pean courts.

dignity. It has never been dispensed with in the actual presence of the Emperor, except in the case of Lord Macartney; but before the screen which represents him, it has often been successfully resisted by the officers of EuroTwo instances however have lately occurred, in which its performance has been peremptorily required on occasions of the latter description. The Russian embassy, in 1805, was dismissed for refusing to submit to it at an imperial banquet; and the Dutch, in 1795, who conceded the point, were subjected to the frequent repetition of it on the most trifling pretences, and actually performed it on one occasion for some halfgnawed bones, without obtaining a single concession or advantage as an equivalent for their compli

ance.

The line of conduct to be adopted by Lord Amherst was left undecided in his instructions, and the opinions of the Commissioners were divided on the subject. Sir George Staunton, with the advantage of great local experience, declared in distinct terms, his opinion of the injurious effects upon the Company's interests at Canton, likely to arise from the performance of the ceremony; incompatible, as he expressed himself, with personal and national respectability. He was disposed to consider the mere reception of the embassy as not worth being purchased by the sacrifice. He adverted, indeed, to the possibility of conditions being required, which, if complied with by the Chinese, would remove the objections; but such compliance was in his opinion highly improbable. Mr. Ellis, on the contrary, deemed it unwise to stake the ultimate objects of the mission on any question of mere ceremony: he considered the Ko-tou, however disgraceful it might be in Europe, as implying no degradation in China, where it was nothing more

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than the ordinary etiquette of the court, and like other matters of etiquette in itself utterly indifferent. Resistance on such point, even if effectual, appeared to him only calculated to excite irritation in the minds of the emperor and his ministers, and to diminish the chances of success upon the more material objects of the embassy. At the same time, he conceived that a distinction might be drawn between the actual and the imaginary presence; and that by confining the performance of prostration to the former occasion, the dishonourable treatment which the Dutch experienced might be avoided.

After mature deliberation, it was determined that the performance of the ceremony should be resisted; and that, in strict conformity with the precedent of Lord Macartney, bows should be substituted for prostrations. If however it should be found that opposition involved the dismissal of the embassy, certain conditions should be proposed, on compliance with which the Ko-tou should no longer be refused. These were the same with those which had been suggested by Lord Macartney, viz. either that a Tartar Mandarin, of equal rank with the embassador, should do the same act of homage before the picture of the Prince Regent; or that the emperor should issue a public edict, declaring that any Chinese embassador who might hereafter be presented at the English court should perform the Tartar obeisance before his Britannic majesty.

With this resolution the gentle. men of the embassy attended the imperial entertainment at Tiensing, on the 13th of August. It afterwards appeared that the emperor had directed this entertainment with the specific view of ascertaining the intentions of the English with regard to the Kotou. Should they refuse to submit to it, the Chin-chaes had po

sitive orders to cause them to reembark, without proceeding to Pekin. Every argument was used by them which could prevail with Lord Amherst to conform to the usual observances; they urged the certainty that the embassy would be rejected, the consequent injury to our trade at Canton, the discredit our country would incur among other nations in consequence of such a dismissal; they argued that it was not becoming that they should perform a ceremony which the embassador refused, and asked his lordship whether he was so wanting in affection as to deprive his son (who attended him in the quality of page) of the honour of seeing the emperor. But Chinese versatility was by no means an equal match for English firmness; Lord Amherst pleaded in reply the positive commands of his sovereign, and declared so firmly his determination to abide by the precedent of Lord Macartney, as stated in the report which that nobleman had made on his return to England, that the Chinese were induced to yield, though not without expressing their fears that they should consequently incur the displeasure of the emperor.

In the course of the argument, the Mandarins asserted positively that Lord Macartney had in fact performed the ceremony of the Ko-tou, as well in the presence of the emperor as at other times; Soo, in particular, not only declared his own recollection of having seen him perform it at Canton, but had the effrontery to appeal to Sir G. Staunton, as having been present, and able to give evidence of the facts which he asserted. Sir George avoided being led into a personal discussion, by alleging his extreme youth at the time, and the little weight which was to be given to his evidence on a question already settled by the authentic records of the British government, on which the instruc

tions to the embassador were founded. The discussion on this point assumed afterwards a much more difficult aspect, when the false assertions of the Mandarins were supported by an extract from the imperial records, accompanied by a declaration of the emperor that he personally recollected the Occurrence. There seems little doubt that the transaction was misrepresented in the official accounts of the time, and that the Emperor Kien-Lung succeeded in persuading the mass of the nation, that Lord Macartney had conformed in every respect to the customs of the country. It is curious to observe the Emperor of China having recourse to the same means of preserving his influence over his subjects, which are so frequently practised in European governments.

