HAI-TEEN. 
109 
voice and imperative gesture, called for the principal interpreter. 
Mr. Morrison appeared. “ I am a messenger,” said this pompous 
gentleman, “ from the Keu-mun-te-tuh, governor of the nine gates 
of Pekin, the greatest military officer of the empire ; commander 
of a million of men. He orders the Ambassador instantly to quit 
the limits of his command.” * Such a mandate was not to be 
entirely disobeyed ; we therefore prepared to depart, but not with 
all the expedition that the Chinese wished. They proposed sending 
our baggage after us, but could not induce His Excellency to set out 
till he was satisfied that every article which had been removed from 
the carts was replaced. 
Although now in circumstances the most disgraceful in Chinese 
estimation, being under the displeasure of the Emperor, we experi- 
enced some sympathy in our misfortunes. Yin, the military Mandarin 
who had accompanied us from the Gulf of Pe-tchee-lee, walked from 
person to person, condoling with each as well as he could, and attri- 
buting our difficulties to the will of heaven. Many of the inferior 
Chinese attendants had also more of compassion than of triumph in 
their countenances, and endeavoured by signs to induce us to eat, 
before we undertook our troublesome journey. And let me not 
here pass over the humane conduct of a poor Chinese towards myself. 
He was a young man who belonged to Mr. Morrison’s boat, and 
acting as that gentleman’s servant, had been often employed for me 
in collecting plants, for which he received a small recompense. See- 
ing me at this time in search of a cart, he led me to the best he could 
* This gentleman did not confine himself to the strict purport of his message, but took 
occasion to give his opinion of the conduct of the Ambassador. “ The Ambassador,” he 
said, “ has behaved rudely. Your King is respectful and obedient, but your Ambassador 
is not: he has used disrespectful language. The Emperor will write to the King, and 
complain of him.” On being told that the Ambassador had only begged His Chinese 
Majesty graciously to defer the audience, he exclaimed, “ The ceremonies of the Celestial 
Empire are unalterable.” “ This is no time to talk of ceremonies,” observed Mr. Mor- 
rison. “ Nor am I sent for any other purpose than to order your departure,” rejoined 
the other, and went away. 
