liable to the imputation of imprudence, do not exclude sincerity, benevolence, resolution, nor many other laudable qualities.  And perhaps if this matter were examined to the bottom, it would appear that the calm and patient turn of the Chinese, on which they so much value themselves, and which distinguishes the nation from all others, is in reality the source of the most exceptionable part of their character; for it has been often observed by those who have attended to the nature of mankind, that it is difficult to curb the more robust and violent passions, without augmenting at the same time the force of the selfish ones:  So that the timidity, dissimulation, and dishonesty of the Chinese, may, in some sort, be owing to the composure and external decency so universally prevailing in that empire.

Thus much for the general disposition of the people:  But I cannot dismiss this subject without adding a few words about the Chinese government, that too having been the subject of boundless panegyric.  And on this head I must observe, that the favourable accounts often given of their prudent regulations for the administration of their domestic affairs, are sufficiently confuted by their transactions with Mr Anson:  For we have seen that their magistrates are corrupt, their people thievish, and their tribunals crafty and venal.  Nor is the constitution of the empire, or the general orders of the state, less liable to exception:  Since that form of government, which does not in the first place provide for the security of the public against the enterprises of foreign powers, is certainly a most defective institution:  And yet this populous, this rich, and extensive country, so pompously celebrated for its refined wisdom and policy, was conquered about an age since by an handful of Tartars; and even now, by the cowardice of the inhabitants, and the want of proper military regulations, it continues exposed not only to the attempts of any potent state, but to the ravages of every petty invader.  I have already observed, on occasion of the commodore’s disputes with the Chinese, that the Centurion alone was an overmatch for all the naval power of that empire:  This perhaps may appear an extraordinary position; but to render it unquestionable, one may refer to vessels made use of by the Chinese.[2] The first of these is a junk of about a hundred and twenty tons burden, and was what the Centurion hove down by; these are most used in the great rivers, though they sometimes serve for small coasting voyages:  The other junk is about two hundred and eighty tons burden, and is of the same form with those in which they trade to Cochinchina, Manilla, Batavia, and Japan, though some of their trading vessels are of a much larger size; its head is perfectly flat; and when the vessel is deep laden, the second or third plank of this flat surface is oft-times under water.  The masts, sails, and rigging of these vessels are ruder than their built; for their masts are made of trees, no otherwise