But though Lord Amherst had obtained a complete victory on this occasion, the discussions were by no means intermitted. The Mandarins had directly disobeyed the commands of the emperor, in suffering the embassy to proceed onwards towards Pekin, notwithstanding their non-compliance ; and their fears of his displeasure led them to seize every opportunity of renewing their persuasions. These fears were not a little increased when they heard that the ships, which they had been ordered to detain for the reconveyance of the British, had left the coast. It had been early hinted to Lord Amherst that he would return by sea; and as this arrangement neither suited the wishes of the gentlemen of the embassy, nor the objects of discovery and nautical survey for which the vessels were intended, the communication only served to hasten their departure. It must be acknowledged, that whatever might be the adroitness with which this affair was managed by the British, it was by no means calculated to dispose the court to a

favorable audience. Indeed we must confess, that the general conduct of the embassy, not only on this but on many other occasions, has appeared to us not at all of a conciliatory nature. We do not mean to imply that any blame attaches to the gentlemen of the embassy on this account, or that the encroachments of the Chinese, and the importance of the objects contended for, did not necessitate a line of procedure, marked rather by unyielding firmness, than by a disposition to please the emperor, and to accommodate amicably the subjects in dispute. We fear, however, that, even if an audience had been obtained, the illwill which such a course had excited would have seriously impeded the subsequent negotiations. The apprehensions of the imperial displeasure were not unfounded. An edict was soon received, severely censuring the conduct of the Mandarins in allowing the embassy to proceed beyond Tien-sing; directing that the presents should be sent back, and declaring distinctly that the Emperor could not receive the embassador unless he performed the Tartar ceremony. Upon this, Lord Amherst made those propositions which had been determined on; and which required, as a condition of compliance, the performance of some reciprocal act on the part of the Chinese. They were considered by the Mandarins as so wholly inadmissible, that they refused to transmit them to the Emperor, to whom, in their opinion, they would certainly have proved more offensive than the refusal to perform the ceremony. The personal fears of the Chin-chaes were great according to the custom of China, they would be held responsible for the resistance of the embassador; and the unsuccessful termination of the mission on which they were employed, whether from their mismanagement, or from causes over which they had no

control, would assuredly be visited on their heads. Accordingly in a few days they were superseded, and Ho and Moo, two Mandarins of still higher rank, were substituted in their place, with orders to meet the embassador at Tong-chow, and in case of his compliance to conduct him forward to Pekin.

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On his Lordship's arrival at Tong-chow, the mission of Ho and Moo was announced in the most insolent manner, by some of their Tartar attendants; whose rudeness was excused by the Chinese on the singular ground of their never having quitted the court. Ho was described as young man of few words, remarkable for severity of manner and inflexible character;" a description which is justly characterised by Mr. Ellis as " highly offensive if meant to intimidate; and, if intended as a caution, absurd." The idea which it gave of his character was fully justified at the interview, which took place on the 22d of August. Overbearing in the extreme, he seemed determined to crush opposition by violence; and in language, which closely bordered on insolence, insisted on the performance of the ceremony, as a due tribute of respect to the universal sovereign, to whom all must pay homage. Argument would have been useless, and was not attempted; but in parting Lord Amherst put into the hands of the Mandarin, a sealed letter addressed to the Emperor, containing a short exposition of the leading topics of the argument, and justifying the line adopted respecting the ceremony. This appeal to a higher power produced considerable effect at the time, as it not only showed the determination of the Embassador, but endangered the safety of Ho, to whose violence the result might be attributed.

Neither party however were disposed to desist from all further

discussion. Other communications took place, the object being on the one hand to persuade the Embassador to submit to the ceremony, and on the other to obtain such compliances on the part of the Chinese as might render it admissible. It unfortunately happened just at this period, that, in consequence of some questions which were put regarding the conduct of the British factory at Canton, apprehensions were excited that the interests of the Company would be seriously injured by the dismissal of the embassy. These fears gave a dubious and wavering character to the conduct of the Embassador, which was naturally regarded by the Mandarins, as an intention to withdraw his opposition on assurance being given that the ulterior objects of the mission would be complied with by the court of Pekin. The uncertainty of opinion was momentary, for on the morrow an official note was dispatched to the Mandarins stating it as his irrevocable determination to resist the performance. This note was disregarded, and Lord Amherst was summoned to

proceed on the morrow for Pekin. Ho added that the affair was now settled; that the ceremony would not again be mentioned, and that full reliance might be placed upon the Emperor's kindness." With these vague assertions, which were construed into a concession of the point, the Embassador was forced to be satisfied, and the next day, August, 28th he set out for Pekin.

The journey had hitherto been performed by water, and had been as agreeable as the want of exercise, and the flat and uninteresting character of the country would allow. They were seldom permitted to visit the towns, but the incalculable number of spectators, who filled every spot from which it was possible to behold them, gave them frequent opportunitiesof observing the appearance of the

inhabitants. They were chiefly remarkable from their number and regularity: nothing occurred to mark either great opulence or extreme poverty. The only houses that were seen, which merited the name of seats belonged to the Emperor, and were in general officially occupied by some of his officers.

