NOTES ON LIU-KIU. 265 



the Liu-kius, and with more reason, since they were a nation destitute of 

 arms, and incapable of defending themselves ; and there was no doubt that the 

 presence of Dr. Bettelheim was regarded by them from a purely political 

 point of view. Just previous to his arrival two Roman Catholic missionaries 

 had also settled upon the island, but percei\nng that under the existent con- 

 ditions there was no chance of success, they shortly afterwards left. At the 

 time of the visit of the American squadron Dr. Bettelheim was found to be 

 li^ang in a state of undisguised hostility with the natives of the island, and 

 as it was evident that no more good could possibly be done by his continued 

 residence, he left in one of the American ships in February 1854, and the 

 " Lew-chew Naval Mission " dropped into oblivion. 



Few descriptions could be more Tvddely different than those of Captain 

 Basil Hall and Commodore Perry of the character of the Liu-kiuans. To 

 the English they appeared contented and happy, and the most cordial feelings 

 of respect and esteem existed between the islanders and their \4sitors. " God 

 pity these poor creatures," says Commodore Perry ; '' I have seen much of 

 the world, but never, imless I may excejit the miserable peons in Mexico, 

 have I looked upon such an amount of apparent wretchedness." Thej^ are 

 allowed to be well disposed, but are characterised as ignorant, cunning, and 

 insincere. " The description of Captain Basil Hall," continues the Com- 

 modore, " is a mere romance ; the production of the inventive brain of a 

 writer not very scrupulous of historical truth, and the account of Dr. M'Leod 

 of the Alceste is not much nearer to accuracy." Yet a perusal of the Com- 

 modore's large quarto "n^U, I think, leave in the mind of an unbiassed reader 

 a yet stronger impression of the unvarying good-nature, kindness, and for- 

 bearance of the people than he would gain even from Captain Hall's narrative. 

 The Americans adopted what may euphemistically be described as a very 

 forward policy. The country was closed to foreigners, and it was begged 

 that the officers would not extend their walks beyond Napha. The Americans 

 therefore arranged a little armed expedition to the north of the island. The 

 Liu-kiuans paid a visit to the ships, and on their departure were informed 

 that it would be returned at Shiuri, the capital of the island. Thither, 

 accordingly, the Commodore proceeded, with two field-pieces, and a company 

 or two of marines. These and other actions of the Americans were, it need 

 hardly be said, eminently successful. "We are but a little nation," the 

 Liu-kiuans pathetically remark in one of their petitions ; and it is amusing 

 to read of the feeling of dismay aroused in the breasts of " the jDeople who 

 observe propriety " when brought for the first time in contact with the 

 progressiveness of Western policy. But it is a little hard for them tp be 

 abused into the bargain, and it is to be questioned whether the quiet methods 

 of ingratiation adopted by Basil Hall and Maxwell were not infinitely to be 



