But though the public are certainly much indebted to the missionaries
for the information they have given respecting this singular country,
yet there are obvious circumstances which rendered their accounts
suspicious in some points, and defective in others, so that the
publication of the accounts of the Dutch and British Embassies added
much to our stock of accurate knowledge regarding China. The following
is the title of the French translation of part of the Dutch Embassy:
766. Voyage de la Campagne des Indes Orientales vers l'Empire de la Chine,
1794-5. Tire du Journal de Van Braam. Philadelphe. 1797, 4to. - There is
also an English translation.
767. Sir George Staunton's Account of the Embassy of the Earl of Macartney
to China. 2 vols. 4to. 1797.
768. John Barrow's Travels to China. 4to. 1804.
These works, especially the latter, together with Lord Macartney's own
journal in the second volume of his life, contain a deal of information,
considering the jealousy of the Chinese; some additions, corrections,
and different views of the same circumstances, as well as a further
insight into the manners of the Chinese, as indicated by their conduct,
will be found in the two following works which relate to the Embassy of
Lord Amherst.
