THE NANKA ISLES, PUI.O CONDORE, AND COCHIN-CHINA. TAKEN CHIEFLY FROM THE PAPERS OF

His Excellency

the

EARL OF MACARTNEY,

Kniglitof the Batli,His Majesty's

Embassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of China Sir ERASMUS GOVVER, Commander of the Expedition, and of other Gentlemen in the several departments of the Embassy. ;

By sir

GEORGE* STAUNTON,

Baronet,

Honorary Doctor of Laws of the University of Oxford, Fellow of the Royal Society of London, his Majesty's Secretary of Embassy to the Emperor of China, and Minister Plenipotentiary in the absence of the Embassador.

In

Two

Volumes, with Engravings

VOL.

;

beside a Folio

Volume of

Plates.

II.

LONDON PRINTED BY W. RULMER AND CO. FOR G. NICOL, BOOKSELLER TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALL. MDCCXCVII.

vs Il'i7

TABLE OF CONTENTS SECOND VOLUME

CHAPTER

I.

PROGRESS OF THE EMBASSY ALONG THE RIVER PEI-HO, TOWARDS THE CAriTAI OF CHINA.

DEPARTURE OF THE SHIPS FROM THE GULF OF

PE-CHE-I.EE.

— arrival at Ta-coo within the — accommodation yachts there — of — prepared for Embassador— how distinguished from large boats provided for carrying baggage — what provisions supplied for yachts —tnode of dressing them. — Cakes of flour how steam. — All expences of Embassy, from time of Safety of the Embassy in China

its

tnuutb of the Pei-ho

description

the

the

that

rest

the

the

boiled in

the

landi?ig, borne by the Empej-or.

—manners of

—

the

Fisit to

and from

the

its

Viceroy of

— Temple and god of of — Hall of audience by awe of upper ranks Viceroy — of — Embassy proceeds up the river— — order and upon — Conregularity yachts—crowds assemble on banks of on formation of Pei-ho. — Mounds for what — —pyramids of — —Few use— — Burying ground detached cattle—few meadow lands — no — Quantity of piled up inpyratnids— imported from — method of procuring — number of from — Arrival ofEtnbassy — Chinese employed Pe-che-lee

— Ta-coo —

the sea

the latter.

cofijecture concerning ?-epast .sent

statue

Neptune's

the

at

the

tffcct

the

signals

the loiver.

the

cultivation

the river.

the

oj

jectures

the

tridefit.

the

collected,

habitations

salt

illuminations.

fallozv.

temples.

salt

chiefly

the sea coasts

in britigitig

VOL,

II.

it

there

at Tien-sing.

it.

a

20^653

vessels

.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

IV

—Decent behaviour of Embassador landing— — Ceremony implying order parade—fans carried Emperor's person — Embassy of Legate presents Zhe-hol inTartary. —Proposal —The conduct — two persons con— Chinese — Presents from Viceroy whole — — receivedfrom Sir E.Gower. — a endeavouring Pekin. — Character Account of —Letters brought and of of — Extent and population Embassador from Pekin — — upon water. — Buildings of of with Tien-sing— of Marco Polo— ascertained by grain — sorghum—measures of and plants —no weeds. — Lands plant — of — Yachts devoured inundations—and grain — — —Conduct of Legate pushed on — fVhy — of Pekin, of of — — Refusal of — ffW of Embassador's Legate forzvard from him. — Con— passage up carrying kind of —population — Method of muddy —Chinese particular water water, — Tea. — —seldom — Upper ranks luxuriousapplied — any country own. — Story of names

the spectators at

not arbitrary sounds.

Tien-sing.

—Troops drazvn

out to receive the

ubiquity

at

by the military.

oj

his desire to receive the

the

of the

at

respecting the

over-7'uled by the Viceroy.

the

trasted.

theatre

of those

to

Tien-sing.

military officers

privately to

their contents.

the

hihabitants residing

Tien-sing.

the

fields cultivated

the Citta Celeste

capacity

holcus

causes

Thibet

Insects.

letters to or

of the Pei-ho.

Indifference

Abbe Reynal's

in their use of

writings.

—Train

—wheel-bar

Chinese to

attenditig

—

rozvs with sails.

—

in

Indies corroborated in

the

Chinese

—mode of — — Travelling conveyances —A palace of Emperor. — Embassy a ?na?tdarine

travelling

Military, how employed.

arrives at Tong-choo-foo.

of Pe-che-lee

live

but their

history of the

method of saluting.

refining the

to liquors.

to fruits

Ice

taxes in

vessels

of the river.

to the capital

the

relative thereto.

refections

the river

the

the

late, dissatisfied zvith

the

to

tinuation

by tracking.

court

it.

English.

the

by locusts.

to be

by sculling

the

uses

this

other esculent

millet

this

subject to

ly.

suite.

to reach

tzvo missionaries

civil

the

Intelligence

play.

scene in

the

— Observations made by

their departure

the ships in the gulf

from thence for Chu-san.

page

1

f

81

—

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER EMBASSY LANDS NEAR TONG-CHOO-FOO

PALACE IN

ITS

from

ifiterestifig object

— Extent of round Pekin — — Why Efnbassy plain

—

conjectures as to

distajice

slops at the

that capital.

there preparedfor the reception of the tion

PROCEEDS THROUGH PEKIN TO A

RETURNS TO THE CAPITAL.

NEIGHBOURHOOD.

Great plain of Pe-che-lee an formation.

