Travels in China: Containing Descriptions, Observations and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen (Cambridge Library Collection - Travel and Exploration)

Cambridge Library CoLLeCtion Books of enduring scholarly value

Travel and Exploration The history of travel writing dates back to the Bible, Caesar, the Vikings and the Crusaders, and its many themes include war, trade, science and recreation. Explorers from Columbus to Cook charted lands not previously visited by Western travellers, and were followed by merchants, missionaries, and colonists, who wrote accounts of their experiences. The development of steam power in the nineteenth century provided opportunities for increasing numbers of ‘ordinary’ people to travel further, more economically, and more safely, and resulted in great enthusiasm for travel writing among the reading public. Works included in this series range from first-hand descriptions of previously unrecorded places, to literary accounts of the strange habits of foreigners, to examples of the burgeoning numbers of guidebooks produced to satisfy the needs of a new kind of traveller - the tourist.

Travels in China In 1792, a British embassy headed by Earl Macartney travelled from Pekin (Beijing), China, to Canton (Guangzou) with the aim of improving trade with China. The complete account of the mission was recorded by the Earl’s private secretary, Sir John Barrow, in Travels in China (1804), a work intended to ‘shew this extraordinary people in their proper colours’ as well as to ‘divest the court of the tinsel and tawdry varish’ which Barrow thought that missionary accounts promoted. Both a paean to British imperial ambitions and a compelling example of early nineteenth-century travel literature, Travels in China presents an account of Chinese government, trade, industry, and cultural and religious practices through the eyes of one of England’s most ardent expansionists. Barrow would go on to write an account of the mutiny on H.M.S. Bounty (1831), but Travels in China remained by far the more significant work in his lifetime.

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Travels in China Containing Descriptions, Observations and Comparisons, Made and Collected in the Course of a Short Residence at the Imperial Palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen,and on a Subsequent Journey through the Country from Pekin to Canton John Barrow

C a M B r I D G E U n I V E r SI T y P r E S S Cambridge, new york, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paolo, Delhi, Dubai, Tokyo Published in the United States of america by Cambridge University Press, new york www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781108013628 © in this compilation Cambridge University Press 2010 This edition first published 1804 This digitally printed version 2010 ISBn 978-1-108-01362-8 Paperback This book reproduces the text of the original edition. The content and language reflect the beliefs, practices and terminology of their time, and have not been updated. Cambridge University Press wishes to make clear that the book, unless originally published by Cambridge, is not being republished by, in association or collaboration with, or with the endorsement or approval of, the original publisher or its successors in title. The original edition of this book contains a number of colour plates, which cannot be printed cost-effectively in the current state of technology. The colour scans will, however, be incorporated in the online version of this reissue, and in printed copies when this becomes feasible while maintaining affordable prices.

I'ur.lr.Til o

Jin-

T R A V E L S I N

CHINA, CONTAINING

DESCRIPTIONS, OBSERVATIONS, AND COMPARISONS, MADE AND COLLECTED IN THE COURSE OF A SHORT RESIDENCE A T THE IMPERIAL PALACE OF YUEN-M1N-YUEN, AND ON A SUBSEQUENT JOURNEY THROUGH THE COUNTRY FROM

PEKIN TO CANTON. IN WHICH IT IS ATTEMPTED TO APPRECIATE THE RANK THA 1 THIS EXTRAORDINARY EMPIRE MAY BE CONSIDERED TO HOLD IN THE SCALE OF CIVILIZED NATIONS.

"

NON CUIVIS HOMINI CONTINGIT ADIRE CORINTHL'M." It is the lot of few

to go to TEKIN.

By JOHN BARROW, Efq. t A T E PRIVATE SECRETARY TO THE EARL OF MACARTNEY, AND ONE OF HIS SUITE AMBASSADOR FROM THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN TO THE EMPEROR OF CHINA,

ILLUSTRATED

WITH

SEVERAL

ENGRAVINGS.

L 0 ND 0 N: Printed by A. Strahan, Printers-Street, FOR T . CADELL AND W. DAVIES, IN THE STRAND. 1804.

TO

THE

EARL OF MACARTNEY, K. B.

ONE OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST HONOURABLE PRIVY COUNCIL,

THIS VOLUME OF TRAVELS IN CHINA, &V. IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED,

BY HIS MOST

A\'D

FAITHFUL

OEL1GED 'HUMBLE

HKViNT,

JOHN BARROW.

A 2

CONTENTS.

CHAP.

I.

