It would require volumes to place in a proper light the 'extraordinary position' in which foreigners in this country are placed in relation to the Chinese government, and to point out with sufficient clearness the measures which ought to be adopted by the enlightened govern ments of the west, in order to maintain their own rank and influence, as independent and friendly nations, and to secure those advantages which a free and uninterrupted intercourse with China is calculated to afford. The petitioners, in the case before us, have limited themselves, in the enumeration of those advantages, to the revenues of Great Britain, and to the important classes interested in its arts and manufactures. We find no fault with them for so doing, and sincerely wish they may obtain all that for which they ask. The evils of the existing state of things are seen and felt, more or less, by all the residents in this country; and some of these, are such as are not found anywhere else in the world. They are not light evils; and are not limited to foreign residents; they affect both the government and people of China, as well as most of the other governments and people of the earth. Nor are the evils confined to commerce; they prevent almost entirely that interchange of thought and those kind offices of humanity, which the Almighty has vouchsafed to his creatures as their birthright. Against these restrictions and impositions it becomes the duty of every wise and philanthropic man to remonstrate.

The extent to which this article has already carried us, makes it necessary to defer the particular consideration of these evils to another occasion, when we propose to say more concerning the course which foreigners ought to pursue towards the Chinese. Hard and unjust and injurious as the present restrictive system is in respect to foreigners, it is vastly more so in regard to the natives themselves; and it is, therefore, chiefly on their account that we desire this subject should receive the most patient and candid consideration. If there be any among our readers, who care only for themselves, and are willing to see unjust laws and systems perpetuated, let such, to keep themselves guiltless, fly from this sacred nation,' and drag out an ignoble existence in the far distant regions of barbarians; or if to save themselves from starvation, they must seek for a morsel of the tea and rhubarb of this inner land, then let them come trembling with awe, knock their heads in the dust, and acknowledge a mortal man to be the son of heaven-the lord of all.

Never, since the people of England first came in contact with the Chinese, has there been a time when such interests were at stake as at present. The trade has been declared free; and the act of August, 1833, to regulate the trade to China, stands conspicuous on the records of the British parliament. To facilitate this commerce, and in accordance with the orders' of the Chinese government, commissioners have come to Canton. Those commissioners have not been acknowledged by the local authorities; on the contrary they have been driven out of the inner land, and are not allowed to reside within the limits to which their jurisdiction is, by their commission, strictly confined. This is on record.'. Thus, all that the British 47

CH: REP: VOL. III.

government has done, (and done with the best intentions,) has been rendered nugatory. Nor is this all: injury, and that of the most serious kind, has been sustained; and the character of the nation stamped with infamy. In this extraordinary position' of affairs, the inquiry arises, what shall be done? By referring to the petition, it will be seen that two courses are proposed; or rather only one course is proposed, and a second is alluded to as being the only alternative in the case. Our limits will allow only a few remarks concerning each of the two plans. We will observe here in passing, that the petitioners, as it appears to us, have placed the main question in its true light; and we think that all who have any knowledge of the Chinese, however, they may differ from the petitioners on minor points, will agree with them in the main position, that, it will be best to adopt determined measures, or else allow all past events to remain unnoticed, and leave the British subjects to conduct their concerns with the Chinese functionaries, each as he best may.'