;

U.

its

ofTong-choofoo

former place

Embassador and suite

— temple

—

descrip-

of temple and apartments, relinquished on the occasion by the priests

—principal deity worshipped there— temporary buildings

erected for

— —Among crowds of no Embeggars. — Precautions taken againstfamine— benevolence of — Some an peror on of Tong-choofoo — — —excited a of a of —conduct of Emperor an sun— lunar of —of common Chinese ignorant of of — Their Swan-pan compute and divide decimally— of — a merchandize— one standard have of —Ancient fabric TongChristian mounting beyond baggage and presents

the

—banquet

given

by

the

mandarines. people,

the

Fire engines introduced into China.

the

such

curiosity

account

occasion.

particularly by

the natives

black boy.

at

the

eclipse

the prediction

Projectio7i

the

eclipse

operations

the

eclipses

arithmetic.

only

choo-foo.

at

era.

— Chinese pagodas not placesfor

religious worship

resemblance between the zvorship of Fo and that of some tholics

—abundance of images —

in Chitiese temples

people extremely superstitious

their

series

silver

coin

the

coins

—no

—

points of

Roman Ca-

state religion

—

believe in the transmigration of souls.

— —Implements of —peasantry —industry of husbandry— for of animals men. — women —held of kindred— — Near want—never of

— Death and funeral

of an artificer belonging to the Embassy

Chinese burying ground.

kept

-jood

the

— Spoiled

in subjection by the

not suffered to be in

common.

horses

tillage

Ties

lose sight

relations

each other.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

baggage— method of carrycarry — an inn— Pekin — avenue Magnijicent ing heavy packages. — triumphal suburbs and walls of Pekin —gate — width of —splendid shops—funeral and marriage gateways— ornamented —kept hack by —crowds assembled on various —Wall of Imperial palace—glimpse of Imperial palace and — Lake covered with nympbcea nelumbo— gardens. — Immense —Pass western Library of foreign manuscripts — Tartar — near suburb —granite road an gate — decorated Embassador Hai-tien intended for of — Hall of audience Tuenwith Chinese drazuings— — made Emperor— nnn-yuen — throne for Etnperor— adoration Deity cojfounded with name of of — Proposal Embassador perform paid English preupon ceremony of adoration. — Chinese — Conduct of Russian Embassador ceremony — and — of prostration of former Dutch Embassadors — Mistrust of Tartars against English — with China. — Conan encountered three thousand

men employed

the

to

halt at

to

the streets

roofs

occasions

processions

the

soldiers.

the

bell.

the

ladies.

Villa

contiiiued.

extensive

into

the

the reception

at

their defects.

the

the latter.

the

to

the

to

relative

sents.

to

the

their

to

in establishing

be

tion

—

the

the

ditions proposed by the

the

the

ijiscription

quences.

it

the

that

the

to

before

offerings

conse-

difficulties

iyitercourse

Embassador on being urged

of prostra-

to act

— —A Portuguexe Jesuit proposed native preferred. — Embassy —Chinese a palace — of

diffculty of having those conditions translated into Chinese.

Missionaries visit the Embassador. as interpreter

removes

to

— Embassador' —lodged

Pekin

s

iiiterpreter

description

in

Christian employed as translator by

ing papers into the Chinese language addressed

for

the

to the

Emperor

to be

— intended Pekin. — Gunpowder belonging

prime minister. kept at

it.

—process of renderdelivered at court—paper

Embassador

Field-pieces

as presents to the

Em-

— Taste of Chinese for — — Annual ceremony of Extent of Pekin — Chinese and Tartar plough. — Temple consecrated heaven — Emperor's

bassy demanded.

the

British inanufactures.

cities.

directing the

to

to

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Vll

— Contrast of Pekin with European — Property oj people. — Tribunals of jluctuating China. — Three em— hoiv conjerred— pire— required — Principles conduct ofpublic for them — how — government. — Introduction of Tartars public of —Conduct of — Population—dwellings^food— — —Security, and — China of populous—from what causes — early marriages. — Children bound parents—infants abandoned sometimes by authors of maintain thereupon—females beings— exposed— —of Missionaries —such exposed of government on the earth.

capitals.

classes

in

their fu?ictions

the

ciualiflcations

offices

in the

ascertained.

steadiness

affairs

the

into

healthiness.

offices.

the city

police

natives.

the

Jiatives healthy.

to

their

refections

their

attention

chiefly

the occasion

the

in-

fants as are saved by the latter bred Christians, and aid the Missionaries in the conversion

the Missionaries

Embassador

—

—

of other Chinese.

concerts of

—

brought by him admired trait of a

— Conduct —

services rendered by them.

European music at

and character of

Visits of Chinese to

his hotel.

young English Duke.

—

Objection of Chinese to the

an English chariot with an elevated box for coachman.

for journey the

into Tartary.

Embassador.

—

—Presents

observation of a Chinese on seeing the por-

— Gracious

message from

the

Emperor

to

List of plants collected in province of Pe-che-lee.

page 82

CHAPTER

to 167.

III.

JOURNEY TO THE NORTHERN FRONTIER OF CHINA.

WALL.

form of

— Preparations

VISIT TO THE EMPEROr's COURT

VIEW OF THE GREAT

AT HIS SUMMEr's RESIDENCE IN

TARTARY.

