698 THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. [chap. 



a true insight into the future. When he came to the colony 

 the corporal punishments to which the Chinese were con- 

 demned were exceeding barbarous, although mild in comparison 

 with those common in China — a state of things which the op- 

 position brought forward in defence of the severer punishments. 

 Prisoners were repeatedly flogged with "the cat," often with the 

 result that they were attacked by incurable consumption ; 

 they were prepared for the punishment by being subjected for 

 some time to a starvation-diet of rice and water ; they were 

 branded when they left the prison, &c. Proceeding on the view 

 that the greatest security for a colony such as Hong Kong lies 

 in the affection which is cherished for it by the numerous 

 native population, the Governor had sought to protect it from 

 unjust attacks by Europeans. Considering that too barbarous 

 punishments are likely rather to promote than to deter from 

 the commission of crimes, in consequence of the protection the 

 criminal in such a case may reckon upon from sympathising 

 fellow-creatures, and that mild punishments are the first con- 

 dition of a good protective police, the Governor had diminished 

 the floggings, forbidden the public infliction of the punishment, 

 given a reprimand in cases where "by mistake" or by an 

 evasion of the letter of the law extra strokes had been given 

 to criminals, exchanged "the regulation cat" for the rattan, 

 abolished the preliminary starvation-diet and the branding, 

 improved the prisons, &c. All this Avas now loudly complained 

 of by the European merchants, but was approved by the Chinese 

 subjects in the colony, who were however dissuaded from making 

 any contrary demonstrations. 



When we came afterwards to other English possessions, we 

 found that the inhabitants were often more or less in conflict 

 with the authorities, but nowhere was there anything to pre- 

 vent the opposition from endeavouring to promote their views 

 by public meetings, by addresses in newspapers and pamphlets. 

 In this way a pretty active political life arises early, and this 

 is probably one of the main conditions of the caj)acity of the 

 English colonies for self-government, and of their vigour and 

 influence on the surrounding country. 



It will in truth be highly interesting to see what influence 

 will be exerted on the great neighbouring em23ire if Mr. 

 Hennessy's politics with reference to the Chinese settled in 

 Hong Kong be carried out, and they be converted into fellow- 

 citizens conscious that they are protected by law in person and 

 property, that they do not require to crawl in the dust before 

 any authority, and that so long as they keep within the limits 

 of the law they are quite safe from the oppressions of all officials, 

 and in the enjoyment of all the rights and privileges which the 

 English law confers upon the citizen. 



