SOUTHERN AFRICA. 13 
than twelve months ago, in the capacity of commiflary of 
commerce, has hoifted the French flag at Canton. Even here, 
before the revolution, the French had greatly the advantage 
over us by retaining in their employ an agent, a fon of the 
learned Monfieur de Guignes, who underftood the Chinefe 
language, whilft, on every occafion, the Englifh were obliged 
to have recourfe to the Hong merchants to a£t as interpreters, 
the very men who were moft interefted in counteradiing their 
views. Happily, however, at this critical moment, the Englifli 
EafI: India Company poflefs the means of communicating di- 
redly, and in the language of the country, with the Chinefe 
government, through a gentleman in their employ, whofe ex- 
traordinary talents and engaging manners, added to his flation 
in fociety, cannot fail to be produdlive of incalculable fervice 
to their important concerns with this nation. In a word, there 
is fcarcely a part of the globe where Frenchmen may not be 
found, employing their talents, and their time, in gaining fuch 
information, or making fuch connexions, as may be ufeful or 
agreeable to their government at home. 
It cannot be denied that, from the labours of fuch perfon;;, 
much information of foreign countries has been communicated 
to the world. In this refpe^t, the French have contributed as 
much as, and perhaps more than, any other nation. But the 
Dutch and Portuguefe, partly from the effedl of a narrow po- 
licy, and partly, perhaps, from the weaknefs of intelledlual 
powers, owing to a defedtive education, have rather impeded, 
than promoted, any information relative to their colonies. 
The Cape of Good Flope, however, forms an exception from 
this 
