Mr. Da ris's Memoir concerning the Chinese. \5 



should ever change so far as to admit of an unrestrained intercourse with 

 the rest of the world, it is really impossible to conceive to what an extent the 

 wealth and power of that country might increase, favoured as it is in point 

 of fertihty, climate, and facility of internal intercourse, as well as in the 

 industrious character of its inhabitants. As far as regards the third point, 

 although the number of unproductive consumers might be greatly extended 

 by the increased number and efficiency of its military establishments, by the 

 formation of a naval force proportioned to the extent of its coasts, and by 

 an increase in the use of various other kinds of unproductive labour, this 

 consideration is quite trifling in comparison with the results of an extended 

 foreign trade. 



With a view to guard against a very common danger, that of^ false 

 itferences, I must apologize for the super-addition of a few observations, 

 which may appear somewhat out of place in this paper. Such a trade, as the 

 above mentioned, can never take place without a complete change in the 

 habits of the people, and the maxims of the government. Let no inference 

 be drawn from tiie foregoing remarks, in favour of an opeii trade between 

 this country and China. Until the other party change their restrictive 

 policy, it is not expedient for us to change ours. I am firmly of opinion, 

 and this opinion is founded on some degree of local experience, some know- 

 ledge of the language, and considerable intercourse with the natives, that if, 

 at the expiration of the Charter, the present system be altered, it will be an 

 experiment attended with the greatest hazard. There is no maxim more 

 generally true, than that monopoly is not so good as unfettered intercourse ; 

 but tliere is, at the same time, no greater source of error, than the applica- 

 tion of general principles, without a due regard to the peculiarities of 

 individual cases : and if the government shall ever be induced by popular 

 clamour, — by the " civium ardor j»rarrtjubentium,"— to throw the trade with 

 China open, there is every reason for predicting, that it will be a sacrifice 

 of the true interests of the 'whole to the outcries of apart, though that may 

 be the most numerous part of the community. We shall soon find that we 

 buy zi'orse tea, and pay dearer for it ; not to mention the difference that it 

 will make, in the collection of nearly four millions of revenue, and. the 

 facilities that will be afforded to smuggling, with the temptation to evade 

 a duty of one hundred per cent. : and for the reasons of all this, I need only 

 refer to the evidence before Parliament in 1813, as well as to Sir George 

 Staunton's notices of China, published in 18i22. The systematic, and un- 