PRELIMINARY MATTER. Introdutlion.—General View of-what Travellers are likely to meet with in China Miftaken Notions entertained with regard to the Briti/h Embajfy—corrected by the Reception and Treatment of the fubfeqttent Dutch Embajfy.—Suppofed Points of Failure in the former^ as Jlated by a French Miffionary from Pekin, refuted.— Kien Long's Letter to the King of Holland.—Difference of Treatment experienced by the two Embaffies explained. -—Intrigues of Miffionaries in foreign Countries.*— Pride and Self-importance of the Chinefe Court—Lift of European EmbaJJies, and the Time of their Abode in Pekin.—Conclufwn of Preliminary Subjeil. Page I

CHAP.

II.

Occurrences and Obfervations in the Navigation of the Yellow Sea, and the Paffage up the Pei-ho, or White River. Different Tejlimonies that have been given of the Chinefe CharaBer.—Comparifon of China with Europe in the fifteenth Century.—Motives of the Miffionaries in their Writings.-—Britifi Embajfy pajfes the Streights of Formofa.—Appearance of a Ta-fung Chufan I/lands.—Injlance of Chinefe Amplification.— Various Chinefe Vcffels.—Syflem of their Navigation—their Compafs, probably of Scythian Origin —foreign Voyages of.—Traces of Chinefe in America—in an I/land of the Tartarian Sea—in the Per/inn Gulph—traded probably as far as Madagafcar. . Commerce of the Tyrians.—Reafons for conjeBuring that the Hottentots may h'tve derived their Origin from China.™™ Portrait of a Chinefe compared with that

°f

vi

CONTENTS.

of a Hottentot.—Malays of the fame defcent as the Chinefe.—Curious coincidences in the Cujloms of' thefe and the Sumatrans.—Cingalefe of Chinefe Origin. —One of the Brigs difpatched to Chu-fan for Pilets.—Rapid Currents among the I/lands. — Vifit to the Governor.—Difficulties in procuring Pilots.—Arbitrary Proceeding of the Governor.—Pilots puzzled -with our Compafs—Ignorance of—Arrive in the Gulph of Pe-tehe-lee.—Vifit of two Officers from Court, and their Prefent —enter the Pei-ho, and embark in convenient Yachts.—Accommodating Condutl of the two Officers.—Profufwn of Provifions.—Appearance of the Country—of the People..— Drefs of the Women.— Remarks on their Jmall Feet.—Chinefe an uncleanly and frowzy People Immenfe Crowds of People and River•Craft at TienSing.—Decent and prepoffeffing Conduct of the Multitude.—Mufical Air fungby the Rowers of the Yachts. —Favourable Traits in the Chinefe CharaBer.—Face and ProduBs of the Country.—'Multitudes of People Inhabitants of the Water.-~ Another lnjlance of arbitrary Power. •~—Difembark at Tong Tchoo, and are lodged in a Temple. Page 25

CHAP.

III.

Journey through the Capital to a Country Villa of the Emperor. Return to Pekin. The Imperial Palace and Gardens of Yuenmin-yuen, and the Parks of Gehol. Order of Proceffion from Tong-choo to the Capital.—Crowd nffembled on the Occafort.—Appearance of Pekin without and within the Walls.—Some Account of this City. — Proceed to a Country Villa of the Emperor.—Inconveniencies of.—Return to Pekin.—Embaffador proceeds to Tartary.—Author fent to the Palace 0/Yuen-minyuen.—Miferab/e Lodgings of.—Vifit of the Prefident and Members of the Mathematical Tribunal.—Of the Bifljop of Pekin, and others.—Gill's Sword-blades.— Hatchett's Carriages.—Scorpion found in a Cafk packed at Birmingham.-—Portraits tf Englijh Nobility.—EffeBs of Accounts from Tartary on the Officers of State in Pekin.—Emperor's return to the Capital.—lnfpeBs the Prefents.—Application of the Embaffador for Leave to depart.—Short Account of the Palace and Gardens of Yuen-min-yuen.—Lord Macartney" s Defcription of the Eaflern and Wejlern Parks of Gehol.'—And his general Remarks on Chinefe Landfcape Gardening.

CHAP.

CONTENTS.

CHAP.

vii

IV.

