conducted by the Taipings, whose professions of Christianity did not prevent a consistent practice of massacre, loot, and pillage. In another quarter the country was being sacked in the name of Mohammed, while the professed bandits in a third tried in vain to keep up their reputation.
A punitive expedition had shortly before established the European embassies in Pekin, intrenching another menace to the celestial kingdom ten times more formidable than all the Moslems and bandits in existence. These were the peaceful heralds of coming light—the merchants and traders of England and France. They camped in the "Treaty Ports" and were the self-appointed interpreters of China to a curious world, and the advisors to their most Christian majesties.
Any man at all versed in the affairs of the East will bear testimony that the great mass of these traders, speculators and financial adventurers—both those with simply selfish motives and reputable and honourable business men—
