93
511
27646
92
BRITISH POSITION
of art, imitative in mechanics, (thus leading to the natural conclusion that they would be equally so in social and moral duties,) having an organized Government and well administered municipalities, devoid of the prejudices of caste or of idolatry, and thus to a certain degree pre- pared for the reception of the seeds of Christian truth; ever seeking to benefit their condition, by labour at home, or by emigrating to other countries; habituated to a maritime life; of considerable physical power; not deficient in courage, if properly disciplined; acute or subtle reasoners; preferring the material to the theoretical or ideal; not wanting in emu- lative enterprise, obedient to the commands of a justly ruling authority;
NOTES ON THE FOREGOING STATISTICAL TABLE,
The above are the nominal sums for which the respective officers become responsible to their sovereign. But the estimate of last year has so immensely fallen short of the actual amount required, viz., of the arrears due since the war, there remained, in October 1844, 38,711,000 taels to be paid. The rice has, for the greater part, on account of the inundation, not been forwarded to the capital.
The sundries arise from the proceeds of pawbrokers' shops, mercantile estab- lishments, and various fees and duties. There are morcover innumerable local items not mentioned in the statistical returns, because the mandarins on the spot receive them, without sending any account; for this they have, however, to keep up a considerable establishment.
The colonial possessions, instead of yielding a revenue, absorb considerable sums. The subsidies paid to the Mongol chiefs, both in money as well as kind, are very large; the expenditure of the army in Torkestan, amounts to several millions annually; and to keep up the establishments in Mantchouria, the treasury is con- stantly drained. Tibet requires only about 200,000 taels annually. No returns of these liabilities are ever published.
Three taels are 14. sterling; one shih 160 lbs. ; one ring 100 mow; one mow 6000 square covids.
It ought always to be kept in mind that the sums specified are the net revenue, after the deduction of the expenditure of collection, so that in many instances the sums actually raised are five times more than what is put down here. In the esti. mate are not included the duties on the foreign trade, which are, at the lowest, about three million taels per annum. Besides the monopoly in ginseng, per centage from the numerous mines, profits from coinage, &c., &c., which at the most moder. ate calculation does not amount to less than five million taels per annum, and is directly paid to the Emperor.
We have neither enumerated about thirty-four million shih of grain, which, according to the regulations, is kept in deposit by Government, in order to provide against starvation." The people have some claim on this, and reap the profits arising from the sale. The quantity, moreover, fluctuates very much, and the lat- ter amount is abstracted from a work published about twenty years ago.
China is not remarkable for longevity. An examination was made in 1827 by the Emperor Kang-he, to ascertain how many persons were above seventy years of age, that they might be exempted from the public service, and nourished by the state. Those of eighty, ninety, and a hundred, were successively honoured with higher rewards.
In nine provinces, containing 158,793,306 inhabitants, there were but 194,086 of seventy and upwards, which lätter sum is 818 parts of the former.
In sixteen provinces, the number of people at eighty years of age was 168,830; at ninety years 9996; and at or about a hundred years of age, but 21. Not a two thousandth part of the whole empire reached the age of eighty years; not the thirty-six thousandth part ninety years; and only about one in seventeen million inhabitants reached the age of a century.
Only three provinces evince this longevity, viz., Shantung, 9; Honan 5; Hon- an, or Hon-Guange, 4; Keangnan 3; total 31.
In the Canton province, on a population of 19,147,030, but 9415 reached the
None attained a century. age of eighty, and only 591 that of ninety years.
AND PROSPECTS IN CHINA.
and with strong domestic and social attachments, enabling them to com- bine for good or evil purposes: these and other considerations render China a field peculiarly adapted for the inculcation of the Christian civilization of England.
We have it in our power to till the field thus presented for our pro- fitable labour. Science and skill of various kinds is now anxiously seeking employment at home; where could they be more usefully employed than in China*?
*The jesuits received the greatest encouragement from the Emperor Canghi, or Kanghi, during his long reign. On 22nd March, 1672, his Majesty issued a cele- brated edict in favour of Christianity; in which, conformable to the report of the board of rites, he ordered the temples dedicated to the "Lord of Heaven" through- out his dominions to be respected, and that no opposition be given to all who chose to enter those temples, offer incense, and perform acts of worship.
This edict was issued in consequence of a violent persecution commenced against the Christians in the province of Che-kiang, by the viceroy and inferior mandarins. In consequence of the petitions of the jesuits of science at Pekin, the Emperor ordered the board of rites to inquiry into the subject; and the board reported that "they had seriously examined that which had reference to the Euro- pcans who lived in China; and found that they merited attention and love for the signal services which they had rendered in civil and foreign wars, by their con- tinued studies to produce useful and curious works, and by their just and sincere affection for the public good. Moreover, that the Europeans are very tranquil; that they do not excite troubles in the provinces; that they do not cause evil, or commit any bad action. Besides, their doctrine has nothing in common with the false and dangerous sects of the empire; and their maxims do not lead people to sedition." The report of the board of rites went on to state, that "as the Govern- ment of China did not prevent the Lamas of Tartary, nor the Budhists, to have their temples, and offer incense in their pagodas, how much less ought the Europeans be prevented to have their churches, and to preach publicly their religion, as they did nothing contrary to good laws."
It was in consequence of this excellent report that the persecution which had commenced in China against Christianity, was suppressed by the Emperor in 1692.
Shortly after, the Chinese physicians having failed to cure the Emperor Canghi of a fever, the sovereign placed himself under the care of the jesuit physicians, Gerbillon and Bouvet, at Pekin, who cured him with quinine. In gratitude for his recovery, the Emperor assigned them splendid apartments in the first enclosure of the palace, and which had belonged to the governor of the heir apparent. Artisans were employed to fit the residence up in excellent style, and a mandarin to superintend the dwelling; and understanding that they wished to have a church attached to their house, the Emperor caused a very handsome church to be erected within the precincts of the palace, which required four years building, and was The church was adorned by the jesuit artists with great magnificence and taste. opened with great ceremony in 1702.
On several occasions the learned jesuits established at Pekin, were enabled to render signal services to the Tartar Government at Pekin.
About the year 1688, the Russians had been advancing, by Siberia, through Tartary to the frontiers of the Chinese empire: Their route was along the rivers Irtis, Oby, Gennissee, Angara, via lake Baikal; thence to the Amour river, pene- trating to Saghalion-Oula. The Russians destroyed the forts as they advanced, not without resistance, however, from the Tartars, who were subjects of the Chinese empire.
War between the Muscovites and Chinese seemed imminent; but through the diplomacy of the jesuits Gerbillon and Bouvet, a peace was cou- cluded at Nipchou, by ambassadors from both powers, by which the limits of Rus- Gerbillon and Bouvet sia were defined, and the Chinese army returned to Pekin.
were appointed secretaries to the Chinese embassy, but in reality they managed the whole negotiations in a manner which gave great satisfaction.
But a more important service was rendered to the Tartar Government of