THREE YEARS’ WANDERINGS 
CHINA. 
CHAPTER I. 
INTRODUCTION. — ERRONEOUS NOTIONS .REGARDING CHINA. — 
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TRAITS IN THE CHARACTER OF THE CHINESE, — REMARKS ON 
AGRICULTURE AND SOIL. — ON GOVERMENT AND LAWS. — 
CHINA HAS BEEN RETROGRADING FOR MANY YEARS.— MY OWN 
EXPERIENCE. , 
WueEn the news of the peace with China first reached 
England, in the autumn of 1842, I obtained the ap- 
pointment of Botanical Collector to the Horticultural 
Society of London, and proceeded to China in that 
capacity early in the spring of the following year. 
In laying my travels and their results before the 
public, I beg to say at the commencement, that I 
have no intention of writing or “ making” a ‘ book 
on China.” By this I mean such books as have 
B 
