Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/36

 But Europeans have always been treated there with distrust, and even insolence, if it could be done with impunity. They have been liable to every sort of petty annoyance, which would weary out the most patient spirit; and have been subjected to the most unheard of oppression. Some of them proposed to introduce some useful arts, which might increase power and riches; for instance, steam engines, saw mills, cannon founderies, cultivation of indigo and coffee; but with the exception of one Frenchman, their offers were all refused; and the latter had to leave the country in disgrace, after having commenced the construction of an engine for boring guns. When works for their benefit were accomplished, their value was lowered, in order to dispense with the necessity of rewarding European industry, and of thereby acknowledging the superiority of European genius.

The general idea, hitherto entertained by the majority of the nation as to the European character, was derived from a small number of Christians, so styled, who, born in the country, and partly descended from Portuguese, crouch before their nobles as dogs, and are employed in all menial services, and occasionally suffered to enlist as soldiers or surgeons. All reproaches heaped upon them, are eventually realized; and their character as faithful children of the Romish church, has been fairly exhibited by drunkenness and cockfighting. No industry, no genius, no honesty is found amongst them, with the exception of one individual, who indeed has a right to claim the latter virtue as his own. From this misconception has emanated all the disgraceful treatment of Europeans up to the time of the war between Burmah and the Company. When the first British envoy arrived, he was treated with contempt, because the extent of English power was not known. When the English had taken Rangoon, it was not believed by the King, until he had sent a trustworthy person to ascertain the fact. Still doubts agitated the royal breast as to the issue of the war with the