Road beyond Pekin carriage

—

its

side of the road.

num

— travelled

by the

Embassador

commodiousncss admired by the Chinese

—a green

— A dye,

dye,

like indigo,

from a

colutea

—

made from

—

in

an English

culture on each

a species of polygo-

all plajits converted to tise by

OF CON'lENTS.

found amongst them. — Course of —animals of burden used upon road —palaces regular stages on road for Emperor— Embassy —general them by of them. — Mineralo—how cured — how used. — Hegical remarks. — Tobacco —strata of mountains — — of of between Tartars and Chinese — ornaments offemales— —Distant view of great wall — offlowers — beggars on —buildings erected on where carried— of milar accounts elsewhere —present of Chinese wall —period of — on completion — of wall —military wall not passed by Marco Polo —pass leading —Koo-pe-koo — parade — and post — of — dimensions, and wall— examination towers and battlements — measurements of them. — Conjecture on ancient knowledge of gunpozvder China —inferences as Chinese

—succedanea for road

rivers in the

those not

Tartary

to

this

the

the

at

description

invitation

stops at

cultivated

bridges.

the

the hills

scription

Traits

cul-

difference

the roads.

ture

occasion

its

construction

si-

state

the credibility

reflections

its

historical assertions to the

description

military

such

its

of,

visit to,

structure,

?naterials

its

the

in

to the state

of the Chinese government at the period of constructing the great xvall

—

still

sides of

it,

a line of demarcation between the inhabitants on different tho all obedient to

wards Tartars of

the com-t.

—Respect of Chinese —Animals —pe—Tartar — Gehunting

Emperor.

— Vegetation

to-

in Tartary.

— manner of them. dog. — Swelled neck common Tartary—nature mind. — Hills —perpendicular rock — height of mounof — —Arrival of Embassy at Zhe-bol— croxvds — dress of Lainas. — — Conduct of Legate —of Thibet General— disEmbassador

culiar species of hare

neral situation of roads. it

in

affects the

tains.

s

hotel.

cussion on ceremony of reception.

without delay

—

— Colao desirous

to see

Embassador

his Excellency being ifidisposed, Colao visited by

nister Plenipotentiary

—

origin of Colao' s sudden elevation—fall

held in presence of

Mi-

— — returnto power. — Conference

indifferent apartments of Colao in the palace

many persons

with ceremony of prostration

—

—Embassador

solicited to

reports on bis resistance.

comply

—Excursion of

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

some getitlcmen of river near Zhe-hol

the

—

Embassy

in the environs

of Zhe-hol

received.

mutual

satisfaction.

—Conference

character of Colao to the throne.

successor

—

—

—suspected of aspiring

adviser put to death

—

it.

to

make

—reasonsfor

— — Dresses

to appoint his

?iot following it,

published

Alt the branches of the Imperial family attend prechoice of

obtained the throne.

Embassador

Emperor

—great

to

tent

great tent

prepared for the purpose

—what persons admitted

and distinguished letter

—

into

of Embassador and Minister Plenipotentiary on the

occasion, conformable to Chinese ideas of propriety.

King's

family succeed

distinction

arrival of

cious

his

Emperor

denoting Emperor's Embassador— no — Story how Emperor'sfather — Public

presejitation of

zvhy

graciously

betiveen

sentation of

a successor.

ofreceptioti

to

Indiscreet advice given to the

by the Emperor.

in

— Ceremony —Presents brought Zhe-hol Embassador and Colao —manners and

a pyramid, overlooking the Imperial gardens. settled to

—gold

zvhimsical objection against the straJigers visiting

— short

reception of British

speech of

Emperor

— Emperor's gra-

Embassador, and of

—presents

offered by

the

Em-

— —

bassador and Minister to Emperor, and those given by Emperor 7iotice

taken by him of an

English youth who understood Chinese.

—probable of ceremonies —Handsome compliment of Emperor towards Britannic Majesty — appearance — manners — age — of Em-

Banquet given by Emperor

origin

in

use

towards the Emperor. his

peror court.

health

—presents

sent by

him

to

—All intercourse between

Embassador after different ranks

his return from,

accompanied by

—

offer-

from inferiors, and donations from superiors. Second meeting his civility to Embassador. 'with Emperor Invitation to visit the Im-

ings

—

— — accompanied by Emperor's Ministers and by Thibet General— character of latter^robable occa— Description of Imperial gardens — of of — intended conference Colao prevented by of Embassador's physician — nature of complaints — of Chinese

perial gardens of Zhe-hol

oj

state,

sion

the

his dislike

the E?iglish. zvith

illness

consults

VOL.

his

II.

b

the latter

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

X medical opinions

addressed to

Legate

how

to

and practice.— Letter prepared by Embassador,

Colao

—how

— account

translated and copied

of his

degradation

letter forwarded to Colao.

bration of

— All

Emperor's birthday

—

still

business suspended during cele-

—ceremonies

Majesty— himself not

praise of his Imperial

— why not delivered —

however employed

and solemn

fnusic

in

during the whole

visible

great Lama temple — accompanied by — description of temple— erected by Ejuperor at a vast expence— accountedfor — his enthusiasm accotnpafiied by great talents —large assemblage at court, political — number of troops, of man-

day.— Embassador's

visit

to

Sun-ta-Zhin

his

darines, assembled on the occasion of his awiiversary

and

tainments exhibited before the Emperor,

day time—figured ballets

Fireworks

in the

pantomime

in the ladies' theatre.

an Englishman— indulged Emperor's observation

to

— Ladies

the

in

— variety of entermale courtiers —

— dancing— tumbling — — curious to see

concealed

instance of

Embassador on

his

an English youth.—

occasion of his

public spectacles— his arrangement in public affairs, &c.

of his leisure

— character of his writings — — —

tasle.

assisting at

— employment

— Departure of Tartar

from Zhe-hol their condition. Supposed descent of Emperor from Gengis-Khan—long reign of Che Ji- Lung — extent of his princes

dominions

—considered

as

a Tartar, tho born in China

—guarded

— why preference given them — antipathy between them and Chinese. — Strict and successful government of Tartar dynasty — views and system of Emperor's government — of resigning a successor inclined the throne, the same system. — His male descendants. — Festival concluded at Zhe-hol. — Emperor prereturn into China— pares be preceded by Embassador. — Favourthe able answer Colao a former message. — Latifrom chiefly by

Tartars

to

inte?ition

to cotitinue

to

to

to

to

tude of Zhe-hol.

letter

the

to

— List of plants growing

between

it

and Pekin.