From Tong-chow, which is the port of Pekin, they proceeded by land in the Embassador's carriage; and after travelling all night were conducted in the morning to the Emperor's palace at Yuen-minyuen. The court of China, desirous of preserving the hardy manners of their Tartar progenitors, usualy devote the early part of the morning to business; and on this occasion the sun had scarcely risen when the Emperor was prepared to give audience to the embassy. The scene which ensued shall be described in Mr. Ellis's own words:

Lord Amherst had scarcely taken his seat, when Chang delivered a message from Ho (Koong-yay), stating that the Emperor wished to see the Embassador, his son, and the commissioners, immediately. Much surprise was naturailly ex

pressed; the previous arrangement for the eighth of the Chinese month, a period certainly much too early for comfort,

was adverted to, and the utter impossipresent state of fatigue, inanition, and bility of his Excellency appearing in his deficiency of every necessary equipment, was strongly urged. Chang was very unwilling to be the bearer of this answer, but was finally obliged to consent. During this time the room had filled with spectators of all ages and ranks, who rudely pressed upon us to gratify thelr brutal curiosity, for such it may be called, as they seemed to regard us rather as wild beasts than mere strangers of the same

species with themselves. Some other messages were interchanged between the Koong-yay and Lord Amherst, who, in addition to the reasons already given, stated the indecorum and irregularity of his appearing without his credentials. In

his reply to this it was said, that in the proposed audience the emperor merely wished to see the embassador, and had no intention of entering upon business. Lord Amherst having persisted in express ing the inadmissibility of the proposition, and in transmitting, through the Koong-;

yay, an humble request to his Imperial Majesty, that he wonld be graciousiy pleased to wait till to-morrow, Chang and another mandarin finally proposed that his Excellency should go over to the Koong. yay's apartments, from whence a reference might be made to the Emperor. Lord Amherst having alleged bodily illness as one of the reasons for declining the audience, readily saw, that if he went to the Koong-yay, this plea, which, to the Chinese (though now scarcely admitted) was in géneral the most forcible, would cease to avail him, positively declined compliance; this produced a visit from the Koong-yay, who, too much interested and agitated to heed ceremony, stood by Lord Amherst, and used every argument to induce him to obey the Emperor's commands. Among other topics he used that of being received with our own ceremony, using the Chinese words "ne mun til lee," your own ceremony. All proving ineffectual, with some roughness, but under pretext of friendly violence, he laid hands upon Lord Amherst, to take him from the room; another Mandarin followed his example.

His Lordship, with great firmness and dignity of manner, shook them off, declaring that nothing but the extremest violence should induce him to quit that room for any other place but the residence assigned

to him; adding, that he was so overcome by fatigue and bodily illness as absolutely to require repose. Lord Amherst further pointed out the gross insult he had already received, in having been exposed to the intrusion and indecent curiosity of crowds, who appeared to view him rather as a wild beast than the representative of a powerful sovereign : at all events, he entreated the Koong-yay to submit his request to his Imperial Majesty, who, he felt confident, would, in consideration of his illness and fatigue, dispense with his immediate appearance. The Koong-yay then pressed Lord Amherst to come to his apartments, alleging that they were cooler, more convenient, and more private this Lord Amherst declined, saying that he was totally unfit for any place but his own residence. The Koong-yay having failed in his attempt to persuade him, left the room for the purpose of taking the Emperor's pleasure upon the subject. A message arrived soon after the Koongyay's quitting the room, to say that the Emperor dispensed with the Embassador's attendance; that he had further been pleased to direct his physician to afford to his excellency every medical assistance that his illness might require. The Koongyay himself soon followed, and his excellency proceeded to the carriage. The Koong-yay not disdaining to clear away. the crowd, the whip was used by him to all persons indiscriminately; buttons were no protection; and however indecorous,

according to our notions, the employment might be for a man of his rank, it could not have been in better hands. Vol. I. p. 268.

It was hoped that this disagreeable affair would here terminate, and that an audience might be expected on a future day under favorable circumstances; but such. was not to be the fate of the embassy. Before two hours had elapsed, the Mandarins announced that the Emperor, incensed at the embassador's refusal to attend him according to his commands, had given orders for his immediate departure. In vain was the fatigue of every individual of the embassy pleaded; no consideration was allowed to weigh against the positive commands of the emperor, and on the same day they were obliged to leave Pekin. We are uncertain whether the pathetic or the ludicrous will be thought to preponderate, in the following description of the return by Mr. Ellis:

Having given up my chair to an invalid, I returned in one of the carts: the motion was bearable till we came on the paved road, when the jolting became intolerable; it was a repeated dislocation of every part of the frame; each jolt seemed sufficient to have destroyed life, which yet remained to undergo the dreadful repetition. The elements combined with the imperial displeasure to annoy us; the rain fell in torrents; not, however, so violently as to deter the spectators from indulging their curiosity by thursting lanterns into the chairs and carts to have a fuller view of our persons. I certainly never felt so irritated in my life. To be exposed to such indecent curiosity while suffering considerable pain from the jolting was too much for the best tempers to bear patiently, and produced in me something not far removed from phrensy. The darkness, holes in the road, and heavyrain, rendered walking almost impracticable, which, however, I attempted, and should have persisted, had I not apprehended being separated from the rest of the party. Although Soo had asserted that our march that night was to have. been limited to twenty lees, we were carried without halting to our boats at Tong-chow, which we reached at three o'clock in the morning on the 30th.

It is unnecessary to dwell further on these circumstances.

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