the usager
People, to respect institutions of China, and to study the wishes and feelings of the authorities and People of the Country.
It may readily be conceived that in so peculiar a country as China, actions, indifferent in themselves
and which
among European nations
would lead to little or no
inconvenience
might produce an impression highly
unfavourable to the British character, and destructive of that wholesome influence which it is important should attach
Lo
in
+
161
in China to every thing connected with Great Britain.
It may be hoped that occasions will rarely, if ever, arise where any persons in the public service shall expose themselves to censure on the charge of wilfully offending against the usages of China; but Lord Aberdeen is disposed to concur in Sir Henry Pottinger's opinion that it would be well that all public Servants in China should be apprized that they are expected and required uniformly circumspect in their conduct, and to abstain even from things indifferent, if likely to give
tobe
occasion