Page 168

to

276.

i

ABLE or CONTENTS.

CHAPTER RETURN TO PEKIN.

IV.

OBSERVATIONS AND OCCURRENCES THERE, AND AT YUEN-MIN-YUEN.

Departure from Zhe-bol.

— Difference

Embassadors, at the Chinese court. travel on road allotted to courtiers.

of treatment

— British

to

different

Embassador allowed

to

— Particular road reserved for the

— a common road for all other travellers .— Embassy arrives — Fresh instance of jealousy of Chinese in regard divert travellers from pursuing objects of foreigners. — Contrivance Emperor

at

Koo-pe-koo.

to

to

curiosity.

— Delicacy

of Chinese, that no person be allowed

within the preciftcts of any of the Imperial palaces. ?nent of an European, by a Chitiese physician. at

Pekin.

hotel,

— Secluded

during

Europeans. lish left

his

life

of those

left

Tartary.

absence in

— Occupations at Pekin

— Arrival

of Efnbassy

by the Embassador in his

— Mistrust

of Chinese of all

and Tuen-min-yuen of

the

the Chinese.

— Incident

Embassador on

of the Embassy.

— Linen

used by

little

which gave offence.— Honours paid

his return to Pekin.

Eng-

— Soap

behind during his Excellency's absence at Zhe-hol.

manufactured for the use

expire

to

— Medical treat-

to

the

— Usual time for an Embassy

to

— Embassador's speedy departure expected— adjustment of presents previous that event. — Ingenuity of Chinese workmen. — Considerations infavour of the remote antiquity of arts in China. —peculiarity inform of utensils for several trades China — instanced remain

in China.

to

in

in

anvil

— bellows —plane .— Probable progress

gunpowder—printing. — Simplicity types

the

change of government

state.

—

in

arts—

of Chinese printing— no moveable

—why. — Pekin gazettes— Chinese

vate plots against

in the refined

literature

— Disposition

different

—no

libels,

of Chinese

classes

—

ivby.

—

but pri-

towards a lis

security

TABLE OF CONXi-NTS.

Xll

—

founded on patriarchal system. Steadiness of Chinese governynent principles favourable to the monarch diffused among the people

— Palaces superior Pekin — Chinese Jupiter or tbimderer. — Gaj-dcns of

sacred honours in his favour.

— Household

gods.

to tetnples in

— Elephafits — Painting and sculpture — observations concertiing them. — of Imperial eunuchs — why preferred— how made — at what ages.

Tuen-min-yuen. bred in China

— —

indifferent. Officers

household chiefly

Surgical operations less dangerous in China than in the north of

— Persons—conduct— of eu— Ladies removed —attend death of by parents new Sovereign. — Conof Emperor— — arrangement — Eunuchs feared by Europe—from

zvhat causes.

nuchs

the ladies

disposition

the palace.

others offered

after

to the

the missionaries

cubines.

7iew

of presents by their direction at Tue?i-mi}i-yuen, on the expected

— Embassador went to meet him —procession. — Comparison of Chitiese and Eu?'opean carriages. — Emperor's examination of European presents — his probable sentiments of the Em-

arrival of the Emperor.

bassy.

— Embassador

with the great Colao.

invited

— Visit

to

Tuen-min-yuen

of Etnbassy

to

— conference

there

Imperial palace in Peki?i

— ceremonies and conference there—farewell presents. — Thoughts a person long resident in China, as to the character of the people

of

and

— —

government of that country. Intelligence received by Embassador of impending war with France bis determination to depart without delay in order to convoy, in the Lion, the fleet to to leave

Pekin.— Climate of that capital.

CHAPTER

Europe—preparing Page 277 to 339.

V.

DEPARTURE FROM PEKIN. JOURNEY TO HAN-CHOO-FOO, PARTLY UPON THE IMPERIAL GANAL. Principal

mode of

become shallow

in

early in the wi?iter

travelling in China.

— Northern rivers of China —

end of autumn—from what cause. Freeze —Ceremonies on Embassy departing from Pekin

the

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

— by ivhom accompanied—sets out by land — road constantly crowded — occasion

ofit.

— Processioji offunerals — marriages. — Sentime?its tothe high

wards parents.— Structure near

road.

— Dece7it

manners

— Arrival — variety of

of Chinese —co?itrasted with those of so?ne other countries.

— Dress

at Tong-choof^oo.

Chinese deities

to

— cotnpared with those of other nations—foreign

adopted by Chinese.

easily

of troops— guardian spirits

— Neglect of forefathers China. — of Sect

progress of Christianity in

chief

deities

obstacle

Tao-tse, or Lao-koun.

— Embassy embarks — already growing shallow. — Dryness and — Warmth — heat of autumn — of weather. — Interviews with Su)i-ta-Zhin — extract of from Emperor — character rivers

harvest.

serenity

letters

and

Sun-ta-Zhin

disposition of

for Embassy

— View

—general utility

— circumstances becoming favourable

of such intercourse between sovereigns.

of the country along the river

culture of the soil

—

subsistence of the people

—plough —temperature of the air—description

— of

— of men. — Cheerfulness of — General description of towns— villages — under protection of particular —Astrofiofny cultivated early by Chinese—degenerated astrology —connected with — No Sabbath, or periodical day of — Festivals— New year. — Lower retain health and strength — How taxed—exempt from longer than elsewhere — dues—some taxes received kind. — Culture of wheat. — Drill barges. — Feast of full track husbandry. — Labourers pressed moon. — Province of Shan-tung. — Cotton. — Pagodas. — Embassy enthe Imperial canal — of it—floodgates—fatal accident character Embassy — some spectators of passage of lower class of wojnen

harvest.

the

stars.

into

religion.

rest.

classes

ecclesi-

zvhy.-

astical

in

the

to

description

ters

the

to

of Chinese

trait in

the

—popidousness along the

banks of the canal.

