356 
VISIT OF THE AMBASSADOR 
Chow. There was no antichamber in which a person could sit down, and 
the Ambassador had to stand a few minutes till our arrival was announced. 
Four persons were invited into the room in which the Duke was. Its being 
small was assigned as a reason for more not going in. Mr. Amherst bore his 
father’s train. 
“ The Che-chou, or magistrate of the town, was in waiting. He was a per- 
son who at first professed to be very civil, but who, from the trouble the 
public service had given him, soon changed his tone and manner ; and his 
eyes, which at no times looked straight before him, for he squinted much, 
indicated the utmost aversion. He said that szeko-jin, ‘ four men,’ were 
to go in. Old Chang, who was also of the party, corrected him, and said 
sye-wei, ‘ four gentlemen.’ 
“ A small court-yard, not defended from the rain, was to he crossed by 
the aid of umbrellas. This was effected ; and a bamboo hanging screen 
being raised, discovered the Duke, Miih and Kwang, standing about three 
or four feet from the door, with their faces towards it. The Ambassador 
made an inclination of the head, which the Duke did not return in any way, 
but began, in a loud stern tone, ‘ We are especially sent here by the great 
Emperor, to see the ceremony properly performed.’ Mr. Morrison said, 
‘ Let the Ambassador be seated, and then converse.’ The Duke replied, 
his lip quivering with anger, ‘ We stand, let him stand.’ This was- ex- 
plained to the Ambassador, who said, ‘ Very well, we’ll stand.’ The Duke 
was then desired to resume what he was about to say. He began : * Teen 
woo leang jlh. To woo ush kwang, As in heaven there are not two suns, so 
on earth there are not two sovereigns. The great Emperor is Teen Lize, the 
son of Heaven; before him all Kings should bow down. You know it;’ 
(looking at Mr. Morrison, who had been seen reading Confucius, and which 
had reached the Duke’s ears). The ceremony insisted on was coeval with 
Hae-kwo, (the commencement of the dynasty). Feeling this to be no great 
length of time, he added : ‘ It has existed from the highest antiquity, and 
Kang-kae-puh-tih cannot be altered. Without the performance of this cere- 
mony the Ambassador and his tribute will be forthwith rejected and cast 
out,’ throwing his hand from him as he pronounced the last words. 
“ The Ambassador, instead of yielding to the impulse of feelings such as this 
speech was calculated to produce, took no notice of the Duke’s rhodomon- 
tade ; but with self-command, and a firm tone, said, that he considered the 
Emperor of China as one of the greatest Sovereigns in the world, and from 
His Royal Highness the Prince Regent also considering him in the same 
