"Who ponders national events shall find WORDSWORTH. THE TAEPING REBELLION IN CHINA; A NARRATIVE OF ITS RISE AND PROGRESS, BASED UPON ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION PREFACE. THE political and commercial relations between China and the Western Powers are rapidly becoming of such great and increasing importance, that it is the duty of those who have lived for some time in that empire, and have had opportunities of observing the character of the people, together with the system of government, to make known the result of their experience. This conviction has, in a great measure, led to the publication of the present volume. The career of the Taepings has long attracted the notice of all Europeans interested in whatever relates to the development of the Chinese nation; partly on account of the semi-Christian tenets promulgated by them, but principally because of their influence over the tea and silk districts, and consequent power to injure or advance the prospects of trade. Hence, by devoting a considerable portion of time since my return to England to the arrangement in a connected form of such of my notes as related to the Rebellion, and which were compiled during my stay in that part of China mainly occupied by the contending forces, I considered that my purpose would be adequately fulfilled. The History of the Rebellion, when related step by step, throws much light upon subjects connected with the political condition of the empire, and in this work ample use has been made of such proclamations and letters as referred thereto. The time embraced by the narrative extends over several years, and consequently it has been necessary to take extracts from the accounts either written or published by those of the European community in China, who were enabled to obtain trustworthy information respecting the early proceedings of the Taepings. In most instances the writings and translations of our missionaries have been the documents principally relied upon, and I here take the opportunity of expressing my thanks to the Secretary of the London Missionary Society, together with other friends, through whose kindness I have been permitted to make use of the data I required. The opinion, now so generally entertained, that a time is fast approaching when Great Britain will become involved in grave political difficulties upon subjects relating to China and Japan, is based upon a consciousness of the extraordinary changes that have occurred of late in our respective positions. Twenty years have not yet elapsed since the English obtained the cession of the little rocky island of Hongkong, and were allowed, subject to many indignities, to trade at five of the seaports. Japan was then all but unknown, and the interior of China was strictly closed to the intruding foot of the foreigner. Now, thanks to a steady and determined policy, Englishmen have the power to traverse with impunity every part of that enormous empire.1 A minister and his staff are established at Pekin: ten seaports are thrown open for trade, 1 Vide Treaty signed at Tientsin, 1858, and Convention of Pekin, 1860. |