their entrance into the ports of Ningpo, Chusan, and Amoy, with the intention of concentrating the foreign trade in Canton, where it might more easily be kept under control. Since this period Lindsay and Gutzlaff were the first Europeans who, in 1832, visited the Amoy group. Great was the astonishment of the natives when the Lord Amherst made her appearance in the harbour, and in the first half-hour the civil and military mandarins arrived, and, in answer to the wish of the strangers to carry on a free trade with the Chinese merchants, declared that this was contrary to the laws of the empire. Soldiers were stationed on the shore; the mandarins took up their abode in the temple nearest the harbour, and the negociations began with all the lengthy ceremonial of Chinese etiquette. Provisions were given to the strangers gratis; but they were not allowed to land, and requested to depart as soon as possible. The next day several war-junks were posted round the Lord Amherst; all attempts to establish a communication were rejected, and the presents to the mandarins refused. Some of the English, however, succeeded in visiting the city of Amoy, and were kindly received by the inhabitants. The merchants and people crowded round them, and were astonished and delighted when Gutzlaff addressed them in their own dialect, which he had learned when a missionary in Siam, where he had had an opportunity to converse with many emigrants from Fukien. During their six days' stay Lindsay and Gutzlaff visited the city daily; the philological talents and eloquence of the latter irritated the mandarin to such a degree that he declared him to be a native of Fukien and traitor to his country. The disgraceful ignorance of the English traders, which placed them completely at the mercy of their interpreters, had contributed not a little to the contempt in which foreigners were held by the Chinese, which was the less to be wondered at as they had, on their first appearance on these shores, behaved like barbarians and pirates. As the coast gradually assumed a more warlike appearance, and as there was no chance of transacting business, the Lord Amherst sailed on the 8th of April, 1832, to Formosa. The next appearance of the English was more formidable, and Quemoy underwent the fate of its neighbours, and submitted to the barbarians. MURDER OF THE TWO PRINCES IN THE TOWER. TYRREL.-The tyrannous and bloody act is done; 136 THE PICTORIAL WORLD. As well becomes those who have ever breath'd The pure and unpolluted air of heav'n, THE GIPSY-GIR L. A sunburnt swarthy race! From Nubian realms their tawny line they bring, Or read the maiden's wishes in her face, Her hoarded silver store they charm away, A pleasing debt, for promis'd wealth to pay.-LEYden. END OF VOL. II. J. Rickerby, Printer, Sherbourn Lane, London. |