—

Co7ijectures

on origin of the fuountains and of the plains of Pe-che-lee and Shajitung.

— How

birds.

Imperial canal supplied

— Nenuphar,

— how

or nymphcea nelumbo.

not suffered to liefallon'.

constructed.

— Culture

of

— Various methods of catching

— Fishing

rice.

fish.

— Layid — Food

.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

— Method of catching waterfowl. — Palma —borrow upon pledges, and — Some lands near canal swampy and uncultivable high — — Canal seldom — but general — it—proprevious — of —resemble made other nations of such — — and nature ofTellozv of and Cbristi oil.—'

of C/miese.

Common

the

interest.

the latter

rapidity

bable origin

to crossifig

sacrifices

those

sacrifices

in

mud wafted down

by

it—progress of such mud

— Occasional — Favourable

bason of the Tellow sea.

Embassador.

calculation

river

course, length,

times

crosses Tellozu

perfectly level

fertile.

in

river

at

people frequently distressed

visits

disposition of

tozvards filling the

between Sun-ta-Zhin and

Emperor increased

in con-

sequence of Sun-ta-Zhin's representations of the real views of the

— Pleasant

Embassy.

on

scene

the

caiial.

— Lake

of

Pao-yng.— and on

Chinese method of raising crops of vegetables upon the water,

— Prejudice against Tartars. — Few Chinese — culture—for feeding worms — method of great river of Tang-tse-kiajig— course raising them. — Canal —golden Tellow and great between and of — — Nankeen cotton — natural midst of mountain — Arrival at Sou-choo — de— Bridges over some parts of — Tai-hoo lake — Tallow place— of of —Approach — Instance of Chinese economy use of — from new Viceroy of Canton — Han-choo-foo. — colonize.

marshy grounds.

Mulberry

trees

silk

their

crosses

exte?it

it

rivers

the

tract

the latter.

in

colour.

its

the canal.

scription

the ladies there.

the

in

trees.

Of 1-anks andfamilies in

China.

—

— Rewards and punishments. — Limits

powers of monarchy. Character of Viceroy. Sban-tung and Kiang-nan. to

to

cajidles.

his character.

Visit

—

Lisst

of plants

P^g^ 34°

to

iji

438.

TABLE OF CONTKNTS.

CHAPTJiR

VI.

HAN-CHOO FOO, JOURNEY FROM TIIKNCE TO CHU-SAN: AND ALSO TO CANTf)N. PASSAGE OF THE

ION AND HINDOSTAN FROM THE FORMER TO THE LATTER,

I

— —of

Description of Han-choo-foo

of the

men

at Han-choo-foo

mus Gower.

—

— Some persons of — former

Tombs

go

to

dress

Chu-san

to

— — Vale of — Instance of Chinese jealousy and alarm. — JourChu-s-an — country described—lands highly the

to be

Viceroy of Canton.

—

accompajiied by Su?i-ta-Zhin

Visit to

Sec-hoo lake

described.

ney of party

—

the sea

it

Embassy destined

the

others to Canton

the latter by

— and — Intelligence of Sir Eras-

river between

the ladies.

to

cultivated

zvaste lands forfeited to the

—passage between canals of dif-

— near Chu-san. — Exemptions — Departure of Sun-ta-Zhin

ferent levels confirmed.

crown

arrival

to

to ship

Hindostan

return to Pekin

— depar-

— Honours — paid and arms of Embassador. — Tartar cavalry — —chain of along Description of barges on Han-choo-foo — — —camphor —camphor drug. — of Embassadors from Licu-kieu Islands— —man— Neighbourhood of Han-chooners—account of Licu-kieu —system snaking planted with canes — foo — Hills—how< — Tea-plant— sugar. — Chinese —form of plant—method of — Cha-wha, — what — Maor Camellia Sesancjua — for found near for making porcelain —nature of them — number of furnaces for baking porcelain one place — dedicated — Embassy meets with bad weather for genius of —Land — frequented. — Intercourse time—cause of ture of other party

from Han-choo-foo

toivards Canton.

dress

to

troops.

river

the river

cultivatio?i ofvallies

bills

tree

trees

Visit

their dress

Islands.

river

their cultivation

suited to

its

culture

soil

curijig

^cultivated

terials

in

cultivated.

fruits.

its oil

in

it.

portion.

the river

in

the

it.

betiveen Viceroy

mer.

to

the first

fire.

— Mode

jour?iey

little

and Embassador—favourable

disposition of the for-

of travelling by land—face of the country

—

conical

TABLE OF COXTEXTS.

—how — Population. — converted — kind— managed—how used— —manure how — how preserved—how of tnamire — History of chain-pump — forms. — Embassy of bouse where examined for degrees—nature of such lodged —Converexaminations — importance of degrees — and Embassador— of Slopes

hills.

seeds

cultivated

into terraces

zvhat

collected

hozv

supplied.

deficiency

lands.

Irrigatiofi

different

its

students

in

utility to the state.

roy

—pleased

that

a7i

Vice-

delicate situation

sation betweeji Viceroy

with his Excellency' s sentiments—proposal of Viceroy

intercourse should be continued betweefi the sovereigns oj

— Em—excursions ashore — insolence of some Chinese —reprobated by Viceroy and mandarines. — — and pimishments — torture —revision of Chinese the government — crimes occasioned Maxims of humanity prevalent — Slavery. — by famine. — Jails — temporary confinement for England and China

—

bassy re-embarks on

its

ansiver.

