438 CONCLUSIONS. Chap. XXII. 



then, it would appear that tlie climate of Cliina, 

 both in the north and also in the south, is healthy 

 to Europeans, and no doubt these are the proper 

 months for the prosecution of military operations 

 with English troops. 



The monsoons in the China sea are not so 

 decided as they are in India, but generally the 

 prevailing winds from the end of April to the 

 middle of September blow from the south-west. 

 During the remainder of the year, northerly and 

 easterly winds prevail. Thus what is called the 

 south-west monsoon blows in summer, and the 

 north-east in winter. Sailing vessels from Europe 

 or India, bound for Hongkong or Chusan, or any 

 of the northern ports, are almost certain to have a 

 fair wind up the China sea from April to Septem- 

 ber, and vice versd, a fair wind down during the 

 other season. During the months of May, June, 

 July, and August, a fleet of sailing vessels could 

 easily rendezvous at Chusan, or any other point on 

 the Chinese coast, and if necessary come down to 

 Hongkong or Canton in three or four days, in 

 the end of September, when the monsoon changes. 

 But if these same vessels wanted to get from 

 Canton to Chusan at that period, they would find 

 considerable difficulty in reaching their destination. 



From the information I have thus given it 

 would appear safe to arrive at the following con- 

 clusions. 1st. It is useless to attempt to negociate 

 with a man like Commissioner Yeh : we must 

 have communication with the Court of Peking. 