First then, let us speak of the quiet system.' If this course is adopted, then past wrongs must remain on record, and serve in all future time as precedents to regulate the intercourse between this people and outside barbarians: for how, if the existing regulations are bad, can all the barbarians, several thousands in number, obey them with all their hearts? Thus the Chinese will, and not without reason, take it for granted that foreigners acquiesce in all their present extortions, oppressions, restrictions, indignities, and lofty pretensions and they will have clear proof' that the uncivilized men from far cannot exist without the productions of this inner land, to obtain which nothing is too dear to be sacrificed. Adopt this course, and then it will remain forever recorded in the court of the son of heaven, that the king of Great Britain is a tributary, and reverently submissive to the laws of the celestial empire. Adopt this course, and then it will be certain, and so transmitted to posterity, that all foreigners are barbarians; that the more forbearance and indulgence are shown to them, the more proud and overbearing they become; and that it is necessary to take special care to break down their minds to submission. We may indeed urge, that all this is not our fault; we have no right to interfere with the Chinese; and if they choose to cherish such absurdities it is nothing to us. Nothing to us! This is precisely the language which the wise Chinese adopt, when they wish to connive at the wickedness of others: inquire of them respecting it; and they know nothing about the matter; 'it is nothing to us,' they affirm, and in this way they abet the devices of evil doers, and quiet their own consciences. Was it nothing to the king and people of Great Britain, that lord Amherst was reported as a tribute bearer, at the court of Peking? The effect of the quiet system is bad, considered in any point of view we please, whether commercial, political, social or moral. Let the quiet system be perpetuated; and then farewell to all improvements in the commercial relations; and farewell too, to every philanthropic enterprise. The march of improvement may go on in other parts of the earth, but not in this; the

arts and the sciences may be cultivated in other countries, but not in this; and useful knowledge and the life-giving oracles of the true God may be disseminated in all other kingdoms and empires of the world, but not in this.

We turn now to consider the course proposed by the petitioners ; and shall confine our remarks to the proposition, viz. that a plenipotentiary be appointed by the king of Great Britain to proceed to a convenient station, as near to Peking as may be found most expedient, attended by a sufficient maritime force; and there, in the first instance, to require of the supreme government of China reparation for past injuries; and when that is granted, to propose measures for the regulation of the future intercourse between this country and Great Britain. Is this measure called for? Is it right? Is it expedient? Is it practicable? Whether the exact line of conduct marked out for the plenipotentiary be the best or not, is a subject which, with two or three others, must be reserved for another occasion: we here waive this question because on account of its importance, it should receive the most thorough and deliberate consideration. Concerning the main proposition of the petitioners, we feel it our bounden duty to express our opinion (however unimportant it may be), and to say, that, in view of all the evidence and circumstances of the case, we think the measure is called for; that it is right; that it is expedient; and that it is practicable. Deeply as we deplore the late reverses which have attended the proceedings of the new commission, we look upon them as the events of God's providence, designed in his infinite wisdom to advance the cause of truth and righteousness in the earth. By this remark, we do not mean to exculpate, in the least degree, those who have designed and done what is wrong. No thanks to man, if his wrath is made to promote the divine glory and the good of the human family. And while we are not to put our chief confidence in any human arm; yet knowing as we do that the great Creator has guarantied to man dominion over all the earth, we are not, on any account, or under any circumstances, to shrink from a proper consideration and discharge of all the duties, whether social, religious, or political, which are devolved upon us by that guaranty. Hence arise the relative duties among nations. To a consideration of these duties, and the claims they impose, we shall proceed in our next number. There are views entertained on this subject, and supposed to be right, which, we apprehend, will be found. to be quite the reverse. These views grow out of the position that nations have no responsibilities in reference to other portions of the human family. We propose to examine this position: and think we can show, that nations are under obligations to each other; that China, as it regards her relation to other nations, is in a position of open violation of the law-thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; and that, in such an attitude, they not only inay, but must, remonstrate with her, and, if they cannot persuade, compel her, if they can, to a course more consistent with their rights and her obligations.

ART. II. A brief account of an Ophthalmic Hospital at Macao, during the years 1827 to 1832, inclusive. By a PHILANTHROPIST. Canton, China. 1834.

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Among the virtues attendant on civilization, the most useful and amiable is benevolence; for within its influence it embraces the wholehuman species: whether the sufferer of our race be white or black, a free man or a slave, a Jew or a Mohammedan, a Christian or a savage, it is ever ready to administer the relief that may be within its reach. No class of individuals has so many opportunities of doing good as that of the medical profession. A skillful and experienced surgeon or physician is everywhere hailed and welcomed by suffering humanity as the harbinger of hope and comfort. As a philanthropist, he respects the peculiar opinions of all parties, and therefore is at peace with all. His whole time, attention, and talents are devoted to the service of such of his fellow-creatures as are laboring under any of the many 'ills that flesh is heir to.' Such is the appropriate language with which the author of the pamphlet before us, introduces his account of the hospital. And in the same strain he adds ;—

