Chap. X. REMARKS ON THE OPIUM-TRADE. 173 
not at all unlikely that his Celestial Majesty himself 
makes one of the number of its devotees. It is necessary, 
however, to publish every now and then strong threat- 
ening edicts against it, which are only consigned to 
obHvion in the pages of the Peking Gazette, and have no 
effect whatever in restraining the Emperor's loyal sub- 
jects. It is now the opinion of all intelligent foreigners, 
and also many of the more enlightened amongst the 
Chinese themselves, that the importation of opium 
ought to be legalised, and that it should be admitted at 
a small duty, as, by this means, much of the demoralising 
effects of smuggling would be got rid of, and a consider- 
able revenue would flow into the coffers of the Chinese 
treasury. 
Many instances of the feeble kind of opposition which 
the Chinese government employ to stop the opium-trade 
occurred during my residence in the country. Some- 
times an admiral, renowned for his valour, was sent with 
a number of war junks to a particular station, where the 
opium-ships were anchored, for the purpose of compelling 
them to leave the Chinese shores. Gongs were beat, 
guns were fired, at a respectful distance, however, and 
the junks came down with all that pomp and parade 
which the Chinese know so well how to assume, and 
which seem to form a principal part of their warlike 
operations. In the mean time the little opium-vessels 
were seen quietly at anchor, apparently paying but 
slight attention to all these threatening demonstrations. 
Presently a message was sent from the admiral, ordering 
them to get up their anchors and stand out to sea, and 
never more to dare to enter the waters of his Celestial 