— Viceroy

zvrites to Etnperor.

way towards Canton

sentences.

trials

in

debt.

— Emperor —why. — Bribes— —Jusimportation of

Fraudule?it debtor to the crown punished capitally rest

ahvays the first object—few

Salaries of magistrates. tice

s

— Effect of

the

inte-

presents.

civil suits

silver.

leans tozvards Tartars—few of them in southern provinces.

Embassy proceeds ing country

to

Poy-ang

lake

—

description of

—of

—

Jieighbour-

—Arrival the neigbourhood — resources of —description of admirable machine for watering in

inhabita?its.

of sugar plantations

— made — Bamboo plant

the cane

grounds

raised by

it.

chiefly

of bamboo

described

borious in the province of Kiang-see provinces.

it

—A

—

its

—

calculation of water

many

uses.

—tenure of land

day's journey by land.

— Women

in that

la-

and other

— Great mountain dividing pro-

—magnificent view from thence — Small —height above Quang-tung. — Embark on — — banks— along Pe-kiang —substances used by Chinese for —Arrival Chau-cboo— rozved by females — neighbourhood —

vijices

of Kiang-see and Quang-tung

horses in

the sea.

river

its

course

the

to it

foo

cultivation

cultivation in

its

its

fuel.

boats

collieries close

at

their

TABLE OF CONTENTS. double occupation^;. consequence.

— Great

— Chinese

XVll

subjection of zvonien to

society

of what nature.

men —

its

cause —

its

— Character of Chinese

— hfluence of English trade arrival of Em— Temple excavated an immense overhanging — Entrance of Embassy Canton — infuence of — Passage of Lion from Chu-san —treatment honoujs paid — of weather —struggle of monsoons. — Arrival of Lion men.

perceptible before

bassy at Canton.

the

to

atLadrone to

likely

xvhile

it.

State

there.

rock

in

into

7-iver.

the

isles

—received

no Europeans.

— Capture of

sterdam belonged. load there.

— Endeavours — Chinese pirates —

suppliesfrom Canton.

beat toivards Japan, against monsoon. the brig to

— Hindostan

— Tempestuous weather

in

which the people

atlack

left at

treated at Chu-san

ivell

vain

ifi

Am-

— ivhy

passage towards Canton.

not

— List

of plants in provinces of Kiang-see and Ouang-tung.

P^g^ 439

CHAPTER

to 5^r>-

VII.

RESIDENCE OF THE EMBASSY AT CANTON, AND AT MACAO*

Temperature of Canton

—

effect

offoreigners resorting

system to it

— high —

Europe

—

estimation

///

effects

article of export

—

— Remonstrance

— Inoculation

State of 7nany quicksilver.

—

— Of

VOL.

II.

sciences in

—

into

—

of Embassador

to

—

interference of Viceroy

English.

relief to Chinese patients.

of surgery.

riages.

it

— European improvements. — — Lozv of medicine China — of small-pox. — Beverage of immortality. — — White copper — tutenag— China — of

— circumstances favourable Medical

—Trade

of such a

England plan to prevent Agents of English Company at Canton

of smuggling

success of such plan.

grievances.

to it.

—advantage of English Company. — Chief

carried on principally by public companies

state

in

arts.

Effect of patriarchal system on population

— of early

?nar-

converting most lands to means of subsistence for ?nan.

c

—

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

XVlll

Statements of population obtained. offices

— pay

troops

of

more adapted for

—Of revenues — —Life

taxes.

Tartar and Chinese.

— Military

of a

Chinese

of a Tartar for military pursuits.

literature,

—

Chinese atmosphere favourable to astronomical observatiojis

astronomy.

—Probable

antiquity of Chinese.

—Chinese

cycle

— Coincidence of Chinese and — Chinese tnethod of measuring portions of pressing nmnhers. — Probable reason why geometry

terrestrial

history tvith celestial sjnall

mena.

—

—

rise

of

annals.

phano-

— of ex-

time

not invented, or

acquired in China.

— Chinese

less suspicious,

formerly, of foreigners

— Advantages of trading there by companies. — Chinese — Commissioners feel of some Chinese language — understanding Canton country own of others from nature of Chinese language— — grammar. — Difference between written and of language — hieroglyphic— regular system of Chinese tongue — unmixed China —natural passage from hieroglyany other —primeval place elsewhere — alphabetic language — why such change phic — Permission China. — Construction of Chinese zvhy English. — natives may teach Chinese given by than at present.

Hong, or associated

necessity

mercha7its.

the

at

their

different in its construction

simplicity

oral

in

zvith

took

to

dictionaries.

not in

to the

Viceroy, that

Invitation from

Emperor for

land by succeeding ministers.

a continuation of ititercourse from

— Departure of Embassy from

Parting with mandarinefriends.

—

all

its

description of the place

—

its

— Passage

to

—

Eng-

Canton.

Macao reception there and present decline

ancient prosperity

— Fonjier and present of Portuguexe — — — China, Tun-quin, and Cochin-China. — of neighbours. —Garden and cave where Portugueze —Description of Verde. — Portugueze poem of Lusiad which determined harbour of Matao. — Inner and

—from what causes. settlers.

—

Civil

—

military

disposition

religious

establishments.

Missionaries.

to

written.

Embassador

Subjection

their Chinese

to convoy, in the

homeward bound from

Isle

Intelligence

outer

ships

Christians in

Lion man of war, the English merchant China.

page 526

to

594.

.

XIX

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER PASSAGE TO

Departure from Macao.

—

Disposition of the jieet.

marine barometer.

— Malay

pirates.

— Risk —

gress of fleet across Indian ocean. Africa.