"Its founder, T. R. Colledge, esq., was appointed surgeon to the British Factory in China in 1826, and the succeeding year commenced administering to the infirmities of such indigent natives as sought his assistance. All sorts of distempers now came under his investigation, But soon discovering that no native practitioner could treat diseases of the eyes, which prevail to so great an extent among the laboring classes of Chinese, he determined to devote his skill more particularly to this branch of his profession. In the year 1828, he rented apartments at Macao for the reception of such patients as required operations for the recovery of their sight. This institution became the topic of conversation throughout the province, and praises and thanks were heaped upon its proprietor by the friends and families of those who received benefit, as well as by the individuals themselves who had felt his 'healing hand,' as may be seen by the translation of a few of the many Chinese letters expressive of gratitude, which were addressed to Mr. C., and which are annexed to this work.

"One of those letters I will here particularly notice; I allude to that from Tsae Yé, expressing his gratitude for curing his broken arm; and would state that the accident was caused by a horse rode by a captain of the honorable Company's service, which was somewhat uncontrollable; the Chinese was met in a narrow path near Macao, and the horse rushed upon him, and tumbled him over, and unfortunately broke his arm ere there was time to retreat, or stop the horse. Mr. Colledge happening to arrive at the spot soon after the accident occurred, was recognized by the crowd of Chinese that had assembled around the unfortunate man, aud kindly taking him under his chargerestored his arm to health, Had this not been done, there is no doubt

the Chinese officers, as is their usual practice, would have given the captain much trouble and expeuse; and could they have seized his person, would have brought him to trial; but all trouble was prevented by thus taking charge of the man. I have selected this one, from many similar cases, to evidence how much good has been done, and may yet be done, in this quarter, by humane practice and benevolent conduct."

"In further proof of what has been done in advancing this desirable object, I will relate the particulars of a case that occurred in the institution. The vigilance and steadiness of the proprietor in enforeing the rules he had laid down for the institution, and keeping subordination among the inmates, together with his scientific and professional attentions to the sick, had for a long period saved the infirmary from any event of an alarming nature. But in course of time, an aged Chinese who had been admitted, while conversing with Mr. Colledge, suddenly fell and expired. This circumstance was most unexpected and alarming, owing to the prejudices of the Chinese and the severity of their laws. However, Mr. Colledge, with great presence of mind, immediately locked the door of the room where the deceased lay, and taking the key with him, sent and informed the tsotang (a Chinese magistrate,) of the circumstance: this officer received the information with good feeling, and having satisfied himself concerning the circumstances of the death, evinced no desire either to extort money or make difficulties. It is likewise worthy of remark, that none of the patients left the infirmary in consequence of this event, although they were apprised of Mr. Colledge having invited the tsotang to take cognizance of it; on the contrary, every inmate, and the hospital was then full, volunteered to give evidence of the good treatment the deceased had received. Aud two of the convalescent patients accompanied the corpse to its native village, and returned after the interment."

Our author next gives a brief account of the Chinese peasant, the heroic Hoo Loo, who was sent to England about four years ago. The poor man was afflicted with a tumor of such a nature 'as to bid defiance to all remedies either external or constitutional;' but Mr. C. was of opinion that it might be removed. This was done; but Hoo Loo died under the operation. The tumor weighed fifty-six pounds after it was removed. We cannot here quote even the brief account given in the pamphlet before us; but the case is so interesting that we shall improve an early opportunity to lay before our read, ers all the particulars we can collect respecting it.

In the course of his work, the Philanthropist notices in terms of just commendation, the introduction of vaccination among the Chinese by Alexander Pearson esq.; and bears honorable testimony to the benevolent efforts of the medical gentlemen connected with the dispensary at Cauton, For a particular account of vaccination in China, we must refer our readers to a paper from Dr. Pearson's own pen, published in the second volume of the Repository. (See page 35.) Some account also of both the ophthalmic hospital in Macao, and