1850.
Letter from B. J. Bettelheim.
35
submit; but would we do so if a mere refusal of compliance was sufficient to settle the point?
When on my first interview with Sir Thomas, moved with affection and deep compassion for the very trying situation my suffering wife was then in, I solicited his intercession with the powers that be, to permit us to hire a female servant-a point which since then the gallant cap- tain of the last French ship here, the Bayonnaise, has warmly taken up, and would certainly have carried, had he been able to stay here longer than a few hours. The English Admiral, for all that Mrs. Bettelheim is a right born English lady-expressed astonishment at my request, saying, “That neither could our consul at Fuhchau get any female domestics." But the question is, Is it right? No, it is certainly wrong, in Fuhchau as well as in Napa. We must bear it, perhaps, when we can not help it, or where remedy would involve too serious consequences; but where we can rid ourselves of an evil with slight effort, it is wrong to endure it. One feels naturally called upon to ad- vise, scold, and even give a slap to a boy whom he sees committing a wrong; and it is quite likely his parents too will give you thanks for your trouble, though perhaps you would, from various considerations, abstain from correcting a grown up offender not under your immedi- ate control. Now a strong nation stands towards a small one very much in the position of a mature man to a stripling; and though no right principled man would approve of a giant constituting himself the master of a dwarf, on the simple argument that his limbs were longer, there will still be cases in which the common sense of justice seated in
every human breast, will pronounce the use made of power over weakness right, and in its proper place.
Sir Thomas left here late in October, 1846; and early in November, I had a dispatch from government, a long, long delayed answer to an application made soon after our arrival. This rescript shut every door we hoped might be opened for general philanthropic usefulness.
"Without spending time upon compliments, your letter can be an- swered. Herewith the reply is sent. With regard to the practice of physic. In this country, we have usually gone to China to learn the medical art, and to purchase medicines; and we are now well skilled in healing and bestowing aid, so that we are afflicted neither with want of medicines, nor ignorance [of doctors]. Therefore there is no need of any one going to you to be examined and get medicine, or of study- ing medical books, and the art of compounding remedies.
"With regard to studying and writing English. Though I have already ordered the todzies to make most strenuous exertions to learn
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