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GUTZLAFF'S REMARKS.

an emperor of China and perfection are one, nor is the snow of Tartary more spotless than the ministers of Taou Kwang. Even thou, Sungti, hast something yet to learn!

The more I reflect on China, the more paradoxical does it appear. I cannot withhold from you a few elegant and striking remarks on the Celestial Empire, by the missionary Gutzlaff, which I have just been reading, for they are well worth your best attention.

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Separated from the continent of America by the great ocean, bounded by dreary deserts and towering mountains, the insular position of China was traced by the hand of the God of Nature. Conquerors, eager to sway the sceptre of the world, approached the frontiers of China as forbidden ground, and recoiled at the insurmountable obstacles which precluded their farther progress in the career of victory. Thus isolated from the world, and fortified against foreign invasions, China raised its head and preserved its existence, whilst all the empires around it, how powerful soever, decayed, and became a prey to the mighty spoiler.

“The Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Grecian monarchies have successively occupied Western Asia; new empires have risen upon the ruins of fallen greatness; the countries have changed their aspect; new nations and languages have sprung up; but China has undergone, in the

CHINA SEPARATED FROM THE WHOLE WORLD. 213

meantime, few changes. The invincible Romans have long fled before the conqueror; Europe has repeatedly been overwhelmed by swarms of barbarians; it has been divided and subdivided, and wholly remodelled according to the choice of the new occupants; yet China has kept up its ancient customs, and retained the race which from time immemorial inhabited it. When, finally, hungry barbarians encroached upon its territory, and afterwards conquered it, the victors were lost amongst the myriads of its original inhabitants, and after a few generations amalgamated with the conquered.

"Whilst civilization has advanced with rapid strides, taking an extensive tour over the globe, it was not able to overstep the barrier which an antinational Chinese policy created around the Celestial Empire. Still it is absolutely separated from the whole world, and views with indescribable contempt every other country. To draw a line of demarcation, it assumes the title of Celestial, and styles itself the Middle Kingdom; all other nations are barbarians, doomed to live at the extremity of the square-cornered earth, or upon some small islands in the four seas which surround the Middle Kingdom. Conscious of its majesty, which is enhanced by a venerable age, it assumes the universal empire of the world, keeps the barbarians in subjection, sways the four seas, and always rules by compassion. With

equal tenderness it embraces all countries, but at the same time leaves distant barbarians to their lot, if they are so stupid as not to acknowledge the supremacy of the only civilized nation in the world. Considering even the presence of barbarians contaminating and destructive to its ancient institutions, it keeps them at a respectful distance, and stigmatizes with the ignominious appellation of traitorous natives, those of its degenerate sons who dare to mix with so vile a race."

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.

The Standing Army of China.-The Militia.-The Bluster of the Soldiers.-The Tartar Life Guards, the " Tigers of War."-Tartar Officers.-Colours.-Weapons of War.Navy of China.-Vessels on the River.-Edict of the Emperor respecting Shipwrecks.-Fireworks.

As I have but little love or loyalty for such monarchs as delight in war, who

"Wade through slaughter to a throne,

And shut the gates of mercy on mankind;"

and very little inclination to regard battles and sieges, and sacking of cities, and great victories, as the best things under the skies, so my remarks on the military of China will be but short. Could I do as I would, all Taou Kwang's "tigers of war" would soon be transformed into citizens of peace.

Such different statements are made of the standing army of China, that to decide between them fairly would require more military knowledge than I possess; but in an empire so abound

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CHINESE SOLDIERS ARE BOASTERS.

ing with population, the number of soldiers must be very great. Perhaps I should not go beyond the truth in stating it at six or seven hundred thousand. Besides the standing army, there is a kind of militia kept up to a great extent, the men only serving for a time; one day they are wielding their weapons as soldiers, and another using their implements as workmen.

In spite of bitter thoughts and angry words,

A hundred spades are worth a thousand swords.

Judging by what passes on the Chinese stage, the people must be fond of war; for the most desperate encounters and the most valorous achievements there take place, exciting among the spectators rapturous applause. There is, however, a great deal of bluster in all this. Did the Chinese, as warriors, feel more confidence in themselves than they do, there would be less flourishing of long swords, their shields would not bear the hideous shapes which now emblazon them, they would not tear and stamp as they do in their exercise, and the word "Brave" would no longer be stitched on their jackets. In old times the Chinese used to form their troops into strange figures, giving them sounding names, such as "Flying Dragon" and "Scudding Clouds," so that the present show and bluster among them is only the carrying on their ancient usages.

The Tartar life-guard soldiers, or, as they are