Sketch of the State of Society in China.—Manners, Cuftoms, Sentiments, and Moral Character of the People. Condition of Women, a Criterion of the State of Society.—Degraded State of in China. — Dome/lie Manners unfavourable to Filial Affection. — Parental Authority.—/// EjfeEls of feparating the Sexes. —• Social Intercourfe unknown, except for gaming. Their Worfhip folitary.—Feajls of New Tear.—Propenfity to gaming. Influence of the Laws feems to have deflroyed the natural Character of the People.—Made them indifferent, or cruel.—Various Inflances of this Remark in public and in private Life.—Remarks on Infanticide.—Perhaps lefs general than ufually thought.—Character of Chinefe in Foreign Countries.— Temper and Difpojition of the Chinefe. Merchants. Cuckoo-Clocks.—Conduct of a Prince of the Blood. Of the Prime Minifler. Comparifon of the Phyfical and Moral CharaElers of the Chinefe and Man-tchoo Tartars. General Charaller of the Nation illuflrated. . . . page j ^ s

CHAP,

V.

Manners and Amufements of the Court—Reception of Embaffadors.—Character and private Life of the Emperor— His Eunuchs and Women. General Character of the Court—Of the Buildings about the Palace—Lord Macartney's Account of his Introduction—Of the Celebration of the Emperor's Anniverfary Feflival—Of a Puppet-Shew—Comedy and Pantomime—Wrejiling—Conjuring and Fire-Works—Reception and Entertainment of the Dutch Embajfadors from a Manufcript Journal— Obfervations on the State of the Chinefe Stage—Extraordinary Scene in one of their Dramas — Grofs and indelicate Exhibitions—Sketch of Kien-Long'j- Life and Character—Kills his Son by an unlucky Blow—conceives hitnfelf immortal—Influence of the Eunuchs at the Tartar Conquefl—their prefent State and Offices—Emperor's Wife, Queens, and Concubines—How difpofed of at his Death. _ . l g l

CHAP.

viii

CONTENTS.

CHAP.

VI.

Language.—Literature, and the fine Arts.—Sciences.—Mechanics, and Medicine. Opinion of the Chinefe Language being hieroglyphical erroneous.—DoBor Hager's miftakes.—Etymological Comparifons fallacious.—Examples of.—Nature of the Chinefe •written CharaBer.—Difficulty and Ambiguity of—Curious Mi/lake of an eminent Antiquarian.—Mode of acquiring tin CharaBer.—Oral Language.—Mantchoo Tartar Alphabet.— Chinefe Literature.—Aflronomy.—Chronology.—Cycle offtxty Years.—Geography —Arithmetic.—-Chemical Arts.—Cannon and Gunpowder.— Dijlillation.—Potteries.—Silk ManufaBures.—Ivory.—-Bamboo.—Paper.—Ink.— Printing.—Mechanics.—Mujtc. — Painting.—Sculpture. —Architecture.—Hotel of the Engli/h Embajfador in Pekin.~The Great Wall, —The Grand Canal.— Bridges.—Cemeteries.—Natural Philofophy.—Medicine.—Chinefe Pharmacopoeia. —Quacks Contagious Fevers. — Small-pox. — Opthalmia.—Venereal Difeafe.— Midwifery Surgery.—DoBor Gregory's Opinion of their Medical Knowledge.— Sir William Jones's Opinion of their general CharaBer. Page 236

CHAP.

VII.

Government—Laws—Tenures of Land and Taxes—Revenues —Civil and Military Ranks, and Eftablifhments. Opinions on -which the Executive Authority is grounded.—Principle on which an Emperor of China feldom appears in public.—The Cenforate.—Public Departments.— Laws.—Scale of Crimes and Punijhments.—Laws regarding Homicide.—Curious Law Cafe.—No Appealfrom Civil Suits.—DefeBs in the Executive Government. —Duty of Obedience and Power of perfonal CorreBion.—Rujfia and China compared.—Fate of the Prime Minifler Ho-chang-tong.—Yearly Calendar and Pekin Gazette, engines of Government.—Freedom of the Prefs.—Duration of the Government attempted to be explained.—Precautions of Government to prevent InfurreBions. —Taxes and Revenues.—Civil and Military Eflablijhments.—Chinefe Army, its Numbers and Appointments. — ConduB of'the Tartar Government at the Conquejl.— Impolitic Change of late Years, and the probable Confequences of it. 357 CHAP,

CONTENTS.

CHAP.

