Page:China- Its State and Prospects.djvu/71

 information on the subject of China are the catholic missionaries, and the Chinese themselves. The former, who penned the "Edifying and curious letters," are sometimes spoken of jocularly as "reverend gentlemen" telling their "pleasant stories;" at other times more cavalierly, as "stupid and lying missionaries, who contrived to impose upon Europeans with their absurd and ridiculous notions." Malte Brun, however, describes them as "weak and credulous, rather than wilfully mendacious." It must be confessed, that these are rather hard terms to bestow upon men who have left their native land, and ventured all, to spread what they conceive to be the truth; men, at the same time, of much learning, and, one would hope, of some sincerity—who have deserved better than to be denounced as downright liars, in matters where they had neither interest nor inclination to deceive. Their opportunities for ascertaining the fact, were many and great, as they were engaged, by imperial authority, in travelling through the various provinces, and drawing up a statistical view of the empire; so that they were not likely to be easily imposed upon by accounts inconsistent with truth.

The Chinese authorities have been treated in a still more unscrupulous manner, and the estimate given by a principal mandarin, to Sir G. Staunton, is described as complete an example of Chinese mendaciousness, as any ever afforded; and, as a document, bearing on its very face, the marks of fabrication. It is comparatively easy to get rid of adverse testimony, by throwing discredit on the judgment or veracity of the witnesses; but though the Chinese may be, generally, given to