358 — Memoir upon the Causes of the long Duration 
would have to this day chequered its history, and a conqueror 
would never have been seated on the throne. 
The Manchou Tartars several times, ravaged the provinces, 
before carrying their inroads into the heart of the empire. The 
_ government did not oppose numerous armies to the enemy, but 
constructed the Great Wall: a feeble rampart against valour 
and cupidity; and a memorable monument, according to Vol- 
taire, of the love of peace. The Chinese never dreamt that the 
facility with which they might be conquered inflamed the desires 
of their invaders, and that the hands employed in raising this 
useless barrier would have been sufficient to immolate every 
Tartar at the frontiers of the empire: so true is it that the ha- 
bitudes induced by the gentler passions have expelled from the 
breasts of this people the turbulent workings of hatred and re- 
venge. 
One thing is certain, that the emperors of China have raised 
militias or formed regular troops for the purposes of defence only, 
History does not reproach them with a single aggression*. With 
the interests of states, of which the European cabinets have 
formed a distinct science, they were unacquainted. Their po- 
licy was confined to,the maintenance of internal tranquillity, the 
banishment.of every new opinion, and of every doctrine con- 
* trary to the laws of the empire. They were insulated from the 
rest of the world, convinced by dire experience, that under the 
veil of commercial speculations, Europeans concealed dangerous 
projects. Nevertheless, by constancy and importunity, the latter 
secures the privilege of trading with certain points of the em- 
pire, but under restrictions and conditions so humiliating, that 
the love of money only can induce men to submit to them, 
The Chinese rather tolerate than desire the presence of 
Strangers: every where authority is exerted to keep them in awe, 
and no where are they received with hospitality. 
From this primary cause arising from climate of the long , 
duration of the Chinese government, other secondary causes 
flow, whose action not less constant fortifies that which is ex-~ 
ercised by the climate. 
The paternal regime is indigenous in China, as well as ab- 
solute. power: this regime is sacred with respect to the prince, 
and this power is revered by his subjects as a law of nature. It 
is there that the justice of the head of the state, incessantly en- 
* The emperors had frequently, and particularly those of the primitive 
dynasties, troubles to appease and:rebel vassals to keep.in submission, A 
kind of feudal hierarchy was the principle of these intestine wars. The 
supreme power was successively concentrated, and it is now and will be 
long an object of adoration with the Chinese people, as the source and the 
guarantee of the easy happiness for which nature destines them. 
lightened 
