CONCLUSION

Summary

I HAVE now gone over moft of the points relative to which I have been able to recollect the remarks and obfervations which arofe in my mind during my attendance on this memorable Embaffy. The comparifons I have made were given with a view of affifting the reader to form in his own mind fome idea what rank the Chinefe may be confidered to hold, when meafured by the fcale of European nations; but this part is very defective. To have made it complete would require more time and more reading, than at prefent I could command. The confideration of other objects, thofe of a political nature, which are of the moft ferious importance to our interefts in China, is more particularly the province of thofe in a different fphere, and would, therefore, be improper for me to anticipate or prejudge, by any conjectures of my own. It belongs to other perfons, and perhaps to other times; but it is to be hoped that the information, reflections, and opinions of the Embaffador himfelf, may one day be fully communicated to the public, when the prefent objections to it fhall ceafe, and the moment arrive (which is probably not very diftant) that will enable us to act upon the ideas of that nobleman's capacious and enlightened mind, and to prove to the world that the late Embaffy, by fhewing the character and dignity of the Britifh nation in a new and fplendid light, to a court and people in a great meafure ignorant of them before, however mifreprefented by the jealoufy and envy of rivals, or impeded by the counteraction of enemies, has laid an excellent foundation for great future advantages, and done honour to the wifdom and forefight of the ftatefman who planned the meafure, and directed its execution.