Miscellaneous Notices Relating to China, and Our Commercial Intercourse with that Country: Including a Few Translations from the Chinese Language, Part 1

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J. Murray, 1828 - China - 482 pages
 

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Page 54 - Elles doivent être relatives au physique du pays, au climat glacé, brûlant ou tempéré, à la qualité du terrain, à sa situation, à sa grandeur, au genre de vie des peuples, laboureurs, chasseurs ou pasteurs ; elles doivent se rapporter au...
Page 54 - Elles doivent être tellement propres au peuple pour lequel elles sont faites, que c'est un très grand hasard si celles d'une nation peuvent convenir à une autre.
Page 271 - When we turn from the ravings of the Zendavesta, or the Puranas, to the tone of sense and of business of this Chinese collection, we seem to be passing from darkness to light — from the drivellings of dotage to the exercise of an improved understanding : and redundant and minute as these laws are in many particulars, we scarcely know any European code that is at once so copious and so consistent, or that is nearly so free from intricacy, bigotry, and fiction.
Page 59 - China are, on the contrary, very frequently violated by those who are their administrators and constitutional guardians, there can, unfortunately, be no question ; but to what extent, comparatively with the laws of other countries, must at present be very much a matter of conjecture; at the same time, it may be observed as something in favour of the Chinese system, that there are...
Page 270 - Eastern despotisms' — but a calm, concise, and distinct series of enactments, savoring throughout of practical judgment and European good sense, and if not always conformable to our improved notions of expediency, in general approaching to them more nearly than the codes of most other nations.
Page 44 - ... abilities, and continued only through the hereditary influence of particular families, can never be expected to attain. Parental authority and prerogative seem to be, obviously, the most respectable of titles, and parental regard and affection the most amiable of characters, with which sovereign and magisterial power can be invested ; and are those under which it is natural to suppose it may most easily be perpetuated. By such principles the Chinese have been distinguished ever since their first...
Page 3 - ... pursuits Since the memorable era of Confucius, the Chinese empire has been repeatedly dismembered, and again restored to its integrity ; its sceptre has passed through the hands of many families...
Page 209 - I should conceive that they must. Are you of opinion, that if a free trade were Opened between this country and India, to the exclusion of China and the Chinese Seas, means would be found by the private trader to smuggle tea from India ? — Certainly not to the same extent as if the trade to the Eastern Islands were opened ; but I am unable to say whether smuggling would be actually impracticable in that case. If British vessels were permitted...
Page 98 - It ia manifest from this article, that parents are not in any case absolutely intrusted with a power over the lives of their children, and that accordingly the crime of infanticide, however prevalent it may be supposed to be in China is not in fact either directly sanctioned by the government, or agreeable to the general spirit of the laws and institutions of the empire.
Page 59 - is generally spoken of by the natives with pride and admiration; all they seem in general to desire is, its just and impartial execution, independent of caprice, and uninfluenced by corruption. That the laws of China are, on the contrary, very frequently violated by those who are their administrators and constitutional guardians, there can unfortunately be no question ; but to what extent, comparatively with the laws of other countries, must at present be very much a matter of conjecture ; at the...

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