—

—

— Monsoojis.—

Intelligence of the

enemy

of navigating in Asia.

in

— Pro-

Effect of approach to coast of

Predictions of marine barometer.

—reassembled island —

RETURN HOME.

HELENA; NOTICES OF THAT ISLAND.

ST.

Effect of weather on

Chinese seas.

VIII.

—Tempests—

fleet dispersed

—anchor —circumference—anchorage— — description of people. — discovery of island— improvements— tnatmers of Reception of strangers — refreshments. — Island cultivated by black — —meliorated. —Also byfree negroes—protected — by government. — Helena an agreeable retreat—height of Helena—joined

near St.

by others

First

the

presetit

their condition

slaves

St.

hills

fatal accident to a mariner^feats of agility of a seaman ivich Islands.

cross the Line.

St.

— conduct

to be

fleet

young person on board

of a

superior French fleet.

Channel

from Sand-

—Departurefrom Helena— —Trial of — Meet a supposed an enemy—prepare for

a marine chair. action

that

at

tides

it

— run foul

— Avoid

of the

Isles

grand

of Scilly.

fleet

the Lion.

— Enter

of Earl

Spithead.

Howe.

— Escape a the British

—Arrive

p^g^ 595

at

^o 614,.

APPENDIX. No.

I.

official

Table of extefit and population of China Proper,

papers.

—

II.

Account of revenues of China, received

Impei'ial treasury at Pekin. their

—

number, stations, and

off cers of China, their

III.

from

ifi

the

List of chief civil offcers ofChi?ia,

salaries.

— IV.

number, rank, and

List of chief military .salaries.

—V.

Trade of

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

2 Passageup

August, 1793, the towii of Ta-coo, within the Pei-ho,

'

White

place of any note in this There they found a considerable number of yachts, or large covered barges, and or

river,

and the

first

north-east frontier of China.

boats of burden, calculated to pass over the shallows of

the Pei-ho, and destined to convey the

Embassy

as far as that river led

whole of the

towards the capital of

the empire.

The Embassador

entered immediately into the yacht

prepared for his reception.

It

bore some resemblance

to

but the passage-boats on the English and Dutch canals route, longer and uninterrupted for a being intended ;

was made more spacious, and

ment

allotted for his

vessel,

fitted

as better

conveniences, as well

up with

decorated.

greater

The

apart-

Excellency took up most of the

and consisted of an antichamber, a saloon, a bedIn the saloon was a seat of hocloset.

chamber, and a

nour, or square sopha, such as

is

found in the houses of

every chief mandarine, and on which, supported by large cushions, he gives audience to his suitors.

way,

stretching out about

of the yacht, served for a

from stem

to stern, for the

seamen stepped, when

by

it

feet

domestics and crew, without

passing through the rooms.

force,

A gang-

beyond the gunwale communication on each side, two

On

these

happened

to

gangways the be necessary

to

setting-poles, the vessel over the shallows, or

through thick mud.

The crew had

a small cabin next

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

t

which perfumed matches were Passage up upon ==^1=^

the stern, in a corner of

constantly kept lighted, and placed round an idol a small altar. to

Boats attended with provisions and cooks,

supply the Embassador's

table,

without the necessity

of going ashore, or suffering any delay whenever the tide or

wind should be favourable

for proceeding.

Sixteen other yachts, most of them of a larger size than that of the

Embassador,

as

intended each

to

carry

passengers, were found sufficient for holding the

of his Excellency's

Many

suite.

many whole

of those vessels were

eighty feet long, and very capacious; yet they were built of such light

wood, and

so constructed, as not to

sink more than eighteen inches into the water, tho they

were lofty above

floors

cabins were high and airy.

births for the crew,

were lockers

The

The

it.

Above them were

and beneath the

stowing necessaries.

for

chief distinction, as

to

ornament, between the

Embassador's and the other yachts, consisted in the greater proportion of glass panes

windows of

the former

were generally

filled

chiefly in Corea,

;

with a kind of paper, manufactured

and in the composition of which an

unctuous substance

is

employed,

more durable when thus exposed

much

less easily affected

than that which

which adorned the

while the frames of the others

is

made

by

for

rendering the paper

to the

rain, or

in Europe.

weather,

it

being

any kind of wet,

The

general use

of glass in the yacht where decoration was principally

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

4

Passage up

===

studlcd,

and the substitution of another material

most of the others, sufficiently indicated that

it

it

in

was

in

for

estimation, but not in plenty.

A considerable guard of Chinese soldiers were destined to attend the

Embassador on shore

;

but a few only could

be conveniently distributed among the yachts.

When-

ever an European went ashore from any of them, the pre-

him announced

sence of a soldier with

the immediate

protection of the government; and might have been in-

tended

also, as a

check upon his conduct.

Beside the yachts for passengers, an equal large boats of

burden were found necessary

veyance of the presents and baggage.

number of

for the con-

The Chinese were

not deficient either in expedition, or management, in re-

moving

the several articles out of the holds of the sea-

junks, in order

to

tranship them into what might, per-

haps, be properly called river-lighters.

No

slight care

was

requisite in the transfer of the

packages which contained the presents.

was entrusted

who had

to the

succeeded in transhipping them, without da-

mage, from the Hindostan.

Tho

inspection could be employed

yet

all

This business

superintendance of the same person

the packages, in

at

the people under his

one junk only

number about

six

at a

time,

hundred, most

of which were heavy and unwieldy, were safely placed

on board the

While

lighters in the course of

this operation

two or three days.

was going forward, the chief

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

S

conductors of the route, Chow-ta-zhin and Van-ta-zhin,

== Passage up

the Pei-ho.

waited frequently upon the Embassador, not only their respects to him, but to take his

commands

to

pay

in case

any thing were wanting for his perfect accommodation and comfort. They likewise made visits of civility to the principal gentlemen of the Embassy. Inferior mandarines attended all thevessels, for the distribution of provisions,

and necessaries

to

for

every individual of his Ex-

These persons went from one yacht

cellency's suite.

another in small boats, called san-pans, which be-

ing decked and

flat

bottomed, could neither sink or be

overset.

