478 MONTHLY REVIEW OF LITERATURE. 



of the question, and gives his opinion as to the policy which we ought to 

 pursue towards the Chinese : — 



" What, then, would be the force requisite to coerce the Chinese empire, 

 with its countless millions of inhabitants ? In my opinion, by combining 

 energetic measures with judicious policy, a comparatively small naval force 

 would do all that was requisite. I would wish to see an ambassador sent 

 out from England to act in conjunction with the admiral on the Indian sta- 

 tion, for the purpose of demanding redress for injuries sustained, and nego- 

 ciating a commercial treaty on a liberal basis. An amply adequate force to 

 compel submission would consist of one line-of-battle ship, two large frigates, 

 six corvettes, and three or four armed steamers, having on board a land force 

 of about six hundred men, chiefly artillery, in order to protect any land 

 operation which might be necessary. The greater portion of this force is 

 already in India, and might be made available with but little expense. For 

 instance, suppose his Majesty's naval force to contribute 



Men 

 1 Seventy-four gun ship 500 



1 Large frigate 



2 Small ditto 

 Indian Navy : — 



2 Corvettes . 



2 Armed steamers 

 Calcutta : — 



1 Armed steamer . 

 Force required from home :- 



1 Large frigate 



2 Small ditto 

 Land Force . 



300 



320 



300 

 200. 



100 



300 

 320 

 600 



Total 2940 



" The total numerical amount of this force would not exceed 3000 men ; and 

 inadequate as such must appear, and would certainly be, were it to go to 

 China with objects of aggrandisement, intending to subdue and take posses- 

 sion of any portion of the country, yet I have no doubt but it would be amply 

 sufficient to carry into effect every object we ought to have in view. Poltroons 

 as the Chinese appear to be, yet were we to arouse the spirit of the nation 

 against us, they might and would prove more formidable than we imagine. 

 Our policy should therefore be to avoid irritating the people, and on every 

 occasion to disclaim any hostile feeling towards them. ' Your government 

 has injured us," we should say, ' and from it we claim redress. Our only 

 wish is to cultivate friendly intercourse with the Chinese ; that however is 

 rendered impossible by the oppressive acts of the officers of government ; 

 against them our hostility is directed, not against you ; we have no intention 

 to aggrandise ourselves at the expense of your country; we will not keep 

 possession of the smallest island on your coast. The merchant vessels which 

 we detain we will not plunder ; on the contrary we are ready to liberate them 

 all the moment our te.ms are granted, which merely demand just treatment 

 for our countrymen, and a liberty of commerce equally advantageous to your- 

 selves as to us.' A proclamation to this purport might be printed and ge- 

 nerally circulated in the commencement of operations, which would simply 

 consist in an embargo along the coast ; a small squadron being stationed 

 near the entrance of the four principal sea ports — Canton, Amoy, Shanghae, 

 and Teensin." 



The Kingstouian Poems. Simpkin and Marshall. 

 It is clear " the gods" have not made this author poetical. There is no- 

 thing, from the beginning to the end of the book, which possesses the 



