CHAP. VI - RESIDENCE IN CANTON

Summary

In this commercial metropolis of the far east Doctor Dinwiddie was fully impressed with the idea of delivering a course of lectures; and before their separation, at Hanshu, he waited on Lord Macartney, who kindly granted permission to use any part of the apparatus necessary for that purpose. The disposition of the English residents was found favorable, and the lectures, which did not commence till after the Ambassador's arrival, were well received. They were attended by Europeans, and such of the Chinese as knew a little of English. One of the natives, with a mind better fitted for commercial transactions than the study of philosophy, and fancying all this exhibition was the prelude to a sale, asked the Doctor how much per cent, he intended to make by his goods. The ideas of a Chinaman are often strangely contrasted with those of a European. Dining one day where a Hung merchant was in company, the merchant, although he seemed to have very clear ideas of Doctor of Medicine, could not easily comprehend the meaning of Doctor of Laws. He asked the philosopher what weather it was going to be? Whether, without rising from his seat, he could remove a certain picture from the room?

The Embassy was naturally the subject of much conversation, giving rise to such observations as these:—“Three months’ negotiation was unavoidable to get over the necessity of Lord Macartney travelling all the way from Canton.