Introduction
In 1856, Chinese authorities in Canton arrested twelve sailors on a ship out of Macau that was flying British colours, albeit without a current licence. The sailors were released but the British went ahead and bombarded Canton for three weeks anyway, saying that force was all the Chinese understood. Richard Cobden protested in the House of Commons.
I hope we shall not hear it said in this house — as it has been in another place* — that these are barbarous people, and that you must deal with them by force. I tell you, that if you attempt to deal thus with them, it will be a difficult matter, and one, too, that will be costly to the people of this country. You will be disappointed, and deservedly so, if relying upon the supposition that you will be able to coerce the Chinese Government by force — you will be disappointed if you think that you will be repaid by increased commerce for the employment of violence. If you make the attempt, you will be disappointed again, as you have been disappointed before.
And are these people so barbarous that we should attempt to coerce them by force into granting what we wish? Here is an empire in which is the only relic of the oldest civilisation of the world — one which 2,700 years ago, according to some authorities, had a system of primary education — which had its system of logic before the time of Aristotle, and its code of morals before that of Socrates. Here is a country which has had its uninterrupted traditions and histories for so long a period — that supplied silks and other articles of luxury to the Romans 2,000 years ago!
Précis
Following a diplomatic incident in 1856, Richard Cobden told the House of Commons that he hoped that they would not attempt to justify British policy by disparaging the people of China, as the Lords had done. China’s cultural and economic heritage went back almost three millennia, he reminded them, and in some respects had been ahead of the West.
(59 / 60 words)
Following a diplomatic incident in 1856, Richard Cobden told the House of Commons that he hoped that they would not attempt to justify British policy by disparaging the people of China, as the Lords had done. China’s cultural and economic heritage went back almost three millennia, he reminded them, and in some respects had been ahead of the West.
Edit
|
Reset
Variations:
1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words.
2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words.
3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, must, or, otherwise, until, whether, who.
Post Box
: Help Available
You are welcome to share your creativity with me,
or ask for help with any of the
exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
nicholas@claylane.uk
See more at Post Box.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane,
from time to time you could
buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a
Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed
to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a
Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and
there is no need to register.
