316 NEW PLANTS FOUND. [Cuar. XVII. 
fringe a solemn treaty which had been entered into 
with a nation so utterly powerless as the Chinese ; 
and most assuredly nothing less than this—no ne- 
gotiations or promises—would have induced the 
Chinese to give up an island like Chusan, which 
commands the central and most important parts of 
their empire. That we committed a blunder and 
made a bad bargain is quite certain, but having 
done so, we must abide by the consequences. Had 
we retained Chusan, it would not only have been a 
healthy place for our troops and merchants, but it 
would also have proved a safeguard to our trade 
in the north, which must ultimately become of 
greater importance than that at Canton. Moreover, 
we should have been in a central position as 
regards a large and important part of the world, 
which must sooner or later open its ports to our 
commerce. [| allude of course to Japan and Corea, 
both of which are only a few days’ sail from 
Chusan, and are still in a great measure sealed 
countries to Europeans. These regrets, however, 
are vain. 
Chusan in spring is one of the most beautiful 
islands in the world. It reminds the Englishman 
of his own native land. In the mornings the grass 
sparkles with dew, the air is cool and refreshing, 
the birds are singing in every bush, and flowers 
are hanging in graceful festoons from the trees and 
hedges. 
The new plants of the island, some of which I 
had discovered in the preceding autumn, I now saw 
