'A. Datton and' Robt. Wyper.
Tas experiences on the part of the British and Chinese Governments which led up to the wars of 1842 and 1858, seem to have very readily dropped out the part of the British we find the same absurd yielding to one encroachment after another, and on the part of the Chinese the same insensate desire, having gained one point by obstructive. ness, instantly to push it so as eventually to produce cause for a rupture. At present, the energies of the native Government of Kwangtung are being turned to the practical extinction of Hongkong as a port; and the British Minister in China, and more strangely still the British Authorities in the Colony, as well as the Ministry at home, fail to perceive what is really the drift of the matter. A certain sympathy with the Chinese officials at Canton, induced by long residence and many social amenities, induced the British Consul, in an evil hour, to listen to certain propositions on the part of the native Government, the ulterior object of which was evidently concealed from him. We have little wish to ran down a Consul like Sir Brookes Robertson, whose -urbanity and conscientious discharge of what he considered to be his duty,.have earned him the respect of his fellow-countrymen, as well as of the native authorities. While, however, we feel o. little surprise that ho should have failed to see the drift of the propositions to which he unluckily lent the influence of his name and position, we must find room for something like indignation against those who, without being exposed to the pecular influences with which Sir Brookes Robertson was thrown in contact, have been only too ready, not only to endorse
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.