March 28, 1859.] DAVIS ON THE YANG-TSE-KEANG. 165 



as slow work ; but what was it compared with the twenty-six 

 days which were occupied in the same transit by the chimsy 

 Chinese boats in which he had journeyed against the full stream 

 and a generally contrary wind ? This delay, however, gave 

 ample time for inland excursions and observation, to which the 

 Chinese, after a time, made no opposition. The high, sandy, and 

 barren nature of the banks, remarked on by the late expedition, 

 was a disadvantage resulting from the low state of the river ; while 

 the aspect of the country on the previous occasion, as viewed from 

 the surface of the greatly-raised waters (estimated by some at 40 to 

 50 feet), gave a much more favourable impression of the region. In 

 fact, his companion, the late Sir Henry Ellis, justly remarked that, 

 however absurd the pretensions of the Emperor of China to uni- 

 versal supremacy, he certainly possessed the most magnificent terri- 

 tory, within an imperial ring-fence, in the world. 



The enormous estimates of population, as given by Du Halde and 

 M. Hue, for the central position of Han-Kow and the two adjoining 

 towns, were manifestly exaggerated ; but, if taken at less than half 

 the amount, they proved the value of the position as a commercial 

 mart. It was not so easy to over-estimate the amount of desolation 

 caused by the rebels in those rich and populous districts. But 

 Lord Elgin's suite had observed the rapid restorations already 

 effected since the retirement of the barbarous hordes. Any one 

 who had witnessed the celerity with which the indomitable in- 

 dustry of the Chinese has repaired the effects of a conflagration in a 

 large town, might feel sanguine as to the speedy revival of com- 

 merce and population, as soon as there was renewed safety to 

 property and person. The Keang would soon again be covered 

 by the Chinaman's argosies : — 



" Mox reficit rates 

 Quassas, indocilis paiiperiem pati." 



Indeed, a well-known couplet of our own poet might (with slight 

 variation) be applied to the Chinese : — 



" You break his web of industry in vain, 

 The creature's at his husy work again." 



It is impossible to anticipate any other than the best results from 

 this well-timed expedition of Lord Elgin. It seems to have tested 

 with success the good intentions of the Peking Government, if we 

 may judge by the conduct of their representative, the Viceroy of 

 Hukwang. But if it had produced no other result than to establish 

 a proper understanding with the insurgents, and show them the 

 folly of aggressive measures towards our ships, this was well worth 



