AND THE PRESENT REVOLUTION: ITS PROGRESS AND PROSPECTS. BY CAPT. FISHBOURNE, COMMANDER OF THE HERMES, ON HER LATE VISIT TO NANKIN. SEELEY, JACKSON, AND HALLIDAY, FLEET STREET; LONDON: MDCCCLV. PREFACE. THE writer has less diffidence in submitting this little work to the public, since it was suggested to him by more than one whose opinions he had just reason to value, that he ought to undertake something of the kind; and also from the consciousness, that in publishing, he sought no mere party or personal ends. Much occupation upon objects of more pressing interest, and having more urgent claims, has prevented the continuous attention being given to the subject that it deserves. It is hoped this will be deemed a sufficient apology for many of its defects. The object sought in this work has been fairly to state the question in respect to China's present condition and future prospects, with a view to its obtaining a candid and careful examination, such as the importance of the subject demands;-to shew that unwise interference can neither be beneficial to us, nor our |