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CHAPTER XXII.

EMBASSIES TO THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE, AND OTHER THINGS.

Patriotism.-Portuguese Embassy.-The Portuguese obtain a Settlement at Macao.-Treatment of Schedel the Dutch Merchant.-Dutch Embassies.-Russian Embassies.-The Ceremony of the Ko-tou performed.- British Embassy under Lord Macartney.-Another Dutch Embassy.-The Ko-tou again performed.—British Embassy under Lord Amherst.-Refusal to perform the Ko-tou.-Deception on the Chinese Authorities.-The Emperor's Displeasure.-Sudden Dismissal of the Embassy.-Eloquent Observations of Rev. Charles Gutzlaff.

FEW people are happier than I am when on my travels; for whether roaming over the fair spots of my native land, or breathing the sunny gale of other climes, I have a habit of looking on all around with a grateful heart, as though everything was given for my express accommodation and enjoy

ment.

The trees in beauty that around me rise;
The blooming flow'rets of ten thousand dyes;
The sun-the moon-all glorious as they be,
And all the stars of heaven, were made for me!

206

LOVE OF COUNTRY.

If you will take my advice, and encourage the same spirit, you will never repent it. It clothes the earth with a fresher green, and adorns the skies with a brighter blue.

"I

While you and I are grateful that we were born in England, there are those who are equally thankful that they first drew their breath in China. felicitate myself that I was born in China," says Teen-ke-shih, a Chinese author; "I constantly think, what if I had been born beyond the seas, in some remote parts of the earth, where the cold freezes, or the heat scorches! where the people are clothed with the leaves of plants, eat wood, dwell in the wilderness, lie in holes of the earth, are far removed from the converting maxims of the ancient kings, and are ignorant of the domestic relations ! Though born into this world, I should not have been different from a beast. But now, happily, I have been born in China; I have a house to live in; have drink and food, and elegant furniture; I have clothing, and caps, and infinite blessings. Truly the highest felicity is mine !”

Nor less the patriot's boast where'er he roam,
His first, best country, ever is at home.

I honour thee, Teen-ke-shih, for thy patriotism, and will try to think the better of the country that gave thee birth.

As the commerce carried on with China has ever

EMBASSIES TO CHINA.

207

been regarded an object of great importance, it was political and wise, on the part of other nations, to send embassies to the Celestial Empire, with the hope of conciliating the emperor and government, and gaining their good opinion and confidence. The Portuguese were the first European traders. Fernando Peres d' Andrade, in 1517, arrived in the road of Canton; after this, an embassy was despatched to Pekin, and a settlement at Macao was obtained. The Portuguese, however, did not long remain without rivals. The British, French, American, Dutch, Spanish, and other nations, sent their ships to the same mart for merchandise. Roman Catholic and Jesuit missionaries, at different periods, proceeded to China; but as their object was to propagate the faith they professed, and not to promote trade and merchandise, at present I shall pass them by.

In 1653, a Dutch merchant, of the name of Schedel, set sail in a richly freighted ship for China, hoping to establish with the country a commercial relation; but he met with a most uncourteous reception. His chests were opened, his presents tossed about with contempt and disdain, and the governor-general's letter, which he presented, was flung rudely into his face. "How finely fetters would become his legs," cried out the multitude. After this they behaved better to him, and feasted him, but he obtained no other advantage.

A Dutch embassy anchored in the Canton river

208

VAN HOORN'S VISIT TO PEKIN.

in 1655, and lavished large sums on those who had the means of hindering or helping them in their object of obtaining permission to trade. After waiting some months, the ambassador was permitted to proceed to Pekin, attended with a small retinue. At Pekin they had an interview with the emperor, but he gave them no permission to trade, though he was condescendingly disposed to allow them to visit him every eight years with their presents. Neglected by the emperor, fleeced by the mandarins, and insulted by the common people, the embassy left the celestial empire. The expenses of this fruitless effort to obtain commercial privileges were something more than four thousand pounds for the voyage and journey, and between five and six thousand for presents.

Another Dutch embassy arrived at Pekin, in 1667, but with no better success than the last; for after travelling six months, passing through thirtyseven cities, and more than three hundred villages, enjoying an audience with the emperor, kneeling and bowing to the imperial signet, and delivering their presents, they obtained only a sealed letter from the emperor for their pains, and returned to Batavia. Van Hoorn had no great reason to congratulate himself on the result of his visit to Pekin.

It was in the year 1693 that a Russian mission, under Everard Isbrand Ides, was sent to the court of China; and leave was obtained, on the part of the Russians, to send trading-caravans to Pekin.

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