Chap. XXII. CONCLUSIONS. 439 



2nd. The island of Chusan is the most suitable 

 point from wliich we can conduct our negocia- 

 tions, both on account of its position, and as it is 

 the most healthy part of China for our troops. 

 3rd. If the lives and property of foreign mer- 

 chants and others are to be safe in Canton, the 

 mandarins and mob must be taught to treat us 

 with more respect. 4th. The other four ports 

 ought to be respected providing they do not mix 

 themselves up in our quarrel with the Cantonese. 

 5th. China ought to be opened, and all those 

 foolish restrictions imposed by the last treaty on 

 our trade should be swept away. 6. In conduct- 

 ing our operations the nature of the climate ought 

 to be carefully considered with a view to preserve 

 the lives of our soldiers and sailors. 



In conclusion let us hope that the day is not far 

 distant, when this large and important empire, 

 with its three hundred millions of human beings, 

 shall not remain isolated from the rest of the 

 world. The sooner this change takes place the 

 better will it be for the Chinese as well as for our- 

 selves. Trade and commerce will increase to a 

 degree of which the most sanguine can form but a 

 very faint idea at the present time. The riches of 

 the country will be largely developed, and articles 

 useful as food, in the arts, or as luxuries, at pre- 

 sent unknown, will be brought into the market. 

 It cannot be true that a vast country like China, 

 where the soil is rich and fertile, the climate 

 favourable, and the teeming population industrious 