VIIL

Conje&ures on the Origin of the Chinefe.—Their Religious' Sects,—Tenets,—and Ceremonies. Embajfy departs from Peiin, and is lodged in a Temple.— Colony from Egypt not tieceffary to befuppofed, in order to account for Egyptian Mythology in China.—Opinions concerning Chinefe Origin.—Obfervations on the Heights ofTartary.—Praiably the Refiing-place of the Ark of Noah.—Ancients ignorant of the Chinefe.—Seres. —Firfl known Intercoui/e of Foreigners with China.—Jews.—Budhijlu—Nejlorians.—Mahomedans-—Roman Catholics.—Quarrels of the Jefuits and Dominicans.—Religion of Confucius. — Attached to the Prediclion of future Events. — Notions entertained by him of afuture State.— Of the Deity.—Doctrine not unlike that of the Stoics.—Ceremonies in Honour of his Memory led to Idolatry.—Mifreprefentaticns of the Miffionaries with regard to the Religion of the Chinefe.—The Tao-tze erSons of Immortals.—Their Beverage of Life.—The Difciples of Fo or Budhifls. — Comparifon of fome of the Hindu, Greek, Egyptian, and Chinefe Deities.—The Lotos or Nelumbium.—Story of Ofiris and Ifis, and the Ifia compared with the Imperial Ceremony of Ploughing.—Women vifit the Temples.—Practical Pait of Chinefe Religion.—Funeral Obfequies.—Feajl of Lanterns.— Obeifance to the Emperor performed in Temples leads to Idolatry.—Primitive Religion lofl or corrupted. —Summary of Chinefe Religion. . . . Page 418

CHAP.

IX.

Journey from Tong-choo-foo to the Province of Canton.— Face of the Country, and its Productions.—Buildings and other Public Works.—Condition of the People.—State of Agriculture.—Population. Attentions paid to the Embaffy.— Obfervations on the Climate and Plains c/"Pe-tchelee.—Plants of —Diet and Condition of the People.—Burying-pIace. — Obfervation on Chinefe Cities.—Trackers of the YacJits.—Entrance of the Grand Canal.— a The

CONTENTS. The FiJhingCorvorant.—Approach to the Yellow-River.—Ceremony of croffing this River.—Observations on Canals and Roads.—Improvement of the Country in advancing to the Southward.—Beauty of, near Sau-clioo-foo.—Bridge of ninety-one Arches.—Country near Hang-chpo-foo.—City of.—Appearance of the Country near the Po-yangLtf&f.—Obfervations in Proceeding j$rsz/gAKiang-fee.—The Camellia Sefanqua.—RetrofpecJive View of the Climate and Produce, Diet and Condition of the People, c/Pe-tche-lee.—Some Obfervations on the Capital of China.—Province of Shan-tung.—Of Kiang-nan.—Obfervations on the State of Agriculture in China.—Rice Mills Province o/"Tche kiang.—QfKiang-fee.—Population of China compared ivith that of England.-~-Erronews -Opinions entertained on this Subject.— Comparative Population of a City in China and in England-~-~Famines accounted for.—Means of Prevention.^-Caufes of the Populaufnefs of China. P . 488

CHAP.

X.

Journey through the Province of Canton.—Situation of Foreigners trading to this Port.—Conclufion. Vifible Change in the CharaBer of the People.—Rugged Mountains.'—Collieries — Temple in a Cavern.—Stone Quarries.—Various Plants for VJe and Ornament. — Arrive at Canton —Expence of the Embajfy to the Chinefe Government. — To the Britijl) Nation.—Nature and Inconveniences of the Trade to Canton .—The Armenian and his Pearl.—Impofttiotis of the Officers of Government injlanced.—Principal Caufe of them is the Ignorance of the Language.— Cafe of Chinefe trading to London. — A Chinefe killed by a Seaman of His Majejlys Ship Madras.—Delinquent faved from an ignominious Death, by a proper Mode of Communication ivith the Government.—CONCLUSION.

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-

~

59l

LIST

OF

PLATES.

Portrait of Van-ta-gin the Frontifpiece. Trading Vejfel and Rice Mill to face page 37. Portraits of a Chinefe and a Hottentot to face page 50. View in the Imperial Park at G^o/ to face page 128. Artillery, between pages 302 and 303 with a guard. Mufical Injiruments between pages 314 and 315 with a guard. Arch of a Bridge to face page 338. Cbinefe Village, and Mandarin's Dwelling, to face page 545.

E R R A T A . Page 20. line 12. add a between of and crime 23. — 2. fir twice read thrice 39. line b i t , for Mario r. Marco 44. — 26. fir Toitanague r. Tootanague 46. — 1 3 , ^or Geraffe r Giraffe jjl. — 1. add to between mafter an;] which 103. — 17. yi?r monuments r. Monument X-2.Z, — 7. adi the between of and palaces 127. — 3* fir iher r. their J42. — 1. fir whit r. with 183. — 13. fir the r. a ]S6. — 4- fir lo«fe r . lofe 22