PUBLISHED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE DIFFUSION OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE THE LIBRARY OF ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE. THE CHINESE VOL. I. COMMITTEE. Chairman-The Right Hon. Lord BROUGHAM, F.R.S., Member of the National Institute of France. Vice-Chairman-Rt. Hon. Lord J. RUSSELL, M.P. Treasurer-WILLIAM TOOKE, Esq., M.P., F.R.S. J. Frederick Daniell, Esq., F.R.S. T. Drummond, Esq., RE, F.R.AS. T. F. Ellis, Esq., M.A., F.R.A.S. I L. Goldsmid, Esq., F. R. and R.A.S. Rowland Hill, Esq., F.R.A.S Edwin Hill, Esq. Rt. Hon. Sir J. C. Hobhouse, Bt., M.P. David Jardine, Esq., M.A. Henry B. Ker, Esq. The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Kerry, M.P. Thos. Hewitt Key, Esq, M.A. George C. Lewis, Esq., M.A. James Loch, Esq., M.P., F.G.S. J. W. Lubbock, Esq., F.R., R.A., and L.S.S. H. Malden, Esq., M.A. J. H. Merivale, Esq., M.A.,F.A.S. The Right Hon. Lord Nugent. Rt. Hon. Sir H. Parnell, Bart., M.P. Dr. Roget, Sec. R.S., F.R.A.S. Sir M. A. Shee, P.R.A., F.R.S. J. Whishaw, Esq., M.A., F.R.S. John Wrottesley, Esq.. M.A., F.R.A.S THOMAS COATES, Esq., Secretary, 59, Lincoln's Inn Fields. THE LIBRARY OF ENTERTAINING KNOWLEDGE. THE CHINESE: GENERAL DESCRIPTION ОР THE EMPIRE OF CHINA AND ITS INHABITANTS. BY JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, Esq., F.R.S., &c. LATE HIS MAJESTY'S CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT IN CHINA. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. ILLUSTRATED WITH WOOD-CUTS. LONDON: CHARLES KNIGHT & CO., 22, LUDGATE STREET. MDCCCXXXVI. CONTENTS. Page China little known to the Ancients-Embassy from Marcus Antoniuus-Nestorian Christians-Arabian Travellers- Ibn Batuta-Jews in China-First Catholic Missions to Tartary-Travels of Marco Polo-Portuguese reach China -Previous to Arrival of Europeans, Chinese less disin- clined to foreign intercourse-Settlement of Macao- Fruitless Embassies to Peking-Catholic Missions- Quarrels of the Jesuits with the other Orders-f'ersecu- First Trade between England and China-Forts battered- Leave to Trade-Treaty of Commerce at Formosa-Trou- bles at Canton-Heavy Charges on Trade-Amoy and Ningpo-Ten European ships at Canton in 1736-Com- modore Anson in China-Intrigues of Hong Merchants -Mr. Flint-Quarrels of English and French-Trade forbidden at Ningpo-Seizure of Mr. Flint-His Majesty's ship Argo-The Portuguese give up an innocent Man- Chinese Maxim for ruling Barbarians-Violent conduct of a Ship-master-Debts to the English recovered from the ENGLISH INTERCOURSE (continued). Objects and Results of the Embassy of 1793-Affair of the Providence schooner-American Flag hoisted in 1802; hauled down in 1832-First Expedition to Macao-Mis- Sion to Cochin-China-Admiral Linois repulsed by China Fleet-Ladrones, or Chinese Pirates-A Chinese killed by a Sailor, who is not delivered up-Second Expedition to |