A

separate table

the gentlemen in each yacht

for

was served up in the manner, and occasionally with the delicacies, of the country

;

and sometimes,

The Chinese

an aukward imitation of English cookery.

method of dressing

all

also, in

victuals, consisted chiefly in stewing

animal substances, divided into small square morsels,

mixed with

vegetables, and seasoning

them with

a variety

of savoury sauces, and a combination of opposite

tastes.

The meat most plentiful was beef and pork. The common fowls of Europe were also common here. Among the most expensive articles, and accounted the greatest delicacies,

were the

nests of a particular species of swal-

low mentioned in the former volume of the fins of sharks, both of

which

this

afford rich

work, and

and

fatten-

ing juices; but require, like the turtle, the admixture of strong spices, to be

much

relished.

With

a

view

to gra-

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

6 Passage up

tify, as

was thought, the English

were given by the mandarines, as pigs, turkies,

and

This

geese, entire.

paring food which did not appear

China

in

appetite, instructions

to roast large pieces,

to

is

a

such

mode of pre-

have been practised

and was executed very indifferently by the

;

Chinese cooks.

Baking bread was

No

proper oven was

as little

common

be seen, in

to

as roasting

this part of the

meat.

country.

Instead of bread, boiled rice, or other grain, was gene-

The

rally used.

and

someness or

swells considerably in boiling

rice

this operation

is

supposed

facility of digestion, the

mentation of the dough in regard in

many

provinces in China.

buck-wheat, produces

from the bran,

flour,

That

made by

These, by exposure

as to

;

whole-

purpose of the

fer-

Wheat grows

to bread.

grain, also, called

which, when freed entirely

perfectly white, and

is

well as other flour, cakes.

answer,

to

is

frequendy,

as

the Chinese into the form of to

steam, are reduced to the

consistence of dumplins: for this purpose, the cakes are

arranged upon stages of

lattice

work, fixed in the inside

of a wooden frame, and closed on every part except the bottom.

The

frame, with

its

contents,

is

placed over a

vessel of boiling water, the steam of which ascends through

the lattice

work

cakes with a thin

and

;

but

sufficient

Such

only

to

surround the

as are afterwards sliced

become better substitutes for hard baked Some are rendered more palatable by the admix-

toasted

bread.

is

soft crust.

ture of aromatic seeds.

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

To

)

each yacht were sent jars of a yellow vinous

li-

Passage up '

The management

quor, and also of a distilled spirit.

of

the latter seemed to be understood better than that of

the former

and

and soon grew

In the northern provinces

from

millet, as in the

strength of some of

above the

by

The

sour.

spirit

indiffe-

was strong

and seldom partook of any empyreumatic

clear,

odour. tilled

wine was generally muddy,

for the

;

rent in taste,

common

it

it

was generally

was, upon

trial,

proof for ardent

ascertained to be

spirits.

the Chinese hot wine, shoiu-choo.

dis-

The

southern, from rice.

called

It is

Regular supplies

came of fruits, such as plums, pears, apples, grapes, and oranges. Peaches were presented as com-

also

apricots,

ing from Pekin, in the neighbourhood of which, pro-

bably fruit

a greater attention

is

than in the provinces.

supplied also in abundance

Kiang-nan, and the both some degrees tea, it

latter

to the

;

paid

to the culture

Green and bohea

of that

tea

were

the former chiefly from the

from the Fo-chien provinces,

southward of the Pei-ho.

The

however, was often too fresh foran English palate; and

was not unusual

to

hear a wish expressed for London

The province of Fo-chien furnished also sugar-candy and brown sugar but none in loaf. The Cochin-chinese tea.

;

sugar crystallized in cakes, tho excellent and very cheap,

seemed not

to

have been imported, or much used in

this

part of China.

Ample allowance was made

of every necessary article

EMBASSY TO CHINA.

8

gentlemen, and likewise to the

Passage up

to thc

^

domesticsin the train of the Embassador. ficence was displayed, and in the treatment of the

and whose

the

service;

gaged

salaries

either as to the

appointed

to

were increased upon

crowd of

to attend

upon

and

No slight magni-

noexpence seemed to be spared

Embassy,

who were

ber of mandarines

artificers, soldiers,

num-

accompany

it,

this particular

who were enmany vessels em-

inferior Chinese

the occasion

ployed in conveying the whole

;

;

the

the parade of reception

wherever the yachts stopped; and the occasional shows

and decorations

as

they passed along

which, together with

;

the cost of

that of the supplies of

all

every kind

which could be wanted, the Emperor chose, should be entirely borne by himself; upon this grand idea, that the whole empire was as his private property and dwelling,

m which

would be a fiiilure of hospitality to suflPer a visuch an Embassador is always considered by

it

sitor, for as

theChinese, train,

to

be

at

the least charge for himself or for his

while he continued there.

His Imperial Majesty's

orders on this subject were very strictly obeyed.

tleman

who accompanied

wished

to

purchase some

articles

who

of dress, was

but the mandarine

who had been not accept the

;

to

charged the same rial

trifling

A gen-

and

buy them, declared he dared from him for whose use they were

immediately supplied

employed price

the Embassador,

mandates, on

to the all

destined, but

Emperor's account. The Impe-

occasions,

seem

to

be received with

EMBASSY TO CHINA. a degree of awe,

and

to