A Very Rapid Promotion

HE begged his way to Peking; and had the good fortune to be able to present a statement of his oppressive grievances to the Emperor himself. The venerable monarch perused the contents: the Viceroy of Nankin happened to be in attendance: he was charged with the crime; his confusion betrayed his guilt; and punishment became indispensable. The Emperor, after expatiating on the magnitude of the crime, commanded his head to be brought on the point of a sabre.

The poor merchant was struck dumb with fear and wonder; when the Emperor relieved him by the following address: “Contemplate this aweful example before your eyes; and as I appoint you Viceroy of the province of Nankin, let the fate of your predecessor teach you justice and moderation.”

by Aeneas Anderson 1797

From ‘Accurate account of Lord Macartney’s embassy to China; carefully abridged from the original work’ (1797) by Aeneas Anderson. Anderson was assisted in preparing the manuscript by ghost-writer William Combe (1742-1823).
Précis
The merchant made his way to Peking, and at the Emperor’s bidding accused the Viceroy to his face of his wrongdoing. The Emperor saw guilt in the Viceroy’s eyes, and had him summarily executed. Then the Emperor turned to the merchant and appointed him Viceroy in the dead man’s place, reminding him of the fatal consequences of any malpractice.
Questions for Critics

1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?

2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?

3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?

Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.

Sevens

Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.

What punishment did the Emperor decree for the Viceroy’s crime?

Suggestion

That his head should be cut off.

Jigsaws

Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.

The merchant told the Emperor his money had been stolen. He said the Viceroy had taken it. The Viceroy was there.

See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.

IAccuse. IIFace. IIIStand.

Tags

History of China 7 Aeneas Anderson 1 Modern History 343 Georgian Era 227 British History 494 China 8 History 957

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